Just One Night, Part 1: The Stranger Read Online Free Page B

It’s in the intensity of his hazel eyes, the obvious strength of his body; it’s in the confidant smile he’s directing at me.
    Oh yes, he’s spotted me all right, and under the intensity of his gaze I have to work harder to remember the little things: keep your head up, walk with purpose, breath, don’t forget who you are .
    I walked through the maze of tables to his side. “Mr. Dade.” I keep my voice cool and professional as I offer him my hand.
    “Kasie.” He gets to his feet and presses his palm against mine, demonstrating a firm grip and holding on for far too long. “I am so glad to see you again.”
    He’s moving his thumb back and forth over my skin again. It’s such a small thing, something I should be able to easily brush off. But instead goose bumps pop up all over my arm.
    He notices and his smile gets a little wider. “Last time I saw you this fell out of your purse.” He holds up my business card. “I found it on the floor of my suite.”
    I yank away my hand and take a seat.
    “I always conduct my meetings in offices, Mr. Dade.”
    “Ah, but I’m afraid my office was ill-equipped for you today.”
    “Ill-equipped?”
    He nods and out of nowhere a waitress appears with two glasses balanced on a tray.
    “Iced tea.” She puts the tall glass in front of Mr. Dade. “And scotch on the rocks.”
    I feel myself heat up as she places the much shorter glass in front of me.
    “I thought of ordering a glass for myself,” he explains, “but then I remembered your willingness to share.”
    I stare down at the bobbing ice cubes in the light copper liquid.
    I know what can be done with those ice cubes.
    “I’m here for business, Mr. Dade.”
    He smiles and leans forward, propping his elbows on the slightly unsteady table. “You know my first name now. You’re allowed to use it.”
    “I think it’s better if we keep things professional.” There’s a slight quiver to my voice. Against my better judgment I reach for the drink.
    “Very well. Continue to call me Mr. Dade and I’ll continue to call you Kasie.”
    I take a long sip of the whiskey; the taste’s too familiar, the memories are too animated. “I’m here to talk to you about my ideas for Maned Wolf Security Systems.”
    “For the sake of convenience, let’s just call it Maned Wolf.”
    I nod. It’s the first nonloaded thing he’s said and I’m incredibly grateful for this small gift. “If you’re seriously considering taking Maned Wolf public, and the documents your staff e-mailed me suggest that you are, you need to grow your personal Internet security business. Everyone knows the government relies on you to keep its files safe. The average customer will want to feel like they’re buying in to that same level of protection.”
    “Why try to reach so many when I can reach a few who will pay me so much more?”
    “Because the greatest growth and most impressive profits fall to those who value volume over exclusivity. A single high-volume Starbucks will always be more profitable than Le Cirque.”
    “I see.” I watch as his mouth forms the words with exaggerated slowness. I like his mouth. Some would say it’s a little too big for his face but it’s sensual. “So you’re not a fan of exclusivity,” he continues. “You like to mix it up.”
    The innuendo is clear.
    “Mr. Dade, are you familiar with the sexual harassment laws of California?”
    “Kasie, are you telling me that you’re ready to go public with our little escapade in order to charge me?”
    I don’t answer. My hand’s clenched around the handle of my briefcase.
    “Have another sip of your drink . . . your ice is melting.”
    “Did you ask me here because you want to hear my proposals?” I want the question to sound like a challenge, not a plea.
    I’m not entirely successful with that.
    “Yes,” he says firmly. “I’ve done some checking. You’re a rising star at your firm. I’m paying for your expertise, that’s all.”
    I drink more of