Free Caylee's Confessions (Caylee's Confessions Series) by Candice Burnett Page B

he agreed.  “So, Ms.…well, actually, do you mind if I call you
Caylee? It’s so much easier than saying Ms. Raupp every time.”  And he again
threw me that smile that wouldn’t have allowed me to say ‘no’ if I had wanted
to. 
    “Of
course.  I like Caylee better anyway, Mr. Caloman.” 
    “Braxton—just
Braxton.  It would only be fair, since I’ll be calling you by your first name. 
So now, since we’re on a first name basis, Caylee…what do you like to do when
you’re not working?” he asked as I picked up my glass and took a large gulp. 
Hm…I slay vampires, werewolves, and the occasional shape shifter.
    “I
like to work-out, read, and occasionally hang out with friends for a drink or
the movies.”  Lies, lies, lies.  He smirked, like he knew.
    “Friends…that
must be nice.  I find that my extracurricular activities make it difficult for
friends.”  He paused, rethinking.  “Largely because my only extracurricular
activity is work that I don’t finish at the office.”  He frowned.  “I don’t
know how you find the time.  I’m jealous.”  It was almost as if he was
referring to something else.  “Well, I don’t want to keep you.” He paused.  “This
meeting was meant for work, but I’m just extremely worn-out from talking and
doing any more work.  I’m glad we are working with your company, and I feel we
have truly made the right decision,” he said, shifting in his seat, like he was
getting ready to get up.  “I’ll let you get on now.  I’m sure you have other
plans to attend to tonight.”  I didn’t, because I’d actually thought this was
going to go on a lot longer.  Claire had marked me off for the night, but hey,
I could catch up on some sleep. 
    “Yeah,
I told a friend I would meet her later if this ended early.  Thank you so much,
again, for taking a look at our company and giving us this opportunity,” I said
as I stood up, and he did the same, while giving me a firm, parting handshake. 
His hands felt so strong but smooth, like velvet. 
    “Let
me walk you out,” he said as we headed for the front door.
    “It
was a pleasure meeting you, Caylee,” he said as I began to wave for a taxi.
    “You
too, Braxton,” I said, waving him goodbye to his now, almost puppy dog-looking
face.  The poor guy never got to do anything fun.  I, at least, got to do
something that gave me a thrill at night.  But I couldn’t ask him to go out.  That
would be extremely unprofessional, and I had said I was meeting a friend, which
was a lie.  Braxton looked so much like he needed a night off from work, but
what did I care? I asked myself. 
    “Did
you want to join my friend and me for a couple of drinks?  You seem like you
could use a night off from work,” slipped out of mouth, before I even thought
about it.  That was so unprofessional.  What was I thinking, asking him that? 
Was I even thinking?
    “Sure,”
he answered quickly.  “But only if I’m not imposing,” he insisted with a smirk.
    “Yes,
I’m sure.  You won’t be imposing at all.”  Mostly because there was no friend
going.  I didn’t have friends.
    He
then hailed a taxi, and the deal was sealed when we both got in.  Was I
really going to have drinks with a client that wasn’t for a formal meeting? 
Was I really lowering to Lori’s standards? I pondered, but justified that
he’d already signed my contract before I’d invited him out. 
    I
told the taxi to take us to this bar that was just down the street from my
house.  I’d been there a couple of times for dinner, and it was usually pretty
occupied with people, so it wouldn’t be like a romantic date.  We arrived at
Chuckie’s and claimed two seats at the bar.  Chuckie’s atmosphere was one that
I thought was appropriate enough.  It wasn’t one of those loud bars where you
had to scream at whoever you were with just so they could hear you, while
staring at the odd, miscellaneous Nascar décor on the walls.  It