Work Like You Don't Need the Money (21 page)

She was even more surprised when his face flooded with relief. He put an arm around her shoulders and led her to the door.

                                                         **********

Pete kept his arm around her as they walked to the elevators. He was aware of heads popping out of offices to stare after them when they passed. He didn't care. He'd never let the troops see him with a woman before, but at this point he really didn't give a shit. He'd only have her for ten more days. Even if she agreed to work on Four Mile, it wouldn't be the same. She'd be around for the job, not for him. She wouldn't be his like she was right now.

“Hey, Pete,” Nate popped out of his office near the elevators and his jaw dropped as he looked at the two of them.

Pete grinned, enjoying Nate’s reaction. “S'up, Nate?”

“Sorry, I, uh...”

“Holly, this is Nate. He works with Jack and is finally setting up an office here, now that we're done in Houston. Nate, meet Holly.” Pete didn't let go of her shoulders while they shook hands.

Nate recovered his composure. “Nice to meet you, Holly.”

“Were you after me for something?” asked Pete.

“Yes. Jack told me they're getting married in two weeks. I wanted to know if we're still doing a stag night for him?”

“Hmm.” Pete frowned. “That kind of fell by the wayside in the rush to get everything ready. I'll talk to Ben and Dan and get back to you.”

“Sure,” Nate nodded.

Pete turned to Holly, “Have you arranged anything for Em?”

“Originally we'd planned to get her down here for a night out, but that was before we knew we only had two weeks.”

“We'll work something out, Nate. I'll let you know.”

“Great. Well, nice to meet you, Holly.”

“You too.”

As they emerged from the building, Pete asked, “Want to leave your car here and come with me?” Holly agreed as he'd hoped she would. He opened the passenger door for her to climb into his truck and patted her backside on the way up.

“Hey!” She laughed. “Careful with the merchandise! There are no panties under there, remember.” She sat and smiled at him.

“No panties, huh?”

She laughed, “That's right, Bigshot. I just had every girl's fantasy come true.”

Pete's eyes widened and he felt interest beginning to stir in his pants again, “Every girl's fantasy?”

“Well, one of mine at least.”

“Do tell?”

“Well, I just had this gorgeous, powerful CEO get me into his office under false pretenses, then rip my panties off, and take me on his desk.”

Pete grinned. “It does sound kinda kinky when you put it like that.”

“How else could I put it?” She laughed. “That's what just happened.”

“And you said this guy was gorgeous?” He liked hearing that.

“Drop dead gorgeous. I'd say he was panty dropping, except he tore them off, and that's even hotter.”

Pete was getting hard again. She drove him crazy. Even with silly banter in a parking lot. “Does this guy feature in any more of your fantasies? “

“All of them!” He knew she was only teasing, but she pulled off looking dead serious.

“In that case, I suggest we get back to my place and discuss this further.”

She put a hand to his chest and pushed him back. “I've been waiting for you to do just that!” she said before closing the door in his face.

Holly leaned on the balcony and looked out at the ocean. She didn't think she’d ever felt this happy. Or this sad. Pete was wonderful. They had so much fun – and such great sex. He made her feel so comfortable, and so beautiful. He'd made her a great dinner, which they'd eaten sitting out here overlooking the ocean. They'd also worked on another of her CEO fantasies. On a lounger. By the pool.

 Pete was everything she'd ever hoped to find in a man, and a whole lot more than she'd ever dreamed. Emma had been right, they were perfect together. He'd even been helping her past her hang-ups about money and status. He'd shown her there really was no difference between them. He believed in her and was teaching her to do the same. But, because of dumb, sucky timing, they weren't going to have a relationship. They weren't going to keep seeing each other to see what developed. No. They were going to have ten more days. Then they would say goodbye. Finished. Over. She sighed. He was inside returning a call. He had ignored it at dinner, but it was some work thing he had to deal with.

He came back out and leaned on the balcony next to her, staring out at the last of the sunset. “Sorry about that.”

“No problem, you're the CEO. It goes with the territory.”

She saw his lips quirk at that, the ready smile never far away.

“And you like sleeping with the CEO?”

“I do.”

“Then I have another request.”

“What's that?”

“Stay with me?”

That surprised her. “Okay,” she'd already thought she was. “I didn't think you were going to send me home tonight with no car and no panties.”

He didn't laugh. “I don't just mean tonight, Holly. Stay with me until the wedding?”

Wow! Now that one she had not been expecting.

“You don't want to?”

“Oh, Pete, I do…”

“But?”

How could she tell him she was afraid to get even more attached to him? Well she knew how, she'd just say it, like she always did and to hell with the consequences!

“But I'm afraid to.”

Afraid?” He turned to face her and the blue gaze held her captive. “What are you afraid of, Sweetheart?”

“I'm afraid it will make it even harder to say goodbye.”

His shoulders sagged a little. “Don't worry, I'm a big boy, I'll survive.”

Holly frowned at that, “I have no doubt you will, Bigshot. I, on the other hand, actually have a heart, and I don't want to get it broken!” she snapped.

Now it was Pete's turn to look confused. “I thought you were letting me down gently. You mean...you care?”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Is it not totally obvious?”

“No it isn't! You're the one who keeps insisting we can't go past the wedding.”

“Yes, but only because you insist there's no future in it. The more time we spend together, the more time I want. Pete, it’s going to kill me to say goodbye to you next weekend. What would it be like in another three months or six months?” Tears stung behind her eyes, but no way was she going to let them out.

“But I thought—”

“What Pete? What did you think?”

“I thought that you... That I... Damn! I don't what the hell I was thinking.” He wrapped his big arms around her, and she could feel his heart thundering is his chest. He stroked her hair. “I'm so sorry, Sweetheart. I had no idea it would be this hard. On either of us.”

Chapter Fourteen

As Pete came bounding down the stairs, Holly stopped, glass halfway to her mouth. Emma swiped the glass from her hand. “You are actually drooling, Holly!”

“Mmm,” she couldn't make her mouth form intelligible words. Pete looked devastating! He was wearing a steel gray suit with a black T shirt underneath. His hair was perfectly mussed and his blue eyes were blazing as he strode towards her.  She swiped her glass back from Emma as her friend was having the same reaction to Jack as he came down the stairs next.

She took a big swig of her wine before Pete took the glass from her. He stepped in close, lips quirking, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on her.

“So?”

She took in a deep breath to steady herself. It didn't work as she breathed in the scent of him; his spicy cologne and the distinct maleness that was simply Pete. “Oh, hell, yeah!”

He grinned at that. “Which question are you answering?”

She smiled. “Is the CEO gorgeous?”

His shoulders shook as he chuckled. “I know that much. My question was, shall we sneak off and leave these guys to it?”

She smiled. “My answer remains the same. In fact, looking like that, that's my answer to any question you care to ask.”

His lips met hers briefly, making her want to drag him back up to his bedroom, not caring that the whole gang was here.

He smiled down at her. “And if I want you all to myself?”

“It's going to be hard to escape them all this weekend. We'll just have to snatch our moments.”

He pulled her close. “I want to snatch you now.”

“Hemming, put her down!” Jack was laughing at them. “Are you organizing tonight, or not? “Cause, you know I'm okay with not. I'd rather take my fiancé to dinner.” He smiled down at Emma. “We could go to Mario's?”

Emma's face lit up.

“Oh, no you don't,” said Missy. She called out to where Dan, Ben, and Nate were talking by the pool, “Hey, guys! The Best Man may be failing in his duties. You're going to have to get these two going.”

Pete pecked Holly's lips. “No failure here!” He grabbed Jack by the collar and pulled him away from Emma who giggled and planted a quick kiss on Jack's lips.

“Come on guys, we have to show my partner one last good time.” He looked back at Emma. “Just a figure of speech, Mouse. No offense.”

“None taken.”

“Go on,” said Missy. “Get out of here, go do your boy thing. We've got to get Em ready. Whatever you've got lined up for the groom, pales in comparison to the hotness that is Team Slinky. And we're hitting the town!”

Jack wriggled in Pete's grasp. “I vote Team Slinky! We should at least have another here until the girls are dressed. I want to see!”

Holly smiled when Pete's eyes found hers, he was considering that possibility too. In his moment of hesitation, Jack broke free and headed back to Emma.

“Oh no you don't.” Dan's arm shot out and grabbed his brother.

“Looks like you were right, Missy. The Best Man is distracted.” Dansmiled at Holly. “But we'll drag them both out of here if we have to so you ladies can get ready.”

Nate joined Dan in restraining Jack while Smoke and Ben approached Pete. “Come on, big guy. Time to say goodbye to the pretty ladies.”

Pete grinned. “Have fun, girls, we'll see you tomorrow.”

Holly blew him a kiss before Ben slammed the door closed behind them.

“Okay,” said Missy. “Now we must all clear our minds of the six hot men that we just allowed to leave this place.”

“I'm not sure I can,” said Emma.

“Then have more wine.” Holly refilled Emma's glass.

“I'm with Em,” smiled Laura. “How am I supposed to clear my head of all that Smokin' hotness?”

“By drinking more wine!” Holly refilled her glass too. “This town is overflowing with hot men. Once we get to the club there will be hundreds of them. You can dance with as many as you like. But, for tonight, the ones that just left are off limits and we must NOT give any of them another thought, understood?” She raised her glass. “Team Slinky!”

Three glasses met hers. “Team Slinky!” they laughed.

She wished she was as into Emma's hen night as she was trying to make out. It was Friday night. The others had all come in to the city to give Emma and Jack the traditional singles' send off, but Holly wished she could be spending the evening alone with Pete. A Friday night on the town with him, looking like he did tonight? What she wouldn't give! Yet it would never happen. Next Friday would be the rehearsal dinner, Saturday the wedding. Then it would all be over. She gave herself a little shake and refilled her own glass.

When they were finally ready, Emma squealed, “We need photos of Team Slinky!”

They all wore little black dresses. Holly had managed to find the short black equivalent of their bridesmaids dresses. She knew the style worked so well on each of them and would suit Emma too. The full-length, rich purple made for beautiful bridesmaids. The thigh-high, black version they were wearing now would make for a very interesting night out, she had no doubt. They'd had great fun drinking wine and doing each other’s hair and makeup, now they really looked the part.

Phones came out of purses and they took dozens of photos out by the pool. Holly set her phone to video and balanced it on the bar before running back to join the others, posing and pouting.

When they finally managed to get out of the door, the driver was standing beside the limo waiting.

“Albert!” Holly ran over and hugged him. “How are you? Pete didn't say it would be you. I thought you'd be driving him and the guys.”

The old man grinned. “Evening, Miss Holly. He asked me to take very good care of you ladies. Miss Emma, congratulations to you.”

“Thanks Albert.” Emma hugged him too.

Holly introduced Missy and Laura who followed suit and each gave him a hug rather than shaking his hand.

Albert was beaming. “Well, I sure got the best job tonight. If I may say so, you ladies look stunning!”

“Thanks Albert, we're Team Slinky!” said Missy.

“I would have to agree with that,” laughed Albert.

“Oh, please would you take a photo of the four of us together?”

“Of course.”

Laura handed him her phone and Albert took several pictures. “Would you mind if I took one for my scrap book?” he asked. “I've got all the celebrities I've driven, but Team Slinky beats the lot of 'em.” He pulled an old camera from the glove box and they all posed against the limo as he clicked away.

 When they were done, Holly remembered that she'd left her own phone balanced on the bar. She ran up the steps and used the key that Pete had given her to open the heavy front door and went back inside to get it. When she returned, the others were already sipping champagne in the back of the limo. She locked the front door and stood a moment, wishing this really was her life. That she really lived here with Pete and that she wasn't just a temporary stand-in who'd be gone in a week.

She heard a click and then, “Smile!” Albert was pointing his camera at her. “Say Pete!” She laughed at his play on words. She'd miss Albert too, he was a good man. She ran down the steps and gave him another hug before she climbed in the back to have a glass of champagne thrust into her hand by Laura.

                                                          **********

Pete stood next to Jack, sipping his beer. They'd come to one of their old haunts and the two of them had automatically gravitated to their favorite spot—a little balcony where they could watch the dance floor and still actually hear each other speak. The place was heaving. The dance floor writhed with  sweaty bodies.