I almost fell out of the chair. “Why in the hell would you say something like that?”
“Because you’re getting old. You need a woman. She seems to be your match, and now that it’s been proven you are physically compatible, why not?”
I shook my head. “Because of all the reasons we just talked about. I’m not looking for a wife or a girlfriend.”
“Oh right, you’re just looking for a little action in your office now and again.”
I grinned. “If that’s where it happens, I don’t mind.”
“You are such a pig,” he said with feigned disgust. “I don’t understand what women see in you.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I shot back.
He shook his head. “No. Absolutely not. I wasn’t really coming onto you.”
I slapped my hand on the table. “I better get back to work. I came down to get a drink, but you’ve ruined it.”
“Gee, sorry to keep you from an afternoon drink.”
“It’s all good.”
“Are you going upstairs or to her place? Her office, I mean.”
“It’s my office and I think I’ll be working out of my office here today. I don’t want there to be that weirdness between us.”
“You mean you don’t have it in you to go a second round if she asks,” he said with a laugh.
“Fuck you. I’ll go ten rounds.”
He was laughing as he got to his feet. “I’m not getting into a competition with you and I really don’t want to know that many details about your life.”
“Never insult my virility. I can please a woman.”
“I’m sure you can.”
He waved as I walked out. I had planned to work out of the tax firm today, but I was going to give them a break. She wasn’t manipulating me. I refused to even consider that option. Saige was not that kind of a person. She said what she wanted and didn’t beat around the bush. I already knew she didn’t like my changes. That was not a secret. I was also fairly certain she knew one round of sex was not going to have me groveling at her feet and putting everything back to the way it was.
It was sex. It was basic needs being met. But damn if it wasn’t some of the best sex I could remember. It was way too fast, but the woman had me turned inside out. I was damn lucky I managed to last as long as I did. Her first orgasm had me dripping. The woman was better than I remembered. Being inside her after too many years was like returning home after too long away.
I shook off the nostalgia. I wasn’t going back. I was not going to fall for a woman. I didn’t have the time or energy it would take to maintain a relationship. After my marriage, I vowed never to let myself fall into that trap again.
Never.
Chapter 19
Saige
Nine years ago
I buttoned my blouse, hiding the lacy bra I had on underneath. I wore it with the sole intention of it being seen by a certain sexy client. Not seen in its entirety but just a little flash here and there. It was naughty and probably completely inappropriate, but it would be fun. Plus, it would hopefully get the guy to let me work on his account without being a total asshole.
“Nash Aarons,” I said his name while looking in the mirror. “Hello, Mr. Aarons,” I tried again. “I’m Saige and I’ll be your new CPA.”
I shook my head. That sounded a little too cheesy. “Mr. Aarons, thanks for coming in,” I started.
I liked that better. It put me in control. I was going to prove to the other accountants I could do this. I was good enough to handle the most difficult clients.
I finished dressing and felt ready. If I could get this one client to cool his jets and let me do my job, it would prove to everyone I wasn’t just a pretty face. I wanted to prove to my coworkers that while I was young and inexperienced, I could be just as good as they were.
When I got to the office, everyone else was already there doing the water cooler thing. “Good morning,” I greeted.
“You’re dressed nice,” one of them commented.
“Thank you.”
“I hear you’re going to try and handle Nash Aarons today,” he joked.
I shrugged. “I think he just needs to understand what all the line items mean.”
The man scoffed. “He’s an arrogant little prick who thinks he knows more than I do. More than anybody. He’s made a little money and he thinks he is king of the world. I’ve seen his type before. They make it fast and lose it even faster. There’s no point in trying to win his business. He’ll be broke by this time next year.”
“That’s kind of rude,” I said.
“You haven’t had to sit and talk to the guy,” he shot back. “The guy is rude. He’s worse than rude. I wish you luck, but I know I won’t take his business. I’m done with his shitty attitude. He’s not any better than anyone else that walks through those doors. He acts like he is doing us a big favor by bringing us his business. I talked to a buddy of mine at another firm. They refused to take him on as a client. I heard a lot of the bigger firms have all rejected him.”
That was a little concerning, but it just made me want to try harder. I was going to prove them wrong. I carried my cup of coffee to my desk in the smallest office in the place. It was the office closest to the door, which meant I was supposed to greet anyone who came in. I was the one who had to answer questions and make appointments. It was my job because I was the newbie. I didn’t mind.
I flicked open the top button on my blouse and then another one. Yes, I was using boobs and sexuality to disarm the man. If everyone else had tried it their way, I was going to try it mine. I had seen him when he walked in the first day. He was good looking and he knew it. He was used to women wanting him.
I heard the door open and leaned over to see if it was him or someone else. He walked in looking confident as ever in what looked to be a new suit. I rose from my chair, tugged my skirt down just a bit, and walked out to greet him. “Mr. Aarons,” I said with a bright smile. “Thanks for coming in.”
“Are you the one who called me?” he asked irritably.
“I am. I understand there was some troubles and I thought I would go over your account.”
He scrutinized me. “Is this your first day?” he quipped.
“You’ve seen me here before. You know it isn’t my first day.”
He smiled. “Good point.”
“Come into my office and we’ll go over what you have.”
I walked in, swaying my hips just a bit. I sat down and waited for him to get comfortable. “Are you actually a CPA?” he asked.
I laughed. “I am. Can you tell me what’s been going on?”
“What do you mean?”
I smiled at him. “I think we both know you’ve been struggling to find someone to work with.”
He sighed, and for the first time, that permanent scowl faded just a bit. “I know what I want and what I need. I’ve just started my business and I can’t afford a single misstep. I need someone who understands how to get me the most tax breaks and how to keep my ass from being hounded by the IRS. I need to invest, and I can’t do that if I’m paying out the money in taxes.”