Chapter 2
~ Cassey ~

I breathe a sigh of relief when I put the last manuscript of the day down on my desk. When I switch off my office light, I see that everyone else has gone home already. Glancing at my watch, it reads 7:00pm. I didn’t even realize it was so late. My phone starts ringing in my purse and I start digging for it when the elevator opens. I step in, find my phone, Quinn’s name flashing on the screen, and answer.
“Hi Quinny. Are you still in the office?” Music and shouting comes from the background before Quinn’s voice breaks through the noise.
“I’m at the bar. Hurry your cute little ass and come join us,” she half shouts. “Okay, I’ve just left. I’ll see you in ten,” I reply, grinning, before the line goes dead. The elevator chimes again and opens when it reaches the lobby. I throw my phone back in my purse and look up, feeling my feet slow on their own accord when I spot Kyler and the redhead standing to one side. Quinn said her name is Jessa. I watch in fascination as she slides her hands up his arms, remembering the image of his muscles my mind conjured up in my dream. Kyler’s hands grip Jessa’s waist and he pushes her away from his body, earning him a frown, which quickly morphs into a scowl. He says something to her, leaning into her ear, and seconds later she’s storming off. My feet pick up speed and I shuffle across the marble floors quickly, hoping Kyler doesn’t see me watching them. I make it outside, stepping onto the busy sidewalk unnoticed and turn in the direction of the bar where I’m meeting Quinn. Taking in the sounds and the smell of the city, I breathe in the energy pulsating around me. I can’t help but compare the life I have now to the life I ran away from, this little slice of the city a sharp contrast to the trailer park I grew up in back in Georgia. I wish I could say I miss it, that I miss my parents and the so-called friends I left behind. But after five years, I hardly think about them. The only time I look back is to remind myself how far I’ve come. I’m so absorbed in the unwelcome thoughts about my ghosts that I lose track of time and soon find myself outside ‘The Iron Maiden’, the bar we frequent during the week. It’s an upmarket bar that is known as the ‘watering hole’ for the young, wealthy working class in the city. I walk in, scanning the crowd until I spot Quinn’s blonde hair. Weaving my way through the throng of people, I finally make it to our usual table.

“Cassey!” Quinn’s excited squeal catches almost everyone’s attention, resulting in a chorus of ‘Cassey’s!’ from Jarred and his friends. She pulls me into a hug and I realize that she is already well on her way to being tipsy.
“Hi Quinny,” I greet, returning her smile. Jarred looks at me, wrapping his arm around Quinn’s waist.
“Hey Cass. How’s it going?” he asks. I haven’t known him long, but I like him, especially because he’s always treated Quinn like a princess.
“Hi Jarred. It’s all good, thanks. You guys been here long?” I eye Quinn up and down, noting how she’s leaning into Jarred for support. Okay, she’s obviously a little past tipsy.

“No,” he chuckles, pulling Quinn onto his lap. “But Quinn was thirsty.” She smiles at him and his eyes twinkle with the perfect combination of love and adoration. I just wish she wouldn’t be so stubborn and admit that she feels more for him too.
“You like me tipsy,” she quips playfully. “I’m easier to manhandle that way.” Jarred’s eyes dart to mine and I hold back a grin when he blushes. I’ve heard them going at it too many times for him to be modest all of a sudden. He clears his throat, a soft smile caressing his lips as he looks up at Quinn from his bar stool.
“I think you need to slow down, baby, before you tell Cass all our dirty little secrets.” Quinn giggles but doesn’t say anything to argue, which is strange because she hardly ever backs down for any man, not even her father. “So, Cass,” Jarred looks at me again.
“What would you like to drink?”

“A Screaming Orgasm,” Quinn answers for me. My cheeks flush and she bursts into a hysterical fit of laughter.

I just hope she stays tight-lipped about my lack of those in the last year. Unfortunately, that hope is shot to hell when Quinn opens her mouth again. “We need to get Cass laid.” Her tone is serious with an air of finality, as if I have no say in the matter.
“Quinn,” I grind through my teeth. “We already spoke about this. I’m not interested in a one night stand.”
Her response is an eye roll and I can feel a lecture coming. Fortunately, Jarred being the gentleman he is, deposits Quinn into his bar stool and disappears into the crowd, stopping at the bar to order me a drink. “Cass, you need to learn to let go a little and have some fun. Maybe one night of hot, crazy bunny sex is just what you need.”

Quinn’s suggestion triggers a flashback of images, all of which include a very naked Kyler hovering above me, sliding in and out unbearably slowly until I’m crazy with lust. That stupid dream has really fucked with my head, good and proper.
“But I’ve never done that. Ever. What if it goes wrong and I end up an emotional wreck?”I throw back. Quinn places her empty Martini glass on the table a little too forcefully.
“That is why you don’t get emotions involved. It’s just sex, no strings attached,” she replies. Could I ever do that? Have one night of sex and not get attached? I don’t know. I feel like a hussy just considering it.

“You could always get Kyler to make your hot, steamy dream a reality,” she adds, mischief written all over her porcelain-like features.

 

“Are you ever going to let me live that down?” I hiss, giving her a pointed look.

“No,” she grins. “Because he just walked through the door and he’s walking towards our table.”
Oh. Crap.

“Good evening, ladies.” His deep voice meets my ears and I fight the urge to shiver. I squeeze my eyes shut. He’s standing next to me. I can feel it, the warmth radiating from his muscular form.
I open my eyes and slowly turn my gaze to him, plastering on a fake smile.

“Good evening, Mr. Knight,” I greet sweetly. He’s about to say something when Jarred arrives back at our table with some drinks in hand.

“One ‘Screaming Orgasm’,” Jarred announces, placing my cocktail in front of me. Kyler lifts an eyebrow, his mouth pulling up at the side, and I duck my head to hide my blush. Jarred has impeccable timing. Bless his heart, I think to myself. Quinn giggles and Jarred looks at her quizzically, placing her Martini on the table alongside his whiskey. He looks up and finds Kyler staring at me. “Uh, sorry, I didn’t realize you were expecting company, Cass,” Jarred says. Kyler turns to face Jarred and sticks his hand out.
“Kyler Knight,” he greets. “Forgive me. I hope I’m not intruding. I saw Cassey and Quinn and decided to come say hello.” Jarred shakes his hand, puffing out his chest a little more.

“Jarred Blake. It’s nice to meet you,” he replies, somewhat stiffly. “Join us for a drink.” I shift in my seat at Jarred’s request. I can almost smell the testosterone bouncing between the two of them. It’s ridiculous.

“Thank you,” Kyler replies. “But I have a date.” Oh, thank God.

“Well, it was nice seeing you Mr. Knight,” I intercede a little too eagerly. “Better not keep your date waiting.” I chance a look at Kyler’s face. Did he just frown? If he did, it’s no longer there. In fact, he has no expression whatsoever.

“Have a good night,” he responds tightly, all traces of humor gone. “Oh I plan to,” I quip. I look away and find Quinn staring at me like I crawled of a block of cheese. Her eyes are big and I’m guessing it’s because I just totally sassed my new boss. Kyler walks away and I visibly sag on my barstool. I close my eyes and take the biggest gulp of my cocktail that this stupidly small straw will allow. When my eyes open again, Quinn is still staring at me.

“What?” I ask, shrugging my shoulders.

 

My annoyance is obvious and I wish I did a better job of hiding my feelings.

 

“What was that all about?”

“What was what about?” I retort quickly. I’m evading. That much is obvious. But the truth is, I don’t know what just happened.
Quinn snorts and rolls her eyes at me, clearly exasperated with my attempts at avoiding her interrogation.

“Whatever,” she mumbles. She starts whispering something in Jarred’s ear and follows it with a slow, seductive lick down his neck. I can’t turn away from their display of intimate affection. It’s so out of place here, in this public bar, but they don’t seem to care.

I feel a pang of jealousy blossom in my chest, watching the way Jarred’s fingers hold Quinn’s waist, and the way her eyes light up when he smiles at her. I want that. The tender embraces, heated gazes, secret smiles, whispered promises. I want all of it.
A throat clears next to me, and I’m not sure if I jump higher or if Quinn does. I was so busy watching her get lost in Jarred that I got lost in them. I look up and see a tall, muscular guy standing next to our table. His midnight black hair that matches Jarred’s is cut short and styled so that it stands up on the top. I can’t see his whole face but his profile is confirmation that it’s perfect.

“Drew!” Jarred exclaims. He places Quinn in his seat and hugs the guy who I now know is Drew. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he asks excitedly. He reminds me of a kid who’s just woken up to a room full of presents on Christmas morning.

“You think mom would’ve let me live if I missed their anniversary?” Drew replies, chuckling. He pulls away from Jarred and holds him away at arm’s length.

“You look good, little brother,” he praises. Jarred beams at the term of endearment, and then turns to introduce Quinn. “Drew,” he says, wrapping his arm around Quinn’s hips. “This is Quinn Avery. Quinn, this is my older brother, Drew.” Quinn stands taller and seems to sober in an instant. Her hand stretches out, looking every bit as demure as the expression on her face.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says. I’m sure there’s a quiver in her voice but she hides it well. For the first time since I’ve known her, she looks nervous. Drew takes her hand and smiles at her. “The pleasure is all mine.”

Jarred bristles, his eyes hard. There’s a silent message exchange between the two brothers and Drew drops Quinn’s hand quickly. Jarred might as well whip it out and cock his leg up against Quinn.That would be less territorial than the look he just gave his brother. When Drew turns to fix his gaze on me Jarred visibly relaxes and so does Quinn. What is up with them tonight? “This is Cassey,” Jarred gestures towards me. His hand flies up over-enthusiastically and it’s obvious he’s trying to direct his brother’s attention anywhere that’s not Quinn. Drew’s face is as perfect as I suspected. He looks exactly like the type of guy I would date.
A safe choice. Not like Kyler. Quinn chuckles and I realize I’m staring, quite rudely, I might add.

“Nice to meet you too, Cassey.” Drew smiles, revealing a perfect set of white teeth. I wait for the butterflies to take flight in my belly. Nothing. Drew’s eyes rove my body but the warm, tingling sensation I expect to come with it is noticeably absent. But when Kyler looks at you… I shake away my thoughts.

“You too, Drew.” I reply politely.

 

“Can I get you a drink?” he asks.

 

I’ve already had two cocktails but I decide what the hell. “Sure,” I reply. “I’ll take a Martini. Dirty.”

Am I flirting with him? So what if I am. I’m single and even if having a onenight stand is not on my agenda tonight, nothing is stopping me from having a good time with a hot, available man. Drew cocks an eyebrow, like he was just thinking the exact same thing. “I’ll be right back.”

I look at Quinn and Jarred, who both look slightly uncomfortable. When Quinn’s eyes meet mine, something unfamiliar sparks to life and I frown. There’s something very strange going on.
Jarred clears his throat, dragging my attention away from what I see in Quinn’s panicky eyes.

“Can I get you anything else, baby?” Jarred asks. Quinn shakes her head quietly, something I’ve never seen her do. Jarred gets up and follows behind Drew, heading towards the bar situated in the middle of the big space. “Are you okay, Quinny?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”Her voice is forced and a little too high pitched. Both attributes give away her lie. But I drop it. We’ll talk about it later, when we’re alone. An awkward silence fills the space between us, until Drew and Jarred arrive back at our table. Drew places my drink on the table, and takes a seat alongside me. “One dirty martini for the lady,” he says, smirking at me. Something about it makes my skin crawl.
“Thanks.”
“So, Cassey,” Drew begins. He smiles at me in with what I think is meant to be a flirtatious grin, but instead it’s just creepy. “Tell me about yourself.”

And so it begins. The tedious process of divulging the little nuances that make me Cassey Emerson. The only time I don’t pretend to be interested in our boring conversation is when I tell Drew about my job. I can’t help the excitement in my voice when I talk about my career, and how much I love what I do. Not that Drew is paying any attention. He’s too busy texting on his phone. So I change the topic, and ask about him instead.

Big mistake. While he prattles on about his own job (of course he’s an investment banker, duh.) and the material objects that he owns, I notice three things. 1. He’s vain, to the point that if I gave him a mirror, he’d probably flirt with his own reflection. 2. He’s a douche bag. And 3. Kyler hasn’t taken his eyes off of us since Drew sat down next to me. I can feel the penetrating heat of his cool blue eyes boring into the side of my face. I chance a peek, but as soon as my head turns, he looks away, pretending to be enthralled by the busty blonde currently attached to his side.

Whatever.

I think I’ve had enough of egotistical men and their idiocies for one night. I’ll just have to satisfy the ache between my legs with a hot bath and my B.O.B. He never lets me down.

“Well, kids, I’m going home,” I say, finishing off my drink, and interrupting Drew mid-sentence. Or is it mid-text? Oh who gives a fuck. He’s a schmuck.

“But it’s still early,” Quinn whines.
“I’m tired,” I lie. If my Southern manners weren’t so deeply embedded in my brain I would tell them all I’m bored as hell. But I won’t. Instead I make some feeble excuse about a late night last night, which Quinn knows is complete rubbish, and gather my purse.
“Are you coming home tonight?” I ask Quinn, standing up.
“No, I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
I hug her goodbye, and head for the door.
“It was nice meeting you, Drew. Maybe I’ll see you again some time.” He smiles, having the audacity to look disappointed that I’m leaving. “You too, Cassey..”
I leave the crowded bar and hail a cab instead of walking all the way home.Too bad I can’t get far enough away from the cool blue eyes that now belong to a real face. A face that is more than what I conjured up in a dream^.

∞

I walk into my little office, feeling energized and enthusiastic about my day. I take out my company issued MacBook Pro and connect it to the monitor on my desk, before walking the short distance to our kitchenette. The smell of fresh coffee assaults my nose and even though I stopped at Starbucks this morning on my way to the office, I can’t resist a fresh cup of java.

I mentally run through my To-Do list for today as I walk back to my office, coffee in hand. The office is still pretty quiet, and I decided to come in an hour earlier today to get some extra work done.

I startle when my desk phone rings, and narrowly miss coffee being spilt on my ivory pencil skirt.

 

“Cassey Emeron speaking.”

A warm, deep voice greets me on the other end and I grip my coffee mug tighter, just to stop my skin from breaking out in goosebumps. “Good Morning, Miss Emerson.”
It takes me a minute to recognize the voice. I’m a little distracted by the way it practically melts over my name. Sweet baby Jesus.
I finally find my own voice and force my words out, trying not to sound affected. “Good morning, Mr. Knight. What can I do for you?”

“We have some things to discuss. I will have lunch ready for us in my office at twelve p.m sharp. I expect you to be on time.” His tone is clipped, agitated almost, and I wonder what it is that we could possibly have to discuss. Unless he’s going to chew me a new one for being a little rude to him last night.

“Okay, Mr. Knight,” I reply politely. The line clicks and he’s gone. I stare at my phone as if it might possibly have an explanation for what just happened. After several minutes, I finally put my phone down and pull myself towards myself enough to start working. I check my emails, glancing at the clock every fifteen minutes as it gets closer to twelve o’clock. By now the office has filled up and there are people teeming around trying to cram as much as they into one day. At eleven, my desk phone rings, breaking me out of my work-induced haze. “Cassey Emerson speaking,” I say automatically.

“Hey bitch.” It’s Quinn.
I smile. “Well if it isn’t my nymphomaniac best friend,” I reply, teasing. “Oh shut up. You’re just jealous because you’re not getting any sexy time.” I snort. “Okay, Quinny, whatever you say.”
“You could remedy that you know. Just have one night with Kyler and you’ll be good to go.”
“Is there another reason you called, besides encouraging me to screw my new boss?”
Quinn hums on the other end of the line, and I can picture her at her desk, a pencil in her hand with an article in front of her and her dark rimmed glasses she only wears at the office.
“Oh yes,” she exclaims. “Drew is going to call you. I think he might ask you to go as his date to his parents anniversary next weekend.”
I groan. “Why?” There’s a brief pause and then it hits me. “And how the hell did he get my number, Quinn?”
Silence. Except for Quinn’s breathing on the other end.
“Quinn?”
“Ok, fine,” she sighs. “I gave it to him after you left. I thought you two could get to know each other while’s in the city this week.”
“And you didn’t think to ask me before giving him my number?” “I didn’t think you’d mine, Cass.”
“Well, I do. I don’t like him, and if you have some elaborate plot up your sleeve to get me to sleep with him, you have a better chance of getting me into bed with Kyler.”
Saying his name makes me look up at the clock. Only fifteen minutes have passed, and I feel like time is deliberately slowing down to torture me. “Speaking of which,” I add quickly. “He called me.”
“Who did? Kyler?” Quinn’s voice raises an octave and I can literally hear her perk up.
“Yes. He told me to meet him in his office. He’s ordering lunch?” “Did he say why he wants to see you?”
“All he said was that we have something to talk about, and then he hung up.” Quinn goes quiet for a few moments, thinking about what this means, no doubt.
“I give it two weeks,” she says.
I frown. “Give what two weeks?” I ask, confused by her statement. “That’s how long it’ll take before you screw him.”
My irritation starts to boil, simmering just below the surface. Quinn is being too pushy about this, and it’s starting to annoy me. “Are you being serious right now, Quinn?”
“Yip.”
“How can you be so sure?” I ask. “We barely know each other. I met him yesterday for God’s sake!”
Quinn snickers, and I know she’s doing it to rile me up. She gets a kick out of pushing my buttons from time to time. “Trust me, you don’t need to know a man to ‘bump uglies’, as you call it.”
“Well maybe you don’t,” I retort quickly. “But I do. And what makes you think I’d want to have sex with Kyler anyway?”
“Because anything with a vagina wants to sleep with him. Except me.” I roll my eyes. “Okay, whatever, Quinn. I’m done with this conversation. You’re wrong, and I’m going to prove it.”
“If you say so, Cass, but I’m only looking out for you sexual well-being, and I look forward to hearing about how good Kyler is in bed.”Too late. I’m already thinking about it.
“Enough!” I cry out. “I’m seeing him in fifteen minutes and the last thing I want to think about is how good he is in the sack. Now, change of topic please. Are you going to be home tonight?”
“Yes, and dinner is on me.”
“No Jarred?”
“Not tonight,”Quinn replies.“Or for the next five days.The red taxi is in town.” “Join the club,” I mutter. “A girls night is in order then. I’ll bring the vino, and you can bring the Ben & Jerry’s.”
“Sounds like a date. I expect a full report on your meeting with Mr. Knight,” Quinn says, her voice imitating that of a love-sick school girl.
“Okay, I’ll see you later.”
“Bye babe.”
I put my phone down, very aware of the nerves that have suddenly taken residence in my belly.
It’s Quinn, and her silly ideas. She never knows when to quit it. I glance at my watch one last time, and prepare myself. For what, I have no idea, but I feel preparation is needed. I’m nothing if not professional.

~ Kyler ~

I put my phone down, grinning. I had no reason to call Cassey, but I wanted to see her, and what better way to make that happen than pull the ‘boss’ card. Not that it’s complete bullshit, since my father did ask me to help her. I pass the remainder of my morning by with reports, phone calls and meetings with board members. It’s only my second day here, but I’m already working hard. Knight Media is my father’s legacy. He started it from the ground up before I was born. And now he’s preparing me to step into his shoes, so that one day soon, this will all be mine.
My desk phone rings and I pick it up.

“Knight,” I say as a greeting. Just like my old man.
My assistant Nilkola’s voice comes through on the other end. “Mr Knight, there’s a Cassey Emerson here to see you.”
“Let her in,” I reply, smiling again. “And please order us some lunch from the deli on the corner.”
“Of course, Mr. Knight.”
A few minutes go by and then my office doors open. Cassey walks in and something in the air shifts, keeping my eyes locked on her. I rise slowly, as if my body remembers that I do have manners, and watch her walk towards my desk. Her long brown hair hangs just past her breasts, her curls bouncing with each step. Her tight skirt wraps around her body, showing off the most exquisite curves I’ve ever seen on a woman’s body. And I’ve seen my fair share of those. The black blouse she’s wearing fits snug and gives me but a glimpse of the roundness of her breasts. Our eyes clash, and I’m in no way embarrassed that she caught me eye-fucking her.

Her expression remains a little stiff for my liking, but I still see the brief flicker in her eyes.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Knight.” Her voice is professional, and formal, nothing like the snippy tone she had at the bar last night.
“Please, call me Kyler,” I reply, gesturing for her take a seat. She hesitates, fighting a smile and finally obliges.

We stare at each other for a moment. The temperature in the room rises, and the sudden sexual tension crackles to life between us. I imagine that if the energy flowing between us now had a sound, it would be like a crack of lightning, loud and obtrusive.
The slight stutter of Cassey’s pulse reveals that she feels it too. Her muscles tense, and her posture becomes frigid, like she’s fighting the undulated surge that surrounds us.
“My father tells me you are preparing a presentation for the Board next week,” I say, breaking the somewhat awkward silence.
“How is that going?”

Cassey looks stunned, but then recovers quickly. “Uh, yes, I’m meeting with them next week friday, and so far I think everything is on schedule for the presentation.”
“Good. So what nights are you available this week?”
Her mouth almost drops. “Excuse me?”
“I’m helping you with your presentation, so tell me what night’s you’re available so we can work on it together.”
Her brows dip and I feel an argument coming on. Unfortunately, my assistant chooses that exact moment to walk into my office. Her timing couldn’t be worse, and it has somehow muted the tension that cloaked the room only seconds ago. But I can’t be too annoyed about that, considering she’s putting our lunch on my desk and I’m starving. I thank her and she scurries out my office, giving Cassey the stink eye on her way out. Women.They can be so full of shit, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say she was sizing Cassey up the way an opponent would. Too bad, because the only woman I’m even remotely interested in right now is the one frowning at me.
I ignore it, and take a bite of my sandwich. Cassey’s eyes dart to my mouth, watching the way it wraps around my food. She shifts, squirming in her seat. If I didn’t have food in my mouth right now I would smirk, knowing that she’s turned on. I wonder if her nipples are hard too? Because fuck, that would turn me on.
“What makes you think I need your help?”
Now it’s my turn to look a little surprised. Cassey clearly has no problem speaking her mind, and I like it. A lot.
“Forgive me,” she says quickly, realizing her mistake. “That was rude of me, Mr Knight. What I meant was I don’t need your help, but thank you for offering.” Well I’ll be damned. It’s the first time a woman has ever been so straight forward with me. If I wasn’t turned on by the way she’s trying not to undress me with her bedroom eyes, I sure as hell am after she practically told me off. “I wasn’t offering. I’m helping you.”
“And I don’t need it,” Cassey replies. “I’m doing just fine on my own.” I smirk, knowing I’m going to win this round because she just doesn’t have a choice. I finish off my sandwich and throw the wrapper away. When I look at Cassey, her eyes are hard, and determined. She hasn’t touched her food. “It’s going to happen, Cassey, so why not save yourself the trouble and tell me, your office or mine.”
Her cheeks flush and I’m positive she’s thinking the same thing I am. Even so, I have an argument to win, and I’m willing to bet that she’s going to put up a fight. In fact, I want her to put up a fight. It excites me, and it also unnerves me.
I’ve never chased a woman before, they’ve always sought me out first. But Cassey Emerson can’t seem to stomach the sight of me, and yet, her body says otherwise.

She rises from the chair, and smoothes her skirt. “As I said, Mr. Knight, I won’t need your help. I hope I didn’t waste too much of your time.” She turns and walks straight out of my office without a backwards glance, leaving me a little more than stunned.
Did that really just happen?
Yes. Yes it did. And hell if it didn’t turn me the fuck on.