*Trust is like beauty; they both should be appreciated*

(Later Friday evening)

"What is wrong?" Gloria asks as she leans against me and I have an arm around her.

"Oh crap!" I blurt out. Now the other, less important news comes racing back to mind. "Ms. Cook made a pass at me this afternoon right before five, and I mean, 'made a pass'. There was no confusing it."

"Why?" Gloria sounds confused. I sigh.

"Is it so hard to believe she finds me irresistible?" I ask her.

"Yes," Gloria replies frankly.

"Fine, she wanted me to go out with her to dinner tonight and exacted a promise from me that we would have lunch sometime next week," I inform my friend. Gloria doesn't respond for a minute.

"Do you want to go out with her?" she inquires.

"Oh God, do I!" I exclaim. "Now that you are going to swell up like a whale I need to be looking for another woman in my life." Gloria turns and bites my arm painfully. "Ow!"

"That's for thinking about looking at another woman," she instructs me. "You tax my patience at times."

"Don't worry. I'll do lunch once or twice, she'll get bored with me, and things will get back to normal," I reassure Gloria.

"I can't say I like that plan," Gloria rumbles, "but I can't see anything I can do to stop her in the personal arena. I have to trust you."

"Maybe the mysterious attacker will bust me up and I can forgo the whole dating two women thing," I joke.

"That isn't funny," Gloria says seriously. "He hurt me and almost hurt you and we no longer know why except they were premeditated attacks."

"I apologize," I say contritely. It was a dumbass thing for me to say. Somehow Gloria senses my hurt.

"It is okay; I've come to expect a certain number of stupid things from you from time to time."

"Thank you, I think," I sigh.

"So, do you find her attractive?" Gloria inquires.

"Yes I do Gloria," I confess. "She's a bit of a blonde version of you but sensual where you are exciting. I would still much rather be with you; there is no contest."

"I have always admired your honesty Eddie, even if it is painful," Gloria responds.

"I don't want to cause you pain, but I want you to trust me. That kind of leaves me screwed," I groan.

"If I made things easy I wouldn't be me," she sighs playfully. I'm glad to see she's in good spirits despite some of my bad news. I don't know if anything can ruin her mood tonight.

We take the rest of the night in each other's arms and from time to time I can't help myself from rubbing her stomach which causes Gloria to sigh in loving exasperation.

"There is nothing for you to feel Eddie. There won't be anything for months."

"But your boobs will get bigger," I grin.

"Yes Eddie, my boobs will get bigger," Gloria rolls her eyes. She then appears to read my mind, "I suppose you can suckle a tiny bit when the baby gets here." I hug her in response.

"Have I told you how sexy your superior intelligence is?" I ask her.

"Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it," she murmurs.

(Monday)

I'm at my workstation getting an early start on the project when Facilities comes over and puts a new computer system, phone, and chair into my cramped area.

"Huh?" I ask Kelly, the head tech.

"I have a work order to put a new station up in your area," Kelly tells me. We share a shrug and I get back to work.

"Hello," a woman greets me from behind around starting time, "I'm looking for Edward Duarte." I turn to see an attractive woman of Indian descent. She had olive skin, long black hair braided in the front, and a short green dress with black leggings. She also has a brown leather satchel over her shoulder.

"That would be me and call me Eddie," I tell her.

"Hey Eddie, I'm Sadri Gupta. I've been assigned to your project," she smiles.

"By who?" I laugh.

"I'm supposed to report to you," she informs me. "That is all my supervisor said."

"Sadri, I'm at the bottom of the ladder so I'm not sure were that puts you. How about you set up and I'll make some calls," I grin.

Sure enough, Chu tells me I have someone working 'with' me, which translates as 'does my work but it is still my ass on the line'. Chu asks me if the new guy is hideous so I tell him Sadri is three hundred pounds and never bathes. Sadri giggles. I spend the rest of the morning bringing Sadri up to speed and attending meetings.

I ask Sadri about lunch. She tells me she's going out with some of her old friends but she'll be back at one. Then she does something strange; she tells me I smell nice like some sort of perfumed body soap or something which is dangerously correct. As I said, we are working in close quarters. I head out with my section's crowd and get back right before she does.

At one thirty we get summoned to see Mrs. Hardison and I beg Sadri to follow my lead, say nothing and genuflect upon entering and leaving The Bitch's presence. Sadri thinks I'm hilarious but she's sure all the rumors she's heard are meant to scare the newbies. Leslie gives me a quizzical look when the two of us approach. She sends us in a few minutes later.

"Mr. Duarte, Ms. Gupta I am reducing your deadline by four days and adding a security subroutine to your beta model. Leslie will give you the security protocols to use," Mrs. Hardison tells us. That means we have to have things ready but ten o'clock Tuesday-week. I might as well pitch a tent in the break area.

"There is no way we can do this," declares Sadri. I grab her arm but it is too late. Mrs. Hardison looks up and bores holes straight through Sadri with her eyes.

"What would constrain you from completing this project on time?" Hardison asks in a wintery tone.

"We won't have the time," Sadri blurts out.

"Take as much overtime as you need," Mrs. Hardison states dispassionately.

"I have a life," Sadri continues. Now I grab her arm and start dragging her out.

"Ms. Gupta, if you cannot competently complete this project in the time allotted, let me know right now and a proper replacement will be acquired," Mrs. Hardison states.

Sadri is about to say something but my grip on her arm has gotten so strong it is painful. She looks at me in anguish and confusion.

"We will get it done Mrs. Hardison," I promise.

"See that you do Mr. Duarte," Mrs. Hardison says as we exit and she resumes her work. Leslie gives me a sympathetic look as we go back to our own area.

"Ow," growls Sadri. "What was that all about?"

"I didn't want you to lose your cool back there," I answer.

"This project is unreasonable. I'm going back to my own section," she announces.

"You can't; you'll be fired," I point out.

"I won't do the work," she shoots back.

"Then we will both get fired," I grin sadly.

"This can't be happening," she mumbles.

"Welcome to my life," I say as I wrap an arm around her shoulder.

"Oh, this reminds me of something; I have to go. I'll be back in two hours," I shrug and once I've deposited her back in our area, I head off so I can do my penance.

(Monday evening)

"So I'm basically going to be working late with a guy who has not one, but two sexual harassment complaints against him," Sadri gobbles as she slurps down some noodles from one of the better Thai take out places.

"Pretty much, yeah," I confess.

"My boyfriend is going to love this," she sighs. "How about we not tell him?"

"That suggestion gets my vote," I agree.

"How are we going to get this project done on time?" she gripes.

"We'll get it done. Mrs. Hardison doesn't give impossible tasks, just incredibly difficult ones," I instruct Sadri.

"When do you normally get home?" she wonders.

"I average about nine or nine-thirty," I inform her which elicits a groan.

"Well, let's get to it," she says and we dive right in.

(Tuesday Noon)

"You received a call from a Katherine Wilson saying you need to meet a car in ten minutes at the East building entrance," Sadri informs me with curiosity. I must look as enthusiastic as I feel. "Bad new?"

"Pretty bad," I admit, "and no way am I getting out of it."

"I thought we had to work all day and all night?" Sadri teases. "How come you get out of all the real assignments?"

"Sadri, trust me this is one meeting you don't want to be going to," I assure her. I almost miss Sadri stealing a glance over my shoulder as she spies on who I'm talking to – Leslie to tell her I'm off to lunch with Ms. Cook.

(Lunch)

I give Sadri a wave before heading out and from what I can tell of her logs later when I get in, she's been a busy little camper and not in a good, productive way. I am alone in the limo as it takes me to Roma NeroSpina. I am a freak product of the lower classes in my nicest set of office attire and it is not nearly enough here. Joyce comes in right after I'm truly and thoroughly embarrassed. If the lesson was to intimidate me it has failed.

"Greetings Eddie," she smiles politely enough. "Did you have a nice weekend?"

"Ms. Cook, it was a normal affair where two normal people did normal things all weekend long," I say with some deep-seeded anger.

Joyce looks at least a bit annoyed.

"What is the source of this unpleasantness?" is her icy request.

"Your choice of restaurant blows, you treat me like a glorified towel boy with time schedules you give me, and you are acting clearly beneath your potential, so either I bore you, or you are slipping; neither of these I find appealing."

"Does anything else bother you today?" She asks plainly.

"Yes, I want an explanation. There are a hundred men (or women) who would commit homicide to be here at your side, you are that desirable. Pick on someone else. I already have a person I love and treasure. Find someone else," I plead.

"I'm trying to be your friend, but you keep turning my assistance aside. We are having lunch, not an interrogation and I asked a simple question that you have chosen to shove in my face. The reason you are here is because I don't want someone to give me everything they have in hopes I will give them something bigger. As we established earlier, you don't want anything from me and that makes you a pretty unique creature."

Now I feel like a shit-heel.

"Fine, I apologize for my anger, but this restaurant is made for people who make ten times a year what I make – minimum. I don't know what made you believe I would be comfortable here," I point out.

"I would have thought Gloria would consider buying you some attire more in line to the styles she needs when she does her required social functions five times a year. I was unaware she had not done that yet," Joyce observes.

"We have a financially equal relationship," I say with a straight face. Joyce tries to not laugh but fails.

"Seriously; that is not very kind. How you going to handle going out to the places she's expected to be seen," Joyce pursues.

"Our relationship isn't based on money. Mostly it is based on affection and work," I tell her.

"At any time she could take all that away and then what would you have?" Joyce reminds me.

"Memories, a job, a little less structure in my life and a little more fun," I respond. "I've never looked at this relationship for something to make me rich or promote me in the company. I work for Mrs. Hardison after all. At work, the woman has no heart, and that applies to everybody. I have never ever expected Mrs. Hardison to save me from anything. It isn't in her," I explain.

"Why are you with her then?" Joyce leans across the table and asks.

"That is not something I can talk about, sorry. I do know I am her only friend," I shrug.

"I wouldn't treat you like that," Joyce promises.

"Thank you, but it is not all that bad. She has her good qualities," I explain.

"What are they?"

"She's intelligent, honest, and hard working," I grin.

"How do I compare to that?" she murmurs.

"Mrs. Hardison is a well-oiled machine while you are more of an equestrian," I tell Joyce.

"Equestrian; that is a funny term to use," she notes.

"You like a firm hand, you like the finer things in life, and you have experience in hands-on leadership," I respond. She weighs my statement for several seconds before tipping her water in acceptance.

"You would prefer steel over flesh?" she questions.

"It isn't a matter of preference, just that you two are different," I explain. "I can't imagine any man who spends any time with you feels bored, or ignored."

"Thank you, but my charms seem to be wasted on you," she points out.

"Hardly," I choke, "it is only that I am devoted to Mrs. Hardison. Also ..."

"Also?" she asks.

"Also you shouldn't be interested in me and I can't figure out why you are," I finish.

"You sell yourself short Mr. Duarte," Joyce smiles. "You are turning out to be quite interesting to me."

"Even though nothing is going to happen between us?" I tell her.

"Now you are selling me short," she counters seductively.

"Being a man around a beautiful woman doesn't make me a total idiot," I realize. "What do you have against Gloria?" Joyce looked totally confused.

"What makes you think this has to do with Gloria anymore?" she asks.

"I know it may be hard to believe, but I'm smarter than I look," I sigh.

"Do you know how many men I meet exhibit such loyalty to their superior?" Joyce says.

"Now you are treating me like an idiot," I tell her. Joyce examines me for the longest time.

"Let's eat," she responds finally. The rest of lunch passes quietly and the ride we share back to work is subdued. "Let's do this again Thursday," she tells me. Technically she is asking but in reality I have no choice.

"Take care, Ms. Cook ... Joyce."

"You too, Mr. Duarte," she nodded in a decidedly friendly manner.

Back in my area I join up with Sidra and launch myself into the project. I get us going before heading off for my two hours of trying to be a better male. When I get back I learn that Sidra has scheduled me for a meeting before end of business. It seems she thinks I'm the face of this operation too.

After the rest of the working populace has cleared out Sidra and I delve into the project at our leisure. Before we break up for the night Sidra looks to me and smiles.

"I apologize; I think we can do this by Tuesday," she admits.

"Difficult but not impossible; that is our fearless leader for you," I grin back.

(Thursday)

"You look tired," Joyce notices.

"I've forgotten what my bed looks like," I smile weakly. "Thank you for your concern."

"You are starting to grow on me," Joyce smiles in return.

"I'll have this project finished soon enough then I think I'm going to ask for some time off," I sigh.

"Do you think she'll let you?" Joyce asks.

"Yes. Otherwise I'm going to fall over at my station," I joke.

"We could spend some time together then," Joyce suggests. "I know Gloria won't take any time off." I sigh in exasperation.

"Joyce, this isn't going to happen. Gloria means the world to me. I would never hurt her," I respond.

"Eddie, what if I was to tell you that Gloria isn't so hard-working and dedicated as she would have you believe? There was a time when she did whatever she needed to get ahead," she states.

"I would find that very hard to believe," I confess.

"There was a time when Gloria Hardison did whatever was necessary to get ahead up to and including taking someone that I cared for," Joyce relates to me. I didn't like the way this was going, not at all.

"I didn't know," I say softly.

"I had a lover, a mentor in the company and Gloria stole him away from me," she continues. "I spent three good years of my life with him and one day I found him in Gloria's office. She had accepted a promotion under him and rewarded him with her body."

"Vance," I whisper.

"Oh, she has told you about Conrad Vance? I'm surprised, or maybe I'm not. It must have been one of her proudest accomplishments," Joyce growls. Now I know I'm on the Crazy Train because if she ever saw Vance and Gloria together she had to know what was going on. Vance raped Gloria.

"It wasn't like that," I try to explain.

"Eddie, I was there," Joyce insists. "She isn't afraid to use her body and position to get what she wants. All she is doing is satisfying some need for power over you." Too bad I can't explain things to Joyce; I don't feel I have the right to explain Gloria's rape to anyone, especially an enemy.

"Joyce, what did Mr. Vance do when he abandoned Gloria?" I reason.

"It wasn't like he could come back to me, is it?" she responds.

"Did you want him to?" I ask. Her look tells it all; Crazy Train.

"Will having me betray Gloria make you feel any better?" I try to point out.

"Yes, but I can stop you from making that mistake Vance did too. I couldn't stop him from falling for her, but maybe I can keep you from her ..." she tells me.

"Why now? Why wait all this time before doing anything about this? Certainly in the past seventeen years you could have found another way to resolve things," which is my way of saying 'why me?'

"Quite frankly, until you came along there was no one she valued," she confesses. "When you intervened in her life something changed and she latched onto you. I resolved she couldn't have you but along the way I began to see what she saw in you, but instead of wanting to exploit you, I wanted to help you."

I am digesting that right until I hear the word 'intervene'. Had I been smarter I would know to keep my mouth shut about the attack that only three people should know happened.

"You had her attacked in the parking garage," I whisper. Joyce takes another bite out of her salad. I reach across the table and take hold of Joyce's other hand.

"Why?"

"She has to be stopped," Joyce whispers.

"Joyce, you don't need to do this," I try and reassure her.

"Yes I do," she insists.

"You do realize you sent someone to mess me up too," I explain. Now she looks back up and seems pained.

"Yet again you surprised me Mr. Duarte," her smile warms up.

"What do we do now?" I wonder. She squeezes my hand.

"I could do a lot for you," Joyce tells me intently. I shake my head.

"I wouldn't use you like that Joyce," I respond. "You certainly deserve better." The looks he gives me is one of intense scrutiny.

"Where were you fifteen years ago?" she asks me. Where have I heard that before?

"Second grade," I smile which causes her to chuckle.

"I could just eat you up," she hints. It is not lost on me that this is the woman making me take sensitivity training.

"I'm still seeing Gloria," I remind her.

"For now," she promises. At least we manage to eat the rest of lunch with less sexually suggestive comments. We part with her leaning in for a kiss and I give her one – Crazy Train remember? When I get back to my area Sadri gives me a look that says she knows what I've been doing. God I hope she's wrong.

(Friday evening)

I am pacing all over the place when Gloria walks in. Her look goes from pleasure to concern.

"Sit down," I insist. For a moment Gloria looks like she is going to resist but something about me must tip her off that this isn't some sort of power play.

"Okay," she nods and takes a seat on the sofa.

"Two things; what is going on with you and Joyce Cook right now?" I start off.

"Joyce, Melvin Colza and I are all up for Vice President of Operations. It is all very informal but we are the three contenders. VP of Operations is the stepping stone for President," she answers. "Is this what the struggle between me and Joyce is all about?"

"Yes and no; your competition for the top spot is what has brought this to a head, but her problem with you goes way back," I tell her then take a deep breath. "Joyce was having an affair with Mr. Vance before he dumped her and began having an 'affair' with you. Joyce didn't take it well and I'm thinking she sort of snapped. She even saw you two together."

Gloria sits there with a distant look in her eyes for the longest time. Joyce had witnessed her rape.

"She saw us together and she didn't do anything?" she says in a small voice.

"Yes."

"She saw us together and she didn't do anything?" she repeats with a lot more anger.

"Yes and I think Joyce is a nutjob. She had you attacked in the garage and then had me attacked for helping you and turning her down," I continue.

"Do we have any proof of this?" Gloria inquires.

"Only my word against hers and I know how that will come out," I shrug.

"I need to think about his for a while," Gloria states as she stands up. She's at the first step when she calls out to me.

"Thank you for having me sit down," she tells me. I hear her footsteps going upstairs. Since I can think of nothing else to do I start cooking dinner.

I've cooked up some noodles, sausages and made a nice Avocado paste when Gloria comes in behind me.

"When did you find out?" she asks.

"Thursday; Gloria I wish you would let me contact you during the week," I plead.

"No. My rules remember? I will keep our work lives and home lives separate. You did the right thing," she instructs me. It certainly doesn't feel like the right thing.

"This isn't over," I say softly.

"Yes it is," Gloria corrects me.

"Gloria, you are mine to have and to hold until you can no longer stand me. I'm not saying you need my help only that I want to help."

I portion out our plates and we sit down to eat. She digs in with gusto. After several mouthfuls she changes the subject.

"What am I cooking you this weekend?" she inquires.

"Pancakes," I respond. She arches an eyebrow my way.

"Isn't that kid food?" she questions.

"Can you cook pancakes?" I counter. She shakes her head.

"Don't worry; we can make a lot of batter. The first few always come out a bit mangled," I tell her.

I'm surprised that she wants to make love tonight, stranger still that she wants me on top with her moving beneath me with this peaceful look in her eyes. I tease and taunt her body and get many a favorable responses. I migrate from kisses to breasts to parting her lips and licking deeply along her slip. I enter her on four separate occasions. She is warm, wet and receptive but I can't seem to get her to orgasm and in the end my body's resistance runs out.

Afterwards she keeps me on top of her, eyes gazing into eyes until she starts to cry. I kiss her forehead and eyelids until her snuffles stop and she starts kissing me on the neck.

"Thank you," she says between kisses. I move my hips between hers hoping for some erotic reciprocation but she grins to me instead. "Not tonight. I have to fix you pancakes in the morning."

"I'll alert the fire department," I reply. He mouth opens and I'm sure she's going to bet angry but instead she starts laughing. It isn't a thunderous noise, but it is music to my ears.

(Saturday)

Gloria is basking in her victory over the skillet. We have several 'animal-shaped' pancakes covered in strawberries and syrup and she keeps glancing my way to make sure I'm enjoying my treat. Neither one of us goes into my choice of an easy thing to create, but then Gloria had her taste of jumping straight into the deep end and that didn't end well.

We push our plates aside and I wait for it.

"Kiss the cook," she commands.

"How about I do the dishes instead," I joke.

"You are doing the dishes anyway; now get over here," she emphasizes with a curled finger. I make a great show of reluctance but I plant a kiss on her lips in the end. I even get to lick the syrup off them.

I've started the dishes and she's poured herself a fresh cup of coffee and is sitting with her back to the counter watching me.

"So what do you think of the new girl?" she says in a passing fashion. I put the skillet in to soak a moment longer and leer at Gloria.

"No you don't," I evade. "I know you. You knew exactly what she looked like before she ever set foot inside my cubicle. Despite her good looks you know she's really good at the production side of this project which is the only, and I mean only, reason she's with me."

"So I have no reason to be jealous? She is young and attractive after all, nubile and I'm sure she likes you," Gloria continues.

"The only thing you have to worry about is if she decides to start up her own company and offers me a spot. Then I might leave the corporation for another job, but I'm in no danger of leaving you," I explain.

"You would leave the corporation to work away from me?" Gloria wonders.

"I'm glad to see you haven't thought of everything," I grin.

"What do you mean?" she asks innocently.

"Like I didn't know you would review anyone I had to work with on this project. You are results oriented Mrs. Hardison and you wouldn't have denied me the best person for the job no matter what," I point out.

"You knew exactly what kind of woman you were cramming into my work space," I add with a snicker, "but you forgot to figure out that the two of us could work so well together. The two of us could make a decent start up."

"That would make our relationship different," Gloria admits.

"Well, maybe if things don't work out in the corporation you could come work for me," I gloat.

"You would hire me?" Gloria questions.

"Would you charge me with sexual harassment if I made you sit in my lap and kiss me once a day?" I ask.

"No."

"Then you are hired," I laugh.

"Your work ethic is stunning Eddie," she threatens me.

"I'm not worried. I have this girlfriend who keeps me in line," I tease her back.

(Monday)

I arrive at work early only to find Sadri already there.

"You are here bright and early," I joke.

"Rough weekend," she sighs. I sit down in my chair, turn to her and ask,

"Tell me about it," I inquire.

"My boyfriend left me yesterday," she groans.

"I'm sorry," I try to comfort her. "What brought this on?"

"We've been having problems. He wants us to get married and for me to give up my job and have kids. This whole issue with overtime was the last straw. He wanted me to quit."

"I'd never do that to you," I promise her.

"Make me give up my job?" she questions.

"No, have kids. Our kids would look like rejects of the Creature from the Black Lagoon," I smile. Her expression goes from surprise to indignation to pleasure.

"Thanks Eddie; you have a way of putting things in perspective," she confides in me. We get back to work. I end up in another meeting followed by a brief update with Leslie than back to Sadri for a working lunch. She reminds me to go and make the counselor happy and is still at her desk when I get back. We work our asses off until ten that night when I catch her nodding off at her keyboard. I see her to the metro and then make my own way home.

(Tuesday)

Sadri and I are getting to the point that success looks like a real possibility when she catches me looking at the phone.

"Expecting a call from your dominatrix girlfriend?" she teases me.

"What?" I choke. "What makes you think it is my girlfriend?"

"I've seen you scoping me out, so you are not gay. I also know it has to be someone up in the company because you cringe whenever they call. Besides, I checked and it is someone in Legal," she grins devilishly.

"Damn it," I joke. "My secret is out. I'm dating a lawyer. Are you going to turn me in?"

"I'll wait until this project is over. I would hate to have to break a new person at this late date," she teases me.

"I am glad to see you are developing the proper set of priorities Ms. Gupta," I nod appreciatively. I don't get a lunchtime call and I'm thinking about what take-out we are going to get when I get a call from Joyce Cook.

"Hello Mr. Duarte," she says, "I was wondering if you want to go out to dinner tomorrow evening; say the Salerno Café at eight." Wow, it is a place I can actually afford to eat at.

"Sounds great," I respond. "I'll meet you there."

"It's a date," I can almost hear her smile. She hangs up before I can say anything else. Sadri has the good form to not laugh at me.

(Wednesday)

I am not sure what kind of relationship I am dealing with here so I waste more of the day than I can afford trying to figure a way out of things. Sadri inadvertently saves me. It seems I have made a simple error in my Alpha model and we have to go back and fix it. It doesn't take long but it is a reminder how a little problem at the start can really screw things up later. I have a plan.

That evening I'm meet Joyce a little late and do my best to appear distracted. I eat quickly and make my excuses to go which puts her a little off her game. She agrees to go back with me which gives me a hint that I might actually be getting somewhere. When we get in the elevator we take separate sides.

Joyce does a good job of looking sexy, but I take a deep breath and keep to my plan. I walk over to her the moment the door shuts and she has this seductive smile playing across her lips. She feels she knows what is coming. I think she's wrong. I grab her shoulders and spin her around facing the corner.

"What?" he wonders as she struggles to turn back around.

"Shut up," I tell her. That causes a moment's hesitation which I use to slide my hands down to her hips.

"What did you just say?" she snaps. I step back and go to my corner. Joyce is furious.

"Why would I want you when I could have Gloria?" I taunt her. Anger and hate boil to the surface and I'm really beginning to think I've pushed too hard. If she physically attacks me here I'm a dead man. Thankfully the door opens before she can direct that anger.

"Don't call me anymore Joyce, you bore me," I tell her as I walk away.

I'm back at my workstation when Joyce comes storming around the corner and bears down on me. I stand aside and let her see Sadri working at her station and now looking up at us both.

"Mr. Duarte," Joyce growls.

"Ms. Cook I have project with a crucial due date. If you have any business for me please call me within the set business hours," I respond in a bored voice. Joyce trembles with rage before storming off.

"Brother, she's going to staple your balls to a wall," Sadri whispers. I slump down in my chair, totally exhausted by my display of bravado.

"Hopefully after she cuts them off me," I sigh. "I'd hate to have to hang around waiting for something to come up."

(Thursday)

It is five fifteen in the afternoon and everyone who has any sense is gone from the work area. Being an idiot I'm standing in Joyce Cook's office wondering if I'll make it home before midnight. Joyce pretends to be doing some pressing business while she makes me wait. Finally I have had enough; I turn and leave.

"Where do you think you are going?" she snaps.

"I have a job to do. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you call Mrs. Hardison as you agreed to earlier," I state.

"I could have you fired for the way you treated me last night," she glares.

"You mean when you invited me out on a date then brought me back to work," I point out.

"Who do you think you are?" she seethes.

"The man who would rather have a weekend with Gloria than a whole week with you," I sneer. She came from around her desk clearly ready to smack the shit out of me. There is that terrible moment between what is horribly wrong and when I should be running away.

"Take off your jacket," I command Joyce.

"Clear out your desk," Joyce shoots back.

"Do you know what it is like to bend Gloria over, grind myself against her ass while I drag my fingers over her back and bit her neck?" I taunt her. Gloria has never told me what that bastard did to her but I've developed a picture from the things she avoids.

"Good night Joyce. Stop bothering me. I don't want you anymore," I stab at her. I'm a twenty-two year old business major playing crisis counselor; what could go wrong? I'm almost at the door.

"I ..."

"Take off your jacket," I repeat. Joyce looks away but does as instructed. I walk back over to her and slowly turn her around. I can only imagine what a manipulative, abusive jerk Vance was and I'm probably better off never knowing. "Unbutton your shirt." She starts to obey so I let my hands roam over her shoulders and neck, pulling her collar aside enough for me to suck lightly on her neck.

"Mmmm ..." is the noise she makes as I pay attention to her neck. My arousing her is not the point of this, her arousing herself is.

"Now take it off," I command next. She slowly complies, letting it fall to the floor. I step forward until it is my chest against her back. She is probably expecting for me to unclasp her bra but I'm not going there.

I run my hands down her side, along her stomach and back up to her breasts. I cup each breast in my hands and roll them together.

"Exquisite," I whisper in her ear and she moans in response. I don't dawdle. I let my hands slip down which invokes a whimper as her breasts are abandoned.

I reach the hem of her skirt and pull it up vigorously. I hike it over her ass then rub both cheeks.

"Bend over the desk," I tell her. Joyce doesn't rush to obey, but she does do as ordered. I kiss each cheek then playfully slap each one before running a hand along her panty and stocking covered pussy. She moans again. I give her pussy a stinging slap and she jumps.

"I like that," I lie; I have no desire to hurt her. "I'll see you on Tuesday," I inform Joyce. She turns around and looks at me highly confused. I'm sure she can't quit grasp what has happened. There is no dealing with what is happening with Gloria and Joyce until I find a way to deal with that bastard Vance. I figured I am helping Gloria so maybe I can help Joyce too – without cheating on Gloria in the process.

(Friday)

Gloria stares at me once I finish outlaying my plan then she stares some more.

"Eddie, this is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my entire life," she states calmly. "You are playing mind games with a woman who hired a man to rape me and stab you."

Well when she puts it like that I do sound sort of insane.

"What do you suggest I do?" I ask.

"I'm not sure. I think you are going to be forced to follow through in your current course of actions until something develops that allows you to break things off with Joyce," she informs me.

"Are you worried about me and Joyce?" I inquire.

"Eddie, do you promise you will remain true to me?" Gloria

"Absolutely," I answer.

"Then I believe you," she smiles as she runs a finger along he curve of my face.

(Saturday)

I'm upstairs with Gloria sitting on her bed watching TV while we eating ice cream. I catch her licking the back of the spoon and looking up at me. She looks great in the workout shirt and shorts she's in. I'm a t-shirt and shorts as well but I don't find me to be nearly as exciting.

"Yes?" I inquire.

"I thought we would be doing something more sexual when you finally captured me," she wonders. This is the first time I've caught her on our race up the stairs after all.

"I have all night with you," I tease her.

"What? How did that come about," she questions.

"As long as I keep you in this bedroom Mrs. Hardison, you are mine," I gloat. She takes me in with her gaze and nods.

"I'll be more careful how I phrase things in the future," she clarifies. "So what now?"

"I'm sitting back in bed, eating ice cream with my girl, that's what's up," I sigh. I can tell she's trying to find a way to goad me or criticize me but she controls herself. Instead she nestles into my chest and sighs.

"You win," she whispers to me a half hour later. I look down at her and she looks up at me. "I'm comfortable with you Eddie. I like this, holding you and relaxing in your arms," she concedes. I'm about to say something but Gloria puts her finger to my lips. "Don't ruin the moment," she warns me so I wise keep my quip to myself.

It was later in the night and I had fallen asleep somewhere along the way. I feel her hand running beneath my shirt.

"I'm awake," I yawn.

"That's good," she purrs, "because I'm in need of some more comfort." I move to hug her but she stops me.

"No, I want that other kind of comfort," she tells me. I start stripping out of my clothes because convincing a twenty-two year old male to have sex really isn't all that difficult. She matches me article of clothing by article and she moves on top.

"Hey, wait I'm still in charge," I insist.

"Oh shut up Eddie," she murmurs. "I am going to be on top." I move under her and she settles in on my hips. I'm not in her yet; we are just moving together. I reach up to her hips and rock her in a gentle rhythm.

"Aaahhh ... Eddie you feel good," she murmurs. She puts her hands on my hands and helps us get in synch.

"Damn, I love this," I respond to the prelude to sex. Gloria moves my hands up her sides to her breasts, helping me knead them and play with her hardening nipples. All I have to do is follow her direction. She takes her time before rising up and inserting my cock inside of her.

"Pleasure me Eddie, please," which is highly romantic for us in so many ways.

I pull her nipples down until she's in range for me to start kissing her. She tilts her hips up so that I'm three-quarters of the way out.

"Push up into me," she commands softly. I push up and she pushes down which grinds our pelvises into one another at a flatter angle. I'm still rubbing her breasts and rolling the nipples as we dance together.

"Who is fucking who?" she taunts somewhat breathlessly.

"No," I pant back.

"Who is making love to who?" she changes tact.

"I think we are making love together," I suggest. She kisses me deeply in response.

(Tuesday)

Sadri's slight form feels good in my arms and the kiss is as totally unexpected as it is delicious. We've gotten the project in on time and we feel ecstatic. At ten we are called to Mrs. Hardison's office.

"She's going to have to give us our props," Sadri exults.

"Don't hold your breath," I sigh. "We are most likely going to get our next assignment." When we get to Leslie's office Sadri is still smiling and I have to admit I'm a bit infected with her optimism.

"You will be handling the Beta implementation and any corrections necessary," Mrs. Hardison says the moment we walk in.

"You are welcome," Sadri beams at her proudly. Mrs. Hardison looks up and exams Sadri who flinches first.

"What would I be thanking you for? This is not the third grade where you need your hand held. This is the marketplace. You were barely adequate to the task. I'm sure your parents are proud."

Sadri is about to blow a gasket so I throw myself under the bus first.

"Mrs. Hardison we busted our asses on this project. You upped our parameters and cut down our launch time and that took a lot of work. Would it kill you to say we did a good job?" I shoot off at the mouth. Mrs. Hardison's icy glare transfers to me but this time I hold my ground. We did good work damn it.

"Your current assignment is your reward Mr. Duarte. For the next month you will be able to operate under normal corporate hours and get along with your normal lives. It was too much to think either of you might actually see that. Mr. Duarte, you should have known better. This is your second strike," Mrs. Hardison tells me then goes back to her work.

Sadri and I back out and head to our area.

"Second strike?" Sadri asks.

"Three strikes and you are out," I tell her. "I fucked up once a few months ago and now I've fucked up again."

"But you did it for me," Sadri wails. "I was going to slap the conceited bitch."

"I'm not sure how that would help either one of us," I point out.

"I want to do something to her," Sadri grumbles.

"Live long and prosper," is my sage advice.

When I get back from Sensitivity Training Sadri seems to have calmed down.

"Do you want to go out for drinks after work?" she asks. I nod; it is a good idea and I could use a bit of unwinding.

(Tuesday evening)

"I think I hate working for the Bitch," Sadri says loudly over the sound of the other twenty-something's at the bar.

"She grows on you," I respond. "We get things done."

"You've already racked up two strikes against you in less than a year," she counters. "You work your ass off for her."

"That's a story for another time," I grin.

"Thanks for covering me while I've been learning things around here," she smiles then kisses me on the cheek. I stroke her cheek in return.

"Hang in there. It is a ball working with you, but speaking of work, I've got one more thing to do tonight before I can take it easy," I chuckle.

"Your girlfriend; well, don't forget your safe word," she laughs. Clearly Sadri thinks I'm having a far more vigorous sex life than I'm actually having.

"Always keep a spare handcuff key underneath the pillow," I advise her in mock-seriousness. "Got to go now."

"Take care; maybe we can go out for some serious partying on Friday?"

"I'll see what I can do," I promise. Explain this to Gloria isn't going to be difficult; it is going to be impossible.

It is past eight when Gloria gets home. I'm sitting on the sofa barely paying attention to the news while doing some work. She comes into the living room and looks me over.

"I didn't expect to see you tonight," she says carefully.

"I made pasta and salad," I respond. She goes in and fixes herself a plate. I follow her in and get some tea while she digs in.

"Tastes good," she mumbles. I nod and smile. As she finishes she broaches the subject, "After this morning I wasn't sure how well you would take it."

"Work is work and that won't affect us; that is the deal," I tell her happily.

"In that case you are back to being highly annoying," she states.

"Does that mean you aren't going to eat desert," I taunt her.

"Will you get over me firing you?" she says coolly.

"Yeah; will you get over me being a jerk some times?" I counter.

"You are getting the better part of that bargain," she notes patiently.

"Sometimes I just too smart for you," I gloat. She tends to weigh her options; I've left her with so many, but she slides her hand across the table and squeezes my hand instead. I think she's coming around to my way of thinking. Victory isn't so much beating the other guy as in getting what you want. We want to make each other happy. Tonight that means she doesn't beat me up.

(Wednesday)

"How did Bronson go?" Sidra asks.

"Someone doesn't know the difference between a colon and semi-colon," I mutter. I've wasted thirty minutes on a trivial error. I look over Sadri's cue. We aren't buried so our beta must be doing its job.

"You have a call from Katherine Wilson over in Legal," she slyly grins. I try not to let the concern wash over my face. I take the message and put it aside. After spending two hours leaning what I bad sexist pig I've been I give my old friend Kate a call. She tells me I have a five o'clock meeting with Ms. Cook.

The office floor is nearly empty except for Mrs. Wilson who waves me in silently. Yeah, I don't want to know what was going through her brain. I close the door behind me and start toward her desk. Joyce looks up at me and looks very displeased.

"What happened last time will not be repeated Mr. Duarte," she states firmly.

I take in a few of the options that present themselves. I need to find a way to move Joyce past her hate of Gloria and Vance is the key.

"Come here," I order her. Her distain turns to anger.

"Get out," she countermands me.

I shrug and leave. I can hear her chair slam back and her coming around the table. I count her steps before turning and facing her. She hesitates but keeps coming. When we collide she's too torn to formulate an effective defense. I grab her cheeks and kiss her.

"Take off your jacket," I tell her. She tries to slap me but I block her.

"Take off your jacket," I growl, "or I'll take it off you." She struggles once more for a response so I kiss her again. "Is this how you want us to end?" She knows I'm not him but still ... Joyce takes off her jacket and tosses it to the couch.

"You are fantastic," I tell her as I look over her body. Joyce's breathe speeds up.

I take her hands and slowly raise them over them over her head until I lock her fingers together. I kiss her again then let my fingers trace their way back down to the top of her head, ears and cheeks. Joyce closes her eyes as I gently grace her lips with kisses once more.

"Do you want to be mine?" I whisper to her.

"I want to be with you," she answers.

"Not good enough Joyce. Are you going to be mine to fuck with whenever I want to do whatever I want?" I respond sternly. Joyce's eyes open and she looks at me.

"I want to be with you Eddie," she tells me, "but I'm not a whore." I step back.

"Then you are not worth me having. We both know what I have waiting at home and if you aren't even going to try, why am I wasting my time here," I prod her.

"Eddie," she pleads.

"Take off your shirt and bend over the damn desk!" I shout.

Joyce jumps. I glare at her until she staggers back to her desk, strips off her shirt and bends over. I feel like such a monster making her go back through this again. I pull up her skirt then rub my hands from her calves to her neck.

"God damn you are hot as hell," I praise her and she gives a tiny sigh.

I rake my hands over her thighs, hips and buttocks until they leave welts. I take her panties up and wedge them into her ass until she moans. I finish up by rubbing along her pussy and she's already soaking through the sheer fabric.

"Do you want me to fuck you like you were my own?" I ask softly.

"Yes," she pants. I vigorously rub the thin fabric while I push her down on the table so that her bra-covered boobs are mashed out.

"Why?" I inquire.

"I have to have you back," she sighs. "Damn you Eddie, you just won't get out of my mind."

That is not what I am expecting or wanting to hear.

"What will you do if you can't have me?" I question carefully.

"Give me a chance Eddie, you'll see," she insists. She's not desperate, just determined. "Give me until tomorrow; give me that long." Like an idiot I can't keep my mouth shut.

"This is your last chance," I lie once more, "but if you can't convince me then we are done, promise me that."

"It that is how it has to be," she whispers. I turn and leave her laid out over her desk and I dare not look back less she sees the conflict in my eyes.

(Thursday)

We met that evening at the restaurant at the Regis Hotel, not a good sign. Strangely and most hopefully we talk about Vance and the impact he had on her career. I can see that he has a hold on her, both intellectually and sexually but I can't get her to understand the darker side of that relationship.

I somehow cling to his idea that I can get her to understand that things aren't like what she has remembered, which really begin pulling her to edge. Sniffling she asks me to take her to a room then be on my way. She accepts that we aren't going to work out. Once inside the room, her whole demeanor changes. She challenges me to show her how much I am over her; she turned the tables on me, daring me to push her away. Her clothes started coming off.

"I'll do whatever you want," she purrs as she pushes her whole body against me. Her bra springs free and she presses her two magnificent orbs into my hands. "Whatever you want, Eddie; however you want to use me," she emphasizes. She turns and drives her ass against me and when I move to separate us she channeled the energy so that I ended up throwing her face first onto the bed.

I'm looking down on this fine piece of ass and I know I can be fucking her from behind in less than ten seconds. Hell, I could be pushing it up her ass if I want to. She's begging for it and damn she looks fine but all I find myself thinking about is Gloria and my child. I've fucked up already but I have the power to not make it worse.

"Joyce," I say as I step back, "I can't do this." I also feel myself stepping back into sanity. "I can't be him for you and I don't think anyone should be." I am panting and unsteady on my feet. Joyce looks back over her shoulder confused and unfocused. I lightly brush her hip and start moving around the bed. I need to get out of here.

"You are going back to her," Joyce whispers. I nod. I'm going back to Gloria. "I won't let that happen," she adds.

"Joyce, I can't be Vance for you. It isn't in me. I thought I could make a difference but I can't go as far as you need me to go," I explain.

"I am not going to let her to this to me again – to us again," she mumbles. She is moving around on the bed but all I want to do is button up my shirt and get out. I hear her purse tip over and I'm wondering if she's going to call security on me until I hear the hammer click back on the gun.

"Joyce ..." I start to say.

"No!" she screams so frantically that I have to turn around. She's got a gun out and is pointing it at me, the contents of her bag strewn out on the bed.

"Joyce ..." I repeat. I want to say 'you don't want to do this' when the gun goes off. I know that I've been shot but I don't know where; the pain is too much.

I slide down the wall because my legs don't feel like responding. I look over to Joyce and she's shocked. All kinds of things have to be going through her head; shooting me again has to be one of them. She comes across the bed, gun in hand but pointed down. She starts sobbing.

"Oh God!" she blubbers.

"Joyce, put the gun down and call 9-1-1," I rasp. She stares at me. She's a smart girl but she is struggling to keep up with events. "Joyce, if you put the gun down and call 9-1-1 we can claim the gun accidently went off." She clearly is unsure whether or not she should believe me. "Joyce, in this hotel a dozen calls must have already gone in to hotel security if not the police," I explain. "If you call now you get ahead of the situation."

That seems to get through to her. She scrambles over the bed and grabs her phone before running back over to me. I'm wondering if Joyce Cook's sky blue silk covered ass is going to be one of my last memories. She kneels down in front of me and she dials the phone. Now I have a great view of her tits. They are not as good as Gloria's but they are nice.

"Hello," Joyce's voice wobbles. "I've had an accident in room 346 at the Regis. My companion has been shot."

I am not sure about what is being said to her or what she says next. My head begins bobbing and my feet begin feeling cold – not a good sign. My mental clarity is slipping.

"Hang in Eddie. Don't die," Joyce pleads. "Promise me you won't leave me." The words won't come but I think I nod my head.

I think I hear someone knocking at the door and Joyce leaves me. It is too hard to focus. Someone else is shaking me, telling me to stay awake but all I need to do is rest my eyes for a moment.