Torn (Jay Gunner, #1) by Gerald Greene

mood. Then I’ll ask for some time off.”
    “Got it. Now continue to close out our Yen trade and clear the decks for unemployment day. “
    Joy beamed and said, “Yen profits on the books will improve my mood even before vacation.”

11 – Complications
    I t was the first Friday of the month and still no word from Brian. He vanished. I had no idea if he was still in Hong Kong, arrested by the FBI, picked up and held by NSA, or hiding out somewhere. I wondered if our success using stolen data with the first trade was a one off affair. 
    I must have checked the website a hundred times or more. I’d almost given up. Then thirty minutes before the official release I saw the magic word. Ready. I followed the link and there was the unemployment report. Once again, it was far different from expected numbers. 
    “Joy buy 100 million Dollar/Yen in 20 million increments.”
    “Damn Jay. Been having those feelings again?”
    “Just do it Joy. We haven’t much time.”
    Within a minute Joy calls out. “Done boss. Our ass is on the line. Better hurry, if you need to pee.” 
    “I’ll tough it out. Just a couple minutes to go.”
    Once again the report matched up with figures reported by Brian. Within minutes, we booked profits of $1,250,000.
    “Good work Jay. Bali here I come.” Joy had the brightest smile possible. She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. I couldn’t believe it. She almost never showed emotion at the trading desk. Win or lose she was poker faced. Until now.  After last month’s unemployment data, with profits booked, she clapped her hands. But now a kiss?
    I tensed as her soft hands draped around my shoulders. Joy must have surprised herself.
    “Sorry boss. Getting a little carried away here.” She withdrew hands and moved back to her chair.
    “No problem Joy. We have good reason to celebrate. Let’s call it a wrap and go for a drink.” I knew I shouldn’t offer, but what the hell. One drink.
    Within minutes we’re seated at a booth at the back of the M Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel with Hennessey XO cognacs in hand.
    “Remember meeting here?”, I asked.
    “How could I forget? After that meeting life became more intense and satisfying. I’ve enjoyed working with you. In my opinion, we make a great team.”
    “We do at that. I don’t know how I got along without you.” I noticed the same perfume scent. Joy smelled as exciting as the night we met. I might have made a mistake bringing her here. I’d always found Joy attractive, but off limits. Now I wasn’t so sure about the off limits part. I felt a little woozy and it wasn’t from the cognac.
    “I’m sure you managed fine. You have quite a reputation in Forex circles.”
    “I’m sure I do. Not all good.”
    “Some traders are jealous. Say you’re a cocky little bastard. Show off too much. And that you’re only lucky.”
    “That hurts. It was true at one time. Hope I’m more grounded now.” I sensed trouble. Sitting in the semi-private red leather covered booth next to Joy I wanted to touch. She was wearing a clinging summer silk dress with a revealing scalloped neckline. Not too much cleavage showed; just enough to make me want to see more of rounded creamy smooth breasts.
    The dress was short; just above the knees. The silk clung against firm shaped thighs. In the office Joy was attractive. Sitting next to me in the booth, she was irresistible.
    Being an easily aroused bastard my cock pressed against my trousers. The booth gave us some privacy, perhaps a little too much. I placed my hand on her knee. She let out a little surprised gasp, but didn’t push away.
    “Jay, when I was dating Brian, were you jealous?”
    “At the time I was glad for you. I’ll be jealous now.” I drained my drink. “How about another?”
    “One more. Then I must go. My cat is waiting. And Amanda? Is she at home?”
    “Not until tomorrow afternoon. She’s on a Tokyo flight. Hard to keep up with her schedule.” I moved my hand up