Corporate Lines

by Donna Jay

  Simone’s brain warned her of danger but her limbs refused to listen. When Nadia’s hand closed over hers, she was powerless to retreat.

  Thankfully, her mouth still worked. “You came into the store, left your scent everywhere like a dog marking its territory, and waltzed out again.”

  “Really? A dog?” Nadia nodded slowly. “I can live with that. Although, I would’ve said a bitch on heat.”

  Incensed, Simone pulled her hand out from under Nadia’s. “Is this all a big joke to you.”

  “Not at all.” Nadia’s smile never faltered. “Call me all the names you like, I deserve them.”

  “But you’re not offended, are you?”

  “Are you trying to offend me?”

  Fuck! Simone’s brain felt like mush. The enigma that was Nadia completely discombobulated her.

  No, she wasn’t trying to offend her, but she did want to know what was going on. “I came into your store and you practically blanked me.”

  A couple slid into the booth next to them and Simone wanted to glare at them. They smiled in their direction and Nadia returned it along with a finger wave.

  Tuning them out, Simone leaned across the table and spoke through clenched teeth. “You have no idea how hurt and confused that made me feel.”

  The pain of rejection rose to the surface, and this time when Nadia reached for her hand she had no problem pulling away.

  “I deserve that, and you have every right to feel angry. Sometimes I’m not as clever as I like to think I am.”

  “You don’t say?” Simone quirked an eyebrow.

  “I spent nearly an hour browsing in your store, hoping to catch a glimpse of you so I could apologise.”

  “Why didn’t you just phone? You know where I work.”

  “I did, but I didn’t have a name. You were in a meeting at the time, and I didn’t want to make an arse of myself by phoning again when I didn’t even know who to ask for.”

  Humbled by the gesture, Simone lowered her defences. “Who did you ask for?”

  Amusement lit up her deep-blue eyes. “The woman in the corner office.”

  Simone chuckled. “That sounds like a cheesy romance.”

  “No kidding. As I was saying, when that didn’t work, I came looking for you. I left with my tail between my legs.”

  Simone’s lip kicked up, and Nadia pointed a finger. “Do not call me a dog again.”

  “Okay, bitch.” Simone’s eyes bugged out. Had she really said that? She looked at her empty glass trying to save face. “Did you put a roofie in my drink?”

  “Nice try, but I don’t need to drug my dates.” Nadia shot Simone a dazzling smile. “I have other ways of making them fly high.”

  The words made her blood heat. What had Nadia called her friend? Netty or something?

  “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again. So when you waltzed into my store, I was caught off-guard.”

  “I bet you don’t like that.” Simone gave her a knowing smile.

  Nadia tipped her glass. “I’ll give you that.”

  “How generous.” Simone wondered if her eyes were twinkling as much as Nadia’s.

  “What I liked even less, was not being able to touch you. You said I have no idea how confused you felt, well, you have no idea how hard it was for me to keep my hands to myself.”

  “Did you go home and masturbate thinking about me?”

  “No.” Nadia shook her head, and Simone swallowed her disappointment.

  She’d always been told she had nice tits, but considering Nadia looked at breasts all day she was probably desensitised to even the nicest rack.

  “The sight of you standing before me…naked and vulnerable and knowing I couldn’t do a damn thing about it haunted my dreams. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the hurt in yours. So you’re wrong. I do know how hurt you felt.” A small smile replaced her sombre expression. “Then you were too stubborn to sign up for the loyalty card.”

  “I don’t see what difference that makes. I’m sure all your customers receive special offers.”

  “Sure, businesswise, but I don’t date my customers, and I certainly don’t touch them inappropriately when they are in my store.”

  Leah’s words came back to her in stark clarity. “I guess that would be kinda unethical?”

  “Correct, and I already overstepped one line. I didn’t want to cross another. The only option I had left was to send you flowers and hope we could start over.”

  “And order me about,” Simone shot back.

  “No, not outside the bedroom.” She shook her head. “But just to be clear, I refuse to date a woman who’s married to her job.”

  As tempted as she was to argue about the necessity of overtime, Simone’s mind fixated on the D-word.

  “Is that what we’re doing, dating?”

  “I would like to think so, but if you’d rather just fuck...”

  At a loss for words, Simone gaped. How the hell was she supposed to reply to that? Did Nadia think Simone was easy? Probably, considering she was willing to lock lips with Nadia before she even knew the woman’s name.

  “Relax.” Nadia smiled. “Contrary to what you’re probably thinking, I’m not a player.”

  “I was actually thinking you were thinking the same about me.”

  “Not at all. I haven’t worked this hard for a first date since…ever, actually.”

  Simone snorted. “Well, aren’t I special.”

  “I believe you are, and I’ll treat you that way if you give me half a chance.

  Her gaze was so earnest Simone wanted to melt into a puddle at her feet, but she sat up straight in her seat.

  “You’re a businesswoman. You must realise sometimes it’s necessary to put in extra hours.”

  “On the odd occasion, yes. But if it happens regularly, you need to re-evaluate your staffing levels or the staff you have.”

  “You make it sound so easy.” Simone’s body sagged as if the weight of KB Incorporated rested squarely on her shoulders.

  “You’re here tonight, right?”

  She was too, and it hadn’t been as hard as she’d anticipated. But she didn’t want to think about it too hard right now. Nadia’s job sounded far more interesting.

  “How long have you managed Carson’s boutique?”

  “I was a silent partner until 2016. When my co-partner said she’d had enough and was selling up, I extended my mortgage and bought her out.”

  “But you didn’t always work there?”

  “Correct. It’s only been over the last year that I’ve taken a more hands-on approach.” Her lip kicked up. “Not literally, of course.”

  “Of course.” Simone gave Nadia a pointed look.

  “You’re not going to let me forget that, are you?”

  “Maybe, if you buy me another drink.” That was a bold request, but Simone was feeling pleasantly relaxed.

  “I’d love to, but you’re driving.” A small smile danced across Nadia’s face. The woman was infuriating. And intoxicating.

  “And let me guess. You’re looking out for my best interest?”

  “Always.” Nadia rubbed her foot along the inside of Simone’s calf again, and a shot of lust replaced her irritation from moments before.

  “So what do you suggest? Should we order coffee? Perhaps they have it on tap.”

  A low chuckle rumbled out of Nadia. “If I wanted to do that, I would’ve suggested we meet at a café.”

  “Why didn’t you?” Simone picked up her glass, sucked on the last two drops, and put it back down.

  “Because I wanted to ask you to come over to my place, but I didn’t think that would go down well until we had a chance to meet and smooth things over.”

  “From where I’m sitting there’s still some bumps.”

  Nadia thrust her chest out ever so slightly. “They’re tits.”

  “You’re fucking incredible.” Simone glanced at the couple at the other table watching them with amusement.

  “Thank you
.” Nadia shot her a self-assured smile.

  Perplexed, Simone folded her arms and clamped her mouth shut.

  Still smiling, Nadia stood. “Coming?” She held out a hand.

  I’d love to. Simone kept the words to herself, but she was damned if she could resist the pull of this woman.

  She took Nadia’s hand. “Lead the way.”

  Outside, Nadia glanced around. She stopped when her gaze landed on Simone’s car.

  “Yours?”

  How the hell did she know that? “Are you sure you’re not a stalker?” she asked, only half-joking.

  “I don’t stalk my prey, they come willingly, or should I say when I grant them permission.”

  Flustered, Simone fumbled for her keys. “I’ll follow you.”

  Nadia appeared at the passenger’s side, peering at Simone over the roof. “I didn’t drive.”

  Feeling more confident, Simone held her gaze. “Scared I wouldn’t follow you home?”

  Nadia’s penetrating gaze made her feel like she’d just mouthed off at her mother and she was about to get a lecture. Lowering her gaze, she pressed the key fob and folded herself into the driver’s seat. By the time she buckled up, Nadia was doing the same.

  “To be honest, I didn’t know. But no, that’s not why I didn’t bring my car. If you’d walked out, I would’ve licked my wounds, drowned my sorrows with a few stiff brandy’s, and called a cab home.”

  Surprised by the declaration, Simone put a lid on the smartarse comments. This was real, they were going back to Nadia’s for…for what? A drink? To talk? To fuck? All three sounded appealing.

  As she backed out of the angled park, Nadia recited her address. It was a street Simone was familiar with, and she headed in that direction.

  “Do you like chicken?” Nadia asked.

  Taken by surprise, Simone whipped her head around. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously. Unless you’ve already eaten, it would be handy to know.”

  Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since lunchtime, and a muesli bar could hardly be considered a meal. “I eat pretty much anything, but I refuse to eat offal. It’s fuckin’ awful.”

  Nadia chuckled. “Got it. No liver or kidneys. How does sweet and sour chicken sound?”

  “Amazing.” Simone’s favourite takeaway restaurant loomed up ahead. “Should we stop and pick some up?”

  Nadia rested her hand on Simone’s thigh. Her palm was every bit as warm and soft as Simone remembered, and just like the first time Nadia laid her hands on her, Simone yearned to feel them all over her body.

  “No,” Nadia said.

  No what? One caress and Simone’s brain short-circuited.

  “No, don’t stop. I’d like to cook for you.”

  “You cook?” Simone pulled to a stop at a set of lights.

  “Why is that so hard to believe?”

  “You don’t strike me as someone who likes to spend time in the kitchen.”

  “Are you projecting?”

  The light turned green and Simone drove through. “Maybe.”

  What more could she say? Just because she managed a business, worked too many hours, and seldom cooked these days, didn’t mean every entrepreneur was the same.

  The word delegate flicked through her mind. Maybe Nadia was sent to her for a reason. A reason Simone was yet to discover.

  Nadia ran her hand over the dashboard. “To answer your question from earlier, I recognised your car from KB Incorporated.”

  “Oh, right.” Simone indicated left. “You just knew it was mine out of all the other cars parked there?”

  “Oh, Miss Sassy pants is back.” Nadia squeezed her thigh. Her grip was firm but not painful. Just enough to excite her senses. “Your car’s the only one there after hours.”

  “See, stalker.” Simone braced herself expecting Nadia’s fingers to dig into her thigh, but what she did was much, much worse.

  She removed her hand, and the snub hurt more than any punishment Simone had ever endured. Why the hell was Simone being so combative, anyway?

  “I parked next to it, twice.”

  Of course! When she’d been cleaning. And that tidbit of information was exactly why Simone was being so difficult.

  “About that, care to explain how you came to be at KB Incorporated?”

  “I’m a relief cleaner.”

  Simone wriggled her nose. “I smell bullshit.”

  “Such a lady.” Nadia pointed up ahead. “White house on the right, wrought-iron fence.

  How fitting.

  “Let me guess, your headboard’s wrought-iron?”

  “Good guess. It’s perfect for restraints.”

  As tempting as it was to ask if she was kidding, Simone doubted it. Images of being bound to her bed made her blood heat.

  She pulled up at the driveway and Nadia got out. Simone took the opportunity to study her from behind as she unlocked the tall gate.

  Her dress shimmered in the streetlight as she moved. It hugged every gorgeous curve of her body and came to just above the knees, revealing tanned legs.

  Long, wavy blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders, longer than Simone first thought and more lustrous than the images that haunted her dreams.

  Looking back at Simone, Nadia bent to retrieve the padlock she’d just dropped.

  Simone’s breath hitched. The flirtatious gesture transported her back to the first night they met and Nadia had offered to dust lower.

  Would Simone get to see more tonight? She hoped so. But first, there was a little matter that needed clearing up.

  Chapter 9

  Nadia

  As soon as they stepped inside, Nadia took Simone’s tiny black jacket, one of those little numbers that barely came to her waist, and hung it on the coat rack.

  The living room was north-facing and as long as they had a couple of hours sun, it was often hotter inside than out. Tonight was no exception.

  “Please, make yourself at home.”

  “Thank you.” Simone put her purse on the small table in the entranceway. “Nice digs.”

  “I like it,” Nadia replied on her way to the kitchen. “Red or white?”

  A sassy look Nadia had already come to associate with Simone lit up her eyes. God, she had the most amazing eyes. There was nothing cold about them.

  “Water’s fine, thanks. I’m driving, and a wise woman once told me it’s not a good idea to drink and drive.”

  “Well, then, you just might have to stay over.”

  So much for taking it slow, Nadia.

  “Is this a date or a hook-up?”

  “It’s whatever you’re comfortable with.” Nadia was proud of how reasonable she sounded.

  Simone pulled out a barstool at the breakfast bar and sat. “White sounds good.”

  “Does that mean you’re staying the night?” Nadia topped up a glass and slid it across to Simone.

  “Whatever you’re comfortable with.” Simone tossed Nadia’s words back at her.

  “Touché.” Nadia nodded toward the living room where two wooden stands full of CD’s stood either side of a stereo system. “Put some music on if you like.”

  Gripping the counter with one hand, Simone swivelled on the barstool, ponytail whipping through the air. “That’s quite a collection.” She spun back around. “But seriously, who owns CD’s these days?”

  “They belonged to my dad.” A pang of sadness hit Nadia, closely followed by many happy memories and the gift he left her, his love of music.

  “Oh.” Simone’s face fell. “I’m sensing a sad story.”

  No way. Nadia wasn’t going to dump her life story on Simone on their first date. With any luck, they had months, if not years, to get to know each other.

  Years? Whoa, back up the moving van.

  “Nope, no sad story. Every one of those CD’s fills me with joy.” As she spoke, Nadia grabbed the rice-maker out of the cupboard.

  “Cheat!” Humour sparkled in Simone’s eyes. “Who can’t cook rice? C
ome on, even I can do that.”

  “Why don’t you?” It was meant as a joke but Simone hopped to the challenge.

  “Sure, where are the pots?”

  ***

  Half an hour later, they sat opposite each other at the table, steaming plates of food in front of them, glasses of wine in hand, and Roger Waters singing Comfortably Numb in the background.

  “Cheers.” Nadia clinked glasses with Simone. “Thanks for your help.”

  “I didn’t do much.”

  “Modest. I like that.”

  For someone who lived on convenience food, Simone was clearly in her element in the kitchen.

  “You like to cook?” Nadia asked.

  “I do, but it seems like such an effort just for me.”

  “Why?”

  “Why what?” Simone asked, stabbing at a piece of chicken.

  “Why’s it an effort?”

  After a lengthy pause, she finally replied, “All that preparation and clean up for one person.” She shrugged. “I don’t see the point.”

  “Don’t you think you’re worth looking after?” It was a genuine question. The only person Nadia could rely on was herself, and that meant treating herself like number one.

  It wasn’t vanity, it was a fact. If she couldn’t love and respect her own body, how could she expect someone else to?

  Looking thoughtful, Simone put down her fork. “How do you mean?”

  No longer hungry, Nadia pushed her plate aside. “Give me your hands.”

  Without hesitation, Simone did as she was told. Their fingers connected, and Nadia basked in the warmth of her hands, the trust shining in her eyes.

  “Who’s the most important person in your life? Family aside.”

  “Leah,” Simone said with conviction.

  Whoever Leah was she was clearly important to Simone, but it wasn’t the answer Nadia wanted.

  “Before her.”

  A deep frown line creased Simone’s forehead. “No one, she’s my best friend.”

  “What I’m trying to say is, if you don’t look after number one, you’re no good to anyone else.” She softened her voice. “Who cares if you wash one pot or three? And who cares if you work until five or six?”