Tempted by the Temp

"I really don't have time for this today." James said gruffly into the phone. "You don't have to take that tone with me you know. I'm only trying to help," sniffed the indignant female voice on the other end of the line. "You can help by letting it go Mother. I will not be coming to supper tonight," James answered firmly, an exasperated frown lining his handsome face. "If only you'd find a nice girl and settle down I'd leave you alone," came the response. "Why do you assume I'm not seeing anyone?" James heard himself snap. Shit. He instantly regretted it when he heard his mother's excited gasp. "Jimmy Banscroft!! Why didn't you tell me!?" "Because I knew you would overreact." "Nonsense! Why haven't you brought her around yet? What's her name? Do we know her family? Is she respectable? You must bring her to brunch on Sunday. I won't take no for an answer." Dammit. James felt his jaw clench. The only relationship he'd had in months was with the company and he really had no desire at t

Skylar sipped her coffee as she eyed James across the table at the bistro she had chosen as he ordered their lunch. The waitress pushing out her chest as she took the order and batting her eyelashes. Skylar rolled her eyes and took another sip. She couldn't really blame the girl though, she probably would've done the same. Though her motives would've been strictly monetary with him being loaded and likely a good tipper. The perky waitress bounced off with their order and Skylar turned back to James. "Why don't you ask her? She'd probably be your girlfriend for free," Skylar smirked. She was probably crossing a line, him being her temporary boss and all, but she had him by the proverbial balls at the moment and couldn't resist milking it. The look he gave her should've made her nervous but it only spurred her on. "Those girls at the boutique probably would've too.""Keep it up and I might just also ask them to fill in for Mrs. Babbitt." Skylar laughed at the threa

James hurried to his family's table, sure that by now Skylar would be in need of rescue. He tensed when he noticed not only were his parents at the table, his mother still latched on to Skylar like a tick, but his younger brother Adam had come to supper with his wife Julia. He clenched his jaw. The fact that Adam was married and James still chronically single was the catalyst to his mother's rampant attempts at setting him up and encouraging him to settle down. James didn't hold it against him and Adam was probably the only family member he actually liked, but their presence could very likely add extra pressure tonight. James pulled out the chair next to Skylar and took a seat. Without thinking he reached over and grabbed her hand to give it a reassuring squeeze. Realizing what he'd done he tried to casually remove his hand but Skylar squeezed back and kept his hand where it was, shooting him a quick relieved glance when his mother turned to speak to a passing waiter. H

Skylar blinked back the sting of tears as she stared down at the floor of the taxi. She had always been a rage crier, an attritube that had always annoyed her, but something else was fueling the tears as well. Hurt? Were her feelings hurt? And why was she so angry? It was a business transaction and she had agreed to the terms, so why did it feel like she had been punched in the gut when he reminded her of that fact?  "Ma'am, your stop," the taxi driver's voice snapped Skylar back to reality. "Oh. Thanks," she mumbled handing the driver cash and opening the door. "Keep the change," she added as she climbed out of the vehicle and stepped out onto the sidewalk. As the vehicle pulled away she stood on the sidewalk in front of her crappy apartment building, the brick faded and cracking and some of the windows broken. It was dingy, musty and broken down but it was cheap and they hadn't asked for a damage deposit so it was home for now. Skylar looked down at her clothe