Cross the Line - 7

Chapter 7

Naomi took him to a small restaurant she knew, a little place with mismatched furniture and a cluttered beer garden filled with potted plants, candles and wrought iron chairs. Sitting opposite her Conor took in the secret world with wide eyes.

                “I love it here!” he announced. “It’s so cool!”

She nodded, “I found it a few years ago. You feel like you’re away from the rest of the World. And the food is good. But you have to know about it, you can’t just stumble across it really.”

They’d been shown to a table out near the patio, and the waiter had taken their bulky purchases and deposited them in the cloak room. Naomi relaxed into her seat and smiled at him.

                “This is the sort of place you had in mind when you said you like nice environments and nice food?” when she nodded he smiled, “I just hope that my company lives up to the rest!”

She smirked, deliberately not answering as she picked up the menu to read it. Laughing heartily at her provocative answer, he picked up his own menu and started to browse.

                “So what do you recommend?” he asked from behind his menu, she peeped over the top of hers, just her eyes showing, glittering with enthusiasm.  There was something so vulnerable, yet provocative about the gesture that he found his body leaping into a rather enthusiastic response. Wriggling in his seat he managed to ease the tension of his suddenly too tight jeans. He’d not sat at a table with a woman and such a violent erection since he was a teenager...it’d been a long time since he’d been with a woman, this was his body’s way of reminding him he thought, then smiled to himself at the lack of conviction the argument had even to him.

                “Everything is good, but the veal escalope or the fillet steak are out of this world!”

Her voice dragged her back to the present and his eyes found hers, still peeking around the hard covered menu. Grinning he replied, “Well I never turn down a steak, especially if it’s recommended!”

The food was perfect, and Conor had picked a bottle of oaky red that matched their steaks perfectly. After laying down his knife and fork, he sat back his hands linked over his stomach, in a gesture that already Naomi was finding comforting, familiar.

                “That was top dollar! I will definitely come here again!”

She smiled, “I told you!”

Nodding he sighed in appreciation, “So how did you find this place? I mean I’ve not found somewhere so great outside of London, or at least big cities.”

She nodded, “It’s definitely a bonus for this town that’s for sure! I can’t honestly remember how I actually came across it, but I have some friends, and we try and come here once every month or so. This place tops out list of eat-out venues.”

                “So you’re obviously local to here Naomi but other than that, I don’t know anything about you!” He was still lounging back, his eyes watching her lazily, but yet attentively.

She drank her wine, “my parents lived across town I was born here, schooled here. I went to London for Uni, but as I said, given the choice I came back here. Something about better the devil you know and all that.”

He watched her talk, the death of her parents obviously still upset her, was still raw, but he now knew that the death of her best friend somewhere in the middle contributed greatly. Now as she spoke, he knew that this grief was still a huge part of her makeup.

                “Do you regret the move back here?”

She shrugged, “sometimes! I could be living the high life...but then that was never me. There was also the fact that they were never in a very good state financially, it took me a while to sort it all out after Dad died. It left me in debt. I’ve just finally got myself square on that front.”

This was food for thought, Conor thought. He was seeing deeper into her past and suddenly realised how complicated she was. He’d sensed sadness in everything that she did, it was never far from the surface, and now he could see why. She’d lost SO much in such a short time. He thought back to the menagerie that was his family; he’d grown up in an environment where there was never a moment’s peace. He’d been hounded by his sisters, brothers, and then later nieces and nephews. But he wouldn’t change a thing. In fact he knew that the closeness of his family had been the force that had got him through the acrimonious split with Orla.

                “When did you father die?”

She sighed, it was painful but she couldn’t avoid talking about things forever, “my mother died when I was almost fifteen. Cancer. But quick, you know? Saw a doctor because of stomach pains, and it was pancreatic cancer, already too advanced to treat. Within three months she was cold in the ground.” Gasping at the memory she shook her head, “my father wasn’t great before she died, without her he drank more, barely ate. Ironically when I started University he was getting better. But he died of pneumonia a week before Christmas five years ago.”

He shuddered, she’d have been twenty and alone...what a hard life.

                “So that doesn’t make for great Christmases I suppose?”

She shook her head, “last Christmas Day I spent in the air heading to New Zealand, I’ve had a few skiing trips...but generally I don’t impose on others and pretend it isn’t happening!”

Conor couldn’t believe it, he thought back to the numerous Christmases spent in this parent’s farmhouse, they’d never had a quiet time, aunts, uncles, plus the eight of them...it was always wild, and fun. The thought of Naomi alone and pretending Christmas wasn’t happening broke his heart. His parents were staunch Catholics, but he didn’t practice religion at all, but he still appreciated the time with his family, sharing stories, laughing. He couldn’t imagine life being any other way.

                “Don’t feel sorry for me!” she snapped watching his face contort as he thought deeply about her words. “I don’t pity myself, and I don’t appreciate you doing it!”

Conor reached out and captured her hands, “I do not pity you, I’m just thinking how much you’ll love Christmas when you have your own children!”

That caused another shudder, the thought of children...she shook her head, “Not me. I’ll be a great aunty to friend’s kids, that’s as far as I go!”

They were straying into dodgy territory, so Conor deliberately turned the conversation to his wedding, his family, anything light hearted. He shared stories from his youth, antics from a large family, she was extremely nervous about meeting them, he reassured her that they were the easiest people in the World to get along with and hoped the stories helped ease that tension. He found himself looking forward to his mother’s reaction to her, she’d never liked Orla, and he’d started to appreciate over the years that she was a very astute judge of character.

Conor walked her home in a pleasurable silence, but when he spotted Naomi shiver, he slid an arm around her shoulder. It was a summer day, but the sun had set and they were left with a cool chill.

                “This is purely to keep you warm!” he offered as she flinched. “You’re cold!”

He juggled the bags in his spare hand, then pulled her a little closer. She only lived a mile out of town, so they were there quite quickly, again the conversation was light, easy flowing.

                “Coffee?” she asked, looking up at him once they reached her door, not sure what she wanted from him in response. She was unsettled by the easiness of the situation, the way they’d fallen into a comfortable companionship...and then there was that hint of sexual tension...attraction. She didn’t like relationships; she preferred her own company and hated the thought of ruining this happy friendship with anything more.

He gazed down at her with a smile that caused a tingle to whip through her, ending at her toes, “Far too tempting Naomi. I don’t think either of us needs to complicate this, do we?”

She bit her bottom lip as she shook her head, so glad that he’d made the sensible decision for her. His eyes were on her, and they were warm, that icy blue suddenly soft. His hand had dropped from her shoulder to rest at the small of her back, the touch was causing ripples of warmth through her and she was amazed at how she was almost quivering.

Smiling gently, he lowered his head to land a very gentle brush of his lips on hers. No more than a touch.  Just as she acknowledged the pressure, the feel of those warm lips, just as her heart began to pound and her head swim at the exotic sensations, he was gone, leaving her on the doorstep bereft, her fingers touching the place his lips had brushed and waiting for her heart to stop racing.

Naomi barely saw him the following week; he was in London to discuss some cases, as well as outstanding projects he had before he had taken on Simon’s position. She kept herself busy, she didn’t want to spend too long thinking about the forthcoming weekend, or reflecting on the past weekend, and THAT kiss. She’d of course analysed it at length with Emma the following day over lunch. Emma was concerned that this wedding trip would be too much for Naomi, she could tell that her friend was affected by him, by his kiss.

                “I thought you could do this Naomi, flirt, have a laugh, but now I’m not so sure. You’ve been out of the romance game a long time. I don’t want to see you get hurt!”

Naomi laughed, “I work with the man, and we’re going to a wedding as friends. It was a platonic kiss, I know it was. It just surprised me.”

Emma was still concerned but knew that ultimately Naomi would do what she wanted. She just had to be prepared to pick up the pieces if it went wrong. That’s all friends could do.

By Wednesday, the usual girl’s night out to the local pub, Naomi was glad of the respite from her growing nerves. They tried to question her on the coming weekend, but she was determined to steers conversation anywhere but towards her trip. The last thing she needed now was five different opinions on what she should do. She’d promised Conor that she’d go and it was important to him, she had no intention of letting him down.

He called Thursday afternoon, Gloria giggling like a teenager transferred the call, “it’s his lordship!”

                “I won’t get in to the office tomorrow, I’m stuck here. I’ll have to meet you at the airport.” It was so nice to hear his voice that she almost ignored the efficiency in his voice.

                “Hi Naomi, how are you? I’m fine thanks for asking Conor!” She chastised.

He sighed then she could hear him chuckle, “sorry. It’s so bloody busy that I wanted to get out the important bits. No excuse for a lack of manners. My mother would kill me! How’s work? Managing everything your end?”

                “Yep. I’ve met with three new clients, but I’ll discuss the details when you get back. You did predict the McClellan case would be a nightmare.”

She heard him sigh, “I know. But what can we do? I think we’ll win there are just more delays than I hoped. And I wanted to be there to help you get to the airport, as it is, I’ve arranged for you to be picked up from the office at three o’clock, out flight is at half four, but I’ve already checked us in, so we can get straight on to the flight.

He reeled off the flight details to her. “If there are any problems, call me. Yes?”

She agreed, then hung up. One more sleep!

Naomi was packing for the trip later, carefully fitting her new clothes in to bags that wouldn’t crush them too much when there was a knock at the door. Sarah her neighbour stood there with a huge parcel.       

“This arrived for you earlier. They left it with me as you were out!” she handed her the parcel.

In the living room, Naomi ripped at the paper. It contained two boxes, one from an exceptional London jeweller, the other a World famous lingerie shop.

Firstly she opened the jewellery box, and in side was a heart locket, in white gold, set with a cluster of a precious stone the exact colour of her dress for the wedding. There were matching earrings too.

She took a deep breath and opened the other box, then she gasped, it contained three sets of beautiful underwear, a tight supportive basque and knickers that would look perfect under the dress for the wedding, another set in a flesh colour, as well as a strapless bra and pants which she knew was meant to go under her red dress.

                “Wow!” she spoke the word out loud as she took in her gifts. She knew before she opened the envelope that they were from Conor. The note simply said “I just wanted to complete the outfit! And apologise for deserting you. Hope you’re not too nervous, but...well, if you feel good from the skin up, no one can get you down! Thanks so much for agreeing to this, Conor”

After pondering the implications and appropriateness of the gifts, she picked up her phone and sent him a quick message, “You shouldn’t have, but thank you, it’s all beautiful!”

Emma was a little more sceptical, when she phoned her, and for the first time ever, Naomi wished she hadn’t shared this information.

                “A man buying you sexy underwear? He’s only doing that to get into it! Come on Naomi, it’s not too late to pull out! I mean how does he even know your size?”

Naomi had wondered about t hat at length, but it was all from the same boutique as the clothing she’d bought, and the saleswoman there had measured her to select appropriate clothes, most of their clothing was made to order, they only kept a small amount of off the peg clothing.

                “It’s hardly a sleazy request or a proposal of marriage! Every meal or drink a man buys you could be construed as an attempt to get you into bed. You don’t know him Em.”

Emma groaned, “No I don’t and I’m supposed to be your best friend! It’s all a bit shady to me and I’m worried you’re going to get hurt.”

                “Well I won’t!” she assured her friend, “I’m going into this as my usual sceptical self, and to be honest, you can’t get hurt if you don’t care! And you know me, I don’t do romance, so I’ll be fine!”

Just who are you trying to convince, a voice echoed in her head as she hung up, Emma or yourself?

Sorry....again!

Sorry for the delay with chapter 6, I tease you with five rapid chapters then disappear! Laptop died, so couldn't access the story let alone post it! Miraculously seems to have spontaneously started to work again! So I'm not investigating any deeper...hope it doesn't happen again!

So will fine tune next chapter and post by this evening UK time...promise!!

MZ

Cross the line - 6

Chapter - 6

Conor stuck to soft drinks, not sure he could face alcohol ever again. Naomi laughed at his pained expression. “So I presume it was a good weekend?”

He nodded, “I’m too old to be this hectic though! It’s ok for my brothers. Michael is only twenty-five, and Liam nineteen. They live in a village in rural Ireland, then all of sudden are dropped with no consequences in the middle of London...a City that never sleeps. They were like things gone mad. Whereas I was a bit of a killjoy I’m afraid. Or rather a very very old man!”

                “You’re hardly ancient!” she chuckled.

                “I’m thirty four, and felt fifty four this weekend! Especially at some of the clubs I was dragged to. I suppose it’s because being the oldest you get used to being the sensible one, I did all this ten years ago, I’m too old now. I like my comforts, and would rather a meal with good company than a night of drinking and clubs!” He sat back in his chair and smiled at her, “but then I appreciate quality not quantity, which puts me in the minority these days!”

She smiled knowingly, “You’re definitely not alone, and that’s not necessarily an age thing. Give me good company and a nice environment and I’m happy, I hate noisy places where you can’t hear yourself think let alone anyone else speak.”

He was amazed that she felt the same way, and nodded enthusiastically as he added, “I know exactly what you mean, though I have been peer pressured into a few nightclubs over the years!”

They ate quietly enjoying the perfectly cooked seafood and steak. All the while Conor told her all about his family, other than Michael and Liam, there were his two sisters Máire and Sinéad, three and five years younger than him respectively, both of whom were married and had provided his mother with seven grandchildren between them. The other sibling was Seamus, his twenty two year old brother who was currently studying at Princeton College in the USA. The real success of the family he’d suggested in a proud manner. He couldn’t make the stag night, but was flying home for the wedding, and he was looking forward to seeing him, he’d been away in Thailand when Seamus had last made it back. Naomi loved the way his face lit up when he talked about his brother, and she could tell he missed his siblings.

They discussed various cases and it flattered Naomi that he genuinely wanted her advice with some tasks and problems. So she gave her opinion as well as the knowledge of those cases up to date. She also answered all his questions about the quirky Gloria.

As they were declining desert he turned to her.

                “It’s my brother’s wedding a week Saturday. I’ve no one to take at the moment. I was wondering if you’d come with me?” He saw her jaw drop, her mouth open to protest and he raised a hand, “Before you bite my head off and tell me how much you hate me, or the five million reasons why you couldn’t dream of it, let me just say, without sounding too bigheaded, I’m seen as a bit of a catch at home, I’m apparently the ideal man for a good Irish girl. I don’t need that sort of hassle. My cousin got married last year and it was horrendous. Every eligible girl in the county was paraded in front of me almost ceremoniously.”

As she started to laugh, he groaned, “I know, it sounds ridiculous, and probably really conceited, but I’m from a good family, financially solvent and I have my own hair and teeth.” He leaned close to whisper, “that’s not a guarantee in some parts of the county. So all the good catholic mothers, ignoring the fact I’m divorced, set out shop the minute I arrive home. I just want to go, enjoy seeing my family, and then come away. You know?”

Taking a drink of his orange juice, he looked at her amused face, “look if you come with me it would be perfect.  I like your company, you’re a very beautiful woman,” noting her self-conscious giggle he added, “you are perfect to accompany me. I’ll buy you clothes, pay for your transport......” He sighed, “I really am desperate!”

She laughed out loud, “so I’m your last chance, and you want to buy me?”

He shook his head, “that’s not what I meant! I had no one I felt I could ask last year, but I think we get on don’t we? Well these days anyway. It wouldn’t be the most torturous weekend would it? The weddings do tend to be fun.”

She shook her head, “It wouldn’t be torture...”

                “I don’t expect you to make a decision today. I just need to know let them know for numbers in the next few days. Don’t think I’m going to be annoyed if you say no. It’s your choice...but if you come, I’ll owe you BIG style!”

She nodded sipping her coffee contemplating what saying yes could mean.

Over the next few days she battled internally with what to do. Her mind said no, no way, but the rest of her thought she did deserve to be treated well for a weekend. In all her years she’d never had a boyfriend who was in the same league as Conor, as confident, worldly or sophisticated, she knew if she posed as his girlfriend he would lavish both time and money on her, it was such an attractive thought, the affection, the romance and love, she could live without. Gloria however seemed to have picked up on the tension between them immediately.

                “I don’t remember Simon ever taking you out for a ‘business lunch’, that’s all I’m saying!” She’d announced coyly when Naomi asked her for some paper clips.

                “Gloria!” she exclaimed in a hoarse whisper, not wanting to alert Conor to this conversation. “He likes to do things differently, that’s all!”

Gloria nodded knowingly, “that’s what Clive said!”

She paused in her return to her desk, “Clive?”

Gloria giggled, “My second husband...I called it perverted initially, but it’s surprising how broad your horizons can become!”

Gasping in shock, Naomi headed back to her desk shaking her head, unable and unwilling to fathom that comment. When she glanced up to Conor’s office at the back of the building, she met his eyes head on, he was sat behind his desk stifling a laugh, and she knew he’s heard every word.  Shaking her head in an exaggerated manner, she’d turned to concentrate on her work.

Her friend was equally outspoken on the matter, Emma, who met her one evening at the local pub laughed at her indecision.

                “The man is fit, good looking and loaded. He wants to kit you out for a full on Irish wedding. Why are you even thinking of saying no? And anyway, you’ve not had a sniff of a man since we went speed dating, and that was almost a year ago!”

Naomi dissolved into laughter at the memory of the disastrous night when they’d gone to a nearby hotel, none of the twenty men there appeared to have a personality between them, and Emma had been convinced that Internet dating was the next plan...then the barman of the pub next door to the hotel where they were holding their Powwow had asked her out. It was Tom’s part time job as he finished his last year of Med school. They’d been inseparable since, and he was now a junior doctor in the local hospital, and she’d never known Emma happier.

                “You know you got the monopoly on the good looking men Ems, I’m on the shelf I’m afraid. You stuck gold, I fell asleep, that’s the way it goes. And in case you forgot, this is purely a platonic event. I go and fend off the desperado Irish beauties. That’s all!”

                “Sounds like the plot to a Hugh Grant film to me! But we’ll see!”

On the Friday afternoon as Conor was finalising paper work at the end of the day, she leaned into the office. “I’ve managed to cancel my plans for next weekend, so I can come!”

Conor almost ran over to her and scooped her into his arms, planting a kiss on her forehead. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I hope I haven’t caused you too much chaos!”

She smiled at his gratitude, not admitting for one second that sorting out her dry cleaning was about as glamorous as next weekend got.

He suddenly went into dynamic Conor mode, “I’ll book us flights out on Friday afternoon as the wedding is Saturday, but there’s a dinner Friday night. It’s in a castle two hours away from Dublin, and we can stay there. It’s a three day wedding, so you’ll need clothes for three days. Shall I take you shopping?”

She blushed, “I have clothes, and I can get some new things.”

He shook his head, “I’m not suggesting that you can’t wear or buy your own things, but, this is something I’m asking you to do. So I should pay for you. Ok?”

She nodded meekly not liking this loss of control particularly.

                “Are you free tomorrow afternoon? Or shall we go one night after work next week?”

She shrugged, “I’m out in the morning, but don’t have much else on after that. It’ll be easier than going in the week.” She hated shopping really, fed up with snooty sales assistants and crowded changing rooms.

                “Ok it’s a deal. Shopping tomorrow, that’s the only way we’ll get what we need. Then dinner, so I can fill you in on the fine print.” When she looked alarmed, he grinned, “the family, a who’s who, and of course a schedule for the weekend.”

They met at two the next afternoon and Conor was still in his hyperactive, control mode, he whisked her into a few small boutiques, helping her rifle through the racks of clothes, then physically dispatched her off to changing rooms with armfuls of outfits.

                “It’s having two sisters...and a materialistic ex-wife!” he announced when she questioned his efficiency at all things boutique shopping.

She raised an eyebrow before twirling in the red strapless number she’d seen from outside the shop. Naomi loved it, it clung to her full breasts, but skimmed over a stomach and hips that she had always felt were too rounded. Glancing at her reflection, she took mental notes. This was a perfect option for the pre wedding dinner, elegant yet not flattering, she could wear it with her new red heels and that would mean she’d be elevated from the self conscious heights of five foot three.

Sitting and watching was a pleasure/pain scenario for Conor, watching her emerge in various delightful creations, he was torn between wanting to jump up and do something about the growing discomfort and his now poorly fitting jeans, and closing his eyes and pretending he was anywhere but there. He was admiring Naomi more by the minute. Her feistiness was complimented by her insecurity of being the centre of attention in these shops. If there was one thing that turned him on, it was an enigma...and she was definitely that.

                “Right,” he offered as they stopped for coffee.  “We’ll arrive during the Wedding Eve banquet; it starts at half past seven. If we get the four o’clock flight, then by the time we get the hire car, drive...we won’t be there until eight at the VERY earliest. Saying that, it won’t really get going until half past nine, so we’ll have time to change. As I told you, it’s a black tie dinner, I’m wearing a tux that night, and thought that red dress was nice, dare I say perfect?”

She nodded; they’d seen so many lovely things that her mind was all a little blurred with it all. “I did like the turquoise dress and long jacket for the actual wedding.”

He mused for a few moments, “Good choice, the hat was a bit much though!

She nodded, “they did a matching fascinator though.”

His face contorted in confusion, “What’s the hell is a fascinator?”

Naomi laughed, she really enjoyed his company. He was so transparent, funny, and enthusiastic, “it’s the feathers and fabric thing, to wear in your hair.” She demonstrated what probably looked like a cockerel crest with her hand as she explained.

                “Ahh,” he threw his head back and laughed, “I know so little about this you know!”

                “Yet you’re so good at waiting and paying!”

So they went back to one shop and she tried on the red dress, the wedding suit as well as the fascinator. They were both exhausted by the time they’d argued over who paid, and he’d rang the purchases on to his credit card.

                “Drink?” he asked as he took the bags from the checkout, and tucked her arm into his elbow.

She nodded, “this one is on me though.”

Cross the Line - 5

Chapter 5

Sitting across the cafe table from him, Naomi felt awkward. She’d really judged this man, based on the rantings of someone who clearly wasn’t of sane mind. Maisy, beautiful, funny, Maisy had written pages of fantasies about Conor. She’d had some sort of infatuation for him, and it had seemed to be her life’s work to snare him. Conor, Simon had told her was completely oblivious to it, but he didn’t object to her sharing such personal details with his friend, if it helped her to clear the air.

She’d been devastated after reading the journals, that she knew so little about her best friend. She also realised that like her parents she’d been guilty of ignoring the blatant facts of Maisy’s decline, so she had guilt two fold, towards Conor, but also to her departed friend.

Coffee and a sandwich wasn’t as inspiring as it could be, but she’d missed breakfast, and anything would’ve felt good now that she was feeling a little more human. Conor was opposite, not pressuring her, but enjoying huge double cheeseburger that had just been laid in front of him.

                “Do you know how I know Simon?”  She finally ventured, he paused the huge burger a hair’s breadth from his mouth.

                “I presumed that it was through law, you said you knew him when you were a student.”

  

She shook her head, “I was his sister’s best friend, Maisy.”

Conor suddenly turned white, “oh Naomi, I am so sorry...I was on my honeymoon when she...”

Nodding she averted her eyes, it was still such an overtly painful thing to think about, let alone vocalise, “I didn’t realise you were married until Simon explained that.”

                “Divorced.” He sighed, hating that this was torturing her.  

She nodded, “I’m sorry to hear that. Anyway...” she started to explain her friendship and then in more detail his perceived role in it all. He was stunned, the uneaten burger still sat in his hands.

                “Wow!” it was the only word that came close to explaining his amazement. Such a horrendous mess.

Nodding Naomi stared up at him, “I’m sorry that I was so negative when you arrived, it was childish to blame you for anything really...” She sighed, “normally I’m so level headed.”

Conor was in shock, that poor girl had had some sort of crush on him, and he had a role albeit unconscious in her demise. “I would’ve...”

Reaching out she laid her hands on his, “I didn’t tell you this to make you feel bad, I was trying to tell you...” She sighed too, “I was using that grief to explain my despicable behaviour...and now I’ve just made you feel guilty. I am such a cow!”

                “I don’t think there’s any possible good feeling out of this. But it does mean we have a truce?”

She nodded, “I think we have a clean slate.”

They spent the next two weeks working diligently together. They found an easy symbiosis, working well as a team. This didn’t mean they didn’t have arguments, battles over decisions and topics, but Naomi found that she even enjoyed them.

As time went on those moments of animosity, anger became a distant memory, and Naomi found it hard to be anything but nice towards him, he was charming, fair, considerate and she loved the way his chin dimpled when he smiled. She found herself sitting at her desk watching his face as he spoke animatedly to his young nephew on the phone, or his mother, a woman who phoned him most days.

Tapping her head with her hand, she stood to rifle through one of the filing cabinets. She had to shake herself out of all this doe eyed devotion, following him visually as he moved around the room. It was unhealthy and as unprofessional as hating him, she never acted like this, she didn’t do relationships, preferring her own company, and only ever relying on herself. But this man was starting to drift past her heavily erected barriers.

Each day in the office he was watching her too, but a little more discreetly, and shook his head gently as he saw her bottom lip tighten and her head flip up in annoyance at something on her computer screen. He was already recognising her moods, and was amazed at how quickly they changed. She was like the sea, calm and enticing one minute, aggressive and dangerous moments later.

Gloria was due back after the weekend, and Conor wasn’t sure how he felt about that. It would be great to have some more practical help, and it would free up Naomi to actually do more of his workload, and the presence of the older woman would also mean he’d be less tempted to spend so much time gawping at her.

He was more than a little aware that he’d spent far too much time watching her, when she didn’t know he was looking.  Gloria may well diffuse the situation. He didn’t do relationships, hadn’t since Orla...and he had no intention of complicating his working environment. Nope, he and Naomi were not an option, and he had to use Gloria’s reappearance to stop his straying mind and wayward thoughts.

                “I’m in court all day tomorrow Naomi, will you be able to deal with everything here?” he asked looking up when she brought him in a cup of coffee. Laughing at her indignant look, she could more than handle the office, he added, “I won’t come back before the weekend as I have a lot on. But you can message me if anything crops up, ok?”

She nodded, “sure.”

As he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his trim stomach, she tried not to look him up and down, as usual his hair was ruffled from his fingers running through it so many times in exasperation, his jaw was shadowed with stubble, but those icy blue eyes were there, observing her in that lazy, easy manner he had. He’d discarded his suit jacket a while ago and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to relieve his tanned forearms.  Naomi was absorbed in those masculine, yet shapely arms, and didn’t realise he’d spoken to her. “What was that? Sorry!”

Conor chuckled, “I said are you doing anything nice this weekend?” he was studying her intently and she felt very self conscious at the blush that had swept up her from her neck to her now hot cheeks.

She shook her head, “nothing special. I’m going to see Simon; I think he’s going insane now he’s at home. And I may catch up with some old friends. You?”

                “My brother and his friends are coming over from Ireland for his stag night. He’s getting married next month.”

                “That’s nice. Are you close?”

He laughed, “few Irish families aren’t! I’m one of six, and I speak to all of them at least once a week! And what with my mother calling EVERY day...as you know, well. It doesn’t leave me much time for a life!”

He saw her try to smile, “that’s good that you’re close.”

                “Are you not close to your family?”

She leaned against the door frame and shrugged, “I don’t have any family, I’m an only child and my parents are dead.”

He saw her intake of breath and realised it was still a raw subject for her. “I’m sorry to hear that, I suppose I take my huge family for granted!”

                “Don’t we all? I did! Took it for granted that is...it was only ever the three of us, it wasn’t always the best, we had our fights, but when it was all gone, I missed even the cross words.”

Then she spun on her heels and left the office, furiously blinking away tears, why did she seem to lose everyone, and why the hell was she always crying around Conor? It had been a difficult few months, that was why losing Maisy had come back to haunt her all over again, she’d been the surrogate family that Naomi needed, when she left she’d latched on to Simon...now he was married she had lost yet another stabilising influence.

An hour or so later she was winding things up when she felt eyes on her. Looking up she saw Conor lounging against the door frame.

               

“You ok?”

She nodded, furious at her earlier lack of control, both letching over him, and then getting upset, again, “I’m fine. Just about finished. So I’ll see you Monday then?”

He looked at her for an age, he always said the wrong thing, made her sad, and all he wanted to do was take that sorrow out of her eyes, “you will. Have a nice weekend.”

Watching her leave he shook his head again. She was an enigma, filled with passion and anger, yet so much sorrow and sadness. He’d never met a woman like her!

                “I’m MORE than impressed!” Naomi laughed as Simon demonstrated his walking technique with his crutches. He was hinting at coming back into work, but Steph sat in the corner of the room rolled her eyes as a response. If it was left to his wife he wouldn’t be rushing anywhere. But Naomi knew Simon was strong willed and passionate about his work. That was one battle she didn’t want to witness!

                “He’s driving me insane!”  She announced. “It’s all I hear, I think he’s a bigamist, because it seems he’s married to his job as well as me.”

Naomi was still chuckling, “well he’s employed an adequate alternative. Conor does seem to be keeping on top of things.”

Conor nodded, “he’s a good man, and I’m glad you two are getting on! You won’t know yourself when you get Gloria back too.” He lowered himself on to the sofa next to her and grinned, “super efficiency will return!”

Gloria was a lovely person, but her systems for managing the office were all a bit scatty. Organised chaos was more appropriate a term. Simon and her spent most of their spare time trying to decipher her crazy codes, saying that she was organised and could put her hand on any document with the shortest of notice. It was only really a problem when she wasn’t it work, and she hadn’t been the last six weeks.

                “I think you should speak to Conor about staying, taking on Martin’s role.” Stephanie turned to her husband. “I don’t want you working as much as you were before the wedding, this has made me realise that you’re not immortal Simon.”

Simon turned to her concerned face and the smile he gave was genuine and warm and for a moment Naomi felt she was intruding into a very intimate moment. “There’s no way O’Neill will stay, since he sold his part of the company in London he’s literally wandered aimlessly around. I think he likes the freedom after all those years of restraint.”

Stephanie groaned, “well Naomi, it’s your job to convince him that stability, staying here is what he wants.”

Naomi choked on her coffee looking between the two through eyes filled with tears as she spluttered, finally she managed to muster, “a few weeks ago we were sworn enemies, so let’s not over anticipate, hey?”

She stayed with the couple for dinner, Stephanie was a good cook, and produced perfect steaks with jacket potatoes and salad. A feast really fit for a queen! Then headed home to an evening of DVD watching with her neighbour Sarah.

Conor had had a very hectic weekend; the stag night had descended into chaos. He was almost relieved to walk into the office on Monday. She was already there, he could tell instantly. Not the delicious smell of coffee, or the fresh flowers on her desk, or even the box from the nearest bakery perched enticingly on his desk. No it was something else, something more subtle. He knew she was there, and suddenly felt relaxed at the thought.

Sinking into his chair, pulling the box towards him he peeped inside, two warm croissants, each filled with cheese and ham.

                “A woman after my own heart!” he announced looking up, sensing her near the door. She smiled as she placed a steaming mug of strong black coffee on his desk.  “You’re like an oasis in the desert!”

Naomi laughed, “I imagined you’d be feeling a bit washed out. It’s the sort of thing that peps me up when I’m run down!”

He looked at her and struggled to imagine her ever feeling as bad as he did, “have you ever had a hangover? You look too sensible!”

                “You’d be surprised! Don’t you remember me that day after...I hit you!” She blushed at the sudden memory, whereas Conor’s thoughts weren’t of her hangover, but those ridiculous skimpy pyjamas that failed to cover her curvy little body that day. A body he’d been hankering to see more of for quite a while.

By nine am Gloria had arrived, and boy did they know it! Conor hadn’t met her until she waltzed in using a wooden stick to offload her injured leg, in leopard print leggings, a black sleeveless top, and her greying hair pulled up into an extravagant top knot. He knew from her file that she was well past sixty, and the clothing, the appearance should look gaudy and over the top, but for some reason it matched her larger than life personality. By lunchtime he’d lost count of the times he’d laughed at her answering the phone, of the stories she’d retold Naomi when she thought he couldn’t hear.

She was far from efficient by his standards, but her energy and enthusiasm did seem to be contagious. He was well ahead of his schedule by lunch time. Which was just as well as he finally felt that he’d returned to the land of the living – just. So he took them both out for a business lunch, albeit reluctantly on Naomi’s part, leaving the gushing Gloria in charge.