Alexander, Kalissa - Katlynn in Training (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (9 page)

When she arrived for her meeting, Tom was already there and to her surprise, David was sitting in one of the chairs in front of his desk. They both stood as she entered. David looked directly into her eyes. There was no sign of the animosity he had shown toward her the last time they had seen each other. Hopefully it was behind them.

“Katlynn.” Tom reached for her hand across the desk. “Thanks for coming in today. I hope it wasn’t too inconvenient.”

David shook her hand next. “Good to see you again.”

After they had all sat down, Tom began. “I have a project that I want you two to work on. It’s a problematic account, a lot like the one you worked on before. It’s for one of our insured who’ve experienced an inordinate amount of losses connected with their fleet of trucks. Too many accidents that in the end have proven to be driver error. They’ve agreed to let us help them instead of raising their premiums through the roof. You’re both going to need to meet with management a few times and also with the risk-control specialist who handles the account. Although it’s David’s task to come up with a plan of action, I want you both to meet with the insured because I think it’s important they get to know you, too, Katlynn.”

Katlynn sat very still. She didn’t want to work with David. She could still remember his look of total frustration and anger when she had said she didn’t think they should see each other anymore. She hadn’t anticipated how strongly he would react since, to her, their relationship had been over long before the actual words were spoken. He had called her a few choice names that had prompted her to leave the restaurant before he could embarrass her further. She had thought they were both on the same page concerning their relationship, but she had obviously been wrong. Even now, many months later, the thought of working closely with him was the last thing she needed or wanted. However, she was a professional and to say that to Tom would only result in a negative that could impact any future promotions she might be in line for—so she just nodded and smiled.

“Katlynn.” Tom focused his attention on her completely. “Your expertise lies in writing a manual that is easily understood without being condescending to your audience. It’s imperative that both you and David work closely to make sure the insured is not only happy with the final product but that we in turn see results as quickly as possible.” He smiled. “David will take the lead on this. I’m especially interested in what you come up with for an incentive program. I’m a little tired of the keychain safety awards. David feels together you two can come up with some fresh ideas.”

“It sounds like you and David have already talked about this.”

“Yes, I needed to get him onboard before I spoke to the two of you together. Is there a problem?”

“No. Not at all. I look forward to working with David, and the project sounds interesting.”

“Good. That’s settled. I’ll leave you and David to work out the details. Oh, and by the way, we need this project completed within the next three months.”

For the first time since Tom started talking, David spoke up. “I’m looking forward to working with you, too, Katlynn. You’ll still be able to work from home for the most part. We’ll come up with a schedule concerning meetings with the insured and meetings here at the office to go over details that are easier done in person.”

“Of course. Just let me know and I’ll make it fit on my calendar. However, even though I just completed one large project, I still have a couple small ones that I’m working on.”

“This project takes priority, Katlynn.” Tom interrupted David who was about to speak. “If you’re having any problems meeting your target dates for the other two projects, just let David know.”

“Will do.” Katlynn pasted on a smile. Tom stood up. Katlynn and David followed his lead. The meeting was over.

Outside of Tom’s office, David stopped her. “I know you must be feeling a little apprehensive about us working together again. But please don’t. I’m seeing someone else now. The past is past. Okay?”

Breathing a sigh of relief, she said, “I’m happy for you. We worked well together before. I see no reason why we can do the same again.”

“Great. I’ll send you an e-mail early next week after I’ve talked to the safety officer at Hayward’s Trucking about scheduling the meetings. His name is Kyle Landau. He’ll be our liaison with management.”

Seeing David again, although it made her initially uncomfortable, had turned out to be okay. His anger seemed to have dissipated. He had tried to be gracious. But then again, he was the one up for promotion. It would certainly be to his advantage to try and put her at ease. The last time they had worked together they had both reported directly to Tom. The shift of power from Tom to David for the project’s success had been more than evident in everything Tom had said to her. She could have easily handled all aspects of the project, but Tom had seen fit to give that responsibility to David. He was no better at setting a plan of action than she was which she had proven on other projects that she had worked on. The only difference between her and David was that he knew how to schmooze with the boss and his coworkers. She on the other hand did her job but had little time for office politics. Obviously, it was something she would have to change if she were ever going to be considered for promotion.

She didn’t feel much like going shopping, but she didn’t want to go back home yet either, where she could chance running into Jarred. If she wanted to look her best and feel confident, a new dress could do nothing but help.

She decided to splurge a little and stopped at the dress department at Lord & Taylor. She wanted something summery, but the nights were still a little cool. Possibly a dress with a light jacket or long sleeves would work. However, the dress she fell in love with wasn’t something she would have normally worn, no matter what the weather. The low-cut bodice not only provided a more than ample view of her breasts, but the spaghetti straps bared her arms, and the back was open. She twirled a couple times liking the way the lightweight material felt against her legs. It was a pretty light pink with a flowing skirt that was ultrafeminine. She loved it. Of course it was a little short, but that was the style. She wasn’t used to showing so much skin. It went against her nature to dress quite so provocatively. Common sense was beginning to prevail when a customer in the dressing room commented on well how it suited her. She fought the urge to put it back on the rack, knowing full well the only reason she was considering it was because she wanted to impress Jarred. She looked at the price tag one more time before she pulled out her credit card.

Chapter Nine

Jarred Carson sat alone at his brothers’ kitchen table enjoying a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. The move to the East Coast seemed to agree with both Justin and Jeremiah. They not only looked good but seemed to be doing well financially. He had been against it when Jeremiah had announced he wanted to accept a job offer in Philadelphia, even though he understood it was an excellent career move. When Justin had said he wanted to go with him, it had made him feel better knowing Justin would be there to keep Jeremiah company and out of harm’s way. Not that Jeremiah was still the reckless young man who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants or his head out of his ass, but he still had a tendency to pick up with the wrong kind of woman, and he was sure could still party with the best of them. Jeremiah had always been the brother with a knack for getting into trouble. It had been part of the reason why he had decided to join his brothers when it came to women. Jeremiah’s exceptional good looks and flirtatious nature had made him the object of the kind of women who were more than experienced in the ways of the world that many times included illegal activity.

He could still remember when Jeremiah had brought a woman into their bed who was strung out on coke and could have been carrying god knows what disease. Sometimes Jeremiah just didn’t think. Luckily, Justin and he had given her a few bucks and sent her own her way. Not that they ever had to pay for a woman, but this one said she didn’t even have money for cab fare.

When Jeremiah had spoken to him about Kat, he had heard something different in his brother’s voice. She was, he had reiterated every time they spoke, just what he had been looking for in a woman. She was smart and beautiful along with being the kindest and most loving person he had ever met. Jarred knew that if Jeremiah were alone in his infatuation, he would have been even more skeptical, but the fact that Justin, the more conservative of the three of them, was pushing for him to meet the woman that appeared to have captured both his brothers’ hearts, gave him reason to pause. Whether she was right for all three of them or not, was something he highly doubted.

At their request, he had even moved up his visit by a couple months. He had told them to just fuck her together or separately, whatever they preferred, it was okay with him. Although Jeremiah had been a bit more receptive to the idea, Justin had been adamant that he wanted their first time with her to be with all three of them. Justin had also said that he and Jeremiah weren’t going to bring any other woman into their bed while they waited. Jarred found it almost impossible to believe that Jeremiah was willing to forgo his carnal appetites for that long a period of time. It went totally against his nature that was more in line with his own. He hoped she wasn’t some scheming bitch who was out to take his brothers on the ride of their lives that could end with broken hearts, and a lighter wallet. He kept his cool and didn’t say what he was thinking. Instead he said if they wanted to take a vow of abstinence, he couldn’t stop them, but not to expect the same from him.

At thirty-seven years old, he had more than his share of women and even though there were times he found himself longing for something more, the variety of sexual encounters his lifestyle afforded him was not one he would easily give up. Kat would have to be more than just exceptional if he were to even consider taking the path his brothers seemed so eager to pursue. However, he would try to keep an open mind, and if she turned out to be a good fuck, then all would not be in vain. However, if she turned out to be the kind of woman who wasn’t worthy of their love, he’d do a lot more than just fuck her.

* * * *

“Hey, Jarred, you almost ready? Kat should be here any second.” Justin’s voice carried into the bathroom where Jarred had just finished shaving for the second time that day. Unlike his brothers, he was the hairy one in the family. A curse when it came to shaving, and yet women were attracted not only to his full head of dark-brown hair that he wore to his shoulders but his thick curly chest hairs they enjoyed rubbing up against their tits.

“Jarred, you almost ready?” This time it was Jeremiah outside the bathroom door.

“Give a man time to shave. You don’t want me meeting this delectable creature of yours with a day’s growth do you?”

“Yeah, God knows we don’t want you to scare her,” Jeremiah teased.

Coming out of the bathroom, he went into his bedroom and slapped on some cologne. The jeans he had on were not what his brothers had wanted him to wear. They had hoped he’d put on dress pants, but that’s where he drew the line. Jeans and boots were what he wore to meet most people regardless of their status. He did, however, opt for a white dress shirt. He left his Stetson on the bureau.

“Kat,” Jeremiah said loudly enough for Jarred to hear.

Jarred walked out into the living area and looked toward where his brothers were standing in front of what he could only assume was Kat. Sensing his presence, they turned and moved to either side of her.

“Jarred, this is our neighbor, Kat.”

He wasn’t sure exactly what he was expecting, but the woman standing before him with the shy smile was more beautiful than he had anticipated. She literally took his breath away, not an easy thing for any woman to do, especially one that wasn’t even his type. He physically shook himself and walked toward her. She held out her hand to him. Instead of taking it, he stepped closer to bring her into his arms, drawing her close, feeling the smooth warmth of her exposed skin. The dress she had on was pink and girlie and fit her to perfection. It highlighted her assets without making her look cheap. She felt good in his arms, like she belonged there. When he released her, he could have sworn she was trembling.

“Kat, it’s so nice to meet you. To say I’ve heard a lot about you would be an understatement.”

“Me, too.” She smiled, her eyes not quite meeting his. Was she really that shy or was it an act? He couldn’t tell. His brothers hadn’t been exaggerating when they had said she was different. He was used to being in the company of beautiful women, but there was something about her that went beyond mere beauty. He felt his heart skip a beat when she hesitantly looked up into his eyes. Her blond hair was long and shiny just the way he liked it, except the women he preferred had long, dark hair. She had captured it in combs that drew it away from her face, providing him an even clearer view of the soft curve of her neck. Her eyes, a deep blue, were framed by lashes that were the thickest he had ever seen on a woman. She was more than delicious. She was a wanton delight. The long, shapely legs and pretty, little, pink heels she wore only served to enhance his appetite for what he knew was between those thighs that were partially exposed by the short hem of her dress.