Business: Phoenix #1 (3 page)

Chapter
Four
Casey

It took me a little longer than usual to get ready to go
to work this morning, once I picked out my favorite Victoria’s Secret underwear
– a black and red lacy bra with a matching thong, it must be a woman thing but
I always feel so much more attractive when I know I have got nice matching sexy
underwear on.

Then it seemed to take forever to choose a dress, after
trying on four dresses I finally settled on a grey Michael Kors V-neck dress,
which shows my girls off nicely, not putting too much on show but it is
definitely enough.

Since I arrived in to work my phone has seemed to be
nonstop, I’ve had a conversation with Emma in HR about a new vacancy that has
come up downstairs – one of our girls who has been off on maternity leave has
decided she doesn’t want to come back to work as she wants to be a stay at home
mum. Emma wanted to double check that we can take somebody else on in her
place, which I agreed to.

Mia, my stylist called me to discuss different dresses she
had picked out for me to wear at the Rich List party on Saturday and from what
she has told me so far, I can’t wait to try the dresses on. I don’t think she
has ever got it wrong when it comes to outfits for such events.

My last call was from my mum, she was just checking in on
how things were going – I only briefly told her about the meeting yesterday,
told her as nothing had been agreed yet I couldn’t tell her much more. Then she
started to update me on her life, how she and dad have been looking to book a
holiday away and like the idea of Mexico – which sounded lovely. I must try and
get time away this year. It’s been so long since I have had a break.

Andrew had taken his new girlfriend over to meet our
parents last night and they had dinner, mum said she was like the rest of them
he brings home, dark haired, slim and very pretty. We’re not sure how long this
one will last but the way Andrew is, it’s never long – he gets bored easily. We
had a joke that perhaps we should start placing bets of how long each
relationship will last. I never get the chance to meet any of his girlfriends,
for two reasons – I live so far away from home and don’t really get a chance to
visit. Secondly, the relationships never last long enough so whenever we get
the chance to spend time together as a family, he is back to being single.

I sigh as my phone rings again, but when I answer there is
nobody there, must have been a wrong number.

My stomach makes a soft rumble,
reminding me that I missed my morning fruit break.  As I decide it's time
to get a snack, Hannah enters with Matthew.  He is dressed impeccably in a
dashing midnight blue suit that looks tailored to his body.  He looks
divine.  I smile at them both.  Hannah gives me a sly wink as she
closes the door behind her.

"Hi Matthew, so nice to see
you again," I say with a genuine smile as we shake hands.  The
connection of our hands sends an electric current through my body.  What I
feel in my stomach is no longer a desire for food.

 “Hi Casey, the pleasure is all mine, oh and please, call
me Matt.” He flashes me a cocky smile and I lose myself for a few moments in
his eyes, his beautiful deep brown eyes.

When I eventually get myself back, I separate our hands
before stepping back to my chair, “Please, take a seat, Matt.” I smile and nod
my head to the empty chair opposite me.

“Thank you, so, you’re ready to accept the offer?” he asks
as he sits back, putting his right ankle on his left knee and sitting back in
the chair looking straight at me, those eyes piercing through me.

“Almost, the offer is good and I can’t see any faults, I
just…” fancy the pants off you? Want you so bad? I just want to fuck you? I let
different scenarios dance around in my head before I settle; “I just don’t want
to rush into anything...” and I don’t just mean that from a business point of view.

“That’s understandable, but, Casey, you’ll accept.  I’m
very persistent when I want something, and I always get what I want.” He says. 
I almost feel like we are no longer discussing a merger.   “I’m in the UK for
another twelve days or so, so we can spend some time together discussing it in
more detail?”

He wants to spend more time with me? How does he mean we
can spend more time together? Does he mean going out for dinner or simply
spending time discussing business in the office? Thousands of questions float
around in my head. For some reason, I feel like a shy teenager around this man
– I don’t know why he has this effect on me but it needs to stop, I can’t keep
going on like this – I’m Casey Phoenix, I was business woman of the year in
2012 and 2013.

I can’t get flustered over a man I will potentially be
going into business with. It’s unprofessional.

“I think I’ll pass, I’ve got enough information, I just
think I need more time before making the decision, that’s all, but thanks for
the offer.” I smile sincerely.

“You’re turning down an offer to spend time with your
potential partner? Oh Ms. Phoenix, I never get turned down!” He jokes, pretending
to look offended.

I can’t help but laugh, he looks so cute. “Why are you so
bothered?” I put my elbows on my desk, lean forward and rest my head on the
palm of my hand looking straight at him I forget that my cleavage is on show
and sit upright when I catch him looking down at my girls.

He tilts his head to the side and flashes me another one
of his arrogant smiles “Because the merger is a very good deal, for everyone
involved.  I’d like to ....persuade you. What more can I say?”

“Sounds more pleasure than business,” I raise an eyebrow
at him, I’m not sure with what type of reply I am going to get, but I’m looking
forward to hearing what he has to say.

“Business is always a pleasure to me.” He winks. Before
sitting back in his chair and reaching his arms behind his head and like he is
reading my mind, “No, before you ask I don’t sleep with every woman I work
with.”

“Wait a second, a few moments ago you were saying we
should spend time together to go over business, you said nothing about sleeping
together?” I ask stunned.

"It's inevitable that it’ll happen, we've got
chemistry Casey, don't pretend you haven't noticed." Admittedly, this
statement boosts my ego, the fact that he wants me. But, it also shows his
arrogance.

I don't know what I can say to him, I can't argue with him
as it is true, there is chemistry between the two of us, but I don't want to
admit it. I've only met him twice, I don't even know him. This is crazy. I
stand and head toward the window behind me and look out at the world. 

From the reflection in the window I see him stand and with
a few strides he is right behind me, inches away from me, I turn to face him
and try to speak, say something but nothing comes.

Within moments I’m in his arms, his mouth crashing against
mine, I open my mouth as an invitation. He runs his tongue across my lips
before sliding inside, our tongues dance intimately, tasting and savouring each
other before I come to my senses and realize that this is so wrong.

 I push away and look up at him. His eyes are full of lust
and want; he cocks his head to the side as if he is trying to read me, trying
to figure out what is running through my mind. He must find what he is
searching for because he flashes me an arrogant smile and he looks fucking
gorgeous. That's enough to tip me back over the edge.

Our lips meet again, this time they are hungrier than
before, my hands fist against his shirt, he pushes me back so I am pressed
against the window, our lips never losing contact. His left hand plays with my
hair while the other rubs down my back and onto my ass. A growl escapes his
throat once his hand finds what it was looking for. I nibble along his lower
lip.

"God Casey, you’re so sexy."

We are interrupted by a knock on the door and I instantly
jump away from him, my eyes wide realizing we could get caught. I try to fix my
hair as best as I can and straighten my dress. Matt is as cool as a cucumber
and watches with amusement as I try to hide evidence of what has just happened.

When I am seated behind my desk and Matt is sitting back
in front of me, I call out to whoever it is to come in.

Michelle one of my tougher personal assistants walks in
wearing a black trouser suit and a low cut blouse, her eyes study the back of Matt’s
head before she looks at me.

"Sorry Casey, it was just to let you know I have sent
Brian to collect the dresses from Mia's. He should be back in half an hour or
so, if you're still busy I will get him to leave them in Hannah's office. Sorry
for interrupting you." Her eyes dart back to Matt's head as if she was
willing him to turn around to look at her.

I glance over to Matt and I realize he is looking straight
at me, his eyes burning with passion. I bite my bottom lip and look back over
to Michelle.

"Thanks Michelle that would be brilliant." I
smile.

When Michelle leaves I look straight at Matt and shake my
head playfully. "You’re a bad influence Mr. Jackson."

"Oh Casey. You haven't seen nothing yet... that was the
calm before the storm, Sweetheart."

Casey

It's a nice day out so I put my sunglasses on as we drive
to the restaurant; we decided we were hungry and since the only transport Matt
has over here is a company driver, I figured I would drive us.

Matt said I have a sexy taste in cars when he see’s my
white Mercedes CLA.

On the journey there, we chat about cars - Matt tells me
he has seven cars over in America, one of which being a Porsche, he tells me
the model but I don’t really know too much about cars but I can imagine how
sexy he would look driving it. After knowing him only two days, I can tell he
is a typical rich bad boy. I just hope he hasn't got a bad boy reputation when
it comes to women.

We arrive at The Seasons and I am grateful that with it
being lunch time it isn't very busy, we get seated in a booth at the far end of
the restaurant and the waitress comes over to take our orders and I can't help
but notice the way she is looking at Matt, she is practically gawping at him!
He doesn't bat an eye lid though - he's probably used to all this attention.

Matt chooses a Steak and a large Coke and I stick with a
chicken salad and diet Coke.

When we receive our drinks we both sit looking at each
other, he has taken his suit jacket and tie off so he is just wearing his white
shirt which fits him perfectly.

"I have an idea, let's play ten questions – it’s a
good way to get to know each other." His deep, sexy, American voice pulls
me from my day dream which involves his muscles, his shirt and his chest.
"You start Case." He sits back watching me intently.

"So we're that friendly we're onto nicknames?" I
ask with a grin, "By the way, that wasn't my question, Matty. What’s your
biggest fear?" I ask, watching him cringe when he hears me call him 'Matty'.

"I don't have any fears, I don't see the point living
life scared. You only get one shot at life. May as well enjoy every second of
it." He shrugs, what a typical man answer. "Okay, my go. Are you
single?" He asks, his eyes burning with interest.

"Yes - I am one hundred percent single." I take
a sip of my Coke and watch for his reaction.

"Good, I don't know how so, but I'm glad you are."
He says oh so matter of factly.

"What about you, are you single?" I ask whilst
trying not to sound too eager. Keep your cool Case.

"Yes I’m single. How old are you?" I sit forward
my eyes never leaving his.

"Is this all you've got, Jackson? You've only got
what, five questions left to ask me and you’re wasting it asking my age?"
I laugh. "I'm twenty-four."

His eyes narrow as he sits back with his arms crossed
watching me intently, "You're next question better be good."

I roll my eyes at him, oh perrrleaase. "It is."
I place my hands on the table and lean closer towards him, I see his eyes dart
down and take in my bosom before his eyes return back to mine. "I don't
know how to ask you, alright... here goes... how old are you?" I throw his
question back at him; I can see the disappointment on his face which soon turns
into laughter.

"Smart ass!” He laughs.

His reaction makes me smile.

Matt's fan-girl waitress returns with our food and I
notice she has more makeup on that she did before. She over exaggerates when
she bends forward to put the plate of food in front of him, trying to get him
to look at her, but he doesn't pay her any attention. She just puts my plate
down and that's it. We both say thank you to dismiss her and once she goes we
start to eat.

We eat in silence for a couple of moments before Matt speaks.
"Ok, my turn. I'm guessing, or at least I'm hoping, that since you're
single, you don't have a date for the Rich List party?"

"I don't take dates to those types of things; the
paparazzi would go crazy if I did. I just generally go with Hannah to big
events." I shrug putting a tomato in my mouth.

"That's too bad. I was going to ask you if you would
be my date."

"Well, why don't you ask that on your next turn?"
I flash a daring smile. "By the way, Jackson, that was my question."
I wink.

Matt shakes his head, the laughter from earlier still dancing
in his eyes. "Will you be my date to the event tomorrow?"

"No, I don't do dates." I laugh at his stunned
expression. "What's up Jackson, a girl never turned you down?"

He arches his eye brows at me. "Never." He takes
a long swallow of his Coke, his eyes never leaving my face. "Are you on
birth control?" He asks.

"Excuse me?"

"Are. You. On. Birth. Control." He drags out
each word. Running his hand along his jaw, his eyes focused on mine.

"That's none of your business." I'm offended.

"It will be when I'm fucking you." He says
matter of factly. "I'm a man who gets what he wants and I want you Casey."

"Sorry, I don't do the whole dating situation-"

"So, you're a no strings attached kind of
woman?" His eyes light up as he speaks, he obviously thinks he has hit the
jackpot.

I push my empty plate to the center of the table, cross my
arms across my chest and look back at him. "No, I just don't bother at
all."

The disbelief shows in his face. "A woman like you
doesn't date? Who hurt you, what’s your story?"

"I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you."
I shrug. "It will take me a lot to regain confidence in the male
species."

"That's a challenge I look forward to, sweetheart."
He winks and the butterflies in my stomach go crazy for him once again.