by Noelle Adams
Cassie wanted so desperately to say that all was wonderful but something in her expression had Adam stopping her before she could speak. He leaned forward and turned off the burner and took the pan from her hand and moved it to a cooler spot and called out to Debbie to take over for a few minutes.
“Adam…I need to be…” He took her hand and pulled her from the kitchen amidst her protests. They took the elevator up to the master suite and didn’t say a word until they were there.
Walking her over to the bed he sat Cassie down and then stood and asked her the question again. “Truthfully this time, if you please…”
With a sigh of frustration, she glared at him. “Really, Adam, I have a meal to prepare. I don’t have time for this!”
“I say we do.” He folded his arms across his chest and in that moment Cassie knew there would be no swaying him. She’d do well to just answer him and get back to preparing dinner.
“It was fine. After you all went to the den to start your meeting, we sat and talked for a bit and then we went shopping. Now we’re back, they’re all resting and I’m cooking.”
If there was one thing Adam had learned about Cassie, it was that she was always happy, except when she wasn’t. And right now he knew that she wasn’t.
Saying nothing, he merely arched a brow at her and waited.
She hated when he did that! “Okay, fine. There was a moment after lunch where I was asked if the house was new or if I was and it just…well, it just was awkward. I guess I didn’t expect anyone to be so forward with their questions, that’s all. And that’s why I didn’t want to play hostess. I don’t want the questions, Adam!”
Adam came and sat beside her and gently laid her back on the bed and kissed her. “There, was that so hard?” he whispered, tracing one long finger along her jaw as he kissed her gently along the opposite cheek, down the slender column of her throat.
Humming a response, Cassie knew he didn’t fully understand why she was upset but at the moment couldn’t care less.
“Let me tell you a little something about our guests,” he began in between kisses. “The Rhodes are old money, very respected. They have four kids and about a dozen grandkids already. The Chamberlain’s are the newlyweds of the group and Max took over the company from Danielle’s ailing father. He’s eager to keep up her family’s tradition in the company and yet make a name for himself. Danielle would rather they left the family business and live on his family’s farm. They’re naïve and young and desperate to start a family.”
“The Chapin’s are part of an arranged marriage; a business merger. They have no children, nor do they want them. She’ll eventually agree to have at least one because his father’s will stipulates it. She’s a cold woman who wanted to run daddy’s business but in their family, women don’t run companies. I imagine she tells poor old Martin what to do most of the time and probably resents being relegated to the wives for the weekend.”
Adam lifted his head and stared down into Cassie’s now serene face. “She was the one who made the comment, wasn’t she?”
Cassie nodded and Adam rose and held out a hand to help her up from the bed. “Don’t let her bother you, Cassandra. She’s just a bitter woman.” He pulled her along to the elevator door and pushed the button. Once back inside, he backed her into the corner and kissed her thoroughly. “Don’t let anyone take that sparkle out of your eyes ever again.”
Before Cassie could respond, they were back on the main floor and Adam strode away to start fixing drinks and Cassie ran back into the kitchen to put the finishing touches on what promised to be a spectacular meal.
****
After breakfast the next morning, Cassie gathered the ladies together and they headed back into town for their spa appointments. She felt a little sheepish because Adam had handed her his gold card for her to use during their outing.
While in bed last night he had asked her what she had purchased during the shopping spree earlier in the day since all of the wives had bragged about their findings. When she had confessed that she hadn’t bought herself anything, Adam had frowned and asked why.
“Adam, I don’t live in their league,” she’d said simply. “I don’t find a lot of joy in shopping just for the sake of spending money. My business is too new for me to make frivolous purchases.”
As Cassie was walking out the door on her way to chauffeur everyone to their spa appointments, Adam had pulled her aside, kissed her deeply and placed the card in her hand with a promise that she be frivolous. His smile was wicked and Cassie’s mind raced with the possibilities in which they could both benefit from her frivolity. She smiled all the way to the spa.
Cassie and Danielle were in the same room for their hot stone massages. When they had booked the packages, Cassie had thought that Adam had merely taken care of the executive wives but she had been pleasantly surprised to find that he had booked all of the treatments for her, too. His generosity would most definitely be rewarded, she told herself.
Cassie was dreamily fantasizing about the night to come when Danielle cleared her throat. “Um…Cassie? Can I ask you something?”
“Sure…”
“Well, Max and I…well, we’re doing what needs to be done for the company but I’m just not…I don’t know…I don’t think I’m going to like being a corporate wife.” She looked over at Cassie and waited for her to say how selfish she was being. Like Elizabeth had.
“Being a corporate wife is certainly not easy,” Cassie began. “I mean, you’ll be spending time apart and even when you get to travel with Max, he’ll be in meetings a lot.”
Danielle leaned up slightly and smiled. It was a relief to find someone who understood her. “Exactly! I mean, we’re newlyweds, we want to start a family and it’s just not happening!”
Cassie chuckled. “Well, things don’t always happen as we plan them. Getting pregnant is a funny thing.” She shared with Danielle Katie’s story about her unplanned pregnancy. “Believe me; as much as we all love Ella and can’t imagine our lives without her, I’m sure that Katie wishes that she had come along a little later when she was married.”
“Do you want kids?”
A sad smile crept across Cassie’s face. “Yes I do. As a matter of fact I just had a procedure done to treat my Endometriosis. If I didn’t do something, I might never be able to have kids. As it is, I’m hoping that it worked, but I won’t know until I’m actively trying to have a baby.”
“Does Adam want kids?”
Cassie’s first response was a “hell no!” but decided to keep that to herself. “I don’t know, honestly, and our relationship is pretty new so I don’t think either of us is planning or even thinking ahead along those lines.”
Danielle laid her head back down and sighed. “I want to be supportive of Max; I really do. I just never thought that he’d be that corporate guy, you know?”
“Maybe it’s also that you never thought that your dad would need someone to take over for him.” She said the words gently and when she looked at Danielle, she saw tears in her eyes.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Their attendants came in before they could say anymore and the next few hours passed in a flurry of manicures, pedicures and facials. Lunch was served to them compliments of the on-site restaurant and while Cassie wasn’t thrilled with their menu, no one else seemed to complain.
By the time they were done, Cassie honestly felt like a wet noodle. Her body was so relaxed and she felt so good that she wasn’t ready to think about heading back to the house and getting back into work mode and preparing for dinner. They all climbed back into the car and Cassie decided that she wanted to play a little bit more and with a check of her clock she saw that she had a solid two hours before she absolutely had to be back at the house.
“Anyone up for a little more shopping?”
With a car full of agreement, they headed to the mall and Cassie found numerous frivolous items that would guarantee a proper thank you to Adam for a perfect day.
Thirteen
Their guests were scheduled to leave after lunch and as far as Cassie was concerned, the weekend was a huge success. They had served breakfast in the formal dining room where she had made platters of Belgium waffles with fresh fruit and also offered eggs Benedict to those requiring more protein.
Adam took the men back to his office on the lower level to finish negotiations while Cassie cleaned up and the women packed. She was taking a moment out on the deck to enjoy the peace and quite when Danielle came out to join her.
“I want you to know, Cassie, that I really appreciate all that you did for everyone this weekend. Everything was wonderful.”
“Thanks, Danielle. Are you all packed?”
She nodded. “I think that Adam is very lucky to have you.” She turned to Cassie as they both leaned over the rail of the deck observing the waves. “I mean it. I’ve seen a lot of corporate couples over the years and while I know you didn’t want to make a big deal about it, I think that you and Adam are perfect together.”
Cassie bowed her head with dread. This was so not the conversation she wanted to be having. Danielle saw her dismay and went on to dispel it. “No, really, it’s okay, Cassie. Max has had some dealings with Adam in the past and he cannot believe the change in him. It’s because of you! I look at the two of you, the balance that you have and I think you make it look easy. You helped me to see that it can work.”
“I really didn’t do anything…”
“No, you did, Cassie! Everything you said yesterday helped. Last night, while Max and I were in bed we talked about our future and for the first time, I feel like I can be the kind of wife that he needs. The kind of wife that I know you’ll make for Adam.”
Lifting her head, Cassie stared at her. “Please, Danielle,” Cassie started.
Danielle shook her head. “I have to admit that I didn’t know what Endometriosis was when we talked yesterday but last night, I went online and looked it up. I’m so sorry that you had to deal with that and I think that when I get home, I may speak to my doctor because I have a lot of those symptoms. For all I know, that could be why we haven’t gotten pregnant yet.”
“I hope you get the help that you need. I think you’re going to make a wonderful mom.”
Danielle smiled. “You will, too, Cassie. I think that you and Adam are going to realize what you have and the next time I see you, you’ll be married and hopefully on your way to having a baby.”
There was no way to make Danielle understand that her relationship with Adam was more than likely going to end before it ever got to the point of marriage and babies. After all, who wanted to admit that they were in a relationship that had an expiration date? It would be an odd conversation to be sure, Cassie thought to herself. Desperate for something else to talk about, Cassie wracked her brain for other topics but realized that for Danielle, these were the things she needed to say and realized that no one had to know about it.
Until she heard someone clear their throat.
Someone male.
Someone who, when she turned around, did not look happy.
“Oh, hello, Adam!” Danielle said as she walked toward him on her way back into the house. “Max and I had a fabulous weekend. I can’t thank you enough for making this trip a veritable spa getaway for me. I really appreciate it.” Then, in a very un-corporate-wife move, Danielle leaned in and kissed Adam on the cheek. “You and Cassie made this a very memorable trip for me and thanks to Cassie, my greatest wish may soon come true.”
She was oblivious to the tension on the deck as she walked back into the house and Cassie could only stand rooted to the spot staring at Adam until she was sure that they were alone.
“Are your meetings all done?” she asked cautiously.
He nodded tersely. “Yes. Everyone is packing up.” Looking at his watch he added, “Lunch is still scheduled for noon, isn’t it?”
It was his tone. He had heard the conversation and he was not happy about it. Cassie knew that tone of voice; cool and clipped. Adam was trying to be civil but knew that he was deeply agitated by what he had heard and was annoyed to have to wait to discuss it.
“Yes, lunch is set for noon and will be more casual. I’ve got sandwiches and salads that we’ll eat in the dining room. I’ve got dessert goody-bags for them to take with them for the ride to the airport.”
“Very good,” was all he could say before turning his back on Cassie and walking back in to the house.
Have a baby with Cassie? That was only part of the conversation that had Adam’s head spinning. What in the world had Cassie been telling these women? Granted, she seemed just as baffled by Danielle’s declarations as he was but perhaps that was for his benefit. Adam raked a hand through his hair in frustration.
Dammit! He had no idea what Cassie had been discussing with the wives all weekend; especially not after her initial run in with Elizabeth Chapin. He didn’t want to know what was being discussed except now he felt like he was a fool for not.
While the cat was out of the bag on their relationship, Adam felt that they had been respectful and discreet in their time together in front of everyone. He couldn’t deny that he found excuses to touch Cassie and that more than once he caught himself staring at her and, in turn, having one of his colleagues grinning at him, but it was his own damn business!
Sitting behind his desk Adam replayed Cassie and Danielle’s conversation over in his mind. Sure, Cassie seemed to be emphatic about the two of them not being in love. Maybe a little too emphatic. Did she have any feelings for him? Was he the only one who felt anything? Christ, how pathetic would that make him? Here he was, Mr. Big-Time CEO who swore that he needed to have her to get her out of his system and there was a great possibility that the joke would be on him and she would walk away without a second thought and he’d be left behind broken.
No! He would not allow that to happen. He accomplished what he wanted to this weekend. His business expansion was on the right track; his negotiations with these men went exactly as he had wanted them to and people would be talking about how Adam Lawrence did business and want to do business with him.
And through it all, he had the most sexually satisfying week of his life. Adam knew that just days ago he told himself not to think about ending things with Cassie and just live in the moment but maybe that wasn’t such a good idea seeing now how people reacted to it. One weekend together and there was speculation on them getting married and having children. That was so not in his plans and he didn’t need anyone trying to tell him how he should be living his life!
He heard voices up on the main level and a glance at the clock told him it was almost noon. Another hour and everyone would be gone and he’d have some time to be alone and think. The rental place would be coming by at three to collect their supplies and Cassie had made arrangements for the cleaning crew to come in tomorrow after they had left.
Somewhere along the line they had talked about the possibility of staying tonight or going home and Adam felt that he had to get out of here and clear his head; to not be around Cassie and be influenced by her. If he was going to get a handle on this relationship and get back to a place where he had total control, he had to get away from the temptation.
And Cassie was most definitely a temptation.
He thought about the night before; the sexy lingerie she had purchased for the specific purpose of him ripping it from her body. That image alone, of Cassie stretching across his bed in red lace, begging him…Adam had to shift in his seat to accommodate his arousal.
Damn her!
Cassie’s laughter wafted down to him and Adam felt a stirring; not only of arousal, but something in the region of his chest. He rubbed his palm over the spot and sighed.
What harm could one more night bring?
Fourteen
Two hours later the house was fairly silent. After saying farewell to thei
r group, Adam and Cassie had walked back into the house and Adam had excused himself to go down into the office to make calls and do paperwork. Cassie didn’t argue mainly because she had work of her own to do in preparation of them leaving.
As she wiped down the granite countertops she stopped to wonder at Danielle’s words to her. She and Adam were involved, physically, but there was nothing about them, that she noticed anyway, that would make anyone believe that they had a deep emotional relationship. They certainly didn’t act like they were in love, did they?
She tossed the paper towels into the trash and went to unload the dishwasher. As she placed things back in their proper place, Cassie couldn’t help but realize that she liked it here. In this house. With this man. In this relationship. She wasn’t foolish enough to think that Adam felt the same way but Cassie prayed that he wouldn’t be cruel when it all ended.
And she had no doubt that it would end. Adam would make sure of that.
Cassie longed to go down the stairs and surprise him in his office, like she had in the days before his guests arrived. Looking around she saw that everything was in order. With a secret smile she kicked off her shoes and untied her apron. She walked quietly to the half bath and checked her reflection. Pleased that she looked okay, she was just about to head down the stairs when the doorbell rang.
The party rental people had come to collect their supplies.
Waves of disappointment rolled over her but Cassie knew that if she worked with the crew, they would be done quickly.
If anyone noticed that Cassie was rushing them along, they chose to say nothing. If anyone picked up on her impatience with their attempt at small talk, they kept it to themselves. In less than an hour Cassie was bidding them a good day and stopped short of slamming the door behind them while stripping.
Relax. Get a grip, she chanted to herself. It wasn’t as if they had abstained from making love while they had people in the house; it was just more restricted than it had been in the days leading up to it. Cassie enjoyed the sexual, playful side of Adam and her body was near quivering at the thought of being with him again.