Naughty Temptations

Chapter One

Chapter One

“I need this finalized tonight. I know tomorrow’s Christmas, but the CEO expects me to have this data in a report for him on Thursday.” Clauson dropped a thick file folder onto Matt’s desk.

Matt looked up. He was just filling in his time sheet, ready to leave the moment it was five o’clock.

“But it’s four-thirty now.” Matt flicked a glance at the clock on his computer. “Four thirty-seven.”

“So what? You don’t have any kids. You don’t have to hurry home to do the whole Santa act. It should only take you about three hours. That’ll give you plenty of time to go to whatever holiday party you planned to attend.”

Matt opened his mouth to argue then shut it again. Not only didn’t he have kids, he wasn’t even in a steady relationship. He’d arranged to have drinks this evening with Jake and had hopes that their friendship would develop into a relationship, but that was all in the laps of the gods at this stage.

He opened the folder and glanced at the top few sheets. The data was clearly explained and would be easy to tabulate. Oh well, likely this wouldn’t even take him three hours. It wasn’t such a big deal after all.

Ten sheets into the file, the situation worsened dramatically. The data was no longer clear, there were pages and pages of handwritten notes that were scribbled over in different colored inks and it took him long minutes to decide whether that number was a three or an eight, and whether the next number was a one, a seven, or even possibly a two.

At six he texted Jake.

Sorry. Stuck @ work with project must finish. Hope to see you @ 8.

Almost immediately, his cell vibrated with a reply.

No problemo. I’ll work back too.

Relieved, Matt dug into the file with renewed energy, and a sigh of relief when the next few pages were much easier to decipher. It was only almost two hours later, when his columns didn’t add up, that he knew he’d guessed wrongly on some of the figures and had to go back and retry them. It took another hour to sort that mess out and by then, it was five to nine.

Really sorry. Still here. Another hour, he texted.

The answer came back, Sounds good.

Matt plowed on through the file, rejoicing when everything was straightforward, annoyed and frustrated when it wasn’t. At eleven he made the decision that he would hand in the work and catch the last bus home whether it was fully finished or not.

Catching last bus home. We’ll have midnight drinks together and toast the holiday season in style.

A brief OK was the response.

The last bus left the city at eleven thirty-three. It was a brisk three-minute walk to the bus stop. He absolutely had to have emailed this project to Clauson before eleven-thirty. Matt was sweating as he finished the last few pages of the data, shrugging into his coat as he pressed send on the e-mail, almost jumping up and down as he waited for it to send, cursing at the little bar saying, 15% complete, 20%, 25%... The moment it flashed Sent at him, he logged off and ran for the door.

Matt knew waiting for the elevator this late at night wouldn’t be smart, so he ran down the stairs, slamming the fire door open as he reached the lobby and was out the front door of the building as the security guard was still saying, “Happy holidays, Matt.”

He didn’t want to stop and check the exact time on his cell phone, but knew he was cutting it really close, so he ran down the sidewalk, ignored the flashing “Don’t Walk” sign, and crossed the road, turning the corner to the bus stop just in time to see the bus pulling away from the curb.

“Oh f**k!” Matt sprinted after the bus, but it caught a green light and was soon several blocks ahead of him. He had no hope of catching it. It was the last bus and he’d missed it. He’d never actually caught the first bus of the morning into the city. But it left at five-thirty or something. Which meant the first one to go home from the city wouldn’t be until sixish. Whatever, that would be totally useless. He’d have to catch a taxi. Thank God he had his credit card with him.

Matt stared around the street. There were a few people around, but not so many cars and no sign of a taxi. He didn’t even know where the nearest taxi rank would be. “The casino.” He’d be sure to get one there. People would be coming to the casino at all hours of the night.

Matt turned around and headed in the other direction, back past his office building, and down toward the river. The casino was a multi-story tower building right on the river. Sure enough, there were plenty of people waiting out front. He joined the line for a taxi and waited. He reached into his pocket to pull out his cell phone and call Jake but his pocket was empty. He felt in his other coat pocket, then both his pants pockets. And again. Nothing. Oh s**t! In his mind he could clearly see his wallet and cell phone sitting on his desk where he’d left them in his rush to catch the bus.

Silently Matt turned around and walked back to his office.

*****

Matt tapped on the big glass doors of his office building and waved to the security guard. It wasn’t one of the men he knew, and not the man who’d wished him happy holidays just half an hour ago either. “I guess the shift has changed. It’s not like I’ve ever been at work this late before,” muttered Matt.

“ID,” barked the security guard, not even opening the door.

“I just left the building. I left my wallet and cell phone on my desk.”

“I can’t let anyone in without ID.”

“Then how can I get my wallet and cell phone?”

“Pick them up on Thursday when the day shift is on duty. If they know you they can accompany you to your desk.”

“Can’t you go up with me? I’m on the fourth floor.” Matt was starting to panic.

“I’m not allowed leave the foyer.”

“But I need my wallet to get a taxi home. I’ve missed the last bus.”

“Well you’ll just have to wait until Bob gets back from doing his rounds and can accompany you.” The security guard’s voice was terse.

“Can’t you at least let me wait inside? It’s cold out here.”

“I can’t let anyone in without ID.”

That’s what he said before. Matt leaned against the door for a while, then paced up and down the sidewalk outside. It seemed like a very long time until the second security guard appeared and reluctantly let him through the doors before taking Matt up to his office.

Matt snatched up his phone and wallet, showing the guard his ID even as he rang Jake. The phone rang and rang and rang before going to voice mail.

“I missed the last bus and left my cell phone and wallet at work. I’m back here now. I can get a taxi and be at the bar in about twenty minutes. Please ring me back.”

Matt thanked the two security guards and went back to the casino. The line for a taxi was much longer now, and it was almost an hour later that he arrived at the bar where he’d been supposed to meet Jake.

He texted Jake and called him again, but Jake didn’t answer. Undeterred, he went into the bar, walking through the rooms, checking all the tables and even glancing in the men’s room, but Jake wasn’t there.

He left one last message, apologizing again, and saying he was going home.

“Well, you thoroughly stuffed that up,” he told himself sadly.