The billionaire wasted no time after that, and after a few calls here, and a couple of emails there, William had successfully set the wheels in motion, and the countdown for Kit's remaining bachelor days officially began.
CASSIDY STEPPED OUT of the elevator just in time to see several young men nearly snap their necks in their eager efforts to follow Vixen Greene with their gazes.
Since they looked to be med school students in their first year, Cassidy had a feeling they weren't yet aware that Vixen was far from what her appearance suggested, which the girl herself once described in chagrin as "ridiculously oversexed".
It was only last Christmas that Cassidy had been able to personally work with Vixen, and she had right away found the other girl charmingly serious (Daria Morgendorffer with curves, Cassidy had always thought).
So yes, Cassidy could see why William thought the girl the ideal choice for the job, but...
Only one way to know.
Like William said, there was no harm in giving the other girl a heads-up about the job, and with this thought in mind Cassidy informed the department head about the director's request.
Minutes later, Cassidy was given use of one of the function rooms to speak with Vixen in private, and she had just settled down on her seat when a knock sounded on the door.
"Cassidy?" The girl was visibly bemused as she entered the room and took a seat on the other side of the desk. "What's this all about?"
"Good news, I hope." Cassidy crossed her fingers behind her back while speaking. "But first - do you know anything about Tournament on the Seas?"
Vixen's brows knitted. "It's the world's first virtual game tournament to take place on a luxury cruise ship."
"Yes, exactly, and I think you already know the only ones invited to participate in this year's so-called mega fundraising event are world-famous athletes?"
Vixen's expression became cautious. "I'm aware of that, too."
Cassidy cleared her throat. "Well...one of those athletes requires a private PTA to join him in the cruise. He had surgery some months ago and would like to continue with his rehabilitation while aboard The Royal Valentine."
"I see."
"It would be an all-expense-paid trip naturally, and as you'll see here..." Cassidy handed the other girl the job contract. "The compensation package is excellent, and—-"
Vixen, who had started skimming the contract, suddenly jerked in her seat. "Christopher Masterton?"
Cassidy couldn't help wincing at Vixen's unnaturally high-pitched tone.
That was bad...right?
"I know he has a reputation for being a playboy," Cassidy said in a rush, "but that's only because women constantly flock around him and not the other way around. If it means anything," Cassidy added, "I can personally vouch for his integrity. He'll always respect your boundaries, and..." Her voice trailed off at Vixen's continued silence.
Was she being insensitive here, Cassidy wondered anxiously. It was only last year that Vixen had a terrifying encounter with her stalker, and though the other girl had constantly assured everyone she had put the whole incident behind her...
"Forget everything I said," Cassidy said impulsively. "I can just get someone else—-" She stopped speaking again, with Vixen suddenly shaking her head.
"I'll t-take it."
Cassidy's eyes widened. It was so unnatural for Vixen to stammer, and she couldn't help asking dubiously, "Are you sure? I don't want you to feel pressured—-"
Vixen nodded vehemently. "I'm absolutely sure."
While I, Cassidy thought, am absolutely confused.
William heard the door to his office open and, upon glancing up, was treated to the rather entertaining sight of his girlfriend wandering in like a ghost lost in the wrong haunted house. "Well?"
Cassidy gave him the signed contract, saying in a slightly stunned voice, "It's just like you said. She accepted the job without asking any questions."
"It's all good then."
"I suppose, but..."
"There's nothing to worry about," William assured Cassidy gently, seeing her expression turn worried.
"How can you be so sure?"
"A hunch," he answered mildly.
Cassidy was skeptical. "And that's it?"
"Well..."
The way William's lips twitched sparked Cassidy's curiosity. "Well what?"
"I once caught Ms. Greene watching one of Christopher's games on her phone—-"
Cassidy's eyes widened.
"And her expression, was one of..."
Cassidy held her breath.
"Besottedness."
There were several beats of silence, and then Cassidy's pretty face softened with a smile that had William badly wanting to kiss her. "I would never have pegged you to be such a romantic."
The billionaire was genuinely surprised at this. "Am I?"
"Well, of course, silly." Cassidy walked around the desk to give her boyfriend a quick hug. "You're so cute, playing matchmaker."
William's confusion cleared. While he had a more selfish reason for sending Vixen Greene to Christopher, he was also not above taking advantage of Cassidy's good mood. So if his actions read as romantic to her, well...
William leaned back against his seat, drawling, "In a scale of zero to you're-so-cute-I-think-I-want-to-fuck..."
Cassidy choked.
"How cute do you think I am right now?" William asked seriously.
His girlfriend seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then her shoulders suddenly squared, and the next thing he knew, she had already pushed herself up on his desk and was slowly parting her legs open until he could see the tiny triangle of silk that covered her sex.
"What do you think, Mr. Stanhope?"
Fuck.
A breathless laugh escaped Cassidy when William was up in his feet in seconds, and his fingers already busy unzipping himself so he could take his cock out.
"I'm thinking," William managed to growl, "I'll do everything I can think of..."
Cassidy gasped when he entered her without warning.
"So you'll keep thinking I'm cute."
Cassidy could no longer speak, with her boss fucking her so hard and good she could only hold on to his shoulders and wrap her legs around his waist.
Christopher & Vixen
Her whole life, Vixen was very much aware of how people seemed to expect her to be this bold, carefree creature with the morals of a cat, and all because she had been cursed with more inches in the chest department while her waist rivaled that of a corset-wearing debutante.
In truth, however, Vixen was anything but, and this contrast between reality and people's expectations often landed Vixen in hot water.
In high school, one of the prettiest girls in her year had accused Vixen of flirting with her boyfriend, when all Vixen had done was ask for the latter's name so she could write it on an attendance sheet.
In college, practically the same thing had happened, but this time with a professor mistakenly assuming that Vixen was the kind of girl who'd happily exchange a blow job for a quick and easy A.