So Into You by S. L. Carpenter, Sahara Kelly Page B

jealousy. As she stormed off, Casey
tried to make sense of it. Both parties had announced they were done and they
were fine with it. And yet Joan was still holding a torch, it seemed. She
wondered if Phil knew.
    Then her email chimed again and she
forgot Joan as she saw it was another message from Phil. This time it was a
self-taken picture of Phil staring at her through the same binoculars. Admit
it…you like the attention. How about meeting by the coffee maker?
    She closed her email and stood,
grabbing her half-full coffee mug and heading toward the staff room. Phil was
already there making coffee. It was different between them now, she realized.
Her eyes drifted over his body and stopped at his groin. That hadn't happened
before. "Usually I have you go pick me up coffee at the corner cafe."
    Phil turned and smiled. "I
bought a small bag of their ground stuff. Figured it was easier to make it
here." He paused. "You look nice today."
    Casey couldn't help but smile.
"Why thank you. You don't look too shabby yourself."
    He lowered his voice as she moved
closer to watch the brewing process. "I'm trying to keep things quiet, as
you asked. It's been a tough few days, trying not to get caught drooling at you
in those business skirts, or calling you for phone sex on my break." He
clicked buttons and nodded as the machine made happy perking noises. " But
you're right. I don't want to have people gossiping, or making comments, so I'm
just acting like I usually do."
    "The binoculars were a nice
touch." She stirred in creamer and sugar to the mug he gave her. After a
sip, she scrunched her face. "Yuck, needs more sugar."
    "I'll work on it. It's not
quite as simple as ordering it just the way you like it." Phil stirred his
own drink.
    "What d'you got there?"
She looked at his cup.
    Phil took a drink and licked his
lips. "Hot chocolate. I can't stand coffee. I only get it because you ask
me to."
    "God. Guilt people much? Now I
have to ask what you want. Sacrifice like that deserves some kind of
reward."
    Shrugging, Phil just smiled walked away.
    Back at her desk, she sighed at the
prospect of another long day in the trenches. Then her phone chimed with an
incoming text message.
    So I'll pick you up around seven.
    Yep, Phil had wanted something in
repayment. Thank God. Casey grinned and closed her phone.
    After quickly texting back,
"See you then."
    *~*~*~*
    Just before seven that night, Casey
found herself contemplating what she was doing. Was she ready for some kind of
relationship? She had deliberately avoided meeting or getting close to anyone since
Dominic. And she liked having the upper hand in everything, even her
friendships. It made everything easier to deal with. She could control the
level of intimacy and if anything looked like it might develop, she could cut
it off at the root.
    Well aware that her biggest fear was
falling hard for someone again, she knew she would find it difficult to trust
anyone too far. She was aware that for her, controlling her life outside work
was paramount. She wouldn't let go again. But Phil was nice, he wasn't pressing
her, he was good in bed and he respected her wishes. He listened.
    Tiny darts of uncertainty prickled
at the base of her skull. Was she heading toward something she'd have to sever
some time soon? Or was she still in control?
    Tonight might tell her more about
her situation and answer a few questions. Besides a nice dinner at some quiet
restaurant would be romantic. They could get to know each other better. They
didn't even have to have sex if she didn't feel like it. She knew Phil wouldn't
press her. He didn't seem to mind her being in control.
    Which was all quite logical and
clear-sighted.
    Except for the fact that within
minutes after Phil arrived, thoughts about a romantic dinner vanished in a puff
of passion. They never made it anywhere but the bedroom.
    From the moment he stepped through
the door and looked at her, their lips collided and they devoured each other
hungrily.