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IN BED WITH THE BOSS 70
Scott woke up. Remembering that he had Vivian in his arms when he slept off, he grinned and reached out for her. He frowned when he realized that her side of the bed was empty and sat up. Then he heard it…The sound of the television downstairs. Putting on his boxers, he headed downstairs. Halfway down the stairs, he could hear her laughing. Not too loudly but a bit carefree. She sounded so happy, and he grinned. What the hell was going on with her, he wondered. When he got to the living room and sat saw the almost empty box of brownies, he knew what was going on with her and he had to fight the urge to burst into laughter. "Vivian…" he said softly as he approached her. Careful not to scare her. She lifted her eyes to his and smiled at him. She looked so happy to see him and Scott couldn't help but smile right back at her. "What are you doing?" he asked her. "Watching TV" she whispered back, "I'm sorry that I woke you up, but that scene was just too damn funny." "What scene?" Sco
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 71
"No, I don’t. I have no earthly desire to find out when you went out with Johnny, or Dickie, or Harry—or whoever else might be clogging up the romantic files in your memory. Why should I?" Why, indeed? His voice sounded cold, clipped—she hadn’t heard it sound like that in all the time she had been going out with him.But something made her probe away—with the poorly applied knowledge of someone who continued to pick a spot: that it always left a scar."It’s called wanting to get to know someone better, Scott" His eyes gleamed out an unspoken warning. "Or intrusion, perhaps?" he questioned easily, getting up from his chair and going to stand behind her, his fingers beginning to rhythmically massage her shoulders."I know everything I want to know about you, Miss Sanchez" She closed her eyes as she felt her body respond to his touch. Instantly turned on by him and furious with herself for being so. She tipped her head back, so that she caught the upside-down version of his face, and
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 72
"But why hasn't he reached out either?" Vivian asked, dropping the knife and turning to face Megan, "He just hung up and never reached out again. He didn't even try to hold on or fight for me. He left like he'd been wanting a reason to leave and I handed it to him." The tears were flowing again, and now she was sobbing. "Oh, I hate him so much, Megan. I miss him so much and I love him. I love him, Megan and I hate that I do" Megan wrapped her hands around her, letting her sob on her shoulder until she was gasping softly. "You could call him…." Megan suggested softly as she rubbed her back but Vivian shook her head. "No" she said, "I have to let him go. With or without the other lady in the picture, it would never work between us. He doesn't want a real relationship and I want more. I want a commitment and he's not willing to give me that. I will have to get over him one way or another. Might as well be now. I just don't understand why it has to be so hard."________Scott entered
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 73
No, he wasn’t Bruce—could never deliberately deceive and devastate someone, then walk away from a child he’d created—but he’d also blackmailed, hurt, used Jennifer, then turned his back on Vivian… the woman he loved.God. He loved her.The force of the revelation struck him with the blow of a mallet to the chest. He sank to his chair, staring blindly ahead.He loved Vivian .Somehow, despite every wall, every barrier and shield he’d thrown up, she’d wedged herself into his heart, his soul. No wonder he’d felt so empty these past days. The one who’d given him life again was gone. Because, yes, she’d resuscitated him, jolting his heart so it beat. She’d given him more than work to be excited about—she’d given him her quiet humor, her defiance, her wit, her loyalty, her body…her love. And what had he done? Thrown it back at her like it meant nothing."I realize now that you don't even respect me enough to give me answers to questions like this… because I'm nothing but a hook up to you"
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 74
Vivian gave a ghostly smile. "When can I see him?" "I’ll take you to him now." It was like some surreal nightmare as she followed the nurse through the spotless, soundless and gleaming unit until they finally stopped outside a cubicle.Through the glass, Vivian could see Scott lying as still as death on the bed and she jammed her fis into her mouth and gave a soundless little cry. Her Scott— her strong, powerful Scott—with all that vitality just zapped away."What can I do?" she whispered. "To help him?" "Talk to him. Stroke his hand. Remind him of things you’ve done together. Try to bring him back." Remind him of things you’ve done together. The words haunted her as she fearfully made her way towards the bed, towards that still and silent figure.What shared memories did they have which might stir his sleeping mind? But the only ones she could think of were not the deep and meaningful memories which would arouse a man from a coma. Great sex and glitzy restaurants were not the kin
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 75
"I can get myself dressed!" he protested. "Not yet, you can’t," the nurse fussed. "You’re as weak as a kitten, although I must say that you don’t particularly look as weak as a kitten!" "Why can’t Vivian help me?" he demanded, his heart sinking as he saw the nurse begin to roll her sleeves up over her rather hefty forearms. He’d much rather that dark-haired angel be at hand.The nurse coughed. "Well, she was a little taken-aback when you didn’t recognise her, of course—but, as I told her, that’s perfectly normal in these circumstances." "You mean I know her?" The nurse helped him with his jeans and began to get rather pink around the neck."Yes, Scott" said Vivian, in an odd, strained kind of voice as she walked into the room. "You do know me—you just can’t remember." Scott was still feeling groggy, but not too groggy to wonder how well he had known her."Here." Vivian began to slide a sweater over his head, her fingers automatically colliding with the silken flesh, and she saw h
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 76
Scott drank his tea. It was very comfortable here by the fire—warm and welcoming. If only his head didn’t feel as though someone had jammed it in between a giant nutcracker, and in the process managed to take away some of the thoughts and associations and familiarity which made him what he normally was. But how did he know what he normally was? He didn't know what to believe. He still had childhood memories. He knew his family and his job, but most memories of the past months were missing so he was confused. He put the cup down and looked at Vivian, which was halfway to a cure in itself. She was wearing a soft wool dress, the color of blueberries, and her hair was loose—like the moon against the backdrop of a nearly dark sky. Her legs were spread in front of her and she had kicked her shoes off. He might be only two days out of a coma, but that didn’t mean that all his senses were dead. He might have a little difficulty wanting food as he usually did, but the stirring leap of awarene
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 77
With Scott it had never been more than what they had today. And while that made her appreciate what she had got, it also made her long for what she had not. Commitment—and that was one thing she would never get from him."I’ll sleep next door for the time being. I think you need a little space," she said lightly.And so did she.He pulled a face of objection, but he was too tired to object too much. He lay down on the bed and it felt like heaven."Okay," he yawned. "If you say so." But within a couple of weeks he began to show very definite signs of improvement—physically, at least. The sleep showed in the renewed brightening of his eyes and the familiar healthy glow of his skin. Often they took him outside, to sit in the restorative sunshine and to sit quietly in the haven which Felicia's garden provided. He was eating proper meals, too—the freshest, most delicious food that Felicia and sometimes Vivian could conjure up.She put two plates of salmon down on the table one evening and
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