TOUCH ME SOFTLY (2 page)

"Mr. Summerfield,” Mr. Ross said. "The young woman who has joined us is Miss Quinlyn Wittmyer. She is a paralegal with my firm, and is one of the best researchers I have ever seen."

I looked on and waited for Mr. Summerfield’s response. Several seconds went by, and suddenly he turned, pulling his hands from his pockets and placing them behind his back. I was shocked. I expected someone in his forties, maybe late thirties, but Mr. Summerfield wasn't even close to that. He was closer to my age — maybe even younger. Intently, he looked at me for several seconds, and I found myself lost in his features. He was extremely attractive. Not too tall, about five-foot-eleven inches and athletic looking. He really didn't have a hairstyle, unless you consider uncombed a style, it was dark brown almost black. Not too long, it fell over his ears and had a strange part, not on the side, but not the middle either. None of that came close to his face. Chiseled, with smooth features it was trusting and made you want to stare at him for as long as possible. So much so, that I almost over looked his beautiful, bright green eyes. That is until he walked over to me and introduced himself.

Holding his hand out for mine, he looked down at me and spoke. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Wittmyer," he said as a smile flashed across his face. "I look forward to working with you," he added as he took my hand in his. Taken off guard by the feeling of his touch, I said nothing in return. I simply sat there, staring up at him as if I was a love struck teenage girl. His eyes danced over my features, and I found myself wondering what he was thinking. That was enough for me to snap out of my momentary lapse of coma.

"I'm sorry," I stuttered as I cleared my throat. "Mr. Summerfield, it's a pleasure to meet you as well."

"Please... Call me by my given name... Jareth."

"Certainly, Jareth."

"Well then... With the introductions complete, let me explain why I have called on your firm Mr. Ross and Mr. Kane," He said as he walked to the head of the conference table and sat. "My family had many holdings in prewar France. Unfortunately, we lost millions of dollars when Germany invaded."

Mr. Ross started to speak. "Mr. Summerfield, if I may interrupt..."

"Sir, I would appreciate it if you did not," said Jareth, in a polite, but commanding voice.

As I was saying, my family lost much during this time in history. I come here today to ask for your assistance in retrieving one item."

Intrigued
, I spoke up. "Mr.Summer... I'm sorry. Jareth, this item you seek. It must have great sentimental value to your family."

"Miss Wittmyer, what makes you make such an assumption?" He asked smiling.

"Simple. It's one item. If it was money or land there are other avenues," I answered.

"Miss Wittmyer is correct. This item has a great amount of sentimental value to my family."

"What would this item be, Mr. Summerfield?" Asked Mr. Kane.

"A very old painting, Sir. Very old."

Once again, I couldn't help myself. Curiosity killed the cat and one day it just may be my downfall as well. "Jareth, why now? What's so important about the painting that would cause you to look for it now?" I asked.

"The painting is very important to my family. It's of a family member from a long time ago, and is from a series of family paintings reaching back centuries." Unexpectedly, Mr. Ross excused himself from the meeting. He advised Mrs. Lancaster to take the case if she wanted too, but he didn't see how the firm could be of much help with such a matter. Personally, I was excited about the case, and the chance to work with Jareth. Suddenly, Jareth picked up a black briefcase and set it on the table, as he stood. "Mr. Kane, Mrs. Lancaster... I am prepared to leave you with a retainer of one hundred thousand dollars. I feel it's important that you understand my commitment, excuse me, my family’s commitment to the recovery of this painting," he said as he opened the briefcase to reveal one hundred thousand dollars in cash, all one hundred dollar bills.

Mr. Kane resembled a dog salivating over an old bone, and Mrs. Lancaster quickly shuffled through paper work searching for a client contract. The money meant nothing to me; actually, it raised questions.
Why would you pay such a large retainer in cash?
Where was the rest of Jareth's family and why weren't they here as well?
I couldn't help feeling that the whole situation was strange. The doubt must have been written all over my face, because Jareth addressed me right away. "Miss Wittmyer, you appear troubled by something," he said as he sat down. "I am happy to address any concerns you may have."

"She's a paralegal... She has no concerns," Mr. Kane said as he glanced in my direction.

"No sir, no concerns at all," I smiled.

"Mr. Summerfield," Kane turned to him and said. "Will you be staying in our city during the course of your case?"

"No, but I will be here for two more weeks. I am staying at a hotel on the north west side of the city." Jareth replied.

"The firm maintains a suite at the Harbor International. I am happy to extend its use to you and I hope you will accept."

"The offer is appreciated, and with consideration and the hope of building a strong business relationship with you and your firm, I accept your hospitality," Jareth stood and shook hands with Mr. Kane. Who then politely excused himself from the meeting, saying he felt comfortable leaving the details to Mrs. Lancaster. However, I still had questions, and many concerns about the case. After all, I was the research specialist, and much of the work would fall on my shoulders. How could I hope to locate one painting that hadn't been seen since world war two? Before I could utter a word, Jareth looked directly at me, his sexy, dark green eyes gazing over me and spoke. "Miss Wittmyer," he smiled. I hope this isn't too forward, but could we possibly meet later this evening; dinner perhaps?" He asked in the most polite manner.

A little startled by his invitation, I sat there quietly for several seconds. "Uh... Sure. Where would you like to meet?" I asked. "Here at the office," I quickly added.

Jareth leaned back in his chair while glancing around the office. "I'm afraid I'm not free till late this evening. I was hoping you could meet me at the hotel," he said. "I assume they have a suitable dining facility... We could have dinner," his eyes quickly turned to Mrs. Lancaster obviously seeking her endorsement to his suggestion.

"That shouldn't be a problem," she said as she turned to me. "Quin will be there Mr. Summerfield... What time?"

"Is nine o'clock acceptable to you Miss Wittmyer?"

It quickly became apparent that I didn't have a choice in this ordeal. Nine o'clock was a little late for a work dinner, but if I kept it one hundred percent business, I might make it home by eleven o'clock. No small talk. No bullshit. Just dinner and an exchange of information. I would get what I needed and call it a night. "Sure... Nine o'clock is fine, Mr. Summerfield. Excuse me, I mean Jareth."

"Mr. Summerfield," Mrs. Lancaster spoke. "If you would like, Quin can meet you for lunch at the Harbor International at noon. She can also take the time to get you settled into your new room," she smiled then turned to me with a glaring look.

"Thank you, Mrs. Lancaster. Lunch with Miss Wittmyer sounds inviting," he answered as his piercing eyes shifted to me. "Well then, it appears my time with you two ladies has come to an end. Mrs. Lancaster, thank you for your time and attention to this matter. It truly has great importance to my family," he said as he shook her hand. "Miss Wittmyer," he turned and extended his hand. "I look forward to seeing you at lunch," Jareth smiled then quickly walked from the conference room.

The second Jareth left the room, Mrs. Lancaster started doting about him. She thought he was the hottest thing that had ever walked through the doors of the firm. Nevertheless, her goo-goo eyes were quickly replaced by eyes of greed. For the next twenty minutes, all she spoke of was the retainer and how she might be able to land the entire Summerfield family as clients. She wanted to be made partner, and signing a family with 'old money' would put her on the short list. His money meant nothing to me; paralegals couldn't be partners. We could hold a 'limited interest' in the firm, but I was way to new for such a promotion. Besides, I was more interested in Jareth's story. There was something about him that reached out and grabbed me. Learning more about him was my only interest. As I sat there, listening to Mrs. Lancaster ramble on, I twirled my pen in my fingers and thought to myself.
Where was he from? Who is this guy that just strolled into my life?
I couldn't shake the feeling I was being misled. Not lied too, just not being told the entire truth. He was all I could think of the entire day.

It was ten minutes after eleven when Mrs. Lancaster walked into my office. "Shouldn't you be on your way to lunch?" She asked, but it wasn't a question she wanted an answer too.

"I was just leaving Mrs. Lancaster," I answered as I grabbed my purse and stood from my cluttered desk.

"Okay, I was just checking on you. So listen Quin, don't screw around with this. Do not, and I mean it, do not question his motives for this search. This Summerfield family could turn out to be important for this firm," she smiled as she walked me to the elevator. "So don't screw around. Be professional and show him this firm can provide solutions," she gave me an encouraging smile as the elevator doors closed. The truth was she didn't care so much for the firm, as she did about her advancement in it.

Once I arrived at the Harbor International Hotel, I went right to the concierge desk to inform Jessica of Jareth stay. Jessica and I had become friends over the past few months. I first met her when I started at the firm and had to smooth over an invoice with the hotel. "Hi Jess," I greeted her.

"Hey Quinie," she smiled. "Oh my God... you have got the greatest job on earth," she said softly as if trying to be private.

"What are you talking about?"

"Ahh, Mr. Summerfield," she answered as her head swiveled around making sure no one was within earshot. "He is so hot. And you get to work with him on a project," she wooed over the thought of him.

"Jess, it’s not like that. He's a client, that's all."

"Well, I guess that makes him my client also," she smiled with a devilish grin.

"Fuck me," I whispered to myself. "He's already here?" I asked in a slightly panicked tone.

Shaking her head yes, she answered. "Oh, but don't worry, I took care of him and got him into the suite. He's up there now," she said. "Matter of fact, he said you would be here soon and asked that you come up when you arrive," she winked.

Trying to convince Jessica that sex wasn't involved would be like trying to run a marathon. Sure, I could do it, but it would take forever so why bother. Jessica handed me a suite key and I quickly walked to the elevator. Once again, I was late. I should have been here before Jareth and had everything arranged for him. This day wasn't getting any better for me. As the elevator doors opened, I stepped into the suites foyer. "Mr. Summerfield," I called out and paused for a second as I listened for his response. Several long seconds past and I heard nothing. Inching forward, I glanced around looking for some sign of him. I could see his shoes on the floor, a suit jacket draped over a sitting chair, But no Jareth. I took several more nervous, steps into the suite and called out again. "Jareth," I said a little louder. "I'm here for our lunch." Once again, several long seconds past by and there was no response.

"Miss Wittmyer," a voice said from behind me. Instantly, I dropped my purse and let out a frightened scream as my hands shot up to cover my mouth. I knew who it was, but couldn't control the sudden jolt of fear that raced through my mind. I was never good with surprises. "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to startle you," Jareth said.

"You scared me half to death," I said as I turned to face him, only to be put into a state of pure shock. "Ah, you’re not dressed," I stuttered as my eyes followed the trails of dripping water down his beautifully, sculpted chest to his washboard, abdominal muscles. "Oh my God," I turned away.

"I have a towel wrapped around me," Jareth laughed. "Give me a minute he added."

I heard the French doors swing closed behind me. Immediately, I turned around to see an empty room. Jareth had retreated to his room to dress and I was left embarrassed, if not slightly aroused. Confused, I thought to myself.
Why did he do that? He had to know I was there. At the office he acted professional and polite.
My thoughts quickly returned to his half-naked body. Standing before me, wrapped only in a towel, Jareth was simply the sexiest man I had ever seen. The way the water followed the contours of his muscles was indescribable. But if I had to make an analogy, I would say it was like a trickling stream flowing down a mountain. Just when you thought nature couldn't be more beautiful, the stream grew into a river that sliced through the most gorgeous flower-filled meadow.