“But I should apologize to you,” she adds.
I frown. “For what?”
“Drew.”
Ah. Yes. The asshole who called me poor, and then expected me to accompany him to his parents anniversary party.
Expelling a heavy breathe from my lungs, I sit down on one of the bar chairs surrounding the kitchen island. Quinn’s heads finally comes up and she looks at me. Her expression is one of both apology and guilt.
“Giving him my number was a shitty thing to do,” I admit. “But I’m more pissed that he called me poor. And the only way he could know that is if you told him where I come from.”
“I didn’t tell him,” she replies, hiccuping. “Jarred did. I would have never told him you don’t come from money, and I told him he shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry for giving Drew your number,especially without asking,but I thought I was doing you a favor.”
“Why? Because I don’t get laid as often you do?” My voice is angrier than I intend and Quinn flinches.
“I just… I just…” she stutters. “I’m just tired of seeing you alone, Cass. You don’t think I see the way you look at couples when we pass them on the street, but I do. You want that, and you’ve been so caught up with work that you never take the time to meet people. I thought it would be good idea to see if you and Drew have a connection. But I see now that he’s not worth it. You deserve so much more.”
Looking at Quinn, and how this has clearly upset her, I can’t be angry.
It doesn’t mean I’m happy about what she did, but it means that she gets away with more than anyone in my life because she’s my best friend, and pretty much the only real family I have. I smile inside, knowing that she really does want the best for me and her heart was in the right place. Her observations aren’t far off though, and I’m beginning to see what it is she’s talking about. “You can’t play matchmaker, Quinny.”
“I know,”she sniffles again.“And I’m sorry. I just want you to be happy, and find someone who will love you, and treat you the way you deserve to be treated.” I stand up and walk over to her, pulling her into a hug. “It’s fine, I get it. But promise me you won’t do it again, please?”
With a weak smile she nods. “Promise.”
~ Kyler
After the first night Cassey and I work on her presentation, we settle into a routine and work late most nights of the week. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but after the firs night I understood why my father feels she has a bright future here at Knight Media. She’s intelligent, and while I shouldn’t be thinking of her in any other way other than professionally, I can’t help being attracted to her and her smarts. It’s rare to find the full package, but she’s it. Gorgeous and smart with a spitfire attitude.Three very dangerously sexy qualities in a woman. Before I know it, a week passes, and it’s the night before her presentation. She’s sitting in my office, looking sexy as fuck in a tight black skirt and dark blue top that makes her tits look bigger. It’s a little difficult to concentrate on anything else with her looking like that. My phone vibrates in my pocket an I force myself to drag my gaze away from Cassey, and check who’s contacting me. It’s a text from Jessa. I’ve been avoiding her, or rather ditching her, for the last few nights so that I can work with Cassey. And now she’s pissed.
Am I going to see you tonight baby? I miss you…
Even her text message is whiney. Sighing, I type out my response.
Working late. Will call you tomorrow.
My phone vibrates again before I can slip it back into my pocket.
Are you being serious? I haven’t seen you in over a week Kyler. I ignore it and slip my phone into my pocket. I’m not in the mood to talk to her, especially not about this. I haven’t seen her since the first night Cassey and I worked late, and my right hand is starting to cramp from all the times I’ve had to jack off this week. Usually I’m happy to have Jessa on speed dial to help relieve some sexual frustrations, but something about it seems unappealing now. And I have no doubt it’s because every sexual fantasy I’ve had lately has involved me, my desk and Cassey.
I lean against my desk and watch Cassey on the other side of the room. She’s staring at her laptop, her nose is scrunched and she’s biting her pencil. I can almost hear her thinking from here. She looks fucking sexy when she does that. It’s almost eleven p.m and as much as I hate having to send her home, she needs to sleep and be rested for tomorrow. It’s a big day for her, but I know she’ll nail it.The Board would be idiots not to accept her proposal. It’s the next logical step in bringing Knight Media into the future.
“Cass, I think it’s time we hit the road,” I tell her. “It’s pretty late.” Her head whips in my direction. “Huh?”
I chuckle. She’s so lost in her own head that she didn’t even hear me talking to her.
“It’s late, we should probably call it a night so that you can get some sleep.” “Okay,” she replies, stretching her arms above her head. She makes a slight noise, almost like a moan, and my cock stirs behind the zipper of my slacks. She bends to slip her heels back onto her feet and I get the most magnificent view of her ass. Holy fuck. My mouth goes a little dry, and my body freezes. It feels like she’s teasing me, flaunting her curves. I want nothing more than to slide that skirt over her hips and take her from behind while she’s leaning on the arm of my sofa for support.
I shake the vision from my mind. She’ll take one look at the bulge in my pants and know what I’m thinking.
Within ten minutes she’s ready to go. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says, giving me small smile.
“Wait, let me take you home.”
“No, that’s okay, thank you. It’s out of your way.”
I frown. “You’re not walking home, Cassey. I’ll have my driver drop you off.” “I’ll get a cab,” she says adamantly. “I don’t want to inconvenience you.” Is this girl insane? What kind of man would I be if I allowed her to hail a cab and travel home alone at this time of night? My mother would skin me alive. “No, you won’t. You’ll let my driver take you home. It’s not up for negotiation, nor is it an inconvenience.”
Cassey bites her lip, and I can tell she’s fighting the urge to argue with me. We’ve done that a lot this past week, and every time she argues with me, I envision what the angry hate sex would be like between us. I’ve wondered if she would like having her hair pulled, and if she’ll bite me. I imagine she would, despite giving off the innocent vibe.
“If you’re sure,” she relents.
I smile, and do a mental fist pump. Small victories and all that. “Let’s go then.” I switch everything off and we walk out, making our way to the elevators. The air between us crackles in the small enclosed space and I clench my fist to stop myself from pushing the emergency stop button, just so that I can have her up against the wall of the elevator, moaning into my mouth. My cock hardens and I shift. Being in a car with her is suddenly a very bad idea. But it’s too late now. The elevator dings and we walk in silence until I lead her to the black town car waiting at the curb.
I open the door or her and she slides in, moving a little further away from me than I would like. As the car pulls way, Cassey gives Charles, my driver, her address. It’s only a ten minute drive, but those minutes feel longer. She fidgets with her hands and I love closer, wrapping both her hands in one of mine. She startles, and I don’t if it’s because she’s surprised or if it’s because she also felt the zing of electricity that passed from my hand to hers.
“You’re going to be great tomorrow, don’t worry,” I reassure her. Her smile is nervous. “I hope so.”
Just then, the car comes to a stop outside her apartment building. My hand holds hers for a while longer, my desire to maintain contact winning out over the need to let her leave. “Um…” Cassey shifts, looking a little uncomfortable. “Thank you, for all your help.”
Her eyes drop to our hands and I see the indecision on her face. She can’t decide if this is okay or not, if this kind of contact between
an employee and her boss - although I don’t see her as my employee - is acceptable or stepping over that imaginary line. I make the decision for her, and slowly remove my hand from hers.
“I’m glad I could help,” I reply, moving away. “You’ll have to let me know how it goes.”
Her head bobs, her features tight. “I will. See you tomorrow.”
I’m about to say goodnight, but she’s out the door in a flash, like she can’t wait to escape. I sag back into the seat and watch her retreating figure disappear into the building. She doesn’t look back, and I have no idea why but I wish she would. Instead of over-analyzing our strange interaction, I tell Charles to drive me home. I’m in need of yet another cold shower, and another night alone in my bed.
Chapter 4
~ Cassey ~
“Well, Miss Emerson, we are very impressed with what you’ve shown us,” Mr. Johnson, one of the executive Board members says. “And I have no doubt it will be successful.”
I fight the urge to jump up and down like a three year old who just woke up to find a pink tricycle under the christmas tree. “You’re accepting my proposal?” I ask, sounding as nervous as I feel.
Mr. Johnson looks around at the other Board members, and then smiles. “Yes, Miss Emerson, we are.”
After a few handshakes, and setting up follow-up meetings to start implementing the new Digital Publishing strategy, I stand in the Board room and take a breath. I did it. I’m one step closer to achieving my dreams. The feeling running through my veins is electric, and it gives me a high.
Mr. Knight, Kyler’s father, walks in after saying goodbye to the Board members and immediately pulls me into a hug.
“I’m so proud of you, Cassey. You knocked it out of the park, sweetheart.” My throat tightens, and I blink back tears. I’ve never had anyone tell me they’re proud of me before. “Thank you, Mr. Knight.”
He lets go of me and gives me a look. I imagine if my father was ever proud of me, the look on Mr. Knight’s face is what it would look alike.
“It’s Robert, for the last time,” he chides. “And Estelle wanted me to remind you about sunday lunch next week.”
Grinning wide, my chest warms at the mention of Mrs. Knight. She seems to have taken a liking to me, and invites me to sunday lunch almost every weekend. Not once when I’ve been there did I see Kyler, which is why I never met him before he started taking over the company from his father. “Tell her I wouldn’t miss it,”I say.“I’ll have to bake her favorite chocolate cake.” He kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll see you then, sweetheart.”
He walks out and I start packing up my stuff. I decide to put it back in my office before heading to Kyler’s office to tell him the good news. He texted me a Good Luck before the presentation, and it made butterflies take flight in my belly. I reminded myself it was nothing, which it probably was. After all his help, he deserves to know that it went better than either of us could have expected, and that’s the only reason I’m standing in front of his office. His bitch of an assistant, Nikola, isn’t at her desk so I open Kyler’s door without knocking. The sight before me has me wishing I called to tell him the new good news, or at least knocked before barging in.
Kyler is sitting in his desk chair, with Jessa Price straddling his hips. Thank God the desk hides their lower halves. Her red hair whips around as she looks at me. Kyler looks surprised, but I can’t tell if it’s because I charged into his office or because I caught him doing something he shouldn’t be doing. “Oh, crap,” I say quickly. “I’m sorry, I should’ve knocked.”
I hate the way seeing them so…intimate…makes me feel, and I hate the smug look on Jessa’s face right now too, but most of all, I hate myself for wishing that I was the one straddling him right now.
Why are you still standing here? GET.OUT!
“I - I…” I stammer. I spin on my heel, nearly tripping and eating hardwood floor, and walk out of Kyler’s office. He called after me, and I hear Jessa protest, but I don’t stop until I’m standing in the elevator. Why am I so upset? Kyler and I have been working together, that’s it. So why would seeing another woman straddling him like that leave me feeling upset and… Am I jealous? No, I’m not. I can’t be. He’s my boss.
“Cassey, wait!”
Kylers hand stops the elevator doors from closing and I look up to meet his blue eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I say again. “I didn’t mean to interrupt - ”
“No, it’s fine, you weren’t interrupting anything important,” Kyler intercedes. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation, Mr. Knight. Who you’re with and what you do in the confines of your office is none of my business. I should’ve knocked.” And now? I hate the way my voice sounds. Like I’m a robot. Instead of getting myself upset, I’m opting for something better, and emotionless - professionalism. Kyler frowns, no doubt puzzled by me calling him Mr. Knight, and acting this way. I’ve become comfortable with him, and as distracting as his presence is at times, I’ve come to enjoy his company. He’s funny, and charming, and smart. Three things I happen to be dangerously attracted to. I won’t even talk about his physical attributes that have had me rubbing my thighs together and my cheeks flushed for over a week.
“What did you want to see me about?“ he asks, his brow furrowed. “Oh, it’s nothing,” I lie. “Turns out I actually didn’t need you after all.” The look on his hard face reveals his disbelief, but for some reason he doesn’t push it. He just stares at me.
I need to get out of here, and fast, before I do something completely ridiculous and cry. Dammit! I have no reason to cry!
“If that’s all, Mr. Knight, I need to get back to work.” I look down, unable to keep my eyes on him much longer. I fear that he’ll see through my bullshit. Without saying a word, Kyler steps back and I see the anger on his face. His eyebrows are drawn, his eyes are hard and his jew is clenched. The doors close and his disappears. I breathe out a sigh, relieved to be free of the tension that was pulsating between Kyler and I moment ago. The only thought running though my mind right now is what the hell just happened and why am I so upset?
∞
Mr. and Mrs. Blake decided to host their wedding anniversary party at the Four Seasons Hotel, and invited one hundred of their closest friends and family to celebrate the milestone in their marriage. I’ve never been to a place as ‘swanky’ as the Four Seasons and the worry that I won’t fit in nags at the back of my mind. I’m only going because Quinn kind of begged me. Apparently Drew doesn’t really know anyone else, and after apologizing a thousand times, I gave in and agreed to be his date. We haven’t even left yet and I’m already regretting my decision. I look at myself in the mirror one last time, filling my body with false confidence. My dark hair is curled, and pinned up just above my nape. Loose tendrils frame my face and expose the skin on my shoulders. My make-up is modest, with a slight blush on my ivory skin and nude lips that complement the shimmer of my beige eye shadow. The black, over-priced dress that hugs my figure is held up by two thin spaghetti straps and dips low at the back.
So low, that Quinn suggested I leave my underwear at home. Admittedly, I know she’s right. Because this slinky material is doing some amazing things for my butt. And my breasts. The material in front drapes in the middle of my cleavage and somehow makes my breasts look bigger. Even I don’t recognize the brunette bombshell staring back at me. She looks stunning. And confident. I just hope she doesn’t disappear as soon we get to the hotel. A soft knock at the door makes me look away. “Come in.” I say, looking at the door as it opens. Quinn’s eyes almost pop out of her head when she sees me. “Holy shit,” she breathes. “You look…just wow.”
My cheeks flush with the compliment. “Thank you.” I smile. “You look… wow yourself.” And she does. Her floor-length, Emerald colored dress wraps around her tiny body and pools at the floor. The top part, above her breasts, is made of a chiffon-type material that’s cut into a halter neck and reveals her creamy
skin beneath it. Her make-up is a little darker, a smoky-eye affect around the eyes and a pink blush on her cheeks. Add her perfectly straight bob and she looks like she just stepped out of the fashion pages of Vogue magazine. “Did you leave the underwear like I said?” she asks matter-of-factly. If it was anyone else I’d think they were joking. But it’s Quinn. She never jokes about looking your best. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I duck my head but nod. I’m afraid that if I talk about my lack of underwear, I won’t be able to stop thinking about it, which will most likely lead to me embarrassing myself. It’s much safer to just remain tight-lipped about my ‘Commando’ status until we get back home and I’m alone. “Kyler is going to flip.” she adds, grinning wickedly. I didn’t tell her about what happened in his office yesterday. I decided it wasn’t worth talking about, and I didn’t want to explain to her why I was so upset, especially when I can’t explain it to myself.
“Seriously, Quinn?” I admonish a little too harshly. “Why can’t you just let that go?” I slip past her through the bathroom door and take a seat on my bed. I slip my feet into my black stiletto heels and stand, making sure there are no creases in my dress. “I can’t just let it go,” she replies, leaning against the doorjamb.
“Every time I’ve walked into your office this past week, the sexual tension between the two of you even made me horny. I have no idea how you got anything done with him being so close. And I just can’t get past the way he looks at you, like he wants to eat you for breakfast, dinner and dessert.” I scoff, rolling my eyes for dramatic effect. “He does not want to eat me. That’s ridiculous. He’s my boss.” And I caught him doing only God knows what in his office yesterday with another woman. Quinn’s eyebrows lift. “So?” she quips. I frown. Before we can discuss the issue further, there’s a knock at the front door and Quinn bounds down the hallway to answer. I hear her voice, joined by Jarred’s and Drew’s, and grab my clutch purse. I take another calming breath, once again filling my body with false confidence. I can do this I tell myself. My insecurities have chosen the worst possible time to make themselves heard. I have every reason to believe that I won’t fit in with the kind of people Quinn and Jarred, and most likely Drew, are used to rubbing shoulders with. My family doesn’t have good breeding, or class for that matter, and certainly lacks the financial credentials to associate with people in these circles. But if I’m good at one thing, it’s faking it. It’s the only way I’ve been able to make something more of myself.
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