“Yeah, that. What if we have sex and it doesn’t work out after a while? Then there will be complicated feelings and tension, it would be wrong to bring that sort of friction to a work place.” I explain.
“At least you wouldn’t need to see him on a daily basis like if he was Stephen or if he was based over here now that would be awkward and complicate things. At least you would only need to deal with him over the phone or on emails.” There is method in her madness but I still am not confident it would work that way. Plus, I don’t feel comfortable to put myself out there with another man like that. I couldn’t bear to be hurt again and I won’t allow myself to be. I’ll just enjoy the view, but keep the relationship professional.
“Nah, I think I’ll pass thanks.” I shrug my shoulders.
“So can I go there?” Hannah laughs, deep down I know she is only joking with me to get try to get a rise but I can’t help the jealous feeling that washes over me. It must show on my face because she starts laughing harder “I’m only joking, Case, don’t worry.”
“You witch!” I pick up the stress ball from my desk and throw it at her, missing her by an inch or so and we both burst into fits of laughter.
Chapter Four
Casey
It took me a little longer than usual to get ready to go to work this morning, once I picked out my favorite Victoria’s Secret underwear – a black and red lacy bra with a matching thong, it must be a woman thing but I always feel so much more attractive when I know I have got nice matching sexy underwear on.
Then it seemed to take forever to choose a dress, after trying on four dresses I finally settled on a grey Michael Kors V-neck dress, which shows my girls off nicely, not putting too much on show but it is definitely enough.
Since I arrived in to work my phone has seemed to be nonstop, I’ve had a conversation with Emma in HR about a new vacancy that has come up downstairs – one of our girls who has been off on maternity leave has decided she doesn’t want to come back to work as she wants to be a stay at home mum. Emma wanted to double check that we can take somebody else on in her place, which I agreed to.
Mia, my stylist called me to discuss different dresses she had picked out for me to wear at the Rich List party on Saturday and from what she has told me so far, I can’t wait to try the dresses on. I don’t think she has ever got it wrong when it comes to outfits for such events.
My last call was from my mum, she was just checking in on how things were going – I only briefly told her about the meeting yesterday, told her as nothing had been agreed yet I couldn’t tell her much more. Then she started to update me on her life, how she and dad have been looking to book a holiday away and like the idea of Mexico – which sounded lovely. I must try and get time away this year. It’s been so long since I have had a break.
Andrew had taken his new girlfriend over to meet our parents last night and they had dinner, mum said she was like the rest of them he brings home, dark haired, slim and very pretty. We’re not sure how long this one will last but the way Andrew is, it’s never long – he gets bored easily. We had a joke that perhaps we should start placing bets of how long each relationship will last. I never get the chance to meet any of his girlfriends, for two reasons – I live so far away from home and don’t really get a chance to visit. Secondly, the relationships never last long enough so whenever we get the chance to spend time together as a family, he is back to being single.
I sigh as my phone rings again, but when I answer there is nobody there, must have been a wrong number.
My stomach makes a soft rumble, reminding me that I missed my morning fruit break. As I decide it's time to get a snack, Hannah enters with Matthew. He is dressed impeccably in a dashing midnight blue suit that looks tailored to his body. He looks divine. I smile at them both. Hannah gives me a sly wink as she closes the door behind her.
"Hi Matthew, so nice to see you again," I say with a genuine smile as we shake hands. The connection of our hands sends an electric current through my body. What I feel in my stomach is no longer a desire for food.
“Hi Casey, the pleasure is all mine, oh and please, call me Matt.” He flashes me a cocky smile and I lose myself for a few moments in his eyes, his beautiful deep brown eyes.
When I eventually get myself back, I separate our hands before stepping back to my chair, “Please, take a seat, Matt.” I smile and nod my head to the empty chair opposite me.
“Thank you, so, you’re ready to accept the offer?” he asks as he sits back, putting his right ankle on his left knee and sitting back in the chair looking straight at me, those eyes piercing through me.
“Almost, the offer is good and I can’t see any faults, I just…” fancy the pants off you? Want you so bad? I just want to fuck you? I let different scenarios dance around in my head before I settle; “I just don’t want to rush into anything...” and I don’t just mean that from a business point of view.
“That’s understandable, but, Casey, you’ll accept. I’m very persistent when I want something, and I always get what I want.” He says. I almost feel like we are no longer discussing a merger. “I’m in the UK for another twelve days or so, so we can spend some time together discussing it in more detail?”
He wants to spend more time with me? How does he mean we can spend more time together? Does he mean going out for dinner or simply spending time discussing business in the office? Thousands of questions float around in my head. For some reason, I feel like a shy teenager around this man – I don’t know why he has this effect on me but it needs to stop, I can’t keep going on like this – I’m Casey Phoenix, I was business woman of the year in 2012 and 2013.
I can’t get flustered over a man I will potentially be going into business with. It’s unprofessional.
“I think I’ll pass, I’ve got enough information, I just think I need more time before making the decision, that’s all, but thanks for the offer.” I smile sincerely.
“You’re turning down an offer to spend time with your potential partner? Oh Ms. Phoenix, I never get turned down!” He jokes, pretending to look offended.
I can’t help but laugh, he looks so cute. “Why are you so bothered?” I put my elbows on my desk, lean forward and rest my head on the palm of my hand looking straight at him I forget that my cleavage is on show and sit upright when I catch him looking down at my girls.
He tilts his head to the side and flashes me another one of his arrogant smiles “Because the merger is a very good deal, for everyone involved. I’d like to ....persuade you. What more can I say?”
“Sounds more pleasure than business,” I raise an eyebrow at him, I’m not sure with what type of reply I am going to get, but I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say.
“Business is always a pleasure to me.” He winks. Before sitting back in his chair and reaching his arms behind his head and like he is reading my mind, “No, before you ask I don’t sleep with every woman I work with.”
“Wait a second, a few moments ago you were saying we should spend time together to go over business, you said nothing about sleeping together?” I ask stunned.
"It's inevitable that it’ll happen, we've got chemistry Casey, don't pretend you haven't noticed." Admittedly, this statement boosts my ego, the fact that he wants me. But, it also shows his arrogance.
I don't know what I can say to him, I can't argue with him as it is true, there is chemistry between the two of us, but I don't want to admit it. I've only met him twice, I don't even know him. This is crazy. I stand and head toward the window behind me and look out at the world.
From the reflection in the window I see him stand and with a few strides he is right behind me, inches away from me, I turn to face him and try to speak, say something but nothing comes.
Within moments I’m in his arms, his mouth crashing against mine, I open my mouth as an invitation. He runs his tongue across my lips before sliding inside, our tongues dance intimately, tasting and savouring each other before I come to my senses and
realize that this is so wrong.
I push away and look up at him. His eyes are full of lust and want; he cocks his head to the side as if he is trying to read me, trying to figure out what is running through my mind. He must find what he is searching for because he flashes me an arrogant smile and he looks fucking gorgeous. That's enough to tip me back over the edge.
Our lips meet again, this time they are hungrier than before, my hands fist against his shirt, he pushes me back so I am pressed against the window, our lips never losing contact. His left hand plays with my hair while the other rubs down my back and onto my ass. A growl escapes his throat once his hand finds what it was looking for. I nibble along his lower lip.
"God Casey, you’re so sexy."
We are interrupted by a knock on the door and I instantly jump away from him, my eyes wide realizing we could get caught. I try to fix my hair as best as I can and straighten my dress. Matt is as cool as a cucumber and watches with amusement as I try to hide evidence of what has just happened.
When I am seated behind my desk and Matt is sitting back in front of me, I call out to whoever it is to come in.
Michelle one of my tougher personal assistants walks in wearing a black trouser suit and a low cut blouse, her eyes study the back of Matt’s head before she looks at me.
"Sorry Casey, it was just to let you know I have sent Brian to collect the dresses from Mia's. He should be back in half an hour or so, if you're still busy I will get him to leave them in Hannah's office. Sorry for interrupting you." Her eyes dart back to Matt's head as if she was willing him to turn around to look at her.
I glance over to Matt and I realize he is looking straight at me, his eyes burning with passion. I bite my bottom lip and look back over to Michelle.
"Thanks Michelle that would be brilliant." I smile.
When Michelle leaves I look straight at Matt and shake my head playfully. "You’re a bad influence Mr. Jackson."
"Oh Casey. You haven't seen nothing yet... that was the calm before the storm, Sweetheart."
Chapter Five
Casey
It's a nice day out so I put my sunglasses on as we drive to the restaurant; we decided we were hungry and since the only transport Matt has over here is a company driver, I figured I would drive us.
Matt said I have a sexy taste in cars when he see’s my white Mercedes CLA.
On the journey there, we chat about cars - Matt tells me he has seven cars over in America, one of which being a Porsche, he tells me the model but I don’t really know too much about cars but I can imagine how sexy he would look driving it. After knowing him only two days, I can tell he is a typical rich bad boy. I just hope he hasn't got a bad boy reputation when it comes to women.
We arrive at The Seasons and I am grateful that with it being lunch time it isn't very busy, we get seated in a booth at the far end of the restaurant and the waitress comes over to take our orders and I can't help but notice the way she is looking at Matt, she is practically gawping at him! He doesn't bat an eye lid though - he's probably used to all this attention.
Matt chooses a Steak and a large Coke and I stick with a chicken salad and diet Coke.
When we receive our drinks we both sit looking at each other, he has taken his suit jacket and tie off so he is just wearing his white shirt which fits him perfectly.
"I have an idea, let's play ten questions – it’s a good way to get to know each other." His deep, sexy, American voice pulls me from my day dream which involves his muscles, his shirt and his chest. "You start Case." He sits back watching me intently.
"So we're that friendly we're onto nicknames?" I ask with a grin, "By the way, that wasn't my question, Matty. What’s your biggest fear?" I ask, watching him cringe when he hears me call him 'Matty'.
"I don't have any fears, I don't see the point living life scared. You only get one shot at life. May as well enjoy every second of it." He shrugs, what a typical man answer. "Okay, my go. Are you single?" He asks, his eyes burning with interest.
"Yes - I am one hundred percent single." I take a sip of my Coke and watch for his reaction.
"Good, I don't know how so, but I'm glad you are." He says oh so matter of factly.
"What about you, are you single?" I ask whilst trying not to sound too eager. Keep your cool Case.
"Yes I’m single. How old are you?" I sit forward my eyes never leaving his.
"Is this all you've got, Jackson? You've only got what, five questions left to ask me and you’re wasting it asking my age?" I laugh. "I'm twenty-four."
His eyes narrow as he sits back with his arms crossed watching me intently, "You're next question better be good."
I roll my eyes at him, oh perrrleaase. "It is." I place my hands on the table and lean closer towards him, I see his eyes dart down and take in my bosom before his eyes return back to mine. "I don't know how to ask you, alright... here goes... how old are you?" I throw his question back at him; I can see the disappointment on his face which soon turns into laughter.
"Smart ass!” He laughs.
His reaction makes me smile.
Matt's fan-girl waitress returns with our food and I notice she has more makeup on that she did before. She over exaggerates when she bends forward to put the plate of food in front of him, trying to get him to look at her, but he doesn't pay her any attention. She just puts my plate down and that's it. We both say thank you to dismiss her and once she goes we start to eat.
We eat in silence for a couple of moments before Matt speaks. "Ok, my turn. I'm guessing, or at least I'm hoping, that since you're single, you don't have a date for the Rich List party?"
"I don't take dates to those types of things; the paparazzi would go crazy if I did. I just generally go with Hannah to big events." I shrug putting a tomato in my mouth.
"That's too bad. I was going to ask you if you would be my date."
"Well, why don't you ask that on your next turn?" I flash a daring smile. "By the way, Jackson, that was my question." I wink.
Matt shakes his head, the laughter from earlier still dancing in his eyes. "Will you be my date to the event tomorrow?"
"No, I don't do dates." I laugh at his stunned expression. "What's up Jackson, a girl never turned you down?"
He arches his eye brows at me. "Never." He takes a long swallow of his Coke, his eyes never leaving my face. "Are you on birth control?" He asks.
"Excuse me?"
"Are. You. On. Birth. Control." He drags out each word. Running his hand along his jaw, his eyes focused on mine.
"That's none of your business." I'm offended.
"It will be when I'm fucking you." He says matter of factly. "I'm a man who gets what he wants and I want you Casey."
"Sorry, I don't do the whole dating situation-"
"So, you're a no strings attached kind of woman?" His eyes light up as he speaks, he obviously thinks he has hit the jackpot.
I push my empty plate to the center of the table, cross my arms across my chest and look back at him. "No, I just don't bother at all."
The disbelief shows in his face. "A woman like you doesn't date? Who hurt you, what’s your story?"
"I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you." I shrug. "It will take me a lot to regain confidence in the male species."
"That's a challenge I look forward to, sweetheart." He winks and the butterflies in my stomach go crazy for him once again.
Chapter Six
Casey
“How about you, Casey, who’s your perfect man?” Sasha asks whilst twirling her hair with her fingers and I can feel Hannah’s eyes also focused on me.
I laugh. “I haven’t got one. I don’t want a man. You guys know I’m going to live life with nine dogs and a crazy hair color, I’m thinking maybe green.” I watch as my two best friends shake their heads.
Whenever the girls get on the conversation about boyfriends it always results in the same questions, who is your perfect man Casey? Why are you still single Casey? Shall we go speed datin
g? How about a dating website?
Hannah rolls her eyes at me and Sasha raises her eyebrows. They know me too well and know that I am sensitive about my non-existent love life, but they also know that I am not willing to do anything about it. I’m too busy running my business to be bothered to chase a man and truthfully, I don’t think that I will ever be able to trust again.
Don’t get me wrong, I do get a lot of offers from men to take me out, but I’m just not interested.
Hannah says it is because I am scarred from what Darren did to me, but she also says that I have had enough time to heal, maybe she is right. Maybe it is time I start to let my hair down, enjoy myself and let a man take care of me.
I’m sick of being the ‘boring woman’ who sits at the side at parties when the girls are dancing and letting men buy them drinks and it’s been far too long since I have been touched by a man.
“You must have a type, Case.” Hannah probes.
“Yeah, lying cheating bastards.” I say in my serious voice and both girls burst into a laughing fit. “Hmm… I like dark hair, a tall man, broad shoulders, athletic and I’d like a man to tell me what to do.”
“You’ve just described Matthew Jackson!” Hannah winks at me.
“No I have not!” I laugh but I know that he definitely meets the criteria and the man is gorgeous and has a great personality.
Maybe it is time to let my hair down after all.
~~~~~
One would think a whole afternoon to get ready for an event would be enough time — not for me. Marco has been spending the past few hours perfecting my hair and makeup before moving on to Hannah’s.
My house keeper, Debbie brings us a bottle of champagne with three glasses and pours each of us a glass before going back down the stairs.
After taking a few sips of champers, it’s time for us to put our dresses on. I have chosen to go with the silver Stella McCartney ball gown that Mia sent for me. The dress is a mixture of classy and sexy. With an elegant V-neckline the dress is simply stunning. Now, for the sexy — the dress has a slit which runs all the way almost to the top of my thigh. Due to the dresses structure we opt that a bra would ruin the effect. I fasten my heels and stand up.
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