Free NiceGirlsDo by Marilyn Lee Page B

wields it with lethal-like skill.”
    “And you think you're going to be able to keep from falling hard for him while sleeping with him?”
    “Yes.”
    “Come on, Darbi. Get real, girl. I was head over heels in love with Jeff when I met Clay and I nearly lost my heart to him. I came so close to tumbling into bed with him. And we never got past the kissing and caressing stage. I can't see your not falling for him once you start sleeping with him.”
    “I have it all straight in my head. I know what I want. What I need to know is if I should tell Jeff we're seeing each other.”
    She shook her head. “It's none of his business. He knows all he needs to know: that you're loyal to the company and won't divulge any company secrets. Not that Clay would ask or expect that of you. But I'll mention it to Jeff in passing so it won't come as such a shock.”
    “Okay.” She exhaled deeply and rose. “I'd better get back to work.”
    “Darbi, be careful. Okay?”
    She turned at the door. “Careful? You think he'll hurt me?”
    “Not intentionally, no, but if you start wanting more and he's still satisfied with sex only ... trust me, it's going to start hurting real bad real fast.”
    “I don't want a commitment from him. I just want ... sex until my ebony knight comes along.”
    “What if you've already met him, but he's white instead of black? Would you really turn down love with Clay just because he's not black?”
    “Love?” She shook her head. “What he makes me feel begins with an L all right, but it's lust, not love. Don't worry about me, Sharde. I'll be fine.”
    “Darbi ... don't you think the room mix up is like a sign?”
    “From who about what?”
    “Come on, girl. What are the chances of your both being assigned the same room and ending up in bed? Don't you think the mix up is like a sign you two belong together?”
    She shrugged. “Maybe for the short haul, sure. Long term? I don't think so.”
    “Fine, but don't expect me not to say I told you so when you find yourself head over heels in love with him.”
    She grinned. “I'm head over heels with him all right, but it's lust, girl. Not love. I want him so much I tracked him down and told him I wanted him to be my lover.”
    Sharde's eyes widened. “You tracked him down and said all that and you still think this is just lust? Girl, get real! You're in lust and love with him.”
    “Lust, Sharde, big time. Not love.”
    Sharde shook her head, holding her hands up, palms out. “Fine. Call it what you want, but I know what I call it and it ain't lust. What do you want to do about your present from the girls?”
    “My present? What present?”
    Sharde lifted the blotter on her desk and held up a red envelope. “Sarro. Remember him?”
    “Oh.”
    Sharde waved the envelope at her. “Can I interest you in a lap dance given by a sexy hunk?”
    Darbi crossed the room, took the envelope, tore it into pieces, and dropped them into the wastebasket near Sharde’s desk. “Nope.”
    Sharde nodded, a satisfied look on her face. “I thought not.”
    Darbi shrugged. “Never mind him. How are the wedding plans coming along?”
    Sharde's smile lit up her face. “Do you have time to help me choose a wedding dress?”
    “Is the sky blue? Of course I have time.”
    Sharde’s smiled turned into a grin. She opened her desk drawer and slapped a thick book on her desktop. “Then pull up a seat and let me show you the five I have my eye on.”
    * * *
    “Clay? Got a moment?”
    With his hand on his car door, Clay looked up from his car to see Damien crossing the company parking lot. He opened his car door, tossed his briefcase in the passenger seat, and leaned against his car. “Actually, I've been wanting to talk to you.”
    “What about?”
    “Cami.”
    Damien tensed. “What about her? Look, if you're still angry because I got a little carried away with her --”
    “How long have you two been having sex without a condom?”
    He watched the muscles in Damien's jaw