She's Out of Control by Kristin Billerbeck Read Free Book Online Page A

hair. Glossy scarlet will forever be her lipstick color, and flirting her native tongue.
    Tracy’s the type of married woman who goes to nightclubs without her husband and dances into the wee hours. While I try to understand her, I really don’t. She’s very sweet, but she only reminds me of my own failings. It’s amazing that her husband is willing to put up with that behavior, but Seth is too afraid to put a ring on my finger. Tracy’s presence is like a daily slap in the face, reminding me that I have no idea what a man wants.
    â€œHans has a big patent in the works, so I’m going to need you to help me pull some files this afternoon.”
    Tracy salutes at me, and sits down at her desk to a hefty chocolate muffin. The disparity in Tracy’s small stature and the size of that muffin reminds me yet again that life isn’t fair, and that Arin-style sprightly figures are all you ever see on reality television. Where, I ask you, is the reality in that?
    When I get into my office, I pull up my e-mail, intent on not allowing my social life to dip into the success of my workplace. I need some coffee .
    There’s an e-mail from Hans, and I cringe at the sight of it. He probably changed everything about the patent after I did the work. Opening the message I forget to breathe.
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Re: Last Night
    Ashley, just wanted to thank you for our quiet dinner last night. I think we accomplished a lot. I still have your discarded clothing. Will bring with me. See you at work. H—
    Oh man, I’m in trouble. I’m in big trouble. I can’t go to dinner at this man’s house on Saturday. With or without Seth, Hans thinks there’s something between us. At least I think he does.
    Who knows with a man like him? Hans emanates sensuality like a liquor commercial, so much implied, but nothing really said. I’m too clueless for this type of subtle communication. I need an engineer. Someone to just come out and say, “Look, I’m trying to seduce you.” Which, of course, an engineer never would say. And I like that feature. Being romanced with a little science fiction, or an hour of Game Cube, this is my world. I’m comfortable here.
    â€œAshley.”
    â€œAh!” I clutch my startled chest. “What did you want, Tracy?”
    â€œHans wants you in his office.”
    I’ll bet he does. “Okay, thank you.”
    Tracy comes in and shuts the door behind her. “Is he . . . you know . . . as sexy as he seems? The girls and I have a little pool going on.”
    Clearly, my church girl reputation has not followed me to this job. “Hans lives with a woman. If you’re really interested, you should ask her, though I don’t know why you would be.” I laugh lightly. I don’t want her to think I’m judging her. Even if I am a little. “I’m actually engaged to be married to an engineer.” Ack. There it is again . Look how easily I’m suddenly lying. They say it’s hardest the first time. Soon, I’ll be telling them I’m a former Miss USA and only working for the enjoyment factor since I’m independently wealthy. I should also add that I’m a poet, which Brea will vehemently deny.
    â€œHans is the kind of man,” Tracy wiggles her badly-in-need-of-a-pluck eyebrows, “who’s too good to say no to.” She comes closer. “Where’s your ring?”
    I pull my hand under the desk. “It’s getting fitted. It’s a recent engagement.” Oh, I so hate myself right now. This is bad reality television at its finest, and I’m the scheming, low-down girl you root against. I don’t know how I ever thought I’d get away with that whopper in the first place.
    â€œWe were all just talking about how we’d say yes to Hans in a minute. He only goes for you educated types, though.” Tracy crinkles her nose. “To