Free A Favor by Fiona Murphy Page A

leading exercises close to what he did in the Rangers but he won’t be under the same pressure he was before. It’ll be fine.”
    I can only nod, Taylor is right. With a sigh of relief my eyes go down to the file, not seeing a thing. Of course, it would be fine. By the time I look up Taylor is gone and I’m glad. Rubbing my forehead I try to focus on Sam’s file, with a start I realize I’m seeing his last name for the first time. Sam King, it fit him is all I can think. Curiosity drives me through the rest of it, his transcripts from Harvard, his release from the Army and I’m surprised to see he’s thirty five, he’s a year younger than Taylor. It’s odd, all the other things I know about him but other small things I don’t. I want to know absolutely everything about him, from his shoe size to his favorite color.
    I can admit it now, I want Sam, any way I can get him. If it was just six months then I’ll take it, if it’s a week, I’m not proud enough to turn it down. I’ll figure it out, I will try so hard to give him what he needs from me and not be empty and cold and maybe if I get it right this time he won’t leave.
    An hour later Sam is back with Dr. Keno and my eyes are on Dr. Keno and his smile and I can finally breathe deeply for the first time since Sam’s kiss by the elevator. Both of them go into Taylor’s office. My phone rings and it’s the last person I had called about Quincy Tucker. Taking careful notes, what I’m hearing from a current coworker is good and I’m able to wrap up my report on Robert’s prospect. He looks good and I’m sure he’ll fit. At the prospect of the interview tomorrow with Tim Nielson, I shiver with distaste, at least it will be Friday.
    Taylor’s door opens, “Zoe, take Sam down to human resources and did you finish up on Tucker? Of course you did, thanks. On your way back up, can you get me an espresso? Regular coffee isn’t going to cut it today. Thanks.”
    Dr. Keno waves his goodbye. Sam’s arm is up around me again as he leads me out of the office. “Sam, not where Taylor can see.”
    Sam laughs and pulls me tighter, “You are adorable sometimes. Kiss me and I’ll think about it.”
    “No, kissing you makes my mind all fuzzy.” The elevator stops on the fourth floor and two people get on. I nod a hello and want to elbow Sam for pulling me closer to him. It’s beyond obvious and I fight not to blush but fail. When the elevator stops at our floor I want to flee but Sam keeps me tight against him. “Sam, please, not at work. I’m begging you. I have to deal with these people day in and day out.” He shakes his head and his damn smile went from sinful to devilish and all I can think is, fuck it, and melt against him. I offer my mouth and he takes it, it’s a rough kiss, almost bruising but I don’t flinch. Deep down I feel the same way. It lasts only seconds though and then Sam pulls back, very slowly. That light is in his eyes and I know what he wants but that we have to wait.
    It takes a minute to get my legs moving again and I turn to see the door being held open by a very interested administrative assistant. I go in with a muttered thanks, avoiding her eye.
    Sam is at my back but gives me some space and I give him a rundown of the setup of the floor. When we get to Jill’s office I knock and wait until Jill calls out to come in. I introduce them and hand over Sam’s file. It’s stupid that the hair on the back of my neck goes up as Jill smiles up at Sam. Jill is married, then Jill giggles, giggles. Damn it. “Okay, well have fun. I’ll see you later, bye.”
    Wanting to smack Jill I turn and pull Sam down for a kiss on the cheek, he smiles knowingly and I grit my teeth. Leaving the room without looking back, my only thought is, let Jill giggle at that. There’s no policy in place about employees not getting involved, so I’m not worried about that kiss in front of human resources in the slightest. What I’m worried about is making an