Stella in Stilettos (15 page)

Stella sighed.

“Key West here we come,” Trish chirped. “While we work on our tan, we can sort it all out.”

Stella nodded thoughtfully. She definitely needed some distance to make sense of this mess. “What if meeting Mr. Right only confuses the issue?”

“For crying out loud, Stella. You’re making me crazy.”

* * * *

Alex punched his pillow for the hundredth time. He’d been an idiot. Last night he saved Stella from her ex and today she needed to be saved from him. A low guttural sound thick with deprecation bounced off the bedroom walls.

The niggling voice of reason had warned him about getting involved with people at work. Would he listen? Not for a second. If he would have, he wouldn’t be dealing with the after-effects of stupidity. He also wouldn’t have breached the fine line where he kissed Stella and felt her up. He was having a hard time regretting that part though. Aww, hell! Who was he kidding? He had no control over the situation whatsoever. One look at Stella Matson turned his brain to mush.

The pony-tailed, freckle-faced cashier snapped her gum while she eyed the thirty-two ounce foam cup Stella placed on the counter. “That cup is for soft drinks, not coffee.”

Stella shifted in place. “I know, but I have to feed the beast.”

The girl looked from the cup to Stella. “Huh?”

“I need a major hit of caffeine to make it through the morning.”

After she and Trish talked last night, she decided not to jump to conclusions about Alex and Maggie. No panic. No what-if’s. Just do her job and see what shakes out. She was put to the test as soon as she arrived. On her way into the building, she met Maggie rushing out. She offered a friendly hello and barely received an audible response. It could’ve been hello, good morning, or kiss my butt.

Stella told herself not to make too much out of it. The only way to do that was with thirty-two ounces of steaming hot coffee.

“If you say so.” The cashier eyed the cup again. “I’m not sure how to ring that up.”

“Can you count it as five large coffees?” Stella pulled a ten-dollar bill from her purse and waved it in the air.

After one more crack of her gum, the cashier perked with decision. “Sure can.”

With her coffee-deal made, Stella carried the quart cup to a table with a spectacular view of the Olentangy River. Snow-laden trees arched over the partially-frozen waterway; above, a contradictory blue sky. She loved Columbus in the winter; at the moment, she couldn’t settle down to enjoy it and she wanted to be anywhere but there.

She removed the lid from her coffee, blew the first burst of heat away and was about to indulge in a calming sip when she caught a glimpse of Steve Benson.

The recognition was simultaneous. Steve made a dramatic leap from his chair and was on his way over.

Smile so you don’t look like you want to mutilate someone.

Steve raised two flirty brows. “Hey, good looking. How are you this morning?”

Stella didn’t have to think too hard about smiling because Steve’s cheerfulness spilled over. “Great. And you?”

“Couldn’t be better.” His eyes crinkled with question when she blew another burst of steam from the tall cup.

“That’s a soda cup.”

Stella giggled. “Filled with coffee.”

“Decaf, I hope.”

“Decaf? What would be the point?”

“Dang, Stella.” Steve studied her for a few long seconds. “I’m getting some strange vibes here. Is everything okay?”

Nope
. “Everything’s peachy.”

He didn’t look convinced, but she gave him bonus points when he let the subject drop. “Alex invited me to your Christmas party.”

“Sweet.” Stella gave herself big points for saying it without sarcasm. “As his date?”

“Funny, Matson.” Steve made a swipe for her coffee, and she held it out of reach. He made another pass and took possession. In a move that didn’t surprise Stella, he took a sip and handed it back. “I’m bringing Trish.”

The thought of allies made Stella perk up. “It’ll be fun.”

Steve’s grin developed into a serious smile. “She’s great, Stella. I owe you one.”

This side of Steve floored her. He was sweet and genuine, and really likeable. “You don’t owe me a thing. You and Trish hooked up without my help.”

“Without you we would’ve never met.” The coffee-nabber glanced at his watch. “I’d like to stay and enjoy a
pot
of coffee with you, but the boss gets cranky when I’m not there at straight-up eight.” His laugh was hearty. “The man doesn’t care if I screw around the rest of the day, but I better be on time in the morning.” Steve patted her shoulder. “Seriously, thanks for everything.” He shook his head at her cup. “You’re gonna be wired.”

Stella looked at her watch. Instead of hurrying off like she normally would, she dilly-dallied awhile longer.

Corrine chuckled when Stella strolled in at eight-fifteen. “Someone’s being naughty.”

Stella shrugged with nonchalance. “Going to nark me out?”

“Never. Besides, this mouse is about to play too. I’m off to scope out the doughnuts.” Corrine held her cell phone up. “If the commandant comes back, call me. Speaking of the commandant, check out the email she sent.”

“Will do.” Stella took her time getting to her cubicle. She’d refilled the thirty-two-ounce cup before leaving the cafeteria, so she was armed and dangerous. Anyone that even looked like they would give her problems would be in big trouble.

Stella ignored Maggie’s email. It was a small bit of defiance. She held firm until after lunch, then curiosity took over. The email gave the party specifics – time, place, dress code, etc. The last paragraph ticked her off. ‘You are expected to attend. I will accept no excuse short of death’.

Expected to attend? Pfft. Time to fake the flu. It wasn’t death as Maggie suggested, but she couldn’t be fired for barfing.

She tossed the idea around until she was sick of thinking about it. She shifted and twitched in her chair, until she was out it, stretching and grumbling silently. A few seconds later, she plopped back down and began rearranging things on her desk. Nervous energy made her hop up again. She adjusted the calendar pinned to the wall of cubicle. She sat back down. Stood back up.
Ack
. Steve was right. Thirty-two ounces and then some, was too much. She gave the foam cup an appreciative glance. She might be fidgety, but coffee never let her down.

Maybe it wasn’t the caffeine making her edgy. Maybe it was the deafening wall of silence standing between two particular cubicles. It was nerve-wracking, and if her pride wasn’t so raw, she’d tear the wall down. Alex had been extremely quiet. When his phone rang and went to voice mail right away, she realized he wasn’t there. She’d been driving herself crazy, hoping he’d look her way or stroll over to her cubicle, but he wasn’t even there.

Stella took another thoughtful sip of coffee. The other night in the bar had been mind-boggling. They’d cozied up and kissed like lovers. The air had been charged with electricity and they’d almost taken things one step farther. She pulled in a sharp breath and blew it back out. Now it was as though that night never happened.

Instead of working on the holiday sales flyer that was due on Monday, Stella scoured the Internet for things to do in Key West. She startled when her phone rang.

“Matson, I’m coming to your Christmas party. We need to shop.”

* * * *

Alex couldn’t believe his eyes. He’d just booked a Caribbean cruise for his parents – Stella’s idea – when he saw her and Trish leave one of their company stores in the mall with an unmistakable flowered bag. Stella had bought lingerie. A slow smile spread across his face but there was nothing slow about his pulse. It quickened the second he set eyes on her.

 From across the busy mall thru-way, he watched her. She was an unbelievable cache of sweet and stunning. They had chemistry. Whether she would admit it or not, they did. He could prove it with a kiss. First, he’d have to fix things.

A grating voice behind him shredded his reverie. He turned around to verify it belonged to the one person he didn’t want to meet at the mall, or anywhere else for that matter.

“Alex,” Belinda said with honeyed-sweetness.

Alex didn’t try to hide his scowl. Belinda didn’t seem to care. She put her hand on his arm. “Fancy meeting you here,” she said.

His gaze zipped back to Stella. She and Trish were headed right for them. Belinda must’ve spotted them too, because she moved in close enough to be a second skin.

Alex tried to put space between them. Too late. Stella and Trish homed in. Stella’s mouth dropped open. Trish frowned like it was her job.

Belinda played it for all it was worth. She leaned against him and nuzzled his shoulder.

Alex pushed her away. He looked to Stella. She was gone. Lost in the Christmas crowd.

“Don’t get all worked up. Do you think she cares who you’re with? I can tell you she doesn’t because she already has a man in her life, and the contents of that flowered bag are not for you.”

“Stella has a man?”

“Duhhh. Where have you been?”

Obviously out of the loop. If Stella had a man, what was the other night about? She certainly wasn’t thinking about her guy when she was kissing him and letting him put his hands on her. He was instantly pissed and jealousy took what was left of him.

Another thought took him beyond furious. She’d probably bring him to the Christmas party, and she’d most likely be wearing whatever was in the bag. The witch.

He clenched his fists.

“I can help you,” Belinda said.

“What?” He asked irritably.

“From your reaction, I’d say she played you.” Belinda gave him a devious grin. “I’d be happy to help you get even.”

Alex looked at Belinda like she’d lost her mind. His subconscious warned him to get the hell out of there, but he suddenly had a dozen questions.

Someone needed to jack-slap some sense into him. He’d been trying to extract information from someone who was making things up as she went along. Some day he would actually listen to the voice in his head that constantly said ‘don’t’.

Belinda pointed to a duplex at the end of the street. “There.”

Alex hissed under his breath and pulled into the driveway. She’d conned him into bringing her home by saying she lost her car keys. Right.

“Will you come in?” She swept her lashes over her eyes.

Hell no
. “It shouldn’t take you long to find your extra set of keys.”

Belinda sulked for a second. “There have been a lot of burglaries in our neighborhood. What if someone’s lurking in the bushes?”

I couldn’t be that lucky
. The two cups of coffee he had while listening to Belinda fill his head with lies, made him squirm. He was a hair away from asking to use her bathroom. Maybe he’d just pee in the bushes and flush out whoever might be lurking in them. He would’ve laughed but the slightest jiggle would make him have to pee all the more.

“Come on, Alex. Don’t be a baby. I’m not going to jump you the second we’re inside.”

“You didn’t lose your keys. Did you?”

The accusation made her pout. “Yes. I did.”

“Then I suggest you go find your spare set. Now.”

Belinda cussed on her way out of car, slammed the door so hard it could’ve fallen off the hinges and stomped her way into the duplex.

Alex stretched his neck from side to side. He had to think of something to get Belinda to back off.
Think. You’re a freaking communications major
. He drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel. From out of the blue came the idea of friendship. “That’s it.”

Belinda was back in a flash, probably because she had her keys in her purse the whole time. She jingled them in front of him. “Thank you for bringing me home to get them.”

Alex went on a mental rant of self-deprecation for not sending her home in a cab.

“Let’s get to know each other, Alex. At work, there’s no time.” She laid a hand on his arm. Alex removed it straight away.

“Listen, Belinda. You’re a good friend, so this feels weird.”

Even in the dark, he could see her eyes hood and watch her glossy lips become a shiny, thin line.

“I don’t want to be friends. I’ve been telling you that from day one.”

Alex held firm. “You’re my friend, Belinda. You’re sweet and funny.” He was going to do hard time in Purgatory for that pack of lies. “And you always have my best interests at heart.” Okay. He officially crossed over to the dark side.

Her body language said she wasn’t buying it, so did her tone. Each word she said was louder than the last. “Stupid man. You’re not hearing me. I want more than friendship.”

He was going to have to combat crap with crap. He ran a gentle finger across her cheek and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Friendship is all I can offer.”

“You’re not serious.”

“Yes, I am. I’m damned lucky to have you as a friend. But I need you to understand that I don’t believe in friends-with-benefits.”