Her parents hadn’t stayed together. Her first steady boyfriend—her boss a lifetime ago—had turned on her, stabbing her in the back to get his own promotion. She should have learned her lesson, but she had to try pushing the envelope. And not just by dating a major player in the city, but by taking her kink semi-public.
She knew better than to play out her games behind any closed door but her own. At least she used to hit the private spots outside of town. But being here, where so many people knew her, and knew each other…
Wiping her eyes as she stalked around her house, she eventually turned to cleaning to work off her energy. Monday morning and all its problems would come soon enough.
“I love you, sugar.”
Unfortunately, memories of Rex only made everything harder to handle. Because she loved the guy back, and she had no idea what to do about it.
Monday morning, she stared at the mayor standing before her desk. Lucky for her, Emily Deerborn, her boss, had come down with the flu, so the mayor, head of the city council, had taken it upon himself to give her the bad news.
“It’s a funny thing to hear. Especially about you.” To his credit, Tom Jessup looked uncomfortable. “But we all signed a decency agreement coming on to the job. Like the banks and educators, we public servants have a duty to the people of this city.”
“I know that, Mayor.” Nat refused to display any emotion. She’d cried out her frustrations yesterday and used tea bags and cucumbers to reduce the swelling under her eyes. Now she thought she just looked tired.
“You and Rex Samson, a fine upstanding young man, engaging in a bunch of…well, some odd activity with another young man? And in public? I frankly don’t believe a word of it.”
Even though your son started the rumors? And even those he didn’t get right. Public my ass.
“But,” Jessup continued, “our policy is to investigate any questionable issues involving staff. So you’re on a temporary leave of absence pending our review.”
She’d toyed with the idea of quitting and saving everyone the hassle, but screw Josh Jessup. The fuckhead wanted her job? He could fight her for it.
“No problem, sir.” She forced a smile. “I haven’t had a vacation in years. I’ll take the next two weeks to see family. You have my number.”
“Oh, well, I’m sure it won’t take two weeks.” Now he seemed worried.
That’s right, Tom. I do a lot of work around here. You think it’s so easy? Let your asswipe kid handle things. “Well, regardless, I’m going to take the next two weeks to think things over. And hey, while I’m gone, you can always have Josh take over. He’s been wanting my job for a while, hasn’t he?”
The mayor flushed. “Now, hold on. I’m not forcing you out to put my son in place. The council made the decision, not me personally.”
She took pity on him, since he kind of had to respond to Josh’s rumor mongering. The council had a responsibility to do the right thing until they knew more. “I know you aren’t,” she said. “But he’s someone who can fill in for the interim. Use him. In the meantime, I’m on vacation.”
He nodded, probably relieved she wouldn’t be throwing a hissy over the matter. “Fine, fine. I’ll let Emily know. Try to keep a positive mind about this, Natalie. I’m sure it will all blow over.”
“Yes, sir. I will.” She waited until he left, then mentally shot him the bird and grabbed her purse. The halls were especially quiet as she left, and few people said more than goodbye as she traipsed down the hall. She could only imagine what they’d been told and forced herself not to show shame or upset that she was being forced to leave.
Her cell phone buzzed in her purse. Probably Rex wanting to know how he could help. Yesterday had been tough, handling her problems on her own. And that bothered her. Normally she took whatever hand she’d been dealt and worked through her issues. Alone.
But her instinct when this shit hit the fan was to go to Rex. He’d help her just by being that calm, levelheaded guy everyone else seemed to lean on. He didn’t get spun-up over matters. He handled things and resolved them to his satisfaction. Or heads rolled under his sweet Southern drawl.
Nat needed to be her own woman, though. This was her career, not Rex’s. And it would do her good to take a break from him, to see just what he meant to her when he wasn’t around to cloud her judgment.
She returned home, packed a bag and decided to visit her sister Beth in Charlotte. A two-hour drive and she could clear her head on the way.
Once in the car, she paused. Doing the right thing, she dialed Rex. He answered on the first ring.
“Nat?”
“I’m okay. I’m on administrative leave, as I figured. I’m going to visit my sister in Charlotte for a few days. I need the break.”
“Shit. I’m so sorry—”
“Stop saying that,” she snapped, then sighed. “Sorry. It’s not your fault, Rex. Stop getting all guilty. You’re pissing me off.”
He chuckled, surprising her. “I hear you. Sorry. I mean, yeah, uh, you go visit with your sister.” After a slight pause, he asked, “Want me to come?”
“No.” Not wanting to hurt his feelings, she added, “I need this time to think about things. My job, you, my life… I need to think about where I am and what I want.” Would he respect that? Understand this had to do with her, and not him?
“I understand, sugar.”
“Do you?”
“Believe it or not, I do.” He sighed. “Years ago, something similar happened with me. So I get you. This isn’t about me or even us, I don’t think. It’s about you and what you need. Take your time. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“Not if I get back?” she persisted, still fascinated with his confidence.
“No. When. I know you, sugar. You’re hooked on me,” he teased. “Like Mama’s red velvet cake.”
His assuredness eased one worry dogging her—that she’d have to take care of him when she really needed to take care of herself. “Thanks, Rex.” I love you.
“No problem, Nat. Just remember, I’m only a phone call away. Love you.” He disconnected.
Immediately, she felt alone and lonely and resolved to re-grow a spine. With stiff determination, she called her sister. Always happy to hear from Nat, Beth welcomed her timely visit, pleased because Julie, her wife, had gone on a business trip.
“Great, little sis,” Beth said with a laugh. “It’ll just be you and me for a while.”
“Perfect.” Nat hung up and drove, thinking and not thinking, and missing Rex the whole time.
Rex kept himself occupied by his expansion in Charleston. He used the week to see to his business, trying to keep his mind off the woman making him simultaneously miserable and overjoyed.
She was the fucking light in his life, and he knew it now. Not that he hadn’t before, but the last few days without her had been hell. Fortunately business had taken him away from his folks, who would have seen right through him.
Brian, best friend that he was, had spent the weekend with Rex on the waterfront. He walked into the lounge of the hotel where Rex had upgraded to a suite for them both.
“Ah, there he is. My heartbroken best bud.”
“Fuck you,” Rex muttered when Brian sat next to him. He gave the waitress hovering nearby a wink, gratified when she blushed and bent all over backward to get him anything he wanted. At least someone still appreciated him.
He ordered himself and Brian some drinks and wings, then sat back to wallow in his misery. “She texts some but hasn’t called.”
“Woman needs some space. Give her time.” Brian didn’t seem worried. Then again, Brian was fat and happy with Faith. Not lonely and needing Nat.