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  "Yeah and like I want to be put with her. I'd rather take the couch," Aliah said snarling.

  We both snickered at our own snootiness.

  Edwin was still watching us intently, with eyebrows raised. "Maybe I want to be in your room!" he said, with a smirk.

  I shook my head at him and narrowed my eyes without responding.

  "What? Hunter will probably be disappointed too you know. It'll dampen his odds of getting laid," he explained.

  "Get out of here Edwin!" I yelled, shoving him away.

  His smirk only grew as he moseyed for the other room.

  Aliah pitched the throw pillow she had been hugging at Edwin’s head, but it missed by a long shot. He left the room laughing and now Aliah was the one shaking her head.

  THE NEXT FEW WEEKS went super slow, as we impatiently waited for the break. Edwin had settled into the firm nicely and we were finally used to our new daily routine. Since we had the same schedule now, it didn't take long for Edwin to figure out who gets to use the bathroom first in the mornings. I do.

  Bright and early one morning, Aliah called me demanding that I go to the gym with her after work to work on our bikini bods. How could I say no to that? Edwin agreed that I could drive in with him, so I hurried to pack a lunch and finish my morning routine. While staring long and hard at my sizable shoe collection, I heard the rev and rumble of Edwin's truck out front and knew that it was my one minute notice that the train was leaving the station.

  Luckily I had already packed my exercise clothes and so I slipped on some sensible heels, grabbed my bag, and hurried out to him before he took off without me. Because he so would.

  I lifted myself up into his huge truck, hooking my heel on the chrome tube before tossing my things in ahead of me. When I slid into the seat next to him, he blasted me with a charming smile that flooded me with an unexpected awareness.

  For some reason, seeing Edwin all sexy in his business suit this morning was getting to me. He looked so incredibly handsome, his suit hugging his broad shoulders, his smile shining with roguish pride. And when he glanced over at me a second time, with his dark boomerang eyebrows hovering over his bright aqua blue eyes, I couldn't even hide my fascination. He looked delicious, and that was the only explanation for the hunger burning inside me.

  A smile curled on my trembling lips, as I tried to explain the exhilaration suddenly pulsing through my veins. Butterflies danced in my belly and the hairs on the nape of my neck stood on end. Unfortunately the tingling sensations didn't stop there. Am I sick? I certainly didn't feel ill this morning.

  "Everything okay?" Edwin asked, noticing my internal conflict.

  It was written all over my face. "I'm okay, I guess. My stomach's just a little upset," I said, trying hard to find something unappetizing about him.

  "You ragging?"

  "Edwin! No, I'm not ragging," I screeched, angered by his insinuation.

  "You know what I always say. Never trust anything that bleeds for five days straight and doesn't die," he teased.

  "You stop it!"

  "Just sayin’."

  As we motored off, I had to hand it to him, I was acting rather strange. I had felt that feeling for Edwin before and I knew exactly what it was. But could it really be that?

  My eyes trailed back to Edwin when I was sure he was enveloped in driving, to see what had gotten me in such a tizzy. The air thickened between us as I admired his dark, handsome features again. Ignoring his bold sarcastic remarks made it easy to leave him untouched in my fantasy land, at least in theory, because in my dreams my hands were all over him.

  Edwin looked at me suddenly.

  Shit! He totally caught me gazing at him. Though I quickly turned away and glanced out the window, trying to act casual, my reaction to his eyes on me didn’t go unnoticed.

  He smirked at my jumpy reaction. "What's with you today?” He paused. Even his thoughtful look was God damn gorgeous. “I hope you're not coming down with something. That would blow. And I doubt we could find someone to go to the Southwind in your place."

  I nodded and continued to stare out the side window, as dangerous daydreams danced in my head. You better not replace me.

  Even though Edwin and I weren't together, it was hard even for a stranger not to notice our elemental bond. I've always struggled with the fact that Edwin had took up shop on a pedestal in my heart early on and, despite his well-timed immaturity, I've never demanded that he step down. My mind drifted to my only other serious relationship in my life. Spencer Caldwell. He has been the only man who had what it took to outlast Edwin's strict conditions and ridiculous scare tactics.

  At one time, Spencer would have done anything to be with me. Though he wasn't my typical type, a much slimmer build than Edwin, I think his ability to irk and avert Edwin's angered advances was part of my strong attraction to him. Spencer was not afraid of a little competition, and he was the only one who didn't fail Edwin's tests.

  Edwin's large, rough hand grasped heavily on my shoulder, breaking me out of my dreamland. We were already parked in front of the office. "You coming or what?" he said, drawing his hand away as he got out of the truck.

  I gasped for air when his door clicked shut. "Yeah, I'm coming."

  CHAPTER FIVE

  ~

  AFTER LUNCH I WALKED up to the copier desk to pick up my printing.

  "We did it!" Maddie yelped.

  "What are you talking about?" Her enthusiasm was annoying.

  "We made it! We leave tomorrow! I can't wait!" she squealed excitedly.

  "Yeah it's definitely gonna be fun. You have to see this place, it's gorgeous."

  "Yeah, been there, done that. You know another thing that's gorgeous? Hunter."

  "About that,” I said. “Aliah and him go way back. You think you could tone it down a bit when she's around? She seems to get a little antsy when you talk about him like that."

  "Oh please. She can handle it. And I know she can't deny the fact that he's fine."

  Aliah suddenly walked in the room like a ghostly figure from the underworld and I was sure she had heard everything. “So you were talking about the trip?" Aliah asked, calm and cool. I could sense the fire burning beneath the surface.

  "Yeah. It's gonna be the trip of the year!" Maddison exclaimed.

  "Okay, your energy is really irritating. We still have to get through today you know," Aliah said, clearly annoyed.

  "But when you know what's coming, it's so worth the wait," Maddie said, as she spun around and dashed through the front reception door, taking a shortcut to her desk.

  "I can see she's going to get annoying real fast," Aliah said, knowing that Maddie could still hear her.

  I made a face at her and she smiled. "It'll be whatever we make it. But if I want to go at all, I'd better get back to work. I'm kind of in the middle of something right now, so I'll talk to you later?"

  "Whatevs. Later.” Aliah scooped up her papers and took off.

  Back at my desk, I quickly squinted at Owen's calendar for the afternoon. It looked like I was in the clear, but Owen had booked a couple of interviews with a couple of prospective lawyers to join his practice. Owen was still holding his own, but if we didn't get help soon, it would only be a matter of time before his clients started to suffer the consequences of a staff shortage.

  I worked super hard that afternoon and was feeling a little exhausted, though I kept in the back of my head the promise to Aliah that I would hit the gym with her after work. I was ready on time for a change and Aliah was pleasantly surprised, though it didn’t stop her from driving us to the club in her usual flurry of speed.

  We had made it one block away from the club when I noticed an unmarked police car pulling out behind us. Glancing in the side mirror, I saw the black car increasingly gaining on us, until it was so close I couldn’t see the headlights. That’s when the cherries started flashing erratically.

  "Shit!" Aliah screeched, dawning with realization.

  "Pull over, dumb ass!"
>
  She ignored my comment and continued the rest of the way, since the driveway to the Westmount was very near. Finally she pulled into the parking lot and parked the car in the first empty space. "Can you believe this?" she asked.

  "What do you expect when you drive like a crazy lady?"

  "Don't worry I can handle it," she said, tousling her hair and checking herself in the rear-view mirror.

  Aliah was in luck. The male police officer was alone. I glanced out the angled rear view, getting a perfect shot of his long solid legs as he stepped out of his car. He adjusted his hat, lowering it over his eyes and approached her side of the car, smooth and stealthy. Dressed in full uniform complete with aviator sunglasses, he looked like a walking wet dream. Ooh, I love a man in uniform. He knocked at her window before she put it down.

  "Yes officer," she said coyly, leaving the window only half open.

  "Do you realize how fast you were driving?" he said, voice flat and strong, with an incredibly appealing accent. His eyes were shadowed beneath his brimmed hat and I couldn't help but stare at his amazing lips.

  "Well my friend and I were just heading to the Westmount, after a long day’s work, as you can see. We really didn't want to be late for our class. I apologize officer. I promise it won't happen again."

  I rolled my eyes and glanced out my window, noting the growing crowd inside the Westmount's large front window.

  The officer chuckled amused for some unknown reason. Being awfully bold, he reached inside the window and pressed the button to ease it all the way down. That dark, troubled chuckle caught my attention, my eyes tore from my window and flashed out Aliah’s in an instant.

  The officer tipped up his hat to look at me. "Is this true sweetheart?" he asked.

  I thought I recognized those lips. How could I be so ignorant? “Spencer!” I said, still sounding totally shocked. How could I have mistaken that terribly sexy accent? The officer removed his aviators, hooked them onto his collared shirt, then readjusted the brim of his hat, all while gazing at me with his mysterious icy blue eyes.

  "Good to see you. How are things going?" he asked. His stance less formal, he clutched the top of the car and leaned closer, duty blowing away with the wind.

  "Things are good. The house is finally done. I’m still working with Owen. Same old, I guess. How’ve you been?" I asked, curiously attentive.

  "Alright, I guess. You look great! Are you still single?" he asked, his accent straight out of England.

  Flustered, both from his offensive suggestion and his sexy voice, "Uhh…," I stuttered.

  "I apologize. I realize how that sounded and I didn't mean to insult you. Let me rephrase my question if you will. If you aren't seeing someone right now, would you like to get a coffee sometime? With me. You know, to catch up."

  I smiled at his save but was not incredibly intrigued by his invitation. What was I saying? "I'd like that." I’d been having a draught in the man department lately and that accent of his was irresistible. I would do coffee with him anytime, if only to sit and listen to him talk.

  Aliah knew I was carefully working her out of a speeding ticket, but she still couldn’t keep her mouth shut. “You didn’t recognize me Spence?”

  "No, but I should have recognized your reckless driving."

  "Could you blame me? This car just begs you to drive fast," she said, not helping her situation.

  "I'll tell you what. I may be willing to bargain with you. But if I don't give you a ticket here, today, you'll have to give me something in exchange," he said to Aliah.

  "Anything.” She even raised her eyebrows to be sure he understood that point.

  I shook my head out of embarrassment, with my hand over my eyes, though Aliah was clearly unaffected by her lack of humility.

  "You have Abigail call me," he said. Spencer plucked his pad of paper from his pocket and scribbled something on it. As he ripped the paper off, I overheard a call come in over his radio.

  "Is that even legal, what you're doing there Mr. Officer?" Aliah taunted, yanking the paper from his fingers.

  "Don't push your luck. What you just offered me could be considered bribing a police officer," he said bluntly, then smiled at me.

  He looked wicked and sexy as hell. His mysterious eyes sparkled and dazzled me even more than I had remembered they could. "I have to take care of this call. You ladies should probably get to that class you were racing to. And you make sure Abby calls me, or I'll get you next time." He curled his lips into another mysterious smile and hustled back to his car. In seconds he was speeding off with lights and sirens and just like that, Spencer was gone.

  "Mmm, mmm. There's just something about a man in uniform,” Aliah said. “Tell me again why you never got back with him?"

  "Funny you say that. I'm having a hard time remembering that myself right now." I laughed, but there were plenty of reasons not to get involved with Spencer.

  Aliah pulled her keys from the ignition and together we jogged up to the building. The bystanders had scattered from the window by time we reached the doors. We had even made it to class with a few minutes to spare.

  After class I showered at the club and it reenergized me, gave me a sense of vibrant wellbeing. Aliah drove me home, faster than necessary, despite what had transpired earlier.

  "Thanks for the ride, Danica."

  "Hey. If it weren't for my speedy driving, you wouldn't have seen Spencer Caldwell at all."

  “Whatever you have to tell yourself,” I teased. “Laters.” I walked passed Edwin’s truck and clutched the antiqued bronze door handle. The door was locked. After digging through my bag, at last I found my key and slid it into the lock. It turned over with ease.

  I let myself inside and dropped my bag on the floor. “Hello?” I hollered, not hearing Edwin anywhere on the main floor. I walked around, but he wasn’t anywhere to be found. That’s strange.

  I strapped by bag back onto my shoulder and jogged up stairs. His bedroom door was shut. I hope he’s not ill. I dropped my things inside my bedroom door and finger combed my hair as I headed for his room. I tapped on his door and peeked inside, expecting the worst.

  Edwin was lying on his bed relaxing, with headphones on, but he appeared to be alive and well. He saw me as soon as I opened his door and waved for me to come in. He pulled off his headphones and swung his feet over the side of the bed. "I've been waiting for you. I wanted to talk to you about something," Edwin said, patting the bed next to him.

  "Did you eat dinner yet?" I asked, hoping to put it off.

  "No, but this is important. I want to discuss it with you first." His face looked troubled, yet his body was as laid-back as usual.

  I instantly got a pain in my side, wondering if this had something to do with my googly eyes for him earlier. Shit. He’s probably feeling like he has to let me down before I get my hopes up. This is awkward. I hesitantly crept closer to the bed.

  Edwin had been watching me. He raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Don't look so worried. Come here." His smile kicked up a notch. He knew I was fretting and was somehow pleased by that.

  My anxiety mounted considerably when it hit me. Is he ready to move on without me? I knew our joint home ownership couldn't last forever and it was only a matter of time before one of us made the decision to either move out or try to give the other the boot. But now? I can't believe he's doing this to me. He must want a fresh start. New job. New space. New life. I took a seat a safe distance away from him.

  "Come on now, am I that scary?"

  I shimmied a little closer, but he wasn’t satisfied, shifting himself until our legs were touching. I rested my hands on my thighs, with nowhere else for them to go, and stared at them in silent agony. Sitting so close to Edwin, I couldn’t help but inhale his fresh scent, lemony bleach and fabric softener. I couldn’t escape the urge to snuggle up against his chest and run my fingers over his tight, rigid abs.

  "So you know that I've had a bit of a dry spell with the ladies lately."

  "Okay,"
I said hesitantly. I wondered if he thought our living arrangements were the cause of that. It had definitely not made things easy for me.

  "So I was thinking. Maybe we could give the whole friends with benefits thing a shot." Though his words flowed serious and honest, he could not wipe the huge smile off his face. His amusement invoked an urge within me to attack him.

  I didn't know whether it had formed out of anger, relief or attraction, but I went with it anyway acting on impulse. I tackled Edwin and pinned him down hard on the bed. "Is that all you ever think about?" I raised my eyebrows at him waiting for a thoughtful response.

  He sensed my anger and tried to manage his smile, but his lips still curled handsomely at the edges. "You have no idea how much that just turned me on."

  "Ugh!" I screeched, jumping up off of him. I bounced to my butt and hopped off the bed swiftly. I stomped a few steps away to show my annoyance, though my heart was racing and my head thrilled.

  Not knowing how to deal with the feelings coursing through me, I scurried out his door and got a head start on the stairs. My exhilaration was seeping out onto my face and I was having a hell of a time controlling it. Edwin was hot on my tail.

  "I see you're feeling better," he called behind me.

  Obviously I am, because I was never sick dumb ass. I masked my facial expressions as best I could, by pressing a frown onto my lips. "Yes I am, thank you very much."

  I made it to the kitchen and opened the fridge quickly, tucking my head inside the french doors. I didn't find anything enticing, since I hadn’t stocked it this week, knowing we'd be away for the weekend. I stared a little longer than needed, hoping to regain my composure. When I thought I had it together, I shut the fridge, turned around and looked at Edwin.

  He was smiling, teeth and all. But damn, he looked good.

  I rolled my eyes then scowled at him, since it was the only logical response without totally giving myself away. "You know that shit never works out."

  "Oh, but it'd be so much fun trying. No strings attached. And I know it's been a while for you too. Come on, I'll follow your rules," he begged, and it was so hot.