by Booth, Karen
The blood drained from her face. Ian had helped her fight that battle even when he’d known she was considering starting her own company. Not having to sign the noncompete clause had prevented a twenty-four-month hold on her plans. It was easily the most generous thing he’d done for her over the course of their relationship. “I’m sorry. You know I appreciate what you did for me, but I got these clients fair and square. I didn’t steal them.”
“I’m glad you acknowledge that I did you a favor. I think we can both agree that you owe me one.”
“I never said it was a favor and I don’t owe you a thing. Don’t forget that we were a couple at the time and that you’re the one that broke up with me. For another woman, I might add.”
He chuckled in the most dismissive way she could imagine. “God, I used to love it when you had one of your little temper tantrums. Your cheeks got hot and red and you always balled your fists. It was so cute.”
Are you kidding me? “I’m hanging up now.”
“That’s not a good idea, Allie. You’re not the only one with a temper. You don’t want to make me angry.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I would never do that, sweetheart. I’m trying to find a way for both of us to get what we want.”
Allie’s grip tightened around the receiver and her fingers went numb. “Don’t you dare call me sweetheart. I’m hanging up now. Goodbye.” She buried her head in her hands and waited for her heart rate to return to a less erratic pace. Straightening in her chair, she shook her head while looking over the remainder of the day’s to-do list. “Fuck. I need a drink.”
She dialed her sister’s number and scratched off Andrea’s name in her planner as the phone rang.
“Allie, hey.”
“What’s up?” She cleared her throat to be rid of the shake in her voice. “I thought I would check in and see how you’re doing.”
“Sure you aren’t volunteering for the suicide prevention hotline now?”
Allie couldn’t help but laugh at her sister’s speedy quip. At least it made the sting of Ian’s phone call go away for an instant. “Not unless I have to.”
“No, I’m fine. Really. I’ve been busting my ass at work and I’ve been running like a madwoman on the treadmill. I own one now since Bill couldn’t find anyone to move it for him.”
“Nice.”
“It’s like every stride is a further step away from him,” Andrea said in an artificially wistful voice.
Allie rolled her eyes.
“Or some shit,” Andrea continued. “I don’t know. Let’s just say I feel a lot better. Hey, do you want to go out tonight? Two single ladies on the town. We can do our sexy twins routine and mess with unsuspecting men.”
“I can’t. I have plans.” She squinted, knowing her sister would never let her off the hook that easily.
“Work doesn’t count as plans.”
“It’s not work. It’s social. I’m going to my neighbor’s office party. He just moved into a new space.”
“Neighbor? Not Mr. Hottie,” she gasped.
Allie hesitated for a moment too long, calculating an answer, which was a total mistake.
“Oh my God,” Andrea blurted. “You have a thing with Mr. Hottie. Are you sleeping with him?”
She would have asked how Andrea always managed to know these things, but being a twin, the question wasn’t necessary. There were exactly zero secrets between them. “Uh, yeah, I am.”
“Is it serious?”
And we have a winner. That’s the million-dollar question. “No. I don’t think so. He said he wants to spend time together and have fun. Whatever that means.”
“So you’re his fuck buddy.”
“What?” Allie’s headache ballooned. It was now venturing into her neck and shoulders. “No. That’s an awful term. And I’m too old for that.”
“I hate to break this to you, but if you’re just hanging out and sleeping together, no-strings attached, then that’s what’s going on. There’s nothing wrong with it. I’m just being honest.”
Allie blew out a noisy exhalation. Her sister’s analysis felt like a bee buzzing in her ear.
“Do you want it to be more than that?” Andrea asked.
Allie cradled her forehead with her hand. As much as she’d been trying to ignore it, she was becoming attached to Cooper. “I don’t know what I want. I know I like him. He’s insanely smart. You would not believe some of the software he’s coming up with. He makes me laugh all the time and he totally gets my job and why it’s so important to me. He’s charming and sweet and puts me at ease. It’s impossible to say no.”
“You forgot hot as all get-out.”
Yes, there’s that. “Seriously. Do you have any idea how few happy things I have in my life right now? Things are better when I’m with him. He makes me feel good.”
“I bet he makes you feel all kinds of good.”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it.” She sighed. “The age thing worries me.”
“What is he? Thirty? Thirty-one?”
“Twenty-eight.”
“Jesus. What are you doing on the phone with me when you could be in bed with him?”
“Andrea, come on. I’m serious. It’s a genuine concern. Isn’t he just going to want someone his own age at some point?”
“Now you’re being paranoid. You’re a catch and you know it. Personally, I’d love to be in your situation. Just don’t let him call all of the shots.”
“What does that mean?”
“At some point, somebody is going to have to clarify things. Most guys will just go with the status quo if it’s making them happy. He’s getting laid and he gets to hang out with you. That might be all he ever wants.”
Shit. “Yeah, I was afraid of that.”
Chapter Seven
Cooper and Brian maneuvered the keg of beer into the kitchen of their new office space in the West Loop area of town.
“Is Laura bringing the kids tonight?” Cooper asked his brother as he expertly tapped the keg.
“Nah. We got a babysitter. After the last two weeks, I’m ready to let loose a little.”
Cooper scooped a handful of peanut M&Ms from a bowl on the counter amidst the other food for the party. “Tell me about it. It feels so good to finally have this move out of the way.” He popped the candy into his mouth before returning to his task with the tap.
“Did you invite a date for tonight or are you flying solo?” Brian asked.
“I invited Allie, my neighbor. You know, she’s the one I hung out with during the power outage.”
Brian’s brow furrowed with deep folds. “Your neighbor? I thought she was older than you.”
“A little, but so what? I like her. We’re friends.”
“Friends? You aren’t capable of being friends with a woman without sampling the goods.” Brian stepped closer and glanced back over his shoulder before he spoke. The office was quickly filling up with staff and their guests. “Do you have something going on that I don’t know about?” He elbowed Cooper in the stomach.
“What if I do? It’s none of your business.” He turned back to the keg and began filling a cup with what turned out to be foam.
“You’re my brother.” Brian took a cup for himself and handed it to Cooper. “We tell each other everything. I just want to know if you have a girlfriend, that’s all.”
“Well, she’s not.”
“Not what?”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Cooper snapped.
“Okay. Got it. You invited your very single neighbor to the party.” Brian held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry I said anything. You need to drink a damn beer and chill out.”
I never said she was single. Cooper poured himself a beer and drank half of it, wiping the foam from his lip when he was finished. “Whatever.” He blew out an exhalation. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m just a little frazzled after the last two weeks.”
“Yeah, well, maybe you need to get laid.”
&n
bsp; Cooper didn’t bother with a response as his brother walked away. I am getting laid. I just don’t feel like talking to you about it. He walked out into the main room of the office—spacious and open, with high ceilings and low cubicle walls snaking around informal meeting areas decked out with modern black leather furniture. His employees milled about with friends and family. He filtered through the crowd, shaking hands and patting people on the back. As proud as he was of his accomplishment—a growing company, three thousand square feet of state-of-the-art office space—he couldn’t keep his eyes off the door.
To his chagrin, he got stuck in a conversation with Brian and Phil, the company’s CFO. Chatting about money and sales didn’t hold his attention and his mind wandered, always somehow ending up back at Allie.
Phil had been rambling about fourth quarter sales projections for nearly ten minutes when his eyes suddenly narrowed. “Damn. Looks like God answered my prayers for a brunette with come-fuck-me legs.” He nodded in the direction of the office door.
Cooper swiftly turned and glimpsed Allie in a black dress with a neckline just low enough to torture him. It showed off every inch of her curves, eclipsed only by her inner radiance. She scanned the crowd, her smile illuminating her face the instant their eyes connected. The chatter in the room faded as every guy within sight of Allie seemed to stop talking. Music played and although Cooper had spent hours making the playlist, he couldn’t for the life of him remember what the song was.
He hurried over to her and had to stop himself from putting his arm around her waist and kissing her. He patted her on the back, which felt entirely wrong. Dammit. I hope that was okay. “Hey. You look amazing,” he muttered. Her sweet scent was overwhelming, plunging him into the depths of a desire to be alone with her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Thanks. Sorry I’m a little late. Things got crazy at the office.” Her forehead crinkled with worry.
“Everything okay?” He touched her arm lightly and she seemed to relax with his touch.
She looked up at him, her brown hair falling back behind her shoulders. “Yeah. It’s just normal insanity. I’ll figure it out.”
“Are you sure? You seem stressed. Did you get that new account?”
“We did.” Her lips pressed together in a thin line, as if she were holding back. “It’s just that something came up with Ian. It’s kind of a mess, but I can handle it.”
“Ian? What the hell does he want?”
“Nothing. It’s not important.” The expression on her face softened and she forced a smile. “Come on. It’s your big night and I should have a drink in my hand.”
Cooper turned and ran flat into Brian and Phil.
“Hi, I’m Brian,” his brother said, thrusting his hand at Allie. “This is Phil.”
“I’m Allie. Nice to meet you both.”
Brian none too subtly eyed Allie. “So, Coop tells me you’re in advertising. Very interesting. Must be fascinating work. Tell me all about it.”
Cooper would have killed his brother with his eyes if he could have. Does he have to ask her a fucking essay question? Again, he wanted to put his arm around Allie, but thought better of it, worried he was going to start sending her mixed messages. He watched as she talked to Brian and Phil, her face animated, both guys’ eyes all over her. What am I doing? Is she my girlfriend? It feels like it, but I’d come off like a total idiot if I asked her.
“I’m sure it’s no different than what you do,” Allie said. “I just try to keep the clients happy. I’m only as good as my last idea.”
“How long have you been in the ad game?” Phil asked.
She cleared her throat. “A while. Fifteen years or so between the other places I’ve worked before I started my own company.”
“Impressive,” Phil answered, winking at Allie through his geeky glasses.
What an ass. “Yeah. Brian, Phil, we’ll catch you guys later. I’m going to show Allie around the office.”
After stopping by the kitchen to get her a beer, he led her to the conference room walled with frosted glass.
“This is incredible,” Allie said. “Your designer did an amazing job.” She absentmindedly ran her fingers along her collarbone as she circled the table, sipping her drink.
Cooper trailed her, watching her hand skimming along her own skin, which had a subtle shimmer. His gaze was drawn to her perfectly feminine silhouette. Electricity coursed through his belly and down his thighs.
He’d spent the last year obsessing over the remodel. Moving the company had consumed him for the past six weeks. Still, at that moment, computers and new desks seemed like the most unimportant things on the planet. All I want to do is look at her. “I want to show you my office in a minute.” He placed his hand at her waist, the silky fabric of her dress making him crave the touch of her skin. He looked out over the sea of his employees, calculating the quickest route to his office, one that would involve being stopped by the fewest people. He wanted nothing more than to be alone with her.
Brian came into the conference room with his wife. Cooper dropped his hand from Allie’s back.
“Allie, I want you to meet my wife, Laura,” Brian said.
The two women shook hands and Cooper wondered how awkward it would be if he ordered his brother to go pester someone else.
“Brian tells me you own your own ad agency. That sounds amazing,” Laura said. “I used to work in insurance. Not that exciting, but there are days when I would take that over being at home with the kids.”
Here we go. Put one beer in her and Laura is off to the races.
“I bet,” Allie said. “I know it’s a really hard job.”
“They keep me busy, but in a totally different way.” Laura swayed as she seemed to notice that her husband couldn’t take his eyes off Allie. She downed the rest of her beer. “You know, Allie, Brian mentioned that you’re single. You should get Cooper to introduce you to Phil, the CFO. He would love you.”
“Yeah, she’s met Phil.” Cooper folded his arms across his chest. “Brian, I think you need to feed your bride before she has another beer.”
Laura cleared her throat and stared at Brian indignantly. “Yeah, Bri, I really need to eat something.”
Brian gave his brother the stink-eye before he snaked his arm around Laura’s waist. “Sure, babe. We have crab cakes.”
They followed Laura and Brian out of the room. Cooper leaned down and whispered in Allie’s ear. “Don’t stop for anybody or it’s going to take us an hour to get to the other side of the office.”
Allie looked at him quizzically while she seemed to fight a smile. “Got it.”
He strode through the throng of people. No longer concerned with appearances, he tugged on Allie’s hand. He muttered “hello” once or twice to people they passed, but otherwise avoided eye contact. Once they were in his office, he closed the door and locked it. A desk lamp cast a soft light, but the room was otherwise dark.
“Beautiful space,” Allie said, walking to one of the tall windows at the far side of the room.
“Thanks.” He went to his stereo and turned on some music. He would have taken the time to put on something more romantic if he had any patience left at all.
“It’s a little loud, Cooper. I can’t think.”
He stepped to the other side of the desk and wrapped his arms around her. “That makes two of us.” He tore into her lips, buttery soft and exactly what he needed. He felt every stress begin to fade away.
Allie kissed him back enthusiastically at first. The minute he became more adventurous with his tongue, she tensed. “Won’t they miss you out there?” she asked, their mouths a sliver apart.
He flipped her hair away from her neck and went to work. Her skin against his felt so much better than anything else had that day. “Are there people out there? I hadn’t noticed.” He kissed her ear and brushed the side of her breast with his hand. “I wish I could get you out of this dress.”
She laughed breathily, making his need for her mor
e urgent. “That sounds fun, but your entire office is on the other side of that door. That one guy brought his mom. It’s not a good idea.”
“I know. You’re right.” He pulled her closer and grazed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“I was wondering…” He shook his head, drinking in the sweet look on her face. “I don’t really know how to say this.”
Nervous anticipation crept along Allie’s spine. “What?” The heat of his body attracted her like a moth to flame. She molded herself against him, even when she worried he might be preparing to say something she didn’t want to hear.
“Am I confusing you?”
She felt her eyebrows knit together. “You are now.”
“It’s just that when we talked about this last week, I said that I thought we should just have fun. You know. Keep it simple.”
Allie’s heart rose up into her throat. Why did I have to complain about work? I never should’ve mentioned Ian. “Oh.” She separated herself from him slightly and her shoulders felt as if they were frozen. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not very fun all the time.”
“What? No. That’s not what I’m saying. You’re very fun. It’s just that being out there in the office with you, I wanted to show you off and I realized that I haven’t done anything to give me the right to do that. You’re so amazing. You deserve more than me just showing up on your doorstep for dinner and sex.”
She swallowed, her pulse racing. “I thought you wanted to keep things loose.”
“I do. I mean, I’m busy and you’re busy and it’s easier that way, but then I see my brother undressing you with his eyes and I want to kill him.”
Her cheeks flooded with warmth. “That’s silly. He was not.”
“Yes, he was. So was Phil. And Mark in accounting.” He shook his head. “Assholes. I’m sorry about that.” He tugged her closer. “Being with you in that situation made me see how much I want you for myself. I know that makes me sound like a macho jerk.”
