by Lea Coll
“Was it a good idea to help him without an assurance about the lease?” Her soft voice indicated to me she didn’t think I’d done anything wrong. She was curious.
“He was upset about his brother. I couldn’t—I didn’t even think about it. I’m sorry.”
She dropped her hands to her side, shifting on her heels. “No. It’s fine. A client is a client, even if he’s your grumpy landlord.”
I opened the firm a few months ago with Dylan and Hadley. I’d gone to law school with Dylan. We’d asked another law school friend, Taylor, to join us but she’d moved to New Orleans, started dating someone, and hadn’t wanted to move back. Instead, she recommended her co-worker, Hadley. We were equally invested in the firm being a success. It was slow-going until Hadley’s nonprofit, Kids Speak, made the news. We still needed more clients to continue to grow.
“Why did he ask for you?” Dylan turned to leave before pausing.
I wanted to know the same thing. “I don’t know. He didn’t say.”
“Interesting.” Dylan’s eyes were thoughtful.
“Maybe because we’ve spoken on the phone before. He feels like he knows me.”
Dylan’s brow furrowed. “I thought you do nothing but fight on the phone?”
“We do.” I usually avoided confrontational people, but as soon as his voice came over the line, my heart rate picked up. At first I thought it was because he was argumentative, then I realized it was a visceral reaction to his smooth voice. Having a face to go with the voice was going to increase my sexy dreams or make them disappear. I wasn’t sure which one I wanted. “We got along fine today. Maybe because his brother died, he was different.”
I wanted to handle this one thing for him despite how difficult he’d made things for us since we’d opened. I couldn’t without admitting that I was attracted to his voice and now him. He was good looking, gruff, broody, but sensitive, and even if he didn’t want to, he was caring for his nephew. He was trying to fight for Declan’s life insurance. He was protecting him.
“You like him.” There was no playfulness or teasing in her tone. She said it like it was a fact.
There was no way I could admit to liking the man who’d made my life difficult since we opened the firm. “I do not. He’s been nothing but a pain in the ass since we signed that lease.”
“That’s true, but you still like him.”
I didn’t have to admit to how much his vulnerability mixed with his gruffness circled my heart and squeezed, but I could give her a small nugget of truth. “I’m attracted to him. Who can resist that sexy voice combined with his looks?”
She narrowed her eyes on me. “He’s attractive in a ‘I have you by the balls’ kind of way. He can kick us out at the end of the lease. I think this is a terrible idea.”
“What’s a terrible idea?” Hadley walked down the hall with mail in her hand, her briefcase on her shoulder as she was coming from court.
Dylan looked from me to Hadley. “Griffin Locke hired Avery to deal with an insurance issue.”
Hadley’s eyes widened. “Did he come into the office?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, knowing I was outnumbered. “Yes.”
Hadley lowered her voice as if Griffin was still here. “Did he notice the new carpet and paint?”
“No. I think he was distracted.”
“I don’t know if representing him when he hasn’t extended our lease is a good idea.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t even think of it. He was upset. His brother just died. I was busy trying to wrap my brain around the fact Griffin Locke wanted to see me.”
A small smile took over Hadley’s face. “Ah. I get it. You like him.”
Dylan nodded in my direction. “Told you it was obvious.”
“Ugh. You two are impossible. Griffin Locke is insufferable.” I threw up my arms, my voice rising with my last declaration.
A throat cleared from the reception area. I closed my eyes, my face heated. It was him. How much had he heard? I’d made a connection with him before ruining everything with my big mouth.
Dylan hid her laugh behind her hand as she ducked into her office.
“I’ll go,” Hadley whispered to me.
I sighed in relief, not ready to see him again so soon, especially not after what I’d said.
“Hi. I’m Hadley Winters, one of the partners here. Can I help you?” Hadley’s voice carried down the hall where I held my breath, hoping he wouldn’t ask to see me.
“Griffin Locke. I was just in a meeting with Ms. Arrington. I forgot to get a copy of the paperwork I gave her.”
That voice. It was him. I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes. I should apologize, maybe over the phone, somewhere I couldn’t see his face.
Hadley came back down the hall on her way to the conference room. “I’ll grab the copies from the file.”
I closed my eyes, leaning against the wall, wondering if he’d decide not to use my help.
Hadley passed by me. I could hear the rumble of Griffin’s voice as he said goodbye. I opened my eyes when her heels sounded on the wood floor. “Did he hear me?”
Hadley crossed her arms over her chest. “You were loud.”
I winced. “Did he let on that he heard?”
“There was a muscle ticcing in his jaw right here.” She pointed at her cheek.
“That’s not a good sign.” I let out a slow breath.
“He didn’t fire you. Yet.”
I didn’t mention that he hadn’t hired me either. We never discussed or signed an attorney-client agreement and I hadn’t set a fee. I wasn’t prepared for him. For the first time in my life, I acted on instinct. He needed my help. I gave it to him without strings attached.
“Let it be known I said it was a terrible idea,” Dylan called from her office.
One-Click Lost without You.
“Lost without You is an incredible romance about two broken souls and the love that heals them. A definite must read for anyone looking for sexy-sweet, slow burn romance. TBR this incredible book and get to know Griffin, one of my top 5 book boyfriends.” - Judy Ann Loves Books
Books by Lea Coll
All I Want Series
Choose Me
Be with Me
Burn for Me
Trust in Me
Stay with Me
Take a Chance on Me
Annapolis Harbor Series
Hooked on You (previously titled Easy Moves)
Only with You
Lost without You
Perfect for You
Crazy for You
Falling for You
Mountain Haven Series
Infamous Love
Quick Snap Novellas
Lucky Catch
Trick Play
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About the Author
Lea Coll worked as a trial attorney for over ten years. Now she stays home with her three children, plotting stories while fetching snacks and running them back and forth to activities. She enjoys the freedom of writing romance after years of legal writing.
She currently resides in Maryland with her family.
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Check out Lea’s books on her website.