Chapter 3
'Cambias Assets Exposed'

Simone stood outside of the office door for a moment and took a deep cleansing breath. She knew that Ethan was not a happy man. "So much for boy scouts! Those little rats were supposed to be bird watching…not bird watching," she thought.

Simone wasn't happy that they took pictures before Ethan and she could cover up but she wasn't as freaked out as Ethan…until the rats put the photos on the Internet and then of course the news got hold of the story…and Ugh!

Simone entered quietly stepping around a series of picnic baskets that littered the floor of his office, "Ethan? …Baby?" Ethan was sitting at his desk with his face in his hands. Looking up Ethan looking at the mess in his office.

"People have been sending me this refuse since this morning. Apparently everyone thinks they've come up with an impressively hilarious original joke." Ethan growled as he sat up in his seat and pushed the hair from his eyes. Mentally pulling himself together he stood and turned his full attention to Simone, "Please come in. How are you? Are you all right?"

Simone shrugged and smiled. She was pleased that he was concerned for her but she wasn't left exposed by the media the way he was. Luckily for Simone she preferred to sleep on her stomach and Ethan managed to keep her face out the photos by giving her the blanket and taking the full brunt of the camera attack. And now he was taking the burden of the media attack as well. It wasn't everyday the news got hold of X-rated photos of one of the Forbes top 400.

Ethan let Simone's presence wash over him. He felt calmer just knowing that she was near. Despite everything he couldn't help but admire her beauty. Her shining dark hair resting on her smooth shoulders and bare arms made Ethan want to go to her and stroke her smooth skin. Straightening as he walked toward her he tried to put on a bright face to reassure her. But Simone thought Ethan looked pale and exhausted. She walked instinctively toward him.

"I'm so sorry Ethan…" Simone began as she took his hands in her own.

"Shhh…you haven't done anything to feel sorry about." replied Ethan with a smile while gently drawing her hair from her face so he could look into her eyes, "It was a wonderful night."

"It was a magnificent night." Simone laughed, "It was just one hell of a morning." Simone looked up into Ethan's face as he drew her closely to him.

"Those little buggers were up so bloody early! They're young boys! Don't they need their sleep?" Ethan replied with frustration. He paused before he released a soft chuckle. Ethan's smile was genuine this time and Simone couldn't resist the urge to put her arms around him and gently stroke his back.

"You've been hiding in this office since yesterday Ethan." Simone whispered placing her cheek on his broad chest, "Won't you come out for a late dinner with me?"

Ethan sighed, "I've been working, doing a little media control...and hiding."

"It's late and the office is empty Ethan. Why don't you just pack it in for the night?" asked Simone. "You know you are the last one here."

"I've been waiting for a call from Japan about a merger between CambiasCompTech and Takimoto Computers." Ethan replied.

Simone let out a low whistle, "That is huge."

"The deal came through early. We got the merger we wanted. It should save our subsidiary and I expect it to prove to be a very lucrative arrangement. I've been expecting Brad Stern from the board of directors to call and congratulate me for the past hour."

Simone pulled away from Ethan and began rifling through the baskets. "Bingo! Ha! It Greenlee sent champagne! That's my girl!" Simone turned, digging into the basket once again.

"Hmmm…what's else?" Ethan asked looking over her shoulder.

"Glasses and …ohhhhh look caviar, crackers, cheese and fruit! Ethan you should have had someone go through these. Some of this stuff is perishable. Hmmm…kind of pricey for a gag gift."

"Simone, are you always hungry?" Ethan asked with a laugh.

"Yes" Simone giggled. "I bet you haven't had dinner yet."

"You'd win that bet." Ethan looked over Simone's shoulder once again to peer into the basket.

Sitting back on her heels Simone stopped what she was doing and sighed, "You're really just hiding out here Ethan. You need to relax and just go with it. This will blow over. Something else will come up and the media will move on to the next poor guy. Don't worry about the board. They love you. CI stock value is up and you are their Golden Boy. From now on I'm sure that…" Simone couldn't suppress her giggle, "They would just prefer that you keep some of your assets private."

Ethan groaned with the memory and closed his eyes and laughed.

"They are great assets though." Simone teased and she couldn't resist an irrepressibly strong urge…to tickle him. Simone laughed harder at the large grown man wriggling away from her. "Ethan!" Simone proclaimed thoroughly astonished, "You are ticklish!"

"Stop!" Ethan panted.

"Nope!" Simone laughed. "You'll have to make me."

Ethan accepted the challenge and began tickling Simone in response and before they knew it they were on the ground panting and laughing. Overwhelmed Ethan took a deep and ragged breath and drew Simone beneath him. Looking her in the eyes he knew there was something he wanted to say, "Simone…" but Simone shook her head and put her fingers to his lips.

"Just kiss me."

He kissed her mouth passionately stopping to draw his nose across her cheek till he reached the soft warmth of her neck. He felt the pulse of her heartbeat beneath his lips and took her delicate skin gently between his teeth and bit her softly before kissing her neck. Reaching to unbutton her dress he breathed in the smell of her hair and reflected for a moment at how lonely he was before she came into his office this evening, "Simone…"

"Shhhhhh." replied Simone, "Just kiss me."

Chapter 4

'A Cambias Merger Comes to Light'

Ethan has a 'New' experience as he publicly announces how he feels for Simone.