“Yes, absolutely. That’s why I’m going to see Dr. Simpson.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“When you sucked my nipples, I almost came then and there. Did you realize?”
“I was certainly aware that the situation was explosive, yes.”
Ashley giggled. “If I’d just rubbed my thighs together, that’s all it would have taken.”
He cleared his throat. “Er, yes. That was fairly obvious.”
“Is this conversation making you hard?”
“Things are certainly uncomfortable at the moment.”
Ashley’s giggles became increasingly wild. “Are we having telephone sex?”
“It would appear so.”
“And who have you got in there? No, don’t tell me. Let me guess. The straitlaced crowd from accounting, all trying to pretend that they’re not listening to every word.”
“Absolutely. I had no idea that matters would go off on such a tangent.”
“If I was there right now, I could ease your discomfort. I’d unzip you, take you in my mouth, suck your head and—”
“That would be, er, gratifying.” His voice wobbled. “I shall have to take your proposal under advisement.”
“It’s not a proposal. It’s a proposition.”
“Huh-hum. I see.”
“Am I in trouble for distracting you?”
A frustrated sigh echoed down the line. “You have no idea!”
“What are you going to do to me? Will you spank me?”
“Count on it.” She could hear strain in his voice, but also guessed he was struggling not to laugh—or groan. She had no doubt that he was well and truly turned on. She certainly was.
“I’ll let you get back to your meeting now,” she said, taking pity on him. “Sorry to have interrupted you.”
“You will be,” he almost growled.
Ashley was still bubbling with reckless laughter when she ended the call. But her laughter gave way to anger when she sensed someone standing over her. Even before she lifted her eyes, she knew who it would be.
“Eve,” she said, summoning up a smile. “I didn’t know you were back.”
“Who were you just talking to?” she asked.
“Excuse me?”
“I wondered who you were talking to. It sounded very intimate.”
“How did you find me here? I presume you were looking for me.” Ashley didn’t try to keep the impatience out of her voice.
“Charlie saw you walk this way.”
God’s teeth, was the entire company keeping tabs on her? “What can I do for you?”
“I thought we could have lunch together, and I’ll tell you all about my weekend.” She paused. “Then you can tell me all the gory details about yours.”
“Sorry, Eve, but I’ve just had lunch.” Ashley held up her empty sandwich wrapper. “Have to get back to the office now. I have a ton of work waiting and a big meeting on Wednesday to prepare for.”
“Yes, Matt’s coming down for that one.”
“So I gather.”
“I dare say he’ll stay. I mean,” she said, almost running to keep up with Ashley’s frenetic pace, “if he’s here Wednesday and Thursday, there’s not much point in going back for just one day. We were apart this weekend, so he’ll want to make it up to me.”
She sounded a little desperate. Ashley was definitely losing patience. It was time to take the initiative and put a stop to Eve’s mind games.
“Is there a point to this, Eve?” she asked acerbically.
Her tone caused Eve to flinch. “I’m just making conversation. That’s what friends do, isn’t it? Exchange confidences.”
Not in this lifetime. “We’re hardly friends. We’ve only just met.”
“Oh, but I feel like I already know you.” They reached the reception area of Interactive with Eve still trailing alongside Ashley. “We have so much in common.”
Ashley stopped dead and turned to face Eve. “I don’t wish to be rude, but I really don’t have time for distractions right now.”
“I more than a distraction, as you so charmingly put it.” Eve brushed past her. “I’m a director of the company that employs you. You’d do well to remember that.”
Ashley was left alone in the centre of reception, cursing her stupidity. She’d played straight into Eve’s hands. She’s allowed the other woman to rile her, had been rude to her, and given her a legitimate excuse to complain to Charlie about her behaviour. Great, just great! Nicely done, Ashley.
“I’m sorry, Matt,” she said when she called him that night. “I let her get to me, and I shouldn’t have.”
“Hey, you’ve got nothing to complain about. She should stop bugging you, and I’ll tell her so.”
“Now who’s being daft,” she said. “Unless she tells you about the incident, and I’m pretty sure she won’t, you can’t possibly know anything about it.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” His sigh echoed down the line. “She’s been very artful, but then she can be when it suits her.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“What you don’t know, my darling, is that you’re going to promise me not to keep that bloody doctor’s appointment. Don’t think I didn’t notice how artfully you diverted me away from the subject on the phone this morning.”
“What’s the matter? Not up for a little telephone sex.”
“You don’t want to know how up I was in that roomful of people.”
Ashley chuckled. “I think I can guess.”
“It’s gonna be hell seeing you on Wednesday and not being with you.”
“Oh, we’ve managed it before. We’re seasoned professionals at pretending indifference,” she said, recalling Sandy’s view on the subject, voiced so bluntly just that morning.
“But it doesn’t get any easier.” Another sigh. “Now, about that promise.”
“I’m going to see someone now. We’ll talk about it afterward.”
“Who?”
“The person that I think’s rigging our systems. I’m going to catch her at home. She might be more willing to talk to me there.”
“Who is she?”
“Just a systems analysis that I’ve known for years.”
“Why do you suspect her?”
“Because she’s acting very peculiarly. Won’t look me in the eye. Won’t stop to talk to me.”
“Well, you are seen as the big bad witch right now. Everyone’s on edge.”
“It’s not that, Matt. She’s frightened. I can see it in her eyes.”
“Could be for any number of reasons.”
“She is pregnant with her first child.”
Well, there you are then.”
“I’m still going to go and see her. I have a gut feeling about this.”
“Well, just be careful and ring me when you get back.”
“I will, just so long as your wretched wife doesn’t put in an appearance.”
* * * *
After several wrong turns, Ashley pulled up outside the terraced house where Claire Slater lived with her husband, Paul. She’d got the address from the company records. Taking a deep breath, she climbed out of the car, reached into the back seat for the flowers and cuddly toy she’d brought for Claire and the baby respectively, and climbed the steps to the front door. She rang the bell twice and was on the point of giving up when the door was opened by Claire. She gasped when she saw Ashley standing there.
“What do you want?” she asked.
Not an auspicious start, but Ashley refused to be deterred. “Hi, Claire. Hope I’m not disturbing you.” She thrust the flowers at her, and Claire automatically took them.
“Would it matter if you were?”
“You seemed a bit off when we spoke in the office the other day, so I thought I’d pop round and see if there was anything I could do to help.”
Claire eyed her with open scepticism. “Really?”
“Yes, really. It might surprise you to learn that I do care about our
employees’ welfare.”
Claire pulled a face that said you could have fooled me.
“I got this for the baby,” she said, pushing the teddy bear into her hands as well. Claire looked at it and finally cracked a smile.
“You’d better come in then, but don’t mind the mess.”
“Is Paul home?” she asked, following Claire into a cramped and untidy front room where the television was blaring away.
“No, he’s working,” she said, switching the set off with a remote.
“Oh, at night?”
“That’s when night watchmen work,” she said sarcastically, discarding the flowers and toy on a cluttered table and manoeuvring her bulk into an easy chair.
“But I thought he worked for us.”
“He was sacked several months ago, but you wouldn’t know that, being isolated in your ivory tower.”
Ashley frowned. “Sacked? Paul? Why?”
“For hitting his manager.”
“Who was his manager?” Ashley was almost afraid to ask.
“Charlie Templeton.”
Chapter Thirteen
Ashley’s mind whirled.
“Paul hit Charlie,” she repeated in a dazed tone. “Why?”
“Why not?” Claire propped her feet on the stool in front of her and awkwardly leant over her bump to massage her swollen ankles. “He’s been asking for it for long enough.”
“Are you uncomfortable?” Ashley asked. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m eight months pregnant so, yeah, I’m uncomfortable.” Claire winced and shifted her position. “The little blighter won’t stop kicking.”
“Should you still be working full time? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“We need the money, so I have no choice.” She shrugged. “Paul used to earn more than me. Now it’s the other way round.”
“I’m sorry. I wish there was something I could do.”
“You could reinstate Paul.”
“I’ll certainly try.”
“Don’t bother,” Claire said bitterly. “That bastard would never allow it.”
“If you help me, I could go over his head. I do have influence.”
“What do you want me to do?” she asked warily.
Ashley fixed the pregnant woman with a penetrating gaze. “I think you know why I’m really here.”
“Why should I? I don’t—” She broke off and clutched her abdomen. “Argh!”
“What’s up?” Ashley asked, half rising from her seat. “Did the baby kick again?”
“I’m not sure.” She continued to rub her bump. “Perhaps, but he’s never kicked that hard before.”
“He? It’s a boy?”
Claire smiled for the first time since Ashley’s arrival. “Yes, and it feels as though he’s getting anxious to put in an appearance.”
“Is there anything I can do? Do you need a drink, or something?”
“No, I’m okay.” Claire’s smile faded. “Tell me what you want?”
“You first. Tell me why Paul clouted Charlie.”
“Because he’s an arrogant sod and—”
“Claire, I promise I’ll do what I can for Paul, but you’ve got to be honest with me.”
“He is arrogant.”
“Perhaps, but if employees went round clouting bosses they thought was arrogant, our courts would be clogged solid with assault cases.”
“Yeah, I know.” Claire shifted her weight again and sighed. “Paul was one of Interactive’s top salesmen, always exceeding his targets and earning good bonuses.” Ashley nodded encouragement when Claire’s voice faltered. “Then he…argh, Christ.” She doubled over, clutching her bulge, sweat peppering her brow.
Ashley leapt to her feet and took her hand. “That’s not just a kick, is it?”
“No,” Claire panted. “I think it’s a contraction. That’s not supposed to happen yet.”
“Tell that to you son.”
Ashley found the bathroom on the first floor, wrung out a face cloth and dashed back to Claire. She wiped her brow and took her hand again.
“All right?”
“Yeah, it’s passed.”
“Should we call someone?”
“Hell if I know. I’ve never done this before. Have you?” Ashley shook her head. “Right pair we are,” Claire said, with a hollow smile.
“Contractions are supposed to last for hours, aren’t they?”
“So they say. They ought to be spaced wide apart and—” Claire cried out again, gripping her stomach as though holding the baby in.
“This isn’t right,” Ashley said. “I’m going to take you to the hospital. Do you have a bag packed?”
She expected Claire to argue the point. She didn’t.
“Bedroom, in the closet,” she said.
“Do you want to call Paul?” Ashley asked, running down the stairs with Claire’s case.
“I’ll do it from the car, but we’d better hurry.”
Ashley glanced down at the puddle of water dripping from Claire’s seat.
“Oh hell, your water’s broken.”
“Looks that way.”
Ashley drove like a maniac to the hospital. She absolutely didn’t want Claire giving birth in her car, especially since she was convinced something wasn’t right. It was all happening too quickly. Claire had been suffering from nothing more taxing than swollen ankles half an hour ago. Now this. She thought about calling an ambulance but reckoned she could get Claire there quicker in her own car. Claire, in between bouts of swearing and sweating profusely, managed to get hold of Paul.
“He’s on his way,” she said, dropping her phone on the floor when another contraction hit her. “Hurry up,” she said to Ashley in a breathless pant. “Something’s going on.”
Ashley, hand on horn, headlights flashing, ran the final red light and pulled up outside the emergency room doors. Two orderlies dashed out, and Claire was whisked away. Paul arrived minutes later, wearing his security guard uniform, looking fraught.
“Where is she?” he asked, running into reception and grabbing Ashley’s arm. “What happened? What did you say to her?”
“Mr. Slattery?” asked a nurse.
“Yes, where’s my wife? Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. She’s just gone into premature labour, that’s all.”
“That’s all!”
“She’s asking for you. Come this way please.”
“Go!” Ashley said when he appeared frozen to the spot. She thrust her card into his hand. “Call me when you can and let me know how she is.”
“Oh, er, right. Thanks for helping her.”
Paul dashed off after the nurse. Slowly, Ashley retraced her steps and reclaimed her car, wondering if she really was to blame for Claire’s condition. She didn’t see how she could be. It wasn’t as if she’d threatened the woman. But still…she felt guilty.
She dialled Matt’s mobile, eager to tell him what little she’d learned. A chill ran through her when Eve answered.
“Ashley, is that you?”
She was tempted to hang up, but her number would have shown on the display, and that would look stranger than bluffing her way out. She glanced at her watch. It was gone ten o’clock. What possible reason could she have to call her boss on his mobile at that time of night? And what was Eve doing in Reigate? She’d been in Southampton at lunchtime. Her mind went into overdrive.
“Yes, I was looking for Matt.”
“I’m sure you were.”
“Is he there?”
“Just a moment. We were in bed. I’ll see if he’s available.”
Matt’s voice came on the line mere seconds later, sounding fraught. “Ashley, is something wrong?”
“I might ask you the same question. No, it’s all right. I know you can’t talk.”
“I sent you a text, warning you not to ring,” he said in a low voice. Ashley assumed he’d gone into another room to talk to her.
“My phone was switched off. I was at the hospital, and th
ey don’t allow them there.”
“The hospital?” He sounded panicked. “Why?”
“Don’t worry. There’s nothing wrong with me. The lady from systems went into premature labour.”
Matt chuckled. “Is that the effect you had on her?”
His flippancy annoyed her. “This isn’t funny.”
“Sorry, I know that. I’m just relieved that you’re okay.”
“I did manage to find out that Claire’s husband was sacked by Charlie because he took a swing at him.”
“Bloody hell!”
“I couldn’t find out anything more before the baby sent us into a panic.”
“Still, it’s an interesting development.”
“Look, I’d better go. Presumably you’ll think of a way to explain this call to Eve, and I’ll leave you to ring me as soon as you can.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” he said, cutting the connection.
Ashley pocketed her phone, feeling alone and vulnerable.
Her phone rang at seven thirty the following morning. Matt’s number flashed up on the screen, and she immediately felt better. Until she remembered that Eve had answered it the night before.
“Hello,” she said cautiously.
“Darling, I’ve caught you before you left, I hope.”
“Yes.” She relaxed at the mere sound of his voice. “Are you at the office already?”
“In the car. The first thing I did was call you. Are you all right?”
“I’ve been better. What the hell is she up to, Matt?”
“Wish I knew. She was at the apartment when I got home last night. Said she’d missed me and wanted to tell me all about her weekend in person.”
“What was there to tell?”
“Nothing much.”
“So Phil must have dropped her back in Southampton, whereupon she immediately came in search of me. But she didn’t say anything about accosting me, I suppose, or about me basically telling her to get lost?”
“Not a word, but then she wouldn’t, would she? Not if she’s trying to play us off against each other.”
“She didn’t like my negative reaction and so drove up to you straightaway.”
“Looks that way.”
“How did you explain away my call last night?”
“I didn’t. I wouldn’t normally tell her why someone from the office was calling, and right now I get a lot of calls, obviously, what with everything that’s going on.”
Soliman, Wendy - The Name of the Game (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 15