No Strings Attached (18+)

Chapter 5

Dave shrank back, wilting in the heat of Nick's palpable anger.

"I- I'm not answering any more questions until I speak to a lawyer."

"Very well," A bespectacled man on Nick's other side spoke, "Mr. Turner, you are officially under suspension, pending an investigation into claims of sexual harassment." Removing his glasses, he pressed a button on the intercom, "Jenkins, could you send up the security team? Mr. Turner will be cleaning out his office and then will need to be escorted from the building."

"Yes, Sir," the receptionist's voice answered.

"Oh, and Jenkins?"

"Yes?"

"Make sure you get his keycard and badge."

"Of course."

Dave didn't break down sobbing when they came for him, I am sad to say, but the sight of him being hauled out like a common criminal was satisfying regardless.

As the commotion settled down, I emailed the recording to the woman who, according to her business card, was the head of our legal team.

Uneasily, the remaining members of the coaching staff watched Nick, waiting for dismissal.

Instead, he addressed me. "Ms. Carter, would you like to grab a late lunch?"

Stunned, I sputtered, "I- I'm sorry?"

"I can't imagine that all this has done much for your appetite, but I am starving." His eyes turned to the coaches, and his tone sharpened, "I would also love to pick your brain about what else my incredibly fireable coaching staff has been doing to my employees behind my back."

Glancing across the table, my eyes lit upon Andrea, remembering how she'd bullied Nicole into quitting shortly after she'd turned thirty.

Turning my attention, I realized that I'd seen or heard about all of them committing a laundry list of infractions...

"You know what?" I smirked, "Yeah, I'd love to - my treat." Standing, I let Nick escort me out of the office, savoring the fear in my bosses' eyes.

Stepping onto the parking lot, Nick spoke, "By the way, before you say anything, I know - I absolutely should have told you before-"

"Before I jumped your bones?" I laughed.

Nick sighed, "I seem to recall the 'bone jumping' being pretty mutual."

"It's fine, Nick."

"Leah, I'm serious."

Stopping, I faced him.

His expression was grave, and he took a deep breath before he spoke, "Last night, I crossed an ethical boundary that I've never crossed before, and I'm kind of feeling uneasy about it," he confessed.

"Okay," I shrugged, "let's talk it out."

"I-" he paused, raking a hand through his hair, "I know that there's a massive power imbalance between us, and I want to make sure that I'm not abusing it-"

"Nick," I grinned, "if it'll help you sleep at night, I'll quit."

"What?" He stammered, "N-No!"

"It's not like the wages are great," I mused. "I could absolutely find something that pays better and is less physically demanding. It's just that cheerleading works pretty well with my schedule."

"Leah-"

"What I'm saying, Nick, is that I'm not worried about you abusing whatever power you might have over me as my boss - or, whatever, my boss's boss's boss."

"You're not?"

Stepping toward him, I met his gaze, "I'm not. The man who was willing to do the chivalrous thing and keep his hands to himself all night is not the kind of man who's going to take advantage of me."

His eyes softened, and the barest hint of a smile showed on his lips.

"Come on, where are we going for lunch?" I asked, taking his hand.

"I'm thinking Italian?"

Glancing over, I grinned, "You know, I still haven't ruled out you being a Mafioso."

Nick laughed, "I will neither confirm, nor deny."

We walked and talked, settling on a hole-in-the-wall restaurant downtown, the kind of diamond in the rough that looks like shit and serves the best food in the city.

"I'll meet you there," I waved, stepping away to unlock my car.

Nick stood rooted in place, staring, "That's your car?"

I paused, looking at it, "Yeah? Why?"

"Leah, that thing is more rust than steel." He stepped forward, horror dawning in his eyes, "it looks like it runs on thoughts and prayers." He paused, a scheming expression on his face as he surveyed my battered but well-loved sedan.

I eyed him as suspicion grew in my mind.

Placing my hands on my hips, I glared, "Nick, no."

Nick frowned, "I didn't even say what I was going to say yet."

Stepping forward, I stared him down, "No, you are not buying me a car."

"But-"

"No."

"Leah, please, this thing is a safety hazard on wheels!"

The insult stung, and I scoffed, "No - getting a new car is a goal that I have set for myself. You are not just gonna go ahead and buy that for me!"

His eyes narrowed as he eyed the beat-down vehicle. "You said your goal was a Mercedes or a Porsche; what about a Nissan? Or a Kia? I could buy you a Kia - it'd be so easy!"

"Nick, no!"

"Leah, buying me lunch is going to have as much of an impact on your bank account as buying a Kia would have on mine."

Exasperated, I laughed, "You are not buying me a car! We're not even dating!"

Nick's expression turned serious, "Do you want to be dating?"

"I'd love to be dating," I cried, "but that's not the point!"

Nick's lips curved into a smug smile, and I realized what I'd just agreed to.

Groaning, I conceded, "Okay, you know what? How about this; if we make it to the one-year mark, you can buy me a car."

Nick smirked, a fire sparking in his gaze.

"You're on."