The Very Worst Man

by Laura Stapleton

  A chilly wind began blowing, reminding her she wasn’t wearing a jacket. “Thank you for coming out here with me, deputy. I appreciate it, and let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help the sheriff’s department.”

  “You too, ma’am.” He got into his car at the same time she did and hurried away.

  A part of her wanted to indulge in reliving memories. The more practical side said to just go, so she did. Her influence over the place had been gone long ago when their parents died.

  The week passed without word from Stan about any visitation. Earlier today, she had mailed him a letter with photos printed from her phone. Without the official admittance form, snail mailing him information was the best she could do. Alexandra shook her head of all the little critiques Stan would have about her actions. She kept forgetting she didn’t care anymore what he thought. Listening for a moment and judging by all the barking, hissing, and human talking, the waiting room was packed. She smiled at the chaos and pulled up the day’s patient list.

  Lily.

  “Nuts,” she said under her breath. Even worse, Lily was her first patient and Alexandra knew she didn’t drive here alone. She grinned at the idea of the cat behind the wheel of Hayden’s car. Last week a house fire, this week a solid reminder of how much her heart hurt over a guy and his pet. “Let’s do this.” She opened the door to exam room one and stepped in.

  “She looks fine to me, Mr. Wells,” Brenda said. “Doctor, I’ve checked her vitals and updated her record. Your turn.”

  “Thank you, Brenda.” Alexandra glanced into Hayden’s eyes when she first walked in, but kept focused on Lily. “Now, let’s see what’s going on with you.” She started the usual physical checkup. “Why is she here today? Is there a particular problem she’s having?”

  “Nothing physical, I think, just emotional.”

  Lily trotted across the exam table to her as soon as Hayden let go. She leaned against Alexandra, purring and rubbing her hand. “Oh? Has she been eating, playing, using the litter box like normal?”

  “Yes to everything.”

  She did a quick exam, probably duplicating Brenda’s work, but wanting to catch whatever Hayden thought wrong with the animal. She still needed more symptoms to rule out anything serious. “Then how do you know anything is out of the ordinary?”

  He paused for long enough that she wondered if he’d heard her. She glanced up at him, seeing sadness in the deep blue of his eyes. He put a hand on her shoulder, staring into her face as if watching for signs of dishonesty. “Why are we not together? What happened that night besides the best night of my life?”

  She stepped back, surprised at his statement. “Why? It’s pretty simple, don’t you think? You made a choice and here we are.”

  “I’m not following because whatever choice I’d make is the one that kept you close to me.”

  “Right. When you had to pick between career and me, it’s obvious that it’s no contest.” Feeling Lily pawing at her, stretching and trying to reach, Alexandra stepped forward for more affection.

  “I thought so, yet, when I call you, will you answer?”

  She shook her head. “Probably not.”

  “Why?”

  “Because a clean break is best.” She focused on scratching under the cat’s chin, not wanting to look at him while saying something close to her heart. “I’m already too attached to you for this to be about casual sex, and besides, we’d get caught one day and your career would be ruined.”

  “Too attached? I like the sound of that.” He patted Lily, brushing Alexandra’s hand in a caress.

  His touch did painful things to her heart. She needed to be firm with Hayden and pointedly glanced at the clock. “Keep going and get to the ruined career part. If Lily is fine, she needs to go ahead and check out. I love her, but have real patients to treat today.”

  He grinned. “So we’re not seeing each other because of my career?”

  “Did you hit your head? Hayden, that’s the only reason.” The cat’s purrs soothed her as much as the guy’s amusement irritated her. Even this close, she felt the electric current flow between them and wondered how he could be so casual about the connection. “You said you couldn’t see me and be the guy who put Stan away.”

  “You’re absolutely right. I couldn’t date you and work for the district attorney’s office.”

  His smile fell and it seemed she’d poked a hole in his fun. “I’m glad you see why I ignored you and it’s best to keep doing so. You’re a great guy and I can admit to maybe loving you a lot. It’s just that in the war between a relationship and a career, I know who’s going to win.”

  “That’s been your experience?” He picked up Lily, holding her as she struggled to get back to Alexandra.

  She resisted the urge to take the cat from him for another hug. “Always. I never stood a chance.” Watching as he crated the feline, Alexandra added, “She’s doing very well, so don’t feel bad us not working out and keep taking great care of her.”

  “Thank you and I will.” He dug in his suit coat pocket and put a card on the table. “Take my new business card. There’ve been some changes.”

  “I don’t know how it’ll help. I have your number in Lily’s files.”

  “It might come in handy some day. Call if you need me.”

  Having had her fill of courtroom drama for a lifetime, she resisted protesting ever needing a prosecutor. No one knew what the future held, so she said, “All right, will do.”

  After he left the room without a reply, just an enigmatic grin, she breathed in deep, wanting to inhale every trace of his cologne. She’d missed him and could admit to it now that he was gone. Ignoring her heartache, she spritzed the table with disinfectant and wiped. She opened the door to the waiting room and headed for exam room two.

  Alexandra clicked the shutoff option for the office computer, done with the workday at last. Ginny came in from the front and Brenda from the lab as if on cue. “Uh oh, why do I suspect trouble?”

  Settling in on one side of her boss, Brenda asked, “So tell us? What happened this morning?”

  “Yeah, you have to spill your guts.” Ginny leaned against the wall, arms crossed and wearing a knowing grin. “We’ve been waiting to hear about him all day. Is Lily ok for sure, or was he just using her to get to you?”

  Disgusted with him, she had to admit to the truth. “He was totally using her.”

  Both women clapped their hands as Brenda said, “How romantic!”

  “No, not quite.” She stood, pushing her chair in under the desk. “We didn’t talk about anything but what he’d decided and he gave me a new business card.”

  Ginny straightened, eyebrows raised. “A new one? Ooo, so he quit his position at the DA’s?”

  Alexandra frowned at the idea. Without thinking, she said, “I don’t think so. Who would do that?”

  “Did you look at his new card?” Brenda asked.

  “Not really. He was standing right there.” She pulled the card from her pocket and read the front, not believing what she saw. “This says he’s at Berkley and Howe. This can’t be right. It must be one of those joke or free cards.”

  Ginny gave a little squeal. “What if it is real and he quit to have some sort of relationship with you?”

  Alexandra stared at the little rectangle, enjoying the rush his name gave her. “If it is, then I’ve been very wrong.”

  After a few moments of no one saying anything, Brenda asked, “What are you going to do now?”

  “I vote call him,” Ginny interjected.

  Brenda nodded. “So do I.”

  “No!” The receptionist almost jumped up and down in excitement. “Go visit him. That way you can give him smoochies.”

  She glanced from one to the other, not sure if she shared their optimism. Still, if Hayden’s card was real, he’d given up his state position for her and she’d not known. Plus Ginny had a point with the potential kisses. Alexandra had to try. “That’s not a bad idea. If you
two are ready to go, I am.”

  “Let’s do this.”

  “I love a happy ending.”

  Less than fifteen minutes later, Alexandra stopped just short of speeding to Hayden’s apartment. His car was parked in front. She pulled in beside him and hurried up to his door. Second thoughts started blooming in her mind just before she pressed the doorbell. This was a Friday. What if he was in there with someone else? What if he gave her this card as a see ya later, not a want to see ya later?

  She squared her shoulders. Nothing mattered if she had a chance to share some of her future with him. She pressed the doorbell, heard it, and took a step back. Seeing a movement to her left, she glanced and saw Lily at the window. The little cat had pushed aside the curtain and was now scratching at the glass. She paused for a moment while looking behind her, then resumed.

  The door opened and Hayden stood there, still in his suit but without the jacket and tie. She grinned, hoping he was alone in there. “Hello, I wanted to stop by and say hi.”

  “Hi.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame.

  After a few moments of silence, she asked, “How’s it going?”

  “Great so far.”

  “Um hmm.” She gave him a little grin. “How’s your family?”

  “Great.”

  “Good, good.” She waited for him to say anything, but he stayed silent. Looking at him, she saw he was doing a bad job of hiding a smile. “You are absolutely not going to make this easy for me, are you?”

  “Nope. You made it tough on me, walking out, refusing my phone calls, and not even coming over here or calling until this late. I had to get Maxine into a verbal headlock to keep her from saying anything to you.”

  She almost laughed at how his tough stance was softening. “That’s sad.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say so.”

  “No mention of how rough I had it, thinking you chose your career over a relationship with me.”

  “That’s your problem. All you had to do was ask what I wanted. Instead you assumed and skated out of here.”

  “I see.” She looked toward her car then back at him. “Choosing me over a job is emotional; choosing the job is logical. What in our history would have made me assume you’d be more emotional than logical?”

  “Fair enough.” He glanced up at her then. “Come on in, it’s getting cold outside.” She followed him in and while closing the door he continued, “You’re right about me. If you were any other woman in the world, I’d have chosen my job.” He took her purse, setting it on the coffee table while Lily hugged her legs. “I fell for you the first time I saw you. Our being together that night made it concrete.” He pulled her into his arms. “You’re everything to me, beautiful, kind, feisty, smart, and sexy as hell. My heart says this will last forever and my mind is all for collecting more evidence.”

  She breathed in deep, reveling in his body heat and scent. Standing this close, she saw the beginnings of five o’clock shadow. The rough texture begged for her touch, and she caressed his cheek. “So you mean evidence as in spending time together?”

  “I hope so.”

  His eyes echoed his words, melting her heart. “All right. Count me in.” He’d been so open with her and she needed to return the favor. “You’re not the only one in this whole love at first sight thing. I hated how you were on the team against Stan. I hated you, but have to admit I did like staring at you.”

  He kissed her, holding her close. Stopping, he asked, “Wait, you only loved me for my body?”

  She ran her hands down then up his back. “Pretty much. You seemed a little smart too.”

  He laughed. “Thanks, I think.”

  “Hayden, come on. I love you.” She watched as her surprise was mirrored in his face at the confession. Alexandra paused before deciding to tough it out and to spill more of her heart. “Always have and I’m sure I always will.”

  He squeezed her in a full on bear hug before nuzzling her ear. “Two questions, who is moving in with whom and do I have to ever represent Stan?”

  A future with him thrilled her, and she enjoyed every inch of their contact. What had he asked, she wondered, distracted by his warmth enveloping her. Right, he’d wanted to know arrangements and family rules. She smiled, enjoying the feeling of his lips against her neck. “I’d like you to move in with me since I have a yard and a bedroom for Lily, and no, Stan doesn’t deserve your expertise. Save your legal skills for an innocent person.”

  He pulled back far enough to look into her eyes. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

  After giving a quick search of her memory, she grinned. “Not yet, but feel free to tell me any time you want.”

  “I don’t know about any time. In a couple of days, you’ll get sick of hearing how much I love you.”

  Alexandra’s gaze caressed his face, enjoying the adoration shining from his eyes. She liked imagining waking up to him and Lily every morning. Any future problems in life didn’t seem daunting with those two on her side. “I don’t think that’s possible, but I’m fine with you trying.”

  “Good, Dr. Wells, because I don’t think I could help myself.”

  She chuckled. “Was that a mistake, Mr. Wells?”

  “No, it was a promise.”

  Other books by Laura Stapleton

  The Oregon Trail Series

  Unavoidable (The Oregon Trail Series) - Book 1

  Undeniable (The Oregon Trail Series) - Book 2

  Undesirable (The Oregon Trail Series) - Book 3

  Uncivilized (The Oregon Trail Series) - Book 4 - Release Date: March 2015

  Lucky’s Christmas Wish (The Oregon Trail Series) - Book 5

  The Very Manly Series

  The Very Best Man (The Very Manly Series) - Book 1

  The Very Best Man

  Jane Lawson planned everything to the last detail. When her sister, the maid of honor, flakes out on every task, the best man, David Wells steps up to the job. He sacrifices his time for cake and wine tasting, dress shopping, and other duties as assigned.

  David is in trouble. Spending time with his childhood friend’s fiancé has turned an attraction into love. He wanted to bow out of the ceremony, but to walk away meant less time spent with Jane. With no light at the end of this wedding’s tunnel, he’s not willing to give up a single second with her.

  The Very Worst Man

  Alexandra Bromley’s feelings for Hayden Wells mixed like oil and water. Staring at him overwhelmed her much like full sunshine on a snow-covered plain. His good looks and honest character appealed to her as much as she despised him for his prosecution of her beloved brother. Yet, no matter how Stan wanted her to discredit Hayden’s professional character, she couldn’t do it.

  Hayden would do anything for the woman who’d engaged his heart. Anything but the one thing she wanted most in the world. He loved Alexandra, but no murderer would walk during his watch as assistant prosecuting attorney. If she’d trusted him more than her brother, they might stand a chance at a relationship. Hayden needed to convince her that sometimes the blood bond between siblings was just colored water.

  About the Author

  With an overactive imagination and a love for writing, Laura Stapleton decided to type out her daydreams and what -ifs in order to share her lovable characters and their worlds with readers. She currently lives in Kansas City with her husband, daughter, dog, and a few cats. When not at the computer, you'll find her in the park for a jog or at the yarn store's clearance section.

  If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review. Find Laura online at https://twitter.com/LauraLStapleton, https://www.facebook.com/LLStapleton#, http://lauralstapleton.com and at Smashwords. Subscribe to Laura’s newsletter and keep up on the latest updates and new releases.

 

 

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