She looked up at him with a cocky smile, “A little soft sand can’t stop a beast like this, when you know how to drive it. I just wanted you to come over.”
She smiled him and watched as the realization hit him.
He rolled his eyes as he figured out that her car was never stuck. He shook his head and closed his eyes. “I see.” he said simply. “Well, in that case, there is I probably should tell you something. There aren’t any turtles around here,” he said with a guilty smile. “That sign was for a flash flood warning. I just didn't want you to leave.”
Now it was her turn to shake her head.
“Well then, what happens next?” she asked looking over at him.
“Are you free tomorrow? We could take the horses out on the trail.”
She smiled and answered suggestively, “It sounds good to me. I would love another ride.”
Payback
Amy smiled as she saw Paul sitting in the middle of the empty conference room. There was something about a man who knew how to dress that always took her breath away. Every inch the professional, Paul favored tailored shirts with French cuffs, slim and fashionable slacks, highly polished shoes and an expensive silk jacket.
He always looked handsome, even now, sitting at the large table, intently staring the laptop opened in front of him. She walked in and Paul motioned for her to sit next to him, his dark brown eyes never leaving the computer screen.
“Hey, Paul,” she said as she took her seat. She expected his usual lighthearted, flirtatious response but what she got was a stony silence.
She watched him, surprised by his behavior. They had worked together for nearly a year and he had never failed to joke or laugh the entire time. Every time he got her alone, he would flirt outrageously, his conversations laced with double entendres and sometimes even more overt comments. She had come to expect and enjoy their game but knew he wasn't serious. Besides, when it came to work, she had a rigid policy. She never dated at the office.
But today he was acting very differently. From the moment she heard his voice on the phone, she knew something was wrong. He only said that she needed to meet him in the conference room immediately and then hung up. There was no warmth to his words — it was if they had never spoken before. Even stranger, he hadn’t even given her a hint of why he wanted her there. Now, sitting next to him, she became even more worried. He was fixated on his computer, his body stiff and tense. He tapped at a few more keys and continued to stare, ignoring her completely
Amy waited a few more minutes and then interrupted again. “Paul, you said you wanted to see me?”
Paul finally looked up from what he was doing, acting as if he were seeing her for the first time. When he smiled at her with his usual, charming smile she felt her breath catch just a little. She instinctively smiled back, feeling a bit more at ease.
“Sorry about that,” he said, giving her his full attention, “I just called you because I thought I found an unexplained accounting issue.”
Amy looked up at him cautiously. She cocked her head and decided to assume he was referring to her team's budget. “Well, I know my team is sometimes off from time to time, but it usually works out in the end. I am really not the right person to ask though. You need my manager probably. I'll have her give you a call,” she added and she started to get up to walk out, not wanting to discuss anything to do with accounting if she could help it.
“The thing is, I don't need an explanation any longer.”
“Well, that is good news,” she turned and as she opened the door to leave said, “Well, like I said, if you have any other budget questions…”
He didn't wait for her to finish her sentence. “The thing is, Amy, I know you took the money.”
Amy froze with her hand on the door, not quite sure what to do. “What money?” she asked as innocently as she could, trying to give nothing away.
“Well,” he said as he looked back at his computer, “it looks like you took five thousand dollars almost two years ago.”
She paused and stood there unsure what to do next.
“I think you might want to lock that door and give us some privacy to talk about this,” he said breaking the silence.
Amy twisted the lock softly and returned to her seat. He was right. This wasn't the type of conversation she wanted someone to walk in on. Part of her wanted to lie, to deny everything and see if he could prove it. But the look in his eyes, the fact he knew the exact amount and he had pinpointed her specifically said that he wasn't guessing. She was sure that if she tried to bluff she would lose. She took a deep breath and decided to throw herself on his mercy.
“Look, no harm was done. I took that money a few years ago, but I have it almost all paid back — with interest! Really, there is no problem.”
She looked at the expression on his face and realized how she sounded. Even she didn't think her story was reasonable.
“This is a problem,” he answered seriously, “There is even a word for it, you know. It’s called embezzlement.”
She shook her head, “It's not like that. I know I took the money, but I was in trouble and there was no one who would help me. I only borrowed what I absolutely needed and have been paying it back ever since.” She wanted him to understand, to believe her. She hadn't told anyone about the money and now that he knew, she wanted him to understand her side too.
He frowned and shook his head. “No one will care if you paid it back. You didn't have anyone's permission to borrow it in the first place, which makes the money stolen, not borrowed.”
Amy knew he was right but didn't know what to do. If he told on her, she would definitely lose her job. The only question was whether she would face jail time, a fine, public humiliation or all three.
She looked up and shrugged her shoulders unsure of what exactly to say next. “Please, it will all be paid and done in just one more month. That's all I need and it will all be finished. Please don't tell anyone”.
“I am willing to keep your secret but,” he paused and looked her over, “I want something in return.”
Amy's lips parted slightly as she started to answer and he continued instead.
“What I want is to have you, on that conference table, right now, and I won't say a word to anyone ever.”
She just looked at him, not sure what to say next. He always made comments like that but she was sure he was just joking. She smiled and waited for the punch line.
“Well, Amy, what are you going to do?”
“What?” she asked, feeling her stomach turn somersaults. “You can't be serious.”
“I have always been serious, Amy,” he said simply.
Amy felt herself get warm as she realized the implications of what he meant. “But it’s against corporate policy to have a relationship at work. We could get fired.”
He cut her off, “That's been your excuse for months. It’s ironic coming from someone who “borrowed” $5000, something not just against corporate policy but various state and federal laws as well. Before, you might have been fired for going out with me. Well, now you will be fired if you don’t,” his voice was serious, but his brown eyes sparkled.
Amy realized what he was saying was true. It was more than just losing a job. If he reported her, they could file charges and with what he had found, they would have all the proof they needed. She wouldn't just lose her job but her freedom as well.
Amy took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Ok, then, I suppose we could meet for dinner, and then…”
He smiled, “Not good enough,” he said looking more serious than she was used to. “I want more than dinner,” he added with a rakish smile.
Paul leaned forward until his lips were just inches away from her. She could feel the warmth radiating from him and it made her catch her breath.