*****

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….

my mistake. I saw Charlotte with a tall

know who you saw. It was the Haswells. Beth Haswell is

Definitely my mistake

to shut my

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

opt for changing the

“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

burst out laughing. “You

eyes slide sideways.

*****

good-looking man enters the lobby. He

as I

Oh, God. It’s him….

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

This could be embarrassing.

gaze sweeping

turns and looks back at me,

seem rude,

two or three years ago. You were with your friend,

most charming of smiles, he stabs a finger at me. “Debbie. That was it, wasn’t

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

not related to this amazing looking man fucking my brains out in a threesome with his friend at a

need to check with anyone if you have an appointment

No, don’t worry. They know me here. I’m just going to

your friend said that

You’ve met

the other

grins.

He

man; one of the best, but sometimes…. um… empathy’s not his

a Dom, isn’t he. If you cut him in half,

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

What a great guy….

Shame he got married….

*****

my lunchtime. I 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

through my lunch, staring into space and pondering the

look up. It’s Charlotte, carrying a tray loaded

smiles brightly. “Hi,” she says. “Mind if I

to make space as she puts

herself. “I saw you from across the road and thought we might as well take the opportunity to get to know each other, since it

“Sure…. er….”

me over her

chew over my words. What

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

barely know him? He’s not shut up about you

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

looks pensive. “I don’t think it’s my impression that you need

voice comes from above us.

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