Free The CEO's Little Surprise by Kat Cantrell Page B

her back. Could almost feel his hands on her. His mouth.
    That would be...too much. And it was all she could think about.
    â€œHi, Cass. I thought that was you.”
    The enthusiastic female voice on her right snapped her out of the fantasy where Gage had hiked up her dress as he kissed her in that shadowy alcove and... Get a grip, for crying out loud.
    Cass turned. And her heart tripped as she came face-to-face with Fyra’s accounting manager. Who was eyeing Gage with undisguised interest as she gripped her own date’s arm.
    â€œHi, Laurie,” Cass croaked before clearing her Gage-riddled throat.
    â€œFancy seeing you here,” Laurie commented and gestured to the man with her. “This is my husband, Mark. You may remember him from the Christmas party? But I haven’t had the pleasure,” she said to Gage, sticking out her hand in expectation.
    Oh, no. This was not the time or place to be caught with a rival CEO. They needed to play it cool and extract themselves without—
    â€œGage Branson,” he announced cheerily, completely ignoring the elbow Cass had just shoved in his ribs.
    Too late. She stifled a groan as Laurie’s expression lit up.
    â€œNot the Gage Branson of GB Skin? I’m a huge fan of your body wash. I use it all the time, but don’t tell my husband,” she said with a laugh.
    Cass glowered at her but Laurie just shrugged. “What? Ours is too flowery. Men’s scents are more outdoorsy. Lemon and sage and such.”
    Gage grinned. “That’s what I like to hear.”
    The mutual admiration club gained another member when Laurie’s husband jumped into the mix to announce his own GB Skin product preferences. This was beyond uncomfortable. Not simply because it grated to hear that Gage had one-upped her, but also because he’d just kissed her.
    Could Laurie and Mark tell? Of course they could—she was probably mussed, and she hadn’t had a chance to slick on more lipstick. It was a cardinal sin to stand here on the curb with missing makeup. They’d probably noticed her naked lips the moment she’d turned around.
    Okay, yes. She’d been kissing the CEO of GB Skin. Cass had kissed Gage. Strictly in the name of finding out whether he’d been the mastermind behind the leak, which had somehow turned into something else.
    Her guilty conscience was probably seeping from her pores. She had to get out of here.
    Cass gritted her teeth and broke in at an opportune moment. “Laurie, you know we welcome suggestions from employees on Fyra’s products. Just send me an email with your thoughts about how to improve the scents in our body wash, and I’ll get it into the right hands.”
    â€œOh, I know I shouldn’t be gushing over a competitor’s products in front of my boss’s boss.” Laurie’s giggle was the opposite of contrite. “But I figured it was okay to admit it. After all, I’m just using the products, not dating the CEO.”
    â€œOh, this isn’t a date,” Cass interjected swiftly. “Mr. Branson is...uh—”
    â€œProviding consulting services to Ms. Claremont,” Gage finished for her smoothly. “Cass and I went to college together and she contacted me to ask for strategic advice.”
    â€œThat’s a pretty fancy dress for a business meeting.” Laurie sighed a little over it. “I would love to be able to wear something that sexy.”
    Her husband murmured something in her ear and she laughed as the valet rolled up in a Lexus. “That’s our ride. Nice to meet you.”
    The couple disappeared into the interior of the car.
    â€œA consultant, Gage? Really?” Cass muttered as the valet parked the Hummer behind the Lexus. A horn blared behind her but she didn’t take her focus off the traitor at her shoulder.
    â€œYeah.” He opened her door and helped her into the monstrously high seat without asking. Which she