Chapter 8: First Kiss

Heather POV

The giddiness Heather feels from getting what they needed from Peter O'Brien fades during the car ride. In its place, the tension between her and Casey seems to build. Heather has accepted that she is attracted to him, but now it is becoming something more. Having him open up to her about his thoughts and feelings has made her care about Casey.

Heather cannot believe that it worked. Pete O'Brien, the drunk and misogynistic investor, provided them with the files Casey and her needed to further their investigation. Now Casey and she are on their way to the office to review the files.

"Are you alright over there? You haven't said a word since we got in the car?" Casey asked.

"I'm alright, just a little overwhelmed." Heather apologized.

"I'm sorry about Peter. His behavior was completely inappropriate. I wanted to step in and say something but-

"It could have soured the meeting and we wouldn't have been able to get the information from him." Heather interrupted Casey, not wanting him to blame himself.

"Exactly. It's like you read my mind."

Casey is looking at her so earnestly that Heather feels herself losing herself in his gaze. She has never felt so connected to another person before. Especially not someone she has known for such a short period of time. A man from whom she is hiding so much. Still, she feels him calling to her. Heather cannot help but lean into their connection and succumb to her feelings.

"I guess that just means that we are in sync. And Casey, you do not need to apologize for Peter O'Brien. I knew you were there if things went too far. I know that I am safe when I am with you. And I don't say that lightly," Heather reassures Casey while also opening herself up to him.

"That means so much to me, Heather. I want you to feel safe with me. I want you to know that you can trust me," Casey's eyes bore into hers as he speaks.

"I do trust you, Casey. I don't trust anyone easily. There are very few people who I have let into my life. But I trust you, almost more than I can believe. I feel like we're connected. That probably sounds stupid to you," Heather confesses before looking away in embarrassment.

Heather wants to kick herself for saying so much to Casey. She should not be talking this way to her boss. He probably thinks she is a crazy person and will run as far away from her as he can. That thought upsets Heather more than she can comprehend.

Casey cups her chin with his hand to get her to look at him again. Once their eyes have met he starts to speak.

"Heather, that doesn't sound strange to me at all. I feel that same connection too. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you from the moment we met. I don't mean to be so forward, I just hate the idea that you feel stupid for feeling the same way I do."

Heather can hardly breathe listening to Casey. How is it possible that this man is feeling this way toward her? He is a billionaire and war veteran. He could be with anyone on the planet and yet he can't stop thinking about her.

Heather grabs Casey's hand without thinking. His eyes latch onto hers and do not let go. Heather has never before felt so lost and yet so grounded. Casey's presence consumes her at this moment and it seems that he is just as consumed by hers.

The car comes to a stop and jolts Heather and Casey back to awareness. They have arrived at Sullivan Solutions and quickly make their way up to Casey's office. It is after 11 PM on a Friday so the building is deserted.

They are alone in the elevator and the space quickly fills with awkward silence. Heather desperately wishes for a way to move on from their conversation in the car and return to the professional matter at hand. However, she is at a loss as to what to say.

"Do you think the record will tell us who took the money?" Casey asks, breaking the tense silence between them

"It probably won't be that simple, but we should get a direction to look. Someone will have signed for the transaction to take the money from Mr. O'Brien. Also, there should be an account number for where the money was transferred when it left Sullivan Solutions. I should be able to trace the owner of the account. Then we will have our thief," Heather responds, finding comfort in discussing the work.

Casey is looking at her like she is something incredible that he has never seen before. It is a powerful feeling, to be looked at in such a way, and Heather has never felt it before. She can feel herself drawing closer to Casey once again. Desperately wanting to act on the chemistry between them.

The elevator dings and the doors open, breaking the spell between them. Heather is torn between relief and disappointment. Casey leads them into his office. He goes to the computer and opens the files that Peter O'Brien sent over.

Casey slides out the chair behind his desk and beckons Heather over.

"Heather, why don't you take a look at these files and see if they have the information you need."

Heather takes a seat at Casey's desk and immediately gets to work. She tries to push away all distractions, specifically Casey standing directly behind her watching her every keystroke. Heather easily finds the records for the money transfers. The accounts the money went to after leaving Sullivan Solutions are right in front of her. It will just take a bit of digging to find out who is the account holder.

"I'm guessing by that smile on your face that you found what you were hoping to find," Casey says as he turns the chair to have Heather facing him.

"I did. The money transfers are all here and it shows when the money left the company and the accounts that received the money. I should have a name for you by Monday," Heather is practically giddy as she shares the good news.

Casey must be overjoyed by this because he picks Heather up and spins her around. They both start laughing as they are spinning. After a moment, Casey gently places Heather back on the ground.

"Heather, you are the most remarkable person I have ever met," Casey states as he tucks a piece of hair behind Heather's ear.

She cannot help but blush at the compliment but she continues to hold his gaze. Heather feels a surge of bravery overtake her. She doesn't know if it's the alcohol still in her system from dinner, the joy of the break in the case, or knowing Casey feels the attraction between them as well. Heather decides she is not going to hide from this bravery.

"Well, I could say the same thing about you. You're incredible and I consider myself lucky to know you," Heather flirts with Casey as she wraps her arm around his shoulder to pull him closer.

Casey looks at her in disbelief as he murmurs her name and brings his hand up to cup her cheek.

Heather feels herself once again drawing closer to Casey without conscious thought. She can feel his breath on her cheek and inhales the scent of his aftershave, subtle and woodsy. Casey completely consumes her senses. This time there is nothing to break their connection or disrupt the moment.

Heather is not sure who makes the first move, who leans forward first, but suddenly their lips are touching. Casey's kiss makes her whole body feel like it is suddenly on fire, while also making her feel like she has found her home. The kiss is passionate and yet still tender. It is easily the greatest kiss Heather has ever experienced and she never wants it to end.

Heather is enthralled by Casey. His lips are firm on hers and she lets him take control. She loses herself in him, but only for a moment. Then she is pressing herself firmly against his muscular body and takes control of the kiss. She wants him to feel how much she wants him. Their kiss becomes more passionate and Heather starts to run her hands along his torso, feeling the strength he possesses in his back and abs. Finally, her hands run up Casey's neck and grab onto his hair as Heather desperately tries to draw them even closer to each other.

Casey's hands have not been idle either. She feels him wrap them around her before running up and down her sides. Heather hears herself moan and cannot find it in herself to be ashamed.

Suddenly, Casey rips his lips from her and backs away from her with a dawning look of horror on his face.

"I'm sorry Heather. That was a terrible mistake."