“You’re a pig, right? You get that.”
“Does your boss let you get away with that mouth, or has he discovered you’ve got a hot, sexy side?”
She groaned, grabbing a pillow, and putting it over her face.
“That’s not exactly the answer I was going for.”
“It’s complicated, Jay.”
“Is that why you slammed the door to get into the apartment?”
“I didn’t slam anything.”
“Er, you did, and you weren’t quiet about it either. It was an almighty slam.”
Peeking around her pillow, she watched as he did the action as well as if he knew all along what he was doing. “It wasn’t like that.”
“It was. I’d just been about to give Friday the update that she was boring me, and you interrupted me. Completely messed with my muse.”
“How am I even friends with you?”
“I’m adorable, and I’ve never been mean to you.”
That was true. She’d been friends with Jay ever since playschool. Their parents had been close, and she had been close with Jay. Even throughout school, and then into high school, he’d stuck by her side. She’d been the chubby, awkward kid, but he didn’t drop her. Everyone knew not to mess with her unless they wanted to face his wrath. He took care of her. They ended up going to the same college, and yes, he took her virginity, which was the creepy part of their relationship. Temperance hadn’t been able to handle the feelings he’d inspired, and she’d cut it off before he had the chance to. They had gotten past it. Their friendship came before anything else. Jay fucked around, and she had the occasional dates. Unless it was serious, they had each other. To this day, Temperance had never had a serious boyfriend, and she doubted she ever would.
She let out a sigh. “I did something stupid.”
“How? You’ve been at work all day.”
“That was the problem. My boss, Richard, he wanted me to stay behind. He has this new account, and I can’t tell you about it, so don’t ask. Anyway, something has been a little different today, and we crossed a line.”
“You crossed a line? Sounds exciting.”
“Be serious for a second, Jay. Honestly, it’s scary.”
“Why?”
“I slept with my boss.”
Silence fell in their small apartment, and she chanced a glance at Jay to see him frowning. The moment he caught sight of her staring, she groaned. “You think badly of me, don’t you?”
“What? No?” He shook his head. “Of course not.”
“You’re being weird with me, Jay. Please give it to me straight.”
“You slept with your boss?”
“There wasn’t any sleeping taking place. We had sex. Hot sex.” She sighed. “Mind-blowing sex.”
Jay nodded, and a second later he stood up. “This is the boss you’ve been talking about a lot, right? Richard Bruce?”
He was acting strangely, almost as if he was jealous, but that couldn’t be the case. Jay was never jealous. He complained about other women being jealous but never about her.
“He’s my boss, Jay.”
“It’s not like that. You’ve been attracted to him long before now, right?”
Biting her lip, Temperance had to think, and she knew the truth. “I guess, yeah.”
Jay nodded.
“Is something wrong?” Temperance asked.
“No. It’s not.”
“I made a huge mistake. I’m going to have to give in my resignation letter.”
“How was it?”
“What?”
“The sex. How was it?” Jay poured them both a glass of wine, offering her one, which she took. She needed everything to help her come to terms with what the hell had just happened in her life.
“It was … amazing. I mean, it was only in the office but he knows what to do with his hands, and mouth, and it has been so long.” Her cheeks heated recalling the way he held her ass, riding her pussy as he did.
“I’m happy for you. What are you going to do now?”
“I don’t have a clue.” She groaned, dropping her head back against the couch. “I’m going to have to quit.”
“Well if you do, you know I’m here.”
“You’re supposed to be supportive, and tell me not to worry about it.”
“I’ve never visited you at your office, have I?” he asked. “I don’t know who this Richard is?”
“Huh? No, I don’t think you have. You’re always dealing with numbers, and clients.”
“Yeah, it shocks the fuck out of women when they find out an accountant has blown their mind.”
“It makes a change for me to be the crazy one, and not you.”
“This guy must mean something to you to go that next step.”
“I really don’t know. I like him. He’s … different. Yeah, he’s different, and when he looks at me, he sees me.” She smiled recalling how intensely Richard watched her, the heat in his gaze.
“You’re a sexy woman, Tempe, and he doesn’t even know the real you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, chuckling.
“I know how much you like to have fun, and experiment, and I’ve also seen you in action. Don’t forget I had you first.” Jay stroked her cheek, and she smiled at him.
“Very true. You were my first corruption.”
He laughed, pulling his hand away. “If this guy has any sense, but I don’t think he does as they’re all the same. Rich, wealthy, with very little dick.”
Temperance shook her head. “He’s rich, wealthy, smart, and he’s very well endowed in that department.”
“Okay.”
Jay was not acting how she imagined. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“So, do you have someone to replace Friday?” Temperance frowned. “What about Monday and Wednesday? I know you had a big argument with them a couple of weeks ago. Are you letting them go as well?”
“Yeah, I guess I’ve been a bit lax in my judgment lately.”
“What’s going on? What have you done with my friend?” She touched his cheek, laughing as she did so.
“I’m fine.”
He held onto her hand, locking their fingers together. They had done this a lot growing up. Their parents had found their friendship to be sweet at first, and then become a little uncomfortable. Neither of them had seen that they were developing, and that they were no longer allowed sleepovers. Of course, Jay was the first to lose his virginity, and he told her all about it. She never felt jealous though.
Jay was her best friend, and she loved him.
“I’m going to head to bed. I’ve still got to work tomorrow.”
“Didn’t he drop you off?” Jay asked.
She finished her wine and winced. “Not really. Afterward, he went into the bathroom, and I did the whole disappearing act. I didn’t really think it through.”
“Do you think he could come here?”
“I hope not.”
****
Shit, she had found someone.
Jay’s heart raced as he stared at his best friend. What the fuck was he to do? He didn’t want to lose her, and yet, he saw the look in her eye. She wanted Richard, and it went far beyond just fucking. Was there a way he could share her? He’d never been averse to sharing a woman, but Temperance had shown no desire for it. Jay was willing to do whatever it took to win her over.
“Do you want him to come here?” Jay asked.
“I’m not sure. How about you? How has your night been?”
“Okay.”
He didn’t want to talk about how he’d been pacing the apartment, scared out of his mind about losing his best friend, and the only woman he’d ever loved. “I watched some television.”
Lies, all of it.
****
“What do you do when the woman you fucked runs out on you?” Richard asked, pulling up his pants.
He was so fucking angry finding her doing the disappearing act.
“Why are you asking me?” Lewis asked.
“I called Russ, and he’s busy.”
“So? I’ve got business to take care of.”
“Everyone knows you’ve been dealing with Mandy. Give a guy a break and help me out.”
“There’re seven other men you can call who’ll help you out.”
“I’m not looking for just any opinion. I want yours or Russ’s.”
“Why?”
Tugging on his suit jacket, he glared at his cell phone. He had it on speaker, and his so-called friend was starting to really piss him off. “You know what it’s like to connect to another woman.”
“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
“For fuck’s sake, Lewis. You’ve just spent every moment of your adult life hunting for a woman who went missing years ago. Mandy is not just some kind of pussy to you. She means something.”
“What are you trying to get at?”
“Are you being obtuse on purpose? I’ve just had sex with a woman, and she’s more than just some random pussy.”
“Oh, okay, now that makes sense. She ran out on you?”
It seemed like a switch went off inside of Lewis’s head.
“Yeah, she ran out on me.”
“Who is she?”
“She works for me.”
“Wow, you’re breaking your own code there.”