*****

I wake to sunlight streaming over the bed. My view is blocked by Ryan, standing over me, offering me a mug.

“You like coffee on a morning?” he asks.

“I sit up to take the mug from him. “It’s one of the food groups.” I grin.

When was the last time I woke up in a man’s bed?

He sits by me, sipping from his own cup. He doesn’t speak, but repeatedly, his glance strays my way before he looks away again, smiling.

The obvious question finally looms. “What time is it?”

“Ten to eight.”

“Jeez! I’ll be late to work!”

“Hey, calm down. I’ll drive you there.”

“I can’t go like this….”

“The shower’s through there….”

As it is, Ryan delivers me on squealing wheels to Haswell Building at two minutes to nine,

And as I swipe my entry card, James Alexanders is coming in right behind me. He must have seen Ryan drop me off and he wears the kind of half-smile that says he knows exactly why I am wearing yesterday’s blouse and a rapidly painted-on expression of dignity.

“Morning, Kirstie.”

“Morning Mr Alexanders.”

*****

That evening, walking the dogs on the beach, Ben jogs up to me, and Scruffy barges in to meet up with my canine gang again.

“Hi.” he puffs, bending to rest hands on knees for a minute as he catches his breath. “How are you? Great to see you again.”

“I’m fine.” In truth, I am a little uncomfortable. The speed, and for that matter, the direction in which my ‘relationship’ with Ben is progressing is unnerving me. He seems to believe that we are a lot closer than I do, and I am not at all sure that I want to take things with him any further.

What’s a safe topic of conversation?

Oh, yes….

“I was surprised when I met Charlotte at work and realised who she is. You and your brother aren’t much alike, are you?”

He frowns. “Sorry? You’ve met my brother?”

“Yes, I saw him with Charlotte in the lobby a few days ago.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that. He must have been picking her up.”

“Er, no. They were on their way out actually. I would never have taken the pair of you for brothers….”

“I don’t think we’re that unalike, are we? I know he’s a lot blonder than I am….”

Blonder?

“No, the man I saw was dark; much darker-haired than you. “

He shakes his head. “Mike’s blond, very blond. He looks like something from a toothpaste advert. You know, the kind with the sunshine-healthy family, all corn-fed, and eating wheat germ and yoghurt.”

Mike….? Not James then….

Time to tread carefully….

with a tall dark-haired guy and

the Haswells. Beth Haswell is the spit ‘n image of Charlotte, and her husband is tall

my

to shut my

whirring red-hot axles. The Charlotte I met was certainly the same girl

for changing the

“She seems nice.”

“I suppose.” Ben shrugs.

Doesn’t he like her?

very pretty

thinks so. She’s

burst out laughing. “You don’t like

sideways. “I

*****

open and a blond, strikingly good-looking man enters the lobby. He is tall, although not overly so, broad-shouldered and

heart sinks as I

Oh, God. It’s him….

Alexanders’ friend from the Club. Am I going to be seeing them both

This could be embarrassing.

gaze sweeping past me as instead, he heads straight

abruptly slows, turns and

to seem rude, but

two or three years ago. You were

at me for a moment, then his face clears. With the most charming of smiles, he stabs a finger

damn blush rises up my face again. I tap my lapel badge. Moving closer, he peers in and grins. “Ah, Kirstie.” He

related to this amazing looking man fucking my brains out in a threesome with his

anyone if you

his eyes. “Sorry, of course, you’re new. No, don’t worry. They know me here. I’m just going

friend said

You’ve met

the other

he grins. “Was

yes. He

good man;

“He’s a Dom, isn’t he. If you cut

the lifts, turning back as the doors open, and waving. “I’m Michael by the way. Nice

What a great guy….

Shame he got married….

*****

could go to the staff canteen; the facilities are very good. But I prefer to get out for a while for a change of air, so I head for the coffee bar over the road, ordering myself a latte and

into space and

It’s Charlotte, carrying

brightly. “Hi,” she says. “Mind if I

up my chair to make space as she puts her tray

thought we might as well take the opportunity to get

“Sure…. er….”

eyes me over her coffee. “Something

words.

right way. I know Ben’s your brother-in-law,

know him? He’s not shut up about you

times and had a couple of dates. Please don’t get the wrong impression about where we are with

my

from

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255