“What are you talking about?” he asked, mystified.
Ignoring him completely, she continued. “It was bad enough that you blew me off afterward. Fine. You weren't interested in me. Signal received. But then you mark my bill paid in full like the other night was some kind of payment for services rendered. I've never felt so cheap in my whole life, Mike. Thanks.”
He gaped at her as she dropped the bill on his desk and turned to leave. He stood up and said, “Now wait just a fucking minute. I don't know what the hell you're talking about. That's not what happened here at all, Cass. You blew me off. Or you were in the process of doing it. I just made it easy for you. The only reason I didn't charge you is because I wanted to help you. I liked you. You were the
one who got all weird.”
“I got weird? You couldn't get away fast enough the next day.”
“I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed. I knew how important Roddy was to you. The last thing I wanted to do was fuck something up and risk your dog's life, Cassidy.”
When she studied him, but didn't speak, he earnestly said, “I like you. The only reason I said what I did to you on Friday is because I thought you were blowing me off. I tried to kiss you that morning and you didn't want to kiss me back. You turned away.”
“I had just woken up. I totally had morning breath!” She looked absolutely mortified. “That was the only reason I turned away, Mike. I didn't realize you took it like that. I'm so sorry!”
“My mouth had been all over every inch of your body by that point, Cass. Do you really think I would have cared about your morning breath? I just wanted to kiss you,” he quietly explained.
“Shit. I'm sorry, Mike.” Her expression turned hopeful when she hesitantly said, “If you wanted to, you could kiss me now.”
He circled around his desk as a tidal wave of relief swept through him. He hadn't wanted things to end like they had. When he reached her, he asked, “Can I?”
At her nod, he pulled her into his arms and took her mouth in a searing kiss. When they eventually separated, he ran a thumb gently along her cheekbone. “Before we go any farther, I need to ask you something.”
Her face a mask of confusion, she said, “Okay.”
“I've been meaning to upgrade our billing system. Could you talk to me a little bit more about this blow job payment plan? It sounds—”
Cassidy smacked him on the arm, a mix of humor and outrage on her face. “No. I will not!”
Laughing for what felt like the first time in days, he lowered his mouth to hers. When she slid her arms around his neck and sank into the kiss, he kicked his office door closed with his foot. Yeah, he thought. This was one hell of a way to end a case.
The End