“May I ask what you did?”
“I’d rather not. I don’t want you thinking badly of me,” he said with a sad smile.
“I’m sure it can’t be all that bad. And I think everyone deserves a second chance. Anyway, what are you gonna do now?”
He shrugged. “Wait for a kind benefactor to save the day for me before I end up on the streets. That’s about all I can do, really. I’ve already exhausted all other options.”
Susan put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure something’s bound to turn up.”
He squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Susan,” he said, giving her a smile that some women had called devastating.
Susan smiled back, her flirty look not at all disappearing.
“Well, much as I love chatting with you, I better get back to work,” he said. “I can’t afford to get sacked from this job.”
“Okay.”
“Um, this is really embarrassing for me, Susan. And—”
“Hey, don’t worry. My lips are sealed about this.”
“Thank you,” he said, squeezing her hand again before “reluctantly” letting go of it.
With a sigh, Susan turned back to her desk to let him get on with his task.
Carter pretended to take his attention back to his electrical device. Things were looking promising.
*****
Carter packed his tools, satisfied with the day’s developments. He’d already talked to twelve of the gallery’s employees. Out of the twelve, three were still on his suspects’ list, with Susan topping it.
There were still a few more he hadn’t spoken to, including Bronwyn Tellman, the boss. Hopefully, he’d get to suss them all out soon so he could concentrate on a short list.
He made his way to the front exit, preparing to stop at Cassie’s office on his way out. To his disappointment, she’d gone.
Well, he supposed that was a good thing. It was almost six. Cassie had always worked overtime for her old company and he was glad to see that she was working reasonable hours in this one.
He stepped out of the building and his heart skipped. There was Cassie, walking towards the direction of the train station.
“Cassie!”
Cassie looked back, a wide grin forming on her face.
He lengthened his strides to reach her. “And here I was thinking you’ve stopped your bad habit of working overtime.”
Cassie chuckled. “I wanted to finish the online training I was doing. And I don’t mind working overtime here. They’re much more generous than my old company.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Guess what I get?” Cassie rattled off her other perks. “I could even have a company car if I wanted to. But I hate having to contend with Sydney peak-hour traffic day in and day out, and trains are much more convenient for me. So I negotiated with Bronwyn to have my daily travel expenses reimbursed instead, and hire chauffeur-driven cars when I have to go to special events or trips.”
“Wow,” he said. Cassie was indeed getting a very generous package. And he couldn’t help but feel suspicious. Not that Cassie didn’t deserve it. She had a brilliant mind and admirable work ethic. But he’d never come across a two-year-old company who could afford to pay their staff so generously.
“Company must be doing very well,” he commented.
Cassie nodded her head with a hint of awe. “It is. Its growth has been quite phenomenal. I can’t wait to learn more from Bronwyn. She’s obviously a very smart businesswoman.”
Or a cunning crook.
But he remained silent on that.
“Come on, I’ll give you a lift,” he said, angling his head to the direction of the car park at the back.
“Oh, goody,” Cassie said with a grin, falling into step with him as they walked to his van.
He took a deep breath, feeling overprotective and wanting to hug Cassie to him.
He didn’t know what brought it on, but he guessed he just didn’t want Cassie to fall prey to the crooks. Fortunately, there seemed to be little chance of that as long as she kept her nose out of their business, which Cassie was likely to do if she remained ignorant of what was going on.
“So you like working here so far, huh,” he said.
“Loving it. I’ve only just started today, but I can already see I’m going to enjoy working here for a long time.”
Cassie continued to gush about Tellman Galleries and Bronwyn Tellman, and Carter prayed that her boss wasn’t in any way involved in criminal activities. He’d hate to have to burst Cassie’s bubble. She deserved something like this, and it would break her heart if her dream career crumbled from underneath her feet.
Unable to help himself, he put an arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. “I’m so glad for you, Cass,” he murmured.
Cassie’s arms went around his waist. “Thanks, Carter,” she breathed, her head dipping on his shoulder.
He sighed, holding her tighter. Why hadn’t he done this before? It felt good. She felt amazing in his arms.
Ah, damn.
*****
“I forgot that Tash is having dinner with my parents tonight,” Carter said as he escorted Cassie back into her apartment.
“I’m surprised you didn’t join them,” she said.
“I wasn’t sure what time I was going to finish at the gallery. There’s more work there than we originally anticipated.”
“So...” Cassie said, looking up at him with a nervous smile. “Are you doing anything for dinner?”
His heart hammered in his chest. Was she asking him out?
“No,” he heard himself say.
“So... do you want to have dinner with me? I could cook or we could go out. Just for a quick bite,” she added hastily.
He smiled, warmth suffusing him. Cassie was simply adorable when her cheeks were flushed. How could a brainy CPA about to attain her MBA, and who’d just got a financial controller job with stupendous pay, be so shy in asking a man out?
And how the hell could he say no to that beautiful face, even if he really should?
“How about we go out?” he answered. “Although I’m not exactly dressed for a fancy dinner.”
“That’s okay. You still look hot to me. I’ll change to jeans.”
He shook his head as Cassie went to her bedroom. Whatever was he gonna do with her?
You’re just going to take her out to dinner, and that’s it.
Yes, he could do that.
*
Carter couldn’t believe how fast the time had flown. He was walking Cassie back to her place after spending a couple of hours with her at the Thai restaurant two blocks away.
He was thoroughly enjoying this—their first dinner alone together. Could he call this a date? With Cassie grasping his arm as they strolled, they certainly looked like a couple.
“Do you want to have coffee upstairs?” Cassie asked as she slotted the key to the front door of the building.
“Sure.”
“Great,” she said, smiling shyly at him.
He smiled back, shoving his hands into his pockets to stop himself from holding her face and kissing her. She was simply too cute.
They rode the elevator in silence as Carter tried to get a grip of this weird jumble of feelings inside of him. The simple act of putting his arm around her earlier in the parking area of the gallery seemed to have released something. Or opened something. His heart had been dancing all night. And his chest just felt... expanded.
And hell, he really, really, really wanted to kiss Cassie. Really.
How could these emotions just have exploded? Sure, he’d always been interested in her, but he’d always been able to keep a lid on it before. Tonight, he was struggling to keep that lid in place.
Maybe he’d suppress his lust for her for far too long, and Cassie being more touchy-feely than usual had burst its confines. Regardless, he couldn’t act on it right now, much as he wanted to. He couldn’t afford to imperil his undercover role at Tellman Galleries.
But not
hing was stopping him from enjoying coffee with Cassie in the apartment. He wasn’t ready for the night to end yet.
*
“I better go,” he said, placing his cup back down on the coffee table.
“Okay,” Cassie said, sounding disappointed.
Heck, he was, too. He was having a great time, even if all they’d done was talk and flirt a little, like they usually did. But for him, those flirtations had taken on a deeper meaning. Better leave now before his frustration from not being able to take it further escalated to annoying heights.
“Um... Carter...” Cassie said, placing a hand on his arm to halt him from getting up the seat.
“Yeah?”
“I want to ask you something.”
“Sure.”
“First, I want you to know that whatever your answer is will be fine with me, okay?” Cassie said.
“O-kay,” he said, his curiosity spiking.
“And that I won’t allow whatever happens to affect our friendship in any way.”
He frowned, starting to get worried.
“Don’t look like that,” Cassie said. “This really is a fun thing. I’m just nervous with asking you because... well, it’s you and you’re a friend. And I honestly don’t want you to think that I won’t be okay if you said no.”
“Now I’m beyond intrigued. Spill, Cassandra.”
Cassie took a deep breath. “I promised myself a treat when I finished my MBA or find another job, whichever comes first. And I said that it will be something that I’ve never done before. And I thought it would be fun if I can do it with you.”
“So what’s this fun thing that you have in mind? A tandem skydive?” he teased, knowing Cassie was terrified of heights.
“No.”
“What then?”
“A one-night stand.”
He stared at Cassie in shock.
CHAPTER SIX
Cassie watched Carter’s face as she waited for his answer. This was obviously the last thing he expected her to say. He was staring at her with his mouth open. Not from delight, unfortunately, but from disbelief—or even dismay.
Maybe it would have been better if she’d seduced him instead of asked him. But fear of his answer was exactly why she didn’t go the seduction route. It would have been more humiliating if she’d thrown herself at him and he’d pushed her away. She should be grateful this rejection was softer in comparison.
She swallowed her disappointment and tried not to let the hurt show on her face.
“It’s okay, Carter,” she said with a smile, patting his thigh as added proof that she had no hard feelings. It wasn’t his fault that her heart was sinking to the floor. She’d already known it was a long shot that he’d want her. At least she’d tried.
“Cassie... It’s not that I don’t want to...”
“Hey, come on,” she said in a teasing tone. “You don’t have to lie. I already thought you might say no, but I thought I’d ask anyway. Now I can cross you off my list,” she added for good measure. If this stupid request of hers ruined her friendship with Carter, she’d never forgive herself.
“Who else is on your list?” Carter asked in an almost growl.
Carter’s sudden frown sparked a bit of hope in her, but she was quick to squash that ludicrous reaction.
“Hey, that list is private,” she joked.
“But—”
“Carter! What are you doing here?” Natasha interrupted as she walked in the apartment.
“Hey, sis!” Carter said, standing up to greet Natasha with a kiss. “Would you believe that I’m doing some electrical work at Cassie’s new job?”
“You’re doing work at Tellman Galleries?” Natasha asked, her eyes rounding. “Why?”
“They’re having an extension done. I gave Cassie a lift home and we had dinner at that Thai place near here.”
“I see,” Natasha said, her surprised look not abating. “Is... everything okay?”
“Yeah, of course,” Carter answered.
“Good,” Natasha said with a frown.
“Don’t worry, Tash,” Cassie said lightly. “I won’t be bothering Carter while he’s hard at work.”
“And I hope he doesn’t bother you,” Natasha said with a smile.
“Well, I’m off to my room to get ready for bed,” Cassie said. “Goodnight, guys.”
“See you tomorrow, Cass,” Carter murmured.
Cassie flashed them a bright smile before disappearing into her bedroom. Once inside, she took a long, deep breath.
Her heart ached. Much more than she’d anticipated. It was just that she and Carter had had a great time tonight and she’d expected...
She shook her head vigorously. Carter didn’t want her. Hadn’t she guessed that before? Now he’d confirmed it beyond doubt. And that was cool. Yeah. Really, it was.
A tear fell and she wiped it with irritation. As if all her positive self-talk could lessen the pain of this particular rejection. Who was she kidding?
Lucky she had a great job she was already loving. Nothing like being busy to keep her mind off matters of the heart. She’d never had much luck in the love department. Obviously, the situation hadn’t changed.
*****
Cassie felt Carter standing by her office doorway even before he spoke.
“Cass.”
She looked up from the file she was reading. “Hi, Carter. Here to make me safe from electrocution?”
Carter smiled. “Yeah.”
“Sure. Come on in. And don’t mind me. I’m just getting myself up to speed with some company stuff.”
She tried to ignore the riotous emotions swirling through her body as Carter went to settle himself next to the wall sockets. Why the hell was it so difficult to switch off these stupid feelings?
She held her head in her hands as she tried to concentrate on the document she was studying. But the words and numbers wouldn’t register. Her heart was pumping too fast, and every beat stirred hurt and regret, bringing them to the surface—along with her yearning for Carter.
She’d dreamt about him again last night. Her same horny dream. Only this time, Carter had stared at her with such love and tenderness while he’d made love to her. When she’d awoken, that magical feeling had swiftly dissipated, replaced by the harsh truth that it wasn’t real.
She’d cried, a lot, and mourned the love that never was and never would be.
Her eyes pooled at the memory. Oh, no.
She stood up, needing to escape. In her haste, she hit Carter with the steel legs of her chair. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
“No worries, it didn’t hurt,” he said with a grin, which quickly disappeared when he looked at her face. “Cassie...”
“I need to go to the bathroom.”
She stayed away for a long time until she was sure that Carter was done working in her office.
*****
“I need to go to my mum’s tonight, Cass,” Natasha said.
“Is everything okay?” Cassie asked as she stirred her bolognese sauce in the pan.
“Yes. She just needs my help with something. I was so looking forward to your spaghetti, but I won’t be joining you for dinner.”
“No worries. There’ll be plenty left over.”
“Great. I’ll see you later tonight—or maybe tomorrow, depending on how late my mum keeps me.”
“Okay. Say hello to your parents for me.”
“I will. Bye!”
Cassie breathed a sigh of gratitude. She was glad to be alone. She didn’t feel like talking to anyone, not even her best friends. And while Natasha was a great, supportive buddy, she was still Carter’s sister.
She mixed some sauce and cooked spaghetti in a bowl and went to sit on the couch in front of the TV. She flicked the channels, searching for a comedy show or something light that would help alleviate the heavy sadness that sat in her chest like a rock.
She heard a knock. Ah, Natasha must have left her keys.
She placed her bowl on the coffee table and we
nt to answer the door. Her heart jumped. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Don’t you even check who it is before you open the door?” Carter asked with a frown, hands on hips.
“I thought you were Tash,” she said dryly.
“She would have let herself in.”
“I thought she left her keys.”
“It could have been a robber wanting to tie you up,” Carter said with a shake of his head as he walked into the apartment.
She rolled her eyes. “This is a safe building. And I assume you only got in because you bumped into Tash downstairs.”
“No. Someone else was going out so I slipped in. Anyone else can do what I just did.” His expression changed. “Mmm. Something smells good. Is there some more?” he asked, eyeing her bowl of pasta.
She stared at him in dismay. He meant to hang around? Why was he even here? “Do you know that Tash went to your parents’?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Shouldn’t you join them?”
“No.”
“Today is Tuesday.”
“Yup.”
“You usually join us for dinner on Thursdays.”
Carter faced her. “I wanted to see you.”
She let out a heavy sigh.
“Yes,” Carter said.
“What?”
“To your suggestion last night. Yes.”
She looked down on the ground, tears springing to her eyes. This was worse than his rejection yesterday. “No, Carter.”
“Cassie—”
She smiled at him mirthlessly. “You’re sweet, Carter. But I don’t want a pity fuck.”
His jaw dropped. “A pity fuck? You think I’m here for a pity fuck?” he asked incredulously.
She smirked. Why else would he have changed his mind? He’d just felt guilty after seeing her teary earlier today.
Carter approached her. “I’m not here out of pity,” he said in a low voice.
She took a couple of steps back. He was getting too close for comfort. And why was he looking at her like that? “Carter...”
“I’m here because I can’t stay the hell away from you.”
She forced a chuckle, backing away some more. “Carter, seriously, everything’s cool. You don’t need to make me feel better. But thank you for trying.”
The Undercover Playboy (Captured by Love Book 3) Page 5
