Chapter 1
When she walks into the conference room, his jaw drops. She is dressed in a tight suit, white with black details. The fabric of the skirt is so thin that he can see the shape of the lace at the top of her black stockings.
The jacket barely covers her impressive chest, and from what he can see she is not wearing anything underneath it. His x-ray vision imagines her hourglass body, dressed in nothing but those stockings and a black lace thong.
Round, natural breasts and a round ass, a body that would make even Beyoncé or Marilyn Monroe green with envy. Speaking of Marilyn Monroe, her hair has the same blonde color and waves in the styling, but the hair is longer and her face is exquisite. Barely any makeup, just full lips and large blue and green eyes.
”Earth to mister Draper.”
”I’m sorry, what?”
”I was just asking if we should begin.”
She reaches out her hand for him to shake.
”Cherry Anderson. I have just taken over the role as marketing manager from John Prescott.”
He takes her hand and gives it a firm shake.
”Welcome to the team. Pepsi is lucky to have you.”
”Ha, as if you know anything about my skills yet. But I appreciate the compliment anyway.”
He clears his throat and looks at his coworkers for support.
”Well, you have chosen the right agency for the job. We have plenty of ideas for Pepsi’s next campaign.”
”Hit me with it.”
”How about soccer stars meeting up with baseball stars for a basketball game? The slogan could be ’Pepsi, all sports united’?”
”Hmmm, maybe next time. It feels a little old fashioned, a bit too innocent. And people still associate Pepsi with David Beckham. I have a better idea.”
”By all means, let’s hear it.”
”My favorite ad is Gucci Guilty. Taking Chris Evans, America’s favorite boy next door, and turning him into a steamy sex bomb. Absolutely brilliant. I want the same vibe, but more subtle. The whole laying down on top of her and kissing her neck is not something that Pepsi want to be associated with. Too obvious.”
”Sounds good, please elaborate.”
”She should be teasing him somehow, maybe spill a little when she drinks the soda, wiping her mouth with a finger and then running the same finger down his chest. He is wearing a leather jacket with no shirt under.”
”I like that. Sexy but not too steamy.”
”I knew you would get it. So far so good.”
She smirks and he nearly loses his cool. A sexy smirk on that beautiful face is almost too much to handle.
”So… uhm… which celebs do you have in mind for the roles?”
”For the male I have Josh Hutcherson at the top of my wish list. For the female I want Sabrina Carpenter. Maybe even a slogan that hints at the male/female vibe and the actor/singer collaboration. Something like ’pepsi - best of both worlds’.”
”Wow. I have to ask, what do you need us for?”
”Every genius at work needs someone to handle their dirty work, right?”
She gives him another devastating smirk, and he can actually feel himself blush. Don Draper, blushing like some damn school boy. She notices and leans over the table. He is now sure that she is wearing nothing underneath the jacket.
”Come here Draper, let me tell you a little secret.”
He leans forward and she whispers in his ear.
”You’re adorable when you blush.”
Then she leans back and flashes him a smile so warm and friendly that he can’t even think of anything to say.
”Draper, gentlemen. A pleasure meeting you all. Together I’m sure we will bring my vision to life.”
”No doubt of it. A pleasure meeting you too, miss Anderson.”
He walks her out to the reception and turns to face her.
”Would you like to have a drink with me tonight? To celebrate our collaboration?”
”I’m afraid I already have plans for tonight. Tomorrow night maybe?”
”Yeah, tomorrow is fine.”
”Meet me at Riche at 6 PM.”
”Will do. Until tomorrow then, miss Anderson.”
”See you soon, mister Draper.”
When he walks into Riche, he spots her immediately. She is sitting by the bar, and the bartender is laughing at something she just said. He feels a pinch in his gut, as if he was… jealous? Since when does Don Draper get jealous?
”Good evening, miss Anderson.”
She turns around and flashes him a warm smile. She is dressed in a cream white skirt, tight enough to reveal the shape of the lace at the top of her stockings. Her upper body is covered by a black and slinky satin shirt. No bra, he can see the shape of her nipples when she leans back in her seat.
”Good evening mister Draper. I was just telling Joseph here how much fun I am having in the soda can industry.”
”It sure is a nice industry. How about we get a table? There is a nice one over there?”
”My my, eager to have me to yourself already? I wasn’t actually considering this a date.”
”How disappointing, but I’m sure I can manage.”
When they sit down with their drinks, he pulls out a pack of cigarettes and offers her one.
”Thanks, but I don’t smoke. And neither do you, at least not around me.”
She smirks and he can literally feel his brain turn into cotton candy.
”Oh, ok… no problem.”
He puts it back into his pocket.
”So tell me… can I call you Cherry?”
”Sure, if I can call you Don. Or maybe even Donnie if you’re nice.”
He chuckles.
”Don will be fine for now.”
”Don it is then. Can I ask you something Don? And expect an honest answer?”
”Of course, I’m an open book.”
”Are you single? I mean, I know you are twice divorced and all that, but have you made some woman believe that she is your girlfriend?”
”You are very direct. I like that in a woman.”
”I’m sure you will change your mind eventually.”
She smirks and waits for his response.
”I’m not going to ask how you know about my failed marriages. All I can say is that you are well informed. And ever since my second divorce I have been very clear with my intention to stay single.”
”But you are hardly a monk, are you?”
”No I’m not. I suppose the correct label would be casual playboy or something.”
”I have no problem with that. As long as you don’t let women believe that they can be more to you than just a fuck buddy.”
”I try my best to be clear. But you are aware that many women behave the same way Cameron Diaz does in that movie Vanilla Sky?”
”Which scene are you referring to?”
”The one where she says something like ’when you sleep with someone your body makes a commitment’.”
”Ah yes, that’s right. Women do tend to develop stronger emotions once they start having sex with someone. Men are better at keeping things casual.
”Exactly. Glad we are on the same page.”
”Who said anything about us being on the same page? We are talking about people in general, aren’t we?”
”Uhm, yes… I guess.”
”I can tell something is on your mind Don. Just say it.”
”Well, I was… kinda hoping you would go home with me tonight.”
”Really? What gave you that idea? Since this is a non-date and all?”
”I just think we have good chemistry, that’s all.”
”I am going to quote Bonnie in that movie Cocktail and ask ’excuse me, but do I have Fuck me written on my forehead’?”
”Well, yes…”
”Wait, what? You are convinced I’m a slut, aren’t you? Please elaborate, what is it about me that makes me appear slutty?”
”Nothing… I mean… Not all women walk into a business meeting without a bra…”
”So it’s the way I dress? You think I walk around dressed like this all the time?”
”Uhm, yes…?”
”Let me ask you something. Would you have been equally mesmerized by me in the meeting if I had worn a polo sweater and slacks?”
”Probably not… wait a second… Are you saying that these outfits are for me?”
”In a way, yes. What is the easiest way to get a playboy’s attention? By showing off some female assets.”
”Wow… that’s quite the strategy.”
”And apparently, it worked. You can’t get your hands on me soon enough.”
”So it was all about getting me hooked in the meeting? Not about letting me know that you are attracted to me?”
”Oh I am attracted to you, never said I wasn’t.”
”But you won’t go home with me?”
”What’s the rush? I have no interest in being another mark on your bed post. If you want me you will have to wine and dine me, like a normal person.”
”Didn’t I just tell you that I prefer to keep things casual?”
”So what? Do I look like I care about your preferences? The thing is sugar, we either do this my way or not at all. The choice is yours.”
”And what exactly is your way of doing this?”
”At least one proper date in some fancy restaurant. Maybe one more if I don’t feel ready after that. No labels, no promises. Just focusing on each other, and being honest when we want out. I want your undivided attention, not feeling cheap and easy.”
”So you are talking about some casual version of exclusive dating?”
That’s right, but like I said, you are free to walk away anytime.”
”Give me your number and I will wine and dine you properly.”
”Music to my ears.”
They exchange numbers and he waits with her until her cab arrives, like a proper gentleman. She gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.
”Goodnight Don.”
”Goodnight Cherry.”
He watches the cab leave, feeling the kiss like a burn on his cheek. This woman is unlike any woman he has ever met, and he is terrified about what comes next.
