by Susanna Carr
“Have you tried sleeping in your office?” She scrunched up her nose. “The carpeting is too hard.”
“And a sidewalk isn’t?” Why was he worried? She was an adult. She made her choices. She made it clear she didn’t want him looking after her. Fine. She could look after him.
He hopped out of the van and strolled around to her side. Kyle knocked on the driver’s window and waited for her to roll it down.
“Are you going to escort me to the door?” he asked.
Molly smiled. “You’re funny. A load of laughs.”
“That’s why you want me.”
Her smile quickly disappeared. “I don’t.” Blink.
Kyle was tired of the lies. There was only one way he knew how to stop them from coming. He cupped his hand around her head and sank his fingers in her soft hair. Pulling her closer, Kyle pressed his mouth against hers.
Molly’s lips parted as she gasped. He took advantage of it and slid his tongue inside. She tasted hot and spicy. Hunger rolled through him, fierce and wild.
He pulled back, but he wanted more. Lots more. “Yeah, you do. You want me bad.” Kyle turned and walked away. “ ’Night, Molly.”
Chapter 7
Sitting at one of the tables in Ashton ImageWorks’ extensive courtyard, Molly enjoyed the rare sunshine. The break from the dreary weather was a good sign. She knew it.
She tilted her head up to meet the rays before returning her attention to the Cascade mountain range. Molly listened to the gurgling fountains that splashed into zigzagging waterfalls. The plants and bushes were asleep for the winter, but everything seemed brighter, more colorful.
“There you are,” Kyle said as he approached her.
Molly sat up straight. Her heart did a funny little flip when she saw him in the sleek black pinstripe suit and crisp white shirt. Even the bold red tie gave her a few naughty thoughts. “Did you need me for something?”
The look he gave her was hot and suggestive.
Molly felt the excitement fizzing inside her, but offered him a wry smile. “Forget I asked.”
“So what did you do last night?”
“Sleep.” Barely, but she did manage a few hours.
“Where?”
It was best not to give too many details. “Around.”
“Oh, so you do sleep around.”
She groaned and rolled her eyes.
“But you won’t sleep with me.”
She rose from the bench and started down the steps that followed the waterfall. “You’re sounding like a broken record.”
“You wouldn’t know what to do if I stopped asking you.”
“Sure, I would.” She liked the playful side of him. She wished she saw it more often. Then again, maybe not. Too dangerous. “I’d get on my knees and thank my lucky stars.”
“There are better things to do on your knees.”
“Like crawl away from you?”
Kyle was right beside her on the steps. “You’re being very feisty today.”
“Don’t you mean insubordinate?” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Yeah, there’s definitely something different about you.” Kyle’s gaze traveled down her pale pink coat to her black heels.
“Today is Friday.” She skipped down a few steps.
“And you can’t wait for the weekend? Is this something you should say in front of your boss?”
“You’re not my boss,” she said, tilting her head toward him. “According to you, Sara is.”
“And I’m her boss.”
“Details.” She decided to take the small bridge over the waterfall. “You can’t change your story to fit your argument.”
“Because you have a monopoly on that?”
She stuck her tongue out at him.
“Okay, come on.” He reached out and took hold of her arm. “Tell me why it’s so good that today is Friday?”
“I get my review.” She couldn’t stop her smile.
“Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. So, how are you going to celebrate?”
“I haven’t figured it out yet.” She reluctantly stepped out of his grasp. She was trying her best to act professional, but one touch from Kyle and it all went out the window.
“I was thinking of taking my friend Bonita out with her kids,” Molly continued. “But she can’t this weekend. So tonight, I’m thinking a huge dinner for myself.”
“Good plan. And then what?”
“Maybe check into a nice hotel for the weekend.” She’d been thinking, planning, dreaming about it ever since she was evicted. “With a bed.”
He winced.
“A huge bed where I can lie there spread-eagled.” She stretched her arms wide.
Kyle looked like he was in pain.
“With a gigantic bathtub. Or a hot tub.”
“All by yourself?” he asked hoarsely.
“Say what?” She dropped her arms.
“You’re going to enjoy all that by yourself?”
“Kyle, are you trying to get yourself invited to my hotel room?”
His smile was hopeful. “Is it working?”
Molly chuckled. “No.”
“But what about promotion sex? You’re going to miss out on that.”
“What?” She’d never heard of such a thing. “You’re making that up.”
“Nope. Doesn’t everyone have it?”
She couldn’t say. She’d never been promoted. “And you have to have it with the CEO?” she asked with suspicion.
Kyle smiled. “Now you see why the job review process is so rigorous.” His cell phone buzzed. Kyle sighed as he grabbed it and read the text.
“How do you know I’m getting a promotion?” Molly asked, hope stirring in her chest. “Did you sign off on the paperwork?”
“Maybe.” He frowned as he returned his phone back into his pocket. “I don’t remember seeing your file.”
She poked him in the chest with her finger. “You’re a tease.”
“Nah.” He captured her hand and pressed it against his heart. “I always make good on my promises.”
An idea burst into her mind and she followed the impulse. “So what are you doing tonight?” she asked.
“Why are you asking?” Kyle asked as he lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips against her fingers.
“I’d like to take you out to dinner.” She suddenly felt nervous and shy.
His hand tightened around hers. “Huh?”
He couldn’t mask his surprise. Molly didn’t know if it was because she took the initiative, or because a receptionist just asked the CEO to dinner. Now she felt stupid.
“I have a few things to do first,” she said, giving him time to back out, but really hoping he didn’t. “I can call you on your cell. I have your number.”
“Molly, are you asking your boss out on a date?” The arch of his eyebrow was downright wicked. “Breaking your own rules? I’m touched.”
“No, I’m asking you to dinner.” She retrieved her hand. “I’m not interested in a date.”
Kyle smiled. “Liar.”
“Tease.” She smiled back.
“Keep calling me that I will be required to follow up.”
“Yeah, right.” A heavy warmth nestled low on her hips. How would he follow up?
“Call me,” he said as he stepped off the bridge. “I’m driving.”
And that meant he would take control. She hadn’t planned on that. “My truck cramps your style?”
“It doesn’t set the proper mood.”
“No mood is going to be set.” She hurried after him, determined to make that clear.
“Wanna bet?” He stopped and faced her. “Who drives is going to be the deal-breaker for me.”
Oh, gee. A choice between a DIY truck and a sports car. Hmm…Let me think. “Okay, you win. You drive a tough bargain.”
Kyle was openly suspicious of her easy capitulation. “You’re not going to bail on me now, are you?”
That question was a surprise. Kyle neede
d to know one important thing about her. “I don’t bail.”
“Good to know.” He leaned forward, his voice low. “But I want to seal this bargain. Let me know that you mean it. Kiss me.”
She found herself about to do just that and reeled back. “What? No.” She frantically looked around to make sure there were no witnesses. “How many times do I need to tell you? This is not a date.”
“Come on, Molly.” He leaned closer. “You know you want to.”
Was it that obvious? “Kyle, you’re sounding desperate.”
“I am desperate.”
“Aw, poor baby.”
“Come on, Molly.” He circled his arm around her waist. “One kiss.”
She stared at his mouth. Her own lips stung with need. She wanted to kiss Kyle, but where would that lead? Eventually, the unemployment line, that was where.
Molly wasn’t sure what she was doing with him, but it felt something like playing with fire. She was mesmerized by the flames and wanted to explore the magic. But she had to be careful because it was almost guaranteed that she would get burned.
“Kyle,” she said as she smoothly stepped out of his loose hold. “No guy is worth risking a job.” She hurried up the steps before he caught her again. “And you can’t convince me otherwise.”
“You can say that now, Molly,” he called after her. “But you haven’t seen me try.”
Molly swept the mountain of empty envelopes to the side of her desk as she looked for her calendar. Yep, it was Friday. She hadn’t been wrong about that.
But where was Sara? Molly looked around, wondering where her boss was. She hadn’t seen much of her today. Sure, it was busy, but not insanely busy. About as hectic as last Friday.
Molly’s throat got tight and dry. Maybe that wasn’t a good thing, considering that she couldn’t see the top of her desk. She might be able to get it clean before Sara wanted to do her performance review. If she found the time today.
No, Sara couldn’t push her review back. Molly sat straighter and kept stuffing envelopes. Her boss had to meet with her today or human resources would get on her case.
Supposedly.
The phone rang and she quickly picked it up. “Ashton Image Works. Molly speaking.”
“This is Laurie, the caretaker for Kyle’s island cottage.”
“Hi, how—”
“Can I talk to him?”
Molly paused, noting the urgency in the woman’s voice. “He’s not in, but I can transfer you to Sara.”
“Eh.” That one sound gave Molly a clear understanding that the two butted heads in the past. “I’d rather leave a message on his voicemail.”
“It’s temporarily out of order,” Molly said, doing her best to keep the woman away from the voicemail. “Some sort of…computer virus. I can take a message.”
“Tell him I’m sorry for the short notice, but I have to catch the only ferry out or I’ll be too late.”
“Understandable.” What was she talking about?
“My kid is in labor and is on her way to the hospital in Seattle.”
“Oh…uh…that’s great.” Does she want me to write this down? Molly quickly grabbed a pen.
“Her water broke—”
Molly paused in her search for the message pad. Uh, too much information.
“And she lost her mucus plug—”
Mucus plug?! Waaay too much information. She grabbed for her scratch pad, wishing Laurie would stop before she was traumatized for life.
“Well, it sounds like she definitely needs her mom with her,” Molly interrupted, as chirpy as possible. “What would you like me to tell Kyle?” Although she would love to see his face at the mention of a mucus plug.
“Oh, right. That’s why I’m calling,” Laurie said with a laugh. “I feel like I’m running around like a chicken with her head cut off.”
I think I’d rather stay with the mucus plug imagery.
“Tell him that the redecorating is done. I gave his neighbors the spare key in case there were any problems.”
“Okay.”
“It might be a while before I get back. I didn’t have time to clean out the refrigerator, which I apologize for, but the freezer and cabinets are full of nonperishables in case he drops by the cottage.”
Molly doubted if Kyle would care, but jotted down the key words. “Got it.”
“Although that’s unlikely since he hasn’t been to the cottage for at least a year. I have a feeling he’s going to put it up for sale. But that’s okay, because then I can be there for my grandkid—”
“Okay.” Is there an off button for this woman?
“Not that I don’t like my job,” Laurie quickly assured her. “Love it—”
“Okay.” Get off the phone.
“Oops!” Laurie exclaimed. “I’m getting another call.”
“It might be the hospital.” Molly was quick to point out the possibility.
“I better take it.”
Yes, good idea. Please do. “And I’ll give the message to Kyle. Good luck.”
“Thank you,” Laurie said as she immediately terminated the call. Molly hung up the phone with some relief and saw Sara standing in front of her. She was frowning.
Molly glanced at her desk and felt the growing horror. Her desk looked like a tornado wreck. She felt her shoulders dip. Well, maybe she wasn’t party pretty like last week, but it shouldn’t wreck her review.
“Where is Kyle?” Sara asked, looking worn out and overworked.
Molly felt her nerves flaring up again. “I think he’s in a meeting about security with Glenn and Timothy.”
“Are you sure?” Sara paused from sweeping her red hair from her eyes. “There’s no meeting on his schedule.”
“That’s what I heard him say,” Molly answered with a shrug. “He was in a rush.”
“And Annette?”
Molly had no idea. “I think she’s in her office.”
“No, I was just there.” Sara slowly walked back to the glass doors, and then turned around. “Molly…”
“Yeah?”
“Since they’re gone for who knows how long, we can do your review now. Could you run down to human resources and get the paperwork?”
Yes-s-s-s! Molly wanted to bolt from her chair, arch her back, and crow. Instead she tilted her head and said, “Yes, I have time to do that. Are you sure they’ll give it to me? Is that allowed?”
“I don’t see why not.”
Molly regally rose from her chair and strolled to the elevator. Pay raise. I’m getting a pay raise. She caught Sara’s bemused look. Oops, had she been doing a little be-bop while she waited for the elevator? I will continue the pay raise happy dance later.
She waited until she stepped into the empty elevator and the door closed. Molly thrust her arms out in victory. Yes! She made it! She survived!
She would never have to live in a truck again. Or sleep in one.
No more eating garnishes from the executive kitchen and calling it lunch. No more expired stuff from the vending machine for breakfast.
Getting an apartment…getting a bed! Molly sighed contentedly at the thought.
My own bathroom. She would celebrate by buying bubble bath. No more of this medicinal-smelling body wash from the showers at the fitness center.
That dream was so close. She could feel it. It warmed her up better than a state-of-the-art heating system. Which she would also get. She’d make sure of it.
Molly did a hop, skip, and a jump through the hallway to the human resources department. She couldn’t wait to get her grubby hands on that file. Maybe peek at it while she was at it, on her way back to the executive floor.
She walked in and saw the general assistant, who glanced up from her paperwork and smiled. “What’s up, Molly?”
“Sara asked me to pick up a job performance review.” Molly leaned her hip against the desk.
“Who’s it for?”
“Me,” Molly said proudly. Hmm, take the good vibes down a notch. She n
eeded to pace her party mood or she’d be too exhausted to celebrate tonight.
“Really? I didn’t see that one. Let me check.” Crystal looked through the files. “Maybe it’s on my boss’s desk.”
Molly watched the assistant leave the room and started humming. She wondered what kind of raise she would get. She heard three percent was standard.
She also heard some employees received bonuses. Good bonuses. Not the take-the-family-to-a-nice-dinner bonuses, but the take-the-family-to-Disneyland kind.
“Uh, Molly?”
Molly realized she was humming “It’s a Small World” and stopped. Trust fund babies probably hummed symphonies. She needed to play it cool. “Yes?”
“Are you sure she doesn’t have it?”
“She just sent me down.” Foreboding pricked at her. “Why?”
The general assistant winced. “I can’t find it.”
“You lost it?”
“Wow,” Curtis Puckett said as he sat at the conference table, facing Kyle and his top executives. “Bringing out the big guns. I’m honored.”
No one else smiled. Kyle and his friends were going into this meeting as a united front. Facing and overcoming obstacles together. They’d done it before, but Kyle didn’t feel the same bloodthirsty aggression. He wasn’t going in for the kill.
Because for the first time on the corporate battleground, Kyle didn’t feel like anyone had his back.
The elite programmer gave another cursory look at the other occupants in the conference room and tsked. “But don’t you think this is inefficient?”
“We’re suing you,” Glenn said, his expression grim.
Curtis chuckled and leaned back in his chair, his legs sprawled in front of him. “No, you’re not.”
Glenn’s expression darkened. “Do you want to bet?”
“You want all of that as court evidence?” Curtis’s eyebrow rose. “I’m going to say…no.”
“By the time you get into court,” Annette said, “we will be making the upgraded version.”
Curtis slowly turned to face her. He gave a slow appraisal, but if it was meant to rattle Annette, he failed. “The case will never get that far,” the programmer finally said.
“Yes, it will,” she replied. “I will personally see to it.”
