The Blond Satan

Chapter 1-3

The Spain & Simpson Advertising Agency was on the sixth floor of the Georgian Building, whose wide, floor-to-ceiling windows faced Central Park. The offices were done in pale colors with everything from fruit to landscapes decorating the walls except for the name of the agency, which was written in shining chrome just above the receptionist’s desk.

The receptionist looked up the moment she heard the swoosh of the double doors, and her eyes widened.

Greg Spain saw her surprise when she saw him, and asked, “What the hell are you looking at?”

“My God, Greg, what happened to you? Were you in a hurry getting dressed this morning?”

“What do you mean?” he answered, looking down at himself curiously.

“Well, you’re so…don’t you think you need to button your shirt up, straighten your tie, and…well, your shirt is almost out of your pants.”

“I like it this way, so get used to it.”

“If you say so, but it looks like you’ve been in a fight…and didn’t win.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Another thing. Where the hell did you get that tan? It’s been raining here all weekend.”

“There are tanning salons…”

“Yeah, but you look different somehow. Your hair needs a brush, and…well, everyone knows you’re not a slave to fashion, but this is ridiculous.”

“Who are you, the fashion police? Leave me alone, okay?”

“Okay, but a guy that’s not a slave to fashion is usually a slave to something else.” Giving him a teasing smile, she said, “What is it? What has you all tied up in knots? Blonde, brunette, or redhead?”

“Look, I had a rough night, okay?”

“Rough night, huh?” she repeated. “Sounds good to me. I never did like a man that’s all spit and polish. You’re just messy enough to be interesting. And look at those muscles.”

“Cut it out, Dora.”

“No, I’m serious. What did you do to beef up like that in just a few days? If you know a secret, share it. You could make a million.”

“My secret…” He hesitated. Get scratched by a wolf cub, he thought, and then continued with, “I’ve been working out. I guess it’s just beginning to show.”

Remembering the night that he got a glimpse of his body in his floor-to-ceiling mirror, he knew that what he saw then and what she saw now were very different. Then he was looking at himself right after an attack, and his hybrid form hadn’t worn off yet. Now that it was gone, he looked much like his old self, but with a few changes. The kind of changes that might make someone ask themselves—why didn’t I notice that before?

“Well…if I were you, I’d keep it up. It certainly agrees with you.”

“Thanks…I guess.”

“Hey,” she said. “Have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

Angling an I-know-something-you-don’t-know look at him, she said, “Delbert hired a new employee while you were gone.”

“What? Without consulting me? When is he going to realize that I’m the senior partner around here and not some whacked out deadbeat who comes in when he feels like it and empties the waste baskets?”

“Well, you weren’t here, and this guy said he had some other offers, so Delbert made an executive decision and grabbed him.”

“Other offers, hell. That’s the oldest line in the business. Leave it to Delbert to fall for something like that. I’ll bet he didn’t even check the guy out. Do you know if Delbert checked his references?”

“I don’t know, but I’ve heard he’s pretty bright.”

“And pretty bright to you is what? Being able to screw in a light bulb?”

“Hey! Relax, will you? The guy is only a Second Seat Trainee right now. That’s an eighteen-month gig. No reason to get so worked up.”

He looked down at his watch. “Hell, I’m late. Have the new genius come into my office for a proper introduction, and then bring me some coffee.”

“Excuse me, but that’s not in my position description.”

“Is getting fired in your position description? Five minutes. I want coffee on my desk and the new genius in my office.”

“Bastard,” she grumbled as she got up and walked over to the coffee machine. “How about a new personality to go along with that hot new body?”

Greg turned to go into his office when he happened to see a pair of long legs covered by gray trousers and two feet wearing Western boots that were sticking out from behind a cubicle. As he stared, the young man leaned forward, put his finger in his mouth, licked it, and then reached down and rubbed a smudge off his boot. Since he was apparently new, Greg couldn’t help wondering if he was the young man Dora was referring to. Just then, the guy in the boots turned his head, looked at Greg, and their gazes locked for a moment until someone passed between them and broke the spell.

When Greg looked again, there was no one there.

No gray trousers, no black Western boots, and no dark eyes looking up at him. He blinked his eyes a couple of times, wondering if he’d been hallucinating. Finally, pulling himself out of what he thought was probably another one of his delusions, he went into his office and slammed the door. He had just enough time to put his briefcase down, hang his coat up on the coat rack, and give his tie a quick tug when the door opened and Dora came in with his coffee.

“What took you so long?” he asked sarcastically.

“Anything else?” she asked while giving him a dirty look.

“Where’s the new genius?”

“I hope you mean me. I’m new, and…well…I am a genius,” a male voice answered.

When Greg looked, he saw a dark-haired individual who wasn’t the young man he encountered earlier. He couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

“Arrogant, ain’t he?” Dora muttered.

“Arrogant? Well, maybe. Thirsty, yes. I’d like some of that,” the genius said, indicating toward the coffee.

Greg looked amused when he saw Dora frown. “I don’t think that’s in her position description, but I’ll see what I can do.” He turned back to Dora. “Dora, I’d consider it a personal favor if you would bring this young gentleman a cup of coffee, and then take an extra thirty minutes for lunch.”

Apparently the extra thirty minutes did it. “Of course, Mr. Spain,” she said brightly and turned to leave.

Turning to his new employee, Greg put out his hand and said, “I think it’s about time for introductions. My name is Gregory Spain. I’ve been out of the office for a few days and found out when I returned that we had someone new on the staff.”

“Sean Majors.”

When Greg looked at Sean, he saw a handsome young man with dark hair that was combed straight back. For the first time, Greg knew what the phrase, “not a hair out of place,” meant. It meant Sean Majors. His shoulders were broad, and he had the blackest eyes Greg had ever seen. With his dark eyes, swarthy skin, and the shadow of a beard, he had a slightly sinister look and would have been perfect to cast as a movie villain.

“Glad to know you, Sean,” he said, trying to maintain a professional demeanor as he sized up the young expert who moved around with style and grace and never fumbled his words or his movements.

As they talked, Greg could tell he was bright and alert, but when he looked deep into those black eyes, he saw many things. He saw the kind of man who would enjoy breaking out of the stays of his “proper” lifestyle and becoming a little wild. He had an “after five” kind of excitement that Greg thought might not include the starched collar, the newly shaved face, or the comb marks that made intricate paths through his hair. He had a feeling the young man wasn’t fond of the easy way but sought out the unusual, the dream, the way that was a little bumpy or hard. It made Greg wonder just what kind of man Sean was. Was he warm and comfortable like the heat in a fireplace, cold and wet like the snow on a roof, or was he a bit mysterious as he crept through people’s lives, or was his an eerie presence like—the ghost on the stairs. Strange that he should think of that, but there was something emanating off Sean that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Best to watch this one and see what developed.

With this thought in mind, he wasn’t entirely sincere when he said, “Welcome aboard.”