A few minutes later, she found herself sitting beside Lucas on a couch in the corner of his office. Another good-looking, dark-haired man, but this one with an easy smile on his face.
“So how’s it going?” he asked her, reinforcing her impression that he was more relaxed than Kade, more like Derek in his demeanor.
“I’m having an interesting morning,” she said, putting it mildly. “I met with Kade earlier and he’s more intense.”
Lucas burst out laughing. “Did he put you through the wringer?”
“You could say that. But I understood his reasons.”
“We’re protective of each other. We’ve been given good reason,” he said, meeting her gaze.
She nodded. “I understand. And I’ll tell you what I told Kade. I have no evil intentions toward your friend.”
“Okay then. We can go on from there. So what can I tell you about Derek?” Lucas leaned back and grinned.
A little devil sat on her shoulder, and she heard herself asking, “Did he date a lot in college?”
“He was a player,” Lucas said, and burst out laughing again. “No, seriously, he dated. I wouldn’t say he worked his way through campus or anything. He was too busy working and studying. Then the idea of Blink came, and busy became an understatement.”
Which reinforced her opinion of him as hardworking, dedicated, and ambitious. She and Lucas talked for a while longer, allowing Cassie to get a feel for their friendship, how they’d met, and how the deep bond between them developed and strengthened.
A knock sounded on the door and Derek walked in. “I’m going to steal her for lunch,” he said just as they were wrapping up.
“We were finished anyway,” Cassie said, rising to her feet. “Thank you. You were wonderful. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me.”
“My pleasure.”
As they walked through the main area, passing the assistants and other people, she took in the vibe in the office, the relaxed feeling, the la
ughter, noting it for more information she’d reveal about Derek West’s life.
Once they were in his office, he locked the door and she knew she’d passed from the professional area into the personal one. A blanket was spread out on the floor beside the window overlooking the city. On it were assorted Chinese food boxes and bottles of water. A makeshift picnic for two.
“What’s this?” she asked as she walked into the room.
“The last part of my apology and the first part of my seduction.”
She nearly tripped over her own feet before righting herself. “Seduction?”
“You heard me.” He swept his hands toward the setup on the floor. “But don’t worry. I don’t intend for our first time to be on the hard floor of my office. On the desk, once we’re in a groove … well, that can be arranged.”
“Who are you and what have you done with Derek?” she asked the easygoing man with sex on the brain.
“Have a seat, let’s eat, and we’ll talk.”
“Where’s Oscar?”
“I had Becky take him back to my place and gave her the afternoon off.”
“Aah.” She kicked off her shoes and lifted her skirt until she was able to lower herself to the floor, her legs bent to the side. “Awkward,” she muttered.
“Sorry. Guess I didn’t take clothing into consideration,” he said, his gaze zeroing in on the stretch of thigh she’d revealed. The lace on the top of her thigh-highs peeked out from the hem of her skirt.
“Quit staring,” she muttered.
“Want to move things up to the desk?” he offered.
She shook her head. “No, this is nice. I’ll manage. As long as you behave and keep your eyes where they belong.” Because if she shifted even a little, her skirt would lift so high she’d be baring her underwear.