I decided to leave my hair down and curled parts of it with a curling iron, that the hotel brought up per my request, along with a new clubbing outfit and make-up. All charged to Ryan's account.

I stood in the bathroom, in the hotel's super-soft bathrobe, while I finished my hair, applied my glittery eye shadow, and ultra-sexy, hot pink lipstick. Once I was satisfied with my look, I took off my robe and put on my sexy pink mini-dress. The outfit had a sheer overlay covered with embroidery and fringe details that resembled a flapper dress. It was supported by skinny straps that crisscrossed down my open back and tied at my waist. I couldn't wear a bra with this, but I had sticky skin tape to keep my girls in place.

I completed my look with a pair of neon pink, strappy, high heel sandals. I was ready. I blew myself a kiss in the mirror and told myself just to have fun.

I picked up my clutch purse that had a wristlet silver chain and threw my phone, some cash, my lipstick, and room key into it. My watch showed it was almost 11 p.m., I took a deep breath and shook my head to get the blood flowing to my brain just as there was a knock at my door.

I opened it and saw Adam standing there, with Ryan just behind him. They both looked at me, and their jaws dropped almost simultaneously. Ryan composed himself quicker than Adam and said over his brother's shoulder, "Let's go."

Typical. I closed my door, and we walked to the elevator. As we rode down, Adam made polite conversation with me, while Ryan kept looking at his phone and staying quite. We walked out of the hotel, and there was a limo waiting for us this time. Hank was probably finally home with his family. The new driver took us to what appeared to be the go-to nightclub in the area. 

I could distantly hear the beat of the bass as we pulled up. There was a long line wrapped almost around the block just to get in, but when we got out at the front of the line, the man standing next to the bouncer immediately waved us in.

Adam walked in first, leading the way, and Ryan walked behind me. I felt safer than I would have with Sasha or any of my other girlfriends. Typically guys would be trying to grab me or talk to me, but this time every guy that looked at me immediately saw Adam and Ryan and would turn away. I felt slightly amused by this.

Adam talked to the bouncer of the VIP area, and before I knew it, we were ushered past the velvet rope to more secluded seating, with a private bar. Adam ordered us all a round of shots. I also ordered a cocktail for myself. When I went to give the bartender cash, Adam waved my hand away. "Your money's no good here," he said, leaning into my ear so I could hear him over the music. "Tonight's on me."

I leaned back into his ear and replied, "Thank you!"

The three of us cheered the shots and dropped our heads back. The liquid burned my throat, making me cough a little. I chased it with a sip from my cocktail, which was also on the strong side, but much sweeter.

"Care to dance?" Adam leaned into me again.

I smiled and nodded. He stood and reached out his hand to me. I placed my fingers daintily in his hand and let him lead the way out of the VIP area to the dance floor. I glanced back for a moment at Ryan and saw him looking at me. His eyes connected with mine and instantly turned his attention away.

Out on the dance floor, Adam spun me, and we danced well together. He had perfect rhythm, and it was easy letting him lead. All those years of dance lessons my mom had me take, definitely paid off at that moment. People started stepping back to watch us dance, spin, and dip. It was fun being the center of attention for the moment. In the end, we separated, and some people gave a little clap, which only made me blush. I was glad it was too dark for anyone to notice.

Before I could blink, another woman stepped in between me and Adam and asked him to dance. He nodded and started dancing with her. I casually moved away to dance among the crowd. Several guys tried gesturing for me to join them, but I just smiled and ignored them and continue to dance happily by myself.

My feet started to ache a bit, so I made my way back to the VIP area. Ryan wasn't there. I ordered another drink from the bartender, then took a seat at our table and watched the people on the dance floor. I checked my phone to see if there was anything from Eric. There wasn't. Of course, why would there be? He would be home sleeping right now, which I wish I were doing that moment.

I looked around at the crowds and spotted Ryan. He was kissing a girl. Typical. I shook my head at how much of a player he was. Then I suddenly realized who he was kissing. He was making out with Mr. Gosling's wife! What the hell was he thinking? He was going to jeopardize our contract with Mr. Gosling and his partners if they found out about this.

I pushed my way through groups of moving, sweaty bodies towards them, and as I got closer, I noticed Mrs. Gosling was still wearing the same outfit from dinner. Where was Mr. Gosling?

"Natasha!?" I shouted as I got closer, startling her and Ryan apart. He looked at me like a kid caught stealing candy. It appeared it took her a moment longer to recognize who I was.

"Vicky! Hi!" She approached me and kissed my cheeks to greet me.

"Ryan? Could I speak to you for a moment?" I asked calmly, looking over Natasha's shoulder.

"Not right now, I was just discussing something with Natasha," he said, trying to wave me away.

"It's rather important," I urged.

"Ryan, go ahead. I need to grab a drink anyway." Natasha smiled at him. I couldn't believe my eyes. Did neither one of them care? Did Adam know? I needed to find him.

"Fine. Go to our table in the VIP area. There's a private bar there. Tell the bouncer you're with us," Ryan directed Natasha and kissed her, ON THE LIPS, right in front of me before we both watched her walk away from us.

I turned and glared at him. "Seriously, Ryan!? What do you think you're doing?"

"You're not my girlfriend, Ms. Ashcroft, and it's none of your business." 

"Trust me. I'm very thankful not to be your girlfriend. But are you trying to sabotage the deal?"

"As I said, stay out of it. It is none of your business. We're done here." Ryan pushed past me and headed over to the VIP area.

I went around the dance floor searching for Adam. It took me forever to find him, but when I did, I told him what I saw, and he looked at me enraged. He took my hand and led me back to where Natasha and Ryan were still sitting. Natasha was sitting on Ryan's lap, and he was talking into her ear with his hand caressing the back of her thigh.

Adam let go of me and immediately grabbed Ryan by the arm. Natasha staggered off his lap as Ryan was pulled up and led away from the VIP area. I was left there, standing alone with Natasha.

"Does Mr. Gosling know you're here?" I asked, taking a seat on the lounge chair.

"Yes." 

"Really? Does he know what you're doing?"

"Actually, yes. He allows me to go out every once in a while to have fun and do whatever I want with whomever I want. No questions asked. That way, I can continue happily satisfying him for the rest of his life," Natasha said confidently, taking a sip of her martini.

"Wow, okay, so he wouldn't care that you're fucking Ryan Herman? The man he's doing business with for as long as it takes this project to be complete?" I asked suspiciously.

Natasha didn't answer with words, but more so with some concern in her expression. Then it turned back into a look of lust when she saw Ryan and Adam returning. Ryan didn't look as happy. In fact, he seemed somewhat defeated; I almost felt bad that I had to tell on him.

"Natasha! Sorry about what just happened. It's good to see you again," Adam said, greeting Natasha with a kiss on each cheek.

"Nice to see you too, Adam." Natasha blushed at him.

"How about we restart and get another round of shots for everyone?" Adam smiled and went to the bartender to put in a drink order.

An hour later, we were all beyond tipsy. I felt marvelous and free. I hadn't drunk that much since my senior spring break. I kept eyeing Natasha and Ryan, and Natasha and Adam, and Adam and Ryan. They all seemed very flirty together. First, Adam would dance with her, and then Ryan. Then she'd get me to dance with her by our table in front of Adam and Ryan, which they appeared to enjoy the most.

By the end of the night, I was sweaty and dizzy and needed to get sleep. Luckily, we made it back to the hotel, before I threw up in the toilet of my hotel room.

*****

The next morning, my head was hurting, and the little bit of light that crept through the drapes felt like a light-saber burning my eyes. I went to the bathroom, drank two glasses of water, and took some Ibuprofen. I took a lukewarm shower to help get me energized. The upcoming scheduled meetings for that day were not going to be fun in the slightest.

I placed my sunglasses on and headed to the lobby. Ryan and Adam were already there speaking with each other and stopped when they noticed me approaching.

"Hey there, party animal," Adam snickered. "How are you feeling?" He said, wrapping his arm across my shoulder in a friendly way, as we all walked out to Hank.

"Can you please not shout?"

The two brothers laughed and let me climb into the backseat of the car.

Hank tried to ask if I was okay, but Adam responded on my behalf, letting him know my condition was alcohol-related.

I somehow got through most of the morning meetings. I only had to excuse myself once, to run to the bathroom and throw up. By lunchtime, I felt better, and by the end of the workday, when we got back to the hotel, I was ready to order a steak, through room service.

There was a knock at my door, which I thought was my food, but I was surprised to open it to see Ryan standing there.

"Don't look so happy to see me, Ms. Ashcroft," he stated as he let himself in.

"Sorry, I thought you were my steak." I closed the door and walked behind him back to the main room.

"Well now, that's a new name for me." He laughed at his own joke.

"My room service should be here soon. Is there something I could help you with?" I asked, taking a seat back on my bed.

"No. I just noticed you weren't a hundred percent yourself today and wanted to make sure you were okay. I know we probably pushed you past your limits last night," Ryan explained. I was shocked at how considerate he was being.

"Thank you, for your concern. It was slightly past my limit. I'm not much of a shots gal. I am sorry if I wasn't very professional today. I hope the clients didn't notice."

"They were too preoccupied with the plans to pay attention to anyone." Ryan waved away my concern. "I did come here to say one thing, though."

"Okay?" I looked at him sideways.

"I wanted to thank you for stopping me from pursuing Natasha last night."

"Oh...you're welcome, I guess?"

"Adam made me realize what a big mistake I could have made. Especially for the company."

"I'm glad," I responded.

"And I am also grateful that I have an assistant like you."

"You are?"

"Yes, I can tell you really care about me," he said, as he casually took a seat at the foot of the bed. He leaned back on his hands and one just barely touched my calf.

"Of course, I care about your well-being. As your assistant, it's my reputation on the line, as much as yours," I explained.

He locked his eyes on mine. "I've wanted to talk to you about something else too, Vicky."

Did he just use my first name?

Just then, the door knocked. Ryan didn't let me get up. He answered the door, allowed the server to walk in with my covered tray, and placed it on the desk. Ryan signed the receipt for me and gave a big tip, which I gathered from the expression of the server. He thanked Ryan, said goodbye to me, and left.

I went to get up from the bed to grab my food, but Ryan placed himself in front of me, blocking my way to the desk.

"Can I eat my dinner while you talk to me?" I asked, confused about his physical position.

"Oh yes, please do." He stepped aside.

I made myself comfortable at the desk and began cutting up my steak. After I took my first few bites, I realized he was watching me. Not in a creepy way, but watching me all the same.

"Do you want some?" I asked, holding out my fork full of steak and mashed potatoes.

"Sure." Ryan ate the fork full of food while I still held it in my hand. "That is a delicious steak."

I laughed at his facial reaction and gave him another bite. Feeding him felt oddly natural. He requested a few more nibbles, which I couldn't refuse.

"I've never let anyone feed me before."

"Well, I didn't feed you," I clarified. "I just held out my fork, and you ate from it. I didn't bring the fork to your mouth."

"Well, if you're trying to get all technical about it," Ryan laughed at my excuse. "You certainly are a unique woman. I am glad I didn't fire you on your first day."

"Me too." I laughed along lightly. "So what else did you want to talk to me about?"

Ryan's expression turned serious and thoughtful. I noticed that he shook his head, ever so slightly, as if he was internally arguing with himself.

"It wasn't anything super serious. I just wanted to let you know that we've been invited to spend the weekend in Napa Valley. At the Upton's vineyard. I know we originally planned to fly back on Saturday, but this will be good for building the company's relationship with our client."

My heart sank a little. As much fun as I was having over the last few days in L.A., I was also feeling ready to get home to Eric. But I put on a stiff smile and assured Ryan that I was looking forward to it.