Braden Security: Tied Up In Knotts Part 4

Avery though for a minute. "But there wasn't any intruder. James should have left as soon as he saw the way was clear." Avery knew she was arguing for the sake of arguing now, but couldn't seem to stop. She was still p.i.s.sed at James "I'll talk to him in the morning and clear this all up."

At Clay's words, Avery stopped. She didn't want to create bad feelings between the friends.

"I don't want him to get fired. He probably doesn't know all the rules. We are all new to the situation."

Clay agreed, scratching his head. Maybe that's the problem. James didn't know the rules. Clay laughed at the thought. "I'll make sure that this doesn't happen again, unless it's an emergency. Now go back to bed and get some sleep. Oh by the way, did you hear the same noise that James did?" Clay asked.

"No, I didn't, sorry to bother you." Avery bit her lip. James had helped her out of her pity fest and hadn't harmed her in any way. He had been trying to be nice and now he was mad at her. Calling the boss on him was just a bit of an overreaction. What if it had been an intruder? It was nice knowing she wasn't all alone in the building that she was supposed to protect.

Clay had better teach her how to shoot or at least some self-defense moves if she was going to do this job properly. Oh G.o.d, she would have to apologize to James in the morning and talk to Clay, telling him she had overreacted.

Avery closed the phone after saying bye to Clay and made her way back to her solitary bed. The way she was going, it would remain that way. Everyone was going to think she was crazy or too much work to handle. She crawled into her bed and pulled the covers over her head. How had a great day turned out so bad? With a big sigh, Avery plumped her pillow and tried to get some sleep.

Chapter Nine.

The next morning found Avery showered, dressed, and walking down the hall and into the small office kitchen before 8:00 a.m. She knew she was early, but after last night, she might have to do some groveling and wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. Curving her head, she peeked around the door, looking to see if anyone was up and around. She hoped to run into Clay first. Instead she spotted James pouring himself a cup of coffee, the last person she wanted to see first.

James's blue eyes a.s.sessed her. "I see you there. You don't have to skulk around." Raising his cup, James asked her if she would like some coffee.

Avery looked at James who still looked sleep ruffled. "Didn't you go home last night?"

"No, I had a lot of work to catch up on and it was easier to sleep here then go back to my apartment for a few hours." James poured Avery some coffee and put it on the table between them.

"I'm sorry about last night."

James looked at her. "Don't let it bother you. I wasn't thinking either, barging into your apartment." He sat wearily down at the table and took a long drink of his coffee.

"So, it's OK between us? Clay wasn't mad at you? I didn't mean to cause trouble," Avery said in a small voice. She didn't want to step in it again.

James set his cup down and really looked at Avery now that the coffee had woken up his brain. He took in the long skirt that almost touched her ankles, the b.u.t.toned-up blouse to her chin, and the long blonde hair now captured in a bun at the back of her head. "What are you dressed up for?"

"Is there something wrong with the way I've dressed? I'm trying to present a proper look for the office." Avery's voice had now risen as she took in James's words.

"If we were in a retirement home, you would be dressed properly. As we are an investment firm, I think we can do without the old lady clothes. We want people to think we are on top of our game and the best there is to have. Not that we have stalled in the last century." James knew the moment the words left his mouth, that she was going to take offense, but couldn't retract them.

Looking at Avery's angry expression, James could tell that he really put his foot in it this time. The old lady at the door became a spitting kitten again. As he watched her, her over-powdered face turned a bright red. "You think I look like an old lady? Well thanks for your opinion. It's a good thing you're not the boss. I would be on my a.s.s out on the sidewalk by now," Avery spat back at him.

Grabbing her coffee cup off the table, she gave James her back and walked toward the door of the kitchen.

"We'll just see what Clay thinks. After all, only his opinion matters, he is the boss." Avery held her head high, her back stiff, and left the kitchen and headed for the front reception desk.

"Clay won't be able to protect you all the time," James replied to her back.

Sitting down at her desk, she plopped her coffee cup down, spilling it with the force she used. She had to get her temper under control before Clay got here. Grabbing a tissue, she was mopping up the mess when Clay walked in the front door.

G.o.d, this day was going downhill and it wasn't even the start of the work day yet.

Clay walked up to the front desk and watched as Avery mopped up her mess.

"Did you and James make nice this morning? Or am I seeing the end of the argument and the coffee lost?" Clay asked with a smile in his voice.

"Well we started out OK, but James seems to think he is the fashion police. He thought I looked like an old lady from a retirement home," Avery said, pointing at the clothes she wore.

"Clay, give me your opinion. I think I look professional."

Clay held both hands up. "Don't get me between the two of you. I think you look nice, but a bit starchy for this office. After all, the people we will be dealing with will want to feel comfortable. The more comfortable they are, the longer they'll stay. So yes, I think you look professional, but a nice pair of slacks and a top would do.

Avery sputtered up at him. "I'll just go change them."

Clay grabbed her elbow as she started to head down the hall and the stairs to her apartment. "Look we are all a bit edgy. It's the first day, so why don't you sit and calm down and just take a minute," Clay said in his most calming voice. He didn't want to add to the tension between her and James.

Avery sat down and considered her behavior. She was letting James get to her again. She just had to get her mind set that she had to ignore him. Not that it would be easy for her to do. Her body betrayed her every time he was near. He was a beautiful man, but his personality could do with some work. Nodding at Clay, she went about setting up her desk.

Clay left Avery thinking things over and walked down the hall and into the kitchen. He found James was still sitting at the table, drinking coffee and staring into s.p.a.ce.

"I know, don't say it. I woke the kitten up again with my remarks. But Clay you have to admit that her outfit is a bit much." James watched his friend pour himself coffee and return to the table where he sat.

Clay sat down across from James. "I agree. It must have been your sparkling presentation that did it. Did you even go home last night? You didn't have to stay. We have a security system installed now and Angel is always lurking around. He would have kept an eye on her."

James stood and took his cup back to the sink and rinsed it. He glared over his shoulder at Clay. "Am I already f.u.c.king this up? I can't seem to stop wanting to control her. This morning she looked like a little old bag lady with that getup. I know if I had picked her clothes out she would have looked like the woman I know she can be."

Clay laughed at James's serious expression. "If you would have dressed her, we would have had to have gone into another business. Knowing you, she wouldn't have been wearing much. You wouldn't have wanted clothes to hinder her look shining through."

James grinned back at Clay. "I'm not that bad, since she would be in the public eye. But you have to admit that a shorter skirt and a less bundled up appearance would be an improvement."

"Yes, I agree. Wrapped up like she is, no one could see the woman inside. Should I talk to her? Get her to loosen up her image a bit."

"You're the boss, as you keep rubbing in. Get her to lighten up but not too much. After all, I don't like my property to be on display. Unless I'm the one doing the displaying."

Clay rose and put both hands down, leaning on the table. "You better make your move soon. You're jumpy and not on your game. If you wait too long, someone else might come along and s.n.a.t.c.h her away." Clay pushed off the table and left the kitchen.

James laid the rinsed cup down on the counter and thought of Clay's words. h.e.l.l, no one's going to claim her except me!

Chapter Ten.

The next week pa.s.sed with relative ease, a few phone calls, running errands and making gallons of coffee. Avery had revised her daily outfit and she hardly saw either James or Clay. There seemed to be some strange individuals going in and out but not any stranger than how Angel looked in a suit. He must have had it made to fit. His arms bulged, stretching out the sleeves, and because he was so tall, Avery knew it didn't come off any rack.

Avery was aware of James's presence as he moved around the office, but since their last blowout, he had not approached her. She kind of missed his twinkling blue eyes that seemed to follow her every move. Now he only seemed to be interested in business and didn't talk unless it was necessary.

Had Avery missed her chance with him? He might be ignoring her, but he still got her system going every time he turned in her direction. Avery decided that enough was enough. She was going to talk to him the next time he walked by. Almost like she willed it, the door at the end of the hall opened and James stepped out of Clay's office, his hands full of papers.

"I'll look into this and get back to you, Clay."

Now or never. Avery got up from her seat and proceeded down the hall. She kept her head down, not making eye contact. She knew if she saw that blank look on his face, that her courage would desert her. She was so focused on what was going to say to him, that Avery promptly walked straight into a solid wall. Or what felt like a solid wall. Oh, this was just great. She knew that the wall was James's chest. She wanted to cringe and at the same time, wanted to sink into the warmth that he seemed to be giving off.

Avery raised her large green eyes and stepped back from James. "Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."

James could still feel her soft b.r.e.a.s.t.s on his chest. He had seen her coming and chose to ignore the fact that she would run right into him. He had been trying to play it as Clay had asked and give her some room to feel comfortable around them. But she had closed herself off and had taken to looking the other way every time he got near her.

Holding both of her arms in his hands, James held on before she could completely step out of his s.p.a.ce.

"Avery, I think we should talk. Can I take you out for a coffee?" James looked into the large eyes staring back at him. Now he had her attention. James was going to make his move.

"Thanks, I would like that. I was just going to ask you the same thing," Avery answered shyly "You were going to ask me out?" James said in disbelief.

"Well just coffee. I'm sure we can take it from there if you're willing," Avery said with daring. She was tired of always standing back and letting life happen to others. Now was her chance.

James just raised his eyebrows and bent to pick up the papers lining the hall that he had dropped. "Shall we go and find out? I'm free right now. Just let me put these in my office," James said, looking at the papers in his hand.

"OK, let me go to my apartment and freshen up. Work day is almost done and I don't think Clay would mind if we took off a few minutes early. What do you think?"

James just looked at her and couldn't believe his luck. Was she trying to flirt with him? Well only one way to find out.

"Go ahead. I'll just tell Clay we are leaving."

Walking to the restaurant, Avery didn't know where to put her hands. She wanted to hold James's hand, but though that was too forward. She also didn't know what to say. Now she had him all alone.

James was walking a little behind her down the sidewalk. If Avery was right, every time she turned her head back to look, he raised his eyes fast. She just knew he had been watching her a.s.s as she walked. He had a guilty look every time. So he was still interested, Avery mused, and put an extra swing in her step. Well if he was going to watch, she would try and give him something worth looking at.

James grinned as he watched Avery's a.s.s while she walked ahead of him. He also knew he had been caught watching as he took in the extra sway she put into her walk.

Reaching around her, James grabbed the door of the diner as they arrived. Avery walked in and was overwhelmed with the familiar smells. James took her elbow and gently led her to his booth that he had used so many times. Seeing her seated, James asked her if she would like anything besides coffee as he took the red vinyl seat across from her.

Stretching his arms out on the table toward her with his palms up, he looked at Avery. "Avery, I'm going to put it on the line. I like you, but we seem to rub each other the wrong way. You think I'm too bossy and I think you're very spoiled and undisciplined."

Avery gasped at James. Was he joking? Looking into his intent blue eyes staring at her, she could tell he was serious.

"Well, you are bossy, and you aren't even the boss at the office. I'm surprised Clay has not fired you for overriding some of his decisions. I've even noticed the other guys deferring to you. Which I think is strange. Tell me why that is?"

James didn't say anything. He was not going to offer her any answers for her digging. She was probably right. He had a hard time sometimes not taking over in the office. It seemed that he couldn't completely leave the military behind and the leadership role that came so naturally to him.

Stamping her foot underneath the table, Avery added to the silence. "I am not spoiled, and I am very disciplined. I have made my own way for the last year. While not doing great, I was managing. I resent your implication."

James just raised one eyebrow and looked down at her. "I think your foot just summed it up. Very childish, Avery."

Avery blushed at his word. She didn't want to admit it but he was right. "Sorry, we're doing it again. We are supposed to be having a nice cup of coffee together, not tearing each other apart. Let's start again. Look, can I ask you a question? It's very personal, but I would just like to know what page everyone is on." Avery had cupped her hands on the table and put her chin on them as she looked shyly up at James "Yes, ask away."

"Are you and the guys at the office gay?"

"What!" James yelled. Looking around he knew that everyone was looking at them now. How had she gotten that crazy idea in her head anyway? They had to take this little discussion someplace else before he said something else that would set her off.

Standing up James reached into his pocket and threw some money on the table. With his other hand he grabbed Avery's arm and pulled her out of the booth. "Come. We are going to have this discussion at your apartment where we can have privacy."

That said, James dragged Avery out of the diner with all the customers' eyes following them. At the moment James was so angry that he didn't care. Reaching Avery's apartment, James pulled her right through the living room into her bedroom.

"Strip!"

Avery stood in the middle of the room and looked back at James with wide eyes.

"What do you mean 'strip'? Has this got something to do with you proving your manhood? Because I have no problem with any s.e.xual orientation."

James took a step closer to Avery, his hand clenched at his side. She could see him trying to pull himself together. He didn't say anything, just took a deep breath, and a calm seemed to settle over him.

Bracing his hand on his hips, he looked down at the carpet then back up at her. "I've been watching you ever since you started here, even before at the diner. What in the world would make you think that I'm gay, or in fact any of the others? Not that there is anything wrong with it."

"Well, all of you guys seem to radiate that masculine vibe and I've never seen any other girls around here except me. I thought you all were overcompensating since you are all seem very friendly together. You know what I mean. You all seem to have a lot of closed door meetings. I'm never asked to take notes. So it gets a girl to thinking," Avery blurted out "OK, let start again. Strip, and if you don't want this, speak up now. If we're going to do this, it will be my way," he said, disregarding her question. To him it was too silly to respond to.

"You're serious?" Avery asked, completely confused now James turned around and stared at the bedroom wall. This was not going to work. She was just too immature to know what she wanted.

"Wait." Avery pulled her shirt over her head, bunching it up in front of her. "Can't you give me a break? This isn't very romantic." Avery was not going to let this chance with James slip away.

James turned back and looked at Avery standing there in her pink bra with her shirt nervously scrunched in her hands in front of her.

"In the bedroom, I'm the boss. That's the way I play. If it's too much for you, speak now. After we get started, it will be too late. Do you know anything about BDSM?"

"Maybe a little, it sounds kind of kinky."

"Too kinky for you?"

"No, I just need to know the rules. I've done some reading involving BDSM and I'm not afraid." Avery was not going to give James an out.

"All you need to know is with BDSM you agree to release your well-being to me. It will be a safe, consensual exchange. You will have a safe word. If you use it at all, play stops."

"That sounds like it's your way only, with no input from me. I thought s.e.x was two people exchanging pleasure."

"Is this your first time?" James asked bluntly.

G.o.d, his voice seemed cold. Avery shivered a little at his tone. "No, I don't mean that. OK, I'll admit that I'm intrigued, so from my reading I know that I'm the sub, right?"

"That would be right. In our play, your safe word will be red. If at any time I go too far, use this word and all play will come to an end."

"What if I get scared? After all, this is all new to me," Avery asked in a low voice James's voice warmed up as he looked at Avery. He didn't want her too scared, just a little. "Being a little scared is good. It gets the blood flowing. For this first time I will give you a second safe word. Yellow. If you're scared or just need to ask a question, we will stop until you feel safe to go on. Now do we carry on or do I walk back down to the office?"

"No. Yes, I would like to carry on," Avery squeaked James made an intimating figure standing in front of her. Avery was scared but she wanted him so much for so long, she couldn't give up.