Free Private Dancer by Nevea Lane Page B

remain silent and not say anything. She would watch from her lowered lashes and pray that she could find something to say. She never did with Darryl. With Kasen, however, Marise found herself wanting to say a whole lot.
    “Yes, one more thing.”
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    Nevea Lane
    Private Dancer
    “Yes, Ms. James?”
    “What happened to you?” Marise said and folded her arms in front of her chest. That posture didn’thing but agitate Kasen because it gave him an ample view of her coffee toned cleavage.
    He groaned and rolled his eyes.
    “What makes you think something happened?” Kasen said as he looked at the ceiling. This was a conversation he didn’t need.
    “Well, you are short and you seem frustrated. Was the trip bad?”
    “No, the trip was actually good. I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.” Kasen hoped that she would take the hint and not pry.
    “Oh. So is the family reunion going to be a good thing?” Marise was curious about him, and talking about his life made her briefly forget about hers.
    “Nothing I can’t handle. Thanks for asking. How did you handle things while I was gone?” Kasen knew he should at least be nice to her. It was entirely his fault his heart was broken. She never knew what he felt for her.
    “Pretty slow here when you are not here cranking out the work,” Marise said, making the effort to smile. At least he wasn’t being borderline rude, she thought. Now would be the perfect time to tell him about her divorce.
    “I see. So did you play hooky at all? Long lunches?” Kasen tried to remain playful, but he knew if he got the real answers to those questions, he would be livid and probably worse yet, trying to find a reason to fire her. Kasen was not proud of his line of thinking, so he’d to take a few breaths to get himself under control.
    “No, I only took lunch twice. I met my mother to get some things straightened out. That is where I’m living now. And the other lunch was with Darryl, whom you saw.” Marise waited for his reaction. When none was forthcoming, she rushed out, “He was signing the divorce papers.” 60 | P a g e

    Nevea Lane
    Private Dancer
    Marise waited. Kasen stared. What could he be thinking? Marise waited for a reaction of some kind, but again, Kasen’s face was schooled stone.
    “We decided, well I decided for the both of us it was what was best.”
    “Hmmm.” Kasen just nodded. Now he was stuck. He didn’t know what to do with that announcement. He could’ve jumped for joy, asked her out, told her congratulations if that was in order, but he didn’thing but stare at her.
    “Just thought you would like to know.” The light had gone out of Marise’s eyes and her voice sounded hollow. She couldn’t believe that was all he’d to say. She felt rejected, again. She brushed off some imaginary lint on her skirt, stood up and turned to the door. “Gotta get ready for the briefing tomorrow.” She said over her shoulder. Still, she was met with silence. Well, she thought, I guess that was that. He was only comforting me that night apparently. She walked towards the door, and with one more backward glance at Kasen, she walked out of it, shutting it softly behind her.
    Kasen stared at that closed-door for what seemed like hours. He couldn’t believe it, Marise would be free. Free for what? What made him even think that she would want him? He was a self-admitted commitment-phobe and never knew how to give up control. She was bright, inquisitive and would ask him questions he spent most of the time trying to avoid.
    Marise couldn’t be the woman for him. Why should he pounce on someone who was so obviously in a vulnerable spot? Because he’d wanted to pounce on her from day one, is what he told himself. Before his brain could react, Kasen bolted out of his seat and was at his door.
    Opening it softly, he stared at Marise who was staring at her computer screen. She appeared lost in thought, but there was that sad look in her eyes again. Only this