Free Compromising Positions (An Erotic Romance Novel) by Tawny Taylor Page B

that telling flush shot up to her face, she pushed his head away. “Stop.”
    He smiled. “What’s wrong?”
    She swallowed a cotton ball that had settled in her throat. “I need you inside me. Now.”
    “Then take me.” He stood up and spread his arms wide. “Do what you will.”
    The phone rang, and they both looked at each other then at the intrusion.
    Damn it to hell!
    Thank you, God!
    She closed her legs, yanked her skirt down and scooped up the receiver. “Fate Doherty.”
    “Hello, Honey? It’s Mom. Are you busy right now, or can you talk?”
    Shooting Gabe one of the most genuine silent apologies she’d ever had to give, she scooted down from the desk and wriggled by him. Breathless, she scooped up her panties and hose from the floor and flopped into her chair. “I can…talk. What’s up?” she stammered.
    “Dear, are you all right? You sound out of breath.”
    She swallowed and tried to force her breathing to slow. “I’m fine.”
    “You should take a vitamin with iron. You know how easy women can become anemic.”
    “Mother. I’m not anemic. I just…er, ran up the stairs. Why did you call?”
    “Stairs, hmm? I just wanted to see how you’re doing, that’s all.” Translation: did she have the mortgage yet.
    “I’m doing fine, Mom. Still don’t have word from the mortgage company.”
    “Well, they’re taking a mighty long time. Don’t you think?”
    Gabe was sitting in his chair watching her. She smiled at him, mouthing, “sorry.”
    He shrugged his shoulders and lifted his fingertips to his nose then grinned.
    A bolt of heat shot down to her crotch.
    “…and you know the auction is scheduled for only two weeks from now.” Her mother continued. “What am I going to do? You have to help me.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m doing everything I can. We’ll figure something out. Promise.”
    “Okay. Well, I have to go. Bye, honey.”
    “Bye, Mom.” She dropped the phone in the cradle. “You’re evil!” She gave him a playful pat on the stomach.
    He caught her wrist. “What was that all about?”
    “My mother. I told you about her house, didn’t I?”
    His thumb stroked her wrist, the simple touch a huge distraction. She glanced down at his hand.
    “You did. That’s right. Something about buying the house from the bank, right?”
    “I was able to talk them into letting me buy it, but they gave me a set date, and if I don’t come up with the money, they will put it on the auction block.” She pulled her wrist free. It was simply too hard to concentrate when he was doing that thumb rubbing thing. “I’m running out of time. Fast.”
    “How much money do you need?”
    “One twenty-five.”
    “Not bad for a four bedroom in Canton!”
    “Yeah, it’s a steal. I can hardly afford to lose this opportunity, even if it hadn’t been my childhood home. But I’m having a hard time getting a mortgage. My credit’s shot, thanks to some really stupid mistakes I made about six months ago.” She looked down at her desk and slid a hand to her doodle pad. She swiped a pen out of the holder and started drawing little circles. “Sometimes I just don’t think.”
    “I’ve made some stupid mistakes, too.”
    “The perfect Gabe Ryan make a mistake? No way!” She looked up and caught a playful smile.
    “You’d be surprised. Like I said, you don’t really know me. I’ve grown up since college.”
    “I’m glad to hear that.” Their gazes locked, and an awkward silence dropped between them. Her heart pounded in her ears. After a few rather long moments, she added, “Well, should we get something accomplished today?” Besides soaking my panties.
    “Sure. I’ve got Michael digging up some facts on our competitors, I hope you don’t mind.”
    Was he being straight with her? She studied him as he stood and rummaged through several folders on his desk. She really wanted to believe him, wanted to trust him. “No, not at all. For now, I guess we’re sharing both an office and an