James, Sherry - [Studs For Hire 02]

by Woman In Charge (lit)

  And had missed.

  "A few years ago when I was with an established architectural firm, I was introduced to a woman who was VP of marketing for a large window manufacturing company.

  "Valerie Turner and I clicked both professionally and personally. We became involved and I quickly discovered she was vivacious and ambitious as hell. I was thinking about starting my own firm, and one night over a few drinks I mentioned my plans. Valerie loved the idea and the next thing I knew I had a business partner. We quit our jobs, set up shop and the rest ... well.” His jaw tightened, telling Casey he was working hard to keep his emotions in check.

  "Things went belly-up?"

  "Belly-up is an understatement.” Alex laughed with an edge of bitterness to his voice. “We had a good-sized list of contacts from our previous jobs and we hit the ground running. We grew fast. Too fast. We ended up with so many people working for us, I had no clue how large the payroll had become, or how many vendors we'd racked up bills with."

  "Let me guess. Valerie was in charge of the finances?"

  Alex's brow furrowed as he let out a pent-up breath. “She'd convinced me not worry about the money, to focus on the architectural and construction side of the business. She had a business background, and had held a major position in her last job. I had no reason not to trust her."

  "But you found out differently."

  "Oh, yeah. I got the shock of my life. I found myself a quarter-of-a-million dollars in debt."

  Casey gasped. “What? How can that be? Wasn't there any money coming in?"

  "Yes. But it was gone. She'd timed everything perfectly and had been spending money for months.” Letting his foot fall to the floor, he walked to the window, braced his arm against the frame, and gazed out into the darkness. “I didn't discover what was going on until after I found her in bed with my best lead contractor."

  "Oh, Alex.” Casey stepped forward, wanting to reach out and touch him, offer comfort for all the pain he'd endured, but the stiffness of his shoulders made her hold back. He'd been wronged by one woman. Would he want comfort from another? “What did you do?"

  "I ended the relationship and the partnership on the spot. To my surprise she didn't argue, didn't plead for understanding, or beg for forgiveness. She simply packed her bags and left. For days I went through the motions of just existing. I couldn't believe that in reality, she didn't give a damn about us, or the business.” He took a deep breath. “Then my creditors started calling. I began checking the books and it didn't take me long to realize she'd staged the affair for a greater purpose."

  "Staged it?"

  Alex let his hand fall to his side. He turned and looked at Casey. A mixture of anger, hurt, and regret shrouded his face.

  "I was blind, Casey. So damn blind. She wanted me to find her in bed with another man."

  "Why?” she asked, even though she was beginning to suspect Valerie's motives. But Casey knew Alex needed to say it out loud, not so much for her, but for him.

  "The affair was her scapegoat. It was an easy way for her to get out of our relationship, personally and professionally. She knew the breakup would cover her tracks long enough to give her time to disappear."

  "And then it'd be too late,” Casey said softly.

  "Yes. I was flat broke. I didn't even have money to operate with, making it difficult to complete jobs in progress. I had no way to pay the work crews. My credit was soon in shreds, and it didn't take long for my reputation to take the hit."

  "But what she did was wrong,” Casey said, incredulous. She threw up her hands in disbelief, her temper flaring toward the woman who'd done such horrible things to Alex. “Valerie should be arrested, behind bars."

  Alex shook his head. “On paper she really didn't do anything illegal. She'd simply paid herself an exorbitant salary, and all her purchases were categorized as legitimate business expenses. By the time I figured it all out, she was no where to be found. Even if I'd known where she was, I couldn't afford to hire a lawyer and sue."

  Casey now fully understood Alex's reluctance to take the job with Studs for Hire and Heather Gridmore. Her heart ached for him and all the injustices he'd been dealt, and ached for what might never be between them. Forgetting a cheating, conniving woman, who'd nearly ruined his reputation in the process, wouldn't be easy for any man. Especially when he had two-hundred and fifty thousand reasons not to forget.

  Casey couldn't blame him for wanting nothing more from her than a working relationship. She'd even told herself time and again to keep things strictly on a business level. Maybe one day she'd learn to heed her own advice.

  "I'm sorry, Alex. And I'm sorry this job wasn't what you hoped it to be. But we're almost done. If you can stick it out a while longer, we can finish and collect our fees. Then you ... can go back to Denver and forget the whole thing.” A lump formed in Casey's throat. Her heart threatened to crack in half.

  "Forget? Casey, there's no forgetting."

  "But—"

  He pulled her tight up against his hard body, and his hands slid through her hair, down to her shoulders and down to her back. His fingers burned through the thin fabric of her T-shirt, igniting a blazing fire.

  Casey wrapped her arms around his neck and inhaled the tantalizing scent that was uniquely Alex. She wanted to bury herself in his embrace and never let go.

  They stumbled backward and Alex pinned her up against the wall. His lips left hers and burned a trail over her cheek. “You said you needed me, Case,” he said against her skin. He peppered kisses down to her jaw and to the hollow of her neck. “Tell me. Tell me why you need me."

  Casey gasped for air and dug her fingers into the soft leather of his jacket.

  "I don't think I ... can live without you, Alex."

  Alex broke his kiss from her skin and froze. His eyes gazed deep into hers. Casey's heart pounded so fast she couldn't read the emotions smoldering in their depths. But there was no turning back now. She'd never forgive herself if she didn't tell him the truth.

  "No. I need you because I love you, Alex.” There, she'd said it. And she was all the stronger for it.

  A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “That's what I was hoping you'd say.” He brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “And you know, even Elvis had to leave the building sometime. What do you say we do the same? I want to show you how much I love you."

  "Oh, Alex. You've got me All Shook Up."

  Epilogue

  Early December

  "My feet are killing me,” Terri said as she kicked off her black high heels, joining Casey and Sydnie at the bar in the party room of Heather's mansion.

  "Mine, too,” Casey said, taking a sip of her colorful, Blue Hawaii inspired drink. “And so is my throat. I've never talked so much in one night in my life."

  Heather had dedicated the museum wing of her house with major fanfare, and all evening the three partners had given tours and shown off the remodeled rooms in the house to Heather's friends, fellow Elvis fans, and the news media. Even the Mayor of Omaha and the Governor of Nebraska had made it a point to come out and see what all the hoopla was about.

  Now, at half-past midnight, the die-hard Elvis fans still danced to one Elvis song after another on the dance floor filling one corner of the massive room.

  The cute bartender, dressed like the King, complete with slicked back hair and sideburns, wasted no time in serving Terri one of the many specialty Elvis drinks concocted for the party. Cautiously, Terri climbed up onto a bar stool in her skintight leather skirt.

  "Having trouble?” Syd asked.

  "I'm not used to dressing like this,” Terri whispered so the bartender wouldn't hear. “I feel like I need to be carrying a whip and a pair of handcuffs."

  Casey and Sydnie laughed. “I can't believe you just said that,” Casey said. “Do you have some secret fantasy we don't know about?” She winked at her friend and gave her a good-hearted nudge.

  A rosy blush colored Terri's cheeks. “I'll never tell,” she said
behind the rim of her glass.

  "Oh, yes you will. All we need is a gallon of Rocky Road and you'll be spilling your guts after three spoonfuls. Besides, with these outfits, we all should be having fantasies."

  "Yeah, and living them out,” Syd said and winked. “Dressed like this I sort of feel like Elvis myself. Trevor's been itching to get his hands on me all night. It was cool of Heather to have these made for us."

  "Generous with a motive,” Casey said. “It's no accident ours look like Elvis’ 1968 Comeback Special black leather outfit. Heather planned to use us as guides for this party from the start."

  "Fine by me. For the first time in months I've actually had men looking at me,” Terri said. “It's a heady feeling. Now if I could just find a man, like you two, who wants more than a one night stand."

  "You'll find someone,” Casey said, suddenly missing Alex. “Just be patient. And speaking of men, have either of you seen our star architect? I feel like we've hardly seen each other tonight.” She scanned the crowd for Alex, but only saw a mixture of people mingling in and out of the museum and onto the dance floor, or to the cluster of retro-style sofas and chairs in the center of the room.

  "I saw HGTV had him cornered down the hall a few minutes ago,” Terri said.

  "Well, it's time I cornered him,” Casey said. She downed the last of her drink. “I'll catch you two later."

  "Don't forget to show up for work Monday morning,” Syd quipped. “The Bentleys are coming in first thing to discuss their remodel. They're huge Husker fans, so be thinking of some ideas over the weekend."

  If the weekend worked out like Casey hoped, she'd be too busy to think about work. “I won't forget,” she said over her shoulder. She made her way through the crowd and noticed an early December snow falling outside the large windows encompassing the south wall of the room. A vast coating of white already covered the grounds outside. Maybe, with a little luck, she and Alex would get snowed in together.

  Casey left behind the noise of the party and stepped out into the hallway. She checked the various rooms searching for Alex, but he was no where to be found. At last she saw him standing in the dimly lit family room, gazing out the large cathedral style windows overlooking the back deck.

  She leaned against the door jamb and crossed her arms, prepared to enjoy the view. She studied his lean form silhouetted by the soft deck lights shining in through the windows. Dressed completely in black, his hair slicked backed in the roguish style reminiscent of Elvis’ early days, Alex looked handsome, sexy, and hot. Casey's fingers itched to touch.

  Come on snow.

  "Looks like immortalizing Elvis in Omaha wasn't such a bad idea after all,” she said softly.

  Slowly he turned, a smile tugging at his lips.

  "In more ways than one,” he drawled.

  Casey pushed away from the door and walked across the room to where he stood. With each step her heart hitched in anticipation of being with him again. Five days had been way too long.

  "I want you to have the piano, Rory,” Heather's unexpected voice said from the other side of a partial wall that separated the family room and the kitchen.

  Casey and Alex glanced toward the kitchen.

  "No thanks,” a tall, dark-haired man said. “I don't accept charity.” He took a long pull on his bottle of beer and braced a hand on the counter.

  Alex clasped Casey's shoulders and guided her back into the shadows.

  "It's not charity. If it makes you feel better, think of it as payment for your help. I know Elvis only played it a couple of times, but it's still a—"

  "You don't have to buy me, Heather. Look, I have to go. It's late.” He set down his beer and turned to leave.

  "Then think of it as a gift.” Heather put a hand on his arm, stopping him.

  "Now what is it you want me to do?” Casey could see his eyes narrow in suspicion. Heather dropped her gaze, and then looked back up at him.

  "I want you to stay. I want you to ... I just ... want you to love me,” Heather said softly.

  "Love you?"

  "Yes. We've been friends a long time, Rory. And I think I've loved you almost as long. I just didn't see it."

  The man smiled and caressed Heather's cheek. “That's all you had to say.” He leaned in and kissed her.

  "That guy has the right idea,” Alex whispered into Casey's ear.

  "Does he now?"

  "You betcha, sweetheart.” Without further hesitation, Alex captured her mouth with his. His kiss was gentle, yet intense, passionate. He smelled of leather and the mountains, intoxicating her brain with desire. A moment later they came up for air and Casey noticed the kitchen was now empty. She and Alex were alone once more. And he was all hers.

  "Looks like Heather found her man after all."

  "Yeah, and it wasn't me.” He gave a big smile.

  "Are you disappointed?"

  "No way. I was holding out for you, sweetheart. Success is mine."

  Casey laughed, happiness filling her heart. Alex's eyes darkened, smoldering with promises Casey wanted to personally see that he kept. “And speaking of which, you were right about this job being a good thing. I had more business cards shoved at me tonight than I can count."

  "Ah, see. Didn't I tell you, you should listen to me?” She playfully shook a finger at him.

  "Not that I recall. But, I did take it upon myself to listen a time or two during the last few months."

  "Oh, did you now?"

  "In fact, come to think of it, I listened to you a helluva lot."

  "Really?"

  "Really.” He reached into the inside pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out a slim package with a smashed gold bow.

  Casey's breath caught. “What's this? Christmas is three weeks away yet."

  "It's not for Christmas. This is more like a little something to ... celebrate our success."

  "Celebrate. Hmm. You've got me curious."

  "So open it."

  "You don't have to ask twice.” Casey untied the bow and removed the paper. “Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii on DVD,” she laughed. “You remembered."

  "Yep. And I thought you and I could have a little Aloha party,” he drawled. Even in the dim light she could see his brown eyes darken with desire. Lifting a lock of hair off her shoulder, he slowly rubbed the strands between his fingers.

  Oh, boy. In spite of the party going on down the hall, Casey wanted to strip the leather from his body and have her way with him right here, right now. Terri was right. When a man looked at you like this, it was a heady feeling.

  "I'm impressed. You were listening,” she said, feeling a little breathless. “We talked about this concert way back when we first started this project, before we went to Memphis."

  "Before we went to Memphis.” He grazed the back of his fingers along her jaw, sending a new wave of searing need rushing through her body.

  "Since we listen to each other so well,” he said, taking a step closer. “I have a confession to make.” Casey's breath died in her throat. He'd already told her that he loved her. Was there something else he hadn't mentioned—like he worked for the CIA, or that he was really married? Was he going to renege on the I love you?

  "Confession?” Her fingers tightened around the DVD.

  "Don't worry, it's nothing earth shattering,” he laughed. “Do you remember when you asked me how I knew so much about Elvis?"

  She narrowed her eyes. “Yes."

  "I used to do Elvis impersonations for a living."

  "What?” Suddenly, all of Casey's worries felt lighter than the snow falling outside. “You? An Elvis impersonator? I can't believe it."

  "Well, believe it. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll helped me pay my way through college. I had such a steady stream of gigs I never had to work a regular job. It was great."

  "Whoa. Now I'm really impressed. You must've been good."

  "I never got any complaints,” he said with a slight drawl. He shrugged and threw her a smile that nailed Elvis to a T.

&n
bsp; "Wow. You are good. I knew there was something special about you the moment we met in the airport."

  "Why, thank you. Thank you very much,” he said, mimicking Elvis one more time. He winked, and their laughter filled the room. “I'm a man of many talents. I bet you never thought I could save damsels in distress and portray a legend, did you?"

  "Nope. I thought you were just a lowly architect."

  They laughed and Casey loved the sound of his deep voice full of happiness. She swore she'd never get tired of the sound.