Working Romance. Susan Kohler

home?”

      “No,” she told him. “I was thinking about getting one. Should I?”

      “Don’t bother. I’ll loan you one from the office and set you up so that you can work online. Just let me know if you ever need to stay home and you can work from there. It will benefit both of us. I’ve never met a working mother who didn’t have problems once in a while with a sick kid or the sitter. Also, you might want to work on some of your investigating at home so I’ll be sure to get it to you and arrange to pay any charges.”

      Laura took over. “The plan is that tomorrow you show up at eight, and we claim that you’re just a temp we got from the employment agency. Of course, you and I don’t know each other, but I always get to know the new people first. Last of all, depending on how it goes, at some point you might need to be treated as a suspect. That may probably be when you need to do some investigating at home. We’ll call attention to your poor attendance and constant tardiness and use that as an excuse to suspect you. It’ll all be an act so go along with it,” Laura said. “Of course, you’ll be well compensated for any work you do at home. Is that it, Bob? Is it time for us to swim?”

      “Now Laura, wait until you’ve been asked,” Kate said, primly, reminding them of the children waiting to swim. They all laughed.

      “I’ll show you where you can change into your suits,” Bob laughed, standing up. He led them into a large bathroom downstairs. “There’s already plenty of towels out by the pool.”

      Laura and Kate both changed into their swim suits. Laura had a red polka dot bikini. Kate expected to find her modest black one-piece in the bag her mom had sent over with Laura, but instead she found an emerald green bikini. It was a suit Laura had talked her into buying but that Kate had seldom worn. She put it on, deciding it wasn’t so bad after all, at least the color brought out the color of her eyes.

      “I’m going to go rescue Jack and unleash the monsters,” she told Laura. “Wait here and you can help me get them into their suits, then the last one in is a rotten egg!”

      All seven of them had quite a ball in the pool, even if the four adults had to keep a close watch on the three little ones. Bob had plenty of floats and inflatable toys for the kids to play with. Soon they had a great game of “try to sink Jack” going that was highlighted by Kate grabbing for Jack and getting her hands on Bob’s trunks by mistake.

      Startled green eyes met shocked blue eyes in a look that almost caused the water to boil. Both of them were very conscious of the other, and of Kate’s hands, and just where they accidentally came into contact with Bob’s body. It was a long moment, charged with a current of electricity that didn’t escape the notice of Laura and Jack. With the unspoken, almost psychic, communication that some married couples share, Laura and Jack decided to do a little more matchmaking. Before they could do anything about it, however, Kate’s energy gave out and she started to hint that it was time to gather up the kids and go home. Laura gave Jack a sharp kick and he quickly decided to save his shins by stepping in.

      “Hey Kate, why don’t you just relax for a while in the last of the sun and I’ll . . .” He thought fast then blurted out, “I’ll take the kids out for some ice cream?”

      Her eyes narrowed. “Dammit Jack, you know better than to ask me a question like that when the little dears can hear you! Now I have to be the bad guy and say no.”

      “No, you don’t,” Jack pleaded. “Just say yes. You know I’ll take good care of them. Please, it’s the only way Laura will let me break my diet.”

      He gave her a pathetic, hound-dog look, innocence shining in his warm brown eyes.

      “What diet? You’re in great shape.”

      “How do you think I keep in shape?” Jack begged. “Kate let me take them, please?”

      Kate relented, laughing, “Okay, take them away, I’m going to lay on that chaise lounge and relax.”

      It seemed like it had been an extra long day to Kate, full of tension and emotional ups and downs. She was tired, drained by the late summer sun, and felt so curiously restless that she hardly noticed when the kids finally left with Jack. She was not even consciously aware that Laura had gone with them. She had almost drifted off to sleep when suddenly a fresh glass of iced tea appeared in front of her face.

      “Alone at last,” Bob quipped softly, raising his eyebrows suggestively. “I thought they’d never leave. You do know our mutual friends are playing matchmaker, don’t you?”

      “Don’t let it worry you, I plan to murder them soon,” she threatened, eyes narrowed. “Real soon.”

      “That’s funny. I was thinking of giving Laura a big raise,” Bob replied.

      He took a long swallow of his iced tea before he said, “I brought out some sun block, roll over and I’ll put it on you.”

      “I can do it myself.” She regarded him a little warily.

      They were both ignoring the fact that it was too late in the afternoon for the sun to be a big problem, and of course, that Kate was lying on her back.

      “Trust me.” He grinned, and waited while she rolled over.

      “You really have been working with Laura too long, that’s her line. It’s what she used to get me to the beach today.” She flushed a little at the memory. “Yikes! That’s cold!” She yelled as he poured the sunscreen onto her silky skin.

      Soon she relaxed and gave herself over to the stroking of his large but gentle hands. She almost pouted when he finished putting the lotion on her.

      “Bob?” she asked, raising up on one arm and turning to look over her shoulder at him, “Did she set me up today?”

      “No. Kate, I swear I had no idea the two of you were going to be there.” There was pleasure and just a hint of guilt is his grin. “I won’t swear that I’m sorry you were there. To put it right out in the open, I liked what I saw.”

      “What you saw, ha! You should have seen my view.” She rolled onto her back and slanted him a mischievous glance. “Bigger than a breadbox.”

      Bob almost choked on his iced tea. “Here I thought you were so shy! I’m shocked!” He actually blushed.

      “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re at least six-foot tall, certainly bigger than a breadbox. Unless you thought I meant, ah, a little over-confident, are we?” She laughed openly at his expression.

      “You led me into that!” he accused. “You are a minx under those blushes.” He eyed her for a long moment silently, speculating. “Do you think kisses constitute sexual harassment?”

      “I think that depends on who’s kissing who, and how, and why, and what kind of kisses.” She grinned, and raised her eyebrows. “You’ll have to give me a little more to go on if you want a definitive answer,” she challenged.

      He reached a hand out and slid it behind her neck, pulling her gently towards him. “Is this definitive enough?”

      It was no ordinary first kiss. There was no tentative, gentle exploration. He kissed her with a passion that left them both breathless, boldly sliding his tongue into her mouth. I’m in trouble, she thought, wonderful trouble. She met his passion with her own, putting as much into the kiss as he did.

      Finally, breathing heavily, she managed to reply to his question. “Whew! I know for sure that would constitute sexual harassment to anyone at the office.”

      “But not to you?” He cocked his head to one side inquisitively.

      She laid back on the chaise lounge, acting nonchalant and said innocently, “How could it? I’ve never even been to the office.”

      “Why did I get the idea that you were so timid and shy?” He looked at her quizzically.

      “You’ve been underestimating me just because I blush, sir!” She sat up again