“What the hell! Kathleen?” Cassidy called out louder than she meant to when she went into her office.
“Oh, Miss Harland those were delivered a little while ago.” She hesitated, trying to hide the curious smile.
“Who are they from?” Cassidy turned towards her. Kathleen only shrugged her shoulders. Cassidy moved closer to the desk and sniffed the sweet aroma. “They’re gorgeous!” She grabbed the tiny card and removed it from the envelope. Her facial expressions were enough to drive the secretary over the edge. Cassidy smiled, tears filled her eyes. She put the card back in the envelope and slipped it into her inside coat pocket. She moved the vase to a nearby table since they took up most of her desk, then turned towards Kathleen, who seemed to be waiting anxiously to find out who sent the bundle of roses. “They’re from a secret admirer.” Kathleen’s face went pale. ‘I’m kidding, they’re from a friend.” It was the truth, she and Ian were friends, only friends, and they would stay that way. Do I call and thank her? Do I mention it at all? Do I…oh hell, I don’t know what the hell to do when it comes to her. The secretary left her boss alone in her thoughts.
Four hours later Cassidy was perched on her couch staring at the elegant looking arrangement sitting on the dining room table in her apartment. The knock on the door shook her back to reality. She swept her dark hair back off of her shoulder.
“Hey Cass, we knew you’d be sitting here alone on Valentine’s Day.” Wendi pushed her way inside, followed by Trina.
“You two are something else.” Cassidy shook her head.
“What the hell is this?! Trina look!” Wendi was eyeing the flowers and physically searching them for the card.
“You wont find it, I hid it an hour ago.” Cassidy smirked and went back to her warm seat on the couch.
“Well? Who are they from?” Trina sniffed the delicate scent.
Cassidy simply shrugged. “My boss.”
“Who?” Wendi turned to Trina, they both spoke at the same time.
“Ian?”
“Yep.”
“Holy shit! What did the card say?”
“Not much, and everything.” She ran her hands through her long black hair.
“What? No riddles tonight Cass, I’m not into playing games with you, let me see the card.” Wendi barked in protest. Cassidy walked into her bedroom and came back out with the envelope. Her best friends read it together and handed it back to her.
“That’s heavy. Talk about riddles.” Trina shook her head.
“What does she mean by that?” Wendi asked.
“What happened between you two that night Cassidy?” Trina asked.
“I already told both of you, nothing happened. We talked for a while and fell asleep on the couch. Look guys, she’s my boss and nothing will ever happen between us. Even if we wanted it to, it just wouldn’t work out, we’re friends.” That’s all.
“Are you in love with her?” Trina asked. Wendi almost slapped her. Cassidy looked at both of them, ignoring the question.
“Let’s go out, who wants to sit alone on Valentine’s Day?”
“I hear ya!” Wendi smiled and clapped her hands together and shot a piercing gaze at Trina when Cassidy left the room to change her clothes. “What the hell did you do that for?” She whispered harshly.
“Because she needs to admit it, hell they both do. You and I both saw it, you can’t deny the heat between them.” She whispered back.
“So they were lusting after each other, do you really want her to get hurt?” Wendi growled quietly.
“No. I don’t think Ian would hurt her, she looks at her like she’s the only woman in the world.”
“She’s also her god damn boss Trina.”
“I know that.”
“Good, stay out of it.” On that note Cassidy walked back into the room wearing jeans and a baby blue sweater. She grabbed her leather jacket on the way out the door.
Once the three women arrived at the bar Trina decided to speak again.
“Have you called to thank her?” Wendi looked like she was about to go off on Trina.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“It’s complicated Trina, what the hell would I say?” No you have no idea how difficult this is for me. I can’t explain what’s going on because I don’t even know myself.
“Thank you, would be a start.” The sandy haired woman shrugged and sipped her drink right after the waiter set it down. Cassidy downed the glass of Soco in one sip.
“Have you given any thought to applying for one of the open positions?” Wendi changed the subject.
“No, I mean the Locomotive Director position probably pays higher than mine, but I don’t know if I would want to live in Aspen, and I’d have to work in the corporate office.”
“What about the other one?”
“What other one? Oh you mean her assistant?”
“Yeah.”
“No I wouldn’t want to do that, you’re practically her bitch twenty-four-seven, no thank you.” She laughed.
“I can see where I wouldn’t want to do that either.” Trina finally joined the conversation.
“How’s the legal battle going?”
“I don’t know honestly, we haven’t heard much about it.”
“I haven’t either, I gave her attorney’s the copies of my reports last week, that’s the last I heard about it. I’m sure I’ll have to testify or at least give a deposition eventually.”
“I’m sure we all will. I still can’t believe this mess.”
“Believe it or not Cass, I see this sort of thing a lot in the corporate world, people get greedy.” Trina finished her Martini and ordered a round of chocolate covered strawberries for the table. “Let’s celebrate.” She smiled.
“The fact that we’re all single, on Valentine’s Day?” Wendi laughed.
“No, the fact that we always have each other no matter what.” Trina put her glass up, they toasted in unison.
Chapter 14
A month passed, Cassidy found herself sitting in a quiet room in the back of the office section of the Wiley Steel production plant. She was alone, awaiting the arrival of Mr. Guthrey, to take her testimony about the business scam that Higginbotham and Bradford had been involved in. Richard Masters, Director of Production, had given his statements earlier that day. To keep everything legitimate, she was told to take the day off and be there at four p.m. to meet with him.
The door opened, A tall man with jet black hair that matched Cassidy’s, walked into the room caring a briefcase. His dark brown eyes seemed friendlier than his appearance, the charcoal colored Armani suit was crisp and reeked of power. Cassidy didn’t see the blond enter behind him until she shut the door and sat in the seat next to him. He extended his hand with a smile.
“Miss Harland, we spoke on the phone, I’m Maxwell Guthrey and I’m sure you know Ian Wiley.”
“Yes sir, it’s nice to meet you…” She looked at the blond. “And it’s nice to see you again Miss Wiley.” Her tone was flat, but polite.
“Okay, let’s get started then.” He went through each of the questions in his list and she answered them to the best of her knowledge as the small device in the center of the table recorded every word. Ian never spoke, she sat in silence acting only as a witness. Cassidy found herself glancing towards Ian every so often, she was always looking back, her amazing blue eyes were cloudy, as if they were deep in thought.
After three hours the meeting was over. Cassidy shook hands with Mr. Guthrey once again, this time she also offered her hand to the blond. Ian returned the gesture softly. Both women felt the heat that passed between them as there hands touched briefly, then the bitter cold that was left when their hands released. Mr. Guthrey and Ian stayed in the room to talk in private after Cassidy walked out.
“I think we have everything we need from Wiley Steel, the next step is going through all of the records that we subpoenaed from J.R. Hinkley Metals. I’m sure that’ll have us buried in paperwork for another mont
h. After that, well,” He took a deep breath and quickly let it out. “We go to trial.”
“Sounds like the war is slowing starting. I can’t tell you how much I hate this Max.”
“I know, but your daddy would be very proud of you.”
“Thanks.” She smiled lightly. What would he think of me being gay? The great Wiley heir leading the throne with a woman on her arm?
Ian decided to stop at Cassidy’s office on her way out of the building. Sure enough the brunette was sitting at her desk.
“Come in.” Cassidy smiled tenderly.
“You were suppose to take today off.” Ian spoke dryly.
“Yes, I know. It’s Friday, I should be happy to have a three day weekend. Actually, I only came in here for a piece of paper.” She slid the small piece of paper across the desk. Ian glanced at it.
“What’s this?”
“My address.” Cassidy’s entire body was trembling. What the hell am I doing? Thanking her for the flowers, that’s it I’m being nice to her. “If you’re staying in town tonight, I’d like to cook you dinner…” She hesitated, praying her secretary could not hear their conversation. “As a thank you for the flowers, and all of the dinners and so on that I shared with you in your home.” There I said it, it’s out. The ball is out of my court, for once. Ian shifted in her chair.
“What time should I be there?”
“Eight, if that’s okay.”
“Yeah, it’s already past seven, I need to get to the hotel and change first.” She looked down at her business suit, wishing she was already in jeans.
“Sure, I’m not far from the Hilton. I’m assuming that’s where you’re staying.”
Ian smiled. “Yes it is.”
~ ~ ~
Cassidy paced the floor, dinner was in the oven keeping warm and the bottle of chardonnay was chilling in the wine cooler on the table. She was hoping her friends didn’t decide to stop by unannounced as usual. Both of them knew about her deposition today and would more than likely inquire about it. The knock on the door brought her out of the daze she had floated into.
“Hey.”
“Hi, thanks for inviting me, I wasn’t sure if I should bring anything.” Ian said shyly.
“No, you’ve done enough, it’s my turn.” Cassidy’s voice sounded almost seductive, she chastised herself for being so forward. Sex was not on her mind. Okay sex was on her mind, but not just sex, and definitely not with her boss. For some odd reason the woman standing in front of her clad in jeans, a polo, and a leather jacket was the complete opposite of the power suit boss that she was speaking of not having sex with. She’s still your god damn boss, no matter what she wears! Her nerves began taking over her body.
“You have a nice place.” Ian looked around at the modernly decorated tiny apartment. The couch was the color of smooth chocolate, it contrasted perfectly against the crème colored walls and carpet. Two small wooden tables sat on each end of the sofa, a matching coffee table sat in front of it. The entertainment center on the opposite side of the room was also wood, it housed a moderate sized TV and a few other electronics. A small breakfast bar with two stools separated the living room and kitchen. The dining area was off to the side of the kitchen, and a small hallway was off to the right. Ian suspected that led to the master bedroom and probably a much smaller spare room.
“Thanks. It’s nothing like your home though.” Cassidy moved close to the other woman. “Please, let me take your coat. Dinner is in the oven, I’ve prepared a Caesar Salad to start.” She took Ian’s coat and draped it across one of the bar stools. The blond followed her in the dining area.
“Something smells good.”
“That would be Lasagna.” Cassidy poured two glasses of wine and walked back into the kitchen. She returned with two bowls of salad and sat down across from Ian at the small table.
“I wanted to say thank you for the flowers. They were beautiful.”
“Your welcome.”
“Trina and Wendi went nuts over them.” She laughed. Ian thought of the crazy pair of friends and laughed as well.
“The office was a little more difficult. Kathleen, my secretary wouldn’t leave me alone about them. Rich was even a little curious.”
“No one’s ever sent you flowers before?”
“No, well not to work.” She thought of the time Ian sent her flowers to the ski lodge for her birthday.
“Do they know about your personal life?” Ian questioned as she ate her salad.
“No. No one knows anything about me except Trina and Wendi. My parents have never asked, I’m sure they know.” Cassidy’s cell phone rang at that precise moment. Speak of the devil pair! “Please excuse me, if I don’t answer they will just show up here.”
Ian laughed and nodded her head. Cassidy went into the living room. She answered sharper than she had intended.
“What?”
“Whoa! What crawled up your ass?” Trina yelled.
“Sorry, I’m a little busy. Can I…Can I call you back?”
“Busy? You? Since when? Who’s there? Where are you?”
“I’m at home and I have company. I’ll call you when I’m alone.”
“Who is it?”
“None of your business.” She growled low, trying not to be overheard was already hard enough in the small apartment.
“Uh huh…who is she? And since when do you have a date that me and Wendi don’t know about?”
“Look, do me a favor and let Wendi know that I’m occupied at this moment so she doesn’t decide to show up. I’ll call you later and tell you about the meeting, if that’s why you’re calling.”
“It is, but now I’m more intrigued to find out who’s at your house right now.”
She whispered. “It’s her, okay.”
“What? Who?”
“Her.” She said through clinched teeth.
“Her? Huh?”
“God damn it Trina, you know who.” She heard a gasp on the other end of the line.
“Oh my god, Ian’s there? Why is she at your apartment?”
“I invited her to dinner to thank her for the flowers, and you are rudely interrupting me at the moment.”
“Shit, okay I’m sorry. I’ll call Wendi. Hey I want the details when she leaves.”
“Fine! I gotta go.” She slammed her phone closed and walked back into the dining area.
“I’m so sorry. It was Trina with a hundred questions.”
“Did you tell her I was here?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. If I hadn’t she might have shown up here.” She laughed. “They both would have.”
“It’s okay.”
Cassidy cleared the table and returned with two heaping plates of homemade lasagna. She poured two more glasses of wine and sat down. Ian was the first to bite into the main course.
“Wow, this is excellent!”
“Thank you, I don’t cook much, but when I do it’s usually something Italian. For some reason I love Italian food.”
“Me too. Giles makes a huge array of different foods, but I’ve always liked Italian the best.” She smiled and continued to enjoy her meal as she ate. Ian tried to overlook the desire building in her body. Ever since the passionate kiss that they shared on the couch, her libido had been screaming at her. Seeing Cassidy today was all it took, her heart raced and her body yearned for the dark-haired woman across from her. A friendly dinner, that’s all this is. Behave Wiley!
“I don’t know how you live with him. He spoiled me and I was only there a day or two.” She smiled.
“I guess I’m use to him.” She took a sip of her wine. “Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without him.” She grinned.
“So how long are you in town for?”
“I drove in early this morning. With today being Friday, I guess I don’t really have to be back until Monday. I have a few things I need to do in the office. Not having an assistance is crucifying. I’m reading through at least fifty resumes everyday. I’m also hiring for a new position.
Did Rich tell you about it?”
“No. What is it?”
“I’m sorry, I hate talking business when I’m not in the office and I really don’t like to talk about it around you.”
“We don’t have to talk about work.”
“Good.” She could see the questions on the brunette’s face. “It’s a new director position. This one will be totally new, I’m trying to broaden the market and reach out to the steel construction industry. A lot of buildings are built out of the same steel that we use everyday. I know it won't be a major dollar difference, but it gives us expansion and that’s always positive.”
“That sounds interesting, I can’t wait to see how it does.” Cassidy seemed excited and that alone made Ian happy.
“Me too. But now I’m looking for an assistant, a Locomotive Services Director, and a Construction Director. I’m pulling my hair out.” Both women laughed. The smile on Cassidy’s face could melt the polar icecaps. At least, that’s how Ian viewed it, warm and endearing, but seductively hot when she wanted it to be.
“I have tiramisu for dessert.” Cassidy challenged with a smile as she stood up to clear the table.
“I can’t believe you made all of this.” Ian admitted she couldn’t cook near as well, she was very thankful for Giles in many ways.
“Well, I have to confess, I purchased the dessert, but I did make the salad and lasagna.”
“Ah ha! You almost let me believe you were perfect.” Ian laughed. Cassidy gave her a crooked grin with a raised eyebrow.
“Want some coffee to go with this?” Cassidy set the plate of cake in front of Ian, blue eyes searched her face as she answered.
“Sure, do you happen to have any Irish Crème?”
“Of course, I was about to ask if you liked your coffee dirty.”
“I rarely drink coffee, but when I do I love it dirty.” The end of that sentence rolled seductively off of her tongue. Ian was shocked at what she’d just done. Damn it. Cassidy heard every word, but decided not to touch it with a ten foot pole.
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