Twice Tempted (5 page)

At some point over the weekend, Jason had
stopped fucking her and started making love to her.  Even when he was rough,
even when he was pinning her hands above her head and talking dirty into her
ear, there was a tenderness in his touch that hadn’t been there before. 

Not half an hour ago she had been under
him, loving the contrast of the soft mattress below her and his hard body above
her as he moved in and out of her.  He had been so sweet, so loving and careful
with her that she’d had her strongest orgasm yet.  He had made her look at him
as he brought her closer and closer to the brink and she hadn’t been able to
look away from the warmth radiating from his eyes even when she was coming
wildly beneath him.

Good God, what was happening between them?

She wrenched open the silverware drawer and
began to throw the cutlery into it.  She jumped when Jason wrapped his arms
around her waist and squeezed affectionately.

“What did the spoons do to piss you off?” 
He asked.

She didn’t laugh and he turned her around,
staring anxiously at her.  “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Jason, what are we doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean this.  What’s happening between
us?  What happens tomorrow when we go back to the office?”

“Well, my plan is to do my work and try not
to think about how you look bent over my desk with your ass in the air.”  He
teased.

“Jason.”  She refused to let him lighten
the mood.

He sighed and stepped away from her, raking
his hand through his hair.  “You’re thinking too much again Lucy.  Can’t we
just enjoy our time together and not worry about being caught by our
coworkers?”

She shook her head.  “I can’t do that
Jason.  What kind of relationship could we possibly have?  Always sneaking to
each other’s places; never being able to go out to a movie or to dinner without
worrying that we might run into someone from the office.  What kind of
relationship is that?”

“We don’t have to sneak around Lucy.  I
told you before that there’s no firm rule about dating in the office.”

She sighed.  “And I told you that I’m not
interested in being known as the girl who’s banging the boss.”

“Is that all this is to you?  Just sex?” 
He asked.

She hesitated and he swore softly. 

“Jason, please.  You know I can’t - “

“I love you Lucy.”  He interrupted her.

Her mouth fell open and she stared at him
in shock.  “No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do.”  He said firmly.

“Jason, you’re not in love with me.  People
don’t just fall in love after a few weeks.  We’re great in bed together but
that doesn’t mean it’s love.”

“I know.  But I am in love with you.  I want
to be with you Luce, and if that means I have to quit my job I will.”  He
smiled sweetly at her.

She gave him a look of horror.  “Jason, you
cannot quit your job for me.”

He laughed and pulled her against him.  “I
can do whatever I want.  You’re not the boss of me.”

She didn’t laugh and he stroked her cheek
gently.  “I love you Lucy Reid.  And I know you love me.”

She looked down at his chest and he put his
fingers under her chin and tipped her head up.  Her dark eyes were swimming
with tears and as one slipped down her cheek, she cleared her throat softly.

“I don’t love you Jason.”  She lied.

The look of hurt on his face nearly
destroyed her.  He stepped away from her as the hurt was replaced by a look of
careful neutrality.

“I guess I was mistaken.”  He said softly.

“I’m sorry.”  She whispered.

“You’re sorry.”  He laughed bitterly. 
“Yeah, me too.”

She followed him into the bedroom, watching
as he packed his bag, but unable to think of a single thing to say.

He started to leave the room and she called
his name in a strangled voice.

He stopped and turned towards her.  She
wilted at the coldness in his eyes and face.  “Yes?”

“I – I really am sorry.”

“I’ll see you at work tomorrow Ms. Reid.”

He left her bedroom and when she heard the
front door of her apartment slam shut, she collapsed on the bed and wept
bitterly into her pillow.

“Lucy, will you tell me what’s wrong?”

She jumped in her chair and spun around. 
Jerry was standing in her office.  He had entered and shut the door without her
even hearing him. 

Of course she hadn’t heard him.  It was
Friday of the longest week of her life, and she had spent each day barely able
to concentrate on her work.  She had made a mistake.  She had known that from
the moment Jason had left her apartment.  On Monday she had tried to speak to
him, wanting to explain that she had been scared and confused about her
feelings, but he had shut her down before she could even begin.

He had looked at her with such anger and
with no trace of his former warmth that she had withered under his gaze.   She
had simply whispered once more that she was sorry and escaped his office,
barely able to make it to the bathroom before the hot tears had started to fall.

Since then she had tried to avoid him but
it seemed like every time she turned around she was bumping into him or being
forced into some meeting that he was in as well.  He either outright ignored
her or spoke so rudely and dismissively to her that her coworkers were
beginning to question her about what she had done.

Penny in particular had questioned her
extensively.  Lucy had played dumb, doing her best to convince Penny that his
behaviour wasn’t any different than it had been before, and had even managed to
joke about putting in her own guess for the “when would Jason fire her” bet. 
Penny hadn’t been convinced but she had studied Lucy’s pale face and the dark
circles under her eyes before changing the subject.

Now, she plastered a smile on her face and
stood up.  “What do you mean Jerry?”

“I mean, there’s obviously something wrong
and I want you to tell me what I can do to fix it.”  He said kindly.

She almost started to cry but blinked the
tears back fiercely.  What had happened to logical, self-controlled Lucy?  The
old Lucy would never have cried in front of her boss.

“I’m – I’m just not feeling very well this
week.”  She fibbed.

“Does it have something to do with Jason?”  He
asked.

She paled.  “Why would you think that?”

“I’m not blind Lucy.  I’ve seen how rude
he’s been to you in the last week.  He’s being completely unprofessional and
I’m going to speak to him about it.”

“No!  Please don’t do that Jerry.”  She
swallowed nervously.  “I  - I’ve been so preoccupied with this other thing that
I’ve been making mistakes in my work.  You’ve seen it and so has Jason.  He’s
only being rude because he knows I can do better.”

“Do you need to take some time off?  We can
arrange for you to take a few weeks.”  Jerry patted her arm awkwardly.

“No.  I’ll be fine.”  She wanted more than
anything to not have to come to the office but how would that solve the
problem?  There was only one way to solve this mess and it involved her finding
a new job.  Her stomach dropped at the thought of leaving the office and the
work that she loved.

As Jerry frowned with concern, she
straightened her shoulders and made herself smile at him once more.  It would
hurt to leave her job but being near Jason, knowing how badly she had wounded
him and knowing that she had lost her chance to have his love, hurt plenty
more.

“I’m fine Jerry.  Really.  It’s a personal
thing and I shouldn’t let it affect my job the way I am.  Next week I’ll be
better.  I promise.”

“Okay.”  He still didn’t look convinced but
after another awkward pat to her arm, he left her office.

* * *

Jason paused outside the lunch room.  He
could hear Carlos talking loudly and the softer murmuring of Lucy.  His stomach
clenched at the sound of her soft voice but instead of turning and leaving like
he should have, he stepped closer to the open doorway and strained to hear
their conversation.

“C’mon Luce – join us for a quick drink. 
It’s Friday and you look like you’ve had one hell of a week.  The way Jason’s
been treating you all week, you could use a drink.”  Carlos said gravely.

“Thanks Carlos, but I’m really tired.  I
think I’ll just head home.”

“Just about everyone’s going.  Have one
quick drink, I’ll buy, and then you can head home.  You know you want to
Lucy-Lou.”  Carlos wheedled.

Lucy hesitated.  She really didn’t want to
go home to her empty apartment and stare at all the spots that she and Jason
had made love.  It was unbelievably painful and she was seriously considering
moving just to get away from the memories of that brief weekend. 

Carlos was still staring at her and she
smiled suddenly at him.  “You know what?  You’re right – I could use a drink. 
Count me in.”

“That’s great!”  Carlos grinned delightedly
at her before glancing at his watch.  “We’re going to head out in about half an
hour or so.  I’ll even give you a lift so if you have a bit too much to drink,
I’ll make sure you get home safe.” 

“Oh no, that won’t be necessary.”  Lucy
replied.

Carlos winked at her.  “You never know. 
Crazier things have happened at our Friday night get-togethers Lucy Lou.  In
fact – “

“Ms. Reid!”

They both looked up.  Jason was standing in
the doorway glaring at both her and Carlos.

“Yes Mr. Young?”  She forced herself to look
directly into his angry blue eyes.

“Have you finished reviewing the document I
emailed to you?”

She frowned.  “The one that’s due on Tuesday?”

“I want it before you leave tonight.”

“But you said in the email you wouldn’t
need it until Tuesday.”

“And now I need it tonight.”  He said
icily.  “Is that a problem?”

She shook her head.  “No.  I’ll have it on
your desk before tomorrow.”

He nodded, his nostrils flaring angrily,
and left the lunch room.

“Jesus, what an asshole.”  Carlos muttered.

Lucy shook her head.  “He isn’t.  I think
he’s just under a lot of pressure right now.”

“Stop defending him Lucy.  He’s a complete
dick to you and you know it.”  Carlos replied.

“Hush Carlos.  He’s our boss and it will
reflect badly on you if someone hears you talking that way.  Anyway, I’d better
get back to my office – I have a thirty-page document to review before
tomorrow.  Thanks for the invite; I’ll catch you at the next one okay?”

“Why don’t you come for one drink and then
come back to the office?”  Carlos said.

“I’d better not.  Have a good weekend, I’ll
see you Monday.”  Lucy waved and headed back to her office.

* * *

Saturday morning, Jason stuck his head into
Jerry’s office.  It was empty and he frowned before making his way to his own. 
He’d received a weird text from Jerry asking him to meet him at the office
asap.  He sat down at his desk and checked his email.  Lucy had emailed him the
document at 11:30 last night.  He sighed.  He didn’t need the document until
Tuesday but standing outside the lunch room, listening to Carlos inviting her
for drinks and her accepting, had filled him with jealousy.  He hadn’t thought,
just reacted, and forced her to stay at the office for hours to finish the
document so she couldn’t go out with the others.

He looked up as Jerry entered the office,
dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.  “Thanks for meeting me Jason.  We had a
problem at the office last night.  One of our employees was attacked as she was
leaving the office.”

“What?”  Jason stared at Jerry in shock. 

Jerry nodded and sank into the chair across
from his desk.  “We’re going to have to speak with the police and – “

“Who was it Jerry?”  Jason’s stomach was in
knots.

“It was Lucy.”

“Oh my God.”  Jason could feel the panic
rising in his throat.  “Is she okay?  How badly is she hurt?  Where is she?”

“She’s at the hospital.  She was working
late last night and she was attacked in the parking garage as she walked to her
car.  Some homeless guy tried to mug her.  She fought back and I guess the
security guard heard her screaming.”

Jerry rubbed his forehead.  “From now on,
none of our employees leave the office afterhours without the security guard
escorting them.”

“How badly is she hurt?”  Jason asked
hoarsely.  He thought he might throw up.  It was his fault that Lucy had been
attacked and he would never forgive himself.

“She’s got some bruised ribs, one hell of a
black eye and some bruising on her face.  She had the hospital call her friend
Amanda but when they couldn’t get a hold of her, Lucy gave them Heather’s cell
phone number.  With her parents living so far away, I think we’re the closest
people to family that she has here.  We went to the hospital to pick her up but
they decided to keep her overnight so they could do x-rays on her ribs and
monitor her for a concussion.  Heather is leaving in about half an hour to pick
her up.”

Jason stood up and headed for the door. 
Jerry stood and followed him.  “Jason, where are you going?”

“To the hospital.”

Jerry followed him down the hall.  “She’s
fine Jason.  Heather will pick her up and take her home.  Or, she can come back
to our house if she doesn’t want to be alone.  I’ll call you if – “

“I’ll take her home and stay with her.”
Jason turned and stared steadily at Jerry.  “I’ll call you if we need
anything.”

He didn’t wait for Jerry’s reply, just
turned on his heel and practically ran out of the building, leaving Jerry to
stare thoughtfully after him.

* * *

“Lucy?”

Jason winced when Lucy turned her head to
stare at him.  Her right eye was puffy and bruised badly and her bottom lip was
split.  There was a bruise along the line of her jaw and she looked tired and
pale.

“Hello Mr. Young.”

He sat down on the bed beside her.  “How
are you feeling?”

“Actually I’m feeling pretty good.  I
didn’t about half an hour ago.  In fact, I felt like shit half an hour ago but
then the nurse came in and she put something in my IV, and now I have the most
loveliest floaty feeling in the whole wide world.”  She smiled at him.

“I’m so sorry little Lucy.”  He couldn’t
stop himself from picking up her hand and squeezing it.

She gave him a genuine look of surprise. 
“Why?  You didn’t beat me up.  I mean the whole thing is a little fuzzy but I’m
pretty sure it was a very smelly man with a truly awful plaid shirt who beat me
up.”

She giggled and squeezed his hand.  “I
suppose homeless people don’t always have the best variety for clothing but
that shirt was an insult on the eyes.  It really was.  Hey, did I mention how
good I feel right now?”

“You did.”  He smiled at her.

“The police took my statement last night. 
They said they would look for him but they doubted they’d find him.  They said
he probably hopped a train and went bye-bye after the security guard scared him
off.”  She made a flying motion with her hands and then giggled again.

She sighed and closed her eyes as he picked
up her hand and held it tightly.  He thought she might have dozed off when her
eyes suddenly popped open.  “Did you get the document I sent you?”

“I did honey.”

“Good, I’m glad.  I haven’t been very good
at my job this week, I’m sorry.”  She stared solemnly at him.

“You’ve been fine.  I’m sorry I made you
stay late last night.”

“Meh, it was no big deal.  I got to
practice my karate skills.”  She grinned widely at him and then winced a little
before touching the split in her lip.  “He punched me in the face a few times
but I’m pretty sure I got in a kick to his balls.”

“Oh honey.”  Jason whispered.  “I’m so
sorry, I shouldn’t have – “

The door to her room opened and a man
dressed in scrubs and carrying a clipboard entered the room.

“Good morning Ms. Reid. How are you
feeling?”

“Great!”  Lucy said brightly.  “I feel
really, really great.”

The doctor scanned her chart that was
hanging from the end of the bed.  “I see you’ve gotten your pain meds this
morning.”

“Sure did.  They’re great.  Really, really
great.”  Lucy yawned and her eyes slipped closed once more.

“Does she have any broken ribs?”  Jason
asked the doctor anxiously.

The doctor stared at him.  “And you are?”

“I’m her boyfriend.”  Jason lied easily as
he held his hand out.  The doctor shook it and then glanced at Lucy’s chart
again.

“No, her ribs aren’t broken and she doesn’t
have a concussion.  It’s mostly scrapes and bruises.  She got lucky.  Her side
is going to be pretty sore for about a week or so and she’ll need to limit her
movements and get some bed rest, but she should be feeling much better by this
time next week.”

He pulled a prescription pad from his
pocket and wrote briefly on it before tearing the sheet of paper off and handing
it to Jason.  “This is a prescription for some oral pain meds.  Make sure she
takes them with something to eat every eight hours starting this afternoon. 
I’ll discharge her now but she shouldn’t be alone.”