Page 23 of Falling for the Boss's Son

“You’re welcome.” If they’d been alone, he would’ve licked it off her. The napkin, however, would have to do for now. “Ready for another bite?”

CHAPTER 6

The only other time Cassie had felt this conflicted was the day her parents told her and her brothers they were getting a divorce. Back then, she’d worried about not seeing her dad every day. Feared their relationship would change.

It was a child’s fear and one her parents worked hard to dispel. Her dad had gone out of his way to continue being part of her life—even after her mom and stepdad moved them to Kansas City.

“How was the big date on Saturday?” Brie asked as she poured her coffee into a large tumbler Monday morning. Her friend had been gone on Saturday by the time Jesse dropped her off and she’d texted Cassie that night to let her know she was staying at Kaden’s. Brie hadn’t returned home until late last night and by then Cassie was already in bed.

When Cassie didn’t answer, Brie frowned. “Do I need to have Kaden kick his ass?”

“What? No.” Cassie realized she was going to have to give her friend something, but she wasn’t sure how much she wanted to share. “The date went…”

Remembering how Jesse had wiped the frosting off her face, how his gaze had lingered on her lips, making her forget where they were. That happened a lot when she was with him, and she wasn’t sure it was a good thing. At the time, it felt wonderful, but it wasn’t good. She couldn’t lose herself in him. That wasn’t…smart.

“The date was…” Brie moved her hand in a go on gesture.

“It was nice.”

“Nice.”

“Yeah.” Cassie took a bite of her Poptart. The date had been nice. And sweet. And the best date she’d ever been on with a guy.

Luckily, they both had to get to work, so she was spared having to go into the details. She knew Brie would want more information, but she was going to enjoy her reprieve.

The executive floor was quiet when Cassie arrived at the office. It was early and only a few people were at their desks.

Cassie made her way down the hall to her desk and booted up her computer. She went through her normal routine, getting her coffee and going through emails while making her to-do list for the day.

Mr. Masters had an off-site meeting, which meant it was the perfect time to get some paperwork done. A few people stopped by over the course of the morning, looking for her boss, but only one of them left a message.

She was halfway through the end of month report when her phone rang. “Blake Masters’s office.”

“Is my father at his desk?” The sound of Jesse’s voice on the other end of the line, low and soft as if he were sharing a secret with her, had her body heating up.

“Jesse.” There was a long pause on the other end of the line and she forced herself to answer his question. “No. Your dad had a meeting this morning.”

“Cass, is everything all right?”

She sat up straighter and attempted to make herself sound like the professional she was supposed to be. “Of course.”

He was quiet again for a long moment. “I think we need to talk. Have lunch with me.”

She swallowed and glanced around the office as if someone could hear their conversation. “I can’t. I have a working lunch with…Mr. Masters.” She’d almost said she’d be having lunch with his dad, but she’d caught herself.

Jesse wasn’t deterred. “Tonight, then. Dinner.”

Cassie chewed on her bottom lip, no doubt destroying her lipstick. She wanted to say yes, but there was that stupid voice in her head telling her it wasn’t a good idea.

“Come to my condo and I’ll make you dinner.” He paused and lowered his voice to a whisper as if he were imparting a great secret. “I promise not to poison you.”

That made her laugh a little.

The sound of feet approaching caused her to look up. It was Jesse’s dad. Her boss. He wasn’t looking at her. His head was down, and he was reading something on his phone.

“I have to go,” she said.

“You haven’t answered my question. Dinner?”

---