Compromising Positions

by Jenna Bayley-Burke

  She was mad because he got her a car he couldn’t fit in, yet a few days later she was ejecting him from her life. He’d been more intimate with her than he’d ever been with a woman, yet she accused him of rejecting her. She’d said no more touching, then hadn’t kept her hands off him. Not that he’d minded in the slightest.

  Maybe she was just playing a game with him. Jerking him around for sport. Maybe this is what she did, why she went out on so many dates last year. It was easily a different guy each week, sometimes two. He knew she dated, Craig had told him as much. What the hell was “I waited for you” supposed to mean anyway?

  David shoved his hands deeper in his coat pockets and willed himself to pay attention. This plan had been his idea completely, and he couldn’t even focus long enough to make it through a presentation.

  The acquisitions director of SGI was leading David and six board members around the perimeter of the Taylor Center. The high-rise housed Strong Gym’s downtown location at street level with offices, including eight floors of SGI’s corporate headquarters, on the seventeen floors above. David had decided SGI would buy the building instead of continuing to lease the space two years ago when he took control of the company. Growing the company through real estate hadn’t been popular with the older board members. Now that their holdings included seven high-rises in three states the board was starting to sit up and take notice of the growing profit margin.

  Not that he needed their approval anymore. For the first deal his father had run interference and called in favors to get the approval for the sale. But now, for the first time since his grandfather had taken on partners, a single person held the majority of the company shares and made the decisions. Him.

  He’d achieved his career goal. There were still projects he wanted to accomplish, but his main objective of majority control of SGI was complete. It was time to reevaluate where he wanted the company to go. David was never satisfied with more of the same.

  He tried to listen about equity and growth potential. It seemed interesting enough to the board members, but David had read it word for word in the report last week. His eyes wandered across the street to the row of storefronts. His gaze caught on a sign in the window of a travel agency.

  Sophie probably hadn’t traveled much. There wouldn’t have been much time for that. Her youth had been filled with responsibilities, while his had been peppered with extravagant adventures like the safari for his sixteenth birthday or the summer in New Zealand after graduation. Sophie would like Europe, he decided with a nod of his head. She should take a Mediterranean cruise so she could sample a little of everything.

  David froze as the rest of the group turned the corner for a better view of the building elevation. Where the hell had that just come from? From the emotional roller coaster that was last night, David could tell Sophie didn’t know what she wanted anymore than he did. Or she’d realized he couldn’t give her what she wanted.

  Falling in step behind the group, David tried to listen to the questions the board members asked. Tried and failed as his attention was diverted by the sparkle of diamonds in a jewelry store window across the street. He shut his eyes tight against the glare. There was no way he was going there. What he felt for Sophie was a companionable fascination, bordering on obsession. No reason for a ring and a complete revision of his life plan.

  Before opening his eyes he turned, so as not to risk being tempted by the glare. He opened his eyes to the grocery at the end of the street and a huge display of easy-peel oranges. It was as if the whole damned universe was conspiring against him.

  ———

  This was never going to work. No matter how she looked at it, she just couldn’t make it fit. Something had to give. If the landlord raised their rent even a little, the club would be in the red. They were flirting with the line as it was.

  Sophie scrolled through the budget sheets one more time, hoping for a miracle. Her meeting with the landlord was in two days, and the bastard always wanted more. Ever since Daphne had opened he’d raised the rent every six months, per the ridiculous agreement Daphne had signed.

  There was really nothing to prune from. All of the programs would be profitable if overhead weren’t so high. As it stood, the club would have to close shortly after Daphne returned from maternity leave.

  “There has got to be something I haven’t thought of,” Sophie said to herself, blinking her dry eyes as she continued to stare at the monitor.

  “You want me to take a look?” She spun in her chair as David’s voice boomed in the doorway. He must have come from work. Sophie mentally froze him there in his chocolaty suit pants and toffee colored dress shirt. In his hand he had a box of easy-peel mandarins. Odd.

  “I’m not as great with numbers as you are, but I do know my way around a financial statement.”

  He looked delicious and she was so hungry. “Are you trying to seduce me with produce, again?”

  David smiled and looked at the box. “I do seem to have a citrus thing with you, don’t I?”

  Forcing her grin away, she turned back to her computer. She’d forgotten herself last night, but in the light of day she’d be stronger. “You don’t have to bring me presents.”

  “Sure I do.” David entered the office and cocked a hip against her desk. Just what she needed, a close up view of exactly the treat she was missing. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Are you playing some kind of game with me?”

  “Me?” Sophie had to force herself not to shout. “You must be joking, but it isn’t very funny.”

  He leaned back on the desk, planting his hands on either side of his narrow hips. “I’m wondering what your no-touching speech was about, since it was immediately followed by some very hands-on time.” The man was nothing if not direct.

  She hadn’t been able to help herself. Guilt had overwhelmed her as she’d driven him home, and she’d honestly thought she could give him a massage without it turning into more. Of course, he’d been right. Subconsciously she’d been trying to seduce him. But she didn’t want him to know that.

  “How is your back?” she asked, trying to look busy on the computer as she saved her work, again, and powered down.

  “Never better. You didn’t answer me.”

  “What do you want me to say?” she asked, shutting the lid of the laptop, looking anywhere but at him.

  “Are you trying to manipulate me with sex?”

  “We aren’t having sex.” She shot back too quickly, pinning him to the desk with her eyes. “Are you trying to manipulate me with money?”

  “What? Where did that come from?”

  “You bought me not one, but two cars in the last week. And even though the truck is in my name, you left instructions with the dealership not to tell me how much it cost.”

  “You actually called them.” He shook his head in what looked like disbelief.

  “You had to know I would or you wouldn’t have told them not to tell me.”

  He nodded and grinned. “Just like I knew you would try to wire the money directly into my account because you know I wouldn’t cash your check. The truck was a thank you gift. It’s rude to ask how much a gift cost.”

  “Fruit is a gift, David.” Sophie said, thumping the blue box for effect. “An SUV is a major purchase.”

  “You’re telling me. I had to try and squeeze into every damn electric car in this town. It took all day.”

  “Hybrid,” she corrected automatically. Just how many had he tested out?

  “You drove it today?”

  Was that even a question? She nodded and watched a smug expression cross his face. Of course she was driving it. She’d never had a brand new car in her life. She loved everything about it. It was big enough to make her feel safe, yet small enough to park easily. It didn’t use too much gas and it was cute. He fit in it and now she realized he’d spent all day picking it out. Of course she drove it.

  She watched his fingers walk their way to hers. “Let me take you to dinner and ta
lk you out of this no touching rule you dreamed up.” She could feel the heat coming off his hands, but there remained a hair’s distance between their fingers.

  What had that woman in the steam room said? Raise your expectations so he’ll step up his game. Game on. “If you’re asking me for a real date, that requires advance notice.”

  “You’re not seeing anyone else.”

  Thanks for the reminder. “No, but I’m tired, I just want to go home and put my feet up.” As his fingers retreated, so did her game plan. She couldn’t push her luck, it might push him away. “Come home with me. I’ll make you dinner and we can talk.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I thought you said you were tired.”

  “I am, but cooking relaxes me. You can help.”

  “I can’t cook,” he said, shaking his head.

  “There it is, another item on the long list of things you won’t even let yourself try.”

  David stood. “Should I bring the oranges or leave them here?”

  “Are you afraid I can’t whip up something appropriate for dessert?”

  ———

  The driveway was dark as she pulled in. Stepping out of the truck, she noticed shattered glass on the ground. Crazy teenagers must have thought breaking the lights that usually illuminated the parking area was a funny prank. She shook her head and grabbed her backpack. She wanted to get inside and make sure she hadn’t left anything embarrassing lying around before David got there.

  Too late. The headlights from his car lit up the area. Sophie shrugged. Let him see her trashy romance novels. She had nothing to be ashamed of.

  “How long has the light been out?” David asked as he pulled himself and the box of mandarins from the car.

  “It was on this morning,” Sophie said, noticing the extra key and alarm pad on his key ring as he slipped it in his pocket. She looked down at her new keys and smiled. He had her spare key. That had to be a good sign.

  “You’re sure the safety lights were on when you left this morning?”

  Sophie glanced at the darkened side of her building. “Maybe the power is out.” She started toward the stairs, but ran into his arm.

  “Do you have your cell phone?” His voice was calm, but the look in his eyes was anything but.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Did you leave a light on?”

  “Of course not.” Sophie looked up at her dark apartment windows. Was he trying to scare her?

  “I thought I saw a light inside as I pulled in. Why don’t you call the police, just in case.”

  She shook her head. Who was playing games now? “It’s just dark, David,” she said, stepping into his arm again.

  “Fine. You stay here and I’ll go check it out.” Lifting her hand he pointed to her alarm pad. “If anything spooks you just press the red button. It makes the alarm on the truck go off and I’ll come right back.”

  “You’re starting to freak me out,” she said, dropping her hand. He shrugged and made his way to the staircase. Two could play at this little game. Sophie dug her cell phone out of her backpack and flipped it open. She would call her home number and spook him as soon as she saw him at the door.

  But instead, she heard crashing, bumping, growling, wood breaking, saw the flicker of light in the window he must have seen earlier. She didn’t dial her own number, she hit 911.

  Sophie wanted David more than she wanted to breathe. In those long minutes waiting for the police to arrive she’d imagined so many things that could’ve gone wrong.

  Even after he called down to her that he was all right, she still worried. Once the cops handcuffed the intruder, Sophie clung to David as tightly as she could. Wishing it was all over so she could just tell him exactly how she felt. No games, no future, no regrets. Just now.

  She hadn’t been able to find a thing that had been taken. Stuff was thrown everywhere, but nothing seemed to be missing. Every time she closed her eyes she saw it. The flicker of light in the window, the flashing police lights. What if she’d come home alone? She’d teased him, never thinking anything was wrong. The thoughts buzzing around her head wouldn’t let her forget.

  ———

  Six minutes. That was how long the police said it took them to respond. Six minutes of sheer hell as David held the creep down and tried not to imagine what might have happened if Sophie had come home alone. Into a dark apartment. Where that loser was rifling through her things. Probably waiting. Every time his mind had gone there, David twisted the little snake’s arm further up his back.

  He was grateful she’d stayed by the truck and waited for the police to arrive. It might have scared her to see him that way. It scared him just to feel it. To feel how close he had come to losing her, losing any part of her.

  He was glad Sophie was there now, on the twin bed in his guest room where she insisted on staying, even though he’d offered his room. Her words still haunted him. Unless you’re going to let me sleep with you. Barely audible, and she hadn’t even looked up when she said it. It wasn’t a good idea. Even with as much as he longed to hold her close and make sure she felt safe, he didn’t trust himself. She’d closed the door over an hour ago, but he hadn’t managed to sleep at all.

  David heard a noise coming from the kitchen and sat straight up. He knew it was just her, but got out of bed just in case. Pulling on a T-shirt, he walked toward the kitchen. She must be hungry, and she needed him to show her where he hid the chocolate.

  Sophie was sitting on the counter, opening a tube of refrigerated cookie dough with a knife. Seeing him, she set her project aside. “I can’t sleep,” she admitted before forcing a smile. “You don’t have any food. Are you sure you actually live here?”

  “I live here,” he said, opening the cabinet on top the refrigerator where he hid his chocolate from Kelly. “I just don’t eat here very often.”

  Turning to offer her the silver bag, he noticed the tears. “I should have called the police when you asked. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” he shrugged and set the bag on the counter beside her. “I just had a feeling. You couldn’t have known.”

  She filled her hands with his shirt. “I shouldn’t have let you go up there. If anything would have happened to you…”

  “Sophie, it’s fine. I’m a big guy. People don’t really mess with that.”

  “You’re not bullet proof.” she said, choking on a sob. “The police said he had a gun.”

  “Hey, it’s okay.” He stepped forward, wrapping her up in the protective shell of his own body. He remembered the feel of the gun against his knee as he’d held the jerk on the ground. If the guy had been smart enough to go for it, the whole thing might have come down very differently. “I’m fine. You’re okay. It’s over.”

  “I know, but every time I close my eyes I see it.” She looked up into his eyes. “I was so scared.”

  “Me too.” He inched back to look at her face. He cupped her face in his hands, using his thumbs to brush away the tears. He leaned in and kissed her softly, gently brushing his lips against hers.

  He felt her legs wrap around his waist as she reached up and pulled him to her, deepening the kiss. There was no holding back in her kiss. Her mouth provided such a sensual assault he had no choice but to give in. It took every ounce of strength he had to pull away.

  “Please,” she begged. “I don’t want to think anymore. Please.”

  If he doubted her intentions, her hands removed any doubt. She pulled at the waistband of his sweats, her hands sliding beneath the fabric. David tried to remember why he kept stopping this when it always felt so right. There was just enough blood left in his brain to form one rational thought.

  “Sophie, not like this, okay. Not tonight. Your first time should be candlelight and roses.”

  Her hands released him, drifting to his hips and pulling him closer against her. “We have moonlight, I’m allergic to roses and the only thing I ever wanted for my first time was you. David, I—”

  He silenced her
mouth with a kiss. He was barely breathing after hearing she wanted him. If she finished her thought he’d melt right into the floor.

  He lifted her from the counter and carried her effortlessly to his bedroom. Laying her against the mattress he decided he was going to make love to her. There was a lot he couldn’t give her, but he could make her forget her fears for a moment, make her feel cherished and beautiful.

  ———

  Leaning back on her elbows, Sophie watched as David lifted his white T-shirt over his head. The angled muscles rippled with the movement as he dropped his sweats and stepped out of them. He was magnificent with his unabashedly male confidence. He looked like he could have been sculpted from marble, fit for a gallery pedestal except for the thick member pressing against his concave belly. That was more suitable for one of the erotic art galleries she’d read about.

  Yes, she thought as she sat up, this was exactly what she needed to keep her from thinking about anything else. Whenever he was this close her mind shut down and opened up only to him.

  “Sophie,” he whispered, lifting the hem of her T-shirt over her head. She raised her arms, helping it slide off quickly. She was instantly grateful her obsession with him had made her switch to lacy pushup bras as his gaze stuttered on her breasts. The look in his eyes now was all she ever really wanted from him. He wanted her. Now.

  Her body moved across the rumpled cotton sheets as he slid on top of her. In one fluid motion she had gone from having her feet firmly on the floor to her head at the headboard. Fantastic.

  “David,” she said, her mouth finding his. The taste of him filling her, making her throb for him. Tonight she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She wouldn’t regret not being with him another moment. She would have him, even if she had to play dirty.

  Reaching down, she wrapped one hand around him, rubbing her thumb across the swollen tip. He jerked in her hand. Freeing himself, he pulled her hands over her head and pinned her legs with his shins. With his body on top of hers she was reminded she still had on her pajama pants.