Passion's Price

You Can't Fool Me

"Are you going to tell me what that was all about?" Colby sauntered over to one of the couches, plopping herself down on the edge of the cushion. She busied herself rearranging her skirt and setting her purse down.

"Just work."

"Where is your new ... secretary?" Her nose scrunched up at the word, disgust evident. She quickly schooled her features when she realized Lucas was looking at her.

"It's Saturday, Colby."

"I know that, I just expected that if you had Michael here, she'd been sulking around somewhere as well."

Lucas took a deep breath trying to calm his nerves. Had she always been this grating?

"What do you want, Colby?"

"Come and sit." She patted at the cushion next to her.

Lucas opted for the couch directly across from her. He didn't miss the irritation in her eyes at his choice to stay removed from her. Yet her smile never wavered as he sat down.

She cleared her throat. "I just wanted to apologize for our last meeting. I was just surprised to see you, is all."

Lucas stared unblinking at her. She fidgeted with her skirt before continuing. "It was wrong," she choked out the word, "of me to approach you that way."

He arched his brows. Damn right it was 'wrong'.

"Colby, we are not dating. I value our friendship but I'm not looking for a relationship. I'm not sure how much clearer I can make that. I have no intention to date you, or anyone for that matter."

She looked as if he'd struck her across the face. "What do you mean?"

"I have told you more than once that we're just friends, and that's all that this would ever be. There's no need to overcomplicate this, and I think I need to be honest and just address whatever this is between us."

"What if I don't accept that, Lucas? I thought there was something more. That there could be more, what's changed?"

He needed to rip the bandaid off. "Colby, it was just sex."

Her face went red, and she stood up, angered at his words. "You don't think I know that?" As sudden as it appeared the anger was gone and was replaced with something close to desperation. "You can't tell me that it wasn't good, can you? I know that it started out as sex, but even you can't say that we honestly ever tried having a real relationship. Right?"

Lucas didn't disagree, but he certainly wasn't willing to admit that to her.

"Colby, I don't have the time to date. I think it's better if we just take a break from whatever this is." He gestured between them.

Colby gulped, as she sat down. She tried again, "Lucas you're just stressed. You don't have to decide anything right now. I'm not asking for commitment. I just want a chance to show you how much I can care for you."

"This isn't healthy, Colby. You need someone who is willing and able to be everything you need. More than just an occasional fuck when they're both feeling lonely."

She didn't say anything, just grabbed her purse and walked out of the room mutely.

FUCK! How did he let things get so complicated between them. It wasn't like they were ever the very best of friends, but they had at least been friends once. One drunken night they'd both been feeling sorry for themselves and it led to him taking her home and following her upstairs for a quickie. They'd both known there would be no attachments at the time. But, one night with her had led to them calling one another up anytime they'd needed to release some pent up sexual frustration. Lucas had never truly felt anything other than lust in the moment. He'd assumed she'd felt the same until recently.