Chapter Sixteen. Juliet resisted the urge to slam the receiver down in a fit of exasperation

Juliet resisted the urge to slam the receiver down in a fit of exasperation. Instead, she purposely laid the phone back gently in its cradle and pushed away from her desk. She dragged her hand through her hair as she stared out of the one window her office afforded. The surrounding buildings were darkened. Only their security lighting was on in selected windows. Juliet didn’t bother to look at her watch. She didn’t want to know what time it was. The night sky was dark, dawn still hours away. What the hell am I doing here, she wondered, catching the reflection of her computer in the window, its flashing denoting the frantic e-mails coming to her thick and fast. She looked out blindly into the night. I could be with Trent, right this minute, touching her, holding her, feeling her inside me again. Heat burned low in Juliet’s belly, and she tugged at her work blouse, loosening the collar in the hope of cooling herself down. She jumped when someone knocked on her door. Carnie Warner, one of the managers, stuck her head in, then stepped inside furtively, closing the door behind her and leaning against it as if barring against intruders.

“How bad is this, Juliet? ” she asked.

“As bad as it can be with the bankruptcy of one business setting off others to topple like dominos after it.”

“We’re safe though, aren’t we? ”

Juliet fought the urge to roll her eyes at Carnie’s preoccupation for self-preservation. She knew this particular manager only looked out for herself, sometimes to the detriment of her staff. “For now, but who knows how far this will reach? ”

“As long as it all blows over without touching my paycheck, I don’t care.”

Juliet was amazed by her selfish attitude. “Carnie, companies are losing money all over the world, and the people whose money is in those banks are going to be affected too. How can you not care? ”

Carnie shrugged. “I don’t get paid enough to care for everyone.” Juliet’s surprise was obviously visible because Carnie turned defensive. “Don’t give me that look. I’m not like you, young and talented, being put on the fast track to head office. I’m nearer retirement than I am a promotion now, ” Carnie snapped. “And I’m way too old to use sleeping with the boss as a means to get higher up the corporate ladder.”

Juliet bristled. “That’s a path I have never chosen.”

“I know that. I wasn’t talking about you. You have competition, though, Juliet, and that particular female will use everything at her disposal to get your job. Stacy Atkins isn’t above anything to secure that corner office they’ve designated for you, my dear.”

Juliet dropped into her chair, suddenly tired of it all. “And what if I don’t want the corner office? ”

“But you’re Mr. Castle’s biggest and brightest star, the jewel in his crown.”

The only jewel I want to be is Trent’s Jule. “Well, maybe I don’t want to shine in this line of work anymore.”

“And instead you’ll do what? Try your hand at gardening? ” Carnie laughed at Juliet’s face. “Do you really think you’ve skipped the rumor mill with that one? One comment, innocently made, can do the rounds to every floor before the last word has left your lips.”

Juliet forced herself to take a deep breath, realizing more and more why she was becoming disillusioned working for such a company. I’d much rather be out digging up a dirt patch than sitting in here dealing with Carnie. God, when did my priorities change from the good of the company first and foremost? Not to mention I could be with Trent right now, exploring all that life has to offer me with her beside me. Not for the first time since she’d left Trent’s home did she wonder what Trent was doing and hoped she was missing her half as much as she was missing Trent.

“I’m looking forward to your presentation.” Carnie was oblivious to Juliet’s distraction. “Though I hear Stacy is chomping at the bit to get some of her ideas put forth.”

Juliet eyed an e-mail that came up on her screen and grimaced at the news of another company making its announcement of failure. “Then I suggest she goes through the proper channels.” Dismissing Carnie from her thoughts, Juliet scanned her screen.

“Problems? ” Carnie asked.

“You might want to go make sure your corner office is still there, ” Juliet said, reading the rest of the mail she’d received in just five minutes and feeling queasy at the sinking feeling settling in her gut. “Our flagship investor has just started to sink.” It was with little satisfaction that Juliet watched Carnie scurry back to her own office. She grimaced as her phone started ringing again.

I should have stayed with Trent. I need her more than I need any of this. Putting that realization on hold, she picked up the phone, readying herself for whatever bad news was on the other end this time.

Juliet tried to open the front door as quietly as possible, but caught sight of Monica already at the breakfast table. Monica looked up at her entrance.

“Get you, just rolling in at breakfast time.” She stopped her teasing when she registered Juliet’s clothing. “You changed into your work clothes? ” Monica gave a frown. “Just how kinky is Trent? ”

“Would you believe I got called into work last night? ” Juliet said, tossing her briefcase on a chair and reaching over to snag a piece of Monica’s toast.

“What was so bad they needed you in at midnight on a Saturday? ”

“Active Banking declared bankruptcy, and the resulting crash was felt around the world. I’ve been on the phone most of the night to various countries trying to ensure them that their money is safe and we will weather this storm.” Juliet sat with a weary thump at the table.

“And the real truth is? ” Monica reached for another cup and poured Juliet some tea.

“That there’ll be redundancies in every building from Tokyo to Germany, and here at home.”

“I told you that banking was a foolish endeavor. You need to get out among the flowers, pour your energy into growing things. Not watching your fat cats grow fatter on other people’s money only for them to lose it all because of their greed.”

Juliet sipped her drink gratefully. “I know. I hear you. And once this damn presentation is done I can decide more clearly what I need to do. I just need this done and dusted. I’ve worked on it too long now to let it go. People are counting on me.” She took another piece of toast from Monica’s plate. “And, if I do say so myself, I think I have a damn good proposal to offer.”

Monica was quiet for a moment, then changed the subject. “So how did your night go before you were called hastily away? Did you see Trent’s sanctum of sanctums? ”

Juliet blinked at her. “I beg your pardon? ”

“My man Elton got the word from a very reliable source. Trent told him herself she was going to show you something special.”

Juliet shrugged. “She might have, ” she said mysteriously.

Leaning over the table, Monica gave her a look. “You know that Elton thinks Trent showing you her game room is like her proposing marriage to you, don’t you? ”

Juliet choked on her toast and was grateful for Monica’s hand pounding on her back. “I’m sure it’s not that serious, ” she gasped, though that didn’t stop her from yearning for it to be true.

“Come on, think about it. You’ve been let into the most private place of the Baydale Reapers’ most renowned of players. I’m led to believe that room is everything from the Lost Ark of the Covenant to the bloody wardrobe that houses Narnia! ”

Juliet was highly amused at Monica’s fanciful ideas. “It’s a game room. It has in it what you’d expect to find in there.” She would never be able to explain how every picture on the wall or the small figures dotted around the room all were a piece to Trent’s whole.

“But it’s Trent’s game room and no one is allowed in. That much I could glean from Elton’s cryptic comments that I tortured out of him with a flash of a well-placed tattoo.”

“You need to stop using your butt art in leverage with him. It will lose its power all too quickly once the novelty has worn off.” She got up from the table and stretched. “Damn, I can’t believe I have to sleep part of my Sunday away because they kept me fielding calls all night from major clients.” Juliet picked up her cup. “This is not how I envisioned spending my Sunday after such a great party.”

“It was fun, wasn’t it? The gamer geeks sure know how to throw a decent shindig.” Monica leaned back in her chair to regard Juliet steadily. “Although you two left early enough that you missed Rick and Elton’s renditions of classic tunes sung with explicit lyrics.”

“Damn, there’s actually a part of me that wishes I’d seen that. Rick seems so quiet.”

“And my Elton isn’t? And what about the other part of you that skipped out on us with her handsome woman in tow? ”

Juliet recalled how marvelous her evening had been up until the interruption of business had dashed her plans. “The other part of me had more fun than I could ever have dreamed of.”

“Oh my God! You slept with Trent! Tell me you slept with her.”

“No, I didn’t.” She pulled out her cell phone and turned it off deliberately. “This stupid thing spoiled any plans I might have had about seducing her.”

“Oh, Juliet. I’m sorry.”

The saucy look Juliet tossed her was answer enough. “I didn’t sleep with her. That isn’t to say things didn’t get very heated before banking reared its ugly head.” Monica rushed after her as she headed to her bedroom.

“How was it? Is she as good as she looks? Is she too butch to touch? ” The questions tumbled from Monica’s lips. “Details please, enquiring minds need to know.”

Juliet shed her work clothes and slipped into her robe, aware that Monica was in the room with her but had seen it all before. Living with someone who designed her own clothes and always needed a model to “just try this on” left no room for modesty in the apartment. Juliet sat on the edge of her bed and regarded Monica fondly.

“Do I always tell you what my women have been like? ”

“No, because most of them didn’t make your eyes sparkle like this one does, so I’m curious as hell. Even I have to agree she’s gorgeous in that handsome studly way only a butch girl can be. So spill! ”

“It was mind-blowingly awesome. She is a fantastic lover, gentle, passionate, and so sexy she makes my chest ache. And she’s not too butch to be touched by me.” Juliet paused. “But we got interrupted before I could have my way with her.”

Leaning against the door, Monica just stared at her.

“What? ”

“I’ve never seen you so…excited over someone. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were head over heels in lo—”

Juliet raised a finger in warning. “Don’t you dare tease Trent about this today, and no telling Elton either. Trent’s not used to how you can be.” She wagged a finger at Monica’s playful wounded gasp. “I mean it. You only see the side she shows everyone else. I’ve seen the other side, Monica, and she’s so sweet you’d move heaven and Earth to make sure nothing hurt her.”

Monica was silent for a moment. “You know, Elton said pretty much the same thing to me when he was asking me last night if I thought you would deliberately hurt Trent. What do you think happened to her to make everyone so damn protective of one who looks like she could take on the world single-handed? ”

“I don’t honestly know. All I know is I want to be with her more than anyone I’ve ever known.”

“That’s some statement from you.”

“They’re the truest words from my lips today.”

“I’ve got to go carry on my work at her house. You going to come by later? ”

“I’d like to.”

“I won’t expect you to work.” Monica pushed away from the door frame. “But don’t think I’ll always let you off so light when you work for me, young lady.”

Juliet flopped back on her bed with a groan. “I’ll bear it in mind, boss.” She could hear Monica call out, “And don’t you forget it, ” as she disappeared into the living room.

Trent met Monica at the back gate and helped her carry stuff in from the car.

“You’re up early, ” Monica said as she handed her a bucket to carry.

“Couldn’t sleep, ” Trent replied.

Monica favored Trent with a sideways glance. “Juliet’s disappointed she couldn’t work here today.”

“She got home safely, then? ” Trent was desperate to hear Juliet was okay. Her feigned nonchalance didn’t fool Monica one bit.

“Yeah, she came walking in at seven this morning, not in the least bit happy she spent the night at the office.”

Trent nodded absently. “I guess work comes first.”

“She’d rather have been here with you. I know that for a fact.”

Trent’s heart lifted at Monica’s sincere words.

“They’ve promised her a day off this week for going above and beyond the call of duty for them.”

“I’ve got Tuesday off.”

“Really? I’ll be sure to mention that to her. I have that day off too this week. Maybe we can all go and pick out some foliage for this naked yard of yours to start bringing it back to life.”

“You want me to pick flowers? ”

“You must have some idea what you’d like to see growing in your backyard? ”

Trent shrugged. “I hadn’t really thought about it. I just expected you to bring something bright and leafy in and plant it everywhere.”

Monica’s condescending stare almost made Trent shrink under its weight.

“You really are clueless, aren’t you? ”

Trent hoped to deflect some of Monica’s growing irritation. “It’s just not my area of expertise like it is yours.”

Waving an imperialistic finger before Trent’s face, Monica said, “Don’t give me that look. It may work on Juliet, but it won’t work on me.” She turned away, only to look back over her shoulder at Trent. “You know exactly the look I mean, the one where you could give that damn cat from Shrek a run for his money.”

Trent laughed at being compared to Puss in Boots, who used his wide-eyed innocent look as a weapon.

“Now that’s a sound I like to hear.” Elton swung open the gate and made a beeline for Trent. He hugged her swiftly, then set after Monica, his hug for her lingering, and their good-morning kiss would have lasted longer had Trent not started whistling.

“Where’s your lady, Trent? I expected her to be here, you know, still in those tight shorts of hers.” Elton’s breath whooshed out of his lungs at the weight of the heavy bag Monica pushed into his arms.

“Juliet’s not here. She got called into work last night.” She pushed him in the direction she needed him to go.

Elton followed her lead, but his eyes never left Trent’s face. “Bummer, dude, ” he said.

Trent agreed. “Totally.”

As soon as Elton had deposited the bag Monica shooed him away. “Go play with your friend. You’re standing in the way of my creativity.” She kissed him on his cheek, then pushed him toward the slabs where Trent stood.

Trent eyed Elton warily. She knew he couldn’t keep quiet for long.

“So did you show her your game room? ” he whispered comically from the side of his mouth.

“Yes.”

“And? ”

Trent shrugged. “And it wasn’t as big a deal as I thought it would be. She was really cool about it.”

Elton edged closer to her. “Cool as in frosty? ”

“No, cool as in she didn’t judge or make sarcastic comments.” Trent stared at her boots for a minute, replaying the night in her mind. “She was wonderful, Elt.”

“That’s good, right? ”

“That’s better than good.”

The inflection in her tone must have given something away because Elton’s eyes narrowed and he looked her over. “You’re mighty mellow this morning.” His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “You got laid last night! ”

Trent cringed at his words. She tugged sharply at his beard, making his head snap forward. “Will you hush? No, I did not get laid.” Not exactly.

Elton rescued his facial hair from Trent’s grasp and rubbed at his chin. “Did she? ” he asked slyly and Trent turned red. “Oh my God, you did it. You fuc—” Elton didn’t get any further because Trent slapped her hand over his mouth to shut him up.

“Will you keep your voice down? ” She tossed a swift look in Monica’s direction in case she could hear Elton’s crude remarks. Elton mumbled something from behind Trent’s hand, and with a resigned sigh she removed it.

“You had sex with the fair Juliet, ” he said excitedly. “Way to go, Trent! ”

Trent understood his excitement and pleasure for her. It had been a long time. “Yes, and then she left.”

Elton made a show of gathering up his beard. “A first for you. You’re usually out of there before the last ‘Oh, Trent’ has been uttered.” He mimicked a breathy female voice calling her name and even Trent had to grin despite herself.

“Stop that, ” she grumbled weakly, recognizing the truth in his teasing.

“Fuck and flee, that was usually your modus operandi, ” Elton said.

Trent shivered as she remembered Juliet coming in her lap. “Well, this time I had no intention of going anywhere. Instead, she did.”

Elton bent his knees a little to rest his head on her shoulder in commiseration. “So, even though you didn’t get to spend longer than you usually would with a woman, how was it for you? ”

Trent closed her eyes and let the memory loose. “As damn near perfect as I could ever have imagined.” The burning need to be with Juliet again suffused her soul.

“Sweet, ” was Elton’s simple reply. “How about I take you for a drink while Monica works her magic on the soil? That way we won’t make her nervous with our whispering and you can give me more details.”

“Details? ” Suspicious, Trent eyed Elton’s innocent face.

“Yes, Trent dear, details.” He cupped his hands against his chest and waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“I am not divulging anything concerning vital statistics with you, you letch! ”

“Come on, you know you’re dying to share.” Elton danced back from Trent’s glare. “You’ve seen them up close and personal by now, I’m sure. Just how big are—”

Trent took a threatening step forward and hissed at him under her breath. “If you dare mention Juliet’s breasts one more time in my earshot, it won’t be just your beard I’ll make a grab for.”

Elton winced and backed off, hands held up in surrender. “Never could get you to share anything too intimate.”

“And I’m not going to start now either, so quit asking.”

“This one’s special, eh? ” Elton asked softly, switching from friend to his big-brother persona in an instant.

“I think so, ” Trent replied then added with more conviction, “No, I know so.”

Slapping her on the shoulder, Elton cheered softly. “Glad to hear it. You can buy the first round, because I never thought I’d see the day you’d find someone to settle down with.”

“Who said I was ready to settle down? ”

“Trent, you’re so damn sweet on this woman already. Tell me you haven’t thought of forever.”

Trent stayed silent so long that Elton hugged her to him. “Thought so, ” he said. “About time too. She’ll be lucky to have you.”

“She hasn’t had me yet, ” Trent muttered into Elton’s chest.

“Something tells me that won’t be long in coming. No pun intended.”

Trent prodded him lightly in his side and stepped back, struggling to hold back a smile at his blatant amusement at his own joke.

“What is he laughing at? ” Monica asked, stopping her work and looking over at them both suspiciously.

Trent sighed and shook her head at Elton who was now wiping at his eyes.

“Same as usual, me. ”