Chapter Two
Not long after leaving Derek’s office, Cassie was summoned to her father’s house for a meeting. Never a good sign and especially not now, with her brother home and in charge of the business. As she traveled back to her parents’ place on the train, she couldn’t focus on what awaited her.
Her head was still spinning from meeting with Derek for the first time in years. She couldn’t believe he was so impressed with her skills. Even though he’d declined the interview, his compliment had been the highlight of a really shitty week, as was the fact that he was giving her another chance to convince him to change his mind. But her thoughts weren’t on how much the interview would benefit Take a Byte and help give their online views and presence a much-needed boost.
No, she couldn’t stop thinking about what Derek looked like now. His blue eyes were still crystal and clear, his face handsome and more mature. No longer a lanky teen, he was muscular in all the right places. His forearms were bulky, as was his chest, all clearly from working out. And since he wore a long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves pushed up, his sexy tattoos were clearly visible. If his chiseled features and good looks weren’t enough, he smelled delicious too.
Derek West was a sexy, imposing man, and she was extremely attracted to him. So much so that she’d had inappropriate thoughts of wrapping herself around him and breathing him in, all the while feeling all those hard muscles against her softer ones. It had been a long time since she’d been in a relationship, and she wasn’t interested in one-night stands, but her deprived body had responded to Derek West.
By the time the cab arrived at her parents’ house, she’d pulled her mind back to what her father might want. She paid the driver and headed up the walk. The weather was cold, and she pulled her jacket tighter around her, a barrier against the winter wind.
She knocked on the front door and Greta, their current housekeeper, let her in.
“Miss Cassie, your father and brother are in the study,” she said, taking Cassie’s jacket the minute she shrugged it off her shoulders.
She thought of Derek’s parents and realized she hadn’t asked how they were. Cassie had come home from college during a freshman year visit to find the family had moved out of the guest home. They found another job, her father had said, and refused to discuss the help any further. Cassie had been sad because she’d liked Derek’s mom when she’d worked for them over the years. Her parents no longer had live-in help. After Derek’s mother, they’d begun to use a service that provided bonded housekeepers.
Cassie cleaned her own place and allowed her mother to send someone in once a week for deeper cleaning. She wasn’t the snob her parents were, and appreciated the fact that she earned enough to cover the cost. She knew she was born into a lucky lot in life, no matter how frustrating her family might be.
Speaking of … she walked into her father’s study. Christopher and Spencer were looking at something on the big-screen computer. Neither glanced up as she entered, so she cleared her throat, announcing her presence.
“Cassandra, it’s about time you got here,” her father said impatiently.
“Hi, sis.”
She forced a smile at them both. “I was in the city.” She refused to elaborate or give either of them any information about her plans for the magazine.
Her brother might be running things, but he didn’t need to know her intentions. Until she knew if they were on the same page for the direction of the business, she’d keep her strategies to herself.
“I’m here now. What did you want to discuss?”
“The guesthouse,” her father said, taking her off guard. “You’ve been living there for a while, and now with Spencer home, I think it’s only fair that he be able to move in.”
“Wait. You’re kicking me out of my house?”
Since returning from grad school, she’d been living in the guesthouse, where Derek’s family once resided. Cassie paid rent, just as she’d do anywhere else. When she’d first moved back, she hadn’t wanted to live in Manhattan. The commute to the city wasn’t terrible from Long Island, and she loved the home she’d made for herself there. She certainly had never expected to be evicted in favor of her sibling.
Spencer walked over and slung an arm over her shoulder. “Dad thought it would be good for me to live close to him while I’m getting my footing running things. You can move back into the house. No problem.”
She spun away from him and glared. “Why don’t you live at home if it’s no problem?” she asked.
Her father pinned her with his steady gaze. “A man needs his space and his privacy. Surely you understand.”
She stared at them, more betrayal settling in her stomach. “I’m not moving back in with my parents. I’ll find a place in the city.”
“You see? I told you she’d be reasonable,” her father said, as if he’d given her a choice.
“Is there anything else?” she asked, eager to get away from them both.
“No. We have work to do,” Spencer said, dismissing her.
Cassie walked out of the office, and it took all her self-control not to slam the door behind her. It would serve them right if she took a job with a rival company, except then she wouldn’t be working to save what her grandfather had founded. She wouldn’t let the two male chauvinists drive her off. She’d stay and pull her weight, knowing she was accomplishing her personal goals if nothing else.
If she couldn’t run Storms Consolidated and fix the mess her father had made, at the very least she could make Take a Byte a site people turned to first for technology information and updates. Something Alexander would be proud of.
First, however, she needed to find a new place to live. She made it as far as the front door when her mother called out her name.
“Cassandra, come talk to me before you go.”
She blew out a deep breath. “Did you know they’re kicking me out of the guesthouse?”
Her mother, dressed in a pair of black wool slacks and a silk blouse, clasped her hands in front of her and nodded. She tucked a strand of her brown, bobbed hair behind her ear. “That’s why I want you to come talk.” She shot Cassie a beseeching look.
Betrayal sat deep in her stomach, but she decided to hear Daniella out. Cassie followed her mother into the kitchen and waited while she made them each a cup of tea, then settled into a seat at the table.
“I know you don’t understand your father,” her mother began.
“No, I understand him. What Spencer wants, Spencer gets. If I didn’t have such strong feelings for Grandpa and the company, I’d be long gone,” Cassie said, ignoring the steaming-hot tea.
“Honey, your father is complicated. Part of the problem is that he’s old-fashioned. His son is a reflection of him, and he’s going to do what he can to make him happy and keep him on the straight and narrow.”
Cassie swallowed hard. “At my expense. Look, it’s not that I don’t understand him protecting Spencer, I do. But handing over the company I’ve put my heart and soul into? Asking me to move out of my home?”
Her mother placed a hand on Cassie’s. “I disagree with what he’s doing, but I want you to know why I think he does it.”
“You just said it’s because Spencer is a reflection of him.”
“Partly. The other part is because he knows you can stand on your own. You’re going to come out on top no matter what. You always succeed at what you do. It’s why I’m so proud of you.”
“Those are your feelings, Mom, not his.”
Her mother squeezed her hand, and a lump formed in Cassie’s throat.
This was how things had always been. Her father would do something or miss an event, and her mother would make an excuse for the man. Daniella loved him, but Cassie would never understand or forgive how he treated her.
Daniella’s words didn’t take away the sting or the pain, but Cassie was resilient. Her mother was right. She’d pull it together and land on her feet.
* * *
Derek didn’t plan on letting Cassie convince him to do the interview. He did, however, decide to go all out for their dinner. The hard truth was, he wanted to impress her. He needed her to see him as the successful man he’d become, not the wannabe son of the help. And if he could coax her into his bed so he could satisfy his desire for her, that would be a win, too.
He booked a private room in an exclusive restaurant that would normally take months to get a regular reservation. He called her himself to confirm their Friday night date, not wanting to keep it impersonal with Becky being the go-between.
And though he didn’t know Cassie well enough to judge, her voice sounded like she was feeling down. For a brief moment, he wondered if she’d cancel, but she didn’t. So he offered to pick her up, not caring that she lived on Long Island and he’d be going out of his way only to have to drive back into Manhattan. She’d insisted on meeting him at the restaurant.
His father had raised him to be a gentleman, and it didn’t sit right with him not to drive her. But she wouldn’t give in, and so he waited at the front of the restaurant, determined to join her when she arrived.
He caught sight of her getting out of a taxi right on time. He shook his head, still not pleased that he wasn’t in charge, paying for the cab.
His visceral reaction to seeing her again caught him off guard. Her hair was free, flowing over her shoulders, her makeup done up more than the last time, and from the long legs peeking out from beneath her wool coat, she wore a dress that, with his luck, would have him drooling all through dinner. His heart began to pound in his chest, and a fresh wave of desire hit him hard.
Hoping she couldn’t see or notice his body’s response, he stepped into the chilly air and met her on the sidewalk. “You made it,” he said by way of greeting.
She inclined her head and smiled, her gaze traveling over him appreciatively. “I said I would. And now I’m glad I did.”
“Let’s get out of the cold.” He placed a hand at the small of her back and led her toward the restaurant, holding the door open for her to walk inside.
She removed her jacket, revealing a white cashmere dress, the slight dip in the front showing her slender neck, the slight swell of her breasts, and a thin gold chain. No heavy jewelry in sight.
“You look beautiful,” he said, the words out before he could think them through.
Her eyes swung to his. “Thank you,” she said, clearly surprised by the compliment.
They obviously had a long way to go before they were comfortable around each other, but he was working on it. If he thought he’d wanted her before, he was even more certain now. Getting her out of his system would be the healthy thing to do.
“Come. I reserved a private room in the back,” he said.
“Derek! You didn’t have to do that,” she murmured, sounding pleased that he had.
He liked the sound of his name on her lips. Would love to hear it when his cock was deep inside her warm, wet body, he thought, clenching his hand into a tight fist.
Emotional comfort might be far away, but physical attraction was here and strong, he thought, acknowledging that he was powerless to fight her pull.
They sat in a rounded booth, side by side, his thigh close to hers. His dick was hard, and he was grateful for the cover of the table.
A waiter came to take their order—steak au poivre for both of them, baked potatoes, hers loaded with sour cream, and creamed spinach. He grinned at that. A girl after his own heart. Not a light salad eater, he thought, pleased.
He glanced at the wine menu and ordered a bottle of Miner Cabernet, a red wine to go with the meal. “I’m assuming that’s okay? If you still like wine, that is?” he asked before the waiter took his leave.
Her lips lifted in a knowing grin. She remembered too. “I still prefer it to beer. Though once in a while, sharing a bottle can be fun.”
Her joking words about their shared past broke the ice, and he relaxed, knowing she was feeling more comfortable with him.
The waiter tilted his head and excused himself, pulling the door closed behind him, but he returned quickly and poured their wine, pausing for the ritual tasting. Finally, though, they were alone again.
“Well,” she said into the silence.
“Well.” He raised his glass. “To … renewed acquaintances.”
She smiled and raised her glass before taking a sip. “Delicious,” she murmured. “You have good taste.”
“I learned,” he admitted, leaning in closer. “So tell me, how have you been? It really has been a long time.”
She nodded. “I’m good,” she said, her voice dipping, reminiscent of what he’d heard in her tone over the phone. Then she grew silent.
“I don’t know you well … or at all, but I’m pretty sure there’s something going on and you’re not okay.”
“Are you a mind reader?” she asked teasingly, but the dimming light in her eyes gave her away.
“No, but it’s twice now I’ve heard something in your tone that tells me you’re upset.”
A muscle ticked in her jaw. “You’re right.”
“I’m listening … if you want to talk.” And he hoped she did. His curiosity about her was rampant.
He leaned back, placing one arm behind her back, his fingertips grazing the soft fuzz of her dress on her shoulder. Her gaze flew to his, but she didn’t shift or move away.
“Okay, well, where to begin?” She steepled her fingers and peered over at him. “Things at Take a Byte are going well for me, but I can’t say the same for Storms Consolidated. My father is retiring, and I thought he’d name me as his successor.”
During Derek’s attempt at acquiring the company, he’d heard rumblings of problems with the bottom line, a few firings to accommodate cost cutting. He hadn’t, however, known the chairman was planning on retiring.
“He didn’t choose you?”
“No.” She turned toward him, her gaze meeting his. “He decided my brother, who has been traveling Europe for the last year, deserves the job over me. I’ve worked there since college, I’ve proven my loyalty and my ability, and yet being a man holds more weight.”
Damn, that had to hurt. “I’m sorry.”
“It gets worse.”
He raised an eyebrow, wondering how.
“I’ve been evicted by my own family,” she said, lifting the glass and taking a long sip of wine.
“Seriously?” he asked, joining her for a drink.
She nodded. “I … um … I’ve been staying in the guesthouse, where you used to live.” She glanced down, aware of the awkwardness she’d injected into the conversation.
No wonder she hadn’t wanted him to pick her up tonight, he thought, stiffening at the reminder of their pasts, the status differences between them growing up. Of her father’s role in hurting his family.
But, he reminded himself, he’d known these things going in. If he was going to spend any time with Cassie, for whatever reason, even if it involved his dick, he was going to have to deal with the facts. And not be put off every time she mentioned something that brought up past pain.
“What do you mean you were evicted?” he asked, focusing on the conversation.
“My father asked me to move out so my brother could move in. A man needs his space,” she said in a mocking imitation of her parent.
“Are you kidding me?” What kind of father threw his own child out? Derek’s family looked out for each other. His mom didn’t play favorites between Derek and his sister, Brenda, nor would she hurt one in favor of the other.
“I’m completely serious.” She raised one shoulder in a delicate shrug. “I’ve had the rug ripped out from under me. Twice.”
“That sucks,” he said, feeling sorry for her, something he doubted she would appreciate.
She laughed. “That’s an understatement. But I’m not giving up,” she said, squaring her shoulders. “The company means as much to me now as it did when I was younger. More so. Before my grandfather died, I promised him I would do great things at his company, and I’m determined to fix what my father let go wrong. I want to make my grandfather proud,” she said, her voice thick.
Derek knew what it was like to make a promise to a sick person you loved. Studying the set of her jaw, the stubborn lift of her chin, he admired her for not falling apart when other women might crumble.
“I’m going to right the ship despite losing out to my brother,” she said, a determined glint in her eye.
There was something inherently sexy about her commitment. And though he despised her father, he liked what he was learning about Cassie. She was nothing like the spoiled brat he’d decided she was all those years ago.
In fact, she was similar to the girl he’d pegged her for initially. And his gut was usually right.
“How do you plan to fix things?” he asked, genuinely curious.
“I’m going to start by making Take a Byte a force to be reckoned with.”
“Then interview me. That’ll give you a leg up on any of the competition,” he said, shocked when the words came out of his mouth.
He hadn’t planned to give in, and she hadn’t yet asked him to. He was offering. Helping her succeed would be a fuck you to the man who didn’t believe in her. The same man who’d screwed his family over. It didn’t hurt that Derek wanted to sleep with her and he’d just given himself a reason to spend more time with her.
“And here I was waiting for dessert to ask,” she said, laughing. “Derek, thank you. Are you sure?”
“We can work something out,” he said, uncomfortable with the idea but willing to give up his privacy for the cause.
“As for a place to live, what are you looking for? A rental or something to buy?”
“A rental. I think I should see if I like living in the city before I commit to anything permanent there.”
He could help her there too.
“I own a few buildings with empty apartments for rent. I’m not sure what your budget is, but you can take a look and decide.”
Her eyes opened wide with delight. “Really? Because I’ve been completely overwhelmed. I’m not sure where I’d want to live or how to begin to look. I was going to call a Realtor, but I’d rather take the word of someone I know than do a full-blown search. Something tells me my brother will want me out … oh, yesterday.”
She frowned and he wanted to kiss the scowl off her pretty face. Before he could react to that thought, she leaned over, placed her arms around his neck, and hugged him tight.
“Thank you. You’ve turned around an otherwise awful week.”
She took him off guard, even more so when her full breasts pressed against his chest and he inhaled the fragrant, delicious scent of her hair. His dick stood at alert, desire taking hold.
She tilted her head back, her gaze meeting his. Her lips parted and his heart rate sped up, awareness pulsing through his veins. He raised his hand, cupping the back of her neck in his palm, pulling her closer to him, their mouths millimeters apart.
Teasing him.
Testing him.
He failed and sealed his lips over hers.
Similar to years ago, the kiss was soft, gentle, but now he was a man who knew what he wanted, and the desire to really taste her overwhelmed him. He slid his tongue across her lower lip, eliciting a soft moan that undid him, and his tongue stole past her lips, tangling with hers. He tightened his grip on the back of her neck and lost himself in the warmth of her mouth, the seduction of her kiss.
Time stood still. Their lips melded; his mind focused on the delicious taste of her and the feel of her tongue twined with his. Until the sound of the door opening jarred him back to reality.
She jerked back. He immediately released his hold and met her gaze, unable to stop the smile when he saw her damp lips.
A quick glance down revealed her nipples had beaded into tight points, in complete agreement with his thick erection, tenting his slacks.
The waiter mumbled his apology and began to serve dinner. While he worked, Derek held her gaze, sensual awareness reciprocated in her eyes while a deep flush stained her cheeks. But she didn’t look away.
When the waiter finally departed, Derek cleared his throat and raised his glass, taking a long sip of wine.
“That was … unexpected,” she murmured.
“I’d call it extremely expected. From the first time we met as kids to now. The attraction’s been there.”
“Agreed.” She wrapped a hand around the stem of her glass. “But attraction aside, I have another question. You agreed to the interview. Offered to help me find a place to live. Not to be rude, but why are you being so nice to me?” she asked.
Attraction aside, she’d asked a good question. One for which he had no answer. When tonight was over, he was going to have to take his temperature and figure out what the fuck was wrong with him, that he was rolling over for this woman without her asking for anything in return.
Or maybe that was the reason. She didn’t ask. She was unassuming and sweet, neither of which he’d expected. Not to mention, he wanted her. Badly. The businessman in him recognized that in getting closer, she might also provide him with insight into the company he hadn’t given up on acquiring. That was an bonus.
He raised one shoulder. “I suppose it’s as simple as you need something and I have the ability to help, that’s all,” he said, giving her the simplest answer. One even he could live with. For now.
“Well, thank you again.” A big smile covered her face.
“You’re welcome.”
With the kiss behind them but never out of his mind, they spent the rest of the evening with small talk, but eventually the night ended.
He hailed her a cab and waited alongside her on the sidewalk. They’d already exchanged phone numbers to arrange for her to see apartments over the weekend. He’d have to get in touch with his property manager and get the unit numbers and keys, but that was no problem.
A cab pulled to a stop and Derek opened the door. He slid an arm around her back and pulled her toward him, his gaze meeting hers. “Thanks for having dinner with me,” he said in a gruff voice.
“Thank you for forgiving me.” Her face flushed red that had nothing to do with the winter chill.
Before he could reply, she brushed a kiss over his cheek, turned, and slid into the cab, leaving him aching with desire. And confounded by how she’d defied all his expectations and, in the process, had him going against all his own good intentions.
All because he liked and desired her.
But Cassie wasn’t a one-night-stand kind of woman, and he’d be spending time with her, both helping and getting to know her better, before inevitably falling into bed with the woman he’d once considered his enemy.
As long as he reminded himself that sex was all there could be between them.
She was still Cassie Storms, after all.