Page 60 of The Fix Up

“Yes, it’s been—nice,” she said, returning Ben’s handshake by gripping his hand in both of hers. “It’s so good to see you again. And your wife, too, of course.”

“Yes, well, Holly here wanted to make sure we came back,” he said. “I thought it would be just as easy to hit another furniture store closer to home, but she insisted you’d been so helpful to us before, so we needed to make sure you got your commission.”

“Oh, well—” The woman turned to Holly and studied her with a renewed warmth. “That’s very sweet of you.”

“I try,” Holly said. “My husband’s the real charmer in the family, though.”

“Yes, I can see that.” The saleswoman looked back at Ben, eyeing him with curiosity. “You seem a little different than the first time you were here.”

“There’s a slow burn to my charm,” Ben supplied. “Sort of like the boiling point of glycerin at 554 degrees Fahrenheit. Or sulfur at 823. Or?—”

“Right,” Gloria said, turning back to Holly. “So what is it you’re looking for today?”

“Ben needs a bed. I mean—we both need a bed, of course. We share the same bed, obviously.”

Ben watched her cheeks flush, surprised to see her so rattled by the flub. He tightened his arm around her, remembering how she’d come to his aid here just a few days ago. It was his turn to be the rescuer.

“Aw, look at you getting all flustered.” He planted a kiss on her temple. “It’s okay, sweetie. No need to be embarrassed. I’m sure it’s familiar territory for Gloria.”

Holly looked up at him, slate-flecked eyes wide and perplexed. “What?”

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he said. “I’m sure Gloria’s seen it plenty of times.”

“Seen what?” Gloria asked, her expression eager.

“Ever since all thatFifty Shades of Graybusiness, I’m sure you’ve seen dozens of couples with an urgent need for a new bed,” Ben said, squeezing Holly a little tighter. “Maybe the handcuffs broke the slats on the headboard, or maybe they just need something with a little more room for—well, for some of their new experiences. Am I right?”

Ben felt Holly’s hand snake into his back pocket and pinch his butt cheek hard. But Gloria was nodding with such enthusiasm she didn’t seem to notice the way he jumped.

“Yes!” she cried. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve seen that lately. And I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve caught a customer snaking a necktie through the headboard slats to make sure there’s enough room to tie someone up.”

“Really?” Holly looked at Ben, her expression more intrigued than horrified.

He touched his own necktie, stroking a finger over the silk. He almost hadn’t worn one, but if he was here to play the assertive, take-charge CEO, the tie seemed like a necessary part of the costume. Holly’s gaze drifted over his fingers and he wondered what she was thinking. She squirmed a little beneath his arm, then nestled closer.

“Come on,” Gloria said. “Let me show you some of our sturdier models of bed frames and mattresses. I have some pieces I think the two of you will really enjoy.”

She winked at Holly, then turned and marched toward the other end of the store. Ben glanced down at Holly, who rolled her eyes at him.

“Seriously?” she hissed, ducking out from under his arm. “Now we’re bondage fanatics?”

“What?” he whispered back. “You wanted me to be more assertive. Surely an assertive guy would tie you to the headboard on a regular basis?”

“If Christian Gray is going to be your model for CEO behavior, I think you seriously need to rethink your plan.”

“You, my dear, are most definitely not Anastasia.”

Her eyes widened as she stepped around a desk, her body pressing closer to his as she moved. “Don’t tell me you sawFifty Shades of Gray.”

“Of course not. I read the books. Well, the first one, anyway. I wanted to see what was getting women all hot and bothered.”

“And what did you figure out?”

“That in addition to not using the book as a model of CEO behavior, I probably shouldn’t use it for sex tips, either.”

She snorted, then hurried to catch up with Gloria. “And once again, you win the smart guy points.”

“Those seem to be doing a lot for me lately.”

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