Unsuitable

She cocked her hip, she knew she was pushing it. “I don’t think there’s a future in it.”

“So there’s no future for us?”

“I didn’t say that.”

He stood. He never did that. He never argued with her without letting her have a position of physical strength, because when he was on his feet there was no way not to dominate her and he didn’t wanted her scared of him. “But it’s what you mean, isn’t it?”

She took a step away. “I’m not being the bad guy, Reece. You only moved in because I nagged you to. If you want out of here, out of us, you have to call it.”

“I’m not calling it anything but a fight when I’m too tired to make sense.” He reached for her and she stepped in closer. She smelled of spices and chilli powder. She liked it when he got riled up.

They didn’t watch the movie. Reece took Sky to bed and the sex was hot and angry. He wanted her body but he didn’t want to kiss her lips, he didn’t want to talk to her. He didn’t want to change for her, but he showed her what that would be like; if he dominated, if he lacked gentleness. He made her cry out for him. He made her want. He took what he wanted from her with a lot less consideration than she was used to. There was nothing indecisive or lacking in ambition in the way he made her come over and over, crying out and shuddering. She loved it. It made him feel dirty. She wanted to cuddle and he didn’t care, let her sprawl on him but didn’t hold her. She fell asleep quickly.

He lay there thinking about how to do this. How to be a man who wanted to work in a woman’s world where he wasn’t trusted. How to be a man who had a thing for his employer.

How to leave Sky without it hurting either of them too much.

12: One Time Only

Audrey tuned in for Wiggle time and there was no one there to make her smile. She sat at her desk and looked at her empty lounge room. She’d only wanted to watch them for a few minutes. To see Mia giggle and do her beetle impression that looked like a starfish, or her horse impression that looked like a rabbit. To see Reece laugh, to see him loose and easy and comfortable again.

After the drop-dead awkwardness of Friday night, she’d spent most of the weekend wanting to call him. Wanting to hear his voice, to bluff until they were relating normally again, instead of avoiding his eyes, dodging his presence.

It was surprisingly easy to block him out if she focused on Mia and everything that was wrong with wanting a deeper connection with her attractive male child-carer. It made her cold and off-hand with him this morning as well. He’d arrived early and clearly wanted to talk, but she’d brushed him off and made an escape. Now she felt miserable about that. But then she was so tired, more than normal, and she’d not been able to shake it off though she’d tried. She’d slept and slept on Saturday afternoon while Mia went to the zoo with Merrill and Joe. That should’ve been enough, but her energy flagged so low it was an effort to keep her head up. She rubbed the back of her neck, it was so tight. She thought about having Reece’s fingers on her skin again and shivered, but she’d been shivery and heavy-headed all morning.

It was a beautiful day, so they’d probably gone to the park, or the beach. Mia had been so happy to see Reece this morning, she’d practically climbed his legs when he walked in.

Tonight she’d talk to him. Be normal with him. If she could be normal, they could go on as they had before and nothing would need to change.

She jumped when Les spoke. “You look awful, Aud.”

She pulled a tissue from the box on her desk and blew her nose. “I’m fine.”

“If that’s you looking fine, I’d hate to see you when you’re at death’s door.”

“What do you want?”

“I guess civility would be too much to ask. You snapped at me all Friday as well. If you’re not sick, you could lighten up.”

Audrey sagged. “Sorry. I’m out of sorts.”

“No kidding.” Les lent on the doorjamb. “Anyway, the Project Maverick meeting is off.”

“What do you mean off?”

Les pulled a face. “As in not on. Not happening this week at all. You are sick, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Something.”

“Something. Mia?”

“She’s great.”

“Is it that douchebag in accounts hitting on you again?”

“No. I’m tired, that’s all.”

“Reece?” Les read her hesitation. “Oh no, what’s he done?”