Swept Away

by Dawn Atkins

  Matt put away his phone and rubbed the back of his neck. “That was weird. I almost blew it. Sorry I lied.”

  “You had to, Matt. If Scott knew we were together, it would be utterly weird.” And there was no way Matt could comfortably keep the secret back at SyncUp. If he gave her the promotion, everyone would think she slept her way there. “I appreciate you talking up my idea to Scott. It means a lot.” Again, her throat closed.

  “It’s the least I could do. After all you’ve done for me.” He stopped. “You know I mean the lessons, not the…not us together. And I would have told him anyway. It’s a great idea.”

  “I know that,” she said softly, realizing how the sex had muddied everything between them. Matt was having trouble figuring out his own motivations. “I was glad to hear you say you wouldn’t be working so hard from now on.”

  “You helped me figure that out,” he said, turning to her. “There’s something else I need to say. And it’s not about work. Being with you has meant so much to me. You mean so much to me.”

  “You mean a lot to me, too, Matt. But that’s beside the point. You have Jane. We have work.”

  “Jane and I are done, Candy. Period.”

  “We had a deal. We have to stick with it.”

  “We need to talk about us.”

  “There is no us, Matt!” She didn’t mean to raise her voice, but he’d just thrown away her garlic—Jane—and her heart was racing with pointless hope. “You could hardly manage a lie to Scott about me. We have to quit while we’re ahead.”

  He studied her. “Is that what you want?”

  “It’s what we both want.” When she tried to smile, her lips trembled like a muscle held too long.

  They sat in silence for a few beats, both staring out the windshield. “Okay. If that’s it, then,” Matt said finally, starting the car with tense, almost-angry movements.

  After they’d driven for a while in awkward silence, she thought of something to get them on track. “So how many cards did you get, by the way?” she asked softly.

  “I don’t know. You count.” He fished out his wallet and handed it to her.

  She counted them. “Twelve! That’s excellent.” It was so hard to sound cheerful when she was so miserable. “I got twenty, so, at two-to-one, you beat me by four cards. Congratulations. You won.” Her smile felt glued onto her cardboard face. “So you can ask me any question you like. That’s your prize.”

  “I don’t know, Candy,” he said, sounding discouraged.

  “Think about it. Drop me off at my place, I’ll grab the computer and meet you at yours to show you my marketing plan. You can ask me the question when I get there.”

  They didn’t talk the rest of the way and she was glad. She ached as if she’d been everyone’s target in a dodge-ball game where they used rocks instead of balls.

  She would push past this, though. She had to. This was what she’d worked for. She couldn’t give up when she was so close.

  UNLOCKING HIS BEACH house, Matt caught his reflection in the glass of the storm door. He hardly recognized the GQ guy staring back at him with the fancy haircut and pricey shades. Fun Guy. Who’d just been shot down by the woman he loved.

  She was right. Being together at SyncUp would be difficult, to say the least. She wanted it to be over. She was sticking with their deal. Maybe that’s what he should do.

  Accept her decision, let it go. He loved her, but he’d get over it. Maybe she loved him, too, but not enough to try to work it out. Should he push her? Why? Why make her spell out all the reasons why he was wrong for her? All that BS about oil and water and oranges? Why put himself through that misery?

  He stood on his porch and looked out at the ocean.

  He noticed a parachute, bright against the blue sky, skimming by. A parasailor. He remembered Candy up in the air, the way she’d been terrified, but pushed past it. Don’t you dare, she’d said, eyes flashing, when he wanted to call it off. I want to try this.

  He had to try, too—go for it the way Candy had. Push through the fear, take the risk—no matter what she said to him. If she loved him, they would figure out how to be together. He saluted that faraway parasailor, then stepped off the porch, headed for Candy, come what may.

  CANDY SHOVED MATT’S computer in its case and started out, not even stopping to change clothes. She’d kicked off her shoes and removed her pantyhose to cross the beach in comfort at least. She didn’t dare stop moving or her feelings would hit and she’d dissolve into a heap of heartbreak.

  This was more than a vacation fling with Matt. She had feelings for him that weren’t going away as ordered. She was trapped and the misery would hit as soon as she held still long enough to feel it.

  It reminded her of stubbing her toe and the seconds of nothing before the pain struck, when she had time to brace for it, guessing how bad it would be this time.

  When she looked toward Matt’s place, she noticed he was headed her way, taking long, purposeful strides, his expression fixed with determination.

  About what? About her? About them? Against all reason, hope made her heart sing and she started to run toward him.

  Seeing her, Matt also ran, then stopped when they were close. He was breathing hard and she was, too.

  “I’ve got my question.” He paused. “Forget SyncUp, forget our deal and tell me the truth—how do you feel about me?”

  “How do I feel…?” She swallowed hard, not sure what she should say, fighting dizziness, struggling to be sensible.

  “Let me make it simpler. I’m in love with you, Candy.”

  “You are? In love? With me?” Her heart was doing a fluttering hip-hop. She needed to sit down. Fast.

  Sensing her faintness, he caught her by her elbows. “I am. So, what about you? Do you feel the same?”

  “Do I?” Her mind was as fuzzy as a radio off its station. “I mean, yes, I do…I love you.” She said it with wonder, surprised to hear the words come out of her mouth.

  At the same time, she knew in her soul they were true.

  “That’s good, then,” he said. “We feel the same.” He leaned in to kiss her, but she held back.

  “No, that’s bad. What about SyncUp?”

  “We’ll work it out…somehow.” His words faded and she knew he’d gone fuzzy, too, unwilling to address the impossibility of a future between them. “For now, let’s just be here. Together.”

  “Okay,” she answered automatically. This solution erased the agony she’d anticipated with so much dread. Matt was a smart guy. If he thought they could figure it out, maybe they could. She let her doubts melt away. She let her love for Matt take charge, pushing away SyncUp, even her promotion. They would discuss that soon enough. That would be part of working things out.

  She knew this was wrong thinking on her part, but right now she was glad to escape the pain, to have more time in Matt’s arms. They hurried to his place. She set his computer on the table and they stumbled to his bed, pulling off each other’s clothes, laughing, breathless and amazed.

  Could she really have this? Be in love with Matt? Despite their differences, despite work—

  Stop! She wouldn’t think about that. It would ruin the moment and right now Matt was looking at her naked body that way again, like no other man, as though every inch of her was worth a lifetime of study, as though being able to touch her was a gift beyond measure.

  She wanted this. So much.

  “I can’t believe I have you in my bed,” Matt said, his eyes a hot blue that promised his love and all the support she could ever want.

  “Believe it. I’m here.” At the same time she felt a tension inside, a held breath, the sense there was trouble ahead, that this wasn’t quite real.

  Matt kissed her then, deeply, his tongue searching her mouth, while one hand slid down her body to her thighs and stroked her neediest place.

  She parted her legs, inviting him inside, welcoming the rush of pleasure they’d felt together before.

  Matt pushed into her
, holding her gaze, and the moment was different, more serious. This was for keeps. “When I’m inside you, I never want to leave.”

  “Then don’t,” she said, crossing her heels over his back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

  He kissed her hungrily, as if she were the source of his strength. They held each other so tight their bodies seemed melded together. Only their hips parted long enough to make short strokes. They were so in tune with each other that the tiniest movement from Matt sent spirals of pleasure through her. She could tell she had the same effect on him. Sex had never been so powerful or so intimate for her.

  She felt her orgasm gather and sensed his doing the same.

  “I don’t want to come yet,” she said.

  “There’s plenty more after this,” he breathed, quickening his pace, moving in a way she couldn’t resist. “Just let go.”

  Her climax began, then seemed to move to Matt, as if they shared the sensation, and he sent it back to her even stronger than before. Waves of pleasure poured through her, so strong she had tears in her eyes. Matt’s face was full of emotion, too.

  Slowly, the intensity lessened and she became aware of the beat of Matt’s heart, in time with hers, heard the matched rhythm of their breathing. She never imagined feeling this close to another person. She knew that, no matter what happened, this was worth it.

  She closed her eyes and held on to Matt.

  They made love for what seemed like a long time and yet only moments. Rolling over after one more amazing orgasm, Candy caught sight of Matt’s travel clock. “God! It’s six, Matt. We have to get dressed for the beach party.”

  “I’ve got a party right here. Come as you are.” He nuzzled her neck, finding her with his fingers.

  She pushed his hand away with a reluctant groan. “I promised Ellie and Sara we’d do the events.” She struggled out of bed and bent to drag on her clothes. “I’ve got to go shower and change at my place.”

  “You’re serious about this?” Matt said, watching her.

  “One of us has to be.” She leaned down to kiss his sweet mouth. “And now that you’re Fun Guy, I guess it’s me.”

  “I know,” he said, flopping back against the pillow, hands under his head, elbows out. “I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.” He looked deliciously strong, tanned and relaxed, the sheet bunched at his waist, sexier than ever. Of course she was seeing him through the eyes of love.

  Grabbing up Sara’s blazer, she noticed Matt’s computer, where she’d practically thrown it on the table. She had to show him the marketing plan, talk about the teams, but when?

  Maybe tomorrow? Or the next day? Before they left Malibu anyway. When they were ready to deal with the logistics of continuing an affair back at SyncUp. Because they had to continue this.

  She and Matt were in love. She couldn’t quite believe it. Or sort it out or figure out how it would work. For now, just knowing was enough. It had to be.

  MATT GOT READY while Candy went to her place to change. After his shower, he scrubbed some of that ridiculous gel into his hair and put on the Hawaiian shirt Candy liked. He had to change shorts twice to get the right match. Now he was getting vain?

  This was all pretty crazy. He’d promised Candy they would work it out, but he wasn’t sure how. A vague tension anchored itself in his gut, but he wasn’t going to deal with it yet. He wanted to float a while longer on the cloud he’d been on since Candy and he had wrestled her phone away from Radar.

  He headed out to get her, enjoying the breeze, the sleek gray sheen of the ocean laid out before him, the waves rolling like the shivering pelt of a huge slow-moving beast.

  The neon of the carnival rides glowed against the sunset sky. Down the beach, there were bonfires and he could hear the gathering noise of a crowd. Music, too. He and Candy could dance.

  He wanted to dance? Unbelievable. But he realized if Candy wanted him to, he’d freak dance in front of God and everyone. He was in love. The way he’d been with Heather, all those years ago, except now he was mature enough to handle the roller coaster.

  At least he hoped he was.

  His gut tightened again.

  Until he caught sight of Candy heading his way. The sight of her erased all his doubts. She’d changed how he saw everything.

  She wore a strapless dress that exposed her shoulders and the tops of her breasts. When she was close enough he noticed a diamond on a chain resting in the hollow of her throat. He wanted to kiss her there, in that tender place. And everywhere else, too.

  She threw her arms around him and he picked her up and spun her around, kissing her as he set her back down on the sand.

  “Sorry I’m late,” she said, looking up at him, her eyes full of love. “Sara had to know why I looked feverish, so I explained that I’m crazy in love.”

  “So I make you feverish? All hot…and achy? You do that to me, too.”

  “Mm-hmm,” she said. “I told her we were working everything out at SyncUp. Do you think we can?” She bit her pretty lip.

  “Of course.” He kissed away the bite mark, feeling the familiar wash of heat and need whenever he touched her. She melted into his arms again.

  “You sure about this party?”

  “I promised,” she said on a groan.

  “How about a quickie?” He nuzzled her neck, loving the way she softened against him, so willing, as eager for more as he was. “There’s always time for a quickie.”

  “Later, Matt.” She sighed. “It’ll have to be later.”

  Every time they made love, his feelings grew stronger. Surely, that would be enough to get them through the troubles to come. Whenever he tried to think past this vacation, his brain shorted out. Wait and see was all he could come up with.

  Weird. He wasn’t a guy who waited for things to fall into place. He knew you made your own luck, but, for some reason, he was content to ride this out. A bad sign, but looking into Candy’s sweet face, he refused to figure out exactly what this meant.

  Inside the fence that marked off the Sin on the Beach party, he waited while Candy signed them up for some mortifying activity or other.

  “Matt!”

  He spun in time for Ellie to throw her arms around him. “Sara told me what happened. I’m so happy for you.” She kissed his cheek. “I knew this would work out.”

  “So this was one of your setups? To get me and Candy together?” Not that he minded a bit now.

  “I always knew you’d be good together.”

  “You never said anything to me.”

  “Would it have done any good?” She put her hands on her hips.

  “No. But, I gotta say, I’m going to let you nose into my business more often if this is what results.”

  Ellie laughed, her eyes shiny with triumph. “I’m glad to hear it. Candy wasn’t easy to convince, either. I had to twist her arm big-time. That Q-E-2 thingie—the personality test? Her results had her flipped out, but I convinced her that if she brought work here she could prove to you what a good team leader she’d make!”

  “Team leader? What?” He stared at Ellie. “What do you know about the teams?”

  “Just what Candy told me. That you have to appoint leaders to a bunch of teams and she wants to be one. Didn’t you talk about that?” She hesitated. “Sara said you’d worked it all out, so I just assumed—”

  “No one’s supposed to know about the teams.”

  “Uh-oh. Yeah, that was a secret. I forgot. Someone told her anyway. Pretend I didn’t say anything. She’ll talk with you, I know. The point is she’ll be great at it, right?”

  “This is not good, Ellie.” His head spun. Candy wanted to be a product manager? That explained her obsession with showing him Ledger Lite and going on about new challenges and her ideas. No wonder she sounded as though she were interviewing for a job half the time. She was.

  The music swelled, irritatingly loud, and bonfire smoke burned his eyes, thanks to the contacts he wasn’t used to yet.

  “It’ll be fine.
Just talk to her.” Ellie searched his face, worried, then seemed to notice someone approaching from behind him. “Here she comes. Don’t let me ruin this, Matt.”

  He turned and saw that Candy held a margarita in each hand and wore a big grin.

  This would be bad.

  “You need to go, El,” he said firmly. “I need to talk to Candy alone.”

  “Can I explain it to her at least?” She answered her own question. “No. You’re right. But don’t be blunt, for God’s sake. For once use some diplomacy.”

  “I’ll handle it,” he said, making a shooing motion.

  She turned and left before Candy reached him.

  Candy held out a margarita. “Where’s Ellie going?”

  Matt shrugged off the question. “Let’s find a quiet place.” He put his arm around her shoulder, his gut aching.

  “You bad boy. At a party…?” She glanced at her watch. “We do have a few minutes before the first event. There’s a spot.” She pointed at a cove where the embers of a fading campfire glowed red.

  She thought he was after that quickie. If only. Dread filled him, cold and gray, but delaying the truth wouldn’t help either of them.

  When they reached the spot, Matt smoothed sand from a rock that would hold them both. They sat together and he placed his untouched margarita on the sand at their feet.

  She sipped hers, then looked up at him. Her smile faltered. “What’s wrong, Matt?”

  There was no easy way to approach this, so he just said it. “Ellie mentioned that you want to be a product team leader.”

  “I…um…She told you?”

  “She thought you and I had already discussed it. Something Sara said about us working things out. How did you hear about the teams anyway?”

  “I overheard Daisy on the phone and—”

  “Talked her into giving you the scoop?” He smiled, knowing how persuasive Candy could be. “So, this whole working vacation deal was about the promotion?”

  “In a way.” Candy grimaced, seeming embarrassed. “I knew you had a bad impression of me, so this was a chance to show you what I can do.”