The party was turning out to be a big success.   The venue was packed and most of the guests were celebrities.  Darren received amazing support.  He put on his best performance and the audience was eating every lyric he rapped.  Nancy watched as Shaniqua stood at the foot of the stage and shot mean looks at the women that reached out to touch Darren's hand.  Nancy walked pulled Shaniqua to the side.  "You must relax dear."  Nancy advised her.

"Are you touching me right now?"  Shaniqua pulled her arm away from Nancy and eyed her over from head to toe.  "Look, I am relaxed. Now you need to chill and go tend to your man."  Shaniqua pointed over to Robert who was in the middle of flirting with the Victoria Secret models.

"He is not my man." Nancy said coolly.  "If you continue to be defensive and act insecure like you are right now, you're gonna drive him away.  If that's the result you're looking for continue, but if not I suggest you take to my advice.  Look around you, you are surrounded by some of the finest artists out there and here you are at the foot of the stage mean mugging groupies.  That's not a good look.  Fix it and mingle.  Be his woman, not his girl."  With that Nancy walked off leaving Shaniqua feeling a bit immature. 

Nancy walked around the party checking that everyone was where they were supposed to be.  While standing at the bar, someone's arms came around her waist.  Startled she turned quickly to see Robert's big smile.  ‘He sure had a sexy smile,' Nancy thought.  "Yes sir?" 

"Come on Nancy chill with all that ‘sir' stuff, we're not at the office.  Call me Robert."  He eyed her cleavage and trailed his eyes down to her waist and back up to her face.  Nancy felt totally naked.

"Sorry. Habit you know?"  She said clearing her throat and crossing her arms.  As much as she knew she look awkward doing it, she couldn't help but feel the Robert could see right through her dress. 

"Relax.  You're gorgeous, I can't help myself."  Robert looked her over again.  "You look amazing for someone who probably slept eight hours all week.  How do you do it?"  Robert said chuckling.

"I drink coffee first thing when I wake up, then when I get out the shower, on the way to the car and a Red Bull before I hop on the train to work."

"You take the train to work?"  Robert said as if it were the most absurd thing he's heard.

"Yes I take the train.  You know how much time I save by not having to rush down here in that traffic on eighty five and then to try and find parking."

"Well you should have told me I can arrange to have a driver pick you up and drop you at work.  You save on gas, time, and you can get some work done on the way to work."

"Who says I want to work on the way to work?  I already give you my bedtime hours and now my partying hours.  I love my time on the train. I put on my headphones and listen to some Neo soul before getting to the office.  It helps me to relax.  Why do you think I always walk in prepared and not frazzled?"

"I like your style.  You are sharp Nancy, real sharp.  I can take you places.  When I'm done with you every business man in Atlanta will want you.  Heck! Every business man from here to Europe will want you.  Just do as I say.  With me you can either build yourself of destroy yourself, it's your choice."   Robert said as he took a sip of his Hennessy.  Nancy nodded fully understanding. Couple things that bothered her was how far would she have to go to build herself and how fast can she destroy herself?

"You have quite a reputation Robert."

"Yes, yes I do.  What have you heard?"

"Well for starters I know you have a quick temper.  It can get dangerous I heard.  You can love someone this minute and break their arm the next.  Is that true, did you break someone's arm."

"I can't answer that; the lawsuit isn't over yet."  He said with a smile.

"You fire on the drop of a hat, and you slept with every woman that's ever worked for you.  Well almost any woman." 

"Well you haven't ‘worked' for me yet so let's not jump the gun."   Nancy laughed. 

"I wouldn't bet on it Robert.  I don't play in my food."

"You wouldn't be playing in your food sweetheart," Robert said stepping closer to her.  Nancy turned to watch Darren walk off stage; she could feel his warm breath on her cheek as he finished his sentence. "You'd be adding to your plate.  I'm gonna go introduce Darren to some of my people.  I'll see you in the limo tonight."  He softly kissed her cheek, drained his glass and walked off.  Nancy felt flushed as she gulped down the last of her Martini.

Nancy remained at the bar as the night continued.  She was exhausted and the hours seem to pass slowly and she was on her third Martini; it didn't help her situation.  As she listened to her favorite Neo Soul artist play, she closed her eyes and rocked back and forth.  She imagined her slow dancing with a handsome man.  It's been so long since she's been that close to someone.

"Wow, you're even beautiful with your eyes closed."  Nancy's eyes popped open to see Darren smiling at her.

"Oh wow, you caught me with my guard down there."  Nancy said slowly placing the Martini glass on the bar. 

"Or I caught you with your alcohol level up?"  Darren laughed.  "You seem sorta buzzed there Nancy, am I right?"

"Just a little; I'm ready to go I'm exhausted.  Where's Robert I'm just gonna catch cab home."

"No you can't leave without giving me a dance.  You know I danced my way through a crowd of women just to get to you."  Nancy looked over his shoulder.

"Where's your Pit?  I don't want to get attacked."

"Well she had to get home earlier than expected.  Her babysitter had to bail."

"I didn't know you had a child."

"I do, but not by her someone else.  A son he's four now."

"Oh okay.  Are you actively in his life?"

"Yes. Yes I am. He's what motivated me to push for this.  I want him to have everything."

"Well don't give him too much; he won't build a strong work ethic.  Make sure he earns it."

"I hear that.  Are you a Mom?"

"No, no.  I've been too busy to even think of creating something I have to fit into a schedule."

"Wow you are truly an assistant.  Must everything be on schedule? You should just let things happen."

"Last time I let things ‘happen' I ended up with a rotten deal.  So my motto is: If it can't be scheduled it won't be happening."

"Change your motto because you are working for the most unpredictable man on the east coast."  Darren said as he signaled the bartender to cut Nancy off for the night.  "May I have a dance?"  He took Nancy's hand and led her to the dance floor.  He pulled her close and the warm of his body flowed through hers.  She felt as if she were going to melt.  "You know I felt a connection to you the first time I saw you.  Robert felt it too, because he's been jealous all week."  Darren chuckled.  "The bad thing about it, whether you know it or not, you're now his property-"

"I'm no one's property, I'm his employee."  Nancy said feeling more annoyed than turned on now.  "I don't know what everyone is afraid of, but Robert Phillips will not own me.  You understand?"

"Loud and clear, I hear you, loud and clear.  Just understand-"

"I don't need to hear anything else about Robert right now, he doesn't intimidate me and he never will."

"You have been doing well up until this point; don't make the first mistake of being naïve."  Darren said. He pulled back to look into her eyes.  Nancy could feel his concern and that caused a knot in the bottom of her stomach. 

"Look Darren, I'm going to be fine."  Nancy assured even though she wasn't so sure herself.  Robert suddenly appeared at her side. 

"Are you ready to go?"  He said while intensely staring at Darren.  Darren released Nancy's hips and stepped back.

"Yes, I thought you'd never ask."  Nancy sighed.

"Well Darren, it's been good.  It's only the beginning son; I hope you're ready for the storm, because after tonight that's what it's going to feel like.  Nancy come on girl, let's get you in bed."  Robert said holding out his arm as he winked at Darren.  He leaned in close to Darren's ear.  "Next time you want to play with my toys, you ask me first."  He whispered.

"Good night."  Darren said before walking off.  Nancy could see that his teeth clenched and wondered what Robert said to him.

"Let's go sweetie."

"Robert I'm not in the condition to drive.  Can you get the driver to take me home and I'll come back for my car sometime tomorrow?" 

"Better yet, how about you spend the night and just leave in the morning?"  Robert said as she climbed into the limo. 

"I don't think that's a great idea. Anyway, I don't have anything to sleep in or wear home in the morning." 

"You know that can be arranged."  Robert said smile.

"Robert it's three in the morning."

"Baby nothing is after hours for me."  He said as he pulled out his blackberry. 

"What are you doing?" 

"Sending a text;   you do know how what that is right?"

"Robert I'm not spending the night at your house."

"Look if you're worried about something happening it's not going to.  I promise.  Look I know I'm an aggressive man, but I know when to leave a woman alone.  Unless, she doesn't want to be left alone?"  Robert slid closer to Nancy and caressed her face with the back of his hand.  He kissed it softly and trailed kisses towards her ear and she felt herself melting.

"Robert stop."  Nancy said, but not strong enough for Robert to listen.  Robert turned her face towards his and softly kissed her lips.  It's been so long since Nancy was kissed and she felt as if she were spinning out of control.  She brought her hands up to his face and pulled in closer.  Before she knew it the kiss was harder and his hands were around her pulling her tightly towards his body.  Nancy pulled back abruptly immediately regretting the kiss.  Robert sat back his hand on Nancy's thigh.  Nancy grabbed his hand and placed it in his lap.

"I know that may have turned you off from staying at my place tonight.  Trust me; I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to do."

"Robert I'll stay if I have my own room.  Please stay away from it."

"That's fine; I have no problem with that.  You have to admit that kiss was mind blowing."   Nancy turned away and looked out the window for the remainder of the ride.  She looked at Robert as they pulled up to his home and he fell asleep at some point.

"Robert wake up we're home. I mean you're home."  He woke up with a yawn and stretched as the limo door opened. 

"You can stay in the guest room you were in earlier.  A nightgown should be laid out for you."  Robert said as he climbed out of the limo Nancy close behind.  "Accompany me for breakfast in the morning.  We may not wake up until afternoon, but we'll still have some breakfast."

"Okay, that's fine."  Nancy said as they entered the house.  They stood in the foyer staring at each other. 

"I know my reputation isn't wonderful Nancy, but I can be a good guy you know and I know how to treat precious things."   He said as he caressed her cheek before ascending the stairs. 

Nancy took a deep breath and climbed the stairs.  The Martinis were beginning to wear off and could well as drive home, but was too tired to even bother.  She entered the room and a silk night gown was laid out for her.  There were also a pair of jeans, a polo shirt and sneakers with socks.  The perfect weekend outfit.  Nancy took a quick shower and lay in bed.  As soon as her head hit the pillow she fell into a deep sleep. 

Waking up groggy, Nancy turned to look at the clock on the nightstand.  Twelve thirty, it read.  She took a deep breath and rolled onto her back.  She sat up quickly momentarily disoriented.  She grabbed her head to stop the throbbing. ‘Why would I drink in front of my boss last night?'  Nancy thought to herself as she climbed out of bed and made her way to the bathroom to freshen up.  As she pulled on her sneakers she notice a note slipped under her door.  "Meet me on the patio for breakfast.  Robert."  It read.  She finished getting dressed and packed her bags and left it in the middle of the bed.  "Let me get this over with."

She made her way downstairs and as she stood at the bottom of the staircase she realized that she didn't know where the patio was.  "I hate big houses." 

"So do I."  Nancy turned to see a woman in a maid's uniform.  "Walk straight to the back and make a left at the end of the hallway.

"Thank you."  Nancy said as she made her way.

"You may lose 5lbs by the time you get there."  The maid quipped.  Nancy smiled at her sense of humor.  As Nancy made her way up the stone steps she noticed that the maid was not joking.  It was quite a walk for a house.  As Nancy drew closer she heard that Robert already had company.  Darren had a look of surprise as he saw Nancy approach the table.  He quickly hid his shock as he took a sip of his orange juice.

"Well if it isn't sleeping beauty!" Robert exclaimed.  "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes best sleep I've had in years." Nancy answered.

"Those beds will do it to you."

"Or a week of no sleep."  Robert laughed.  Well that would be your hardest week here my dear.  You were kind of thrown into the whole thing, but I commend you, you made it through very well."  Robert said as he pat her thigh.  "What will it be this morning?  Say it we can make it."

"Cheese omelet with a slice of toast and a large cup of coffee." 

"You got it."  Robert called over the butler and gave Nancy's order. 

The shone brightly over the patio.  Behind them stood a large fountain.  Nancy felt the sound of the running water to be soothing.  She regretted not having sun glasses though as the sun was intensifying her headache.  She squint her eyes as she fought off the glare. 

"Need sunglasses?"  Darren said, staring at Nancy with a smirk on his face.  "You really don't feel those Martinis until you stand up huh?"  Darren and Robert laughed when Nancy shot an angry look across the table.

"I'm going upstairs to get my sunglasses, I'll be right back, excuse me."  Nancy said as she pulled away from the table.

"So you got lucky I'm guessing?"  Darren said nonchalantly. 

"No, actually I didn't.  She's not that type of girl." Robert said as he watched her disappear into the house. 

"I hate to say I told you so man.  Girls like that you gotta take it slow with.  You can tell it's been awhile for her."

"Oh so now you're and expert on women huh?"

"I'd like to think so..."  Darren said trailing off.

"I guess you got a lot of training from Shaniqua?  Nancy is more classy than those hood rats you're interested in."

"Hey I'd appreciate it if we don't bring up the women in my life, and I won't bring up Karen."  Darren laughed as he saw the look on Robert's face at the mention of Karen's name.

"That girl was just something to do when there was no one else around okay."

"Well you can't do things like that with this assistant, she looks like the type to cut your balls off and not think twice."

"Yeah, you think so?  There's not a woman I can't have, unless their lesbian, and even then I've had a couple of those."  Robert said winking at Darren. "I will have her if I want her, Darren.  You've seen my work.  This one is different.  This mansion needs a woman in it and she's perfect to run the ship." 

"You got all that from her in a week?"  Darren asked half trying to discourage him.

"Yes I got that in a week.  If I see you hold on to an interest of mine like you did last night, your dream will remain just that; a dream."

"I hear you boss.  She's not my type anyway."  Darren said as he watched Nancy walk towards them. "Hood rats are my flavor, remember?"  Darren said as disappointment filled his gut.