“Sean.”
“I haven’t seen you around before, Sean.”
“I haven’t been around before. My loss, I guess.”
“Why don’t you bring the flowers in while I look for a vase?”
As she turned she managed to slide her breasts across his forearm. It was done so well that Sean could only conclude the lady had perfected the motion over the years. He followed her in and closed the door behind them, the lock automatically clicking into place.
The condo was a luxury one and Sean noted details of great expense everywhere. The lady also had good taste in art, furniture, and oriental rugs. She reached the kitchen, opened a cabinet, and bent over. The view this presented to Sean actually made him blush. A pair of tiny black panties had replaced the white thong, but the rest was all Cassandra.
Still bent over she turned, obviously to make sure he was watching. As her gaze followed his she feigned being startled. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
He managed a grin. “I’m not. The female body is beautiful, why hide it?”
She smiled back. “I like your attitude.”
She took so long retrieving the vase he could have identified her dead body by her butt cheeks alone. She finally straightened up and turned to him.
And stopped smiling.
She stared at his camera scre
en, at the shot of Greg Dawson handing her the envelope.
“What is this? Who the hell are you?”
Sean sat down on one of the barstools set next to the granite kitchen counter.
“Where did you get that picture?” she said accusingly.
“First go get some clothes on. Your striptease act is wearing kind of thin on me.”
She scowled at him. “Why the hell shouldn’t I just call the police?”
In answer he held up the camera again. “Because then this fab shot of you and Greggie boy will get sent to DHS. And unless you can explain to them why a man who runs the company that’s competing with Tuck Dutton’s firm is handing you an envelope at a nice cozy lunch at his house, Science Matters can kiss that fat contract goodbye. Am I right or am I right, Cassandra? Now go get some clothes on!”
She stalked off to change. When she came back she was covered up in a mauve-colored velour warm-up suit.
He nodded at her approvingly. “Much better. Now I can actually treat you like an adult.” He sat down on the sofa in the living room that had impressive water views. She sat across from him and tucked her bare feet under her.
“So I take it the flowers weren’t from Greg?” she said with attitude.
“Nope. His blowing you off at lunch was entirely legit. Maybe he’s used to chicks like you and knows better.”
“So who exactly are you and what do you want?” she said. “Because the sooner you get out of here the better.”
“One ground rule, you’re not asking the questions, I am.”
“Why—”
He held up the photo and she quickly closed her mouth.
“I know about you and Tuck Dutton.”
She rolled her eyes. “Is that what this is about? Please.”
“You were having an affair with him.”