I woke up the next morning. With a bounce to my step. I pulled out a few pieces of clothes and held them up against myself, looking into the mirror to see which would look the most professional.

"Oh and make sure you ask questions. But dear god woman don't ask anything obvious, make it imaginative."

I nodded listening as Anthony rolled off a number of do's and don't's about interviews. As an Employer himself I knew this was information I couldn't throw aside. "Got it."

He walked into the wardrobe and stood behind me so that we could see both our reflections in the mirror. He pulled up his collar and started to work his tie around his neck in a loop. "Wear that green top and the black skirt." He nodded towards the two pieces of clothing still hanging up.

"Aren't they a little too informal?" I thought about the simple pencil skirt and the green blouse that had a diamond neckline that I thought was a little too unprofessional while the colour was an emerald green that I thought might be too bold. As a whole it just seemed too casual for an interview with a possible future employer.

"No. You want to seem confident and casual. This is bold enough so that you're noticed and since it's a clothing line you need to look fashionable. And it is still appropriate." He explained as he pulled the top and the skirt and passed them to me.

"Get dressed. We leave in ten."

I walked into the bathroom and quickly got dressed before applying a light coverage of make up. Not too much since I was well aware heavy make up didn't look as good on me as it did on most. I pulled my hair up into a bun and stepped quickly out into the entryway ready to met Anthony at the door.

He passed me with a piece of toast hanging between his teeth as he grabbed his phone and some papers. He gave me a once over as I stepped into his vision, his eyes raking over my figure burning the skin. When his eyes finally met mine again, he reached up and released the claw holding my hair up in a bun and waved it free with his other hand. "Turn around."

I huffed and did as I was told, mostly out of curiosity of what he was doing. I knew he liked my hair down, he had told me as much when we were first forced together. He pulled most of my hair and twirled it before loosely grasping it behind my head adding in the claw. "Better." He nodded his head at his handy work.

Surprised, I turned to the mirror on the wall and checked the new hair do. My hair was loosely pulled back and curled dramatically over the claw with a few strands falling free to frame my face and trickle down my neck.

I liked it.

We left the house in a hurry. Anthony and his drive dropped me off at a small double story building that looked like an old red brick warehouse.

"Remember don't be nervous. Deep breaths and smile. Good luck." Anthony coached me as I slid out the door to face the building. It wasn't as intimidating as the other positions I had gone for but I still felt my nervous eating at me.

Ready? My inner-self bounced up and down with excitement.

I took a deep breath hoping she would shut her mouth during the next half an hour of my life.

The building on the inside was bright. Bricks were painted white with colourful posters with inspiring quotes and cute pictures. I immediately liked the atmosphere. I was guided up a flight of stairs to an office that overlooked the rest of the warehouse work floor. The old walls had been replaced by glass to make it look much bigger than it truly was and brighten up the once gloomy work station.

Walking in I met with the CFO who was interviewing me. She had thin black hair down to her waist and even thinner eyes that look more black than brown. Looking up she smiled at me. "Hi you must be Skylar Martin." Standing up she extended out a hand in greeted to which I gladly shook. "My name is Debra I'm the CFO here at Vibe. Please take a seat."

"Thank you so much for meeting with me."

"Not a problem, now." She laced her fingers together and leaned forward against her desk covered in papers. "Skylar, I have a lot of seasoned managers asking for this position, why should I hire you over them?" She got straight down to business not waiting a second.

I smiled. "Because I am loyal, dedicated and want nothing more than the chance to prove you and myself that I can do this. I have a great mind for business, and I am a master in turning seemingly un-beneficial opportunities into once in lifetime chances. You may have a lot of managers from other companies asking for this opportunity, but I can promise you I will be the best fit for you and your company. "

Debra smiled at me.

***

I walked past the receptionist and let myself into Anthony's office. He glanced up at me before looking back down at the papers in his hands. "So did you get it?"

"I don't know?" It came out as more of question than anything else.

"Did they like you?" He turned the page.

"I don't know."

"What kind of vibe did you get?"

"I don't know."

He stopped reading and looked up giving me his full attention now. "How can you not know?!"

I shrugged. I honestly couldn't tell if I had said the right things, asked the right questions or if Debra liked me enough to employ me.

"Well did you mutilate anyone?" He asked clearly referring to his own interview with me.

"No."

"Did they hesitate at your name?"

"No."

"Did they stare at you like your nuts?" I didn't care for this question and gave him an annoyed look.

"No."

"Oh my god babe." He spoke being all dramatic like. "I think this may be your best interview yet." He smiled wickedly.

I tried to suppress my smile and gently shoved him by kicking his foot under the table. He started to laugh.

"They said they would call me later this week and let me know."

"Well whether or not you get the job, we need to celebrate this milestone achievement." He spoke still smiling.

"The achievement of me actually getting through an interview?" I questioned, raising my brow.

"Exactly. Wanna see a movie?"

I thought about the movies currently showing. Nothing seemed to tickle my fancy. "Actually, I was thinking something a little different."

"Like?"

"Well I keep driving past that ice skating rink and I've always wanted to try it."

And probably break your neck trying.

It's not that dangerous. I rationalized with myself.

You'll probably leave with a broken ass no doubt.

Can you even break your ass?

If anyone can, you can.

I rolled my eyes at the words of encouragement.

"Sky are you listening?" Anthony's words pulled me back to reality. "I am not going ice skating." He sounded as he had repeated this information.

"Have you ever been?"

"No which is why I won't willing fall on my ass all night."

"Please Anthony." I begged.

"No, I'm not doing it."

***

"I cant believe I'm doing this." Anthony pouted like a child as he gripped the side of the rink, his feet unsteady on the ground.

I smiled at him trying my hardest not to laugh at him. "Oh relax it's just rollerskating."

"This is not a compromise Sky!" He whisper shouted at me and tried to pull herself up to his full height but his feet wavered a little more. I hadn't been roller skating since i was a child but it was like riding a bike, once you learn, you could never forget. Anthony apparently had never learned. He couldn't even stand.

"I gave you the option." I shrugged.

"I really need to watch what words come out of your mouth a little more."

"Probably." I agreed and held out my hand to him. "Come on."

Anthony held my hand and stood up again. I skated backwards and took him with me. "That's it you've got it." I smiled at him as he finally managed to stand on his own.

We sacked along the rink hand in hand not for romantics but so that Anthony didn't fall when he had to turn the corner. It was very comical in my opinion to be the one leading him for a change. In the beginning I was so hell bent on making my own decisions and being independent, not relying on anyone. But now, I didn't have an urge to strive for independence, instead I was happy leading Anthony in the roller skating rink and then letting him lead me in dance.

I felt a tug on my hand and turned to see Anthony struggling again. His arms were spread out wide like he was impersonating a plane and he struggled to get his balance. "You okay?" I asked him watching as his face scrunched up and tried to focus on his own two feet.

His right foot crossed over into the path of his left and he fell head over heels - literally. It wasn't until I felt a strong pull on my arm that I noticed he was still clutching my hand as he fell and taking me down with him.

"Ow." I whined as I rub my backside, praying for a moment that it wouldn't bruise.

Anthony laughed loudly, throwing his head back as his body shook with laughter. The sound was sweet, tickling my ears and flooding warmth into my chest. I couldn't stop myself from laughing with him.

We kicked off our skates within an hour. Our butts were bruised beyond recognition and we both ached all over. It was late by the time we arrived back at the hotel and I couldn't seem to wipe the smile off my face.

I walked into the apartment and was greeted by the sight of Hercules curled up on her pillow chewing at a frayed piece of her chew toy.

"The Rats back." Anthony said with a smile as he shrugged off his suit jacket and unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt.

I walked towards my bunny and picked her up giving her a quick hug and walking her outside to put her back in her hut for the night so that she didn't eat the couch while we were asleep. Walking back into the lounge I leaned against the door and saw Anthony sitting on the couch.

I watched him sit there. His head leaning over the back of the couch, his eyes shut in a peaceful slumber and his arms were draped over the back of the couch. The shadow of the city lights trickled in through the thin lighting up the lounge in a soft glow. As I watched the rise and fall of Anthony's chest I found myself remembering his bare chest. The way the muscles flexed as he held his towel still around his waist only just covering his pelvis. The way his lips quirked up when he was amused in a cheeky mischievous smile. My heart fluttered again and the warmth spread through me with an intensity I could hardly comprehend.

Kiss him!

Go to bed. Don't give in.

Does he even like you that way? Think about it Sky.

The doubt started swirling in my mind, clouding it. Each voice in my head was screaming at me each with their own opinion. But then there it was again. That voice that was getting louder and louder when ever he was around. Only, it wasn't a voice at all. It was nothing. Pure and utter deafening silence that silenced every other voice in my head until it was only me and him.

I walked slowly towards him. Reaching down I braced my hands on the back of the couch and lowered my lips to his. Anthony was surprised by the sudden attention but he didn't waste a second, kissing me back almost immediately. His lips were soft as he let me lead the kiss. He smelled of morning grass covered in the dew and warm paper fresh out of the printer.

His hands moved from the back of the couch and moved to rest on the inner curve of my waist where he dragged me into him. I fell forward and into his lap, my knees moving to straddle his hips and my hands moved to push against him, running my fingers up his chest to touch his stubbed jawline and back down again.

Our kisses got faster, harder, hungrier. I could feel my lips bruising as i pressed them eagerly against his still in control. Anthony sucked on my bottom lip making me moan. Light tingles erupted on the sensitive flesh now red and swollen. His teeth bit down a little, not enough to draw blood but enough to spark my nerves.

I broke the kiss desperate for air but Anthony had other ideas, his lips moving to my jaw and then down my neck kissing a tender spot below my ear. My desire pulled at my core. I wanted more.

I jumped at the sound of his phone ringing. My heart slammed violently against my chest with an erratic beat, my pulse echoing in my ears making it hard to hear anything noteworthy. Anthony stared at me, the golden flecks in his eyes were almost completely consumed by his pupil and his flooding desire.

We both stayed silent. Both of us breathing hard and fast as we tried to collect our thoughts. His phone was still ringing loudly begging for his attention.

"You should get that." I finally whispered, my eyes still staring at his lips.

"Yeah. Phone. Right." He spoke in broken English but didn't make an attempt to reach for it.

I smiled feeling my blush heat my face. I leaned in a place a lasting sweet and innocent kiss on his lips before climbing off his lap and walking to the bedroom. I slipped out of my skirt and blouse and pulled on an over-sized t-shirt and a pair of shorts that only just covered my backside.

I climbed into bed and relaxed into the cotton sheets just before Anthony walked in, his phone discarded.

I heard him shuffle around the bedroom, undressing and felt the bed dip as he climbed in. He was still for a moment before his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me into his embrace until my back was flush against his chest. He placed a small kiss on the back of my neck.

"That was Boyd Guerrero, the investor I've been trying to sway for a while now." Anthony spoke against the back of my neck, his lips dancing lightly across my skin as his warm breath tickled creating goosebumps. I momentarily recognized the name of the couple we met during that night we went to the opera. "He invited us to lunch tomorrow."

"Oh." I said barely able to conjure up or comprehend more than simple words.

"Is that okay?" He asked me.

I tried to suppress my smile as I contrasted the way he demanded this of me not too long ago, and now, the way he asked me. "Yes Anthony. It's fine."

"Good, because I already said we'd go." He chuckled at his own words and kissed the back of my neck one last time. "Goodnight babe."

I took a deep breath and smiled. "Goodnight."

***