On the Job by Beth Kery

time in the sun today.”
    â€œI think you’re angry with me, for asking Walker and his crew to the lodge.”
    She sighed when she saw his downcast eyes. “I’m not angry, Tony. I just think it’s an inconvenience and a waste of time.”
    â€œBut I need Walker,” Tony exclaimed. “Above and beyond his help in protecting you until we figure out the identity of this shooter. He’s going to make the Aspen Lodge impenetrable, and he’ll do the same to my house in Half Moon Bay. He’s the best, Maddie. I won’t have you harmed. I’d die if something happened to you because of something I—”
    â€œ You have nothing to do with this!” Madeline exclaimed.
    He winced. “You don’t know that. I’ve had nutcases threaten me before. It’s inevitable, owning a company like Hallas Technologies. Walker can keep you safe. I know he can.”
    Madeline interrupted him before he started to once again list Walker’s list of honors, accomplishments and commendations, one of them awarded by a former president. She’d heard the list already four or five times today.
    â€œI resent being trapped here at the lodge,” she said.
    â€œIt’s only until the police and Walker investigate the shooting a little more. Abigail would shoot me herself if I let you go after what happened,” Tony said earnestly, referring to Madeline’s mother. While he talked, he idly grabbed the edge of her sheet and drew it down to her waist. Madeline pulled back on the fabric, but he held firm.
    â€œLet me look at you, at least, since you won’t let me touch,” he muttered as his eyes roved over her bare shoulders and chest. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
    â€œTony, you’re drunk,” she said in exasperation.
    â€œIt’s true,” he said simply. He looked sad as he met her gaze. “I wish I’d had the sense to realize it when you were in my bed.”
    She smiled and shook her head when she saw his expression. “But you didn’t believe it when I was in your bed, Tony. That’s the whole point. There was always something just a little more beautiful, a little more desirable in the corner of your eye.”
    â€œI was a fool. There was no one more beautiful, Maddie, just more willing. It was childish of me, to think I wanted a woman to submit to my every whim. You always kept me in line.”
    â€œYou only think you want me because I never did submit to your every whim. If I would have, you would have gotten over me quick enough, as well.”
    He shook his head soberly. “It was—is—my ultimate fantasy to imagine you submitting, Maddie. Just a little.” He gave her an imploring look. “When are you going to marry me? We’re not getting any younger.”
    â€œYes, we’ll have to pick out our cemetery plots any day now,” she chided with a smile, even though she was concerned about the moroseness of Tony’s mood.
    He looked so crestfallen that Madeline held her protest in her throat when he casually moved aside a band of satin, baring one of her breasts. He stared at it as he spoke distractedly. “I came to a weird realization while I was watching you and Walker sitting side by side this evening.”
    Her breath froze in her lungs. “ What . . . what do you mean?” she asked after a moment.
    â€œYou used to have a thing for Walker, years back. It used to make me insane with jealousy, seeing the way you two looked at each other. I don’t know why I’d forgotten . . .” He trailed off as he touched her nipple with a fingertip. Maddie exhaled and rapidly moved the gown back over her nipple. It didn’t surprise her that Tony had forgotten their youthful love triangle. Affairs of the heart for Tony were as common as casual conversations about the weather.
    â€œWe were kids, Tony. It was a long time ago. Why