Free Going Nowhere (A Romantic Comedy Novella) by Kimberly Lauren

good cigar.”
    He leaned closer. “And that, my friend, is a good cigar.”
    Max cleared his throat.
    “ Now you want one?” Sam reached out of the hot tub toward a pair of khakis. “Fine, I’ve got more than enough to go around. You want one, Kate?”
    “I’ll share with you,” I said in what I hoped was a suitably husky voice.
    “I don’t want a cigar, Sam.”
    “Are you going to share, too, Max? Because I’m not sure how I would feel about that.” Sam leaned back, watching me. “Of course, there are some things I wouldn’t mind sharing.”
    I giggled suggestively.
    Max stood up. “Kate, can I talk to you?”
    “Go right ahead.”
    “Privately?”
    Sam tilted his head toward me. “Did I say something naughty? Do I need to be spanked?”
    “You wish,” I whispered back.
    “Now, Kate?”
    “Oh, fine!” I stood up and waded toward the edge, the balmy Caribbean breeze feeling chilly compared to the one hundred and four degree hot tub. “I don’t see what’s so important that you can’t say it here. A little while ago, you couldn’t even say hello and now you’re‌—‌“
    Max grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the hot tub and into one of the dark shadows clustered near the railings of the ship.
    “What are you doing?” he asked.
    “I was being sociable.” I looked at him innocently, my brow creased with confusion. “What’s wrong with that?”
    He shook his head. “That was more than sociable. Besides, I’ve never seen you befriend anyone . Why start now?”
    My mouth fell open. “I befriend people all the time!”
    “Do you even know what the word means?”
    “Whatever.”
    “Kate,” he said, still shaking his head. “You never search people out, make the first move‌—‌that sort of thing. In the office, you’re pretty much a loner.”
    “I talk to you.”
    “No, you don’t. I talk to you .”
    “What’s the difference?”
    “There’s a big difference. The difference is I make all the effort.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Aren’t you full of yourself.”
    “So why the sudden change? Why are you hanging on Sam’s every word? You don’t even know him.”
    I trembled under his fierce gaze, feeling naked in my bathing suit. “I know him enough to say hello.”
    Max squeezed my arm, pulling me even closer. “More importantly, you know that he’s standing between you and a partnership.”
    I tried to look shocked. “What are you insinuating?”
    “You’re trying to sleep your way to the top,” Max replied. “Is that clear enough for you?”
    I cringed and pulled away. “You’re wrong, Max. I should have known you’d jump to the worst conclusion.”
    “What’s the right conclusion, then? There could only be one other reason for your behavior. You’re attracted to him.”
    “Oh, yes. He’s quite the charmer.”
    Max’s hand slipped off my arm. “Sam Goldblum?”
    “It was a joke. Listen, I’m not attracted to him, and I’m not trying to sleep my way to the top. The only thing I’m doing is attempting to be friendlier. You’re right about me being a loner. I’m trying to change.”
    “I’ll believe it when I see it,” he said, but his shoulders relaxed and he finally stopped glaring at me.
    I wrapped my arms around my damp body. “It’s not very nice of you to accuse me of being some sleep-her-way-to-the-top slut.”
    I could see the typical grin return to his chiseled face. “I didn’t call you that.”
    “It’s what you meant.” I put my hands on my hips and thrust out my breasts. “If I’d wanted to use my feminine wiles to get ahead, I would be CEO by now.”
    He smiled, letting his gaze roam my body. “I don’t doubt that you would be.”
    I felt my nipples harden under his careful inspection and realized my bikini wasn’t the only thing that was wet.
    Max was breathing heavily, his chest visibly rising and falling with each breath. “A woman like you shouldn’t be allowed to wear a bathing suit. Your body is too...”
    I