Cassidy
THE FIRST MONDAY back to work after our romantic weekend was tough for . I wanted to live in the erotic cocoon Carter had built for us over the past few days, but I had a living to make and a child to support, so it was back to the grind for .
It had been a weird day, one I wasn’t entirely sure I should (or could) process. The morning had started with an anonymous box of chocolates left gift-wrapped on my desk, a sowhat inappropriate note, which I knew wouldn’t have co from Carter. One, he knew I hated that particular brand of chocolate, and he would have signed the note with "Bolt" or sothing of that nature... this one was signed, "All my love, your future lover."
Lover? Really? God, it was so gross. Soon after I’d logged into my computer, I got a few texts from a blocked number that kind of freaked out a bit, and I knew I was going to have to talk to Carter about it eventually.
The cherry on top of my shitty day, however, was when I walked out of work to find two flat tires and a broken back window. I pulled out my cell phone and called Carter.
"Babe, you okay?"
"Not really," I grumbled.
"Where are you?" He sounded panicked.
"I’m still at work. I’m okay, honey, just a little stranded. I ca out to find two flat tires and broken back window." I glanced up at the sky, grateful it was clear and acting like an actual sumr day.
"We’ll be right there. Stay put."
"Okay. Can you grab my dance bag, please?" I asked. "I’m going to have to go straight from here."
"Sure, babe. Give fifteen minutes."
"Okay, thanks. Love you."
"Love you too."
We hung up and I dropped my phone into my purse.
"Cassidy?"
I turned to see Tom walking toward . He really was one of the best-looking n I’d ever t. I didn’t fully grasp his hotness on the video conference... he was much better looking in person. His father was British and his mother was Korean, which was a beautiful combination, and since he’d been raised in London, he had the sexiest accent in the world. He’d been helping to implent a few of my suggestions for better workflow and I found him easy to work with, funny, and very kind.
"Hey, Tom."
"You okay?" he asked.
I sighed. "Car trouble, I’m afraid."
"Let drive you ho."
"No, I’m fine. My boyfriend’s on his way."
"I didn’t realize you were seeing soone," he said, frowning.
I was a little taken aback by his observation. He was an executive, I was an insurance analyst, we weren’t even on the sa floor of the building and, other than our professional interaction, we didn’t have much to do with each other. I had seen him a few tis since he started, but usually in the main kitchen or passing in the hallway when he had a eting. He’d visited the week after he started, but with the workload, we hadn’t been able to have lunch. So, outside of the phone and email conversations, we hadn’t really spoken much and certainly not about personal things.
"Yeah, I am," I said.
He stared at as though he was trying to morize . It was a little disconcerting.
"Anyway, Carter’s on his way, so I’m all good," I added.
"How about I wait here with you until he gets here?"
"You don’t need to do that."
"I’m happy to," he said. "Can’t leave a beautiful woman to wait alone."
Well, that was a little inappropriate, professionally speaking. On a personal level, though, it was kind of flattering. Working in a predominantly female departnt, rumors abounded about Tom, but he had a reputation as being pretty buttoned up and unapproachable. All of this information had co from Janie, who’d helped organize his move from our New York office. I thought it was a little weird that he’d been with the company for less than a month and chose to move from such a big city to Vancouver, Washington of all places, but I never voiced my thoughts. I just listened to the won titter on about him and wonder if he were single, married, or perhaps open to a one-night stand.
None of it really mattered or applied to since I was never in the market for a man... I had always needed one of those about as much as I did the plague, but then Carter showed up and I was done.
"So, tell a little about yourself," Tom said. "I know you have a son."
"I do." I smiled. "He’s almost seven and he’s aweso."
"And is your boyfriend the father?"
He stepped closer to and I found myself moving away. I don’t know why, but I felt a little weirded out by him. Luckily, I didn’t have to answer his probing question when I saw Carter’s truck driving towards us. He pulled up behind my car and climbed out. I couldn’t help but shiver. Dark jeans, motorcycle boots, tight, white T-shirt, and his cut, he was incredible.
"Hey, babe," he said as he eyed Tom and closed the distance between us.
"Hi, honey." I had planned on keeping things low-key, but Carter had other ideas and pulled close for a mind-blowing kiss. I blushed and broke our connection, clearing my throat. "Where’s Mav?"
"I told him to wait in the truck with the dog."
"Good idea."
Tom reached his hand out and smiled. "I’m Tom Dale."
"Ace." Carter studied him, ignoring his greeting, and Tom lowered his hand.
"I thought you said his na was Carter?" Tom countered.
"It’s Ace," Carter said, his voice low in warning.
I watched the two n and it dawned on they were having a pissing contest of sorts. I rolled my eyes and gave Carter’s arm a squeeze. "I only have one spare, so I won’t be able to drive anywhere tonight."
"Knight’s bringin’ a truck, babe. He’ll tow it back to the shop."
"You a tow truck guy?" Tom asked.
"No." Carter turned toward him slowly. "Are we holding you up from sothin’, man?"
Tom gave him a strange smile. "No, just making sure Cassidy didn’t need anything."
"Well, I’m here, so she’s good."
Tom nodded and turned to . "You sure you don’t need to stick around."
I felt Carter’s body lock and I shook my head. "No, but thanks anyway."
"Alright, love," Tom said.
"Did you just call my woman ’love’?" Carter demanded.
"It’s an English thing," Tom said.
"She’s not your fuckin’ love, get ?" he demanded.
Tom crossed his arms and smiled. I shivered. Creepy.
"Have a good night," Tom said. "Love."
Carter struck so quickly, I didn’t see it coming, therefore, had no ti to react. Before I knew it, Tom was on the ground, blood spurting from his nose, and still, he grinned like he was dented.
"You ever fuckin’ look at her again, I’ll kill you," Carter threatened, standing over Tom.
I gasped, reaching for Carter’s arm. "Carter."
"Well, aren’t you the big man," Tom teased as he stood and brushed himself off, pulling out a handkerchief and holding it to his nose.
Ohmigod, this guy was totally weird.
"Have a lovely weekend, Cassidy." Tom walked away, and I watched in confusion.
I frowned up at Carter. "What the heck was that all about?"
"You watch that asshole, Cassidy, and if he gives you anymore trouble I’ll deal with it."
"What’s that supposed to an? I get that he’s weird," I conceded, "But did you need to hit him? What if Maverick saw?"
"He didn’t," Carter said emphatically.
I sighed and glanced at the truck. Carter was right. There was no way Maverick could have seen. There were too many cars in the way.
"Have you never t anyone from England?" I accused. "They say ’love’ after everything."
"Babe, trust . He’s interested in you, not to ntion, warped in the fuckin’ head, and I don’t like it."
"You’re being ridiculous."
Carter didn’t get a chance to argue with since Aidan arrived with the tow truck.
"You got anything you need in your car?" Carter asked.
"No, I’m good."
"Go get in the truck, then."
I frowned up at him. "Are you mad at ?"
Carter sighed. "No, babe. Just go get in the truck, yeah?"
Aidan climbed out of the truck and took in the car. "You okay, Cass?"
"I’m fine, Aidan."
"Truck, Cass." Carter handed his keys and made his way to Aidan.
I slid into the driver’s seat of Carter’s truck and tried to shake off his sudden change in mood. Maverick was bouncing in his seat as I tried to give him a hug. "Hey, honey."
"Hi, Mom. Can I ride in the tow truck?"
"Not tonight." I smiled and stroked the dog’s head. "But let move Carter’s truck real quick and then you can watch them hook up my car, okay?"
Maverick gave a little fist pump with his, "Yeah!" and I moved Carter’s truck.
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