“Thanks for the invitation, but I’ll pass this time. When do you leave?”
“In two weeks.”
“Have a wonderful and safe trip,” Carrie said. “Anyone going with you?”
Guinevere’s voice took on a cautioning note. “Your protective instincts are showing.”
“Can’t help it. You’ve become important to me.”
“Thank you, darling. You are dear to me, as well. Call me in a few days and let me know how the romance is going?”
Romance. Carrie gave a huff.
Chapter 12
“Matthew Corridon, line two.”
Carrie stared at the intercom. The tension in the office this past week had been unbearable. Insufferable for her employees, because they were on the receiving end of her frustration. Agonizing for her because she missed him. More than she could ever have imagined. Her, the cool professional and renowned hardass.
“Carrie? Did you hear me?”
“Yes, Brenda. Put him through.” She lifted the phone receiver. “Hello, Matthew.”
“Hello.”
Damn. She’d heard many deep throbbing voices of attractive men, all trying to lure her to their bed, yet none had her reacting like this. His voice made her bones melt, akin to burning lava. The man could say hello like he’d just crawled out of bed from a day of lovemaking. Maybe he was in his bedroom. Lying on the bed. Naked.
“Carrie?”
She jerked to attention. “Yes. I’m glad you called.”
“You seem distracted. I hope I’m not calling at a bad time?”
“No. Of course not.” Unless he could read minds, he couldn’t know she’d been daydreaming a sexual encounter with him.
“How are you?”
Horney.
“I’m fine. And you?”
“I’m watching the rain. It’s pouring buckets.”
“So you thought of me?”
“I will have the image of you, soaked to the skin, forever in my mind. Even dripping wet, with your hair clumped on your shoulders, you were beautiful.”
The memory flashed in her mind of her clinging clothes exposing her nipples. She looked down to find them poking out now. Only this time it wasn’t from the cold rain. “That’s sounds like a left-handed compliment.”
“You are beautiful. I’d like to see you again.”
Her pulse raced. “I’d like that, too.”
“How about next week? Maybe Wednesday?”
Next Wednesday would give her plenty of time to buy something sexy and plan her strategy for a full dose of Matthew. “Sounds fine. Call me when you get here.”
“That, my lovely lady, I will most definitely do.”
Carrie felt her spirits lift immensely. He had an alarming effect on her. At the moment, nothing else mattered. Six more days. She couldn’t wait to see him.
A sudden rap sounded on Carrie’s office door.
“Come in, Brenda.”
Her assistant strode in with a smile that showed quite a number of perfect white teeth.
“Yes?”
“You look better.” Brenda braced her weight on one leg, pointed the toe of her designer shoe out, and crossed her arms over her chest. “Actually, you look remarkable.”
Carrie frowned. “Is there a purpose to your interruption?”
“I smell something in the air.”
“Then get your nose out of the wind.”
“Ah, come on, Carrie.” Brenda melted quicker than a marshmallow over a hot flame. “Do tell.”
Carrie put her pen down on the desk calendar and leaned back in her leather chair. “He does have a governing influence on me. It’s scary how much.” She glanced at her assistant. She was not a soft touch and her assistant knew it. “What? No come-back?”
“Amazing how one phone call can change the most horrendous person into such an acceptable, agreeable, and somewhat pleasant individual.”
“Amazing how a cheeky assistant can look so happy while carelessly jeopardizing her job.”
Brenda sprinted to the leather chair in front of Carrie’s desk and perched on the end of her seat. “I can see in your face Matthew means something to you. Enjoy it. Don’t think it to death. I’ve never seen you with such a . . . I don’t know . . . relaxed, dreamy look about you. I’ve also never seen you on edge.”
Folding her hands carefully across her desk, Carrie aimed a glare at her assistant.
Brenda quickly added, “Not this kind of edginess. You’re sharp. Very organized and very controlled. No man has ever chipped your armor. You’re gorgeous, sexy. . .”
Carrie held up a hand. “You can stop now. Your job is safe.”
“No, I mean it. You’re not just a top female executive. You’re beautiful and a classy lady. You carry yourself well. You’re more than confident and it shows.”
She shook her head. “You’re talking weird.”
“You have a soft side. You show it to people like me, and you’ve shown it to your clients. They know not to cross you or step on your toes, but they respect you. Only the dumbass men that envy your position are the ones who call you ice queen and hardass.”
One corner of Carrie’s mouth lifted in a smile. Men. She’d treated men as objects and thought they had their uses. Especially in bed. Hadn’t she done the same thing as the dumbass men Brenda mentioned? Carrie raised a brow. “Are you angling for a raise?”
“Hell, yes! But I’m your friend, too.” Brenda got up to leave and then turned with a cocky grin. “It never hurts to schmooze a little bit now and again.”
Carrie laughed. “Out with you. You have work to do.”
Chapter 13
“The Charles Thurston?”
Carrie smiled. Brad tried to hide it, but she knew he was salivating. Handsome and a sharp suit, Brad joined the company five years ago. The partners thought the junior executive would be an asset to the company. He’d shown potential and the last several months, he put in late hours and dogged Carrie’s footsteps. There he sat, drooling over Mr. Thurston’s, what he thought was, a million-dollar bank account. If truth be known, Charles Thurston’s bankroll was more in the billions.
“You have him for a client?”
“So you’ve heard of him,” Carrie answered.
“Who hasn’t? Every man who has an ounce of investment savvy knows the name Charles Thurston. I’ve never seen him. I had no idea he was a client.”
“Mr. Thurston makes appointments after hours and I go to his home.”
“His home?” Brad gave a low whistle. “You’ve been in his home? You travel in some amazing circles. Where is it?”
“He has several. Upon occasion he’s sent his jet for me and I returned on the following day. This is not a celebrity discussion.”
Brad sat up straighter obviously realizing he should be concentrating on business. “Of course not. This firm’s prestigious reputation attracts wealthy financiers. I’m privileged for the opportunity to work with you.”
“You’ve worked hard these past several months. I couldn’t ask for a better disposition. Any task I gave you was met with willingness and enthusiasm. You committed your time, never complained or appeared reluctant or uncertain. You succeeded when you promised to deliver.”
“Just doing my job,” he said.
She knew he was aspiring for a promotion. If he could pull this off, he just might get one. “I have another task for you. All of your skills will come into play on this one. Dedication, commitment, responsibility, and your assurance you’ll succeed.”
“You have my attention and my vow to accomplish the job.”
“The client’s wishes are all that matters. And since he values his privacy, I don’t need to remind you of confidentially.”
“I don’t like to assume, but we are talking about Mr. Thurston?”
Carrie held up the file she’d prepared on her most important client. “This is just one tenth of Mr. Thurston’s portfolio.” Her gaze locked on the eyes of the junior executive. “I want you to go ove
r it, research it, memorize it. Then bring your findings with you to the meeting next week.”
Brad reached for the folder. He sat back and leafed through the mound of papers giving another low whistle.
“Impressed?” Carrie asked.
“Profusely. And this is just one tenth, you say?”
“Can you handle it?”
He glared at her as if he detested her remark. Then quickly, his eyes sparkled and his expression softened. Carrie knew she had not imagined his anger. But then, she would resent someone questioning her capabilities, too.
“You can count on me.” Brad put the papers together and closed the folder. He stood. “I’ll get to work on it right away.”
“And, Brad. Don’t make any plans for this weekend. I expect you to be first rate on this.”
Without saying another word, Brad nodded and left, taking the folder with him. Carrie watched him leave, glad one more thing could be marked off her list.
Tuesday. Carrie couldn’t control her excitement. She would see Matthew tomorrow. She and Ginger spent the last three days shopping for outrageous outfits. Ginger knew the best places and the perfect lingerie to entice a man to shame. Carrie may have gone a bit over-the-top, but she’d been unable to resist anything Ginger shoved her way. They were like two schoolgirls who’d just found out about sex.
Carrie spent large amounts of money setting the scene for seduction. Her home had taken on a new look. Exotic candles and green palms decorated the corners making the stark white of the walls more attractive and not so cold. She called a halt to the red velvet draperies. She planned to impress Matthew with seduction, not make him think her home a bordello.
“Matthew Corridon, line one.”
Carrie swallowed and cursed her eager response. She didn’t recognize herself anymore. One more day. “Thanks, Brenda.”
“Hello, Matthew.”
“Hello.”
She’d prepared for the moment when she would hear his voice, but it did no good. He could melt the glaciers at the North Pole.
“Carrie, a situation forced me to call.”
Her heart leaped into her throat. He sounded stressed. Immediately a red flag of dread raced down her spine. “Matthew, what is it?”
“I won’t be there tomorrow.”
Disappointment consumed her. “What . . .”
“I’m sorry. I must leave the country.”
His words sucked the oxygen from her lungs. The country. Oh my God! What had she gotten herself into? Was he a criminal? Why did he have to leave the country?
“Carrie?”
“I’m here.”
“It’s imperative I go abroad.”
“Matthew? What’s wrong?” God, she didn’t know what to say.
“There’s been a complication. I trusted someone . . . I need to go myself. I have to take care of this.”
The need to know made her ask. “Is it business?”
“Yes. I’m sorry about tomorrow. I don’t know how long this will take.”
She wanted to ask if he would be coming back to the US, but her pride wouldn’t let her. He was probably a criminal. Matthew was fleeing the country for his crimes.
“Carrie?”
Her dazed response came automatically. “Yes?”
“I want to see you when I return.”
So he was coming back. And her foolish heart was glad. “I’ll be here.”
“I’m at the airport. I have to go. Think of me.”
Like she would do anything else.
“If you’re not going to wear them, give them to me.”
The lingerie littered the bed, the floor, the whole room. It looked like she wouldn’t need it. Carrie had not heard from Matthew since that strange phone call weeks ago.
“Get rid of him.” Ginger tapped a finger to her temple to demonstrate. “In your mind. He’s already forgotten you.”
“Shut up, Ginger.”
“He led you on. No man is worth it.”
Carrie pulled another sexy number out of the box. “How could I forget? No man is worth any aggravation. Their egos are the biggest thing about them.”
“Sometimes not the biggest,” Ginger snickered.
“The biggest! Maybe their dicks come in a close second. But their selfishness and self-centered actions say it all.”
A skimpy piece of velvet with tiger stripes dangled on Ginger’s fingers. “You need to get laid.”
“I don’t have any problem picking partners and I know how to get laid.”
“Evidently you do have a problem picking partners. Pick another. There’s still my brothers. Hell, Carrie. You can have your choice of any man out there.”
Carrie thought about that for a moment. She didn’t want any man. She wanted Matthew. God knew why. Carrie waved her arms about. “Take it. Take it all. I don’t want any of it.”
Ginger lifted her brows. “Are you sure? You may change your mind.”
“I said I don’t want it!” Carrie leaned over, grabbed an arm full of lingerie, and threw the bundle at Ginger.
“Okay. Okay. You don’t have to snap my head off.” Ginger picked up a few of the scattered garments. She held out one colorful creation of gauzy material. “I’ll wear this for Jake tonight.”
“So you and Jake are on again?”
“What can I say?” Ginger shrugged as though it were unimportant. “You know I have a thing for Jake.”
“Yes, I know. I wasn’t sure you did.”
Ginger ignored her and stuffed the items in her bag. “Okay, I’m outta here.”
“Enjoy.”
“I plan to.” She blew Carrie an imaginary kiss.
Carrie had spent days wondering if Matthew would return as promised. Well, he actually didn’t promise. He did say he wanted to see her when he returned. She’d believed him. Had lived on his words for four miserable weeks. And in all that time she had not heard one word from him. Not one bless-sed word. She threw a pillow at the mirror.
Her amorous life sucked. She was not a dreamer. How had she let a man become so important to her? He’d gotten under her skin. So much so that she forgot who she was. She’d spent years thinking men were not important. As she stared at the disarray of her room, anger simmered, annoyed that she let a man take over so many of her thoughts, so much of her time.
Enough.
Carrie reached for the remaining apparel on the bed. Life was full of choices. She’d lived her life making decisions she believed to be the best choice. The choice to believe Matthew had turned out to be a bad one. She needed to get back on her game.
“Damn, Carrie. Would you lighten up?” Brenda argued, exasperated.
Carrie tossed a file on her desk. “Now is not the time.”
“Yes, now! You need to take the time.”
Carrie leaned forward and placed her hands on her desk. “For what? Make your point?”
“How about earlier today? I’ve never seen you chew anybody out like that. Do you really think Harrison deserved it? A month ago, you would have told him what was wrong and sent him on his way. The Andersons didn’t lose any money.”
“You’re over-stepping your bounds, Brenda.” Carrie dropped in her leather chair and slid it forward. Lifting her pen, she concentrated on the papers on her desk.
“I’ve seen you getting worse every day. Have you taken a good look in the mirror lately? I may be your employee, but I’m also your friend. You need a break. A vacation.”
Carrie raised her head and glared at her assistant. “I do not need a vacation.”
Brenda shouted. “You sure as hell need to get out of here!”
All Carrie saw was the back of Brenda’s head as she whirled around and went storming out the door. Her assistant knew she did not tolerate such behavior, but then she had deserved it.
She dropped her pen and settled back in her chair. Brenda had never yelled at her before. True, the situation wasn’t that bad. Circumstances surrounding the incident needed to be taken into consideration. Harrison had
n’t done anything wrong. He missed an opportunity to advance an investment. After today, he wouldn’t miss another one. Maybe she had over-reacted.
Dammit. When was Matthew coming back?
The phone buzzed in her office. Brenda wouldn’t have cooled off that fast. “Yes?”
“Matthew Corridon, line three.”
Carrie’s heart did a nosedive. She hadn’t heard from him in weeks. Why did the mention of his name send her pulse leaping? Apprehension clogged her throat? She shook herself. No man would reduce her to a fretful incompetent. Settling into professional mode, she spoke in a firm business voice. “Carrie Stratton, speaking.”
“Carrie?”
“Yes.” Her breathing became erratic. She hadn’t realized how much she’d craved to hear his voice until that moment. Relief, pleasure, pain.
“Are you all right?” Matthew sounded concerned.
“Why would you ask?”
“When I gave your secretary my name she said, thank God, and I’d just saved her life. Is everything okay?”
It is now. “Brenda is dramatic.”
“How are you?”
Where the hell have you been? “I’m fine. And you?”
“I’ve been out of the country.”
No shit. And that’s your excuse for not calling?
“I’m in Istanbul. I don’t have much time. It’s been touch and go.”
Her heart stopped.
“Looks like I’ll be here another week. This is the first chance I’ve had to get near a phone.”
“Matthew. Are you all right?” Carrie hoped the fear didn’t come through in her voice.
“Worn out. Tired. We’re not finished. The merger.”
Carrie heard the strain in his voice. Touch and go. “It’s business?”
“What?”
“I was afraid something happened to you.”
“I’m fine,” he assured her.
Relief overwhelmed her.
“I’ll be even better when I see you.”
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