"No,” he said firmly. “It wasn't just sex. I made love to you, Syd. There's a difference."
She backed away, not convinced by his words.
Dammit. He had to make her understand. “At first I refused to get involved in Smythe's crazy scheme. Then he offered me a partnership and snowed me with all the perks, the money. But I was still reluctant, and then he started hinting at termination if I didn't go through with it. I had a lot of sweat and time invested in S & J, too. And in the end, I didn't have the guts to throw it away like you did.
"Then it dawned on me that I had an opportunity to see you again every day, smell the soft scent of your hair and see your sweet smile. I loved you. I couldn't refuse that chance. Syd, I never meant to hurt you. I only wanted to be near you, even if all I got were a few more days. I thought the plan would be simple, get in, get what I needed, and get out."
"Oh, Trevor. Lies breed lies. Didn't you know that?"
Trevor's gut clenched at her reasoning. “I know. And you're right, I soon discovered I was in too deep—that there was no way to keep my boss happy, and not hurt you at the same time. That's why ... I've quit Smythe and Jones."
"What?"
"This morning. After I left you, I handed in my resignation."
"Quit,” she said slowly. “And I suppose you think that makes everything all right between us?"
"I'd like to think that it's a start."
"Quitting your job doesn't change the fact you lied to me. Used me. There are certain things in life that can never be rectified, Trevor. No matter what you do."
"I know. I suppose that means you wouldn't consider keeping me on with Studs For Hire?"
"You've got that right.” She folded her arms across her chest.
"I figured as much."
"So what are you going to do?"
Surprised by her question, Trevor couldn't help but hope maybe she cared at least a little, after all. “I've been thinking about starting my own ad agency. It'll be tough, but with some time I'm sure I can build a reasonably successful business."
"Plan on stealing away Smythe's clients?” she asked with an edge in her voice.
"I won't steal clients, Syd. I'll work to earn their accounts."
"Starting with Stardust Lingerie?"
"Alfred's account is legitimately up for grabs now that he's fired Smythe and Jones. But as far as he's concerned, I'm still a part of their schemes. He'd never consider me."
"Too bad. Alfred could make you a rich man. But then, I guess that's the price you pay for the games you've played,” she said and strode to the door.
"Syd—"
"It's late.” She swung the door open. “I've got a busy day ahead of me tomorrow. I have to hire a new carpenter."
The reality of her words stung way to deep for Trevor's comfort and he opened his mouth to protest her sudden dismissal, but quickly thought better of it. He'd dumped a therapy session worth of confessions on her. And after all he'd done, he didn't blame her for kicking him out.
"I'll have Casey cut your paycheck tomorrow and drop it in the mail,” she said with finality.
Trevor walked to the door and stopped beside her. “Forget about the money, Syd. Keep it. Consider it as my contribution to the cause.” Unable to resist touching her one last time, he brushed the back of his finger along her cheek. She stood rigid as stone, refusing to look at him, refusing to forgive him.
"Thanks for listening, Syd. No matter what you might think of me, please always remember that I never meant to hurt you. I love you."
He let his hand fall by his side, and without looking back, Trevor strode down the hall and out of her life. And with each and every step he took, his heart twisted and died.
* * * *
Sydnie breezed through the doors of Stardust Lingerie and took a deep breath. She crossed her fingers, hoping this little plan worked. Talking to Alfred Mars on Trevor's behalf was the only thing that might help ease the strain between her and Trevor.
After days of wallowing in ice cream and cookies, she still wasn't sure she could forgive Trevor for his deceptions, but on a professional level she did empathize with him. She'd worked for Charles Smythe long enough to realize Trevor wasn't entirely to blame for what he'd done. Smythe was ruthless in his business practices and his employees always ended up paying the price.
Besides, she needed to quit drowning her sorrows in food and do something, or else she'd be forced to buy a new wardrobe.
"May I help you?” a young, pretty brunette said from behind the baroque style receptionist's desk.
"Yes. I'd like to see Alfred Mars please."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No. But I'm sure he'll see me."
"I'm sorry. Mr. Mars is a very busy man. If you make an appointment for a later date—"
"Tell him Sydnie Riley is here,” she ordered. The administrative assistant clearly didn't like being told what to do by Sydnie, but she reluctantly buzzed Alfred anyway. Within seconds he was by Syd's side.
"Sydnie. What a surprise,” he said with a genuine smile on his face. He wrapped his arms around her and gave a gentle squeeze.
"Thanks for seeing me, Alfred. I appreciate it."
"Anything for my girl. Come on in.” He escorted her into his potently masculine office where shelves, filled with trophies and photographs from his wrestling days, lined the walls. He pulled out a leather burgundy chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat. Can I get you anything? Water? Soda? Wine?"
"Nothing, thanks. I don't want to take up too much of your time."
"Nonsense. I always have time for you.” He sat in the opposite chair. “Can I take this unexpected visit to mean that you've reconsidered my offer?"
"Alfred.” She placed a gentle hand on his. “We both know you weren't serious when you offered me a job.” She winked. “Besides, I can't leave Studs for Hire now. I've invested too much."
"Can you blame me for trying?” He squeezed her hand and Syd saw a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
"No.” She smiled. “And I appreciate your confidence in me. It means a lot."
"I'd do anything for you, Sydnie."
She cupped his cheek with her hand. “You're the best, Alfred. But you know there can never be anything more than friendship between us."
"Are you sure? I know I look tough on the outside, but I'm really a teddy bear. Don't tell my staff, though."
They shared a laugh and reminisced a few moments before Mars asked “...so do you love Vanden Bosch?"
"Yes I do,” she said without hesitation. “Only he doesn't know it yet."
"Sounds complicated."
"It is."
"Well, I'm glad for you. And I hope it all works out. But if it doesn't, you know where to find me."
"Thanks, Alfred."
He cleared his throat, thankfully breaking the awkward moment between them. “So. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Actually there is. I'd like to ask you a favor."
"Anything."
"I wouldn't ask this, except I don't think you fully understand what all went on at Smythe and Jones."
Mars stiffened. “I know enough to understand that I was lied to."
"Yes, that's true. But you don't know the whole truth."
"Does it matter? The fact remains that Smythe and Jones didn't shoot straight with me. I don't go for that kind of bull."
"That's just it. Smythe and Jones didn't shoot straight."
"Ah. I see where this is going,” he said with understanding in his voice. “You don't think Vanden Bosch is to blame."
"Not entirely.” Syd took a deep breath and revealed to Alfred how Trevor had gotten caught under Smythe's thumb, and how the mess snowballed into a disaster. Alfred sat and listened, and when she'd finished, he relaxed in his chair.
"You're a special woman, Syd. Even after all Vanden Bosch has put you through, you still rally on his behalf. That is true love,” he said with almost a sadness in his voice.
S
ydnie swallowed hard, recognizing the depth of his feelings for her revealed in his eyes.
"Maybe it's wrong of me to ask this, Alfred, but would you consider giving Trevor another shot with your account?” She held her breath, afraid he'd refuse her request—knowing full well he had every right to refuse.
"I'm afraid you're too late,” he said, at last breaking the awkwardness threatening to strangle their meeting. “I've already agreed to give him another chance."
"You have?"
"Yeah.” He glanced at the gold Rolex on his wrist. “He'll be here in about fifteen minutes."
Syd shot out of her chair. “Here?! Seriously? He's coming here?"
Alfred stood. “Yes. He called me two days ago and said he was starting his own agency and asked if I'd at least hear him out on some new ideas he had."
"And you agreed?” she asked, disbelief in her voice.
"I'm a fair man, Sydnie, you know that. And I've been around this corporate block a few times myself. It's easy to wind up like a hamster on a wheel if you aren't super careful. It's one of the reasons I retired from wrestling."
"You really are the best, Alfred.” She placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Vanden Bosch is one lucky son-of-a-bitch,” he sighed.
"Alfred, you have to promise me you won't tell him I was here."
"My lips are sealed, sweetheart."
"Great.” She smiled and headed for the door. “Oh, I almost forgot,” she said as she turned around. I'd like to make another appointment with you for next week. I have some business of my own to conduct."
"Really? I knew you couldn't stay away from me.” He winked.
"Actually, I'd like to talk business. Have you considered remodeling your offices?” She spread her arms wide, indicating the outer office. “I have ties to the best contracting firm in Omaha.” She smiled and together they laughed.
"My girl, Syd. Always the savvy business woman."
* * * *
Sydnie paced her office and glanced at the clock. Trevor should be here at any moment. Her insides fluttered at the thought of his pending arrival, and for the hundredth time, she questioned her sanity in asking him here in the first place.
To occupy her mind, she stole a peek in the bathroom mirror and busied her trembling hands by touching up her lipstick.
It was hell falling in love with a man, then learning to despise him, then falling in love with him all over again. She hated emotional roller coasters, they made life so complicated.
A knock sounded on her office door and her heart caught in her throat. “Syd? It's me, Trev. Are you here?"
Panic set in and the temptation to hide behind the shower curtain until he left, took over.
Where's your grit, Riley? Now's not the best time to grow feathers. “I'm in here,” she managed to say. She set down the tube of lipstick and forced her feet to move.
Trevor stood in the middle of her office dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt. The site of him took her breath away. Was it possible for a man to grow even more handsome in just a few days?
"Hi,” she croaked, feeling like that all too familiar shy teenager once again.
"Hi."
"Ah ... thanks for coming. I wasn't sure you would."
"Why'd you think that?"
"Well, I wasn't exactly the queen of hospitality the last time we met."
"You had reason."
"Look, Trevor. I'm going to cut right to the subject before I lose what little nerve I have left. I want to make a confession of my own,” she said around a lump in her throat.
He moved closer to where she stood. “Syd—"
"No.” She held up her hand. “I have to say this. I used you, too. I'm sorry."
"How?” He shook his head, not understanding.
"The relationship that I wanted with you ... it was a way for me to forget about the unlevel playing field I was on at Smythe and Jones. I used you as my distraction from the pains of being the only woman struggling on a male-dominated team. The flirting, the secret glances, the chase, in a way, were my stress ball. You took my mind off of my professional troubles."
"Syd, you don't have to—"
"Yes. I do.” She took a deep breath and rushed on before he could interrupt. “The real trouble was ... I fell in love with you, too, along the way. It was the love that I felt for you that I still feel for you that forced me to leave.” She turned away, afraid to see his true feelings for her in his whiskey brown eyes.
"I couldn't work with you every day knowing that you didn't care the same way about me,” she continued. “And when you showed up here at Studs for Hire, I sensed something wasn't right. But I saw it as my chance to get even, to make you suffer as I had suffered. I quickly suspected Smythe was behind your reason for showing up at my door, but to make sure, I had to play you at your own game."
"How long have you known?"
"A while."
"Guess I'd never make a very good undercover cop,” he quipped.
"Trevor.” She turned around and faced him. “You aren't the only guilty party here."
"True.” He winked, then closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. He brushed the pad of his thumb over her cheek. “But what do you say we forget all about the deception, the guilt, and start over on a level playing field this time. We can take our time, see what happens.
"I penciled in a whole hour for us on my calender and we have exactly ... thirty-two minutes left,” she said, glancing at her watch. “Let's not waste it.” She captured his lips with hers and together they tumbled back on the sofa.
EPILOGUE
"This has been fantastic,” Syd said to her business partners. The trio stretched out on the furniture in Casey's office after a long day of celebrating the grand opening of Studs for Hire. They sipped on champagne and dined on a tray of leftover chocolate chip cookies and cheese. “I never imagined we'd have such a turnout."
"I'm hoarse from talking to so many people,” Terri said. “And I'm almost out of business cards."
"Me, too,” Casey said. “I'll order more on Monday."
Syd leaned her head back on the overstuffed retro-style sofa and let out a deep breath.
"What's with the heavy sigh?” Casey asked.
"That's how I spell relief,” Syd joked. “The grand opening is over, it was a huge success, and we've got clients lined up. Perfect. But I'm exhausted."
"Now can we relax a little?” Terri asked. “We've been working like fiends for weeks."
Syd shook her head. “Are you kidding? Relaxation is out of the question. For a while at least. If we get even half of the prospects we talked to during the last two days, we're going to be swamped."
"Maybe we need to hire more help,” Casey said. “The five guys we've got so far are never going to be able to keep up."
"Yeah. Isn't it wonderful?” Syd said.
A knock sounded on the door and all three heads turned to see who was invading their quiet space.
"Trevor,” Syd said. “What are you doing back so soon? I thought you had errands to run."
"All taken care of.” He smiled and Syd's heart swelled with joy and a new round of desire.
Yeah. Everything was perfect.
"I'm sorry to bother your powwow, ladies, but can I borrow Syd for a few minutes?"
"For a price,” Terri quipped. “Someone screwed up my desk chair and now I can't keep it in the correct position. It keeps falling to the lowest setting when I sit down. Makes it hard to type with my boobs crushing the keyboard."
"I'll take care of it first thing Monday,” Trevor promised. He clasped Sydnie's hand and pulled her up out of her chair. “Come with me, Madam President. I have a surprise for you.” He led her into her office and closed the door.
"If you think we're having sex in the closet again, forget it. I'm too tired. And I've still got bruises on my leg. You'll have to settle for a rain check."
"Getting old, are we?” He grinned and pulled a bottle of champagne out of a silver b
ucket. A bouquet of red roses adorned the coffee table.
"What's all this for?"
"You and I are celebrating."
"And just what are we celebrating?"
James, Sherry - [Studs For Hire 01] Page 18
