As he’s speaking, my eyes are drawn to the reception desk behind him. A young woman stands and then when she notices me, freezes. But she’s not the one I’m looking at. No, all of my attention is on the young woman sitting behind the desk, her attention fixed on her computer. She’s wearing some type of headset and her dark hair is twisted up into a bun. But there’s no mistaking that face.
That adorable, frustrating face.
Clumsy Girl is here.
My feet move forward without my permission as I walk away from James, leaving Jason and Kate to continue with the pleasantries. I’m definitely being rude but that’s something I’ll have to deal with later. After looking for her so long, maybe this is where I finally crack. Hell, the woman I’m staring at is probably a sixty year old grandmother and my mind is simply superimposing the image I’ve longed to see.
Then she looks up and sees me. Her face freezes into a mask of horror. After a few seconds where we stare at each other in mutual disbelief, she murmurs something to the woman next to her.
And that’s when I get angry.
“James, please introduce me to your new receptionist. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”
Everyone stills at my command. Or maybe because my voice feels abnormally loud. I clear my throat and smooth my tie, mainly to keep my hands busy so they don’t reach out and grab the woman staring back at me defiantly from behind the desk.
“Of course. Mr. Lavin, this is Cassandra Michaels. She’s been here with us for about two months and has been a great asset to the team.”
While he talks I hold Casey’s gaze, delighted by how her cheeks flush red under the praise. She darts a glance over at me and then does an awkward half wave, as if I’ll settle for that. But I’ve spent the last two months searching for her after she gave me a fake name so I’m not letting her off that easily.
I approach the reception desk with my hand outstretched, knowing that she’ll have to get up and shake it or appear rude.
She swallows, the sound audible. But she stands and walks around the desk. Or at least, she tries to. However, it appears she’s forgotten that her headset is connected to the computer so as she walks away, the cord yanks her back and she lands sprawled on the floor.
Staring right up between my legs.
“Kill me now.”
I chuckle softly at her mumbled curses. Her voice was barely above a whisper but everyone else must have heard it too because I hear choking sounds behind me that can only be laughter.
“Are you okay, Casey?” James appears at my elbow with a hand outstretched to help her up. But there’s no way he’s touching her before I do. So I lean down and extend a hand. She looks hesitant but finally takes it.
“I’m so sorry, sir.”
Hearing her call me that takes me from shock to outrage. Sir? Like I’m some stranger she’s meeting for the first time? I have a sudden overwhelming urge to remind her just how well we know each other but the pleading look in her eyes stops me.
“Please. Don’t get me fired.” She whispers, turning her head away slightly so James can’t hear.
“There is nothing to be sorry for,” I say loud enough for everyone to hear.
Then I bring her hand to my mouth and dust a kiss over her knuckles. The gesture will look polite to anyone watching but Casey sucks in a sudden breath.
James and the others have already started talking amongst themselves about the meeting. No one is paying attention to us right now. They don’t feel the heat being generated right at their feet.
“I can’t say the sight of you in any position is something to apologize for,” I finish in a voice for her alone.
When she sees that no one is looking anymore, Casey rips her hand from mine. “What are you doing here?”
“I have a meeting,” I reply, knowing the casual response will annoy her. But who can blame me for wanting to see those honey eyes light up with fire again? I’ve seen just how passionate she can get, after all.
She pulls off her headset with a frustrated huff. “Look, what happened between us… we should just forget about it. Right? We can do that.”
“What am I supposed to forget exactly? How much fun we had talking in the bar that night? Or that we spent hours bringing each other pleasure? That I’ve never felt anything like that with another woman? Which part is supposed to be so forgettable?”
My bold statement is met with a glare before she plasters on a wide smile. “Of course, Mr. Lavin. It was so nice to meet you, too!”
When I turn, I catch Jason’s eye. He’s staring at Casey but I don’t think he’s recognized her yet.
The others have started walking toward the hallway that leads to the conference room. I can’t stay here too much longer without drawing undue attention which is exactly what Casey has asked me not to do.