In the Mood Fur Love

by Eve Langlais

  “‘Your system is broke; fix it now. And no more long breaks. You’re abusing the time clock,’” Shawna mocked as she scowled in the direction of her manager on the other side of the wall. Up until two weeks ago, she’d never had one complaint about her system. Now all of a sudden, every day it was something new. The matches weren’t good.

  The ringing of her cell phone made Shawna jump in surprise as she glared at the offending little object. Damn caller ID was blank again. She knew better than to answer, but she was in a foul mood and who better to take it out on than the lunatic stalker who kept calling?

  “What?” she snapped as she opened the phone and waited for his response or, more to the point, his lack of one. Heavy breathing didn’t count, she figured. “This is getting ridiculous; either stop calling or talk to me, you coward.”

  She jabbed the end button as the breathing continued; how she missed the days when she could slam the receiver down and let out some of her frustration and anger. By the time quitting time rolled around, Shawna was ready to tell her boss where to shove the computer software sideways.

  A few more steps and she’d be free. As soon as her car door shut, she would be dialing her two best friends and begging for some girl time, ice cream, alcohol, and cookie dough included. That’s all she could think about as she waited for the elevator to open.

  “Shawna, I need to speak to you before you leave for the day!” Clark Benoit called nasally from his stance in his office door.

  “I’m already clocked out for the day, and have someplace to be,” Shawna replied as nicely as she could as she clenched her hands into fists, trying to hold back the urge to let her tongue loose on the imbecile.

  “I’ll adjust your time clock to reflect this meeting, but you might be unaware you still have three minutes until it’s time to clock out officially.”

  Shawna gritted her teeth and turned around to face him. “Since I wasn’t able to take a lunch due to a last-minute emergency that you handed to me, I figured leaving three minutes early wouldn’t hurt anything.”

  Clark sniffed in annoyance and headed back into his office without waiting to make sure she would follow. The bastard knew she didn’t have a choice. Thanks to him she was one strike away from being on probation. Two strikes away from the unemployment line.

  This was not how she wanted to end this day, she thought as she stalked forward with barely controlled anger. If this job didn’t pay so well, she’d have quit a long time ago. But sadly, she needed the money too much to let her Latin temper have free rein. Clark’s secretary smiled apologetically as Shawna passed by her and stepped into the cretin’s office.

  “Please have a seat,” Clark offered with a barely disguised smirk on his thin, lipless face.

  It was all Shawna could do to not shudder in revulsion as the man’s eyes scanned over her body and finally stopped at her eyes. Clark was not a good-looking man; to put it nicely, he looked like he’d fallen out of the ugly tree and hit every limb on the way down. His personality was even worse; he spent his days sucking up to the management and making snide, degrading comments to all the staff that worked for him. He was the worst to the women, though, and if you had curves then you could forget getting anything other than insults and innuendos out of the man.

  “Ms. Goode, I hate to have to say this, especially since it’s not the first time we’ve had this discussion. Today alone you left your desk and went to the ladies’ room four times. Your behavior is causing this company wasted time and money. This has to stop. I’m sorry to say I had to write you up and this means you are on probation. One more incident within six months and you will be let go.”

  Shawna gaped at the buffoon masquerading as a man across from her. Had he been stalking her to see where she went and how long she was gone?

  Clark pushed a piece of paper across the desk to Shawna. “Do you have anything to say in response?”

  She grabbed the sheet and scanned the list of reasons he’d used to explain writing her up and gaped in astonishment. How in the hell did he think he could get away with this sexist bullshit?

  “If you’ll sign it, I’ll have it entered into your personnel record,” Clark continued without waiting for a response to his earlier question.

  “No” Shawna slammed the paper down on his desk and glared at her boss. “I refuse to sign it and I want a meeting with HR to discuss these allegations.”

  Clark leaned back in his chair and smiled in satisfaction. “Ms. Goode, you’re fired.”

  Shawna opened her mouth to respond, but no words would come out. Could he fire her after claiming she had one more chance?

  “Yes, I see your confusion. I spoke to HR earlier today as a matter of fact. Explained the situation and that you would probably refuse to sign the document. After I outlined all of your transgressions, I was informed I didn’t have to place you on probation. I could fire you and be covered since you were already given multiple warnings.”

  She wasn’t sure what to say; she knew what she wanted to say, but she wasn’t sure if it was worth it. Fuck it, she thought as she stood up and leaned over the desk. “You should be ashamed of yourself. You aren’t a man; you’re a pig in a suit. One of these days one of your employees will file a sexual discrimination suit against you. When that happens, I hope they call on me for information. I’ll be happy to tell them about your disgusting treatment, your leers and your obsessive stalking and counting trips to the restroom and how long we’re in there. You are a sad piece of shit.”

  Clark’s face was purple with anger as he pointed to the door and screamed for her to collect her belongings and get off the premises before he called Security to escort her out.

  Shawna laughed at his threat and headed back to her office with her head held high. No way would she let the foul little troll know how she trembled and wanted to cry at what had just happened. Her world had just collapsed around her and she didn’t know how she was going to fix it.

  “Shawna?” a hesitant voice called from her doorway a few minutes later. She looked up in surprise to see Clark’s secretary, Penny, standing there.

  “Yes, Penny?”

  The woman stepped in and closed the door softly behind her. “I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry and that I wish I could stand up to him like you just did. We heard every word of what you said to him. We wanted to cheer, but we were afraid he’d write us up or fire us too.”

  “He’ll get what’s coming to him one day. No way can a man who created a company based on women with curves allow a chauvinistic pig like Clark to work here for long.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Penny whispered sadly as she slipped back out of the office.

  * * *

  “We’ll meet you at your apartment in half an hour with supplies,” Josie said, and hung up before Shawna could reply. She really did have the best friends in the world. She’d barely made it to her car before she was in tears and speed-dialing them. Honestly, she wasn’t sure how they’d understood a word she’d said between her tears and curses.

  Shawna knew she looked a fright, and if she’d had any doubt of that all she had to do was see the shocked face of the homeless man who lived in the building’s garage to prove it.

  “Miz Shawna. You okay?”

  “I will be, Robbie. Thanks,” she said as she climbed out of her car and wiped at her tears.

  “It’s that idiot boss of yours, ain’t it. I knew he was worth nothing. This just proves my point. Makin’ a beautiful lady like you cry and all.”

  Shawna smiled sadly. “My friends are on their way.”

  Robbie saluted. “Robbie’s on the job. I’ll watch out for them and hang around until they leave. What else can Robbie do for you, miz?”

  “Come by when you see the pizza man. Dinner’s on me. And no, don’t protest. You always look out for me and my friends. It’s the least I can do to repay you for your kindness.”

  “Ain’t no big deal. You’re a sweet lady, who don’t belong in this area of town. Makes
me feel like the man I once was, knowing I can help you out.”

  Shawna smiled softly, placed a kiss on his cheek, and headed to the stairs and the four flights she had to climb. Some days, like today, she longed for her old apartment with its elevators and security gates. Neighbors who didn’t get their doors busted down by the cops once a month, and an area that was safe to walk outside at night.

  Thoughts of her two young stepbrothers and mother locked in their hell quickly vanished all those thoughts, though. They were worth this and so much more. Another six months and she would have had enough money to get them to safety. Who knows how long it would be now? What were the chances she’d find a new job in time to pay off their debts for this month? Thanks to Clark, they were in servitude for extra time. How she hated that bastard.

  She’d barely had time to take her shoes off after walking in her front door before there was a knock. Damn, her friends really were the best, she thought as she opened the door and waved them in. “Did you guys hit all green lights or what?”

  Ally winked as she hip-checked Shawna and placed her bag of goodies on the kitchen table. “You clearly needed us and chocolate. Not sure which is rated higher, though.”

  Josie laughed. “You’re just lucky we were together and able to slip away from our mates so quickly. I expect we have an hour before one of them is calling to check in on the situation. They weren’t happy we wouldn’t let them come get firsthand information. They want to kill whoever made you so upset.”

  “Not yet. Where’s the wine?” Shawna grumbled as she stalked to the table. “Pizza’s on the way. I need alcohol and then I’ll explain everything.”

  “It’s that rat bastard dickless wonder of a boss, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah,” Josie agreed. “We both know how hard he’s been on you. We figure it has to be him again. I really think we need to let the guys have a go at him.”

  “Or better yet,” Ally piped in, “let us tell Hawke what type of guy he really is. I still insist there is no way he’d have hired Clark Benoit if he’d known his true personality.”

  Shawna rolled her eyes, grabbed a couple wineglasses, and filled them. She hesitated for a second, then shrugged, grabbed the bottle, her glass, and headed to her couch in the combo living, dining, and kitchen area.

  “He fired me tonight,” Shawna said without preamble to the two shocked faces staring at her in stupefaction.

  “On what grounds?” Josie demanded indignantly.

  “He wrote me up again and I refused to sign it. I said I wanted to speak to an HR representative. Apparently, he had already cleared it with someone and they told him he could fire me, so he did.”

  Ally growled low in her throat, startling Shawna for a moment, until she calmed down enough to reply, “What was his reasoning for writing you up this time?”

  Shawna smiled sarcastically. “Oh, you’re gonna love this one. Too many trips to the restroom in a workday and taking too long in the ladies’ room. Leaving early, even though I worked through lunch and overtime is forbidden and I was doing something for him that he said couldn’t wait.”

  “Did you say using the bathroom too much?” Ally demanded.

  “Yup, you heard me right. It’s that time of the month: what was I supposed to do: sit at my desk and bleed all over myself? I even asked him that on one of my trips back from the ladies’ room to my desk. His reply, and I wish I was making this up, was to hold it until I got home.”

  The two women exchanged glances before collapsing into laughter. Shawna wished she were joking about that, but the guy was clueless apparently to women’s anatomy. Some of the other employees had whispered that he’d said similar things to them.

  Shawna and her friends’ laughter only died when the doorbell rang and she got up to pay for their dinner. “Food!” they called excitedly.

  Shawna paid, set the boxes down on the table, and waited for the delivery guy to disappear down the stairs. Once he was gone, she called out for Robbie, knowing he wouldn’t be far away. “Robbie, I know you’re here somewhere; don’t make me come looking for you!”

  Robbie shuffled into view with a blush covering his face. “I told you not to worry about me, Miz Shawna.”

  “Take the pizza; I won’t accept no for an answer.”

  Robbie gave in and smiled. “You’re too good for this place. You have a good time with your friends. I’ll be here when they’re ready to leave.”

  “So are you, Robbie. It’s not often I meet a gentleman of your caliber. Thank you and be safe out here, okay?”

  “Always, Miz Shawna,” he replied as he melted back into the shadows with the box she’d given him.

  Once the ladies were settled back in the living room, wine and pizza in hand, Josie asked the one question that had been weighing on Shawna’s mind.

  “What are you going to do now?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know. Try to find a job, any job for now. I can’t afford to be out of work. Every penny I make goes toward my mom and brothers. I’m so close to getting them free. I talked to her yesterday. She sounded so defeated and tired. I’m worried about her; I think she’s getting sick from the lack of care.”

  Ally jumped to her feet and moved to sit beside Shawna. “How much more do you need? Let us help and then you can pay us back if you insist as slowly as you want.”

  “Yes, let us,” Josie chimed in as she leaned forward and placed her hand on Shawna’s knee with a gentle squeeze. “I don’t like you living here, but I understood your reasoning for moving. Now your hands are tied and we are in a position to help. Let us do that for you.”

  “You don’t understand,” Shawna started to say but had to stop to take a sip of wine and wipe the tears that were falling freely. “It’s a lot of money. Even after I pay them off, I have to find a way to get them someplace safe. Be that here or someplace else. Just out of there and the hell they are trapped in.”

  “Ally, I think our friend here forgot who we mated. Keir and Xander have the money, but if they don’t have the power then you can bet your ass Julia and Bess will.”

  Shawna couldn’t help but laugh at the looks of determination and anger on her friends’ faces. She’d always known they’d do anything to help, if she’d only ask. But this was her problem and she didn’t want to impose on the friendship. It was her family’s problem; she should be able to solve it.

  “I know that look, Shawna Elisa Goode. We’ve been friends way too long.” Josie turned to Ally and indicated Shawna. “That look means she is going to refuse and try to do this on her own. She’s going to ignore the fact that she’s been there for us whenever we needed something in the past and that she will be in the future. She’s going to ignore the fact that she is our sister and that what hurts one of us hurts all of us.”

  “Stop!” Shawna called in exasperation. “All right, I get it, point taken. You don’t have to beat the dead horse into the ground, revive it, and beat it dead again. Just give me a few days to figure some things out and I’ll let you know what I need.” She paused and sighed in weary consternation. “Deal?”

  “Agreed; now is it time for the cookie dough or what?” Ally sang as she danced happily in her seat. “’Cause, come on, ladies, we all know cookie dough makes everything better.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Hawke Hawke dropped down on his desk the files he’d spent the better part of the morning staring blankly at and leaned back in his office chair with a groan of frustration. He let his thoughts drift to the dinner party where he’d first seen his mate. She’d been breathtaking, and when she’d snubbed him it had shocked the hell out of him. She was his mate, his other half. He’d spent every waking moment thinking about her, if he was honest his sleeping moments too. The things he dreamed of doing to her body might be illegal in some states.

  Two excruciating months had passed since that day and he wasn’t any closer to Shawna. Not for lack of trying, though. He’d quickly found out where she worked, manufactured an excuse to go down to the department on
ly to be told she didn’t work there. He’d done some digging and discovered her whereabouts and raced down there only to discover she was on vacation for the week. Next trip down he’d been ambushed by Clark Benoit, the guy he’d put in charge of running mateforhire.com, and he hadn’t been able to escape quickly enough.

  Why in the hell he’d ever hired Clark was anyone’s guess. The man always left him feeling like he needed to take a shower to wash off all the brownnosing. On it went for two months; either she was out or he was, she was in a meeting or Clark bombarded him.

  Sheer desperation had made him ask two of his closest confidants for ideas on what to do. Something he knew he’d never live down.

  “Hawke, what’s up?” Keir answered with a laugh. “Looking for more advice?”

  “Yeah, because your last bit has helped so much,” he retorted in annoyance.

  Keir’s laughter filled the phone, “If it helps, Xander’s here. Maybe he has something helpful to add. Let me put you on speaker.”

  “Hey, brother!” Xander called out. “Fill me in on what you’ve done and let’s see what we can come up with. Though I’m surprised Keir with all his women couldn’t come up with something worthwhile.”

  Hawke grinned evilly. “He’s gone soft, I think. He’s mated now, must have lost his hunting instinct.” He waited for the laughter and curses to die down before he spoke again. “I’ve done nothing, and I know that sounds stupid, but it’s true. It’s like she knows when I’m coming and hides. Two months now, and not one sight of her. I’m practically stalking her department. Her manager says she is out, or busy, or something. If I didn’t know better I’d think he was hiding her from me.”

  Silence filled the air for a minute. Hawke wasn’t sure if he should keep going or wait for the idiots on the other end to speak up and help out like the good friends they were supposed to be.

  “This may be a stupid question, but what reason would he have to keep her from you?” Keir questioned hesitantly. “I mean, you’re the head of the company; it makes no sense.”