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have staunch supporters at MII, but seriously, if I fucked up even once,
they’d be more than happy to replace me with a man.”
    He regarded her a moment, then said, “You know what I find
intriguing about you?”
    She shook her head. “I haven’t a clue. Really.”
    One corner of his mouth lifted in a devilish grin. “Aside
from being damn pretty, I like that you’re a straight-shooter. You’re not
really a feminist. Hell, I’ve heard you tell a few extremely un-PC
jokes. Also, you seem to get a kick out of holding your own against the old
boys’ network—you’re not bitter about the double standard. You butt up against
it in your own way. In fact, you sort of take a more unisex approach to the
industry bias.”
    “That’s because it’s not about men or women, Chase. It’s
about clients and customer service and following through on commitments made.
We collect a fee to protect insureds and they deserve to have us in their
corner when they need us, whether it’s a loss that barely exceeds their deductible
or an entire part of their business that’s been devastated by a natural
disaster or an industrial catastrophe.”
    “Integrity,” he said with emphasis. “ That’s one of
the things I admire most about you.”
    Warmth ribboned through Cassidy. “And when you say things
like that, Chase, it’s the reason I continue to let you flirt with me.”
    “You like flirting back.”
    He had her on that one. “I do on occasion. Be glad I catch
myself. Seriously, Chase. Keeping this up is pointless.”
    Cassidy retrieved her glass from the mantel and took a deep
sip.
    In a quiet voice, he said, “I know you like me.”
    “Yes,” she said without hesitation. “And I like that you
flirt with me and no one else in the office. I like the way you look at me.”
    He nodded.
    “It’s just that… I can’t for the life of me figure out why
you pursue me, other than you like the thrill of the chase.” She laughed,
surprising herself. “Chase. What a pun.”
    “Ha-ha. Funny.” When she glanced up at him, he added, “Not.”
    “Anyway,” she said, “I like how well we work together, and I
want it to stay that way. I don’t want there to be awkwardness between us, and
I know that would happen if we ever got together.” She turned back to the
fireplace and muttered, “Not that that would last for more than ten
seconds, but whatever.”
    With a hand on her arm, Chase gingerly forced her to face
him again. “First of all, there wouldn’t be awkwardness. We’re adults, not
teenagers. Mature enough to deal with each other on a professional and a
personal level. Second…what the hell do you mean we wouldn’t last more than ten
seconds?”
    Cassidy shifted away, needing some physical distance for
mental clarity. Chase’s intense gaze and heavenly scent left her head spinning.
And her insides burning.
    She said, “Trust me, one kiss and you’d regret having wasted
so much time on me. In fact, I owe you a huge apology for dragging this out.
Like I told you at the country club, I should have said this two years ago.
Better yet, I should have let you kiss me two years ago. You would have
instantly moved on, I assure you.”
    His eyes narrowed. “I don’t get it.”
    With a pained breath, she said, “I’m great with men in a
business relationship, Chase. Other than that… I bore them to tears.”
    The admission prickled the backs of her eyes.
    Chase stared at her, disbelief and incredulity stamped
across his chiseled visage. “ That’s the excuse you’re going to use with
me? Some bullshit about being a sexual bore?”
    She cringed. “Trust me. It’s not bullshit. I have years of
proof.”
    He set his glass on the mantel, folded his arms over his
chest and glared at her, challenging her.
    Cassidy said, “I’ve only had two boyfriends. Both in
college. Mike was on an academic scholarship and had discovered a breakthrough
in robotics that had every electronics company in the country wooing him.