16. Sixteen

Val

As I leave for work the next day, I get to my car and realize I forgot the notes I wanted to look over at home. I want to work from home tomorrow, so I need to get my notepad.

I take the elevator back to my office, and most of the team has already gone home. When I finally locate my notes and stuff what I need into my bag, I stand up. I turn to walk into the main room of our department. I’m surprised to see my cousin Cristina talking to Dave. There’s something about the way she’s leaning in and looking into his eyes that is almost like she’s interested in him.

Cristina casually places her hand on Dave’s arm while she talks. I see him look down at her hand with an almost stupid look on his face. Cristina then smiles at him, slowly turns, and leaves the department.

Could Dave be unwittingly giving Cristina information about our progress? I lean back against the wall as the truth hits me. Of course, he is!

Dammit! How could Dave let Cristina manipulate him like that? First, Tony, and now Dave?

I don’t leave my office until the coast is clear. I have to call Ellen.

“You are freaking kidding me! Of all the nerve. How could a man that smart be so stupid as to fall for her bullshit?”

“Beats me. We need to figure out a way to use this to our advantage.”

“Damn straight! As much as I want to yell at Dave right now, you’re right.”

“Can you come in early tomorrow so we can figure out a plan?”

“Of course.”

When I hang up the phone, I feel better knowing we have discovered who on the team has been leaking information.

The next morning, Ellen and I discuss our plan of action.

“So, you’ll continue to work on finding the root cause. Good. Dave is a good programmer, but you’re better than he is, Val.”

“Thanks for that vote of confidence. After going through my notes last night, I may have found something. But I need to do some testing. I don’t want to share my true findings with Dave, though.”

“We could still send him back to the gaming department and let Beth Smith deal with him. She runs that department with a steel fist. But I do like your idea of leading Dave on a wild goose chase, trying to look for a fix that we already have.”

“Me too. Not only that, but I think we should use Dave to deliver information to my uncle. Hmm... I can express my concern over the slow progress and the possibility of losing our buyer due to missing our deadline.”

“That’s what you’ll tell Dave, but what should I tell the rest of the team?”

“Nothing. If we only tell Dave and we limit his exposure to the rest of the team, hopefully, it will be business as usual.”

“Damn, Val. I’m impressed that you came up with this so quickly. You’re a little scary. You know that?”

“Well, remember, I grew up around Cristina, Aunt Gloria, and Uncle Victor. You’d expect me to be a little devious, right?”

“Actually, Val, I would. That’s why I, and everyone else you work with, are so amazed that you’re such a nice person.”

I smile at her sincere compliment.

“Thank you, Ellen.”

“Val, it’s because you’re a nice person that most of us are excited about you having the controlling interest. But that’s not the only reason. Those of us who work with you like the direction you’re taking with this new imaging software. Have you heard anything new from your lawyer?”

“Not this week. Mr. Jenkins keeps telling me that the dispute won’t end up in litigation, but things are moving so slowly.”

“Oh, well. Don’t worry. You have enough on your plate right now.”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

The rest of the day goes by in a blur. Ellen and I watch as Dave eagerly moves into a private office. Ellen suggested it as a way to keep him away from the rest of the team.

I’ve gone over my notes again, and I’m confident that I’ve discovered the root cause of the problem. While I want to run some tests, I need to do them discreetly, which means putting in some extra hours.

It’s late, but I’m excited that I’ve resolved the glitch. I’ve run numerous tests, and every one of them has been successful. All we have to do now is upload the correct code into the rest of the program. Unfortunately, I don’t want to do that right now. Not until this cat-and-mouse game with my uncle and Cristina is over.

I can’t believe my uncle would stoop this low, but then again, I’m really not that surprised.

As I get ready to head home, I think about my life. My married life and how different things are with Chase as my husband.

I look down at my outfit and smile. I used to not care about my appearance. Today, I have on dress pants and a shirt that shows off my curves instead of covering them up.

When Chase saw me this morning, he whistled, “Damn, you look beautiful,” then he gave me a slow kiss and grabbed my ass before I left the house.

Having a sexy man at home who makes me feel cherished and desirable has been... well... pretty freaking awesome!

I find myself buying sexy lingerie just to see Chase’s eyes get that special look. I do wonder why he likes to see me in hot pink. What is it about that color that turns him on?

I shiver now, just thinking about him. He’s caught me staring at him a few times, and who could blame me, but I seem to have the same effect on him that he has on me.

When he winks or gives me that special look, it makes my toes curl.

He’s so demanding and yet giving in bed, and when he says things like “Yeah, Babe, like that. You are so beautiful when you come for me,” Lordy, but he makes me feel desired.

It’s not just lingerie that I’ve been buying. Last week, I went to a Harley store and bought some biker babe clothes. At least, that’s what I call them.

I have to admit that even I think I look hot when I pair them with my smokey eye makeup. That man has been good for my self-esteem.

Today is Monday, and this coming Friday night, we have plans to go to Wild Riders. Chase has promised to teach me how to play pool.

I think back to other Friday nights when I sat home alone. I know it was mostly by choice. I was asked out, not all the time, but I know I could have said yes to the dates that I turned down.

Even then, I think my heart belonged to Chase. I just didn’t want to admit it. I used to be so jealous of his parade of women.

What would he say if he knew?