3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
M arcus
It was six-twenty. Cassie wasn’t going to show. I shook my head, unable to believe she’d stood me up. I paced around the dark wood-paneled security room, disappointment filling me.
Pausing, I looked at the security monitors for the hundredth time. I’d pushed her earlier, in her office, but only because I was aware that, if I didn’t, she’d retreat and hide behind that layer of coolness of hers. I thought I’d have the weekend to convince her we belonged together.
I sat down and continued to stare at the monitor showing my security gate.
Did I regret pushing her? Maybe a bit. I’d watched her enough to know that a very sensual woman was alive and kicking inside.
From the gentle sway of her hips to the small smile that hovered around her lips to the flirty tone she’d take when talking to other men. But today, I saw something else.
Fear. What happened in her past that made her afraid? Fear that had increased as I touched her. Who hurt her? I’d get answers this weekend.
Damn. Was that why she wasn’t coming? No, I didn’t believe that. I’d seen her in action, and my Cassie wasn’t a coward. She’d taken on other managers in the office who talked down to her or made lewd jokes and never batted an eyelash.
The ringing of a bell startled me. I blinked, not sure I should believe the monitor. A small, gunmetal gray SUV, with a very harassed-looking Cassie behind the wheel, idled at the gate.
My palms were damp with anticipation. Wiping them on my pants, I pressed the button for the security gate. I hit several keys on the keyboard so each camera followed her progress. I zoomed in the focus, giving me a closer view of her face.
She was stressed. I could see it in the tightness of her mouth, the way her brows were scrunched up, and the way her fingers gripped the steering wheel.
Was she nervous? Afraid? Aroused? It could be any of those.
I watched as the security gate closed and Cassie pulled up to the front of the house.
I left the security room to go greet my guest. We needed to talk, first and foremost. Once I talked with her, I’d know how to proceed tonight.
The last thing I wanted was a woman who was scared.