Subject: Last Night
Kerrigan,
I had a terrific time with you last night. I’m glad we reached an understanding about our friendship. I hope you enjoyed yourself. I’d love you to join me for lunch tomorrow. I’ll stop by your office at noon. I also have tickets to a play that I hear is fabulous. It’s next Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. It’s not with McBride. It’s just you and me going out for dinner and a play. I can pick you up at your place at 5:00 p.m. I’m eager to spend time with you.
Your friend,
Axel
A shiver ran down her spine. She was flattered, but he was moving too fast and that frightened her. She really liked him, but his reputation preceded him. She would be wise to remember that. Thinking carefully about her reply, she responded.
8:35 a.m. on Thursday, August 23
To: Axel Christensen
From: Kerrigan Mulls
Subject: Next Saturday
Axel,
I enjoyed myself at the game. I am free for lunch on Friday. I assume you want to discuss my presentation. Next Saturday sounds like fun, but I have a date that evening. Maybe some other time.
Your friend,
Kerrigan
She didn’t have a date. In fact, she positively had nothing to do, but she needed an excuse to keep him at bay. Kerrigan was inflamed and enthralled with him, and her feelings scared the hell out of her. If she allowed him to get too close, she wouldn’t be able to resist him.
He fired a response back immediately, this time much more direct.
8:47 a.m. on Thursday, August 23
To: Kerrigan Mulls
From: Axel Christensen
Subject: Change Your Plans
Kerrigan,
Change your plans next Saturday. I have to see you to discuss an important matter. I’ll pick you up at 5:00 p.m.
Your friend,
Axel
She couldn’t believe his gall, yet she was intrigued and amused, and his commanding tone excited her. She wanted to know what could be so urgent that he had to see her next Saturday.
8:50 a.m. on Thursday, August 23
To: Axel Christensen
From: Kerrigan Mulls
Subject: Change My Plans
Axel,
I’ll see what I can do. Are you always this demanding with your friends?
Kerrigan
His reply was brief but direct. Didn’t he have work to do or a meeting to attend?
8:52 a.m. on Thursday, August 23
To: Kerrigan Mulls
From Axel Christensen
Subject: Regarding your question
Yes, especially where you’re concerned. I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch.
Your friend,
Axel
The rest of the day was a drag. She went from one meeting to another, feeling as though she hadn’t accomplished anything all day. At four thirty, Ashley walked in and shut the door.
“Kerri, so what’s new? Something you care to tell me?” An accusation peppered her escalating tone.
Kerrigan frowned, and her eyes darted from one corner of the room to the other. “Nothing in particular. What am I supposed to tell you?”
Ashley slid into one of her empty guest chairs and the sides of her lips contracted into a pucker. “Only that you had a date with Axel last night!” Her excited, high-pitched squeal pierced Kerrigan’s ears.
“What? What on earth are you talking about?”
“Sue from accounting said she saw you and Axel leave the office together last night. She was in the garage and saw you get into his car. You’re holding out on me.”
She huffed and grabbed the nape of neck, her eyes slit into a squint. “Axel and I were supposed to entertain McBride last night. We went to a baseball game, but McBride had some emergency and canceled at the last minute.” The thought of Sue telling everyone in the office what she had seen made Kerrigan’s insides roll. “That old bat makes me sick.”
Ashley raised her eyebrows at her friend. “Uh huh, and you believe McBride had to cancel? Did you talk to him or his people yourself?”
Her elbows planted on the desk, Kerrigan rested the weight of her head in her hands and scrunched her face. “Yes, I believe McBride canceled. Why would Axel make up a thing like that?”
“Duh! He wants to spend time alone with you. That, my friend, was a date.”
She thought over Ashley’s accusation. She remembered the phone calls. There couldn’t be any truth to Ashley’s words. “I don’t think that’s what happened. I heard him take the phone calls from McBride’s people. I truly believe McBride had an emergency.” She folded her arms across her chest, taking a defensive posture.
“I’m just saying, the excuse sure sounds awful convenient. So, how did the date that wasn’t supposed to be a date go?”
She shrugged her shoulders and sighed. “Uh … interesting. We talked a lot—found out we have a lot in common.”
Ashley shifted in her seat, eager to hear more. “Uh huh. What else? Did he make a move?”
“Sort of, I guess.” She coiled her arms around her body, bracing for Ashley’s reaction.
“What! What happened?” Ashley nearly came out of her chair with excitement.
“He confronted me about our attraction, asked me if I was attracted to him.” She remembered how nervous she had been.
Ashley’s eyes grew wide and wild. “He did?” She gasped, and her jaw dropped. “Oh my god! What did you say?”
“I denied his accusation, of course. I told him there was no attraction.”
“You said that? Then what did he say?”
“He doesn’t believe me, but said we should be friends.” She omitted the intense sexual interlude that had occurred between them in her office.
Ashley tilted her head. “Axel Christensen is many things, but among them is not BFF to a sexy little number like you. He’s in full pursuit. Just be careful. A man like him isn’t satisfied until he gets what he wants, and men like that usually get what they want. You need to find out what that is.”
Kerrigan placed her hands on the desk, fiddling with a pen. “I know exactly what he wants. I just hope my willpower outlasts his.”
“That’s what he’s counting on—that he’ll wear you down. I just don’t want to see you get hurt. If you decide you want to have a little fun, then fine, but I see the way you look at him. Kerri, I’m your friend, and I can see that you really like him.” Ashley shook her head. “I should warn you that Sue is telling people what she saw. She’s a terrible gossip. I know you’re a big girl. Just be careful. Please.”
She didn’t deny anything Ashley said because she was right. She had never felt like this about a man.
She nodded and gave Ashley a serious look. “Thanks Ash. I will.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Friday, August 24
It was a quarter to noon on Friday. Axel was making his way to Kerrigan’s office for lunch when he saw Sue McCleary standing near her office. He knew Sue was a troublemaker. He also remembered what Kerrigan said about not wanting to be the topic of office conversation in the break room. He wanted to keep her safe, even from silly office rumors. He continued pass Kerrigan’s office, went to the break room and pulled out his phone.
“Hello. A.C. Advertising. This is Kerrigan Mulls.”
“Hi Kerrigan.”
Her rapid words and pitched voice unveiled her excitement. “Axel? Hi.”
The sound of her voice warmed him like flames blazing from a July sun. “Hi. You ready for lunch?”
“Sure.”
“Can we meet someplace else? I’m trying to respect your concern for privacy and discretion. I don’t want to start any rumors about us.”
“Too late for that. Rumors are already flying.”
“Rumors are flying about what?” His voice was tense.
“Sue saw us leaving together on Wednesday night. I don’t know what lies she’s spreading, but I’ve been getting strange looks all morning.”
Axel wasn’t
annoyed or bothered by office gossip, but he knew Kerrigan was upset and instant rage elevated his pulse.
He paced the floor in the break room. “I’m sorry. I can only imagine how you must be feeling. You okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’ve been ignoring them.”
“I still want to see you. Can you meet me some place? What about Tedd’s?”
He didn’t attempt to mask the hungry desperation in his voice. It was soulful longing, something he knew she would recognize, because although she wouldn’t admit her feelings to him, he knew she felt the same as he did.
“All right, I’ll leave now.” She paused. “Axel, thank you for understanding.”
“Of course. I don’t want you upset.”
He was already seated when Kerrigan strolled in and found him at the rear of the restaurant. Lunch with her was fun. He always enjoyed the time they spent together, and she seemed to enjoy his company too, although she kept her guard up.
She picked up her fork and poked at her salad. “Exactly why do I need to cancel my plans next Saturday? What’s going on?” she asked.
He thought for a minute before responding. In that instant, he could have lain out his heart and told her how he had been feeling and how much he liked her. How for months, he watched and yearned to be close to her—how much more he liked her now that he was getting to know her better—how much he admired her intelligence and delighted in her beauty. Instead ...
“I’ll be out of town all next week for business. I leave this Sunday, and I get back late Friday evening. We’ll need to catch up immediately.”
“Oh? And we can’t catch up the following week?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No. I’m not available that week until Friday.”
Clearing her throat, she brought the glass of water to her lips and sipped. “So this is related to business?”
He leaned in close, glancing around at the restaurant’s patrons as his eyes steadied and met hers. “Yes. Well, no.” Everything around them faded away, including baldy, a businessman who was sitting alone at the next table eavesdropping and ogling at Kerrigan.
Her glass dropped to the clothed table with a loud thud, and she swallowed hard. Kerrigan’s eyes shifted around the room. A waiter, whose mullet was straight out of a 1980’s rock video, stood at the back of the restaurant gawking at them. Kerrigan jerked her hand away and sent the glass into a teeter. Axel’s quick aim landed his hand on hers, and their entwined fingers held the glass steady. Her fingers struggled to break away from the slick, wet cylinder, but his firm grasp held her hand in place. Slowly, she lifted wide nervous eyes to his, and he released her hand.
“Kerrigan, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a personal angle. I enjoy spending time with you. You’re good company, and we have fun together. Isn’t that what friends do?” The desperation in his voice spoke loudly.
“You’re going to miss me.” She teased boldly.
The dim light from the pendant hanging overhead danced off her angelic face and highlighted the brown and golden tones in Kerrigan’s wavy hair that flowed over her shoulder, gently caressing her right cheek.
His pulse quickened. “Yes, I’m going to miss you, very much.” Her darting eyes stilled, fixed to his, and she froze. “And I know you’re going to miss me too.” A hard lump formed in his throat and his chest tightened, waiting for her reply.
He held her gaze. Beauty radiated from her frigid face. Melting the ice, the corners of her mouth curled into a warm smile. “Then I suppose I can make an exception just this once. May I ask about your trip? Where are you going?”
Tense shoulders relaxing, he swallowed hard and then exhaled. “Yes, of course. I’m going to meet some clients in Denver. They want to discuss a new national campaign for their ski resort.” Wiping his mouth with his napkin as he glanced around, the background came into view again. “I thought I’d invite you along, but I know the kind of rumors that would stir.”
“I think you’re right about the rumors. I wouldn’t have gone anyway,” she said.
If she had gone with him, he would have made sure that the rumors held merit.
When lunch ended, they walked to the restaurant’s waiting area. He guided them to a private corner, surrounded by greenery, to finish their conversation.
Standing close, “While I’m gone, can you gather research on McBride’s markets?” he asked softly.
“Sure. I’ll have the data ready in time for our next meeting.”
“Great. Thank you.” He paused and glimpsed around, discovering they were isolated. “I think we should say our goodbyes here. I know how nervous you are about rumors.”
She extended her arm for a handshake.
Forehead wrinkling, a glint of a smile crossed his lips. He stepped forward, no more than an inch between them. She didn’t move. “I think we can do better than that,” he said.
Intensely focused on nothing but her, for a brief moment, he and Kerrigan were the only two people in the room. With a quick motion, he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, pulled her close to him until her tender breasts pressed into his chest. Kerrigan’s small hands landed on his biceps, her fingers digging into his arms through his shirtsleeves.
“What are you doing?” She whispered into his chest, her head hung down forestalling his gaze.
“Saying goodbye.” Leaning down, he nuzzled his head in the crook of her neck, inhaling the sweet fragrance that was uniquely hers. “Umm.” He released a low guttural groan and closed his eyes, succumbing to the serenity that settled over him with her nestled in his arms. Her head tilted to the side, giving him greater access. Softly, his lips brushed the throbbing vein in her neck.
A small gasp escaped her.
The tightening in his chest and knot in his stomach dissipated, replaced by boiling blood rushing through his system and sending him into a stupor. Like rock forming from molten lava, his desire rose, and his erection pressed into her. Trembling hands pushed hard against him, but he tightened his grip and held her in place, ending her protest. Slowly, tenderly and with skilled precision, he planted soft feather light kisses up her neck, along her jaw line to her cheek and then his lips touched the corner of her mouth.
“Uh, um.” The loud sound of a man clearing his throat jostled him out of his fog, and he stopped abruptly. His hands dropped from her waist, and he stepped back. Glancing around, he met the stark stare of two nearby patrons. The haggard cock blocker had the audacity to wink. He had never wanted to kiss her more than he did in that moment. Again, the kiss would have to wait. Although he didn’t intend for their hug to be platonic, he never expected to get lost in her. His head reeling and heart racing, the only thing on his mind was Kerrigan. The hug was a lover’s embrace, a promise of things to come. Mission accomplished.
Kerrigan zipped through crowds of business people along the sidewalk as she hurried back to the office on shaky legs, her head spinning and her heart hammered in her chest. She mulled over the hug-almost-kiss or whatever had just happened. Remembering the feeling of Axel’s body pressed against hers, his hands caressing the small of her back and his hot breath and soft kisses on her neck made her knees buckle. Nearly going down right there on the sideway, she spotted her rescue a few feet ahead. She made a frantic dash and threw her arms around the lamppost to steady and keep her upright. Opened-mouth stares and quizzical frowns of passersby greeted her.
“Miss, are you all right?” A woman’s small hand touched her shoulder.
Closing her eyes, she threw her head back and let out a small laugh. “Yes, I need my head examined, but I’m fine. Thank you.”
The door slammed. She rushed over to the desk and tossed herself into the seat. Her reaction was ridiculous. If he had succeeded in his attempt to kiss her, she would have burst into flames right there on the spot. Groaning loudly, she buried her head in her folded arms on the desk. Axel being away for a week was good. Distance was good—just the reprieve needed to calm her raging hormones and regain her senses, y
et she was too far-gone now having tasted his appetite for her. The minutes ticked away slowly as the afternoon dragged along. Knowing she wouldn’t see him next week, she slumped over her desk lacking any motivation to work, her mind distracted by a whirling sea of emotions churning her belly and thoughts flooding her mind.
The sound of an incoming email snatched her from her musing. A personal email from Axel appeared in her in-box.
4:43 p.m. on Friday, August 24
To: Kerrigan Mulls
From: Axel Christensen
Subject: Next Week
Hi Kerrigan,
As always, I enjoyed your company at lunch today, especially the end. I’ll have to go away often. Check your email while I’m gone.
...to be continued.
Your friend,
Axel
P.S. – Don’t go out on any dates this weekend.
A sharp pang struck her chest. He was a flirt, but his words and actions held something more promising. At least she wanted to believe that. She decided not to write back. She would wait for another email from him. As the day dragged on, she couldn’t wait, for the weekend to start. There had been strange stares and hushed conversations happening throughout the office. She tried to ignore them, but they still bothered her. Finally, at six o’clock her day ended. She packed her things and headed home. Axel would be missed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The weekend whirled pass, and the week crawled along slowly. The first email Kerrigan received from Axel came Saturday morning.
Pull Me Closer (Suits in Pursuit) Page 8
