“Who’s Wiley’s girl?” Wendi questioned.
Ian shrugged her shoulders. “The car.”
“And who’s Wiley?”
“Me.” Ian said with confidence.
“Ah ha! I knew it was your car! It’s sweet, I bet it hauls ass!” She was grinning ear to ear like a little kid. “Why don’t you drive it?”
Ian knew she was had. My wild side has reared its ugly head! “I do drive it, just not on these salted slick roads. I don’t care to wrap it around a tree. When Giles doesn’t drive me, then I drive my dad’s Land Rover, as soon as the snow stops for good I’ll be driving my Lotus again.” She said as she climbed onto her snowmobile. Wendi climbed onto the other one that Ian’s mother and father had always shared, Trina jumped on the back with her. Cassidy rolled her eyes at her friends and climbed onto the back of Ian’s machine. She tried not to sit close enough to touch her though.
“Hey Wendi.” Ian yelled.
“Yeah.”
“When it warms up, maybe I’ll take you for a ride.”
Wendi disagreed. “Nah, I’ll take you for a ride.” She started up the snowmobile and took off, leaving a small rooster tail. Trina was thanking god that she’d been holding on. Ian glanced over her shoulder.
“I don’t bite…unless you want me to.” She winked.
Is she flirting with me?
“You better hold on to me or I’ll leave you on your butt in the snow.” Cassidy gave in a slid up behind the taller woman and wrapped her arms around her waist. Both women could feel the heat burning between them, even though they were wearing layers of clothing and ski jackets. The vibration of the machine mixed with the feeling of the smaller woman wrapped around her was enough to make Ian’s center melt. She took a deep cold breath and gunned the throttle. They caught up to the other pair that was now cruising slowly next to them. Ian would stop occasionally to show them areas of the property and explain what part of the mountain they were on. She took them up around the right side to a man-made trail between the trees. Cassidy closed her eyes and held on tighter, the trees were coming dangerously close. She knew Trina was probably scared to death with wild and reckless Wendi driving. Ian came to a stop a few yards away from a cliff that looked out over a ravine. Cassidy walked up closer to peek over the edge.
“It’s beautiful up here.” She turned to face deep blue puddles staring into her heart. Ian was standing right behind her.
“Thank you. I use to come up here with my dad. This was our…secret spot. I haven’t been up here…since…their death.” She almost whispered the last words. Cassidy sensed the sadness, reached back and grabbed Ian’s hand. With the thick gloves on they couldn’t interlock their fingers, so she just held her hand.
Wendi was a few feet away taking in the scenery, completely unaware of the women next to her. Trina, however, noticed and smiled. Deep down she was hoping the two of them would see the love between them. She could it see from the very beginning.
“If we go back down over there,” Ian pointed to her left. “We’ll come up on the hill where I snowboard, I have to chase the local’s out of there all the time. It’s the only part of our property line that isn’t behind the gate.”
“I remember seeing you out there the last time we were here.” Cassidy added.
“Yeah, I saw you too.” Ian smiled.
They got back on the snowmobiles and continued to ride around for hours, Ian showed them all of the beautiful spots that only magazine’s tell about. Giles had lunch ready when they arrived back at the house.
“This is wonderful Giles. You’re an amazing cook.” Trina complimented between bites of turkey melt sandwich and homemade chicken noodle soup.”
“Thank you ma’am.” He nodded with the corner of his mouth turned up.
“We have entirely too many leftovers, I would be happy if you would join me for dinner again tonight.” Ian held her breath. Cassidy was trying to think of an excuse, hoping her friends would help her out. Deep down she did want come back, she enjoyed being around Ian. In fact, every part of her enjoyed it.
“That sounds like a gre” Wendi was trying to talk when Trina kicked her under the table.
“We need to go take care of a few things this evening don’t we Wendi, but Cass, you should come back for dinner.”
“What do you mean you have things to take care of?” Cassidy shot her an I hate you look. Wendi was rubbing her hand on her, now bruised, shin.
“We are meeting up with Charlie and Derek for dinner.” Trina said. Wendi looked at her quizzically and Trina raised her eye brows trying to do her best shut up impression.
“Uh…okay….” Cassidy was confused. Ian just sat there watching the conversation.
“You know…the guys we met last time we were up here.”
“Oh yeah, you still talk to them?”
“Yeah. We were going to invite you to go with us tonight.”
“When are you guys going back to grand Junction?” Ian asked.
“We are suppose to go back tomorrow, but since Christmas fell on a Thursday this year, we were all off today obviously, so we can actually stay until Sunday.” Trina explained. Cassidy knew something was up, she just couldn’t put her finger on it. Wendi wasn’t talking and Trina was digging herself one huge pile of bullshit.
“I see. So I guess you’re free for dinner then Cassidy.” Ian looked over at her.
“It seems that way, yes.”
“Please join me, I’m going to be eating turkey and ham forever.” All of the women laughed.
“In that case, yes, I’ll join you.”
“Excellent.”
~ ~ ~
Cassidy was standing out front of the hotel waiting for the black car when a familiar black SUV pulled up next to the curb. Ian hoped out and walked around to the passenger side, she opened the door and waved at the brunette to get in. Once Cassidy was situated, Ian shut the door and got back in the driver seat.
“Where’s Giles?” Cassidy questioned. Ian noticed she changed clothes, and more than likely showered. Cassidy was now wearing casual black pants, a crème colored scoop neck sweater and the black leather jacket that Ian had seen her in before. Her black hair hung loosely on her shoulders. Ian had also showered and changed into khaki’s and a dark blue V-neck sweater that matched her eyes. Her brown leather jacket was laying on the backseat.
“I don’t know. I guess he’s probably using the microwave right about now.” She smiled at the look on the other woman’s face. “I’m kidding, I told him I wanted to come get you. He’s been in the kitchen for at least an hour, he’s probably whipping up something new with all of his leftover ingredients. That man could make a culinary masterpiece out of bread and water.” She smiled and Cassidy laughed. “Besides, I’m trying to show you me, not your boss, and not the drunk woman chaser.”
“So who was I with today?”
“Me. Just me.”
“Good, I like that one.” I’m falling for that person.
“Me too.” And she likes you, more than she will admit.
When they went inside Giles was busy in the kitchen, he brought a bottle of wine up from the cellar and left it chilling for them.
“Would either of you care for a glass of wine?” He stood poised as always, politely waiting for an answer. Ian looked over at Cassidy who nodded.
“Sure, two glasses please Giles.” Ian sat on the couch in living room, Cassidy sat across from her. “You seem nervous again.”
“I am.”
“Don’t be, I promise I wont talk about Wiley Steel at all tonight. What happens at work stays at work, deal?”
“Does that mean what happens here stays here?” Cassidy raised an eyebrow with curiosity.
Ian wasn’t sure where this was going. “Uh…sure…well obviously I cant go into the office Monday and tell everyone I spent Christmas weekend with you, now can I?”
“No of course not.”
“Okay then, what happens with our friendship stays with us. I kno
w I shouldn’t see you like this, but truth be told Cassidy, if you didn’t work for me I would want to date you. I find you very intriguing, I really enjoy being around you. As I said last night, I have to live my life in the closet, I could never risk anyone finding out. My being friends with you like this is probably just as bad.”
“I thought we weren’t talking about Wiley Steel?” Did she just tell me she liked me? Get your ears checked Cassidy.
“Touché.” Ian grinned and took a sip of her wine. What have I started? I can’t get you out of my head Cassidy. God I shouldn’t be doing this, I know I shouldn’t see her anymore.
“Then we have a deal.” Cassidy reached forward, Ian’s hand met hers halfway across the table between them. The spark could’ve been blamed on static electricity, but both women felt it and held on tightly as if it were something completely different. They sat across from each other starring and searching for some sort of sign from the other. The sound of Giles’ voice startled both of them.
“Dinner is ready Miss Wiley.” He turned and went back to the kitchen.
Cassidy sat on the left side of the head of the table, which was where Ian sat. Soft candles were glowing in the center of the large table. Giles returned with two large bowls of homemade turkey pot pie.
“This looks delicious Giles.” Cassidy stated as she stuck her fork into the bowl.
“Thank you ma’am.” He walked away to give them some privacy. They ate and talked about the different areas of the mountain that they saw earlier. After Giles served them dessert he added a few logs to start a fresh fire in the living room, then went back to his own room, again giving them privacy. If Ian didn’t know any better, she’d swear he was up to something.
Later that evening Ian sat on the couch next to Cassidy, their thighs touching slightly. The snow fell lightly on the ground outside as they sat in the glowing light of the fireplace talking. Cassidy tried not to bring up her parents, but that seemed to be the only thing on her mind, except for the smoldering heat radiating off of the gorgeous body next to her. It always hurt Ian to think of her parents, but somehow listening to this woman talk next to her made her miss them without hurting so badly. Cassidy changed the subject when she asked Ian what it was like growing up in what she would call royalty, on the most beautiful mountain that she’d ever seen.
“Well, I...from the time I can remember, I guess I was about four or five, I spent the summers fishing in the streams with my father when he wasn’t working, which wasn’t often. My mother would spend her days working on various art deals, she owned one of the local galleries for years, that’s where the art influence comes from.”
“I can see it, this house is a work of art all on its own, but the masterpieces that fill the walls and the statues that adorn them are absolutely amazing. I feel like I’m in an art museum when I’m here.” Cassidy smiled. Ian continued to talk about her childhood, this was the first time she spoken of it in many years.
“Yes, sometimes I do too. My mother would take me to different shows, teaching me about different pieces and how to read to them. She taught me so much about feelings and to understand them. To me she was a piece of art all by herself. She reminded me of an angel, she was very graceful and pure. My father was strong-willed and powerful, but he was sentimental and loving at home. As I got older he took me with him to the office and the plant, he would show me everything that he was doing and explain why he was doing it. When my grandfather passed away my dad took the reins of the company. I must’ve been around ten. That’s when he began spending more and more time crusading in the corporate world. I knew one day all of it would be mine, even at that young age. Giles did the best he could to fill in when they weren’t there. My mother finally sold her gallery and began to take a more formal role as the Mrs. Wiley. Both of my parents pushed me to succeed in everything that I did, when I graduated with a full academic scholarship they cried. I remember the day I told them, it seems like yesterday.” She looked over at the brunette sitting next to her. Cassidy had laid her head on Ian’s shoulder and fell asleep. Ian wrapped her arm around her and settled into the corner of the couch to get more comfortable. She watched the rise and fall of Cassidy’s chest until she dosed off.
Cassidy opened her eyes to a semi-dark room, she was on the couch, so warm, the couch was so soft and warm against her. She turned her head. Ian! Oh my god I fell asleep with her, on her! Shit! Her heart raced. Their bodies were tangled together. Ian had her arms wrapped around the smaller woman. One of Cassidy’s arms was between them, the other one was draped over Ian's stomach and extended up between her breasts. Cassidy's hand laid flat against Ian’s chest just above her breasts, almost over her heart. Cassidy was scared to death. What the hell do I say or do if and when she wakes up? I’m stuck here, like this. It’s not that bad, she’s so comfortable, she looks like an angel sleeping. She’s your god damn boss! The last thought in her head stung, this caused her to stir gently. That’s all it took to wake the sleeping beauty underneath her.
Ian’s eyes flickered open, slowly taking in her surroundings. That’s when she noticed the smaller woman lying in her arms, their faces were inches apart. Cassidy stared deeply into sparkling blue eyes. Ian studied Cassidy’s face, her gray eyes ran deeper than she could ever have imagined. Before any words could be spoken, both women simultaneously closed the gap between them. Their lips met softly at first, neither woman pulling away or rushing for more. The kiss was gentle and innocent, when Ian’s lips parted Cassidy’s tongue explored deeper, tasting as much of the other woman as she possibly could. Ian allowed the entrance with a soft moan, her tongue followed suit, each mouth and tongue massaging the other passionately. Ian’s hold on Cassidy became tighter and she pulled the smaller woman tightly against her, completely aware of the flames between her legs. Cassidy slid her hand further up, brushing along Ian’s jaw and her neck until she could feel the whispers of short hair on her fingertips, she ran her hand through Ian's short hair. Both women were sure they’d be bruised, but neither one stopped the intoxicating kiss. They drank form each others mouth with a fiery passion, their tongues never parting. Their hands wandered, feeling as much as they could of each other. Cassidy pulled away just enough to catch her breath, she playfully bit Ian’s bottom lip as she broke their contact, that’s when she looked into dark blue eyes swimming with desire. Oh my god!
All Ian could do was stare at this magnificent woman lying in her arms. The kiss had completely taken her breath away, her mind couldn’t control the pounding in her heart, the burning in the pit of her stomach, or the powerful throbbing between her legs. What have I done?!
Cassidy removed herself from Ian’s embrace. She slid over to the other end of the couch, her body was trembling from the loss of contact. Ian sat up and stared into the darkness, she was sure the sunrise wouldn‘t be far away. Her body was freezing everywhere that their bodies had been infused. The fireplace was almost out, except for one orange ember glowing in the ashes.
“I”
“I’m”
Both of them tried to speak first, neither one knowing what to say. They sat in silence for another few minutes. Finally Ian started.
“I’m sorry…I never meant for that to happen.” She continued to stare at the darkness outside. The woman next to her stared at her palms, which were folded into her lap.
“I’m sorry too, it’s not your fault.”
“Do you regret it?” Ian spoke softly.
“No.” Cassidy answered back with a whisper. And that scares the hell out of me. “You should probably take me back to the lodge.”
“Yes. You’re right.” Making love to you would tear me apart, I can’t give you the lifestyle that you deserve, no matter how bad I want you, it could never come out of the bedroom.
Chapter 12
Two weeks later Ian finally received the return phone call that she’d been waiting for. The buyer for CSX explained how he inquired with Benjamin Bradford of Wiley Steel about building two new locomo
tives and six container style box cars. He went on to say that Wiley Steel bid extremely high, almost a hundred thousand dollars above his total budget, but he knew the Wiley name and wanted to go with them. Three days later he received a call from Frasier Higginbotham saying that they could not complete the order, the production lines were extremely backed up and they would be months away from the agreed deadline. CSX was forced to pull out and go on with another company. All Ian needed to hear was the name of the other company, J.R. Hinkley Metals. She knew something was up, Hinkley was nowhere near capable of handling the kind of deals that Wiley executed daily. After careful snooping, she hated snooping around her own company, but it had to be done, she finally found the answers she was looking for. All of the deals that were pulled or turned away over the past couple of years went to J.R. Hinkley Metals.
“It’s time to put the banana in front of the monkey.” She smiled.
~ ~ ~
Ian seemed to pour herself completely into Wiley Steel for the next few weeks. Giles wasn’t exactly sure, but he could tell something happened. He was half expecting the young woman to retreat back to her wild and reckless side. She was quiet and secluded, spending hours in her fathers study while she was at the house, in fact, she spent more time at the house in the study than she did in the corporate office. Giles knew she was working on something, her ears were steaming from thought, but the sadness remained on the surface. The sudden death of her parents had thrown the young blond for a loop, slowly she figured out how to unwind it, but Giles was sure something had tightened the knot once again. If it wasn’t for his constant checking on her, he was sure she wouldn’t be eating and alcohol would once again be her comfort. Luckily, he knew the signs from the last time, he vowed to never let her go that far ever again. Anytime he tried to get her to talk she seemed to withdraw, only speaking about the business or her parents a little and reminiscing her childhood with him. It seemed as if she was stepping over a void every time he asked about her three friends that visited over the holidays, she would simply shrug and said she didn’t have time to talk.
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