Swerve by Amarinda Jones

a feeling of peace and completeness. That seemed mad because in the past, Mary would have rolled her eyes if someone had of mentioned another completing them. But now? She understood what they meant and it scared her. She didn’t doubt he meant everything he said at the time, but he was also someone who was well beyond her league. She worked in a small office. He owned a huge chunk of Australia. He could have what and whomever he wanted. Why would he want her? She had to resolve herself to that and realize what had happened between them—while it was wonderful and enjoyable—it didn’t mean they were going to live the fairytale ending.
    Mary wasn’t surprised that the office was fully staffed when she arrived. She suspected it was due to the fact that Vernon had probably done a ring around and warned everyone to be in or else. Vernon said ‘or else’ a lot. As yet, no one knew what ‘or else’ was. Mary suspected it wasn’t much and she wasn’t the type to be scared by words.
    It was an office of people who rarely spoke or acknowledged anything other than free food. She couldn’t have met people less like her. Their greed appalled her but she told herself that it was just a job and to get on with it. Teamwork in their office? Non-existent. Let them eat cake? Just watch your hands when they had a fork in theirs.

    She looked at Vernon as he came towards her. In the 1970’s it probably had been deemed cool for men to have permed hair. But now? It was just sad and sorry looking on a man of fifty. As for the fake, too-bronzed tan he sported? It made him look like a man who was trying too hard to look young. Trying and failing. If he had been a nicer person to work with, Mary would have felt sorry for him. But he wasn’t, and she rarely paid attention to Vernon’s orders when it came to the office.
    “You look different,” he said as he came up to her.
    Mary arched one eyebrow at his skinny leg trousers with the waistband that she guessed sat on his hips if she could have seen his hips under the roll of stomach fat the overhung his belt. “You’re rarely in the office, Vernon. I’m amazed you remember what I look like at times.” She dropped her bag into her desk drawer.
    Mary wondered what he would have said if she told him she had been fucked by Simon Mayhew and she liked it. A lot.
    “I heard he was in yesterday. What did you say about me?”
    ‘He’ meaning Simon she guessed. “Strangely enough, your name didn’t get mentioned. Seemingly you’re not on his mind.”
    “Well, that’s all right then.” Vernon looked pleased for a second then, as if the penny dropped, he looked at her in concern. “Isn’t it? What do you think that means?”
    Mary would have liked to have pointed out that if no one cares enough to mention you it generally meant you’re insignificant to them. Let Vernon work that out himself . “He’s here checking the place out.” And confusing me . Feelings. They were the worst.
    “He can’t get rid of us.”
    Mary would have if it was her company as they weren’t the slightest bit profitable and that mainly had to do with the man she was looking at. “Yeah, he can.” While finding a new job was always a drag, Mary knew there were jobs to be had if you persevered.
    “I won’t allow it.” Vernon pulled at the belt of his trousers in a distinctly, empty male gesture of less than impressive strength before he stomped off.
    “Good luck with that,” Mary murmured as she sat down at her desk just as the subject they were discussing entered the building. Mary’s eyes lifted to his, her heart banging away in her chest. What would he say? How did he feel? Did last night mean as much to him as it did her and where did they go from here?

    “Good morning.” The words were said with polite nod. “Is Vernon in?”
    It was like they were people who barely knew each other and not lovers who shared an intense, earth shattering intimacy. Mary reached out and gripped a nearby pen in