The Deal

Waking up she turns onto her side, his back was still to her but she could tell he was awake by the sound of his breathing. Touching his back lightly with her fingers she wanted to apologize for upsetting him last night. "Austin, I'm sorry about bringing up your ex-wife."

Tossing the covers off he sat up on the edge of the bed. "It's alright, forget about it. But don't bring it up again, some things are private and need to stay in the past." He turned his head to look at her. "Let's grab some breakfast and head home."

"So soon?"

"I didn't get any work done this weekend as I planned. I need to go home and work on my case for tomorrow." He went to get up but stopped, looking at her. "There's something we have to discuss."

"What?" she asked, sitting up and pulling the cover over her chest.

"You're on the pill right?"

"Yes."

"You've been taking them regularly, right?"

"Yes, why are you bringing this up?"

"We haven't been using any other protection and I want to make sure there's no chance of you getting pregnant."

"Oh don't worry, I won't get pregnant," she said, getting up went into the bathroom and closed the door. She had no intentions of having a baby, with him or anyone else for that matter. It was just the way he said it that pissed her off. It was like he was saying she better not try and trap him by getting pregnant.

After having a leisurely breakfast they headed home, neither one speaking. He was glad to be home, there was nothing better than sleeping in his own bed. He carried their bags inside, dropping hers by the stairs.

Glancing down at them and then up at him she smiled. "Will I be staying in your room from now on?"

"Now why would you?"

"Was it not you who said that I have awakened your beast and that we shall be having sex as long as we're married to each other? It only makes sense that I sleep in your bed."

"If I want sex from you I know where your room is," he said, picking up his own bags started walking up the stairs, hearing her curse behind him. Tossing his bags on the bed he checks his phone messages. He knew he could have let her into his room but he wanted to keep her at bay, no way was he going to let her start calling the shots. She needed to know what it felt like to be ignored and treated like she didn't matter to him. When he came from his room, going down to his office he saw her about to walk out the front door wearing clothes one wears for jogging.

Taking the earbuds out of her ears. "I'm going for a jog, why don't you join me? I think you could use the exercise, it might help you to stop being an ass."

He chuckled at her choice of words, knowing she was still pissed off at him. "I told you I have work to do, be careful out there."

Angry with him for not letting her share his bed she took off jogging, hoping it would take away some of her pent-up frustration. She couldn't figure out what his game was, one minute warm and the next cold, treating her like some bimbo he picked up off the street. It was usually her calling all the shots and now they were turned on her. Well, he was going to be in for a surprise, she would do whatever it took to get him eating out of her hands, she did it in school and she can do it now.

An hour into her jog she noticed a grey van following her. Well, she thought it was following her and she felt the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. Playing it cool and pretending not to notice it she circled around, jogging faster back to the house. She discreetly looked over her shoulder and noticed it was still behind her. Speeding up she practically ran back to the house and once there opened the door and slammed it behind her, her heart was racing and the sweat poured down her face and body. Leaning against the door she tried to catch her breath, this was how Austin found her.

He was coming from his office to go into the kitchen for some coffee when he saw her leaning up against the door. She was breathing heavily and looked scared to death, so he hurried over, cupping her face in his hands he saw the fear in her eyes. "My God Blair, what happened?"

Her lips quivered when she spoke. "I was jogging and there was someone following me in a van. I got scared and came back here."

Moving her away from the door he dashed out and to the end of the driveway, looking in every direction but didn't see any van. He goes back in, shutting and locking the door behind him. "I didn't see anyone, perhaps you were mistaken. There are many homes on this street and maybe it was someone on their way home. It was probably nothing."

She shakes her head. "No, they were following me, I just know it."

"Alright, if it makes you feel better I'll call the police and tell them, maybe I can persuade them to have a cruiser drive by and keep an eye on the neighbourhood."

"Thank you, that would put my mind at ease. I'm going to take a shower and change. Do you want me to make dinner or will you order take out?"

"Let's order in tonight, you just relax and I'll take care of it," he said, something told him she was telling the truth about being followed, but by who and why?" He went to the kitchen, put on a pot of coffee and called for a pizza to be delivered.

She came down just as the pizza arrived and following Austin into the kitchen poured herself a cup of coffee. Sitting down across from him she picked up a slice and started eating.

"This is the best I've eaten, or maybe it's because I'm starving," she said, wolfing it down.

"No, it's good. I've called a friend of mine who is on the police force and he's going to have a car drive by every hour until morning. If they spot the van he'll let me know. As you know I do have the best security system installed here so you can sleep easily, no one is getting in or out."

"Thank you but I'd feel safer if I were allowed to sleep with you."

He looked at her, smiling as he shook his head. "I admire your persistence but you'll be just fine in your own room. I have to finish up some paperwork before bed so if you'll tidy up I'll get to it."

"Why should I tidy up, your housekeeper comes tomorrow, let her do her job."

"She has enough to do, so please do as I ask."

Thinking of leaving the mess she gets up to leave, she wasn't any one's maid. But on second thought she changed her mind. Folding the empty pizza box disposed of it, then cleaned the coffee maker and washed the cups. Being tired she decided to go to bed early, she too had a busy day at work in the morning.

The next day: Helen, the housekeeper was there with breakfast ready and coffee brewing. Austin and Blair walked out together when they were done eating. As she started walking towards her car she calls out to him. "Are you not going to kiss your wife goodbye and wish me a good day?"

He walks over to her, taking her chin in his hand. "Have a lovely day sweetheart," he said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

As she entered her office Rachel showed up with her coffee, handing it to her.

"So how was your weekend away with the hubby?"

Blair smiled, taking the cup from her. "It was alright, we had fun."

"Fun as in a lot of hot sex?" Rachel asked, sitting down and waiting for all the details. "Come on, spill it. You did sleep with him, right?"

"Alright, you're right, we are having sex and I tell you it's amazing. But Austin is so different from that boy who used to follow me around in high school. He can be so cold and cruel at times and sometimes so loving and tender. I feel like he's playing me, that he is up to something."

"What could he possibly want? you'll be giving him all those shares worth a hell of a lot of money in exchange for a few months of his life."

"I know Rachel, but something isn't right. Sometimes I get the feeling that he hates me and other times like when he makes love to me it feels like he means it. I'm being silly, to him it's just sex. What really bothers me is he won't let me sleep in his room but he still says we will be having sex. I don't get it, what does he want from me?"

"I'd be careful if I were you Blair, don't fall in love with him. Enough about him, I have something for you, here." She hands her a small box. "Happy birthday Blair, I hope you like them."

She opens the box to see a pair of white gold earrings. "Oh my God, they're beautiful, thank you."

Just then there was a knock at the door and a man entered carrying a bouquet of red roses. "I have flowers for a Blair Sherwin."

"That's me," she answered, getting up went over and tipping the guy took the flowers and grabbed the card that was with them. "It must be from my mom and dad. Oh, they're from Austin. I can't believe he remembered," she said, her eyes tearing up.

"So what does the card say?" Rachel asked as she got up and went over to her.

"It says, Happy Birthday. I'm working late but go home and put something sexy on and meet me at La Rouse around seven, I have a table reserved for us, Austin."

"Wow, that's so sweet Blair. It sounds to me like maybe he might really be into you. I wonder if he's still in love with you, why else would he bother with your birthday?"

She was touched by the fact that after all this time he remembered and was taking her out to dinner. "I don't know, he is one confusing man that's for sure. Anyway, it's time to get some work done."

"Alright, I'll leave you to it and before I forget congratulations on Mr. Ritter selling you the company."

"How did you know?" she asked, surprised.

"I'm still his secretary and have first-hand information on his dealings. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone until he makes it official when he announces it to the staff," she said, giving Blair a big hug.

Blair held the flowers, smelling them. She was touched that he had sent them and wanted to take her to dinner. Putting them down she dove right into work, wanting to leave early to get ready for her date with Austin, yes, she thought of it as a date.

Later when she was done work for the day she grabs the flowers and heads home, wanting to wear something sexy, as he requested. She felt like a teenager going on her first date as she got ready, picking out a short black dress with crystal beads on the top, the dress hugged her curves and showed off her legs. She wore the earrings Rachel had given her. Not wanting to take her car she called for a cab, that way she would be able to come home in his car. Taking one more look in the mirror and liking what she saw headed out.

When she arrived at the restaurant she was shown to their table, but no Austin. Sitting down the waiter poured her a glass of champagne, handing her a note that he said was from Austin. Her heart felt heavy, her hand shook when she opened it. She thought that maybe he was going to stand her up, maybe it was his plan all along, to embarrass her. Her eyes went to the writing on the paper and started reading.