Skeleton Key of Desires

Tracy

Nothing but a motionless mess of heavy breathing lay on the icy floor. She never remembered a thing except for talking with Jewel, and now she was lying in pure bliss. Is this was she was doing to Ez? Is this how she captured him? With her hand lying across her chest to slow her breathing, Tracy muttered:

"Jewel is nothing more than a notch in Ez's belt. I will be back in no time."

The woman with the long chocolate locks will never stick her claws into what is rightfully hers. As her breathing slowed to normal, Tracy stood and straightened out her clothing. She rewrapped her hair into the high bun, so her look screamed professionalism. With new objectives floating around in her devious mind, Tracy headed straight toward Ezra's office.

Without knocking, she let her hips lead the way to his desk. Ezra typed away, focused only on the screen in front of him. Tracy leaned over his desk, letting the low-cut front of her blouse slip down revealing the two humps that no man has ever resisted before, not even Ezra. Ezra tore his eyes away from the screen to come face to face with these two mountains and like any unprofessional mountain climber would do. He fell. Backward. Out of his chair.

"Tracy, what the hell?" Ezra yelled.

Tracy straightened back up, disappointment written across her face as she buttoned back up the top two buttons on the blouse. Since when was Ezra scared of her?

"I just had a question for you, Ez?"

"How many times do I have to tell you to quit calling me that," Ezra said as he sat his chair back up to sit down in it.

Tracy visibly huffed and crossed her arms. The pout formed on her lips like a child not receiving the piece of candy they thought they deserved. At one time this may have worked on Ezra. Now he just found it annoying.

"I was wondering if you would join me for lunch?" Tracy asked.

"I'm busy," Ezra said, his ice-blue eyes focused back on the screen. They were as cold and distant as ever.

"It's just lunch. I had some questions about the game," Tracy said.

"Email Jewel,"

Tracy was getting nowhere. Once Ezra made up his mind there was no changing it. Even a chainsaw could not chip away the ice that surrounded him.

"Whatever Ez," Tracy said as her high heels clomped their through the CEO's office. She made sure he heard her. She made sure there was a scene until she opened the office door. Professionalism hit. Her eyes scanned the office until they landed on what they were searching for. She found her Easter egg.

"Jewel, join me for lunch. I have some questions about the game," Tracy said.

Jewel stared at Tracy. The request came out as more of a demand.

"You just asked me some questions a couple of hours ago. You have more already?" Jewel asked.

"Yeah, I'm working hard on this game and every detail I want to run by you," Tracy answered.

Again, Jewel stared at Tracy with questioning eyes. But, for the project, she could not turn her down.

"Well, Is it okay if we cancel, Lil? I have to do this for the game," Jewel turned and asked Lily.

"Of course. You need to be there for your team," Lily said, all the while staring at Tracy not trusting a word that Tracy was saying. Jewel had told Lily what had happened just a few hours ago, but she said not to worry; the majority of the women had a crush on Ezra. The moment Lily met Tracy was the moment she knew she would never trust her.

"Come on. I know the perfect spot!" Tracy said excitedly.

Jewel stood up grabbing her things, and before she could say goodbye to Lily, Tracy locked arms with her, escorting her out of the building. All while Ezra stood in the doorway of his office watching them leave. Tracy made sure to whip her head toward Ezra and bring out the biggest smile her face could produce.

They strolled into an intimate Italian restaurant that was within walking distance of the office. The wait staff took one look at Tracy and sat them in the corner booth toward the back. The booth was dimly lit and held the most privacy.

"It's beautiful here," Jewel said as her eyes scanned the entirety of the restaurant.

"I know. This is where Ez always takes me. In fact, this is our booth," Tracy said, running her hand across the smooth leather as if memories of the two of them were flashing through her mind.

Jewel kept her eyes on the menu. Her heart sank in her chest when she heard the words Tracy spoke. Was Ezra still taking Tracy here?

"So, what questions do you have about the game?" Jewel asked trying to change the subject.

"I lied," Tracy said. "I needed to talk to you, and that was the only way for me to get you to come out."

"That's not true," Jewel said.

"Let's face it. You don't like me, and I don't like you. Why would I?" Tracy said.

"I don't have a problem with you, Tracy,"

"Okay, let's say you don't. But I do. Didn't you hear about Ez and me when you first started working here?"

"I heard some rumors."

"They're more than rumors; They're facts. Ez and I go way back to our college years. No one can take away the history that we have built together. Especially some interloper like you," Tracy spat.

"I never interjected myself into your relationship with Ezra. If you are back together now, then I will leave him alone."

"We are."

"I will ask him," Jewel said, and she stood to leave. Tracy grabbed her wrist coercing her to sit back down in the booth.

"Maybe I am saying this all wrong," Tracy said. She looked up to Jewel with pleading eyes.

"I want Ez back. I know he likes you, Jewel. I am just asking you to please step back. I was with him for five years. We broke up because I was stupid and I wasn't ready to settle down when he was. I'm ready now, and maybe it is too late. If he truly loves you then you stepping away and giving me a chance will not hurt you at all. Don't you want to see if he truly loves you?"

Jewel never once looked into Tracy's pleading eyes. She did not have to play this game with Tracy to see who Ezra loved. If her conscious allowed, she could open a door and see for herself who or what he desired most. But that would not be fair.

"Love is not a game, Tracy. Love is a war, and I'm prepared to enter the battlefield. Are you?" Jewel said.

Jewel picked up her belongings and proceeded out of the restaurant leaving a seething Tracy behind.