by Marilyn Lee
She shrugged. "He hasn't—yet. He still wants no commitments."
Corried gaped at her. "And you're okay with that?"
"No. I'm going to have to change his mind."
Corrie leaned forward. "Yeah? What are you going to do?"
Angie grinned. "He has a jealous streak two miles wide. I'll just have to exploit it."
"How? With Frank?"
She shook her head. "No. Not with Frank." She had a feeling that given just a little encouragement, Frank could easily become a stalker. No way was she was going to try to use him. Besides the fact that it wasn’t nice. "I was thinking of hiring a male escort and let Troy think he's my new man."
"Sounds wicked and yummy." Corrie arched a brow. "And expensive."
"I know, but it's all I can think to do."
"Is he worth all the trouble?"
She remembered their night together. How wonderful it had been to fall asleep in his arms and be awakened at dawn to find him between her legs, kissing her pussy.
"How about a little lovin' to start the morning off right?" he'd whispered.
She'd eagerly parted her legs and he'd given her a slow, but utterly delectable finger and tongue fuck. Then he'd rolled her over onto her stomach, put his cock between her buns and rubbed back and forth until she'd felt him coming on her back.
They'd kissed and fallen back to sleep. When she had awoken again, he'd been gone. "Yes, he's worth it," she told Corrie.
"Then you go, girl!"
Later that afternoon, she was alone in the office, trying to get up the nerve to call the first of the escort services she'd chosen. When Jen came into the room, she jumped guiltily, and slammed the telephone directory shut. "Jen! You startled me!"
"Sorry." She glanced at the directory. "Can I look up something for you?"
"No! Thanks. No."
"Oookay. Ah, Mr. Markham is here to see you."
She looked at Jen in surprise. "Rick Markham?"
Jen nodded. "Shall I send him in or tell him you're busy?"
"No. I'll be out to the reception room in a moment.” She shoved her feet into her heels, reluctantly pulled the jacket of her dark suit on, and followed Jen to the small reception area at the front of the office.
A tall man with blond hair and dark green eyes rose as she approached. He smiled, extending his hand. "Rick Markham."
She smiled. "Angela Harding." She nodded at the chair he'd vacated and they both sat. "What can I do for you, Mr. Markham?"
"I think we need to talk, Angie."
Her smile vanished. She had no idea what he was about to say, but something inside of her tummy clenched and knotted. "If you don't mind, I'd, uh, prefer to be addressed as Ms. Harding, Mr. Markham," she said dumbly.
His eyebrows shot up. "That sounds a little formal."
"Our relationship is formal."
He half turned in his chair so that he was looking directly at her. "Your friends and the guys you meet on love boats call you Angie, don't they?"
She rose and put several feet between them. Her breath came out in a rush. "I don't understand.”
He shook his head and slowly rose. "Please don't be alarmed. As you know Troy Hunter and I are partners."
"Mr. Hunter. Yes. We, uh, met yesterday at Danni's.”
"Hmm, I'm thinking you two had met before then. Like several months ago on a cruise to nowhere but love. You were on that cruise, weren't you?"
She didn't answer.
"I'll take that as a yes. Now that I've met you, I can see why he couldn't forget you."
She felt betrayed. Troy had told him about her? "Is that…is that what he told you?"
"No, he didn’t. I can't get him to talk about you."
Her hand swept about absently. "Then I fail to see what you're doing here."
Rick studied her face. "I think it’s time you and I had a heart-to-heart talk."
She bit down onto her lip. "We don't have anything but business to discuss, Mr. Markham."
He sighed. "I was hoping you wouldn't say that. You see, Troy is more than my business partner. He's my best friend."
And he had told this man…this stranger about their short-lived relationship? Maybe even about spending the night with her? She nervously twirled several strands of hair around her fingers. "How would that be of concern to me, Mr. Markham?"
"I think you and I can help each other. I know this might sound strange, but if you'd just give me a half an hour of your time, I can explain."
Angie hesitated. "I doubt that very much."
Rick smiled slightly. "How can you be so sure before you've heard me out?” He held up his palms. “Trust me, I don't think you'll be sorry if you'll agree to hear me out."
She licked her lips. "Okay, but—"
"All I need is a few minutes of your time. If you still want me to leave after that, I will. Deal?"
She sighed. "I really—"
"Oh, come on. What do you have to lose accept a few minutes?"
She hesitated, but in the end nodded. "Okay. I'll hear you out. Then I'll want you to leave."
He smiled. "We'll see."
Chapter Eleven
Troy rose slowly from his desk and crossed his office to stare down at Rick, who sat in the lone chair in front of his desk. “You have a date tonight with who?”
Rick behaved as though nothing was amiss. “Angie Harding."
Troy clenched his hands into fists at his side. “What’s going on here, Rick? What are you trying to prove?”
His eyebrows shot up. “Prove? Nothing. When I realized I needed to talk to her or her partner, I stopped by their office after lunch. You know I’ve never met her, so I’d never realized how very attractive a large woman could be. We got to talking and one thing led to another and the next thing I knew we had a date.” He smiled, displaying neat white teeth.
Troy wanted to smash those neat white teeth. He felt the blood rush to his head. He went back to his seat and took several slow deep breaths. “One thing led to another? What the hell does that mean?” he growled.
Rick shrugged. “You know.”
“No,” he ground out. “No, I don’t know! Did you…touch her?”
“Why do you ask? She told me you didn’t want to get serious and that there was nothing between you two but sex.” He waved a hand about dismissively.
Troy wanted to break that hand. “She said what?” he barked.
"Well, isn't that how it is between you? You go to her when you want sex, but you don't want her thinking she has a real chance with you."
He slammed a fist down on his desk. "No, that is not how it is between us! You think I just want to use her for sex?"
"Doesn't matter what I think, Troy. It's what she thinks that counts."
"She doesn't think that. She knows better than that."
Rick’s face scrunched up. "Yeah? Exactly how? Have you told her how you feel?"
"How I feel is none of your damned business!"
"You're right. And who I go out with is none of yours." Rick grinned. "She told me I reminded her of her late husband."
Oh that was just too much. Troy’s nostrils flared. "How the hell can you remind her of him? You're blonde, he was dark. He was sweet, kind, funny, and perfect. And I'm sure he didn't go around stabbing his friends in the back. You are nothing like him!”
Rick shrugged, ignoring the last statement. "Oh, I don't know. She just said I reminded her of him. She made it sound like a compliment. Don't tell me she told you the same thing?" he asked, feigning hurt.
"No!"
"No? Well, in any case, I asked her if you’d mind our going out together and she said no. So I asked her out. There’s the story.”
Troy wanted to kill that story. About to explode, he forced himself to take several deep breaths. This was obviously a plot of Angie’s to whip him into shape. Well, it wouldn’t work. He wasn’t going to allow her to goad him into something he wasn’t ready for.
He shrugged, trying to project an air of nonchalanc
e he didn’t quite feel. “Fine. She’s free to see whomever she likes. If that includes you, so be it.”
Rick nodded. “I told her you’d say that.”
The desire to smash his fist in Rick’s overly confident face was difficult to overcome. “If you don’t mind, I’d just as soon not talk about her,” he growled.
“Is there something you want to tell me about how you feel about her? You know if it was serious between you two, I wouldn’t go anywhere near her. But if you’re not serious, why shouldn’t I see her?”
Because she’s mine! he wailed on the inside. “No reason at all,” he bit out. Troy glanced at his watch. “Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll get back to work.”
"Fine, but I think you should know that when I told her about the cocktail sip next weekend, she asked if she could come. Of course I said yes. So after our clients are gone, we’ll stay for dinner and then maybe go somewhere to dance.”
"Why the hell should I care what you do or who you do it with?"
"Okay, just thought you should know. I wanted to be fair."
"Fine. You've been fair. Pat yourself on the damn back and leave me to get back to work."
"You're sure you don't mind?"
"I'm positive."
Long after Rick strolled out of his office—whistling no less!—Troy sat staring out of the window. His chest felt tight and his heart ached.
How could she? How could she make a date with Rick or any other man after spending the night with him? The day that had dawned so bright and blissful because he’d spent the night before with Angie, now felt heavy and oppressive.
Damn her! If she thought he was going to sit still and allow her to sleep with Rick or any other man, she’d better think again. But he was not going to give her the satisfaction of knowing that he was jealous.
Later that night as he was about to leave the office, the front door opened and Angie walked in. She wore a sleek black dress that clung to her breasts and swirled around her calves when she moved. She looked absolutely stunning.
She paused when she saw him, then shrugged, and smiled. "Hi, Troy."
"Angie! What are you doing here?"
"What am I…oh. I'm here to pick up Rick."
Just for a moment, he longed to sweep her into his arms and tell her she was his and he wouldn't stand for her seeing other men. But that would be playing into her hands. And he had no intentions of doing that.
He nodded towards the closed door behind the empty reception desk. "Rick's office is the first one on your right."
She smiled. "We have a date tonight."
He nodded. "I know. He told me."
She stared expectantly up at him. "He thought you might mind, but I told him you wouldn't."
He closed his briefcase. "And you were right. We've both free to see whomever we like."
Her shoulders slumped, though he didn’t see that. "That's right."
"So. Ah, listen. I have to go. Have a good time." He flashed her a smile and hurried quickly from the office.
In his car in the parking lot, he leaned his forehead against the steering wheel. Don't lose it, now, Troy. Nothing is going to happen between her and Rick tonight. Nothing.
Nevertheless, he had trouble sleeping that night. He spent several hours resisting the urge to call Rick's apartment to see if he was home before finally falling asleep.
* * * * *
"And pray tell, how was your date last night?"
Angie looked up as Corrie waltzed into their work area with a huge smile on her beautiful face. "Never mind about me. What about you? Corrie, you look…happy."
"I am happy!" She hugged herself. "Oh, Ange! You'll never guess what happened."
She smiled into Corrie's sparkling eyes. "Oh, it's just a shot in the dark, but I'm thinking you must have heard from a tall, dark, hunk by the name of Jermane."
Corrie laughed and rushed across the room to hug her. "Yes! How did you know?"
"Are you kidding? You're grinning like the Cheshire Cat. So tell me. What did he say? What took him so long to call?"
"He lost my number."
"So how did he find you?”
"He hired a private detective! Showed me the receipt and everything. Oh, Ange! Isn't that the most romantic thing you've ever heard?"
She nodded. "Actually, I think it is.” She swallowed over the lump in her throat. “He must really like you."
"Oh, Ange. I…I think he might more than like me."
Angie smiled. “Oh Corrie, that’s wonderful. I'm so happy for you."
"He lives fifty minutes away, in the next development just off I-95. He’s picking me up after work and we're going to spend the night together. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Yes. Yes, it is!"
"Now, if we can just whip your guy into shape."
She sighed. "That might not be as easy as I thought it would be."
"He won't be able to hold out against you."
"Why not?"
"Why not? Look at you—you're beautiful."
"Beautiful? You're either drunk or blinded by love,” she muttered.
Corrie laughed. "I think I'm both and Ange, it's wonderful."
* * * * *
Angie found it difficult to concentrate on work that day. Just before twelve, she decided she'd pick up a sandwich from the deli in the next block and spend an hour at a park three blocks away. Since both Corrie and Jen were out of the office, she put on the answering machine.
As she crossed the floor to the door, it opened and Troy walked in. He looked as though he hadn’t slept well last night. Good.
Her heart started beating against her chest so hard, she was nearly breathless. But she didn’t let it show as she offered him a cool smile. "Troy, what a surprise. What can I do for you?"
He glanced at her and leaned back against the closed door. "I came to ask you to have lunch with me."
He wanted to take her out! She resisted the urge to giggle. "That's very nice. When did you have in mind?"
"Now," he barked.
She jumped. Nope. Definitely not sleeping well. "Oh. I'd love to have lunch with you—another time. I'm afraid I can't make it today."
He grunted. "Why not?"
"I already have plans."
"With Rick? I see.” His eyes narrowed. “He came into the office today in a very good mood."
"Did he? Well, we had a nice time last night. He's a very…interesting man."
"Did you two…"
One of her eyebrows rose and fell. "If you're wondering whether or not we spent the night together…"
"I'm not!"
"Good because it's none of your concern." She forced a smile. "Nevertheless, I hope you'll ask me out to lunch again some time."
His nostrils flared. "So you can turn me down again? Don't count on it, Angie."
"You're overreacting," she breathed out.
Troy turned and left without another word. She sank down at the receptionist desk, abruptly no longer interested in going to the park or in eating. She hesitated before picking up the phone.
"Hunter and Markham Associates," a pleasant voice announced in her ear.
"This is Angela Harding. I'd like to speak to Mr. Markham, please."
When she heard Rick's voice on the line, she spoke. "Troy just left here. He asked me out to lunch."
"And you said?"
"That I had other plans. And he assumed I meant that I had a date with you."
"How did he react to that thought?"
"Fine," she said gloomily.
"Chin up, Angie. Don't lose hope."
That was easier said than done, but it was all she could do. "Chin up," she repeated on a sigh.
"In the meantime, I'm on my way."
Her forehead crinkled. "You're on your way? Here?"
"Yes. You did imply we had a lunch date. Why not make it true?"
She hesitated. "Oh. Well…I am rather busy."
He laughed. "I'm on my way. Please be ready."
* * * * *
/>
A week later, as Troy stood across The Garden Room of Romano’s watching Angela cling to Rick’s arm, his insides twisted into painful knots. She wore a dark blue dress that hugged her breasts before falling into graceful folds around her beautiful calves. The thought that Rick might be taking the dress off of her later that night sent him storming across the room towards them.
"Angie! I need to talk to you."
She turned to look at him, a brief, impersonal smile on her face. "Troy. Rick and I were just about to leave. Can't it wait?"
"No,” he seethed. “It can't."
She glanced at Rick. "Do you mind?"
He shook his blonde head. "I'll have a drink in the bar while you have a word with Troy. Okay?"
She nodded. "Okay." She watched Rick walk away before turning to face him. "What did you want to talk about, Troy?"
His hand slashed through the air. "I've had enough of this nonsense."
She blinked. "What nonsense?"
He gritted his teeth. Goddamn but she could make him crazy like no other woman! "This whole ridiculous nonsense of your pretending to date Rick. Hasn't this gone on long enough? What are you doing here with my partner and so-called best friend?"
She crossed her arms over her breasts. "You said you didn't want to be tied down."
He shook his head. "And you think Rick is ready to settle down?" he asked incredulously.
She shrugged. "I don't know and frankly I don't care."
"What?"
"Who says I want anything from him other than his body?" She flashed him a cool smile and started away.
He reached out, caught her arm, and turned her back around to face him. "What? You're telling me you plan to sleep with him?"
"How do you know we haven't already slept together?" she whispered.
He didn't. And the thought had been eating at him nearly every waking moment for the last week and a half. He swallowed against the lump in his throat. "Have you?" he asked hoarsely.
She hated doing this to him, but it needed to be done. Rick had convinced her of that fact, if nothing else. "No, but only because we're waiting for the right moment."
Troy’s body stilled. "You plan to sleep with him?"
She shrugged. "If he's willing, why not?"