by Raina Wilde
“That could be arranged. ” Her voice lowered to a sultry tone as she imagined him once again in her bed. There was a ring throughout the house and Sabrina mouthed a curse. She was not expecting visitors so she expected it was some sort of door-to-door service. They can go away, she thought. The bell rang again.
“Can you hold on, there’s someone at my door. ” She grumbled.
“Yeah, make it quick. I have to go in a few minutes. ”
Sabrina cursed again and moved to open the door. She was about to tell the person that she did not want any of what they were selling when she realized that Charlie was standing outside of her door, cell phone pressed to his ear. She flung herself at him and allowed Charlie to spin her in a circle.
“You’re here!” She exclaimed.
“I’m here. ” He laughed through her kisses.
She pulled him into her home and shut the door.
“For how long? ” She was already unbuttoning his shirt. It had been far too long since she had seen him naked and she refused to wait another minute.
He shrugged. His hands were working just as urgently on her clothing. He pulled her sweater over her head and covered her bra with his hands.
“As long as you want me around. ” Now her bra was on the ground, her pants followed, and he lifted her into his arms. “Which way? ”
Sabrina pointed down the hallway and made a gesture to the left.
She drew her mouth away from his only long enough for her to speak.
“Well that doesn’t work because I want you around forever. ”
Charlie stopped in the doorway to her bedroom.
He pulled back and looked seriously into Sabrina’s eyes.
“Do you mean that? ” he asked.
Sabrina’s heart fluttered. Their weeks of separation had proven more than anything else how much she loved him. Every moment apart had been agonizing.
“Yes, I mean it. ” She whispered.
“OK. Then I’ll stay forever. ” He smiled a charming half grin.
“Very funny. ” Sabrina slapped his arm playfully. “What about the Fire Department in Toronto? ”
“I put in my two weeks the day you left the island. ” He admitted with a grin.
How could he be so happy? She wondered. With everything that she now knew about him she could not imagine how leaving his profession would make him happy. She refused to let him abandon his dream.
“Oh, Charlie. ” She looked at him with sadness. “You can’t do that. Staying here won’t be enough to keep you happy. You can’t give up fighting fires. ”
He had the audacity to laugh.
Didn’t he understand? Being with her would make him happy but only for a time. Eventually he would miss it, and then he would grow to resent leaving, to resent her.
“I left the Toronto department because I applied for a transfer back here. ” He smiled. “I always preferred working here and if I’m going to continue I want it to be where I enjoy it most. ” His hands that were holding her up pulled her tighter against him. “It doesn’t hurt that it brings me closer to you. ”
“Really? ” Sabrina kissed him with such happiness that she felt as if her heart would burst.
“It took me a while to arrange the transfer, and to find an apartment here. ” He explained between kisses. “That’s why I was so busy. I’m sorry that I couldn’t talk more but I was afraid that I would slip up and tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise. ”
“It is the best surprise. ” She smiled. “I love you, Charlie. ”
She held her breath after the admission. She hoped that her assumption was correct, but if he was moving back he must love her.
“I love you too, Sabrina. ”
He set her back on her feet and they continued to remove what little clothing remained. This time, when they joined together, it was with new level of passion that had been released by their admissions of love. Now that they had both admitted their love, there was nothing to hold them back from saying the words, often and with great feeling.
Afterward, as Sabrina lay in his arms, enjoying the muted feeling of his fingers strumming against her soft stomach she felt, for the first time since the fire, that unique emotion that came from being loved completely.
“Does this mean that I’m finally allowed to thank you for saving my life? ” She ran her hands down his muscular chest.
“I suppose so. ” He smiled. “But only because we are even. ” And he pulled her closer to him as they both drifted off to sleep.
THE END
Fighting for Love
Jenna Pitsenburg, a no-nonsense sports agent, receives the opportunity of a lifetime in the form of a lucrative promotion that will catapult her directly into the career of her dreams. The only problem is that the terms of the promotion come with a major hitch: her future career hinges on the completion of a successful contract with a particular high-profile client—none other than bad-boy, professional MMA fighter, Alexander Rockwell.
Jenna wants nothing to do with her arrogant, super-star, ex-boyfriend, the man who disappeared without a trace from her bed over five years ago. Jenna’s heard about the terrible reputation he has developed on his search for fame and glory and she has little confidence in his ability to change.
However, Jenna, armed for battle, is not prepared to discover that his journey has left Alex feeling unfulfilled and in need of a new direction in his life—a new direction that he has every intention of sharing with Jenna.
Fighting For Love
Jenna Pitsenburg sat suddenly upright in the center of her plush queen-sized bed. Her sleep mask was shoved haphazardly toward the messy bun that sprouted directly from the top of her head while she glanced with disdain at the bedside alarm clock. It read 4:59 A. M.
With only moments to spare she cancelled the alarm before it released an obnoxious, ear-splitting ring that would have been enough to cause a heart attack if rousing its victims from a deep slumber.
Disentangling her legs from the satin bed-covers, Jenna shifted the sheer nightgown to fit more comfortably over her voluminous breasts. Even though she had rarely made time to date these past five years, it always made her feel beautiful to start her day in luxurious clothing. She had developed the habit years ago after realizing how much her confidence soared when waking in the morning to her boyfriend gazing at her lush frame with pure adoration. Wanting to maximize his pleasure Jenna had invested in a glamorous collection of plus-sized nightwear that remained long after the relationship had ended.
Jenna’s eyebrows pinched together in confusion. It had been a long time since she had associated her pyjamas with Alex. Generally she was successful at pushing his memory to the back of her mind, a habit developed out of extreme necessity and self-preservation. Most of the original pieces had been replaced over time so, why then, had her mind strayed down that particular path?
Then, like a bucket of ice water rushing over her skin, she remembered.
Jenna rocketed out of bed and rushed down the hallway to the office of her small Chicago condominium.
“Please be a dream. Please be a dream. ” She muttered relentlessly as if sheer determination could make it true.
As she waited for her computer to load she paced anxiously around the tiny office still whispering the same four words like a desperate plea to the universe.
The screen flashed to life and Jenna settled into the yellow upholstered chair at her desk.
She took a deep, steadying breath.
“It IS a dream. It HAS to be. ” She logged in to her email account and accessed a message from only the night before.
Ms. Pitsenburg,
We are pleased to inform you that the Board of Directors has noted your exceptional performance representing Mr. Caulfield during his recent sponsorship negotiations with Laramex, Inc.
It has come to our attention that you have submitted an application for the position of Senior Account Executive here at Bramble and Bowman.
As you are well aware
, there are two other qualified applicants who surpass you in years of account experience at this time.
However, the board feels that in the seven years you have been with us you have shown extreme talent and tenacity that has yielded results comparable to those with more tenure.
For this reason we have decided to present you with an opportunity to prove that you are the most qualified candidate for the position of Senior Account Executive.
We have received notice of an athlete in need of a fresh new agent who has specifically requested your services. If you are made Senior Account Executive you will no longer be working individually with athletes but instead will be directing and consulting with the agents of your current position. This is your chance to prove that you are capable of handling a high-profile account with the precision and professionalism that you would potentially expect of all agents under your senior guidance.
Alexander Rockwell, the professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter, will be returning from a six-month sabbatical on September 8th. You are to retrieve him from the O’Hare International Airport promptly at 2pm. Lena Norway has been assigned as your personal assistant for this account.
Please note that Mr. Rockwell will remain your client through December 31stat which point the account will be reviewed in regard to acceptance or denial of the promotion.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Bowman
Chairman of the Board
With a resounding thud Jenna dropped her head to the desktop. No wonder her mind had focused on Alex this morning. Starting today she would be his agent, representing him in some of the most important decisions of both of their careers.
She was torn between excitement and agony.
Jenna had been working for this opportunity for seven long years, since even before she had initially met Alex. She had not then had the experience needed to take him where he was going professionally. He had been a rising star and she, a lowly pencil pusher. Now, though, they were both at the top of their game. Equals.
Even with all of her success as a sports agent Jenna did not understand why Alex would have requested her specifically. They had not ended on the best of terms, or rather; they had hardly ended on any terms at all. One day Alex was beside her, and the next he was gone, packed up like a thief in the night. Two months later she had seen him in a television interview with a leggy blonde draped on his arm, and six weeks after that, a bikini model with flowing chestnut-brown hair. Jenna could not imagine ever wearing a bikini but, she smiled to herself, she did have a pretty amazing one-piece that made her feel like a sultry Marilyn Monroe in candy-apple red.
With newfound determination Jenna sat up. She had not seen Alex in five years. For all either of them cared he was just a regular client choosing the best agent available. She refused to let him rain on her parade. She was going to be Senior Account Executive and the notion of working with that scumbag would not slow her down.
With that thought, Jenna rose and went to prepare for the day ahead.
An hour later Jenna entered the offices of Bramble and Bowman wearing a crème tie-neck blouse, full skirt and a pair of elegant black stilettos that meant serious business. Her olive skin still had a slight tan from the summer sun and the stylish chignon emphasized her sleek auburn hair.
Lena Norway, who was perched casually on the edge of her own desk, bounced with excitement as Jenna drew near.
“What are you doing here? ” Jenna asked. “I thought you weren’t supposed to be back from the family reunion until tomorrow. ”
“Excuse me? ” Lena threw an incredulous look over her shoulder as they marched toward Jenna’s glass encased office. “I switched my plane tickets as soon as I got the email last night. Did you really think I would miss your first day as S. A. E? ”
“I have a lot of work to do before I get the promotion, Lena. ”
“Ok, fine. You aren’t S. A. E. Yet. But what kind of best friend would I be if I sent you to the wolves on day one. ” Lena shrugged. “ OK. Wolf. ”
“It isn’t going to be like that. ” Jenna said confidently. She closed the door to her office as if she could close the door on the subject. Unfortunately, Lena persisted.
“No? So, you’re fine? ” Lena raised an eyebrow. “It doesn’t bother you at all that you will be working for the love of your life? ”
“He isn’t the love of my life. ” Jenna protested.
“Fine. He isn’t the love of your life. But he used to be. ”
“This is just a professional relationship. I haven’t seen Alex in over five years. Everything that happened in the past is just that, in the past. As far as I am concerned I never have to see him again after New Years Eve. ” Jenna was proud of the conviction with which she was able to present the speech. She was absolutely certain that she would be able to remain professionally detached from the situation as long as she did not have to re-examine long buried issues. She just hoped that Alexander Rockwell shared her mindset.
“I hope that’s true. ” Lena turned the coffee machine on and waited for two mugs to fill. Then she continued very quietly. “I am just worried about you, Jen. Last time… well, sometimes I wonder if you ever really got over it. I know you’ve moved on and I know you have your life just the way you’ve always wanted, but there hasn’t been anyone since Alex. No matter how many guys ask you out, you haven’t let anyone else even begin to get close. ” Walking over to her friend, Lena handed her a steaming mug. “Just tell me the truth, please, because I am only going to ask this once. Is this promotion worth going through all of that again? Is it so important that you can’t just tell them that you aren’t ready. ”
Jenna blew on her coffee while she contemplated her answer. There had been a lot of things in her future she had wanted. Most of them disappeared when Alex did. This job was something that had always been there for her. She was not going to let him take this from her as well.
“I want this promotion more than anything and I am ready for it. I mean that with my whole heart, Lena. If I pass up this opportunity I don’t know how long it will be before it comes again. This is my chance. Alexander Rockwell is just a client and I am not going to let him stand in my way.
“OK, Boss-man. ” Lena’s entire demeanor reverted to her usual spunky self. “Tell me what to do!”
Jenna laughed.
“First I need you to book a room in the best hotel that has a penthouse open for a few months. That will give us time to find him a permanent residence. Then, I need you to have groceries delivered to the room. Focus mainly on veggies and protein. He is going to need a clean diet if he is training. ” Lena scribbled frantically on a small notepad in her hand. “He doesn’t like carrots, but send them anyway because he needs the crunch after a hard workout and we don’t want him resorting to chips. Don’t give me that look. ” Jenna laughed, as Lena froze with her mouth open. “Think of it as good recon, we will use my knowledge to do a better job. ” She pointed at the notepad to remind Lena to keep writing. “Next, if you could call his trainer, Marco Mandelli, and get a release for his full calendar, sync it with ours and then send it to Bethany in promotions to see if there are any events we can book him for in his free time. If you start with that, while I schedule a signing for this afternoon and call some potential sponsors, I should be able to get to the airport by one-thirty. ”
Jenna took a deep breath and checked her watch. This was going to be a piece of cake, she thought.
By the time one o’clock rolled around Jenna had booked meetings with four potential sponsors and a short photo-op at a local youth gym. If they could land two major sponsorships, Alex would not have to worry about any of his general expenses. After that, any minor sponsors would only increase the fighter’s personal income.
Jenna was exhausted after the long hours of phone conversations. While Alex Rockwell was famous and talented enough to garner attention, it would still take all of Jenna’s skill to convince a sponsor to spend millions of dollars on a single athlete. To close the
deal Jenna would need Alex to meet with the sponsor and sell himself as a worthy investment.
Unfortunately, Alex was not known for having a positive relationship with his sponsors. The arrogant and self-serving attitude that he had developed in the last four years had estranged him from enough sponsors to make it imperative for Jenna to rebuild his reputation if they were going to land a significant account. It was for this reason that she has scheduled his first public event at a youth gym rather than a raucous sports bar or amateur training facility.
Jenna thought that having even four sponsors willing to discuss a relationship with the temperamental fighter would be considered a success for any agent and she was not about to let Alex miss an opportunity by causing a scene on his first day back.
At the moment Lena walked briskly into Jenna’s office.
“It has all been arranged. I even checked the hotel room, made sure the groceries had been put away properly, and delivered a small binder with lists for local amusements and dining options. ” Lena handed over a folder that Jenna knew would contain a more detailed account of what she had accomplished for the day. “He had an opening tomorrow morning so I scheduled a massage in the spa of the hotel. I hope this will improve his mood when you drop the bomb about being nice to the sponsors. ”
“You are amazing. ” Jenna beamed. “That is exactly what I am going to have to convince him of, and I think a little relaxation might be just what it takes to let me slip under his skin. ”
“Hopefully that is all you will be slipping under…” Lena winked, but Jenna could tell that her friend meant the comment in a light-hearted way, so she laughed as well.
Jenna slipped her feet back into the dramatic heels, buttoned the snap on her skirt that she had released in pure ecstasy after a particularly lengthy phone conversation had prevented her from a much needed bathroom break, and shoved the folder in her purse as she breezed past Lena through the glass doorway.
