*****

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….

mistake. I saw Charlotte with a tall dark-haired guy

saw. It was the Haswells. Beth Haswell is the

my mistake

shut my

overtime, running on whirring red-hot axles. The Charlotte I met

opt for changing

“She seems nice.”

“I suppose.” Ben shrugs.

Doesn’t he like her?

very pretty isn’t

so. Mike certainly thinks so. She’s a bit er…. ginger for

laughing. “You

sideways. “I

*****

the lobby. He is tall, although not overly so, broad-shouldered and

as

Oh, God. It’s him….

friend from the Club. Am

This could be embarrassing.

blue-eyed gaze sweeping past me as instead, he heads

at the doors, he abruptly slows, turns and looks

seem rude, but do

two or three years ago.

most charming of

tap my lapel badge. Moving closer, he peers in and grins. “Ah, Kirstie.” He laughs. “I see. Nice to meet you

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

anyone if you have an appointment

rolls his eyes. “Sorry, of course, you’re new. No, don’t worry.

your friend said that you’d got

You’ve met

just the other

he grins.

yes. He

He’s a good man; one of the best,

If you cut him in half, it’d say ‘Dom’ running right through

laughs. “You’re not wrong there. Gotta go Kirstie. See you around.” He heads back to the lifts, turning

What a great guy….

Shame he got married….

*****

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

a window seat and I’m halfway through my lunch, staring into space and pondering the incandescent joys of fucking with Ryan

Charlotte, carrying a tray

she says. “Mind if I join

shuffle up my chair to make space as she puts her tray down

as well take the opportunity to get to know each

“Sure…. er….”

me over her

over my words. What can I

this the right way. I know Ben’s your brother-in-law, but I barely

shut up about you whenever

a dozen times and had a couple of dates. Please don’t get

don’t think it’s my impression that you need

voice comes from above us.

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