“You’d be great, Beth. You get me, and that’s half of the job. Please say you’ll do it. At least you’d earn a good salary while you’re job hunting.”
“Ok, I’m in! When do I start?”
“I’d say right now, but that’s probably a bit sudden so how about tomorrow?”
“Sure. Um, sis, how would I need to dress? I know since we are sisters everyone will be shocked that we look nothing alike.”
Her heart squeezed at the insecurity she heard in Beth’s voice. Suzy said brightly, “Yeah they’re going to wonder why you got all the class in the family, and I dress like a street walker. Wear whatever you like, you always look great.” Before Beth could protest further, Suzy quickly ended the call.
Beth called herself a former fatty. Suzy had never liked that label and still didn’t. Yes, Beth had been overweight for most of her life, and she knew that her life had been easy compared to what Beth had endured. Suzy had tried to protect her and had gotten into many fights in school defending her sister.
She’d always told Beth that she was beautiful, and she truly felt that way. Beth, however, didn’t and had decided to do something about it. After finally moving out of their parent’s house two years ago, Beth had taken control. She joined a gym and started counting calories. It took her almost a year, but they were now close to the same size.
Suzy was so proud of her. Beth looked like a model but seemed to have no idea how beautiful she truly was. She was a small person trapped in the mindset of her former self. She simply wasn’t capable yet of seeing herself as the rest of the world saw her. Suzy hoped that with time and maybe the right person in her life, Beth could finally open her eyes and see that the beauty on the inside was shining on the outside as well.
Maybe this job would be good for Beth. Her job as a teacher was a safe zone for her so working at Danvers would require her to meet a lot of new people and leave her comfort zone, something that Beth almost never did. Hasta la vista Brittany! Suzy could feel the smile spreading over her face as she pondered putting Beth on the market.
“Now that’s the smile of a woman on a mission if I’ve ever seen one,” drawled an amused voice.
Suzy jerked around and was floored to see Gray standing in her doorway. “Ho…how did you get in?”
“I did knock and since I knew you were in here, I decided to peek in to make sure you were still upright after the flow of curse words I heard earlier.”
Suzy could feel color creep up her cheeks and was horrified at the display of emotion in front of Gray. “When did you get back in town?”
Still watching her in amusement, Gray allowed his gaze to leisurely run the length of her body. For once, she wished she’d worn something a little less attention getting. When she was getting dressed this morning, the short black suede skirt, tights and leopard skin heels seemed to go well with the matching leopard skin tank top. Now under his very heated gaze, Suzy had the uncomfortable desire to cross her arms over her chest.
Gray, as usual, looked perfect. He was wearing an obviously expensive dark-colored suit that only enhanced the trim, athletic body underneath. His thick, dark-brown hair was perfectly groomed, and his eyes were framed by long lashes that a girl would kill for. His strong jaw had just a hint of stubble beginning to appear. She tried not to think of how that rough texture would feel under her hands, and against her body. Gray was well over six feet tall and there wasn’t an ounce of fat on his superb body. Down girl, roll your tongue back in your mouth and get control of your body.
“I just got in actually. You were my first stop.”
“Wow, goody for me. I feel so special.”
“You most definitely are Suzanna.”
“It’s Suzy, not Suzanna. Suzanna was who my mother hoped I’d be before I shattered that illusion. Suzy is who I am.”
“I know who you are, Suzanna, and it’s exactly who I want you to be; I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Knowing she was in serious danger of pulling him against the wall of her office and gripping that hot butt, Suzy turned towards the window and asked, “Was there something you needed Gray?”
“Now that’s a loaded question if ever I’ve heard one. There are many things I want, but the first is dinner tonight.”
“Then you’re out of luck; I’m busy.”
“You’re lying but I’ll play along. When are you not busy?”
“For you, I’m always going to be busy. I’m not interested in starting something with you, Gray, why can’t you accept that?”
Mocking laughter erupted from his chest as he said, “Because we both know it’s not true. You want it as much as I do.”
Feeling as if her soul was exposed, Suzy laughed his comment off and said, “Sure, whatever you say, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m not going out with you.”
“Well since you only object to a relationship, let’s not have one of those. I’ll pick you up later for sex, just plain old sex. You can even leave as soon as it’s over.”
Suzy spun around in shock. She looked to see if he was joking but his expression looked perfectly serious. “You don’t have it in you, Gray; you’re too straight laced to be someone’s sex buddy.”
“Oh, I think you’re wrong, Suzanna, I’m nowhere near as straight-laced as you seem to think I am. The question here is are you a relationship girl or are you willing to put your money where your mouth is, so to speak. If you’re who you say you are, then you’ll jump at the opportunity for great sex with no strings.” After throwing the gauntlet down, Gray stood there waiting for a response.
Boy was my mother right; my big mouth had finally gotten me into trouble of the oh-so-hot variety. So I sleep with him, he’s lousy in bed, and I can move on, perfect. Even as Suzy finished her thought, she wondered what in the world she was getting herself into. “Ok, Gray, you win. Let’s scratch the itch once and for all and get it out of our system. No clinging or crying when it’s over, though. I’m not going to make an honest man out of you or anything afterwards.”
~~~
Gray was surprised; maybe shocked was a better word. When he’d thrown out the challenge, he hadn’t really expected her to take it. Suzy, as she liked to be called, had haunted his dreams for well over a year now. Truthfully he only continued to call her Suzanna because he knew it was guaranteed to get under her skin.