What about Cindi? Hell no, she was a belly dancer at Fernando’s nightclub. Okay, think. Betty? His shoulders heaved. She was a mud wrestler every Friday and Saturday nights. Interesting, but definitely not what George had in mind. Who else? Mary Lou? She cooked a mean lamb roast, yes, and she’d been married four times and wasn’t divorced from the last.
A stir of annoyance. Why did he have to have a nice girl anyway? Wouldn’t the public accept him as a single man hell-bent on doing what was best for Melbourne? George’s words echoed inside his mind, not a man with a different girl on his arm every night.
Edoardo lowered his head inside his hands. “Bugger, bugger, bugger,” he murmured.
• • •
Glory Sandrin tightened the belt of her coat, hitched her bag high onto one shoulder, dug her hands deep into the pockets, and dashed up the stairs of the Empire Star building and through the main entrance.
The interior of the building was lavish. Glancing up she admired the decorative ceiling supported by columns of single pieces of Tasmanian freestone.
She ran her fingertips over the inscription on the brass plaque, Edoardo Pisani ~ Senior Counsel. One day it would read Edoardo Pisani SC and Partner.
She’d worked hard to get where she was. Part-time law school, part-time job waiting tables in a large busy restaurant in town, long hours and little pay. Then graduation with double honours and she knew the law world would be her oyster.
She hadn’t counted on a workaholic like Edoardo. She now worked longer hours than uni and the cafe put together. Research, investigations, preparing legal arguments — and she loved every minute of it. Her goal was to be in the same class as Edoardo and hard work, studying him in action, was the key.
She was good. Prided herself on her cool, snap, sometimes ruthless, decisions when things weren’t going the way she’d planned.
How many times had Edoardo said his practice had surged since she’d come to work with him?
She gave a friendly wave. Kate Goddard, the office law clerk, was waiting for her. Kate dressed like no other person Glory knew. Trendy cargo pants and high heels, a tight multi-coloured top that showed a little tanned skin, her hair braided into sections and hanging down over her shoulders. Bangles, beaded necklaces and a few gaudy rings completed the picture.
Dear Kate. Glory had poured her heart out to her about her childhood, the pain and sense of abandonment when her adored father had walked out on them, and the shock and grief at the sudden death of her mum. She’d told Kate her fears, her hopes, and her aspirations.
She told Kate everything, well, almost everything; there was one secret she’d kept back from her, a secret she wouldn’t share with anyone because it was an impossible dream.
She was in love with Edoardo Pisani — bad-boy.
A man any sane woman would steer clear of.
Edoardo was the mirror image of her dad, the eternal womanizer. Dissatisfied with one woman they played the field, changing women as often as they changed their shirts. She could never marry a man like that. That wasn’t in her master plan. “Hi, Kate.”
“G’day,” Kate greeted warmly. Linking arms, Kate gave her a gentle squeeze. “It’s cold enough to freeze the bum off a brass monkey.”
She laughed, although she chided Kate. “Prose was never your strong point.”
“How’d the date go last night?”
Kate had fixed Glory up with her cousin Cameron, and, as usual, the night had turned into a disaster. “We didn’t hit it off.”
“You know your problem?”
Every part of her body sighed. It was far too early in the morning for Kate’s psychobabble. “No, but I bet you’re going to tell me.”
“You’re your own worst enemy. It’s as if you’re afraid to start a relationship.”
Yes, she was scared — scared she’d make a mistake by choosing the wrong man and end up like her mum — miserable, afraid and lonely.
“He came on to me too quickly. Besides, he talked about all his conquests throughout dinner.”
“He was trying to impress you.”
She grimaced. “He failed miserably.”
Kate chuckled. “You’re twenty-six and gorgeous. A Marilyn Monroe figure and ripe for love and what do you do? Hide yourself behind dusty law books.”
“I love my job,” Glory protested.
“That’s beside the point.” Kate paused. “You’re looking for Prince Charming and he only exists in fairy-tales.”
“What about Greg? Isn’t he your Prince Charming?”
Something dark passed over her friend’s face. “Sometimes he wears his socks to bed and he burps at the dinner table.”
“You’re so down-to-earth.” Glory wouldn’t be put off. “I think the perfect man is out there somewhere and I’m going to find him.”
“And then?”
She managed a smile. “We’ll marry and — ”
Kate’s eyebrows rose and she shook her head. “And live happily ever after?”
Glory knew her Prince Charming was out there and she would find him. She just knew she would. He’d be a one-woman man, a man who would put her above all others and then all her torturous dreams of loving Edoardo would dissolve. “You sound embittered. Kate, is anything wrong?”
“Could be.”
“Tell me about it.”
“We’ll talk later.” Kate glanced over her shoulder. “Better go, got heaps of work piled on my desk. Wanna do lunch?”
“Early lunch. I’m due in court at two.”
“I can eat any time.” She grinned and said, “See you later.” Kate made her way to her office on the opposite side of the room.
Glory poured herself a black coffee, sipped it, grimaced, added milk and sugar and returned to her chair. Rain splattered against the window, sounding like the first hesitant clack of a typewriter. Within seconds, it had gathered momentum and was thundering down like a thousand tapping feet.
Her childhood ended at fifteen when her father left. Her mother sank into a deep depression and eventually died — Glory knew it was from a broken heart. She would never be able to repay Kate for her kindness, friendship, and love.
• • •
The telephone rang. “Pisani … hi, Pete, how’s your little one? Over the measles yet? … Great, glad to hear it … Hey, you don’t have to thank me. I knew you were the perfect man for the job. Only took one phone call, that’s all … The Browne file? Yes, Kate sent it Friday night; you should have got it first thing this morning … I see … Okay, I’ll call you back.” He replaced the receiver.
“Hell,” he muttered. “This is too much.” He pressed a number on the telephone pad. “Kate? Get in here now.”
Edoardo stewed while waiting for the hapless Kate. All his frustrations at George dangling the carrot beneath his nose only to whip it away, burned inside him. For the first time, in a long time, he wasn’t in control and he didn’t like the feeling.
Kate entered the room.
“Where’s the Browne file?” Edoardo growled. “I just got a call from the Clerk of Courts.” Kate’s face turned a pasty green. “You forgot to send it, didn’t you?”
Before Kate could answer, Edoardo, his head still reeling from George’s weird request, spoke more harshly than he intended. “This isn’t the first mess up, Kate. Last week you misplaced the Tyson affidavit and made me late for court. And you’ve been late most mornings. You know how important it was to have that file delivered. What’s got into you? I’ve never known you to be so careless.
“The court postponed and the client still has to pay full court costs and he won’t be pleased,” he said. “You’ve caused unnecessary expense and discredited the practice.”
“I’m sorry, Edoardo. It’s just that everything fell in on me …”
Edoard
o’s frustrations tightened into a ball that he tossed Kate’s way. “That doesn’t cut it, Kate. I need someone I can rely on. I don’t want to have to think of every little thing. I employ you to do a job and to be damn frank, you’re not doing it. The practice relies on all the staff doing their job and doing it well.” He shook his head. “I have to let you go, Kate. Sorry, but that’s it.”
“Edoardo, please.”
“That’s all, thanks, Kate,” he said more gently now. Sanity was returning.
As the dejected girl left his office, he reconsidered. Kate had been with him since the beginning and Edoardo knew he couldn’t be without her. She was the best law clerk in Melbourne, and although her style of dressing was bizarre to say the least, she brightened up a rather dull law office and she was a lovely girl.
He ran a shaky hand over his forehead. He’d never spoken harshly to any of his staff before and he was ashamed of his outburst.
Poor Kate, he hadn’t given her a chance to explain. Nothing so major had happened in the past. He’d apologise to her immediately. Explain, he’d had a rough morning and was taking it out on her. Assure her that her job was as safe as houses.
As his hand reached out to dial Kate’s extension the telephone rang. Edoardo picked up the receiver.
• • •
Kate stumbled to her office, slumped into a chair and covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders heaved. Glory jumped to her feet, her heart pounding. Something was terribly wrong. She raced across the office to Kate’s side. Throwing her arms around her, Glory said, “What is it? What’s happened?”
Kate gave a small sob and cried, “Oh, Glory, Edoardo sacked me.”
Glory stumbled back a few steps. “He what? Why? Why would he sack you? It doesn’t make any sense. You’re the best worker he has.”
“Not according to him, I ain’t. I mucked up big time. I forgot to send the Browne file to court. The trial was postponed.” Kate groaned, rubbing her hands over her eyes. “I tried to explain but he was livid, angrier than I’ve ever seen him. Actually it’s the only time I’ve seen him angry since I’ve known him. He must have personal problems.”
“Don’t stick up for him, Kate. He’s acting like a callous brute.” Glory glanced towards Edoardo’s office. “And he needs to be told.”
Kate grabbed Glory’s hand. “I can’t lose my job, Glory. I’ve got problems.”
Glory said, “What problems? You never told me about any problems? Oh, Kate is it you? Are you ill? Is it Greg? Oh God, it’s not Aiden is it? What? What!”
Kate wiped her eyes and nose with a tissue. This small act broke Glory’s heart in pieces. She wanted to don armour and, with sword raised, mount her stead and fight the savage foe for her friend — the savage foe being the gorgeous Edoardo Pisani.
Kate tossed the tissue into the wastepaper basket. “Greg left me over two months ago.”
Another shock trundled through Glory. “Left you? For good?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why have you kept something so terrible to yourself?”
“I kept thinking I may not have to, hoping he’d come back and say he’d made a mistake.” She shook her head. “He’s not coming back to me, Glory.”
“Why? Oh, Kate, is it another woman?”
She shrugged trembling shoulders. “I got home from work and there was this note propped against the toaster. It said: Get a new life, I have. Good luck, Greg.”
Angry at Greg’s cold-hearted dismissal of his wife and child, Glory said, “Cold-hearted brute. Where’s he gone?”
“He’s in New Zealand and yes he’s with another woman.”
“What, you mean he’s just run off and doesn’t care about seeing Aidan again?”
“Yes, isn’t he a rat bastard?”
“Oh my God, I never imagined he’d be the kind of man who’d do that! You’ll get child support. He’ll help you financially.”
Kate straightened. “Too bloody right I will. I’ll take the swine for every penny he’s got.”
“I’ll represent you. Together we’ll make him squirm.”
“You’re not a divorce lawyer.”
“I’ll still handle your case.”
Kate squeezed Glory’s hand. “I know you would, but I don’t want to involve you. You’re my friend, not my lawyer.”
“Why didn’t you explain this to Edoardo?”
“I don’t want his sympathy, Glory,” she said. “Don’t you tell him about Greg leaving me. I don’t want him keeping me on because he’s sorry for me.”
Glory sighed but said, “I won’t, I promise. But you must promise me something.”
“What?”
“Even with child support it won’t be easy for you to manage financially. You know the house payments or medical bills, anything, you’ll come to me.”
Kate shook her head. “I can’t promise you that. Borrowing money is a sure way to damage a friendship.” The girls’ eyes met. “I won’t risk losing your friendship, Glory.”
“You’d be the most mule-headed person I know.” Glory grinned. “And I love you for it.” She glanced again towards Edoardo’s office. “I’ll tell you one thing, Kate, you’re not going to lose your job.” She shook her head and set her lips in determination. “No way in this world.”
Kate brightened. “How?”
Purpose flooded through her. Edoardo’s night-time habits were questionable, but not his professional life and he usually showed more consideration than necessary towards his staff.
She recalled when Cynthia Swallow, their receptionist, found herself pregnant to a married man. Edoardo had stood by her all the way, giving her extended maternity leave and paying her wages until she was ready to return to work.
So what was going on? She found it difficult to believe that he would sack someone as important to him as Kate for no good reason.
Whatever, she was just the girl to set him right.
“I’ll show you how. Just watch me in action. Edoardo Pisani is in for the shock of his pampered life.”
And with that statement, she turned, tugged her skirt down over her hips, fluffed her hair and marched, like a soldier to battle, towards the enemy’s office.
CHAPTER TWO
Edoardo glanced up as Glory entered his office without knocking. He mumbled an apology into the receiver and dropped it back on the cradle. “Glory, what can I do for you? You look — um, upset.”
“I want to talk to you about Kate and the appalling way you spoke to her and giving her notice as if she doesn’t mean a thing to you or the practice. Really, Edoardo, this is too much.” A savage glare. “Why, she’s crying her heart out. How can you be so uncaring, so unfeeling? It’s not like you, Edoardo, not one little bit.”
A denial sprang to his lips. An explanation of how he’d lost it there for a bit and had taken it out on Kate but he intended rectifying the situation. But something, stirring and wicked, held him back.
He didn’t know much about Glory’s personal life. Hadn’t wanted to know. Best, he’d decided, to keep their relationship strictly-business. That wasn’t as easy as it sounded, as right at this moment his hands were itching to touch her. Run his hands through the silk of her hair, press his mouth against hers. He’d always held back for two reasons, one, knowing she was a girl who wanted a solid gold band on the fourth finger of her left hand and two, they worked together and he didn’t want to lose her. Still that didn’t stop him from indulging in fantasies.
He lowered his head, his fingers pressed against his forehead. Snap out of it, man. “Kate messed up.”
“We all mess up at times, Edoardo,” she said crisply. “Want I should go though a few of yours?”
He laughed, loving her spirit, the way she always had an answer, never allowing him to dragoon her in any way
, shape or form. And the idea that was budding around the back of his mind bloomed into full life.
She was a woman any man would like to have on his arm. Personally he’d like to have her in his arms, feel the softness of her body as it pressed against his.
The smell of her perfume encircled him, Bergamot or maybe mandarin and just a hint of frangipani. His senses swirled. The room closed in. He tugged the collar of his shirt and glanced at the central heating vent. Had the darn thing broken down?
“Have you a partner, Glory?” He struggled to keep his voice relatively normal. “You know, someone special in your life?”
His questions took her aback, and she said, “Partner?” She pointed to her chest. “Me? No, no, I haven’t got a partner.”
• • •
As Glory leaned in closer, she took in the man she’d been working with for the past two years. In his dark blue suit with silver gray pinstripes, a light blue cotton shirt and a dark gray woven silk tie, she decided he was well worth the scrutiny.
She’d been in love with Edoardo from the first moment she’d laid eyes on his darkly alluring presence and smouldering looks.
His figure was tall and muscular and he had the most remarkable eyes. At first she’d taken these intense orbs to be violet, but on examination they were deep blue.
If only he were a different type of man, a homebody, a family man who’d rush home each night on the 6.05 to be with her.
The only rushing Edoardo would do was into the next dolly bird’s arms.
“It seems I don’t know much about you,” he said. “I know you’re a superb lawyer. The way you give confidence to your client and handle a judge and jury is just short of brilliant.”
Compliments from Edoardo Pisani were rare. “What does my personal life have to do with how you treated Kate?”
“Can’t I give you a compliment?”
“For heaven’s sake, Edoardo, what are you fishing for?” she snapped.
She tried to drag her gaze away from his, but he held her with a look that so fascinating she was absorbed completely — spellbound. A sensual pull, a breathless response to him. He had all the dazzling intensity of an electric storm and just as dangerous.
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