Chapter Three
Cassie sat at her desk, her mind on the article she intended to write about Derek. Before Friday night, she’d known nothing about him, had no gut instinct on how to slant the piece. Now she did. Derek West was a decent guy. In fact, she’d been completely caught off guard by how kind he’d been to her.
Not only had he accepted her apology but he’d offered her the two things she needed most. The interview—something he disdained, yet was willing to do for her—and help finding a place to live. She’d go so far as to say they’d put the past behind them as much as possible. She didn’t kid herself. There had been—and would be again—more awkward moments between them. Like when she’d admitted to living in the house he’d grown up in.
She’d seen the wariness go up, the defensive posture and a brief flare of what looked like anger in his eyes before he’d composed himself again. She wasn’t certain where that irritation stemmed from or if she’d even read him correctly, the emotion gone too quickly for her to judge.
But none of those things had anything to do with chemistry, and she and Derek had that in high doses. All she’d had to do was look at him when she arrived and unexpected desire had engulfed her quickly. And when she’d hugged him in gratitude, he’d smelled so masculine and good; her breasts had crushed against his hard chest, her nipples hardening in reaction.
She hadn’t planned or expected the kiss. He knew how to take charge, and the way he’d kissed her reflected the alpha-driven man he’d become. With his hand behind her head and the hard press of his lips, she’d been lost. At least until they were interrupted by the waiter. She ran her tongue over her lips, imagining she could still taste him, before she forced her mind back to the business at hand.
Moving forward on the interview.
She called his cell phone, and he answered on the first ring. “Good morning,” he said, sounding happy to hear from her.
She wondered if that good feeling would continue after he heard her idea.
“Morning. Do you have a minute? I’d like to run something by you,” she said, doodling on a piece of paper on her desk as she spoke.
“For you I’ll make time.”
Her body warmed at his words. “I wanted to discuss the interview.” And before he could change his mind, she continued. “With everyone else, I’ve met with them once, maybe twice, and written based on that discussion and prior research. I wanted to go in a different direction with you.”
“Uh oh.”
She laughed at his response. Little did he know…
“What did you have in mind?” he asked.
“I thought I could shadow you. Sort of a day in the life except over the course of a longer period of time. That way I’d get a broader perspective of what you do, how you think … how you became the success that you are.” She bit down on her bottom lip and waited for a reply.
“You do realize you’re asking a lot. I don’t want to open myself up for public scrutiny.”
“I understand and I can give it that slant. I promise I’ll respect your boundaries.” She could almost hear him thinking and she held her breath.
“I’ll do it for one reason,” he said at last. “So I can spend more time with you.”
“You won’t regret it,” she promised as her heart skipped a beat at his answer, equal parts thrilled for her interview and for herself personally.
Because she wanted to spend more time with him too.
* * *
Derek waited for his partners at the gym for their Thursday night boxing, sparring and workout. He’d arrived first and ran on the treadmill for fifteen minutes before he saw Kade make his way in.
“Sorry I’m late,” the other man said as he joined Derek, putting his duffel on the wooden bench by the treadmill.
“I’m here,” Lucas muttered a few minutes later, jogging in, out of breath.
“Held up at work?” Derek asked neither man in particular. He stepped off the machine and wiped his face down with a towel.
“No, Lexie baked some chocolate chip cookies, which are my favorite,” Kade said.
“And what? She let you lick the pan?”
A smirk lifted Kade’s lips. “Nah, she let me kiss the cook.”
Lucas snickered.
“What was your excuse?” Derek asked his friend, who still laughed at Kade.
“Nothing I’m willing to discuss in public. Or with you two.”
Derek was lucky all three of them were here at all. While they used to see each other more often, since Kade and Lexie had married and Lucas and Maxie had become engaged, guy time had declined.
Derek got it. Well, he accepted it. He didn’t get it, as in, he’d never fallen for a woman to the extent he wanted to spend most of his time with her. His thoughts immediately went to Cassie, who he couldn’t wait to see on Sunday, before he shook his head hard.
No. Getting a woman out of his system wasn’t the same thing as a lifetime commitment.
“Are we ready for some sparring?” Lucas asked.
“Yep.”
An hour later, they’d worked up a good sweat and showered in the newly renovated locker rooms.
“Since I’ve got you two in one place, I wanted to tell you guys something.” Derek figured it was as good a time as any to fill them in on what was going on in his life. As Cassie would be around the office now, they deserved to know.
“I agreed to do an in-depth interview.” They both knew his reluctance to delve into his past, and he braced himself for the inevitable questions.
Kade paused in tying his sneakers. “What happened to over my dead body?” he asked.
“Oh, I know. I saw the gorgeous brunette walking into your office the other day,” Lucas said in a knowing tone of voice. “You caved for a piece of ass.” He took a towel and snapped it at him.
“It’s not like that,” Derek shot back. “It’s a legitimate opportunity to get the story out my way,” he said, uncomfortable because he knew damn well his friend was right. He’d caved for Cassie … who was a hell of a lot more than a piece of ass.
“So she was the interviewer?” Lucas pushed, with Kade looking on.
“Just who is this woman?” he asked.
Both men knew Derek’s history. They’d been frat brothers, drinking buddies, and knew the whole ugly story of how the rich bitch had treated him. They also knew her name, as well as the fact that Derek had made a play for Storms Consolidated.
He drew a deep breath. “Cassie Storms. From Take a Byte,” he said, and waited for the backlash.
“You let her sucker you again?” Kade asked.
“Don’t be an asshole,” Derek muttered. “I’m not the same kid I was. And frankly she’s not who I thought she was either.”
Kade finished his shoes and rose to his full height. “We’re just looking out for you. You hate doing interviews and now you’re agreeing, and with someone who may not have your best interest at heart.”
“I know what I’m doing. And I expect you two to be friendly when she’s in the office.”
“I reserve the right to judge her for myself,” Kade insisted.
Lucas glanced at Derek. “You heard the man. Besides, you’d do the same thing for us.”
“Did you ever think I can handle myself? I’m getting something out of this too. Information about Storms. The more I know, the better chance I have of talking them into a sale. Through back-door methods, of course.”
Kade picked up his bag. “I hope you know what the hell you’re doing.”
“I do.”
“Doesn’t hurt that she’s a hot piece of ass,” Lucas added again. For good measure.
“Don’t fucking talk about her that way,” Derek warned his friend.
“Yep.” Lucas turned to Kade and grinned. “In over his head and we get a front-row seat.”
Derek ignore them in part because they were being assholes. And in part because he knew they were right.
* * *
Sunday arrived with snow in the air. It was forecasted to come down later today, but Cassie was still determined to meet Derek to look at apartments. Amanda had offered to join her and offer her opinion on each place, but Cassie had declined.
As much as she needed to find a place to live, the desire to see Derek again was equally strong, and she wanted time alone with him. She dressed in a cashmere sweater, a pair of tight jeans, and boots and threw on her puffy down jacket. Ready to go, she grabbed her bag and keys, when a knock sounded at her door.
“Coming!” she called, planning to get rid of whichever family member it might be as soon as possible. She had a train to catch.
She opened the door to find Spencer standing on the front porch, wearing a camel coat and a too eager look in his eyes. His dark hair had a dusting of snow, which didn’t bode well for her day.
“Hi, sis.” He pushed past her and walked inside.
“Whatever happened to calling first?” she muttered, loud enough for him to hear. “I can’t talk. I’m on my way out,” she said, in case her jacket wasn’t enough of a clue.
He shrugged off his own coat and tossed it over a chair near the entry. “That’s fine. I wanted to look around and see where I’ll be living. What I need to buy and change around.”
“It doesn’t bother you at all that I was here first? And I have to find a place to go thanks to you?” she asked.
Although she was always aware she was living on her parents’ property, she’d decorated the guesthouse just the way she wanted it. She loved so much about the place, from the small study she’d made that overlooked the garden in the summer and the snow banks in the winter to the homey kitchen she’d created for herself to cook in.
“It’s my turn, Cass,” he said, breaking into her thoughts. “Fair is fair.”
Her blood pressure rose at his presumptuousness. “Well, you can come back when I’m home. I don’t need you going through my things while I’m out.”
“Fine.” He picked up his coat. “I’ll come by again. Any idea when you’ll be moving out?”
She gritted her teeth. “When I find a place to rent and can arrange for movers. Relax and wait your turn.” She had to unlock her jaw in order to speak. “Have you gone over any plans for the company? Subscription base is down and—”
“I’ll deal with it. It’s my job to worry about the company. You can focus on your tech magazine.”
She felt his words like a pat on the head, and her anger grew. Apparently her brother was yet another man in her life who had no problem discarding her when she was no longer needed or useful.
Just like Jeremy, who she really hated thinking about. The bastard started working at Storms Consolidated the same year she had, after graduation. He’d been attentive, if on the pushy side, but he’d wined and dined her, and she’d fallen for him. They’d had the same journalistic interest and goals, or so she’d thought. She’d been willing to work her way up the ladder.
His interest in her had waned when she refused to talk to her father about advancing his position within the company. He’d flat out asked her what good she was to him if she wouldn’t use her connections to get him a promotion. After all, he’d added, it was for her benefit too. For their future. Yeah. Right.
“Did you get more obnoxious while you were away?” she asked her sibling, heading for the door in order to make her point. They were finished.
“Don’t be mad at me. Dad was never going to pick his daughter to run the company. This was a natural, expected change. You should accept it and move on.”
If he didn’t hold the ultimate say over her job, she might haul off and smack him. Instead she hustled him toward the door and slammed it shut behind him, shaking in the wake of his short visit.
He’d always been a jerk, and his time abroad hadn’t made him more of an adult or a decent human being. Nor had her father’s handing him the company without him having to earn the position helped. Her father enabled his behavior, and clearly that would never change.
Nostalgia for her grandfather swelled inside her. God, she missed him. But thinking of him reminded her of the reasons she was sticking around and not finding a regular job with another company. He’d delivered newspapers when he was young and created his own multimedia company as an adult. A self-made man who she admired not just for his business ethics but for the way he treated his family, as well.
Sadly her father had not learned anything from him. But Cassie had. She blew out a long breath and tried to release the stress her brother had brought with him before she headed to the city to find a new place to live.
A little while later, she exited a taxi at the address Derek had given her. The high-rise was located in the upper sixties, a nice neighborhood and not too far from where Storms Consolidated did business. She knew the rent would be high, but her grandfather had set up a trust fund for her that bypassed her father. And though she tried not to rely on anything but her own income, she didn’t feel bad dipping into the money to accommodate her forced move.
A security guard sat at the entrance. She gave him her name, and he sent her up to the twenty-first floor, to apartment 2103.
She found the door partially open, knocked once, and entered. “Hello?”
An unfamiliar, well-dressed man with blond hair walked toward her from inside. “Ms. Storms?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Brad Hansen, the property manager.” He extended his hand.
“Nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand.
“Mr. West got hung up with a family emergency. He said he’d meet up with us soon.”
“Oh,” she said, swallowing over the lump of disappointment, though she did hope everything was okay.
For the next few hours, Brad walked her through three apartments in various buildings, each having different amenities and things to offer. He was good company, knowledgeable about the property and rental details, and they spent an enjoyable afternoon despite the big decision she needed to make.
The snow had picked up, and by the time they made it to the last unit, she knew she was looking at a heavy downfall and it would be smart to head back home soon. They had left the Upper East Side and were now on the West, and she still had to grab a cab or subway back to Penn Station.
She stood in the recently remodeled kitchen. “I have to say this one’s my favorite.”
“Because of the kitchen? Do you like to cook?” he asked.
“I enjoy it when I have time. I’m sure I’ll have more of it once I live in Manhattan and my commute is cut down,” she said, thinking about the positives of this upcoming change.
Because one thing was for certain, she’d have a lot less space. She’d have to store much of her furniture and things, and the thought made her sad. She hadn’t realized how lucky she was living in the guesthouse as opposed to a small New York City apartment. She could, if she wanted, buy a house, but she wasn’t ready to make that kind of leap.
She turned to Brad. “I need some time to think about which one I want though.” Because one on the East Side had more space.
“I totally understand. Nobody expects you to make a decision right away. He gestured toward the door, and she walked to the exit, with him close behind.
He turned to face her. “I realize you need to get home now,” he said, pushing open the door. “But would you like to go out some time?” he asked, taking her by surprise.
“Oh. I—”
“Ms. Storms isn’t available for the foreseeable future,” Derek said from outside the door.
She glanced over to see him standing there, ready to enter as they were walking out. Snow dusted his dark hair and jacket, and he had a scowl on his handsome face.
“Derek!” At this point, she hadn’t expected him to show.
“Hansen, I’ll take it from here,” he said, dismissing the other man.
His cheeks flushed a ruddy color. “Sorry, boss. Didn’t realize it was like that.” He glanced from Derek to Cassie and back again.
She hadn’t realized it either. Nor was she sure how she felt about him staking a claim she hadn’t known he’d made. She hadn’t planned on saying yes to a date with Brad, but that was something she should be able to decide for herself.
“Brad, thank you for showing me around today. I appreciate it,” she said. She’d deal with Derek when they were alone.
“You’re welcome. When you make a decision—”
“She’ll call me,” Derek said.
Cassie blinked in surprise. This possessiveness was a new side to Derek, one she hadn’t seen before, and it annoyed her as much as it—surprisingly—turned her on.
She waited until Brad had left and headed for the elevator before turning his way. “You didn’t need to be rude to him! Besides, I think I can decide for myself whether or not to accept a date.”
He raised an eyebrow, looking aggravated and tension-filled, a muscle pulsing in his jaw. “Some things need to be clarified … man to man.”
“What are you, a Neanderthal? The man works for you and deserves some respect.”
“And now he’ll continue to work for me because he knows not to hit on you.”
She didn’t know whether to be flattered or angry. She settled for annoyed. And a whole lot pleased that he was interested in her enough to stake a claim.
Not that she could let him know that, so she rolled her eyes at his comment. “You didn’t have to rush over here. I’ve seen all the apartments, and Brad was very thorough,” she said, complimenting the building manager just to get under Derek’s skin.
“Bravo for him. I’ll give him a raise,” he muttered.
She shook her head. “Okay, caveman,” she said, unable to hold back a laugh that broke the tension.
He shoved his hands into his jacket pocket and grinned. “Guess I got a little carried away.”
“I’d say so.” She met his gaze and turned to a more serious subject. “I hope your family emergency turned out okay?”
His gaze shuttered as he replied, “Fine.”
Clearly he had no intention of elaborating, and she wouldn’t push him. “I should get going. With the snow, it’s going to take me awhile to get back to the train station.”
“It’s actually pretty bad out. I took my SUV so I can drive you there. Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“You’d like to forgive my asshole tendencies and have dinner with me.”
He treated her to a smile she found incredibly appealing. And sexy. She exhaled a slow puff of air. “I’d like to. Really. But with the weather the way it is, by the time I get back, it’ll be hard enough to drive home.”
He leaned against the doorframe. “Actually by the time the train gets you back, it’ll be dangerous for you to drive on the roads. The weather on Long Island is blizzard conditions.”
“Oh, no.” She ran a hand through her ponytail and groaned. “I should have paid more attention.”
“The storm shifted during the day. I’m not sure you could have planned for this.”
“So what are my choices? Have dinner with you and stay over in a hotel?” She bit down on her lower lip, knowing she hadn’t planned for the possibility. No change of clothes, no toiletries.
“That’s one possibility. Or I have a guest room. You’re more than welcome to stay over. My sister leaves things for when she sleeps in the city, so I’m sure you’ll be comfortable. I’ll even be on my best behavior.” His light blue eyes gleamed with a promise she didn’t want him to keep.
“Hmm.” She obviously needed to remain in town, so the only question was where. “Decisions, decisions. A hotel room all to myself for the night with room service and movies. Or hang out with you.”
“Come on, princess. Live a little.”
“Princess?”
He shrugged. “It’s what I used to call you—in my mind—way back when.” His cheeks turned red and she flushed in response.
Princess, huh? Well, she supposed there were worse things he could call her. “I think I’ll take the hotel.”
“Seriously?”
No, she thought, but it really was fun to push his buttons. “You said to live a little. I just thought you meant to treat myself to the finer things.”
“I’ll treat you to the finer things,” he muttered. “You’re staying with me.”
“Yes sir, caveman.” She grinned, pleased with their easy banter.
And the fact that she was staying over at his place. She had a chance to get to know him better. To lay out the parameters for the interview. And who knew what else might happen between them.
She certainly knew what her fantasies demanded. Ever since he’d come back into her life, her dreams had been more vivid.
And arousing.
Dream Derek had magic hands that slid over her body in a sensual caress. With his mouth, he sucked her nipples and pinched with his fingers, until waves of desire pounded at her, her body seconds from an intense climax. And when he thrust inside her, she came immediately, her skin, her entire being consumed with passion.
She’d wake up, tangled in sheets, a light coating of sweat on her body, her breasts heavy, her sex tingling in the most delightful of ways.
She trembled at the memories, suddenly aware she stood in an apartment hallway, Derek staring at her intently. “You’re flushed. Do I want to know what you’re thinking?”
Definitely not, she thought. “Let’s go see what the weather’s like,” she said, not meeting his gaze.
“Your wish is my command,” he said, an amused smile on his handsome face as he turned to lock up the apartment and follow her to the elevator.