Players

by Rachel Cross

  Tiana grabbed a bag of salty-and-sweet trail mix, dumped some of the snack into a bowl, and then sat at their living room table. She glanced at Melanie’s expectant face and sighed.

  “Yes, that’s why I’m a Moody Margaret or whomever. No call, email, text . . . smoke signal.”

  Pulling a chair out, her roommate sat across from her. “Let me tell you about my best friend, Tiana. She rules her life with an iron fist and hates surprises and chaos.” Mel reached for the bag and shook the mix into her hand.

  Tiana ran to grab a bowl from the cabinet and placed it under her crumb-wielding friend. “We’re not wild animals. Use a bowl!”

  “Like so.” Mel waved at the blue dish. “Let’s add uptight to the characteristics of my bestie. Now, Nathan, who is a very astute man, knows Tiana. He knows that if he contacts her, she will either, one . . . ” She stuck out her thumb. “Deny the importance of their kiss. Or, two . . . ” She lifted her index finger. “Threaten his balls or his life.”

  A knot of anger unfurled in Tiana’s stomach and grew with each unflattering option.

  “But . . . ” Mel cut through her angry thoughts. “The man who deserves my friend’s love will never find a woman more loving and loyal. I think Nathan could be that man for you.”

  Tiana relaxed her shoulders as her irritation deflated. “So . . . what can I do? Should I call him or wait?”

  “Do you like Nathan? Are you willing to compromise one of your life rules to never date a coworker again?”

  Tiana hesitated and evaluated the situation. Nathan and Greg were like night and day. So unalike it wasn’t even fair to compare them, but compare them she did.

  Nathan was disciplined with his health and his work, whereas Greg was naturally slim and not at all muscular or athletic. Nathan was a straight shooter; always spoke his mind. When she’d had conversations with Greg, she’d felt like she was speaking to a politician. Every word he said seemed examined, polished, molded, and manipulated in a way to make people love him.

  Nathan was fearless, and he made her fearless, too. He pushed her, challenged her, angered her, and made her feel . . . alive.

  Yes, she wanted Nathan. Or at least, she was willing to try. Decision made, Tiana squared her shoulders and looked at her friend. “I want him.”

  Mel squealed, clapped, and wiggled in the chair. She cleared her throat, and her lively eyes turned serious. “You know what it’s time for?”

  Uh, oh. Lord save me from enthusiastic, mission-ready friends.

  “It’s time for Operation—”

  Groaning, Tiana massaged her forehead. “For the love of all that is good in the world, do not create another operation for me.”

  “Why not? Operation: Get that J-O-B in N-Y-C was successful.” She waved her hand in a dismissive manner. “Time for Operation: It’s Been You.”

  “It’s been you?”

  “Yeah.” A smile spread across her friend’s face. “Nathan has been the man for you all this time. You didn’t know, but I think he did all along.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Seated across the six-seater dining room table from Pops and Martha, Nathan bit into the fall-off-the-bone baked chicken his stepmom had cooked.

  She hadn’t touched her food, while Pops took kid-sized bites. Both were unusually quiet, but their judgmental stares were as deafening as an ear-piercing scream.

  Nathan dropped his fork and inhaled. The citrusy aroma from the orange-yellow roses in the center of the table permeated the cloud of irritation lingering above his head. “I’m guessing one of your gossiping poker buddies told you about last night.” Grabbing a glass of iced tea, he gulped.

  “Well, now.” Martha played with her tennis bracelet. “Lonny did mention that you won handedly. And then . . . well, then you kissed some groupie in the audience who yelled something about having your babies.”

  Nathan nearly spat out the sweet tea at her scandalized tone. Tiana would lose her mind if she heard the rumor.

  Pops leaned forward and cleared his throat. “Now son, I know you’re a young man with certain needs, but can’t those needs be met inside the bedroom?”

  Nathan bristled at the berating tone. At thirty-one, he was well over feeling ashamed of kissing his woman.

  “Pops, I—”

  “Hold on, son. I’m not finished.” His father cut in and raised a hand for silence. “It’s about time you settled down. You aren’t getting younger, and neither am I.”

  “Pops—”

  “Now, I’m not saying jump into a relationship and get married right away. Not with a woman who shouts things about having kids in public. But I thought you and that nice coworker of yours were finally getting along.” His father’s brown eyes looked concerned.

  “That groupie, as Martha so lovingly called her, was Tiana, that nice coworker of mine. And she did not ask to have my kids. Her best friend shouted that Tiana should have my kids. I presume as a joke.”

  Martha’s eyes beamed.

  Leaning back against his seat, Pops grinned. “You laid one on her, did ya?”

  “That’s right. I went right up to her and claimed what’s mine.”

  His father chuckled. “I bet she was fit to be tied. What did she say?”

  Nathan’s grin slipped. Picking up his fork, he scooped up the wild rice and gravy and shoveled the food into his mouth.

  Martha shook her head. “Oh, goodness. He’s done something ill-advised.” She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath. “You know you aren’t going to like what he has to say.”

  Pops waved his hand in a come-on gesture.

  Nathan swallowed his food and stalled with a big swallow of tea. “I haven’t spoken to her. She left after the fight, and I went home.”

  “So now you’re hiding out here with your tail tucked between your legs?” His father’s amusement died. “You said it yourself—Tiana is high strung. She’s probably driving herself crazy about what happened.”

  “I’m not hiding out. I’m giving her time. If I’d immediately given chase, her hackles would be up.” He shook his head. “No, I’ve gotta get her to feel like she’s not pressured. Tiana likes to examine every detail before she makes a decision.”

  Pop’s approving smile made him feel better. “You’re putting that MBA to good use. I’m proud of you, son.”

  • • •

  Tiana was brewing coffee when Mel dashed into the kitchen and sat on a barstool, struggling to push her foot into a black pump.

  “Good, I caught you before you left,” she said, slightly out of breath.

  “Yes. I decided to go into work later. I’d drive myself crazy waiting around for him to arrive.”

  Standing, Mel stomped her foot into the shoe. “There!” she exclaimed as if she’d found the cure for the common cold. “And good idea by the way. Make him sweat. Mmmm, sweat.”

  “Stop fantasizing about my . . . Nathan.”

  “Fine. But under duress.” Winking, she returned to her seat. “Pass me a bowl?”

  Tiana reached for one and then went ahead and poured Mel’s favorite cereal. She didn’t bother with the milk because her crazy friend liked it dry.

  “Thanks, T. Let’s review the game plan.”

  Tiana nodded. “I walk into the office. Act normal and pretend everything is business as usual.”

  “And then?”

  “After a few minutes I strut to his desk, grab his tie, and kiss the hell out of him.”

  “And after that?”

  “I will sexily walk back to my desk.” Tiana did a catwalk stride to the living room table and performed a showgirl’s leg arc that settled over her thigh. “And cross my legs like so.” She rolled her eyes. “You think this’ll work?”

  Mel swiveled in the barstool and clapped. “Brava, and of course it will. Did you not say that Nathan’s dream woman list included spontaneity, yet he occasionally likes to be dominated?”

  Tiana uncrossed her legs and clasped her hands. “Yes, that’s what he said.
”

  “All right then. You’re displaying dominance by grabbing his tie. You’re being spontaneous with a kiss. And then you’re giving him an opportunity to chase you when you go back to your desk. Now go to work so you can get your man.”

  • • •

  Despite leaving the apartment almost an hour later than usual, Tiana still arrived to work before Nathan. Julia stood outside their office holding a steaming cup of coffee with two splashes of cream. The intern handed the mug to Tiana and then chattered about projects. Tiana nodded and gave Julia a few uh-huhs when her chatty intern paused for breath.

  Julia, now seated in the chair in front of Tiana’s desk, continued to chirp away as Tiana’s computer booted.

  “Finally,” Tiana whispered as the computer blinked to life.

  The intern’s lip quivered. “I’m sorry. Am I annoying you?”

  “Oh, no. Not at all, honey. I just have an important message to send to a client.”

  Julia’s pouty lips formed into a smile. “You’re so dedicated.”

  “Umm . . . yeah.” She added a forced laugh. “That I am. One moment.”

  Opening Instant Messenger, she searched for Mel’s name. She nearly wept in delight when she saw the green icon, signaling her friend was online.

  I’m aborting the mission! He’s not here. I’m supposed to walk into the office and throw him a sultry gaze. I can’t do that now!

  She sighed when she immediately saw tiny dots in the messaging box. Melanie was typing a response.

  Chill out, T. New plan . . . He comes into the office, but you don’t look up. Have headphones on and jam to your favorite song. You don’t have a care in the world. Then resume the mission.

  Tiana smiled at the suggestion.

  “Good news?” Julia asked.

  “Great news. Everything is going to work out.”

  Great idea. The mission is back on.

  “Tiana.” Nathan’s sexy voice shocked her from the door. Her heart stuttered, rolled, and plopped on the floor.

  “H-hey, Nathan. How was your weekend?” Shoot! I wasn’t supposed to speak to him. What do I do? WhatdoIdoWhatdoIdoWhatdoIdo?

  Still in the doorway, he stood with his legs splayed, arms crossed, and eyes determined.

  OhshitOhshitOhshit!

  Tiana looked at the monitor, and her hands flew across the keyboard.

  He’s here, and I already screwed up. I asked him about his freaking weekend! Why did I do that?

  More dots furiously jumped on-screen. Tiana didn’t dare glance away. The broiling heat from his stare burned her deep.

  I’m not sure why you did that. You and I both know what he did this weekend . . . he tongue-effed you in front of hundreds of people.

  Nathan cleared his throat. “Julia, you need to leave us for a moment. Tiana and I have some important things to discuss.”

  Tiana’s heart stuttered as she looked away from Mel’s unhelpful message.

  The intern’s pointy, upturned noise wrinkled. “But I was just giving Ms. Holliday an update on our projects.”

  “Later,” he practically growled. “Don’t forget you report to me, too.”

  His authoritative voice sparked Tiana’s hormones into a frenzy. She quickly typed another message.

  Shit! He told my intern to leave. He’s being all alpha male, and it’s hot! What’s the plan?

  Julia, now red-faced, stood and marched past Nathan, nearly hitting his shoulder. Mel instantly pinged back.

  Wing it.

  Wing it???

  Nathan finally stepped into the office and then leaned against her desk, searing her with another scorching gaze.

  I was supposed to do that.

  “How was my weekend?” he repeated with a tinge of humor.

  “I-It’s customary for coworkers to ask that question on a Monday.”

  “I know what you did over the weekend. You tried to figure a way to pretend that Friday night didn’t happen.”

  Reclining in her seat, Tiana folded her arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Tilting his head toward the ceiling, he sighed. “This isn’t how the conversation is supposed to go.”

  Tell me about it.

  Nathan rubbed a palm over his face. He dropped into his own chair and scooted toward her until their knees touched. “I gave you the weekend to obsess about how wrong we are for each other until you had a chance to convince yourself how we’re right for each other. I can’t tell what decision you came to, but I’m making one for us.”

  Arching an eyebrow, she tilted her head. “Are you now?

  “I am. This is how it’s going to be. We are going to date. Exclusively. No more pretty-boys who dab their napkins to the corner of their lips.”

  Tiana huffed. “And no more twenty-year-old airheads who start and end their sentences with ‘like.’”

  He smiled, grabbed his phone, and tapped something into it.

  “Really? You’re texting someone in the middle of a negotiation?”

  He shrugged as her phone chirped. “Check it.”

  “Why?”

  “Just check your phone, woman.”

  Tiana swiveled in her chair to reach for her cell. She swiped the screen and then opened the notification from her social media app. Nathaniel Lawson has requested a relationship. Press Yes to confirm.

  Tiana jerked her head from the screen to narrow her eyes at him. “A little presumptuous, aren’t we? I haven’t said yes.”

  Leaning in, he grabbed her seat, pulled her close, and then grazed her ear with his lips. “You already said yes.”

  She backed away and shook her head, taken aback by his intensity. Damn, she should’ve brought spare undies. Not even noon, and she was swimming in a pool of wetness.

  His eyes sparked. “Yes, you did. You see, when I jumped down from the ring and claimed my prize, I claimed you. If you’re in it half as deep as I am—and baby, I’m drowning—then stop bullshitting.” He pulled away, but just a fraction.

  Her heart leaped from her chest and swan-dived onto the floor. Her mind was in a loop-de-loop, which was the only logical reason why she silently accepted his strong-armed proposal, grabbed his tie, and made sweet, sweet love to his mouth.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The door creaked. Leaping from Nathan’s strong arms, Tiana scrambled to stand.

  Julia slumped against the door. Her small white teeth bit into her lower lip. Her normally sweet face was twisted and had morphed into a pained expression.

  Tiana held her breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Only a minute into the relationship, and she was caught with her hands in Nathan’s cookie jar.

  “I-I’d like to go home now.” The intern’s voice and shoulders shook. “N-not feeling well.”

  Tiana rushed past a statue-still Nathan. Concern for Julia replaced fear for her reputation.

  “Are you all right?” Tiana touched the intern’s forehead. “You’re clammy and shaky.”

  “M-must’ve been something I ate.” Julia’s normally adoring eyes avoided Tiana’s as she licked her pale, thin lips. “I’ll just work from home, if you don’t mind?”

  Tiana scrunched her forehead. “Of course I don’t, sweetie. You take care of yourself. You have my cell, so call if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, Ms. Holliday.” Her voice was formal, cool, and sad as she turned to leave.

  “Julia?” Tiana squeaked.

  The intern turned around with a hopeful look on her face.

  “Maybe later we . . . that is to say, I-I want to talk about what you just saw. But before we speak, please . . . ” Tiana huffed at her floundering speech. “Can you promise not to say anything?” she finished in a hushed tone.

  Biting her quivering bottom lip, Julie nodded. The back of her hand swiped a tear from her cheek as she turned to leave.

  Tiana quietly shut the door, closed her eyes, and leaned against the frame. “So much for our little secret.”

  Nathan shrugged. “Julia was bound
to find out. She has a crush on you and follows your every move. And besides, I never agreed to us being a secret anyway.”

  Cracking open an eye, she sighed. She’d never had a clue Julia felt that way, but with all the things the young woman had done for Tiana she couldn’t deny the truth.

  Tackle that another day.

  Tiana cleared her throat, ready to argue the parameters of their relationship. “I don’t think it would be wise to broadcast our . . . whatever this is to our bosses and coworkers.”

  “I already told you what this is. An exclusive relationship. Now sit down, Peaches. We’ll hash this out so we can clear the air and get to work.”

  Pushing away from the door, she returned to her seat.

  Still near her desk, Nathan grabbed her hand. “Tell me why honesty is a bad idea?”

  She rolled her eyes. Of course he would use the word honesty to make his point. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because we’re both going after the same job and could possibly be the other person’s boss. Right now our relationship is technically not against company policy. However, dating your direct report certainly is.”

  Nathan shook his head. “How do you know this?”

  “I thoroughly read the policy when I first started the job.” She bit the inside of her cheek. “Because of my situation with Greg.”

  He nodded. You’re freaking out because you’re dating another coworker.” His eyes softened, and he pulled her closer. “Tell me about your ex.”

  She gripped her thighs. “Yes, well . . . as you know, I dated and was eventually engaged to Greg. The relationship did not last. The end.”

  Nathan reached for her hands and then squeezed. “Your storytelling could use some work.”

  Tiana pulled her hand back. If he wanted the full story, she needed to gather her wits and look at anything but him. The Greg, Stephanie, and Tiana saga was still gossiped about today, according to Shauna, the only colleague she kept in touch with from her previous firm.

  “Greg was one of the first people I met when I started my job. He was a trainer for new hires, and I was enamored with him.” Tiana looked down at her clasped hands and sighed, remembering all the things she’d felt for him.