Ask Me (Mess with Me 2)

“I can’t say the sight of you in any position is something to apologize for,” I finish in a voice for her alone.

When she sees that no one is looking anymore, Casey rips her hand from mine. “What are you doing here?”

“I have a meeting,” I reply, knowing the casual response will annoy her. But who can blame me for wanting to see those honey eyes light up with fire again? I’ve seen just how passionate she can get, after all.

She pulls off her headset with a frustrated huff. “Look, what happened between us… we should just forget about it. Right? We can do that.”

“What am I supposed to forget exactly? How much fun we had talking in the bar that night? Or that we spent hours bringing each other pleasure? That I’ve never felt anything like that with another woman? Which part is supposed to be so forgettable?”

My bold statement is met with a glare before she plasters on a wide smile. “Of course, Mr. Lavin. It was so nice to meet you, too!”

When I turn, I catch Jason’s eye. He’s staring at Casey but I don’t think he’s recognized her yet.

The others have started walking toward the hallway that leads to the conference room. I can’t stay here too much longer without drawing undue attention which is exactly what Casey has asked me not to do.

Her eyes turn pleading. “Please, don’t make a scene. I need this job.”

As angry as I am, I can’t ignore the desperation in her voice. She told me that night at the bar she was celebrating getting a new job, one she was very excited and grateful for. No matter how pissed I was to wake up alone, I wouldn’t want to take that from her.

“I won’t say anything.”

Her shoulders drop in relief and she lets out a sigh that reminds me a little too much of the sounds she made that night in my arms. It definitely pricks at my ego that she seems to have no problem moving on from the night we shared when I’ve been haunted by it ever since. Could it be possible that the night that was life changing for me was only average for her?

Then our eyes meet again and she shivers. Heat explodes between us and I have to clench my hands into fists to keep from reaching out for her. No, she feels this, too. But wants to deny it for some reason.

“Thank you. For not saying anything. You should go. Everyone is staring.”

“I’ll go. But Casey,” I wait until she meets my eyes. “I won’t be forgetting about that night any time soon. And neither will you.”

“I’m not sure about this new slogan.” I rub my hands roughly over my face, trying not to show my frustration. “Living the Lavin Life. It sounds like a rip-off of a cheesy pop song.”

This meeting is important, I know it is, but how am I supposed to concentrate when Clumsy Girl is sitting right down the hall from this room? Cassandra, I remind myself. No wonder we couldn’t find her. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.

A beautiful woman who wants nothing to do with me.

James holds up a hand. “Wait until you see the presentation. The campaign we’ve generated is youthful and high energy. Along with your name change from Lavin Fashions to Lavin Couture, it’s exactly what you need for a launch into the American market.“

“I hope so.”

I’ve already seen presentations for two alternate slogans and they were no closer to capturing the essence of what we’re about than the current one. As much as I like the Mirage Agency, if they can’t deliver what we need then we’ll have to go elsewhere. Firing our marketing team won’t be fun but I haven’t reached this point in my career by being soft.

I do what has to be done, even when it isn’t easy.

There were so many who thought the pampered son of an aristocratic family didn’t have the fortitude to run a successful business. Some are still waiting for me to fail. If I have my way, they’re in for a long wait. I’ve waited my entire career to launch an international campaign. I won’t see it derailed for any reason. Not even friendships.

Another good reason I need to pull my head out of my dick and focus.

Jason glances over me. “We’re excited to see what you’ve come up with and ready to nail this down. Because if we don’t, all of the advertising we’ve arranged will incur a rush fee.” He grimaces as he says it. Probably because all these delays are messing with his budget.

My friend has been accused more than once of having a calculator for a brain and a cash register for a heart. Success is his life’s blood. It’s one of the things we have in common.

After a short presentation, I have to admit that the campaign is lively and fun. The team must have been anticipating that I’d object to the slogan because they’ve prepared a few alternates. I’m still not completely sold but it’s better. Much better.

“There’s a few things I’d like to change but overall… I like it.”

The entire room seems to breathe a collective sigh of relief at my words.

“Glad to hear that,” Milo replies. “Now that we have a concept, we can start designing some of the ads. We’re excited to get started.”