Chapter One
Cate
Celia’s Note: This isn’t a romance. I promise. It has a happy ending of sorts *sly smile* but definitely not a romance. Turn back now if you’re looking for love, friends. (But if you’re looking for a trigger-filled terrifyingly titillating tale, step right up.)
Mr. McGovern strode out of his office, his muscular frame perfectly wrapped in an expensive suit. Casting his dark blue gaze in my direction, he gave me a secret smile, his firm lips twisting up just so slightly at the corners.
I leaned forward and put my elbows on my desk. “You have one more meeting this afternoon.”
He walked over to me, his long strides eating up the polished floor. “One more obstacle before the night is ours. Are you ready, birthday girl?” His eyes lingered on my face, then glanced lower to the v-neck top of my deep crimson blouse.
A tingle went through me, excitement reaching to the tips of my toes. “I can’t wait.” My voice came out breathy, and I had to press my thighs together to quell the sensations rushing through me. I’d finally bagged the boss. Me, a lowly personal assistant with no pedigree and no movie-star looks. I wasn’t ugly, but there was no way I could compete with a lot of the other assistants around the building with their perfect hair and nails and eating disorders. A little plumper, I enjoyed food and spent my time on pursuits other than salons. But it didn’t matter! Mr. McGovern only had eyes for me. I couldn’t stop the smile that spread along my lips.
“That’s what I like to see.” He ran his finger down my jawline. “I want to see more of it tonight. All of it, in fact.”
Lucky. That’s the only word for it. I was the luckiest girl in all of McGovern Enterprises. First, I got the assistant job despite the competition, then I’d caught his eye. At thirty-eight, he was ten years older than me, but still so handsome and powerful and, oh my god, wealthy. Tonight was going to be our first—and best—real date. Best birthday ever.
My phone buzzed, the receptionist letting me know Mr. McGovern’s four o-clock had arrived.
“See you soon, beautiful.” He straightened and returned to his office, his broad back sending another wave of anticipation through me.
“Yes sir.” I stood and welcomed the businessmen into Mr. McGovern’s (or Ted, as he told me to call him) office, then sat back and daydreamed about how perfect my night was going to be.
I had such big dreams for my future, and Mr. McGovern—with his hotness, money, and prestige—was going to make them all come true. Squee!
Chapter Two
Ted
We made our reservation on time, and I enjoyed Cate’s wide eyes as we waltzed into one of the finest restaurants in the city.
“Oh my god, it’s so fancy!” She grabbed my arm, a huge grin on her clueless face.
I’d never met such a country bumpkin in all my life. Still, her hips swayed nicely as she maneuvered through the tables. So, it wasn’t a hardship.
“If this is acceptable.” The host waved us to a booth in the back, the black lacquered table lit by a single candle and the cool evening lighting overhead.
“Wow.” Cate smiled, then slid onto the seat.
I joined her on the same side, throwing my arm around her shoulders as she gawked at the thick wine menu. “Like it?”
“I love it.” She ran her fingertip along the edge of the dinner menu.
“I’ll order for you.”
“Um, okay.” She nodded and turned to the server who appeared at the edge of the table.
“We’ll have a bottle of Chianti Panzano, pork belly appetizer, the Wellingtons, whipped potatoes, and asparagus.”
“Very good.” He took our menus and hustled away.
“All I caught of that was potatoes and asparagus.” She blushed slightly, the color pooling in the apples of her freckled cheeks.
“Stick with me, kid. I’ll show you the ropes.” I reached up and loosened my tie, then undid the top button of my shirt.
She followed the movement, her eyes hungry.
I pulled my arm from her shoulders and eased it down to my side, running my palm onto her thigh.
Jumping a little, she gave me another starry-eyed look.
Her skirt was a little long for my tastes, but it would be gone before the end of the night. God, this was too fucking easy. But that’s what I liked about it.
I adopted a concerned look. “How are you feeling about spending your birthday with me instead of your family?”
She placed her palm on top of my hand. “You are so kind to think about me like that.”
“I can’t imagine how hard it is to be all alone in a big city without any family to watch over you. I want to make this day as special for you as possible.”
“It already is.” She squeezed my hand. “Tonight, with you, anything is possible.”