Free One to Keep (One to Hold) by Tia Louise

made a mistake.”
    “A mistake?” He let out his breath and turned, looking through the windows of his apartment at the bright Sunday afternoon. “A mistake is Nikki sending my car to LaGuardia instead of JFK. This is more than a mistake.”
    The comparison made me wince. I’d spent the weekend at his place, worked out on his Bowflex, lounged by the rooftop pool, watched his 110-inch flatscreen, tried to get my head straight. The more I’d thought about what happened, the more it didn’t make sense that Star would go from zero to on my dick unless she had an agenda. Sure, I’d grown used to panties flying at my command, but this felt contrived.
    “What do you think about it possibly being a setup?” It sounded even more ridiculous when I said it out loud, and even if it was a setup, it didn’t change the fact that I’d slept with a subordinate. On her first day in the office.
    As if remembering something, Derek turned and went to the hall, grabbing his briefcase. “With what possible motive?” He was distracted as he walked past me. I couldn’t imagine what he was looking for—unless he had standard resignation papers on hand.
    “That’s the part I can’t figure out.” I exhaled, leaning against his leather couch. “But I swear, I was only planning to have lunch with her then go home. I’d gotten your email.”
    “Instead, you decided to jeopardize the reputation of our agency—my reputation—to satisfy your dick.” Again I winced as he dropped the folder on the table. “You’re going to Scottsdale. Leaving Tuesday morning. Take Monday off.”
    I nodded, expecting as much.
    “Perfect timing,” he growled. “I just picked up a huge multi-agency phishing scam targeting seniors. I need you on this. Instead, I’ve got to figure out if we’re going to be sued for sexual harassment. Or if some asshole’s going to show up at the office waving a gun.”
    My frown deepened. I still couldn’t believe I’d been so careless. “I guess it’s too late to apologize.”
    “Skip it,” he said, picking up his phone. “I’ll call Susan and see if the girl’s reported anything.”
    “Who’s Susan?”
    “My aunt.” He walked back to the dining area. “She runs the temp agency.”
    That one sentence made my setup theory DOA. Derek’s aunt would not be party to a setup. I watched as he listened and then put his phone down. “She’s not answering. I’ll follow up with her tomorrow. You get packing.”
    I bent down and collected the few things I’d brought with me Friday night. I wasn’t sure what to say in my defense at this point. My credibility was at an all-time low, and I hated it. I nodded, picking up my keys and my now-quiet phone. “Thanks.”
    “I’ll email you the agenda for the Scottsdale conference. It’s at the Windsor. Nice golf course, spa attached. Try the acupuncture.”
    “Right,” I said, shaking my head. With the extra-sharp needles, I was sure. “See you in a week.”
    Maybe a week in the desert was a good idea after all.
    * * *
    Two days later, I was at the outdoor bar at the Windsor resort, waiting for a bartender and watching the Arizona sky turn from orange and pink to purple and black. I was alone, and I contemplated being here, in the desert, starting over. I had my agenda for the week, and the plan was to bag at least five new clients as penance. This was me grabbing the reins, getting back in the saddle.
    Out of the blue, Derek had emailed to say he was joining me on the trip. Something about a last-minute job and needing to be here. He’d arrived earlier this evening, but I wasn’t interested in socializing. This trip was about me redeeming my reputation.
    And just like that, a vodka and tonic appeared in front of me. “From the lady.” The bartender pointed past me to a strawberry blonde with a sly smile on her face. She was slim and fit, and I could tell by the way she carried herself, she was older.
    Damn, if this wasn’t a test.
    I’d been with a few