Hidden Threat (9 page)

Cali laughed. “I thought you were taken?”

“Doesn’t mean a girl can’t look, now does it?” she said with a wicked grin.

This was the most fun Cali could remember having since she’d returned to the States. “Definitely not.”

“So you’ll come?” Lisa asked, her voice hopeful.

“Sure.”

“Great! I’ll let Becky and Jen know.” Lisa got up and strolled toward the door.

Their lunch hour was up. “Is Friday night okay with you?” 

Cali stood and walked back behind the big desk that was still covered with paperwork. “Friday sounds great.”

By the time Lisa left the room, Cali had almost forgot about her afternoon meeting. Almost.

***

Three o’clock rolled around, and a knock sounded on Matthew’s door. He’d been staring at his phone for the last ten minutes trying to come up with an excuse to cancel his meeting with Cali Stanton today. The problem was there wasn’t a valid reason.

The knock came again, but louder this time. It could only be one person, and he knew if he didn’t respond this time, Jason would just come in anyway. “Come in,” he said without enthusiasm.

Seconds later Jason was through the door and standing in front of him, hands on his hips. “What?” Matthew asked, staring up at his brother.

“What?” he said, clearly unable to believe what he was both seeing and hearing.

“What? Matthew you’re supposed to be upstairs right now for your weekly briefing. You’re still here. Why?”

Matthew’s mind was scrabbling for an answer, but he didn’t come up with one fast enough to suit Jason.

“What is going on? You haven’t been yourself for days, and now you’re missing meetings? This isn’t like you.”

He didn’t need Jason to tell him he wasn’t himself; he knew that already. “I’ve just had a lot of things on my mind lately.” Grabbing on to the first thing he could think of besides seeing Cali again, he said, “I talked to Martinez. The tape was tampered with.”

It took Jason only a second to fully grasp that information. “Who?” 

Matthew nervously tapped his fingers on his desktop as he glanced back to his computer screen. “I don’t know, but we have to figure it out. Until we do, we can’t trust anyone.”

Jason just nodded. “What do you need me to do?”

This was a strategic move, and one that Jason would always differ to his younger brother. “I just need to think.” 

After another minute, Matthew came up with an idea; not one to solve the mystery of the security tape, but one to solve his more immediate problem. Looking up at his brother he asked, “Do you think you could cover the meeting for me today? I’d like to pick up that tape this afternoon and take a look at it myself.”

“Yeah. Sure.” Jason turned to go back to his office and grab his suit jacket. “I’ll take care of it.”

As Jason left the room, Matthew took one last look at the computer screen and the flashing message reminding him about the meeting he’d just handed off to Jason. He wouldn’t see her today. He’d stick with his plan. He could do this.

Space. That’s what he needed—just a little time and space—then all would be normal again.

Grabbing his jacket, he was out the door.

***

The elevator doors opened, and Jason walked into the lobby of the executive suite. Lisa must have been deep in a project because he’d made it halfway to her desk before she looked up. When she saw him, her smile nearly knocked him breathless. It reminded him of Saturday night when he’d showed up at her door.

The trip back from Ohio had been long, and a traffic accident on the highway had added an additional two hours to the normal ten-hour drive. His original plans had been to go home, shower, and sleep; the last two days had been long ones.

His plans began to change the closer he got to home, the closer he got to her. The moment she opened the door and saw him, he knew he’d made the right decision.

She was in his arms seconds after the door opened. Her lips crashed onto his before he’d even made it through the door. Not removing his mouth from hers, he managed to get them into the apartment and the door closed before her hands started reaching for his shirt. The two fumbled for clothing as they made their way to her bedroom, desperate to touch each other.

He’d held her long after she’d fallen asleep that night, just glad to be home and in her arms once again.

He’d been so lost in his memory and Lisa, he had a raging hard on by the time he reached the front of her desk. Not good. Taking a deep breath, he was glad he was wearing a jacket; more than one part of him was happy to see her.

Lisa seemed to sense the shift in his mood, and her smile shifted from one of delighted happiness to secret knowledge. “And what brings you up this way?” she asked.

“Matthew couldn’t make his meeting with Ms. Stanton today, so I’m covering it.”

“Oh,” Lisa said taken aback. 

Jason could see her processing the same information he’d been mulling over on his way up here. Matthew’s excuse to pick up the tape from Martinez was just that, an excuse. His brother didn’t shirk his responsibilities, period. He’d work late, come in early, work through lunch, whatever it took to get the job done. What Matthew didn’t do was miss meetings or pawn them off on someone else. Jason may not be as detail-oriented as his brother, but he wasn’t stupid. Something was going on with his brother, and he was willing to bet it had something to do with Cali Stanton. His brother hadn’t been himself since he’d met her.

Seeming to come out of her own trance, Lisa picked up the phone to let Cali know her appointment had arrived. She didn’t clarify that it was Jason and not Matthew. Lisa had made her own observations about Matthew and Cali. Hanging the phone up, she refocused on Jason. “She’s ready.” Jason straightened his shoulders before opening the door to his boss’s office.

He’d only been in the office twice before; Matthew handled all the corporate business. It was a nice office, plenty of room with a large desk at the center in front of a huge bank of windows showing off the Chicago skyline. As the door closed behind him, she looked up. The surprise in her eyes was clear. She’d been expecting Matthew.

“Jason!”

“Hello, Cali,” he said, moving to the desk. “Matthew couldn’t make it today. I hope that’s okay?”

He wanted to see her reaction and wasn’t disappointed. Her eyes darted to her desk, and she began fidgeting with the files in front of her. “Of course, he has a lot to do, I’m sure.” Seeming to regain her focus, she said, “Shall we get started then?”

“Yes,” Jason said with a grin, “Let’s.”

Thursday morning Cali made sure it didn’t look like she’d just hopped out of bed, grabbed her briefcase, and raced down the stairs. Jessie, as usual, was working in the kitchen. At her abrupt entrance, Jessie stopped what she was doing and glanced up. The look on her face was easy to read. Cali was thirty minutes earlier than usual and yet, looked like she was about to miss her train.

Moving to the stool where she usually ate her breakfast, Cali set her case down.

“Toast?” she asked on an exhale of breath. Cali knew she needed to slow down, or she’d be worthless when she reached the office.

Jessie didn’t move immediately; she looked like she was about to ask Cali to explain her unusual behavior, and who could blame her. Cali was not acting like herself, but it wasn’t her fault. Really, it wasn’t.

She needed to get to work early this morning and address the stack of paperwork on her desk. Lisa insisted they go shopping after work, adamant a new outfit was a must for tomorrow night. Cali still wasn’t sure about this whole going clubbing thing, but she didn’t have anything better to do with her Friday night.

That, in and of itself, would not have been a problem if she had not overslept.

And why had she overslept? Because in her drowsy dream state, she’d hit the snooze button one too many times in an effort to stay locked in her dream. The dream where she had her arms wrapped around the man who seemed to never leave her thoughts. The man who in her dreams had his mouth on her in so many amazing ways. Whose hands made her quiver.

Cali sighed. The same man who’d ignored her all week.

She knew it was intentional. It had to be. Monday, instead of having the security briefing with Matthew, Jason showed up at her door. Tuesday, Mariana, Matthew’s assistant, hand delivered some confidential documents to her, letting her know she was to e-mail Matthew to let him know she’d received them.

And then, yesterday. Well, that had sealed it for her if there had been any doubt.

She’d called down to his office, trying to find out if the next shipment marked on her calendar was leaving on schedule this week. Mariana answered and placed her on hold. Instead of transferring Cali, the woman had come back on the line to inform her Mr. Andersen was in the middle of something, could not be disturbed, and could she please send her inquiry by e-mail.

Each one of these incidents separately would not amount to avoidance but combined—she was not a stupid woman. Matthew Andersen was keeping his distance.

Jessie finally began to move and put two pieces of toast down for her. “Milk or orange juice?” she asked.

“Orange juice, please.”

Jessie poured the glass swiftly and set it down in front of Cali. Managing to clam herself a bit, Cali took a sip of her juice just as the toast popped up. Jessie waited until she’d set Cali’s breakfast in front of her before speaking. “Cali, are you okay?”

Cali looked up. “Yes. Why?”

Jessie leaned back against the counter. “I’ve known you most of your life. And I know you’ve been gone for two years, and maybe it’s that but…” She sighed. “You look…frazzled.”

“Frazzled?” Cali almost laughed.

She waved her hand in front of her face in dismissal. “Maybe that’s not the right word. It’s just, you seem to be…on edge lately like your senses are on high alert or something. I mean I know I’m just the help, but…well, I worry.” 

Cali took a minute and set her toast on her plate. “Jessie, you know you’re not just the help. You’ve been there for me more times than I can count, and I love you for it; but really, I’m fine. Work is just stressful. I guess I’m not as used to it as Dad.” Cali smiled trying to reassure the older woman. Jessie was right, of course; Cali’s nerves were on high alert lately, and it had nothing to do with the job.

Jessie pushed herself away from the counter. “Oh. That reminds me.” She crossed the room and picked up a handful of letters, shifting through them. “Ah. Here it is.” 

Walking back, she handed Cali the letter. “This came yesterday. It says confidential, and it’s addressed to you and not your father. I thought maybe it was to do with your Doctors Without Borders stuff.” 

Cali glanced down at it quickly. On the surface, it didn’t look like anything from the non-profit group she’d been working for, but she didn’t have time to worry about that now. Thanking Jessie, she quickly finished off her toast and juice, stuffed the letter in her case, and slid off her stool. As quickly as she could, she got into her car and drove to the office.

Cali pulled into her space in the parking garage. One of the advantages of being the boss was her well-placed parking space. Quickly exiting, she pushed the alarm on her key ring and walked briskly to the elevator. Just as she rounded the corner, she saw the doors begin to close and picked up her pace, slamming her hand against the button to reopen the doors.

She gave a thankful sigh as she watched the doors catch before they slid open.

She didn’t waste time scrambling inside. Realizing there was someone else in the elevator as she entered, she got her bearings and turned to apologize to whomever she’d just delayed. As her eyes came up to meet the other passenger’s face, she found herself staring into the crystal-blue eyes of her fantasies.

Her mouth went dry, and she leaned back against the wall of the elevator just to keep herself upright. Cali couldn’t speak, and as she stared, his eyes grew colder, more distant until he looked away. The elevator began its ascent, and she watched his shoulders stiffened, his posture erect and his eyes staring dead ahead.

He didn’t say a word to her until the doors opened to his floor. The pause was slight, and he said it so low, she almost didn’t hear him, but she did. Just before exiting the small space, he whispered, “Good morning.” 

She watched him walk away until the elevator doors closed and she began to move upward once again. More confused now than ever, she blindly entered her office and took her seat.
Good morning?
The first words he’d spoken to her since Saturday, and they were good morning? Allowing her head to fall into her hands, she let her fingers trail through her hair in frustration. This man was driving her insane!

***

Matthew sat behind his desk and stared at his computer screen. There was an e-mail open, but he wasn’t seeing it. He was seeing her as she’d looked this morning in the elevator.

Clearly out of breath when she rushed through the doors, she hadn’t noticed him at first. When her eyes had met his, he’d been drawn into them. Those eyes. Her eyes. The ones he’d been seeing in his dreams day and night ever since he’d laid eyes on her. He’d hoped distance would help. It hadn’t. His dreams had kept coming.

And this morning. He groaned internally. This morning she wasn’t wearing her normal pantsuit. Today, she was wearing a skirt and blouse with a jacket that hugged every last curve she had. Her legs called to him the moment he’d seen them, and he wanted to press her up against the wall, push her skirt up around her hips and take her.

It had been with that thought that he’d pulled himself out of his fantasy, fixing her with a hard stare. What was she doing to him and why? It was not appropriate to be thinking about his boss this way, and yet, he couldn’t stop. Distance wasn’t working, and he didn’t know what else to do.

A knock at his door brought him back to reality, and his brother entered moments later. He’d been expecting him, of course. They were going to go over the security tape together again this morning. Matthew had viewed it more times than he could count, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling he was missing something.