Stronger With Her

by JA Hensley

  “I didn’t say anything about that. You’ve been thinking about it, though, haven’t you? What is it about him, huh? You can tell me anything, you know that, right? I’m good at keeping secrets.” She smiles kindly and I know she’s sincere.

  “There’s not really just one thing, it’s everything. When we shook hands the first time I felt a zing up my arm like I’d been electrocuted. It sounds stupid, but that’s what happened. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since that day.” I leave out everything about the club and what happened afterward. Becca is my best friend and accepts everything about me, but even that would freak her out.

  “Did he feel the same way? Have you been working with him every day?” She’s always looking out for me.

  “I think he did, maybe. I don’t know. This is just stupid. I’ve always stayed focused on the job and that’s what I’m going to do. I’ve seen him a couple times over the past few weeks. He comes and checks on the progress of the project. We’ve had lunch once, but the brothers were with us and they’re much more involved in the day-to-day operations.” I frown at the thought that I haven’t gotten to see him as much as I would like. Unfortunately, Becca notices.

  “You’ll find a way to make it work. You’re a strong, independent woman who doesn’t take any crap from anyone. If it were Christin, I’d be worried, but since it’s you, I know you’ll be fine,” she smiles sweetly.

  “I hope you’re right because James Owens could make or break my new career, you know?”

  “Oh, I know very well,” she says softly. I don’t bother to ask her to elaborate because I completely understand what she meant.

  After our very long lunch, we decide to go our separate ways. I’m not up to grocery shopping and I feel like I need to try to start building a final repair code for Owens Ammunition. I give Becca a big hug at her car before I go home.

  “Remember what I said, you will figure this out,” she reminds me as she squeezes my hand.

  “I know and if I have any issues you’ll be the first one I call,” I say as we embrace one more time before I take off.

  My alarm goes off and scares me awake. I spent most of the night tossing and turning, worried about what today is going to bring when I walk back into Owens Ammunition. I haven’t been able to come up with a good plan of avoiding James and still getting my work done. I’m on a tight schedule and I’m going to have to be really focused on getting everything done in the short time-frame they want.

  After I’m showered, dressed, and have my makeup on, I fill my purse with my favorite chocolate mints knowing I’ll need them to get me through this day. I get a Diet Mt. Dew from the fridge and head toward the door. I have a mirror in the small foyer and I take a moment to look at myself before I leave. My hair is good, makeup is perfect, clothing is plain, conservative, and professional. One more deep breath and I nod to my reflection, internally giving myself a pep talk that I can do this and it’s going to be just fine.

  The drive is thankfully uneventful and I arrive at the Owens’ offices a few minutes before eight. I have just enough time to park and make my way to the building. I take the elevator to the third floor where I’ve been working for the past few weeks. I’m not exactly sure how this is going to go so I take a moment to look around as I exit the lift.

  “Hey, Stephanie,” I hear from my left. I look over and see Jason Owens walking toward me.

  “Good morning, Jason,” I say, smiling. Why does it feel like everything’s different now?

  I can see four or five people working at different desks and I imagine that things could get crazy if they were to find out about my life. Jason continues to walk next to me, not saying anything. I wonder if he knows, too. Once I get inside my little office space and see two of the three monitors displaying different diagnostic information, I try to relax and focus on this job.

  “Is everything okay?” Jason asks, looking a bit nervous.

  “Yes, it’s fine. Did you need something from me?”

  “No, I mean, I’d like to know what you’re doing, but I understand that you need your space.”

  “I’m going to start installing the final security software. It’s pretty boring. But, when it gets to the more technical part, I’ll come and get you. Will that work?”

  “That’d be great. Thanks.” He smiles as he backs out of the room, closing the door behind him.

  I get my drink and a couple of mints before I sign in to the computer that’s updating the servers. I know how I want to attack this project, I just hope that there aren’t any glitches that will mess with the timeline of completion.

  I’m writing some complicated code to beef up the firewall when I’m interrupted by someone clearing their throat. I ignore them and keep working, not wanting to stop until I’m finished.

  “If I had known you’d pretend I didn’t exist I wouldn’t have bothered to come down here and check on you.” I know it’s James and I can’t deal with his shit right now.

  “I’m busy, Mr. Owens. Do you need something or did you just come to bother me? You’re the one with the deadline, remember?” I don’t hide my irritation, but I also don’t look up from my work.

  “I came to ask if you had plans for lunch. I wanted to talk about what happened this weekend.” That gets my attention and I look up at him.

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. I have a lot of work to do and if you want me to get everything done by Thursday, I’ll need to stick close to the computers,” I say quickly, turning back to the monitors.

  “Oh, well, okay,” James stammers. “I guess I’ll let you get back to it then,” he says as he leaves the office. I feel like shit for being so short with him, but after Saturday the last thing I need is the distraction of all that hotness. He’s much too irresistible and the memory of that kiss is becoming too much to handle. Of course, my stomach decides to protest my decision by growling loudly. I dig in my purse for the few mints I have left, hoping that will help calm my hunger.

  “Fuck, this week is going to suck,” I say to the walls knowing that avoiding James is going to be an additional task I didn’t originally count on, but will be essential for my professionalism and my sanity.

  I try not to be pissed at Stephanie’s rejection. I really do. I was trying to start over after finding out she takes her clothes off for money. This woman has gotten under my skin more than anyone, even Danielle. I can’t stop thinking about her, the way she smiles, the way she feels against my body. She’s even invaded my dreams. Fuck. My dick follows my thoughts and the last thing I need is to be sporting a hard on in the office.

  “What are you doing down here with the little people, Runt?” Jason asks sporting a shit-eating grin.

  “I can come down here anytime I want to. It’s my fucking company,” I say as I walk by, not stopping for further conversation.

  “What crawled up your ass and died, asshole? I was just kidding,” he says to my back. I spin around to face him.

  “Look, what I do and who I talk to is none of your business. Get back to work,” I turn and press the button for the elevator.

  “Wow, man. Sorry,” Jason says quietly, backing away with his hands up in front of him.

  I know I’m being a prick, but I’m not in the mood for his crap today. I’ve got to pull my shit together, but the only way to do that is to get more of her. Once I reach my office, I ask Simone to come in and close the door. I trust her to keep her mouth shut and she’s the only one who can help me at this point.

  “What’s up, James? We haven’t had a closed-door meeting in quite a while,” she says with a knowing smile.

  “I need your help with something that nobody else can know about. I trust you can keep things quiet?”

  She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m offended that you have to ask that question. What’s her name?”

  “What?” I ask, falling into my office chair. Why does this woman have to know me so well?

  “You can dance around this all you
want, but we both know this has to do with a woman. I guess it’s either someone you met this weekend or our computer consultant. Either way, you’re walking around here barking at everyone and being a total jerk, which has only happened one other time in all the years I’ve known you. So, let’s just skip the bullshit and you tell me what’s going on.” She stands in front of my desk wearing a satisfied smile, waiting for my response.

  “Okay, you’re right. It’s Stephanie. I ran into her over the weekend, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since she started here. It’s a horrible idea to mix business and personal, but,” I pause, trying to think of what to say that won’t make me sound like a wuss.

  “But you want to see where this could go?” Simone finishes my thought for me. I nod, not trusting my words at this point.

  “This is great, James. Really. I’ve been worried about you for years since everything happened. The limited interaction I’ve had with her tells me that she would be good for you. So, what do you need from me?” Simone’s been so understanding over the years.

  “I’m not sure. She just summarily dismissed me from her office. She won’t talk to me.”

  “What did you do to cause that kind of reaction?” she asks, raising one eyebrow.

  “Nothing, I didn’t do a fucking thing,” I respond defensively.

  “Oh, my God. You didn’t sleep with her did you? Please tell me you didn’t,” she says shaking her head.

  “No!” I shout. “I can’t really talk about it, but I need to make this right, Simone. You’ve got to help me.”

  “Okay. You need to start over with this girl. You’re going to have to romance her. Most women can’t resist a man who takes the time to go all Jamie Fraser on her, you know?”

  “Actually, I have no idea who you’re talking about. Jamie who?”

  Simone sighs and throws her hands up exasperatedly.

  “For all that is holy. You need to watch more television. Jamie Fraser is the most romantic, alpha male from Outlander. I wish you’d expand your popular culture knowledge a little bit,” she says smiling at me. I’m not one to watch many things on TV. Sports, yes, but not dramas or girlie shit.

  “All right, so what would this guy do, huh? I need to fix this now.”

  “You need to leave her a note. Write her a letter and let her know that you’re thinking about her. But, under no circumstances do you make it seem like you’re saving her or telling her what to do. I’ll take it down and give it to her or slip it on her desk when she’s gone. Then tomorrow you’ll need to have her office filled with flowers. You have to romance the shit out of her. You’re going to have to take things slower than men usually do to win her over, but this would be an excellent start.”

  “Letters and flowers? Are you sure? It seems so cliché to me.”

  “If you don’t want my help, then stop wasting my time. I have work to do,” she says as she starts to leave my office.

  “No, I need your help. I’m at a total loss here, so if you think that’s what needs to be done then I’ll do it,” I say with a sigh. “Will you at least order the flowers for me? I’m so out of practice with all this shit.”

  She smiles victoriously. “Yes, I’ll get that taken care of. You write the note and don’t type it. Personal notes like this are handwritten.”

  “You’re killing me, Simone.” She looks at me smugly and shrugs. “All right, I’ll write the note and bring it to you soon.” She nods and leaves me to figure out what to say in a letter.

  I get a piece of paper from my printer and stare at it. I have no idea what to write. It’s not like I can tell her what I really want.

  Stephanie, I really want to fuck you senseless then throw you over my shoulder like a caveman and take you back to my hut. I promise to protect you from all the other assholes in the world. Oh, and you have to quit being a stripper. See you soon! James.

  So, that won’t work.

  I spend thirty minutes trying to write the perfect note that is romantic but not over the top. I’ve got a pile of crumpled up balls of paper on my desk, and I’m starting to get pissed at Simone. This is never going to work.

  I read over what I’ve written this time.

  Stephanie,

  I hope your day has gone well. Please accept my sincere apology for interrupting you this morning. I want to get to know you on a personal level, and I hope that you’ll consider it. I’m drawn to you in a way that I can’t explain, but I know it has nothing to do with your jobs. I want to explore what that could be if you’ll let me. Feel free to come by my office if you want to meet tonight and talk.

  James

  This is as good as it’s going to get. I think I sound like I’m begging, but at this point I’m not above that. I hope that my brothers never see it because they’d never let me hear the end of it. I fold the note and put it in an envelope, sealing it so nobody can easily read what’s inside. I give it to Simone on my way out for lunch. I hope this works because I’m not letting Stephanie go without a fight.

  I’m almost done for the day. Thankfully there weren’t any more distractions and everything went smoothly with the patches. I’m setting the updates to run overnight so I can get a jumpstart on things tomorrow when there’s a knock on my door. I hesitate to answer it and the person on the other side doesn’t wait for me. I look up sharply, expecting an argument, but I see Simone.

  “Hey, Stephanie. Are you doing okay?”

  “Come in, Simone. I’m fine. Is something going on?” I smile at the woman as she closes the door behind her.

  “No, I’m just headed out for the night but, I thought I’d make sure you have everything you need and the boys are treating you well. Sometimes this place gets overrun by testosterone and they forget that there are women working here too,” she smiles and shakes her head.

  “I understand how that goes. Most people in my field are men so I get it.”

  “I know you’re trying to finish everything up and the guys are anxious to have it done. So, if you need anything at all this week, please let me know. Even though my name isn’t on the door, I pretty much keep it running,” she says as she winks at me.

  “Yeah, women run the world, we just don’t get the credit,” I nod.

  “It’s not that bad here. James and his brothers are great guys to work for. They’ve put everything they have into this business and it’s going well, despite what they’ve been through. You being here is just one more thing that will help them grow.”

  “Oh, well, I’m happy I could help.” I’m not sure how to respond to her.

  “All right, well, I’m going home. I’ll see you in the morning, and don’t forget that I’m upstairs if you need a break from the male posturing and grunting down here,” she laughs as she leaves.

  I chuckle too and turn back to the monitor. That’s when I see the envelope on my desk. My name is on the front, but there’s no other indication as to what it could be. I start to open it, but an alert pops up on my screen at the same time. I groan when I see what it is. This is not going to help my day end any faster. I stash the envelope in my purse and turn my full attention back to the task at hand.

  It’s almost seven before I finish getting things going to a point where I feel like I can leave it. The office is empty when I emerge from my space, but the lights are still on. I have no idea if they are on timers or not so I leave it the way I find it, making my way to the elevator. Before I go out the front doors of the building, I reach into my purse to get my keys so I can walk to my car with them in my hand. It’s one of the few self-defense things I remember from a talk in college that I still do every day. My fingers touch paper and I pull it out of the bag.

  I’d forgotten about the envelope that was in my office so I sit on the bench in the lobby and open it. There’s a note from James inside. I read it through twice before the message sinks in. He wants to get to know me? Has that ever happened before? Most guys just want to fuck and leave, which is fine with me. It’s a means to an end a
nd it’s not messy. James has the potential to make my life a complete and utter disaster. But he could also make it better than it’s ever been. I internally scowl at that voice in my head. I’m supposed to be getting my shit together and my company off the ground.

  I shake my head and stand up, making a vow to myself as I exit the building that I’m going to be logical and methodical about this thing with James. It’s the best way to get something done efficiently and has been how I’ve approached my adult life. It’s worked so far so I have no reason to believe it won’t work this time.

  Tuesday morning finds me hauling in five different flower arrangements at seven in the morning. Simone told me to have them on Stephanie’s desk before she got to work so she’d walk into the surprise. I’m quite certain the lady at the store thought I was crazy when I bought them. I noticed silver wrappers all over the place yesterday so I also purchased a small bag of the chocolate mints.

  I arrange everything around the monitors and leave the candy on the keyboard. There’s a little note in one of the arrangements that will hopefully get a positive response. I turn and leave the room hoping that nobody else is here yet.

  “What’re you doing, Runt?” I hear Joe ask. Fuck me. I really don’t need his shit right now.

  “Going to get some work done. What are you doing, Joseph? Shouldn’t you be at your desk?” I cross my arms over my chest and wait for the smart ass answer I know is coming.

  “Actually, Jason asked me to come check some specs for him. So, I guess I’m still being productive even if I’m not in my office. What is your problem? You’ve been a dick since Sunday.”

  I sigh, knowing he’s right. “I’ve got a lot on my mind and until we get the system secure I can’t do anything with this contract.”

  “You’ve got to be shitting me. You’re a horrible liar, Runt. I know that you’re all tied in knots over our little computer expert. It doesn’t take a genius to see it. To be honest, I’m glad. You’ve been a monk since Danielle and I, for one, am relieved to know you’re not dead inside.” He punches me on the arm as he says the last part.