mine across that room, the way every part of me ached for liberation in his chains.
I jumped in my seat as a thwack boomed loud. Metal on wood. A metal ruler slamming onto a desk, more specifically.
“Jesus Christ, Lydia. Are you even here today?”
James Clarke didn’t look happy. His brows were heavy with annoyance. His jaw set in a grim line.
“Sorry, I am listening.”
“So, answer the question.”
Shit. “Sorry, what question?”
He sighed. “Get with the plot or take the day off, I’ve got no time for this.”
I thumped back to reality. “Sorry, James. I’m listening now.” I watched him place his metal ruler back in position, unable to avoid the observation that James Clarke’s hands were big and strong, and ripe for brandishing implements – or for sitting on. Like Masque’s. Thoughts of what he did with his fist made me shudder, I could almost feel him inside me. Goddamn it, I was actually screwed. Masque, Masque, Masque, everywhere I looked. I shoved chimera-man and his strong hands back in the closet and forced my eyes back to James. “What was your question?”
“Are we fully prepped for the phase one sign-off visit? We’re going on Thursday, unless you’ve been sailing so high in fairy-land you haven’t checked your email this morning.”
“Thursday? To Brighton?”
“Well, that answers my question,” he groaned. “Yes, Thursday, yes, Brighton. Another overnighter, returning Friday evening. If it goes well we can begin your phase two project plan next week. It was good, by the way.”
Suddenly I was right back on planet Earth. I couldn’t help but smile. “You read it? Already?”
“Finally, some sign of intelligent life. Yes, I read it.” He slid the file across the desk to me, careful not to disturb his pen alignment. “There were a couple of typos on page thirty-nine, you should run spellchecker on the next one.”
My pride took a knock. I could have sworn I’d used spellchecker. “But it was good? Apart from that?”
He fought back a smile that twitched at his mouth. “It was excellent. I don’t even want to know how much time you spent learning WHM’s case-management processes, but it paid off. You did well, Lydia Marsh. Gold star for Cat’s eyes.”
I flicked through the file, at his pencil notes in the margins, all positive. “I didn’t think you were going to read it yet.”
“I’m pleased to surprise you.”
“Thank you,” I grinned. “And yes, we’re ready for the phase one sign-off visit. I spoke to Trevor White this morning and he was very happy with how we handled their accounts migration. Fantastic was the word he used.”
“Trevor White is calling you now, is he? I thought he’d gone a bit quiet at my end.”
“On my direct line. I think we’ve developed a good working relationship.”
He gave me another of his unreadable looks. “I’m sure he’s very impressed by you, Lydia.”
“Thanks.”
“Enough of this love-in. You need to be on your game with WHM, and this morning you haven’t been. Anything I should know about?”
“Anything... like?”
“You tell me. It’s not like you to be so... distracted. I need you on point.” His gaze was razor-sharp. “Is it Stuart? Has something changed?”
I tried to fight back a smile but my mouth wouldn’t listen. “No,” I said. “Nothing’s changed with Stuart. I’m sure he’s happily hanging out in Babies-R-Us choosing rattle-toys with Carly.” And I’m happily hanging out in Freaks-R-Us with Rebecca, my brain added. “Everything’s good.”
“Then I’ll put this morning down as a one-off. Keep focused, Cat, I need you with me.”
“I’m with you,” I said. “You can rely on me, James.”
His smile was all genuine this time, tension forgotten, and all over again I noticed how fine a cut James Clarke made in a suit. Musk and linen and dark, dark eyes, brooding and smoky and goddamn gorgeous.
Masque, James, Masque, James. Between the two of them my sanity stood no hope in hell. I never recalled singledom feeling this damned crazy before.
***
“Cara said she’s been with him, and she’s not got a high-tolerance. You said it yourself, a slap and tickle. He hasn’t fucked her up, has he?”
“Fucking hell, Lyds, not this again.” Rebecca fake stabbed me with dramatic hand gestures, scowling like a lunatic. “Seriously, Masque is NOT for you! There are a shitload of men out there who’ll give you a slapped ass and a fucking good time.”
“But I want him.”
“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about or what the fuck you’d be up against.”
“I’m not asking you to set it up, I’m just asking that