Electric!

by Ava McKnight

  “Really, you bailed so fast that I blinked once and you were gone.”

  “We have to work together in the morning,” she said without preamble. “Doesn’t that weird you out?”

  “No. But clearly it does you.”

  Cassidy drew in a long breath.

  He said, “Nothing’s different, Cass.”

  She choked out a laugh. “Everything’s different, Chase.”

  “No. We’re exactly the two people we were two years ago, when we first met.”

  “How can you reasonably qualify that? We had sex!”

  He chuckled. “More than that, we had hot sex.”

  “Fine. Whatever.” She wasn’t about to delineate the difference. That would mean rehashing multiple orgasms and the use of a satin sash and a whip and… Holy Moses. She really couldn’t go there right now.

  Chase said, “Chill for a sec. Give this some serious thought. Regardless of what transpired between us up north, we’re still the same people we’ve always been down here. We’re professionals. We’re adults. We’re crazy about each other…”

  She laughed a bit easier this time. “Well…you might have me on a technicality there.” She relaxed a little. Sipped her wine.

  “So we’ve veered off course. Taking my path, instead of yours. Is that so bad?”

  Cassidy thought of the past forty-eight hours and had to admit that giving in to Chase and his desire was bad…in a really good way.

  She just needed to learn how to sort through it all. Deal. Not get worked up over having stepped out of her perfectly constructed and well-maintained box.

  She pulled in a few calming breaths, then said, “You’re right. I’m just prone to mini-anxiety attacks when I do something out of my element.”

  “Sure,” he said with a smile in his voice. “I get it. Just try to remember who you’re dealing with. I’m not going to do something stupid to jack this up, Cass. I’ve waited too long to be with you.”

  Her stomach coiled. “I know. And above all else, I appreciate that, Chase. The truth is… I wouldn’t want to let you down.”

  “Not going to happen.”

  She swallowed a lump of emotion. Told herself to get a grip. Then she said, “I should get going. I have some stuff to do before tomorrow morning’s meeting.”

  “Don’t be nervous about seeing me in the office, babe. I’m still me.”

  She grinned. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but there never was such a thing as just you. Especially after I’ve seen you naked and you did all those amazing things to me.”

  He chuckled. “I’m not done.”

  Her toes curled. “Okay. But I do need to go now…”

  “Sure.” His tone held a hint of amusement infused with heat. It sent a tingle along her skin. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah. See you.”

  * * * * *

  Chase put a hell of a lot of effort into keeping his cat-who-ate-the-canary smile from his face the next day. The morning meeting breezed by in its usual fashion, with updates given, crises noted, subrogation cases discussed and so on.

  He hadn’t lost a client this past week, and that was damn good news. Not that they dropped like flies by any means, but his turnover rate wasn’t pristine. He considered Cassidy’s track record of keeping her insureds happy and loyal, and he wondered if maybe he ought to get a few pointers from her to help improve his odds. He could land the accounts, no problem there. But every now and then, he received a notice of intent to not renew, and that actually did disturb him.

  He returned to his office after the meeting, deciding to make a few phone calls to current clients, when Grace strolled in.

  She had I’ve got news you’re going to love stamped across her face. Grace was an attractive redhead. Svelte. Professional. Great at her job. She didn’t bother flirting with him, though. He’d never once encouraged that sort of behavior from her and Grace clearly didn’t stoop when no interest in her had been extended.

  Dropping a few files on the corner of Chase’s desk, she said, “Mr. McClellan wants to have lunch with you today. I cleared your schedule. Meet him at his office at eleven forty-five.”

  Chase eyed her skeptically. “I just spoke with him at the party on Friday night.”

  She shrugged—a bit too coyly. “Maybe he’s got some good news for you.”

  He stood. “What do you know?”

  “Just that he doesn’t have lunch with directors as a rule. That must mean something positive, right?”

  Crossing his arms over his chest, he said, “Or that he’s firing me.”

  “Chase!” she scoffed. “You bring in the most clients and they’re all big accounts. No way would McClellan get rid of you.”

  Grace had been with the company for over five years. She knew a thing or two, and he generally listened when she had pearls of wisdom to impart. Still, he mumbled, “Why does this feel fishy?”

  Waving a manicured hand in the air, Grace said, “Sometimes he has lunch with a member of the management team to praise them for their work.”

  “Sure, someone from his senior management team. I’m still sophomore level.”

  “It isn’t like you to be pessimistic.”

  “It isn’t like McClellan to have lunch with a director. You said so yourself.”

  “Well.” She did the dismissive hand-waving thing again and turned on her tall heels. “I think you’re totally taking this the wrong way. Otherwise, I’d be packing up my desk.”

  He snickered. Grace was a feisty one, but she was also loyal and dedicated. And she always had her ear to the ground, so he tried to latch on to the fact that he truly had brought in some serious revenue over the past couple of years.

  Maybe she was right. Maybe all McClellan wanted was to give him a pat on the back.

  Maybe.

  * * * * *

  Cassidy set aside her portfolios, locked her computer screen and collected her purse. She headed toward the elevator and hit the Up button, nervous anxiety roiling through her.

  The doors slid open with a smooth whoosh and she stepped inside. She pressed the button for the top floor, the one above hers, and then pulled in a deep breath.

  Before the doors shut, Chase swooped in and they jerked apart. He stepped into the car with a sexy grin on his face. The mere sight of him made her melt.

  “Hey, there, babe.”

  She cringed, despite the excitement racing through her. “Not in the office, Chase.”

  “We’re in an elevator. Alone.” He leaned in close. So close, she inhaled his delicious scent and nearly sighed out loud from the thrill it sent down her spine.

  “Still,” she managed to say. “We don’t want to slip.”

  “Oh, come on. Like everyone in this building isn’t anticipating us hooking up? I bet there’s even a pool going.”

  She flushed. “Probably.”

  “Anyway,” he said with a wink, “I don’t really give a damn if anyone knows about us. Do you?”

  Given all the speculation over the past two years, she’d be crazy to care. “I suppose not. I just want to keep things professional when we’re in the office.”

  “So I’m not allowed to grab your ass as you step out of this elevator?”

  She shot him a droll look. “I know you’re only teasing, because you know how much decorum means to me.”

  “Maybe.”

  The suggestive glint in his ocean-blue eyes made her panic.

  Would he?

  “Chase,” she all but hissed.

  “Oh relax.” He chuckled. “I’m on your side, remember? I’d never do anything to make you feel discredited.”

  She sighed. “I know. Sorry. I’m just really nervous about…everything.”

  They stepped into the huge reception area of the executive wing, with its slight intimidation factor permeating every square foot. Sure, Cassidy came up here each Monday morning to meet in the large conference room with the heads of the various divisions—and Mr. McClellan himself—but she didn’t have
an office on this penthouse floor with the senior management team. Nor would she ever.

  Crossing the beige marble with Chase at her side, she smiled at the receptionist, Tilly.

  “I’ll announce you both,” Tilly said congenially.

  Cassidy took a seat. Chase sat next to her. She eyed him curiously.

  “Who are you here to see, by the way?”

  “McClellan. We’re having lunch. You?”

  She swallowed hard. “McClellan. We’re having lunch.”

  Chase whistled under his breath. “Interesting.”

  Terrifying would be her word choice.

  What did the big cheese himself want from both of them?

  A bit taken aback, she mumbled under her breath, “Was I drunk at the party and imagined he’d said we turned a healthy profit again this quarter?”

  “Nope. And he told me you and I were significant contributing factors to the bottom line.”

  “He said that to me too.”

  So why couldn’t she breathe all of a sudden?

  Because her whole life was wrapped around this job. Around proving her worth.

  “Anyway,” Chase said with a nudge of his elbow. “Looks like we’re about to find out what this is all about.”

  She glanced up and found McClellan coming down the hall. He greeted them with formal handshakes.

  “We have reservations at T. Cook’s,” he told them.

  “Wonderful,” she said.

  “Great,” Chase added.

  Who would argue a lunch venue with the man who signed their paychecks?

  McClellan led them to the bank of elevators. Cassidy’s stomach churned as the reason for the impromptu meeting ate at her.

  When they reached the ground floor, they crossed to the tall glass doors and arrived at the curb where a sleek Bentley limo awaited them. The men allowed Cassidy to slip in first. They followed her and she tried to bring her anxiety down a few notches.

  What did McClellan want with both of them?

  She stole a glance at Chase and it suddenly dawned on her.

  Oh shit!

  McClellan knew about them! Somehow he’d figured out they’d hooked up over the weekend and he was going to make a big fuss about it being against company policy and then he was going to fire them!

  She gripped her purse in her lap, her knuckles turning white.

  She could barely breathe again.

  Except… Wait. MII didn’t have a policy against coworkers canoodling. And seriously, the sexual harassment policy was so damn lax, how could he possibly take offense to them getting together?

  Mentally shaking her head, she fought to keep her consternation at bay. Willed herself to ease the bunching of her shoulders and loosen her grip on her purse.

  But she couldn’t keep the panic from rushing through her or stop the what if? thoughts suddenly plaguing her mind.

  Chase and McClellan made idle chitchat on the drive to the Royal Palms Resort & Spa, where one of the valley’s most renowned restaurants was located. Cassidy nodded her head and smiled when appropriate, but couldn’t find her voice to contribute to the conversation.

  Her whole career could be hanging in the balance at this very moment. What if McClellan really did object to an office romance, found it inappropriate and let them go? How would she explain that to her family? And would she have to give forbidden office nookie as the reason for her dismissal when she interviewed for another job?

  She sucked in a breath.

  Chase shot her a look, his brow crooking at her silent suffering.

  McClellan drone on.

  Cassidy forced another smile, grateful when the limo pulled into the resort’s circular cobblestone drive. A valet reached for the handle on the back door and they exited. McClellan gestured for her to precede him. She knew the layout well from several luncheons she’d attended here, and they’d also had a company event on the lawn last fall.

  She passed through the arched entryway and stepped into the Mediterranean-style courtyard. The sound of the fountains filled the air, along with the chirping of birds. It was a warm spring day, a huge change in weather from what they’d experienced in Flagstaff just twenty-four hours ago.

  Her cheeks burned at the thought of the weekend she’d spent with Chase. But she was more focused on the mysterious reason for lunch with the big boss than on what had happened up the mountain.

  McClellan moved ahead of her and took the three steps to the small landing, tugging open the door.

  “Welcome to T. Cook’s,” the hostess greeted them.

  “We have a reservation for three, McClellan,” the CEO said.

  “Of course. Would you like a cocktail in the bar first, or would you like to be seated?”

  “We’ll be seated now,” he told her.

  The hostess nodded, consulted her reservation system and said, “Corner table on the back patio, as requested. Please, follow me.”

  Cassidy trailed behind, mulling over the request for a corner table. A table with privacy for a discreet conversation about office hook-ups?

  She frowned. It’d be damn hypocritical of the company to take that stance with them, particularly since she’d heard rumor or two of office affairs. But what other reason would there be for lunch with her and Chase, when McClellan had already commended them for their efforts and had given them hefty bonuses? Granted, Chase’s had likely been a bit more attractive, considering they were based on percentage of pay. Still. The gnawing in her stomach didn’t fade.

  McClellan, with his impeccable manners, held out a chair for her and they all sat. The hostess daintily dropped the linen napkins in each lap and announced that their server would be right with them.

  No one spoke and the air crackled with a hint of tension.

  Cassidy spared a glance at Chase, across the round table. He looked equally perplexed but was trying to hide it. Doing a damn good job of it, she noted, but she knew him well.

  Really well.

  Intimately well.

  She bit back a sigh.

  The crux of the situation sat heavy on her chest, making it pull tight. She didn’t regret her weekend with Chase. But did it mean enough to her to ruin her career over a couple nights of really hot sex? A career she’d worked so hard for?

  As she stewed, a busser delivered water and bread with basil aioli. The server arrived to take their orders. When he left, McClellan dove into work conversation, most of which related to the state of affairs he’d addressed at the party, though he ventured into new territory with some tentative plans for more international growth. The company only currently took on clients in the U.S. and U.K. Although many of their insureds had global offices, production and manufacturing plants, the companies themselves were headquartered in America and London.

  Cassidy found the notion of MII branching out intriguing. Unfortunately, the CEO indicated he and his core team were only in the preliminary stages of strategic planning and forward movement wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.

  So that wasn’t the reason he’d invited her and Chase to lunch.

  The men dug into their meals, but Cassidy merely picked at her salad. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep food down if her head really was on the chopping block.

  Finally—finally—McClellan set aside his napkin, allowed the busser to clear his plate, and then said, “I imagine you’re both curious as to why I wanted to see you today.”

  Cassidy nearly choked on her sip of iced tea. Curious was a massive understatement!

  After the lengthy suspense he’d left them in all during lunch, he jumped right in. “I have some disheartening news about Elise Doherty. Her rheumatoid arthritis has become so severe she’s practically immobilized. She can’t even hold a glass of water in her hands, the poor thing.”

  Elise Doherty was the wife of Tom Doherty. Vice President of Accounts.

  Cassidy and Chase’s boss.

  They exchanged a look.

  Cassidy said, “I hadn’t heard. I know she’d stru
ggled in the past. She and Tom stopped coming to the company functions because it was difficult for her to get around, or even sit for periods of time.”

  “Apparently, she’s suffering from more than joint pain,” McClellan explained. “There’s extensive bone damage as well. And while Mr. Doherty had hired someone to be with her during the day, he’s decided to let that person go and stay home with Elise instead.”

  Cassidy’s brow furrowed.

  The CEO said, “They plan to move to southern California where the weather is more moderate and level year-round, without any severe highs and lows. Their daughter and her husband are also in the San Diego area.” McClellan gave Chase a long look, then shifted his gaze to Cassidy. “He’s tendered his resignation.”

  She gasped.

  Chase rested his forearms on the table and leaned forward. “This is pretty shocking news. I’m sorry to hear about Elise’s condition. And surprised Tom is considering early retirement.”

  Their boss was in his early fifties, the reason Cassidy had not anticipated a promotion in her immediate future. If at all.

  “It’s an unfortunate situation,” McClellan said. “But they’re very close. They’ve been married for thirty years. I admire his devotion to his family and his marriage as much as I respect the commitment he also made to MII over the past three decades. The company fully supports his decision and we’re prepared to offer him a generous pension reflective of his service.”

  “Of course,” Cassidy said with a smile. “That’s magnanimous of you.” She’d come to expect no less from him and his Board of Directors.

  “We take care of our people.”

  Both Chase and Cassidy nodded.

  With the unpleasant news dispensed, the CEO resumed his formal, professional tone, saying, “Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. Mr. Doherty has given his two weeks’ notice and that means I have two weeks to name his successor. That’s why I wanted lunch with both of you. I intend to hire from within—there’s absolutely no reason to look at external candidates with the enormous talent inside our own walls. Yet…this is a very delicate matter.”

  Cassidy slid another glance Chase’s way. He gave her a curious look, clearly having no more idea as to what McClellan was up to than she.

  A few tense seconds passed. The CEO said, “Mr. Logan, you have an exceptional gift for landing accounts. That gift will serve the company well as we expand into the global market.”