Work Like You Don't Need the Money (Summer Lake)

by SJ McCoy

  He watched her return to the table. She was hot, no denying that. She was right. Why complicate matters with all the deep and meaningfuls? She was hot, he wanted her, and she was open and willing to sleep with him for the next few months. Really, what else did he need to know?

  “So,” he said once she was seated and Miguel had brought their food, “What time can we leave on Friday? Em wants us all there for dinner.” He watched her fiddle with her ring as she thought about it. He realized it was a plain gold band on her wedding finger!

  “I don't know,” she said slowly. “If we leave at four we could be there by eight, right?”

  “More like eight thirty or nine with the traffic on a Friday.” His eyes were still fixed on that ring. He knew, at least he thought he did, that she wasn't married, so what was the story? Was she divorced?

  “Could you leave at midday, say twelve, to give us the whole afternoon?” He smiled. “If you really want to come with me.” He emphasized the word to make his meaning clear and was gratified to see her eyes widen and the hint of a flush touch her cheeks.

  She gave him her temptress smile, making him shift in his seat.

  “You know I want to. But I can't leave the store too early.”

  “Why not? Roberto said they could hold the fort.”

  She looked uncomfortable. “I just can't. You don't get it. It's my store. I have to be there. I'm not like you. I HAVE to work.”

  Pete was a little taken aback by her rapid fire response, but he was curious as to what her problem really was. “If that's a way to say you don't want to spend that much time with me, that's fine, Sweetheart. Just say so. I'm a big boy, I can handle it.” He gave her a hard stare, the look he used when he expected people to drop the excuses and tell him the real story. “Tell me?”

  She shook her head. “No, Bigshot, that's not it at all, but I'm not sure you'll understand since you're not subject to the same obligations and responsibilities I am.”

  Pete frowned. “Enlighten me.”

  “I built that business from nothing. It's the sum total of my life's work. I HAVE to work hard to keep it going, to keep it profitable, to provide an income for my staff. I can't just swan off when I want to, not like you.”

  She surprised him. He was under the impression that her store was something of a success. He was a little ashamed that he'd even googled it and asked around the few people he knew in the fashion world. It seemed the store, and Holly herself, had a great reputation.

  “I'm sorry, are things not going well?”

  She laughed. “Things are going great. It's a thriving little business and I turn a nice profit, but that's only because I work my butt off and don't flit around whenever the mood takes me.”

  Pete thought he was starting to understand. He knew so many self-made business people who shared the same fear. They believe that their success was completely tied to their own hard work, that if they didn't continue to work so very hard, it would all slip away. It saddened him because it kept them, and their businesses small.

  “You ever hear of working smarter instead of harder?” he asked.

  “I like to think I am pretty smart, thank you very much!” she snapped.

  He smiled and took hold of her hand. “I didn't say you weren't, Sweetheart. I think you are very smart, you've built a thriving business. I'm just saying that in order to go to the next level, you need to get smarter about your own involvement. You need to run your business, not be your business.”

  Holly sighed, he was pleased when she squeezed his hand and met his eye.

  “Thanks, Pete. I know you're right. I've heard it all before and I see the logic, but I'm not capable of letting go. I need to control my own security. I am successful, but not financially secure. I don't know how people like you take all the risks you must have to build something as huge as Phoenix.

  Pete smiled and shook out his left hand so that a heavy silver bracelet slid down from under his sleeve. “Read it.”

  The heavy curb chain held a bar, engraved with one word, 'Work!'

  She smiled at him and nodded.

  “Now turn it over.”

  She twisted it to see the underside and read, 'Like you don't need the money.'

  Holly laughed, “That's easy for you to say. You don't.”

  “It was no easier for me when I had this made than it is for you now. Jack and I were a year into Phoenix and we were feeling the same way you are. We wanted to keep it all in our control, and we needed the money. But it was only by learning to delegate and to take risks as if we really didn't need the money that Phoenix could become what it is.”

  “I admire that you made that choice, but I don't think I'm that brave, Pete. Like I told you, we're from different worlds, but that's partly because we're different people. I'll never take that leap because I'm too afraid to fall flat on my face, and too afraid of what would happen if I did.” Her eyes clouded over. For a moment she looked very afraid, terrified. What was that about? The fear was quickly replaced by resignation. This wasn't the time to push it, but he wanted to know more. He wanted to help her.

  “I don't think we're that different, Holly. Are you open to a little friendly advice?”

  “Who wouldn't be from a self-made, multi-millionaire?” she smiled. “Go ahead, share your pearls of wisdom, Bigshot, but you know what they say about pearls before swine!”

  Pete shook his head, lips pursed. “You're not going to get a rise out of me. All I'm going to say is, try baby steps. Getting out of your comfort zone is scary, so try just taking a little step then another, instead of making that huge leap you were talking about.”

  “Makes sense. Any suggestions as to where I start?”

  Pete grinned. “Compromise with me? Leave work at two on Friday?”

  Holly laughed. “That was a roundabout way to get half of what you wanted.”

  He caught her eyes and held them with his own. “I'll get all of what I want, and so will you. If we can help you with your business hang-ups along the way, all the better. So, what do you say?”

  “I say yes, I will.”

  Pete grinned, an idea taking to take shape in his mind. “Excellent! We're going to have a great weekend.”

  “I believe you could be right, but I need to get back to work if I'm going to cut out early on Friday.”

  “Okay, let me get this then I'll walk you back.” Pete had been hoping for an extended lunch, but he wasn't going to push it.

  Once he'd paid Miguel, they walked side by side through the lunchtime crowds. Pete noticed how many guys eyed Holly appreciatively as they passed. He put an arm around her shoulders possessively. She looked up at him, eyebrows raised.

  “Do you mind?” he asked.

  She smiled and curled her own arm around his waist. “Don't mind at all.”

  All too soon they arrived back at her store.

  “I'm guessing I pick you up here on Friday?”

  “You betcha,” she laughed. “It's going to be hard enough to leave that early without having to go home first too.”

  “I figured as much. So, until Friday then.”

  “Friday at three.” She smiled.

  Pete pulled her to him and dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose as he held her within the circle of his arms.

  “At two, Holls. We have a deal remember? I take my deals very seriously.”

  She laughed up at him, “I was just testing.”

  He pecked her lips as he held her against him. “You don't want to test me, Holly, not unless you're prepared to find out how hard I can be.” He proved his point, pulling her hips against him so his erection pressed into her. He didn't care that they were standing on the busy sidewalk outside her store. She didn't seem to care either as she reached her arms up around his neck, pressing the length of her body against him.

  Her amber eyes met his. “Oh, I'll test you, Bigshot. Over and over again.” She stroked her hand down his cheek then stepped back with a smile. “On Friday,” she said, then disappeared
inside the store.

  Pete stood staring after her. She was going to drive him crazy! Was he, Pete Hemming, really standing out on the street staring after a woman he'd just been pretty much dry humping in public?

  Staring through the storefront, he caught a movement, it was Roberto waving at him. Oh, God. He'd no doubt just seen that little performance. Pete raised a hand in reply and smiled as Roberto raised his eyebrows and nodded. Pete had a feeling he'd made a new friend there. He was glad, he liked the guy.

  Chapter Six

  By one thirty on Friday, Holly was jumpy and irritable. She was nowhere near ready to leave and she didn't want to. She touched the cell phone in her pocket, ready to give in to the temptation to call Pete and tell him she couldn't go. She'd drive up tomorrow by herself. Except she hated to drive. Especially long distances. Especially by herself! She let out an exasperated sigh as she watched Erin and Anna, both busy with customers.

  “Calm down, Holls.” Roberto appeared at her shoulder. “You keep me around for a reason, darling. We both know it's because this place would fall apart without me.”

  Holly smiled in spite of herself.

  “You, my dear, are simply decoration, not necessary to the survival or success of the place.”

  “Thanks!” she laughed.

  “Seriously. Go touch up your makeup for that delicious man, then be on your way with a smile. You're going to offend me if you keep fretting like an anxious mother. You know I can run the place, no problem. If you carry on like this, I may start to think you don't trust me.” He folded his arms across his chest and pouted, “You don't want to go there do you? You know you don't want to risk the wrath of Roberto!”

  “I do not, and of course you're right.”

  “Always, darling, and don't you forget it.”

  “Okay, I give up. I'm going in the back to get my things together. Let me know when he arrives, will you?”

  At two o'clock on the dot Roberto peeked his head around the office door. “Come on out, Cinders, your carriage awaits.”

  Holly smiled and picked up her bag. She was surprised to not see Pete and looked at Roberto. “Where is he?”

  Roberto nodded through the storefront. “As I said, your carriage awaits.”

  She could see a silver limo waiting at the curb with a uniformed driver standing beside it. “What the..?”

  “Chop, chop. You don't want to be late for the ball.” Roberto patted her shoulder. “Go, relax. Let your hair down. Don't give this place another thought. I promise I will take very good care of it.”

  “Thanks Berto.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. "You're the best.”

  “Yes dear. Now go. Give my love and congrats to Emma.”

  She walked out onto the street where the driver, a man in his seventies by the looks of him, snapped to attention as she approached. He held open the rear door for her.

  “Miss Hayes?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mr. Hemming sends his apologies. He was delayed and asked me to collect you.”

  Holly stared at him. The only time she'd ever been in a limo was on a hen night.

  The driver smiled at her and held the door a little wider. “If you will?”

  Holly continued to stare at him, not knowing what to make of this. The driver started to look uncomfortable. “I'm Albert,” he said, seemingly at a loss for what to do or say next since Holly still wasn't getting in the car.

  Holly's brain kicked in when she realized how rude she was being to this old gentleman. She held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Albert. I'm Holly. Would you mind if I call shotgun?”

  Albert grinned. “It'd be my pleasure, Miss Holly.” He opened the passenger door for her and Holly buckled herself in.

  “So, Albert,” she said once he pulled out into the traffic. “Where are we headed?”

  With a sideways glance he replied, “To meet Mr. Hemming.”

  Holly laughed. “Yeah, but where?”

  “I'm afraid he asked me not to say.”

  Holly frowned. “And why was that?”

  She could tell Albert was trying not to smile. “He said, if he knew you, you might change your mind about coming.”

  “I see.”

  “And, Miss Holly? If you don't mind my saying, I think he does know you. He told me not to be surprised if you wanted to sit up front.”

  “Well, I don't like to stand on ceremony, and I'm not like Pete, I'm not used to cars and drivers. I just see a nice man who is kindly giving me a ride, thank you.”

  Albert laughed, “You're more like Pete than you think. He sits up front with me whenever he can get away with it.”

  “Ha! I'd have imagined Mr. Bigshot sitting in the back, doing important stuff and giving orders!”

  Albert guffawed at that. “Mr. Bigshot?! Don't let him hear you say that, he'd be horrified. He's as down to earth as they come underneath it all, you know.”

  “I do know, Albert. It's just so easy to wind him up calling him that.”

  “You stick around, Miss Holly. I think you're going to be good for him.”

  “Ha! I'm just a passing fling, but thanks for the vote of confidence.” Why did she have to blurt out such stupid things? Now the old man looked uncomfortable and she felt bad. “Sorry, it's just that I know it's not going to go anywhere serious between us, and I like him more than I should.”

  Albert nodded. “I say again. I think you're going to be good for him. And now, we're almost there.”

  Holly looked out of the window, “The airport?”

  “Yes, ma'am.” Albert slowed the car as they approached a chain link fence. He stopped and leaned out of the window to press some numbers into a keypad. The section of fence in front of them whirred and then rolled away to the side. Albert drove through the gap and stopped, letting the engine idle until the fence rolled back into place behind them. He drove on past a row of hangars until he came to last one.

  Pete stood outside, talking on his cell phone. He ended the call when he saw the limo approaching. Holly caught her breath at the sight of him. He was wearing jeans and a denim shirt which, although it looked old and perfectly faded, she knew had set him back at least five hundred dollars. She knew because she had been the one to persuade the designer to run a limited line in only two of the top men’s stores in the city. Ugh! She really had to let go of the fashion fixation though. It wasn't the shirt, but the body it was stretched over that was making her heart race. Just look at that smile! She did as he came over and opened her door before Albert could get out. He greeted her with a hug and a peck on her lips. He slung an arm around her shoulders and drew her to his side as he addressed Albert.

  “Was I right or was I right?”

  “You were right, smart ass!”

  Holly looked between the two of them, surprised.

  Pete laughed. “You're not the only one who calls me names and puts me in my place, you know.”

  “So I see. Good for you, Albert. Maybe you and I should join forces and really kick his butt.”

  Albert laughed. “I get the impression you can do that all by yourself, but if you ever need reinforcements, you give me a shout.” He handed Holly his card and she slipped it into her purse. “For now though, I'm going to let you two get going.” He covered his ears as the sound of jet engines firing up filled the air.

  Pete checked his watch. “Yep, we're filed for two thirty. Thanks, old friend.” Pete opened the trunk and took Holly's bag out then shook Albert's hand. “See you soon.”

  “Poker night Tuesday if you're down?” Albert turned to Holly. “It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again soon.”

  “You too, thank you.” Holly gave him peck on the cheek. She liked the old guy a lot. He smiled and looked at Pete. “She's a keeper, son.”

  Pete smiled. “You're an old man, not an old woman, we don't need a matchmaker do we, Holly?”

  As he smiled down at her, she felt that hollow pit of disappointment in her stomach again. Why though? She alrea
dy knew she wasn't a keeper in Pete's eyes. She was just the provider of some hot, easily available sex. She caught Albert's eye, oh, crap! He could see how she truly felt.

  She laughed. “Come on Albert, you don't think I'd let myself get tied down with this smart ass, do you?”

  They all laughed at that, but as he got back in the limo, Albert shook his head and shot her a look that told her she wasn't fooling him. Not one bit.

  Pete took her hand and led her around to the front of the hangar where the plane was revving up its engines. “Sorry about the change of plans. We finally got everything sorted to keep the Lear out here, and it'll save us four hours on the road. Are you okay with this?”

  “I'm thrilled. You already know how much I hate road trips, and I've never been in a private jet before.” She wasn't about to tell him how much this was scrambling her emotions. On the one hand, she was curious to see inside. She felt like a little girl excited to fly in a private plane. She was a little shocked at how much it turned her on that he owned it and was taking her in it. She certainly wasn't going to tell him that. On the other hand, it served as a reminder to her of how different they were. He was Peter the Great, Mr. Bigshot, with his limo, his jet, his mega millions. She was just plain Holly Hayes, proud owner of one small store, one small townhouse, and one clapped out old station wagon. She pushed all that aside. For now they had the weekend ahead of them. She'd fly in his jet, they'd sleep together again, why be greedy? She'd take what was on offer and enjoy it.

  “Let me show you inside.” Pete grabbed her bag and let her climb the steps ahead of him.

  Inside, Holly looked around. It was beautiful. The interior was done out in champagne colored leather. There were four club seats facing each other just behind the cockpit. A dark oak bar with a fridge and sink faced a bathroom. Beyond that, in the rear section, a sofa long enough to seat four ran along one side.

  “What do you think?”

  “It's amazing!” she exclaimed. “I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't anything this luxurious.”

  “Make yourself at home. I'll let Smoke know we're ready.”