Merger (27 page)

“A
) You’re not a bitch
Kasey
, and B) don’t even think about it or you’ll be quarantined to this house. I’m sorry, baby, it was a joke.” She pulled my belt loop drawing me into her.

“Apology accepted.” Her small heels gave her a better advantage to my mouth, but I still had to dip slightly to reach her
. I kissed her gently not wanting to mess up her beautifully painted lips.

“Let’s go.
” I grabbed her hand and we walked out to the garage. “What’s it to be?”

Chapter 23

Kasey

“You’re letting me pick the car?
” I asked, bewildered and excited at the choice. He shrugged reluctantly and shook his head knowing he’d just given up some form of power. I liked that he’d deferred to me. I looked over each of the cars methodically. He drove the Audi like a bat out of hell and I assumed the Ferrari would suffer the same abuse under his heavily charged testosterone.

“BMW
.”

“I could have guessed that
. I don’t know why I even asked.” He grabbed the keys from the key rack by the garage door. “Let’s hit it then.” I smiled with relief that I wasn’t going to have to fear for my life on the Pacific Coast Highway. It was famous for its view and at least this way, I’d actually get to see some of it without it flashing by.

“Not happy with my choice
?” I asked as we pulled out of the driveway.

“
Not at all, I knew my driving made you a bit nervous, so I guessed that you’d go for luxury over speed. I was right.”

“Oh, I’m sure this car gets the same abuse
. Once a lead foot, always a lead foot.” He grabbed my thigh tightly causing me to squeal out. “Oh good god, stop or I’ll piss all over this beautiful leather seat.” He released my thigh and we drove into the city hand-in-hand. I couldn’t ever remember feeling so content.

We didn’t have to drive far to get to the restaurant
, which sat above the beach lined Pacific in Malibu. Restaurant Nikita was a looking glass to the ocean. Swank and bustling with pretty people. It had Mediterranean fare and smelled divine upon entering. We were greeted by a petite knockout Asian girl.

“Good evening
, Mr. Crawford.” She beamed with delight at the sight of Josh. He had a way of knocking women off their feet, and the stunned beauty before me was no less affected.

“Good evening
, Tia. I think we’ll have a drink on the patio and then my usual table please.” Josh was obviously a regular and as I looked around at the open plan of the restaurant and the spectacular view of the ocean, I could see why.

“Certainly
, Mr. Crawford. You can go on out to the patio. Jeremy is working the bar this evening and we’ll have your table ready when you request to be seated.” She smiled and rolled her petite arm out in as a guide to the direction of the outdoor patio. Josh grabbed my hand and we walked through the restaurant to the patio.

We bellied up to the bar
, ordered two glasses of wine, and walked over to some empty chairs that lined the outer patio with spectacular views of the beach and ocean.

“Nice view,” I said looking out across the vast ocean as the last signs of the sun were descending and night was setting in.

“I agree
,” Josh said smiling.

“The ocean
, twit, not me.” I laughed, shaking my head at his overt prowess over me.

“Twit?” He
grabbed his chest like I’d stunned and offended him.

“It was a joke my love,
just a joke.” His eyes hit me hard and dead on. I guess the use of the word ‘love’ was also a stunner even for him, and I felt my heart swell as he looked at me hungry for my longing words. I was truly falling in love with him, but wasn’t ready to say it just yet, so I brushed over his stare and grabbed his hand, brought it to my lips and kissed it.

“So, I guess I must prepare myself for all the swooning women
. Looks like Tia’s no different than Megan. Honestly I’ve never been the jealous type, but damn it’s hard not to be when they’re all but throwing themselves at you.” I looked at him sipping his wine and he brought my hand to his face and kissed it.

“Tia is just a hostess at a restaurant I frequent a lot because it’s close to my house and Megan works for me
. Neither of whom you will ever have to worry about. I don’t want anyone but you K.K. and you obviously have no idea how beautiful you are. Those two don’t hold a candle to you, my love.” I was momentarily halted by his use of the word ‘love’ and smiled at the innuendo.

Then, as if on cue, her long legs
preceding her, in walked Megan.
What the hell?

“Hey Josh, I thought you’d be here
. I was in the area and I thought I’d stop by for a quick drink. The sunset is beautiful don’t you think?” I looked at Josh and he was looking straight at me. He was caught between the weight of our previous conversation and his assistant standing before him.

“Yes, it is
,” he said drawing his eyes from me, but reaching for my hand as he directed his attention to her.

“Can I get you a drink Megan?” Josh asked
.

I wasn’t shocked that he’d asked because he was always the consummate gentleman and would never make anyone feel uncomfortable, but I wanted to kick her when she accepted the offer
.

“Sure, chardonnay would be great.
” She pulled up the chair next to me and gingerly sat down. I assumed by the length of her dress it was hard to find a way to sit without exposing herself. It was with this thought that I knew suddenly why she’d chosen to sit next to me instead of her intended target. Josh rose to his feet kissed my hand and walked to the bar to retrieve her chardonnay, still oblivious to her overt flirtation or merely playing stupid for my sake.

“So
, Kasey, we are all so happy about the merger. The Crawfords have all been working so hard to make it a success. Josh especially has been putting in a lot of long hours at work. I’ve made sure that nothing went unattended while he was away.”
I bet.

“That’s great
,” I said with a hint of sarcasm and wondering if she’d detect it or if all the bleach processing of her blond locks rendered her stupid. Then she smirked back and hit me with her ultra-white smile.

“Yes, I take care of all of Josh’s affairs.” She beamed
. “So how long will you be staying in L.A.?”

“I haven’t really decided
. We have a few business deals that we are going to try to put into place and then I’ll just have to see from there,” I said.

“Do you need me to help with any of your hotel arrangements?
” And finally, there it was, no more playing around it. Where was I going to be spending my nights? I didn’t know if Josh’s relationship had ever crossed the line with Megan, but I sensed that if it hadn’t, she’d be open to the idea of it.

“No, that won’t be necessary
. I’m staying with Josh.”

“Really?” She looked at me and I could almost feel the flush of jealousy come over her
. “Aren’t you guys business partners now? I just didn’t think it was more than that. I was actually shocked at the way he was with you this afternoon. I’ve never seen him so attentive to anyone. I guess I was just a little shocked.”

“We are partners and we’re seeing each other as well
. Is that a problem for you?” She’d never admit to it, but it was.

“Why should it be
? I work for Josh and we’re friends.”

“Great.
” I turned away, let my smile abate, and pulled a long sip from my wine, hoping it would settle my urge to slap the blonde next to me. Josh came up behind us and handed Megan her drink. She beamed from ear-to-fucking-ear and thanked him. He sat down across from me and grabbed for my hand. I had the sudden urge to pull it away, but knew I was just being a baby. She’d gotten under my skin and I wasn’t going to take it out on him. I confidently intertwined our fingers, feeling the warmth of his hand in mine and gaining my reassurance.

She’s a super freak, super freak
…rang at half tone in my clutch and I pulled my hand away, thrust my wine on the table next to me and grabbed for my phone to stifle the song. I really needed to change that ring tone. It was embarrassing. Josh rolled his eyes and I nodded to excuse myself from him and Megan and walked over to the rail that separated me from the beautiful tan sand below.

“Thank you friend,” I answered
.

“Thank you for what?
” Beth replied.

“I just had the pleasure of meeting Josh’s assistant, who is still sitting in the chair next to me, smug and blonde and legs for days
. She clearly wants to do more than take a little dictation if you know what I mean?” I said with growing irritation.

“You clearly have nothing to worry about
, K.K. Sometimes you are so dense.” 

“What the hell are you going on about
? I’m about to get into a catfight with a girl I’ve just met and I’m dense?” I said hoping my voice was low enough not to draw their attention.

“You’ve never gotten it
, K.K. Sometimes you are dense. Do you even look in the mirror every day, or do you just put that mascara on blindly? K.K. I don’t care if she just fell off the cover of Cosmo, she not half as pretty as you are, nor as smart. It you don’t believe that, than the catfight is going to be between you and me, not that blonde bimbo.” It was so incredible how she could lighten my mood. I laughed at her comment and sighed. “You’re the best Beth.”

“I know
. I miss you, and you’ve only been gone a day. When are you coming back?” she asked.

“I’m not sure yet
. Josh asked me to stay for two weeks, but I’m just going to see how it goes. I want to get to know the Los Angeles staff and board members. I think Josh and I are going to put our feelers out on a new pipeline deal while I’m here and then he wants to show my ‘his’ L.A. And, if it’s anything like ‘his’ Malibu house I’m in for a surprise. I’d say you’d love it, but from the renovation of my place you can get the picture. His influence over the design is apparent.”

“He was so enthusiastic about it K.K
. I let him kind of dictate what his vision was for your place. I’m sorry if you don’t like it.”

“Are you kidding
? I love it. No apologies necessary. I just mention it because his house is incredible. You’d love it,” I replied.

“Great
, because I’ve submitted your penthouse to
Architectural Digest
. I’d love to make the cover.” I could hear how proud she was of the work and my admiration of her couldn’t have been more. “And, as for the house, I’m coming to L.A. this weekend. Jake asked if I’d fly out.”

I couldn’t have been more thrilled to hear that she was coming to L.A
. “Awesome, Josh and I will make plans and we can all go out Friday night.” I turned to look at Josh and he was staring at me as Megan talked to the side of his head. Maybe he didn’t notice her. Maybe I didn’t need to worry about all the other women who vied for his attention.

I
looked back at him and made my way back to my chair and wine while closing my conversation down with Beth. “Listen, I’ve gotta go, but I will see you Friday night and we’ll hit the town. Do me a favor and check in on my Dad this week. I hate that he’s alone?”

“Sure
,” she replied. “See you Friday night, and I’ve got your Dad covered. I’ll take him lunch tomorrow. Tell Josh I said ‘hi.’”

“Will do
,” I replied.

I hung the phone up and reached for my wine glass
. Josh in one fell swoop pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arm around my waist. “I missed you. How’s Beth?”

I looked over at Megan, who was now standing to excuse herself and
I blessed the stars above.

“Oh, Megan
. It was nice to see you again. I guess we’ll see you at the office tomorrow.” I said smirking and reached out for her hand. She reciprocated reluctantly, with daggers in her eyes.

“It was a pleasure to see you again as well
. Take good care of my boss.” She was now looking at Josh instead of me, so I gave her hand a firmer grip drawing her attention back.

“You can count on it
,” I said.

“Have a good night
, Megan,” Josh chimed in. “We’ll see you tomorrow.” She eagerly released my hand and walked away, the sway of her hips exaggerated for us both to see.

“Ugh
. Really, Josh. She couldn’t have been more obvious.” I turned to look at him.

“What are you talking about?
” He pulled me into his warm chest and kissed me. I could taste the wine on his tongue and his cologne was messing with my head.

“Have you ever had anything more than a working relationship with her before?” I leaned back enough to gauge his answer
.

“No.
” He looked past me and I knew something stunk.

“No
? As in I’ve never fucked her or no as in I’ve never had anything with her? She is all but pissing on my leg. Trust is everything right? If we’re going to make this work, I’ve got to know what I’m up against.”

He sighed and put his forehead to mine
. “I might have kissed her once, but it was years ago, and I was drunk. I swear, I have never allowed anything unprofessional to happen since. It was wrong and we were on a business trip. I’d drank a lot and when she went to kiss me I let her. It was a stupid thing to do and I realized it immediately. I apologized and it’s never been spoken about since.”