by M. Malone
“Now, I didn’t say anything like that. I just enjoy my work, that’s all. They need me here at night. Another nurse might not understand why Mr. Jansen likes his dinner plate arranged a certain way or why Mrs. Hodges wears pink bunny slippers to bed.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it, Mom. I just want to make sure you’re not running yourself into the ground.”
“Casey, stop worrying about me so much. Worrying is supposed to be my job. Well, I should probably get back to work now. Keep up the good work, sweetie. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” I toss my cell phone in the middle of my bed. Growing up my mom worked such odd hours and sometimes multiple jobs to make ends meet. I’m going to send her money whether she wants it or not but it’s nice to know her latest job is making her happy at least.
I flop down on my bed and pull the client folder from my bag. Tomorrow is a big day and considering what a jerk this client is supposed to be, I want to be prepared. Not that I think I’ll learn anything Mya doesn’t already know but at least I won’t ask any stupid questions. I prop the folder open in my lap and start reading.
My eyes drift closed before I finish the first page.
8
* * *
I push through the revolving door and into the lobby of the Madison building. Jason is already in the waiting area talking on his phone. Philippe should have been here already, too. I glance at my watch and then scowl at the time.
This is our third meeting with our marketing agency in the last month and I have no confidence this one will go any better than the last two.
Not that I can voice that opinion. Apparently I’ve been difficult to work with lately so anything I say will be taken negatively.
Kate rushes into the lobby looking harried. “Mr. Lavin! You’re here early.” She gives Jason a hard look before pulling out her phone.
I don’t respond, unsure why being early requires a warning.
Jason shrugs. “I was trying to call you. Our last meeting ended early. Hopefully James can accommodate us.”
“Of course! I’m sure it’s fine.” Her voice is upbeat but her fingers fly over the screen of her phone frantically.
Who could she be texting right now when we have a meeting to attend?
Jason leans over. “She’s probably warning everyone upstairs that the dragon has left his lair.” He chuckles when Kate glares at him.
I hit the button for the elevator. The past month has been a test of my patience in every way. Although I originally planned to stay in the States during this brand transition, last week I made the decision to go back to Milan for the duration. Why stay in a concrete prison enduring rain and questionable air quality when I could be at home, enjoying the exceptional weather and exquisite food?
“I’m ready to get this meeting done. We have a schedule to keep,” I grumble, already irritated. We’re flying back to Italy in just a few hours and another pointless meeting is not how I want to spend my time before getting on a plane.
Jason clears his throat before glancing at me. “So, before we attend this meeting maybe we should nail down what we hope to accomplish today. The last couple of meetings have been a little chaotic.”
“Meaning that I’ve hated everything they’ve come up with.” I adjust my tie slightly in the mirror image on the elevator doors.
He shifts next to me. “Meaning that you’ve made up your mind to hate everything because you’ve been in a shitty mood for what feels like six months straight.”
My hand pauses on my tie.
After Jason broke the news that the investigators couldn’t find Casey, I thought I’d come to terms with it. But even after I called off the official investigation, she was never far from my thoughts. I couldn’t stop thinking about her at the most random moments and my lack of focus did not go unnoticed.
So I threw myself into my work with a vengeance, staying later at the office and coming in earlier. Maybe I was subconsciously punishing myself for allowing the most captivating woman I’ve ever met to slip through my fingers or maybe I truly thought that work could help me forget. But that time Philippe was the one given the task of telling me that several of my staff members were on the verge of quitting.
Now I’ve reached a point where I have to accept that this isn’t something I can fix. No amount of hard work or dedication will right this situation.
“You’re right. I haven’t been myself.”
Jason looks stunned at my agreement but just then the elevator doors slide open. The head of the agency is waiting there to greet us, with the two lead marketing executives who have been working on our account standing directly behind him. Mya Taylor and Milo Hamilton worked together on the campaign that launched Lavin Bridal into a very successful year. Approving the campaign for that launch wasn’t nearly so difficult and I can concede that it was entirely due to my state of mind.
Clumsy Girl is gone, as surely as if she was just a figment of my imagination. I’ve heard it from everyone over the last month, Jason, my brother and even the bartender at the bar I can’t seem to stay away from.
She’s gone.
It sucks the way things ended but I have to accept that it did end. Casey and I had a brief, magical moment and it changed me.
Maybe that’s all it was meant to do.
I extend my hand. “James, I apologize for arriving so early. I hope we haven’t inconvenienced you too greatly.”
He shakes my hand and then motions to the others. “It’s no problem at all. The team has put together a fantastic presentation for you today.”
As he’s speaking, my eyes are drawn to the reception desk behind him. A young woman stands and then when she notices me, freezes. But she’s not the one I’m looking at. No, all of my attention is on the young woman sitting behind the desk, her attention fixed on her computer. She’s wearing some type of headset and her dark hair is twisted up into a bun. But there’s no mistaking that face.
That adorable, frustrating face.
Clumsy Girl is here.
My feet move forward without my permission as I walk away from James, leaving Jason and Kate to continue with the pleasantries. I’m definitely being rude but that’s something I’ll have to deal with later. After looking for her so long, maybe this is where I finally crack. Hell, the woman I’m staring at is probably a sixty-year-old grandmother and my mind is simply superimposing the image I’ve longed to see.
Then she looks up and sees me. Her face freezes into a mask of horror. After a few seconds where we stare at each other in mutual disbelief, she murmurs something to the woman next to her.
And that’s when I get angry.
“James, please introduce me to your new receptionist. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”
Everyone stills at my command. Or maybe because my voice feels abnormally loud. I clear my throat and smooth my tie, mainly to keep my hands busy so they don’t reach out and grab the woman staring back at me defiantly from behind the desk.
“Of course. Mr. Lavin, this is Cassandra Michaels. She’s been here with us for about two months and has been a great asset to the team.”
While he talks I hold Casey’s gaze, delighted by how her cheeks flush red under the praise. She darts a glance over at me and then does an awkward half wave, as if I’ll settle for that. But I’ve spent the last two months searching for her after she gave me a fake name so I’m not letting her off that easily.
I approach the reception desk with my hand outstretched, knowing that she’ll have to get up and shake it or appear rude.
She swallows, the sound audible. But she stands and walks around the desk. Or at least, she tries to. However, it appears she’s forgotten that her headset is connected to the computer so as she walks away, the cord yanks her back and she lands sprawled on the floor.
Staring right up between my legs.
“Kill me now.”
Her voice was barely above a whisper but everyone else must have heard it too because I hear choking sounds behind me that can only b
e laughter.
“Are you okay, Casey?” James appears at my elbow with a hand outstretched to help her up. But there’s no way he’s touching her before I do. So I lean down and extend a hand. She looks hesitant but finally takes it.
“I’m so sorry, sir.”
Hearing her call me that takes me from shock to outrage. Sir? Like I’m some stranger she’s meeting for the first time? I have a sudden overwhelming urge to remind her just how well we know each other but the pleading look in her eyes stops me.
“Please. Don’t get me fired.” She whispers, turning her head away slightly so James can’t hear.
“There is nothing to be sorry for,” I say loud enough for everyone to hear.
Then I bring her hand to my mouth and dust a kiss over her knuckles. The gesture will look polite to anyone watching but Casey sucks in a sudden breath.
James and the others have already started talking amongst themselves about the meeting. No one is paying attention to us right now. They don’t feel the heat being generated right at their feet.
“I can’t say the sight of you in any position is something to apologize for,” I finish in a voice for her alone.
When she sees that no one is looking anymore, Casey rips her hand from mine. “What are you doing here?”
“I have a meeting,” I reply, knowing the casual response will annoy her. But who can blame me for wanting to see those honey eyes light up with fire again? I’ve seen just how passionate she can get, after all.
She pulls off her headset with a frustrated huff. “Look, what happened between us… we should just forget about it. Right? We can do that.”
“What am I supposed to forget exactly? How much fun we had talking in the bar that night? Or that we spent hours bringing each other pleasure? That I’ve never felt anything like that with another woman? Which part is supposed to be so forgettable?”
My bold statement is met with a glare before she plasters on a wide smile. “Of course, Mr. Lavin. It was so nice to meet you, too!”
When I turn, I catch Jason’s eye. He’s staring at Casey but I don’t think he’s recognized her yet.
The others have started walking toward the hallway that leads to the conference room. I can’t stay here too much longer without drawing undue attention which is exactly what Casey has asked me not to do.
Her eyes turn pleading. “Please, don’t make a scene. I need this job.”
As angry as I am, I can’t ignore the desperation in her voice. She told me that night at the bar she was celebrating getting a new job, one she was very excited and grateful for. No matter how pissed I was to wake up alone, I wouldn’t want to take that from her.
“I won’t say anything.”
Her shoulders drop in relief and she lets out a sigh that reminds me a little too much of the sounds she made that night in my arms. It definitely pricks at my ego that she seems to have no problem moving on from the night we shared when I’ve been haunted by it ever since. Could it be possible that the night that was life changing for me was only average for her?
Then our eyes meet again and she shivers. Heat explodes between us and I have to clench my hands into fists to keep from reaching out for her. No, she feels this, too. But wants to deny it for some reason.
“Thank you. For not saying anything. You should go. Everyone is staring.”
“I’ll go. But Casey,” I wait until she meets my eyes. “I won’t be forgetting about that night any time soon. And neither will you.”
“I’m not sure about this new slogan.” I rub my hands roughly over my face, trying not to show my frustration. “Living the Lavin Life. It sounds like a rip-off of a cheesy pop song.”
This meeting is important, I know it is, but how am I supposed to concentrate when Clumsy Girl is sitting right down the hall from this room? Cassandra, I remind myself. No wonder we couldn’t find her. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.
A beautiful woman who wants nothing to do with me.
James holds up a hand. “Wait until you see the presentation. The campaign we’ve generated is youthful and high energy. Along with your name change from Lavin Fashions to Lavin Couture, it’s exactly what you need for a launch into the American market.“
“I hope so.”
I’ve already seen presentations for two alternate slogans and they were no closer to capturing the essence of what we’re about than the current one. As much as I like the Mirage Agency, if they can’t deliver what we need then we’ll have to go elsewhere. Firing our marketing team won’t be fun but I haven’t reached this point in my career by being soft.
I do what has to be done, even when it isn’t easy.
There were so many who thought the pampered son of an aristocratic family didn’t have the fortitude to run a successful business. Some are still waiting for me to fail. If I have my way, they’re in for a long wait. I’ve waited my entire career to launch an international campaign. I won’t see it derailed for any reason. Not even friendships.
Another good reason I need to pull my head out of my dick and focus.
Jason glances over me. “We’re excited to see what you’ve come up with and ready to nail this down. Because if we don’t, all of the advertising we’ve arranged will incur a rush fee.” He grimaces as he says it. Probably because all these delays are messing with his budget.
My friend has been accused more than once of having a calculator for a brain and a cash register for a heart. Success is his life’s blood. It’s one of the things we have in common.
After a short presentation, I have to admit that the campaign is lively and fun. The team must have been anticipating that I’d object to the slogan because they’ve prepared a few alternates. I’m still not completely sold but it’s better. Much better.
“There’s a few things I’d like to change but overall… I like it.”
The entire room seems to breathe a collective sigh of relief at my words.
“Glad to hear that,” Milo replies. “Now that we have a concept, we can start designing some of the ads. We’re excited to get started.”
Everyone stands and after shaking hands with the entire team, we’re finally leaving the conference room. Just then Casey walks past the hallway carrying a cup of coffee. Jason blinks and then narrows his eyes.
Fuck. He hasn’t recognized her yet and I’m not entirely sure I want him to. I step forward blocking his view. Considering how much turmoil my search for her caused around the office, I doubt he’ll be thrilled to discover she’s here.
“Your assistant informed us that you’ll be leaving town soon,” Mya says. “That’s a shame. I was hoping this year you’d finally be able to attend the Preview Gala.”
I stop abruptly when we reach the front of the office. The reception area is empty. Which is odd because I just saw Casey heading this way. Maybe I can hang around for a while and wait for her to come back? I don’t want to miss the chance to say goodbye and see her cheeks redden again.
Then I think of all the things I need to do this evening. There’s no time for me to hang out waiting for a woman who doesn’t even want to see me. I have a plane to catch and then meetings all week.
James rubs his hands together. “The Preview Gala is always a good time. The employees get a real kick out of it. It’s more fun than the standard company meeting.”
After a long ass day, I’m suddenly smiling. Casey may not want to talk to me but she can’t exactly ignore me if we’re at the same function. A function that I’ve been invited to.
“A company meeting? Do all of the employees usually show up?”
If James is surprised by my sudden interest, he doesn’t show it. “Yes, it’s mandatory for employees. Even if it wasn’t, I’m sure they’d come anyway. We put on quite a party.”
“Perhaps we’ll stay in town.” I shake hands again with James and then with Milo and Mya, promising to get in touch about the next phase in our campaign planning. My eyes follow as they walk back to their offices, looking to see if
anyone emerges from the hallway.
Once we’re alone, Jason leans over. “Okay, what’s going on with you? Now you want to stay in town? You hate it here.”
I hold my cell phone up, trying to get a better signal. “Nothing is wrong with me. I just find myself in the mood for a party.”
9
* * *
I watch from around the corner as the man formerly known as Andrew walks down the hall with an entourage of people including all of my bosses. Watching James, Mya and Milo shake hands with him is the perfect reminder of how incredibly screwed I am.
How am I going to explain any of this? I just started to feel comfortable here, like I know what I’m doing and am really contributing to the company.
Now all of my hard work is about to unravel and all it will take is a few words from the man I last saw naked and snoring.
The man who is currently standing in the entryway of the office looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world. He’s wearing a tailored, gray pinstriped suit that shows off a body that I know from experience is muscular and toned. Even the way his black hair curls over his collar is sexy.
The man is literally a walking wet dream.
He is also arrogant as hell. What was that parting shot? I won’t be forgetting about that night any time soon. And neither will you. Ugh, he is insufferable! How does he know that I haven’t already forgotten about it? For all he knows, maybe I have one-night stands all the time and our night together was just a typical Monday night.
He pulls his cell phone from the inner pocket of his suit jacket, holding it up as if trying to get better reception. The move makes his jacket ride up. All the blood leaves my brain as he turns, giving me an award-winning view of his ass.
Nothing typical about that.
I gulp and look away for a moment. What if he turns around and catches me staring? But like a magnet, my eyes are drawn back again and again.
God that man can wear a suit.
I lick my lips as my eyes roam over his lean arms and broad shoulders. The same arms I remember holding me down as his body powered over mine. The shoulders I hooked my legs over as he made me come again and again, like it was his mission. How many times have I woken in the early hours of the morning, damp with sweat, my breasts tight and aching after dreaming about him?