As Long As I Have You

~ Chapter Twenty Six ~

"Mr Beaumont, there's someone here to see you."

"I told you I'm not in this afternoon. No exceptions."

"I know what you said," Greg replied with his usual haughty air. "She claims to have an appointment. And," he added with equal disdain, "she says she's your wife of all things. It's that woman from the other day."

Greg was already headed for the door when he heard Evan say, "How do I look?" He turned around, unable to stop his jaw from dropping as he watched his boss quickly rise, do up the button on his dove-grey suit and run a smoothing hand over the front of his jacket and tie.

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind. Just show her in."

"Sir?"

"Is there something difficult about what I said, Greg? My wife is waiting."

"Your wife?!"

"Did I stutter?"

"Yes, I mean, no, of course not. I-I...I'll send her in."

"And send yourself home for the weekend while you're at it."

Greg nodded and nearly stumbled over himself to leave the room and make amends with the woman who stood waiting outside. The quick action produced a secretive smile from Evan, and he chuckled to himself while adjusting the knot of his deep, Aegean-blue tie.

"If you're able to laugh like that, your morning must have been better than mine."

His smile widened at the bright sound of her voice, and he turned his full attention on her. She was dressed simply for daytime, in a black pencil skirt and ivory blouse with matching suit jacket, her hair casually styled and left flowing over her shoulders in rich, cascading waves.

She was the epitome of composure and loveliness, yet all he could think of was hiking her skirt up around her waist and doing dastardly things to her.

He purposely avoided calling her all week, mostly to prove to himself that she really was just a means to an end, an item to be checked off his list so he could move onto his next task.  He needed to purge her from his system, and until he could quench his physical need for her he wanted her out of his mind.

Four days.  He'd only made it four days and in that time accomplished almost nothing at work and slept even less than usual. Emails went blindly read and unanswered, meetings were cancelled without reason, and both his waking and sleeping hours were occupied with visions of a green-eyed temptress who refused to be forgotten.

Looking at her loveliness now brought with it the same torture he tried to avoid all week, and an inward groan at his instant lust for her was all he allowed himself. 

He stepped out from behind his desk and extended his hand, silently inviting her to join him. She smiled shyly, but came to him without preamble, and before he thought about what he was doing he pulled her into his arms.

So much for keeping my distance.

"You know, if you need a laugh you should take a jab or two at Greg. It does wonders for breaking the tension."

"Evan!"

"What?" he said with a grin. "If it weren't for his OCD and typing skills I would've gotten rid of him and his attitude ages ago."

"Be nice," she chided, but giggled regardless.

"Fine. He files like a packrat with a photographic memory and has great taste in ties. Better?"

She laughed outright and he easily settled his grip around her waist, his own smile widening to match hers. He didn't realize how comfortable she would feel nestled in his arms, and he certainly didn't anticipate the quickening of his pulse would be more than just physical desire for her, but there it was. The feeling made his throat constrict and he pushed the sensation down as quickly as it surfaced.