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Well, okay, maybe he’d thought of her as attractive before, and something about her had always intrigued him. Perhaps the way she kept to herself as if protecting her private life. But Abby had worked for him and his brother, Brady, for nearly a year, and he’d never, ever considered her a woman to fantasize about all night. Until now.
How had her sexy, yet foolish side managed to work its way into his every thought for the past ten hours?
Just watching her dip her Danish into the small tub of cream cheese and lick the excess off her fingers made him grit his teeth and turn toward the kitchen to get her a glass of juice. Nothing about this situation was professional—especially on his part.
With his impending engagement to Mona Tremane, he had to remain focused. Mona was just the break he needed since his father had handed the reigns over to his sons before passing away ten months ago.
After becoming co-CEO with Brady, Cade had been waiting for a chance to build up Stone Enterprises and launch their real estate company into other countries. Brady was one hundred percent on board with going global, but he was thinking in the distant future. Cade was thinking now.
Mona’s father had mentioned a form of partnership between his multi-billion-dollar real estate firm and Stone Enterprises…then conveniently laid the marriage card on the table. Just the thought of moving into another league had Cade salivating and ready to sign by the X—even if it was a marriage license.
Why not propose to Mona? They’d gone out to the theatre a couple of times and were already good friends. Why not make the partnership permanent on all levels? After all, his brother had married and seemed to be enjoying holy matrimony. Granted, Brady and Sam were totally in love…something Cade had yet to feel for or tell a woman.
Love was for some people—he just didn’t consider himself one of them. People who “fell in love” were just filling a void for something else. He was more than happy to fill any void with a new plane, fast cars and beachfront homes.
Besides, didn’t power and money last far longer than love? Anyway, he wasn’t convinced love even existed unless it was from a toddler to a puppy. Or a son to his father.
Cade shook off the remorse that crept up at the thought of his late father. Dwelling on the man who’d molded him into the businessman he was today wouldn’t bring his father back. Nothing would. But he could honor his father’s legacy by making their company the best in the world.
As he poured a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, Cade knew that it was time for him to settle down and start a family so the Stone name could live on. Mona had already agreed to a family. He wanted to pass down the company to his kids as his father had. Brady and Sam were already well ahead of him. They were due with twins in less than three months.
He turned toward the living room just in time to see Abby’s mouth open wide as she gobbled up the last bite of Danish. When she proceeded to lick each and every one of her fingers clean, Cade cleared his throat and stepped down into the living area.
Forget the damn image of those hips while she was on the bull.
“Here you go.”
Cade set the juice on the table, then crossed the room to lean against the entertainment center. With his arms crossed, he glared at her and waited for an explanation.
Abby merely stared back and said, “What?”
“Care to tell me why you drank so much last night?”
One creamy shoulder lifted. “I’m a grown woman, Cade. I wanted to unwind, have fun. Surely you know about having fun. Right?”
“We’re not talking about me,” he said through gritted teeth.
“No, if we were you could tell me why this sudden engagement is the first I’ve ever heard about Mona Tremane.”
Levering off the entertainment center, Cade came to his full height, resting his hands on his hips. “My personal affairs are none of your concern. You are my employee.”
A flash of hurt skipped across her face or maybe he just imagined the reaction because now her rounded chin tilted up.
“You’re right,” she agreed. “Which is why when I want to go out and have a good time, I’m entitled. I don’t need you to come play daddy.” She paused and picked up the juice. “Although, you see more of me than he ever did,” she muttered, almost under her breath.
Her tone had gone from indignant to sad, and it drew him into her web of innocence.
What had gotten into his private, dignified assistant? And why was this the first time he’d ever heard about anyone in her family?
Because they only had an employee/employer relationship, as he’d just told her. So why did that suddenly make him feel cold, uncaring?
