Foolish Notions by Aris Whittier

hand. His stomach
turned not only at Paul’s wide smile but also at the way he
surveyed his home. Would throwing him out be too rude? What did he
care—after all, it was his house. He tossed the idea around for
a moment before deciding against it.
    “Love the house,” Paul said
after looking at the wrought iron on the sweeping staircase.
    James could care less what he loved.
“And who might you be?”
    “I’m Paul.”
    James puckered his lips in agitation.
He didn’t like him. And what was with that stupid smile? “Yes,
I heard your name.” He was way too chipper. What was Samantha
doing with this guy? He wasn’t her style.
    Samantha came down the stairs quickly,
holding a gym bag. She raised it in the air. “Got it. I’m
ready.”
    Paul moved in front of her and took her
by the shoulders when she came to stand by him. “Sammy, I
haven’t seen tension like this in you for a long time.”
He worked the muscles that stretched across her shoulders.
    “I need this so desperately
tonight.”
    “Relax,” Paul said softly
as his hands moved down her arms and then back up to her shoulders
and neck.
    “That’s easier said than
done.” Samantha rolled her neck from side to side as Paul’s
fingers manipulated her muscles. “Oooh.”
    Paul smiled at her heartfelt groan.
“It’s going to be torture, but we’ll have a good
time tonight.”
    Did he just wink at her, James
wondered. If Paul touched her again James would throw him out, and he
would enjoy every minute of it. He felt a hint of satisfaction as he
pictured hurling the nuisance over the perfectly trimmed hedge by the
front door, past his mom’s roses, and into the driveway.
    “Told you I needed it,”
Samantha said.
    “Sammy, you look flush.”
Paul pressed the back of his hand against her forehead. “Are
you feeling well?”
    James shifted his position. Of course
she’s flushed, she just got done kissing me, you idiot.
    “I’m fine. Really.”
She raised her shoulders and then let them fall again. “Things
have just been a little busy lately.”
    “That’s all?”
    She smiled. “That’s all.”
    Paul’s thumb brushed her chin.
“If you say so.”
    James raised a brow when his gaze met
Samantha’s. “Forget I’m here?”
    She shook her head. “No.”
    “Good.”
    Samantha took a step away from Paul as
she made introductions. “Paul, this is my boss, James Taylor.
James, this is Paul—”
    “Yes, we’ve met.”
James’s tone turned hard, and he never took his eyes off
Samantha.
    “Well, then . . .” she said
awkwardly.
    “Sammy, we better get going,”
Paul said.
    “Yes, we better.” She
turned her attention back to James.
    “Good night, James.”
    Paul raised his hand in a friendly
wave. “It was nice meeting you, James. Your home is very
impressive.”
    James followed Samantha to the door and
reached for her arm. As she was about to exit, he spoke, “Will
you excuse us, Paul?” He pulled her back into the house.
“Samantha,” he put great emphasis on her full name, “and
I will be just a minute.”
    “What do you think you’re
doing?” Samantha managed to get out as James hauled her through
the foyer, past his office, and into the living room.
    He didn’t release her arm as he
whipped her around and stopped. “I could ask you that same
question.”
    “I beg your pardon.”
    “Just where the hell do you think
you’re going?”
    Samantha yanked her arm from his grip.
“Wherever the hell I want to.”
    “Samantha, I’m in no mood
for your sarcasm,” he all but growled.
    “You are completely out of your
mind if you think you can intimidate me.” Her eyes narrowed.
“You can inflict your rude, appalling, and extremely nauseating
manner on me, but how dare you do it to Paul? He’s an innocent
bystander.”
    “Innocent my ass.”
    “Excuse me?” she shot out
furiously.
    James’s hands were planted on his
hips, his eyes glistening like daggers as he stared at her. “What’s
this Sammy crap?” He made a