Electric!

by Ava McKnight

  Chase grinned. “I enjoy new business development.”

  “Yes, well, the concern I have is that you have a twelve-percent turnover rate. So, while your clients are eager to become our insureds, our products and customer service aren’t keeping all of them from moving their accounts to our competitors.”

  “Duly noted,” Chase said, as professional as could be.

  “And Miss Reynolds.” McClellan snagged her attention. “You are brilliant with accounts management. Your clients praise you and they trust your recommendations for additional products. The stability you maintain is unprecedented.”

  “Thank you, sir.” She wasn’t fool enough to miss the but in his voice.

  “Unfortunately, you haven’t brought in a new account in over six months.”

  “That’s correct, sir.” What else could she say? The man didn’t lie.

  He sat back and sipped his tea.

  Cassidy resisted the urge to steal yet another look at Chase to try to assess his take on this situation. Rather, she waited with bated breath for their fearless leader to continue. She’d never taken McClellan for the type to enjoy leaving his subordinates in agonizing suspense, but maybe he really wasn’t taking quite so long to deliberate his course of action. It just felt as though a million seconds dragged on.

  With no further ado, he flattened his palms on the table, eyed each of them, then dropped his bombshell.

  “I have ample reason and just cause to tell the Board I want Mr. Logan to fill Mr. Doherty’s position of vice president.”

  Chapter Seven

  The bottom literally fell out for Cassidy.

  She sat perfectly still, dumbfounded, shocked.

  Devastated.

  A slight buzzing filled her ears and she suddenly felt lightheaded. Her stomach coiled and her lungs burned.

  All those hours she’d logged… All that she’d sacrificed…

  It all came down to this one moment where the prospect of the hard-earned potential at a promotion had been ripped out from underneath her within minutes of it being presented.

  Her mind whirled. With the snap of a finger, her professional fate had been decided.

  Holy hell.

  That was quick.

  And not the least bit painless.

  She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

  Chase fared a bit better.

  “Mr. McClellan—”

  He was silenced by the lifting of McClellan’s hand.

  He said, “Mr. Logan, I have every confidence you’re about to refute my statement and contend that Miss Reynolds is more qualified for the position, based on her tenure. She has been with the company for five years, whereas you only joined us two years ago.”

  Chase nodded.

  Cassidy willed herself to say something. This was the time to speak up! To plead her case. To convince McClellan to change his mind and choose her instead!

  But the right words didn’t pop into her head. In fact, her tongue felt as though it’d turned to lead. She couldn’t form a coherent thought, so jumbled were they with disappointment and dread.

  Failure.

  Fuck.

  If ever in the world there was a speak now or forever hold your peace moment, it was right this very second!

  Instead, she reached for her water glass and sucked down half of it.

  McClellan continued, clearly unaware of her extreme mental meltdown. “I know the Board will accept my nomination of Mr. Logan. However, I have equal justification to appoint Miss Reynolds to the position.”

  She gaped.

  Chase said, “That’s understandable.”

  She pinned Chase with a look.

  What. The. Fuck. Was. Happening?

  McClellan sat back in his chair. “I’ve paid close attention to both of your careers. You each have distinct skills advantageous for taking over Mr. Doherty’s position and office.”

  An office on the top floor. The executive wing. Mahogany Row.

  Cassidy all but salivated over the mere thought of having her name stenciled on one of those doors.

  The CEO said, “The truth is, you’d both fill the slot well. I wouldn’t have regrets either way, I’m sure. Which is why, as I said earlier, I consider this a delicate situation. I’m equally torn between the two of you. That means…I need to see what you’re truly capable of.”

  He actually did look dismayed over not being able to choose one over the other. As though being asked to pick a favorite child, knowing there was something unique about each one that precluded him from loving one more than the other. Cassidy could see that he really did struggle with this challenging predicament.

  “Can you explain what you’re looking for from us?” she ventured.

  “It’s really quite simple,” he said. “I need to present my decision to the Board within two weeks, Miss Reynolds. You know your strengths. You know your weaknesses. I need to know which of you is best suited for this opportunity.”

  “Un. Real.” Cassidy stalked past Meg’s desk, muttering under her breath.

  Her assistant snapped to attention and followed Cassidy into her office at a clipped pace. Meg shut the door behind her. “What’s wrong?”

  Cassidy drew up short in front of her desk and stared at the enormous bouquet of velvety red roses accented with baby’s breath and vibrant green foliage. Thoughts of McClellan’s bolt from the blue vanished.

  “Where did these come from?” she asked.

  “Delivered just after you left for lunch. Stunning, aren’t they? And two dozen stems?” Meg whistled under her breath. “Someone must really like you, because I know it’s not your birthday.”

  Cassidy continued to admire the gorgeous arrangement, her jaw falling slack.

  Meg reached around and lifted the small envelope from its holder. “Secret admirer? Or do we know who sent these to you?” She wagged her brows suggestively.

  Snatching the tiny packet, Cassidy said, “I’m sure they’re from my father. He knows I like fresh flowers.”

  She rounded her desk, dropped her small clutch on the credenza and then pondered the sender’s identity. Despite her hope of throwing Meg off the scent, her dad didn’t send roses. He knew she liked calla lilies. She didn’t have any secret admirers. So that left two culprits. McClellan, congratulating her on making it to this stage of the game, was her first guess. Yet he wouldn’t choose roses either. They were much too romantic. Intimate, even.

  That left Chase.

  Her heart fluttered. He would certainly select roses, following their weekend in Flagstaff. That had definitely been intimate. And Chase had proved to be romantic, what with the fire, the wine, the candles, the bath… Making breakfast for her. Wrapping that hunky body of his around hers in the middle of night, snuggling close.

  Yes, surprising her with a breathtaking bouquet was right up Chase’s alley.

  She set aside the envelope, not wanting to open it in front of Meg. She didn’t trust her reaction if the arrangement had come from Chase. It’d border on giddy, she had no doubt, and that would raise suspicion in Meg, whom Cassidy had not yet enlightened about hers and Chase’s dating status.

  Changing the subject, she asked Meg, “Did you hear from Grace that Chase was having lunch with Mr. McClellan and me today?”

  “Yes. Very curious. What happened?”

  “We’re both up for a promotion. Tom gave his two weeks. McClellan can’t decide between me or Chase to fill his shoes. He’s issued a…challenge.” Her lips pressed together, then she shook her head, a bit confused—and her mind still reeled. “Honestly, I don’t know what the hell he just issued. He’d put either one of us in the position. He’s just not sure which one.”

  “Yikes.” Meg cringed, momentarily forgetting the roses and their mysterious sender. “Are you telling me you and Chase are now in competition for Tom’s job?”

  Cassidy sank into the plush white sofa tucked into the corner of her office. “Apparently.” She gave even further thought to the predica
ment—not like she hadn’t agonized over it the entire way back to the office. Thank God McClellan had taken an urgent call on his cell, leaving her and Chase to their inner ruminations over the extreme turn of events.

  Completely unsettled, she jumped from the couch and began to pace. There was a bigger picture here she wasn’t seeing. She knew Archer McClellan well enough to know he wouldn’t toy with her and Chase. He had a very specific reason for pitting them against each other.

  “Shit.” She tapped her fingers lightly against her forehead. “Of course!”

  “Of course, what?” Meg asked, clearly intrigued.

  “He’s not looking for a rivalry between us. He specifically said he wants to see what we’re truly capable of.”

  Meg frowned. “Come on, Cassidy. You already log a ridiculous amount of hours every week. What more does he expect from you?”

  “Balance,” she whispered. Sinking back onto the cushion she’d vacated, she added, “Chase and I have both created a niche for ourselves. We focus primarily on one particular thing that we excel at. Although we can maintain our other duties, we each have one specific talent that makes us stand out.” She glanced up at Meg. “He’s not going outside the company for someone with more experience and a more proven track record. He wants both of us but can only choose one. He doesn’t know who that one is going to be just yet, because Chase and I are a draw.”

  “Equals,” Meg stated with a smug smile. “Wow, that must rock the old goat’s world. A young female executive who’s just as competent in her work and deserving of a promotion as a man. Suck it, boys,” she added with a wink.

  Cassidy laughed. “He might be older, but he doesn’t miss a step.” She leaped to her feet again, a thought sparking her. “Chase and I need to talk about this.”

  “Yeah…about you and Chase…” Meg’s brow jerked up. “He bailed on the party not long after you did. And then you went all text-silent on me. So I’m thinking… Secret rendezvous?” Her green eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “Later, Meg.” Cassidy fought the zings humming through her veins. “We’ve got serious business to address.”

  “But I will get the scoop, right? I mean, if the two of you hooked up… Cassidy, you absolutely have to tell me!”

  Her cheeks burned. She marched toward the door, though she pulled up short. Changing the subject, she said over her shoulder, “Hey, it’d be okay if you called me Cass.”

  Meg’s pretty face lit up. “Really?”

  “Sure. I mean…we’re friends, right?”

  Emotion flickered in her gaze. “Yeah. We are. If that’s okay with you.”

  “More than okay.” Cassidy smiled and then left the office.

  * * * * *

  Chase kicked back in his exec chair, propped his feet on the edge of his desk, wadded a ball of paper and tossed it toward the hoop attached to his recycle bin.

  Swoosh.

  He crumpled a couple more sheets and dropped them just as cleanly.

  On his fourth shot, Cassidy came barreling through his office door and he missed miserably.

  “Losing your touch?” she teased.

  “For the record,” he said, “I made the first three before you came in. Those long legs in that short skirt distracted me. By a lot.” He had no doubt his grin was a lascivious one.

  “I think we should institute a rule that we don’t flirt at the office so people aren’t onto us.”

  He laughed. “Babe, the second we stop flirting in the office, they’ll be onto us.”

  She scowled, albeit playfully. “You have a point. It’s pretty much expected between us.”

  “Yes, and I’m already going through withdrawals.”

  “You sent the flowers, right?”

  He grinned. “Like ’em?”

  “Love ’em. But I didn’t want to open the card in front of Meg.”

  “However you wanna play it. I’ll follow your lead on this one.” He eyed her with a firm look, adding, “For a little while. But if you crawl back into your cave, Cassidy Reynolds, I’m—”

  “Chase.” Her expression turned serious as well. “We have a dire situation to discuss.”

  He reached for another piece of paper, balled it and tossed it. “Nothin’ but net,” he muttered. Returning his attention to Cassidy, he said, “McClellan wants us to bring our A-game.”

  “Yes.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Her very enticing chest. He wasn’t sure what distracted him more—her legs or her breasts.

  He grunted. Hardly the time to get all twisted up in lust.

  His feet dropped from the desk and he stood. “Don’t you think it’s bullshit? I mean, we bust our asses as it is. You’re always in the office and I’m traveling all over the damn place.” With a shake of his head, he added, “I’m missing something here.” Crossing to the wet bar, he asked, “Drink?”

  “Absolutely. Martini. Extra dirty.”

  He shot her a look over his shoulder.

  Cassidy smirked. “Make it downright nasty.”

  Adrenaline shot through him.

  She has something up her sleeve.

  Chase prepped and poured her drink, adding extra olives. He fixed a scotch for himself. He joined her on his black leather sofa, handing over her cocktail.

  Cassidy took a tentative sip, sampling. Then took a deeper sip. “Nice,” she said with a smile and a twinkle in her amber eyes. “You do dirty well.”

  So much for no flirting. He bit back a smile and instead mused, “You’re totally baiting me.”

  “Yes. But for a good reason.”

  He drank some scotch, then asked, “Such as?”

  “I can see you’re pissed that McClellan wants more from us, when we’re already busting our asses, as you say. But read between the lines, Chase. He’s challenging us to see a bigger picture. One beyond our individual scope.”

  He’d considered this as well. Maybe that was why he was so keyed up. “You’re saying I need to improve my customer-service skills and strengthen my client relationships and you need to farm for more business.”

  She nodded.

  After a healthy gulp, he asked, “What about the VP position?”

  “Million-dollar question,” Cassidy deadpanned. She set her glass on the coffee table and stood. Pacing, she added, “We both want that job and the coveted office on the top floor. We’ve both been working toward that goal, even though it wasn’t a possibility until today. The slot shouldn’t be vacant for another ten years or more. Tom wasn’t previously planning on early retirement nor was he going to be lured to another company, because he’s always been devoted to MII. This shouldn’t even be a topic of discussion between us, but now it is. And now we’re competitors for that position.”

  He stared up at her, “Both willing to do whatever it takes to win.”

  Cassidy halted. She propped her hands on her shapely hips, and didn’t it just ratchet the lust factor? Damn, she had some body. It was tough to maintain a little distance at the moment, but she was right. They really did have a serious problem on their hands.

  What shitty-ass timing for McClellan to pit them against each other for something they both badly wanted. Right as they’d finally made that major breakthrough and had agreed to try dating.

  Christ, it was as though they’d been doomed from the start.

  Sure enough, Cassidy said, “It’d probably be best if we backburner us until the dust settles.” She nibbled her lower lip, clearly not liking the idea any more than he did. “And it wouldn’t hurt to consult HR if we proceed after the promotion is announced.”

  If? He didn’t like that word one little bit.

  “Forget HR, Cass. This company has no rule against office affairs.” Chase deposited his glass on the table and stood. “So just slow down, babe.” He reached for her hand and pulled her to him. This scenario turned more ominous with every passing minute, because it wasn’t just the VP position on the line, but the relationship he was trying to establish with her.

  “Chase
.” Her gaze locked with his.

  “Cass,” he countered, his tone lowering. “We made a bold move over the weekend. We can’t lose sight of that.”

  She sighed. “I know.” She paused, then said, “But really. This opportunity for a promotion is also an important move. For our careers. And we’ve each expended too much effort, time and energy to not put all we’ve got into landing the job. How it’ll impact us on the backend, I don’t know. Right now, however, I say engaging in an office romance is a bad idea.”

  “I don’t.” He kissed her. Passionately. She responded instantly—though much too briefly.

  Breaking their kiss, she said, “Chase, we’re going to shoot ourselves in the foot.” Her voice was soft and breathy, driving him wild. Making him hard and aching for her.

  “We agreed that we’d pursue this.”

  “I know.” Her fingers grazed his clenched jaw. “And I still want to. Believe me. At the moment…” She shook her head. “We’ve got a bigger issue to address. Giving McClellan what he wants and one of us getting the promotion we want.”

  Chase grunted. “I know you’re right. I also know I’m not willing to give up on us so damn fast.”

  “Me either,” she said in a quiet tone. He had no delusions she held back a but…

  He kissed her again, before she could get in another word. Their lips tangled, then his tongue slipped inside. His cock throbbed with the excitement she so easily elicited. Desire coursed through him. He held her tightly, her body melding to his.

  God, she felt like heaven in his arms. They fit together perfectly and she sparked an intense yearning deep within him.

  Finally dragging his mouth from hers, he whispered in her ear, “This is much too hot to walk away from, babe.”

  Her chest rose and fell rapidly against his, tempting him further.

  “I’m not saying that I don’t want you, Chase. I’m just saying it’s dangerous for us to be starting something when we’ve suddenly been cast into this hot mess of a situation. McClellan has made us rivals.”