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I had no idea, not really. I didn’t even know what it really was between us. I folded and unfolded a corner of my notebook and shrugged again. Cool and casual Cassie was my total style. I needed to stick to it.
“I don’t know.”
But did I want to? Deep down, I had to admit,YES.
CHAPTER15
CASSIE
Eventually,I was able to get Stevie away and start work. I put in my headphones and listened to my crime podcast while I finished up a bit of my research. It helped me to focus, and the old boss never really cared what we did as long as we got our work done. I’d put my other research on hold while Brad decided about who we could replace Dave with as my partner.
I got so lost in what I was doing that I didn’t realize lunch had passed. When I finally looked at my watch, I cursed. Most people had already gone out, and while lunch was not a strict time in the office, I was usually starved by the time it came around, and I wouldn’t be able to really think straight.
Closing up shop, I pulled off my lab coat, put my headphones away, grabbed my purse from the locker room, and headed down the hall. I tensed when I saw Brad’s door was open, and I tried to get my brain to think of something good to say to him.
You can’t avoid him forever, you know.
No, I couldn’t. But I could, however, promise myself that I would never do anything else with him. It was foolish, and after how amazing it had felt last night when I’d let go entirely, I knew that I was diving into dangerous territory. My safety walls weren’t working as well as they needed to, and I needed my brain to take over for everything else.
When I passed Brad’s door, I saw with relief that he wasn’t inside, and then I sped up, hurrying toward the door to the lab, still peeking in through the office to make sure. Because of that, I didn’t see where I was going, and I ran right into someone.
I knew who it was before even looking up. I could smell him. Really, I had the worst coordination when I was around this man.
“Oh, hi, sorry,” I said, looking up and stepping back, but Brad kept his hands on my elbows.
“Hey, Cassie. No problem. I won’t say what I said the last time you ran into me.”
Happy lines crinkled at the corners of his eyes. Again, whatever logic I’d collected on my way from the lab to his office, swiftly left my brain with hardly a wave of goodbye.
“That’s good.”
He dropped his hands, realizing that the security guards were able to see us. “Can I see you in my office?” he asked.
“Sure.”
My voice sounded a bit meek, but inside, I was desperate. Now that I saw him in the light, I remembered everything I’d felt yesterday, wine or no. I needed to touch him, or I was going to go crazy.
Inside the office, he shut the door, and I practically pounced on him. I experienced a sliver of regret when I realized I hadn’t asked him how he felt about anything or if he even wanted to continue this, but I got my answer in the way he held me tight, his mouth kissing mine with abandon.
For a few seconds, I lost all consciousness of where we were. It could have been on a beach, in a boardroom, or in my bedroom. But when I pulled back, and my eyes flickered open, it seemed very strange that we were in a research lab’s office.
“Sorry,” I said. “I just—”
“Yeah.” He laughed. “Me too. Look, I’m glad I caught you. I was hoping you might want to see me again tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah, I know it’s Friday, so you likely already have plans, but I’d like to make you dinner if you don’t.”
Plans. What were those? Yes, every Friday I would have all kinds of plans. Party plans, usually followed by beach or pool time, and singing. Definitely singing.
But I knew that Sadie and Jane would totally understand if I didn’t do our usually happy hour and karaoke. They would scream and dance, and I’d have to get a whole earful of questions later.
“That sounds nice.”
“Great!” His face broke into a wide smile. “I’ll pick you up from your place?”
“Yes.” I stepped away. Time to get lunch and not think about sex. It was the middle of a workday for God’s sake! “See you then.”
