by Ava McKnight
“No. He’s challenged us to be even better at what we do. You said so yourself.”
“And you know that means I’m going to devote all of my time to my job in order to give him every reason to choose me as his VP.”
“Not all of your time,” he murmured, his lips grazing her temple. He felt the shiver down her spine as her body trembled against his. “We started something this weekend. Don’t put the brakes on it.”
He kissed her again and she seemed to melt in his arms. Chase wasn’t fool enough to think she was putty in his hands, though. She might not be able to resist him when he employed the full-court press, but he knew she was able to shift her focus to work when he wasn’t coaxing her to keep their new romance in mind.
Not that he blamed her. The truth was, Chase really did want the promotion as much as she did. But he wanted the girl too. He intended to fight for both. Yeah, it was risky business, given the fact he had just as good a chance of landing the VP position as Cassidy. He had no misguided illusions there’d be some emotional upheaval if he was selected by McClellan. He also knew Cassidy was the consummate professional. She would still put her heart and soul into her career, even if she remained a director and reported to him.
Okay, that might actually be a touchy situation. But if the tables ended up turned and he worked for Cassidy… Well, he had to admit that’d be damn sexy. Boffing the boss had never been on his to-do list, but then again… He’d never faced the prospect of working for a woman who got his adrenaline pumping and all the blood rushing to his dick.
He could totally handle Cassidy on top, in and out of bed. Could she handle him being her superior at MII?
He fought a frown.
Definitely a sticky situation.
That didn’t mean Chase wasn’t inclined to fully engage in this head-to-head competition. For one thing, he deserved the opportunity for advancement as much as she did. In addition, if he bowed out, she’d forever wonder if she’d snagged the job based solely on her merit and talent, or because she was the only candidate.
He’d hang tough with her. But he’d also have to get creative to ensure she didn’t “backburner” them, as she’d suggested.
Stepping away from her, he reached for his glass and drained the scotch. Then he said, “Have dinner with me tonight.”
“Chase,” she said on a sigh. “I’m still reeling from McClellan’s bombshell. I’m sure you are too. I need a little time to process.”
He grunted. Time to process translated to Cassidy putting that wall back up between them.
Uh-huh. He wouldn’t allow that to happen.
“Tomorrow night, then,” he said, his tone insistent.
She shook her head. “Friday. I’ve got a lot of work to do this week. So do you.”
“Wednesday,” he negotiated. “Dinner at my house.”
She eyed him skeptically, though heat flashed in her amber eyes. “Dinner at your house means we’ll be down the hall from a bedroom. I don’t think we should be sleeping with each other right now, Chase. Not until this promotion is resolved.”
A low growl fell from his lips. “Cass, no way in hell can I go two or three weeks without getting you naked. Especially now that I know how hot we are together.”
A hint of pink tinged her cheeks. But she didn’t shy away from the subject.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she said, “but let’s take this one day at a time and we’ll see where we end up on Wednesday.”
The flicker of desire in her gaze told him she wasn’t particularly fond of the no-sex notion either.
Good news for the home team.
“All right,” he concurred. “We’ve spent two years reaching this point. A couple more days isn’t going to kill me.” He grimaced. “Much.”
Cassidy laughed softly. “Poor baby.” Then she gave him a compelling look. “I’m just as torn as you are, Chase. This completely throws me for a loop. But neither one of us would be happy with ourselves if we didn’t put our all into getting this promotion.”
He couldn’t deny that. Still… “Why the fuck did it have to come up now?”
“Insane, I know. But something we don’t have control over. So…” She took her martini to the wet bar and dumped the remains in the sink. Then she turned back to Chase. “This is going to be difficult, no doubt about it. But I really want you to know that I don’t regret what happened over the weekend and I meant what I said about dating. I do want to try it. The timing needs to be right for us both. This is tricky.”
“Yes,” he said with a nod. “But doable. We just have to figure it all out, Cass.”
She looked nervous and that didn’t bode well for Chase.
Was she giving up on them already?
* * * * *
“So I’m up for a promotion,” Cassidy said into her cell as she buzzed around her kitchen, prepping a salad for dinner that she’d eat while poring over her client files to ensure everything on that end was up to snuff before she dove into her new business-development activities.
Her dad was on the other end of the line and she told him about the crazy lunch she’d had with McClellan that day.
She said, “I’m still in shock, and I’ve got monstrous competition with Chase Logan.”
Her father and her brother knew all about Chase from a professional perspective. Industrial risk insurance was actually a small community, despite the enormity of the client aspect and profit margins. Industry forums were always interesting to attend, when Cassidy and Chase would run into Gav, or even her dad, who occasionally participated in symposiums or conventions.
“I have a good chance of getting this job,” she said, “regardless of Chase being up for it too.”
“Congrats, kiddo. It’d be well earned.”
“For me and for Chase. I won’t lie. He has a solid shot at this promotion too. Maybe a slight edge, even. I mean, he is a man.”
“You know that’ll be a factor, right?” her father asked in all seriousness.
“Of course. He also trumps me when it comes to landing the biggest accounts.”
“Unfortunately, I’m aware of that. We’ve lost a number of clients to him these past two years.”
“He’s lost some as well. I haven’t.”
“That’s because you’re great at relationship management.”
When it came to business, yes. She wasn’t exactly sure how to handle her new relationship with Chase. Now was hardly the time to jump into something with him. If ever her sole focus should be on work, it was during this pivotal stage in her career.
Her father said, “Logan landed Epperson-Langley two years ago—huge manufacturer based out of Pittsburgh. That was a big coup that helped to shape his reputation and get his foot in a lot of doors. Advantageous for MII too.”
“But they termed after only a year with us because Chase didn’t keep up on their evolving needs. Gav lured them away.”
With a grunt, her dad said, “They’ve already told him they won’t be renewing. The Cooper Alliance beat our renewal quote and we didn’t budge on price.”
“What?” She reached for her wineglass and sipped the chardonnay. “I hadn’t heard.”
“Just happened—word hasn’t hit the street yet. It’s not embargoed information and I’m not telling it to a competitor. I’m having a conversation with my daughter.”
She smiled. “Way to justify, Pops.”
“Whatever. Look, this could really help you out. Gav is sort of like Logan—great at reeling in accounts, but he’s not a customer-service guy. He’s immediately on to the next bigger, better deal. What E-L wants is a partner. An insurer that’s one step ahead of them when it comes to analyzing and anticipating their needs and working with them on policy costs. That requires a sturdy bridge between Accounts and Underwriting. You excel at building those bridges.”
“Yeah,” she said, still a bit stunned by the enormous news.
“You’re exactly what they need, sweetie. And you’ve got your own solid,
respectable reputation to reach out to E-L. Though… Getting an appointment with their Risk Management senior veep is no easy feat. Took your brother a couple months just to get an initial half-hour meet-n-greet with the guy.”
“Chase had equal difficulty.” She sipped again, consternation encroaching on her excitement. “Damn it, Dad. I don’t have two months. I have two weeks. Landing E-L would be huge for me. This promotion will be in the bag if I can get the ball rolling with them.”
“That’s what I’m thinking. But again, nailing an appointment is going to be a challenge.”
Her mind churned. “For sure.”
“Your contact over there is Pryce Shipley. Do whatever you can to persuade him you’re the account rep he needs.”
Her excitement overrode her consternation. “Thanks, Dad. Mighty big of you to hand me this lead.”
“Your brother is good at what he does, Cass, but he didn’t give the client what they wanted. You’re good too. I’m proud of you both—your mother was as well. We’ve always wanted you and Gav to be successful and you are. But I know Gav’s position as a VP came quicker and a little easier because he’s male and the boys like having cigars and scotch and bullshitting with him. You have to work harder to get noticed and gain respect. But you’re doing it, and I admire your dedication and professionalism.”
A lump of emotion swelled in her throat. Speaking around it, she said, “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot to me. And I will kick ass and take names to get this promotion.”
He chuckled. “I’d expect no less from you.”
She smiled again, though of course he couldn’t see the gesture.
In a more serious tone, he added, “Just keep in mind that you have one black mark against you. If you don’t get this job, Cass, my guess is it’ll have more to do with your gender than with your talent.”
“I know you’re my biggest fan, but I do have some shortcomings that go beyond being a chick. I’m working on them, though.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, sweets.”
“Thanks, Dad. Gotta go now. Tell Gav I said hey and give each other a hug for me.”
“Ha, ha.” He laughed. “Keep me updated on your progress with Shipley.”
“Sure. Love you.”
“Ditto.”
She disconnected the call and finished mixing her salad in the bowl with a fat-free balsamic dressing. Cassidy doubted she’d be hitting the gym over the next two weeks so she planned to focus on eating light and healthy so she didn’t negate the fitness progress she’d made.
And, of course, she didn’t want to pack on pounds now that she was getting naked with Chase.
She frowned. Damn, what a crappy turn of events. Bad, bad timing.
Using the tongs, she scooped up the lettuce and chopped veggies and dumped them on a plate. The idea of landing Epperson-Langley as an account slipped into her mind again. She carried her salad to the formal dining room she primarily used as a home office. Her files were scattered across the rectangular glass-top table and she settled in.
Admittedly, her father’s tip about E-L was an ace in the hole—as long as she got the appointment with Pryce Shipley and piqued his interest. Since E-L had already officially given notice of severing ties with Gav, it wasn’t sneaky for her to swoop in. The news would permeate the insurance world in no time at all. She’d just be one up on those who wanted to woo E-L in hopes of picking up their business.
Cassidy dug into her dinner and her account portfolios in preparation of spending the next day shoring up any loose ends with clients that couldn’t be put off for two weeks. Then she’d hit the ground running with her strategic tactic of strengthening her business-development skills.
She had every intention of winning this game.
* * * * *
Wednesday night came before she knew it, and Cassidy stood on the threshold of Chase’s home, trying to catch her breath.
It really would have been wiser to avoid him until McClellan made his decision on the VP position. But there was no denying the magnet-and-steel effect between them and so here she was, keeping their date.
She had, however, insisted they get a little work done, since neither of them could afford to slack off for even one night.
Chase opened the door and she handed over a bottle of her favorite meritage with just the right blend of cab and merlot.
Eyeing the laptop bag slung over her shoulder, he said, “Oh you were serious about working tonight?”
She laughed. “You know I am.”
“Damn. I was hoping you’d packed up the whip and satin sash and brought them over.”
“Who says I haven’t?” she teased.
He groaned. Then planted a sexy kiss on her lips.
She sighed. “Well, this sucks. You’re going to be disappointed to know I was only kidding about the whip and sash.”
With a chuckle, he said, “Hey, I told you vanilla between us would be just as hot.”
Cassidy’s stomach fluttered. Two seconds into the evening and they were already talking about sex. And her body already thrummed with anticipation.
Chill, Cass.
Really. They were having dinner and then going over some agreed-upon strategic options that would benefit the company as a whole, but which would also help them individually as they shot the moon at MII.
Granted, there was something nerve-racking about fraternizing with the enemy, so to speak. But she’d had a partnership with Chase in the Accounts division since he’d joined the company, so it was also natural to partner with him in this endeavor.
Was that a hazardous notion?
She’d considered that prospect at least a dozen times since their conversation in his office on Monday. But the flipside was that their efforts were a two-way street. She was helping Chase with his customer-service skills and he was helping her with acquisitions. Cassidy hadn’t yet told him about the big fish that was E-L she wanted to land, but when she reached the point where she felt comfortable with her business-development plan, she would.
Chase had steaks marinating and baked potatoes already on the grill. He said, “Just about to toss the salad and sauté the ’shrooms.”
“Let me help.” She set aside her bag while he uncorked the wine and poured them each a glass.
Standing on one side of the island, she dove into the veggies he’d laid out on a bamboo cutting board next to the glass bowl of mixed greens. On the other side, Chase set out another board and sliced mushrooms, then chopped fresh parsley.
The kitchen was spacious and equipped with high-end stainless-steel appliances. It was also softly lit and Michael Bublé flowed from hidden speakers.
Cassidy smiled. “Nice music.”
“He’s one smooth cat.”
She laughed. “Did you really just say that?”
Chase sipped his wine, his beautiful blue irises glowing warmly. “I can respect another man’s coolness and not be threatened by it.”
“Because you are all alpha,” she said. “I can attest to that.”
“I did mark my territory when I came to MII,” he admitted.
“And those roses reaffirmed it. No one would think twice about asking me out while they sit on my desk.”
One corner of his mouth dipped. “You get asked out at the office?”
“I was sort of speaking hypothetically. I used to get asked out. But after the first six months or so of saying no, no one ventured that direction afterward.”
She’d shared the nitty-gritty of her “love” life when they were in Flagstaff and it had actually been a full accounting. There was nothing she’d held back. No secret flings or brief encounters following the realization a few years ago that she was a dating disaster. What had been the point of continually repeating history? Rejection stung, yes. But her lack of engagement with other men was what had led to multiple rejections, so she’d given up on trying to connect with someone.
Funny that he’d been under her nose the entire time at MII.
Cassi
dy took a drink from her wineglass and then asked, “Why have you been so persistent with me?”
He shrugged and simply said, “I go after what I want.”
Chase grabbed the cutting board and turned to the gas stove. He drizzled olive oil in a pan and then added a little butter and garlic. When the mixture heated, he threw in a splash of white wine. Cassidy watched him as he dumped the mushrooms in and sautéed them, eventually tossing in the parsley.
All the while, she considered his words. She went after what she wanted as well. But only in a professional capacity. Yet she didn’t pursue romantic relationships, marriage. In fact, marriage had always been the furthest thing from her mind. She honestly didn’t think herself capable of the juggling act.
She couldn’t deny, however, that spending the evening with Chase was a nice break from her obsessive career aspirations. Although they’d agreed to work later on, a couple hours enjoying some wine and his company and cooking together was a lovely change of pace.
A revelation worth tucking away so she didn’t fully lose sight of it.
“Mind taking over?” Chase asked, interrupting her rumination. “I’ll put the steaks on the grill.”
“Sure.” She tended to the ’shrooms while he bustled about.
Later, they had dinner on the patio, all lit up with twinkle lights and candles. Chase really was a romantic at heart. They sipped wine and listened to the water fountain flowing over rocks in the far corner of the pool. The backyard faced the mountain preserve and that offered a stunning view. And an intimate setting. It felt as though they were a million miles away from Scottsdale.
Chase cleared the table when they were done and she polished off her second glass of wine. Then he returned to the patio and took her hand, pulling her from her chair.
Michael Bublé had segued into Daughtry. Chase wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her in close. Cassidy’s body responded instantly, that now-familiar tickle along her clit returning with his nearness and the way he grinned down at her in that devilish way of his.
His fingers twined with hers and he rested their clasped hands against his chest. She felt his heat through the material of his silver sage-colored dress shirt. He’d removed his tie and cufflinks after he’d left the office, and had unbuttoned the collar enough to give her a glimpse of the impressive pecs that she suddenly itched to touch.