“Whew! I was a little worried about when you were finally going to ream me out for interfering. I’m glad I was able to help. I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you so well and on top of your game. I’m very proud of you Alex. So proud I’d like to ask you a favor.”
Alex beamed at Peter. “Ask away Pete. I’m in no position to say no to you about anything right now thanks to all you’ve done for me.”
“Precisely what I hoped you’d say. I need a date for the county bar association party two weeks from this Saturday and there is no one I’d rather take than you. Please tell me you can go.”
“Let me look.” Alex pulled up her calendar on her computer. “I have nothing going on at all that Saturday Pete. What time is the party?”
“Cocktails start at seven, dinner’s at eight. Pick you up at 6:30?”
“I’ll be ready. Is it formal? I threw my invitation out since I hadn’t planned on going alone.”
“It’s black tie formal. Go alone? Are you nuts Alex? Have you not figured out yet that there are legions of us men ready to take you anywhere you want to go? You never have to go anywhere alone Alex. Unless of course you choose to.”
“Legions, huh? Peter you are marvelous for a girl’s ego. Now get out of here so I can finish this.”
“You have made me a very happy man Alex and I can’t wait to spread the word that they are all too late; that you already said you would go with me.”
He grinned and bent to give her a sweet kiss on the lips.
“Don’t work too late Lex. You need your rest. Tomorrow will be a long day.”
Peter walked out of her office and danced a quick jig once he’d turned the corner at the end of the hall.
She said yes! Peter wanted to scream it from the rooftops. He was determined to make Alex forget Ian Foster and make a life with him. This was just the beginning.
Chapter 6
Alex thought the trial had ended on a good note but she had no feeling now about what way the jury would go. Her closing statement had been flawless even though she had felt Ian’s eyes boring into her back the whole time. How she had managed to pull it off with him there she didn’t know. She had actually felt more calm and confident because of his presence. That she couldn’t explain. She was on her way over to Georgie’s to meet Peter and Don for dinner and to wait out the verdict. She had not had much of a chance to talk to them since the trial had ended and she was anxious to hear how they thought things had gone today. She was lost in thought when she bumped into Ian as he too was entering Georgie’s.
“Hey, sweetheart. Be glad it was me you ran into and not that lamppost. You were obviously deep in thought. Worrying about your verdict, huh?”
“I’m sorry Ian. I tend to be very clumsy when I’m worried and yes, the verdict has me terribly worried. Although I hate to admit that to anyone on the prosecutor’s staff.”
“I know exactly how clumsy you can be when you’re worried. I remember the night of the prom how worried you were about us making love and you...” Ian saw Alex’s face flush red and decided he’d better drop the reminiscing. “Never mind. Going in?” He opened the door and Alex entered. She had to have been blind not to notice the look of disappointment on Peter’s face as he saw Ian follow behind her. “He thinks we’re together. Damn it!” Alex cursed under her breath. She would need to set him straight fast so she would not have to endure another one of his anti-Ian lectures.
“Ian why don’t you come over to say hello to Peter and Don before you join the opposition over there.” The prosecutor’s office had the same idea and was awaiting the verdict at Georgie’s as well. Alex waved hello to her opposing counsel Tom Jensen and the current county prosecutor, John Marshall.
As they approached Peter and Don Peter rose to pull out a chair for her and possessively gave her a tender kiss on the lips. Ian scowled. “Look who I bumped into at the door,” Alex said. “Part of the enemy camp.”
“Hello gentleman. Hope all is well at Anderson & Grainger. I thought I’d say hello before I join the rest of my office. What I saw of Alex’s performance impressed me greatly. I know she’s made it very difficult for the jury to find a guilty verdict. I want you gentleman to know that the prosecutor’s office confers daily over how the hell we can steal her away from you two.”
Don laughed and slapped Ian on the back. “It’ll never happen my boy. We’re not stupid enough to let her go very easily. Isn’t that right Peter?”
“Hello Ian, good to see you. Don’s right it will never happen. She’s too important to us. Too important to me.” Peter grabbed Alex’s hand and brought it to his mouth for a kiss. Alex was shocked at his display and was angry that Peter was trying to make Ian think there was something going on between them. She would talk to Peter about that later but right now she thought, “Hey, what’s the harm?” She laughed and smiled at Peter and turned to see Ian’s scowl. Was he jealous? He looked as though he wanted to rip Peter apart. “No, Alex stop this!” she screamed to herself. He doesn’t care about you! He doesn’t love you! He could care less if anything is going on between you and Peter.
“I think it would be next to impossible for me to leave such an adoring fan club as these two nuts,” Alex laughed. “It was good to see you again Ian. I’ll be seeing you in a few weeks. You are head counsel for the Jacobs murder trial aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am. Nice seeing you gentlemen, Alexandra. I better go join my troops before they think I’ve switched sides.”
“Another Ian Foster encounter handled superbly,” Alex thought. It did seem to get easier each time although her pulse still raced and she longed for his touch. When he had grabbed her earlier to stop her from falling flat on her face she had shivered from his touch. Had he noticed? Only Ian Foster had the power to bring her to her knees with just a simple touch or look. She longed to be close to him. To feel his skin next to hers. To have her legs entwined with his and his mouth on her...stop it! She awoke from her thoughts to find that she had been staring at Ian and he had been staring right back. Okay, Alexandra. Staring at Ian would most certainly give him the wrong idea. Time to forget he was there.
Ian couldn’t take his gaze off of her. His skin still burned from her touch when he’d grabbed her to prevent her fall. He didn’t think he’d imagined her shiver at his touch. Her smell was intoxicating. He wanted to bury his face in her soft, yellow curls and taste the moist skin at her neck. She laughed and smiled at Peter. He’d missed that laugh. He’d always had so much fun just being with her. The best times they’d had had been snuggling up on the couch on a Sunday afternoon watching old movies, chomping on popcorn and just being together. He remembered several times spending a Sunday with Alex and leaving her apartment on a Sunday evening when they had not even made love that day yet he’d never felt better in his life. She was driving him crazy with that laugh! What the hell was so funny over there? He wanted to be at that table with her, not Peter. But the choice had been his and he’d made it. If he stayed involved with Alex they’d become the model yuppie family and he’d be stuck as a County Prosecutor for the rest of his life. Not quite what he’d dreamed of his whole life.
Alex got lost in conversation with Peter and Don but she knew Ian’s gaze had hardly left her. What was he thinking? Was he thinking he wanted to be with her as she was wishing she could be with him? Why had Ian never understood that she would never stand in the way of his career aspirations? If only they’d really talked about why he was so scared of commitment maybe they’d still be together now.
After two nerve wrecking hours at Georgie’s they received word that the jury had reached a verdict. So quickly? What could this mean? As they all traipsed back to the courthouse Alex’s nerves began to show.
“Easy champ. Easy,” Ian whispered in her ear as they entered the courtroom. “You’ve done a great job. Remember that if you lose. You couldn’t have done any better for him baby.”
Baby. She loved it when he used that endearment. He used it often when they...he use
to use it often when they made love. Why the hell was he here? She was glad he was.
When the not guilty verdict was read Alex found it hard to move. She turned to Mr. Miller and hugged him hard as he wept. She rubbed his back and tried to comfort him. His son and daughter came forward and thanked her and she hugged them hard as well. She was so relieved that she had been able to help this family. She hoped that now that the trial was over the Miller family could relax and be happy again. They needed to put Mrs. Miller’s death behind them and move on with their lives.
Peter and Don were at her side now congratulating her. Peter pulled her close for a hug and kiss of his own. She hoped Ian hadn’t been watching. Peter was acting very unprofessional lately in public. She shook hands with Tom Jensen and caught Ian’s gaze as he listened to another fellow prosecutor. His face seemed to be beaming with...was it pride? Was he happy and proud that she had won? Here you go thinking nonsense again Alexandra. “Nice job baby,” Ian mouthed to her and smiled. “Thank you,” she mouthed back.
Peter turned her around and hugged her again. There was no mistaking that Ian had seen the embrace this time. “This calls for a celebration. A big one. How about it Alex? Don?”
“I agree. I agree,” said Don. “But first Alex needs to go give the press a few bites. We’ll decide where we’re going after that.”
Alex talked to the press and then Peter, Don and several other support staff met at The Landing to celebrate. Alex was reveling in the congratulations and admiration of the staff until he walked in. He was escorting a tall, gorgeous, buxom blond. The typical Ian Foster companion. Why had he ever looked at her twice thought Alex if this was his type? She had been ready to deal with running into Ian but this she was not yet ready for; to speak to him with another woman on his arm. That she couldn’t stomach yet. She remembered how easy it had been before, before she had realized she loved him. She had to get out of there and get out fast. She turned to Peter.
“Peter, I suddenly don’t feel so well. Can you take me home? Now?”
“Sure Lex. I know you’ve got to be exhausted. I’m sure all you need is a good night’s sleep. Let me get your coat.”
“Hurry. Please hurry,” thought Alex. “Damn! It’s too late.” Ian was fast approaching their little party with Miss Universe on his arm.
“Whoa, baby!” said one of the other attorneys at their table. “Look at what Foster is sporting on his arm these days. What a bod.” The rest of the males at the table concurred and made various lewd comments. Alex wanted to crawl under the table but it was too late. Ian and the gorgeous blonde were standing right in front of her. She rose from her chair.
“Alexandra I just wanted to formally congratulate you since I didn’t get a chance to earlier this evening. As I told you before, I think you did a fine job. I’d like you to meet Jennifer Lewis. Jennifer this is Alexandra Morgan. One of, if not the best, defense attorney in Creighton County.” At that, several of the bars defense attorneys who had been celebrating with Alex feigned offense at Ian’s statement and jokingly harassed him. Alex’s mouth was dry and she could feel the sweat pouring down the back of her blouse. She was able to squeak out a thank you before collapsing in a heap on the restaurant floor.
***
Alexandra opened her eyes and the face before her was a blur. She heard excited voices all around her. She couldn’t quite make out the face but she knew the voice. “Alex, baby. Alex ? It’s Ian honey. Please say something. Are you okay?”
“Ian?” Alex muttered. “It’s okay. I’m okay.” Ian was holding her hand and had cupped her head with the other and gently massaged her cheek back and forth with his thumb. He felt so good. She was in no hurry to get up. Her eyes fluttered a few times then came into focus. She found that the whole table of her friends was huddled around her and Ian’s face was full of worry.
“What happened? Alex, dear god, what’s wrong?” she heard Peter’s frantic voice as he broke through the circle of people. Ian gallantly stepped back and Peter took over. “I’m fine Peter. I think I fainted for some reason. But I’m okay.”
“Peter I think you better get Alex to the hospital. It’s not like her to faint like this for no good reason,” said Ian.
“Thanks for the advice buddy but I think I know what’s best for Alex.” Peter glared at Ian and the circle of Alex’s friends, not eager to be in the middle of a dog fight, started to disperse. “Alex can you sit up hon? Let’s get you out of here and to the hospital. Should I call an ambulance?”
Alex sat up and rubbed her eyes.
“Oh no Peter. I don’t need to go to the hospital. I’ve just had a long exhausting day that’s all. I just need rest and I was hardly able to eat any dinner earlier because I was so nervous.” Peter and Ian both opened their mouths to object but she silenced them.
“Really you two. You’re overreacting. I got a little dizzy and fainted. I’m simply tired. I haven’t been sleeping or eating well since this case went to trial. I’ll sleep until noon tomorrow and be good as new. Please Peter just take me home.”
“All right Alex but I don’t want to leave you alone,” said Peter. She saw Ian stiffen. “Let me call Julia and have her come stay with you. Better yet why don’t I take you to your grandmother’s.”
Alex laughed. “Oh, please Peter. If you really want me to get some rest please, please don’t let Grandmother know what happened. You know how she is. She’ll constantly fuss over me.”
“Okay Lex but I’m not leaving you alone.” Peter helped Alex to her feet. Ian grabbed her hands to steady her while Peter grabbed her coat. Alex finally noticed that buxom blonde was still standing there next to Ian.
“It was very nice to meet you Jennifer. I don’t usually put on such a show.”
“Well, it was nice to meet you too Alex after hearing so much about you from Ian. I’m sure we’ll meet again some time.” It hadn’t gone unnoticed by Jennifer how Ian had bristled when Peter said he would not be leaving Alex alone. There was a history between these two. She just hoped that that was what it was...history.
Peter and Ian helped Alex with her coat.
“Here we go hon. Let’s get your coat on and get out of here. Bye everyone,” Peter shouted to their group of colleagues.
Ian softly kissed her cheek and reluctantly stepped back to Jennifer’s side. “Take care baby. Call me if you need anything.”
Peter tried hard to ignore the tender look between Alex and Ian. “She’ll be just fine Ian. I’ll take care of her. Goodnight.”
Everyone hollered good-bye and their hopes that Alex would feel better soon. Don hugged Alex.
“I want you to take the day off tomorrow Alex. You scared the hell out of me.”
“I won’t argue with you Don. I could use a day of recuperation. Thanks for the celebration. I’ll see you in a couple days.”
Don grinned at Peter.
“Now you I expect to see tomorrow.” He smacked Peter on the back.
Ian didn’t miss the implication in Don’s words and by now his jealousy had consumed him. He wanted to wipe that huge grin off Peter’s face. He needed to get out of here. He said his goodnights to everyone and took Jennifer to a separate table. He wanted to be the one with Alex right now. He wanted to take care of her. This was going to be a long evening.
Chapter 7
Alex was lying awake in bed trying to relax. She had thankfully been able to talk Peter into going home. She really did feel fine but she couldn’t relax and sleep. She was too keyed up over tonight’s events. She kept thinking about how it had felt when Ian touched her. How when she woke up she had wanted him to gather her in his arms and hold her. Unfortunately, it was going to take her longer to get over Ian than she had hoped. She thought she had seen glimpses of jealousy in Ian over Peter but she likely was imagining that. Why would Ian be jealous when he had the beautiful Jennifer on his arm? Well, one thing Alex had with Ian was plenty of memories. The sweetest being the first time they had made love.
Ian had asked her fo
r several dances the night of the senior prom. It was as if he was trying to make up for all the time they’d lost over the years because he’d deliberately avoided her. Peter had gotten so drunk throughout the night that his friends had driven him home. Alex was angry with Peter and had decided to stay. Some friends dropped her at home when the dance was over. “So much for a night to remember,” she remembered thinking. Although aside from it being an early evening it had been a glorious night. She had laughed so much with Ian and enjoyed their time together. She had just changed clothes when her mother called up the stairs that Ian was there to see her. Her stomach was in knots. Ian here? Why? As she descended the stairs her legs trembled. But she immediately relaxed when he looked at her and smiled.
“Hi Alex. I’m so glad you weren’t in bed yet. Seems my date took ill too so I was hoping you’d come along with me to the after prom activities. Your Mom said it was okay with her if you wanted to.”
If she wanted to?!!! She couldn’t believe her luck. Maybe she wasn’t so mad at Peter after all.
“I would love to Ian.” Alex hollered at her mother who was mulling around in the kitchen. “Mom! I’m leaving with Ian.”
“That’s fine dear. Have fun and be careful.”
Be careful. If she was being careful she would not be going at all. But she wanted this time with Ian; what little time she could have before he went off to college in California.
They had a great time together that night. First, they went bowling with everyone then over to Tom Jensen’s house for a late night swim. After that, they all went to Denny’s for an early morning breakfast. After breakfast they said their good-byes to the rest of the group as they all decided to call it a night. They climbed into Ian’s car and Ian turned to Alex and grabbed both her hands. Alex shivered at his touch.
The Ten Year Affair Page 5