Indiscretions

by Donna Hill

  Khendra only caught snatches of the conversation, but her senses were instantly alert as she pulled on her electric blue blouse and fastened the buttons.

  “I told you not to…I don’t care…listen, I’ll call you when I have it.” He slammed the phone down in its cradle, a murderous look in his eyes.

  “What was that all about?” she asked in what she hoped was a casual tone.

  “Nothing,” he lied, not wanting to discuss the matter. It would only complicate things, he decided. “Just some unfinished business.”

  “About the case?”

  “Yeah, actually it was,” he said quickly, thankful for an explanation he could use. “Reporters…as usual. They’ve resorted to calling me at home. I’ve gone so far as to call the papers and tell them that the trial was either postponed or moved to another court from time to time.” He chuckled at his own cleverness. At least that part was true. He’d had to start doing that weeks ago, and it had taken off some of the pressure. But now the reporters were getting wise.

  “From everything I’ve seen and heard, things are going well for you.”

  Sean could see her visibly relax as she spoke, and a sense of relief washed over him.

  “Reporters are part of the game,” she added sardonically, a nagging twinge of jealousy nipping at her. She quickly shook off the dark emotion. “It should all be over soon.”

  “You’re absolutely right.” He stepped over and gave her a quick kiss and held her around her waist. “Now let’s put trials and courtrooms out of our heads and try to enjoy this yacht thing.” He gave her a crooked smile, and she burst out laughing.

  “I think you’d better find something more appropriate to wear.”

  “Well, why don’t we step in here and find something together,” he urged, taking her by the hand and leading her into his bedroom.

  Within moments, wrapped in Khendra’s arms, all thoughts of his conversation with Carol were forgotten.

  Alex literally glared at Khendra’s back, watching her with Sean. It was obvious they were more than just coworkers, and the thought infuriated him. He had purposely left his wife at home so he could have easy access to Khendra. She had made a fool of him, and that was something he would not tolerate. He had offered her the opportunity of a lifetime, and she was tossing it back in his face. Did she really think merit had anything to do with it? She was the fool. Now he would make her pay. He tossed his martini down his throat as a plan formulated in his head. He smiled smugly and moved easily among his guests.

  At the first opportunity, he pulled Sean aside and ushered him below deck and into his private room.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Word spread like wildfire throughout the office.

  The news was barely on the wire services, but everyone in the office had already heard the news.

  The conference room was filled with well-wishers when Sean entered, exhausted but jubilant. It was finally over. He had defended one of the most difficult and precedent-setting cases of his career. He had actually been able to prove that the defendants had not bombed the clinic. The district attorney had even approached him and congratulated him on his victory, mentioning that Sean would be hearing from his office in the future. He was totally overwhelmed, but all he could think about at the moment was getting to Khendra and sharing his success with her.

  His dark eyes shot around the room until he spotted her, even as back slaps and handshakes enveloped him. Her quiet smile seemed to instantly soothe him, and he knew he could get through the next few minutes as long as she was at the end of them.

  She mouthed her congratulations over the heads of the other employees, and that was the only thing he could hear. He tried to graciously move in her direction, but Alex cornered him, clamping a sturdy arm around his shoulders.

  “Excellent job, Michaels,” he boomed. “I knew we did the right thing by hiring you. Things were getting pretty stale around here,” he added, deliberately taking a barb at Khendra as she approached them.

  She stiffened at the remark, but maintained her outward calm. She walked away to the refreshment table, where she took a glass of sparkling water and made idle conversation with one of the law clerks.

  “I’m sure that’s not the case,” Sean said quietly.

  “It doesn’t really matter. I have big plans for you.” He ushered him to the corner of the room, and they spoke for several minutes in hushed whispers. Finally they shook hands, and Alex led Sean to the head of the conference table. He tapped ceremoniously on a glass, and the room slowly hushed.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, as you are all aware, Mr. Michaels has just won one of the biggest cases this firm has seen in a long time.” Loud applause filled the room. Sean looked confidently out at his peers. “And success cannot go unrewarded. Therefore, I am placing Mr. Michaels in charge of litigation, which will free up more of my time.” He patted Sean on the shoulder and Sean shook his hand.

  Khendra stood in absolute shock. How could this be possible? She had been a trial attorney since the day she walked in the door and had won every case she’d ever handled. Yet she had never been offered anything like this. Sean had only been with the firm a few months, and he was to be in charge of assigning the caseload. It was totally unbelievable.

  As anger and frustration fought to overwhelm her, the real reason for Alex’s posturing hit her like a speeding train. He was trying to pit her and Sean against each other. What other reason could there be? But what was more infuriating, Sean was falling neatly in line with Alex’s plan. She had to warn him, but that would come later when they were alone.

  She was certain that once Sean realized what Alex was doing, he would back out of the offer.

  Taking a deep breath and forcing herself to stay calm, she managed to get through the balance of the celebration without missing a beat.

  “What do you mean you’re going to take his offer?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “You’re making entirely too much of this, Khen.”

  “Don’t Khen me! You can’t be so blind that you don’t see what he’s doing. For God’s sake, Sean, wake up!” She slammed the pot in the sink.

  “Listen, I know what I’m doing.”

  “Oh yeah, and just what might that be?” she fumed.

  “Once I get the spot, I can get the best cases for you and me.” He smiled as if he had uncovered some treasured secret.

  “You really don’t see it, do you?” She swallowed back the lump that had formed in her throat.” Her disappointment in Sean was so acute it was a physical pain. “I think you’d better go, Sean. I really feel like being alone tonight.”

  He reached out to touch her and she pulled away.

  “Khendra, don’t do this. If what you say is true, then you’re falling right into his trap. You’re doing exactly what he wants you to do, jump all over me! I’m not the enemy, Khen. Or have you forgotten?” His own anger rose to match hers.

  She took a trembling breath, absorbing the truth in his words. She started to speak, and her voice wavered. Clearing her throat, she started again. “I–I’m sorry. You’re right. I guess I was just so blinded by what happened, I didn’t see what was going on beneath the surface.”

  “We can deal with this thing together,” he said, moving toward her. “But not if we’re at each other’s throat.”

  She looked up into his eyes and decided she would give it a chance. Sean was right. They were stronger together, not separately. She sighed deeply and nodded.

  Sean pulled her into his arms and assured her everything was going to work out, and she would certainly get the partnership. But even as he said the words, pangs of doubt rippled through him as Alex’s golden promises tripped through his head.

  Several days later, Alex was sitting in his office going over the firm’s financial statements when his secretary, Stacy, buzzed him on the intercom. He stabbed the flashing button, annoyed at the interruption.

  “I thought I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed,”
he barked into the phone.

  “But Mr. Counts, the woman on the phone said it was an emergency, and that you’d definitely want to talk to her.”

  “Well, who the hell is she?”

  “She says her name is Coco,” Stacy said, thoroughly shaken by her boss’ anger.

  “What did you say?”

  “She says her name is Coco.”

  “Put her through,” he said hurriedly and picked up the phone.

  “Hi, Al.”

  “Coco, is that really you?”

  “Last time I checked,” she said, laughing into the phone.

  “Are you in town visiting?”

  “Something like that, and I’d really like to see you. Daddy said to look you up when I got here, but I’ve been so busy.”

  “When can I see you?”

  “As soon as you can get here,” she said, her voice full of promise.

  “What’s the address?”

  As soon as Alex hung up the phone, he buzzed for his secretary.

  “Yes, Mr. Counts?”

  “Stacy, when you go out to lunch, I want you to pick up a gift…for my wife. Select something original, and put it on my account. Have it wrapped and leave it in my office when you return.”

  “Yes, Mr. Counts.” She clicked off, relieved that his mood had so drastically changed. Although she hated selecting gifts for her boss, she had gotten used to his requests. This would at least give her some extra time during her lunch hour, and maybe she’d find something nice for herself in the process.

  Alex spun around in his chair and faced the window, a smile of anticipation lighting his stern face. It had been a long time since he had seen Coco, and his pulse throbbed with thoughts of an evening with her. If her father ever found out… He shook his head in amusement.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “So, how are you and lover boy doing these days?” Charisse quipped as she slid an iron over a yellow print blouse.

  “Things between us are great,” Khendra replied in a dreamy voice.

  Charisse looked at her friend with a sly smile.

  “They must be. I haven’t heard from you in weeks.”

  Khendra leaned back on the sofa and twisted her lips. “I’m sorry, but you know how things can get. We’ve been trying to work things out and get on a solid footing.”

  “I thought you just said things were great,” Charisse said, picking up an undercurrent in her friend’s response.

  Khendra took a deep breath. “You don’t miss a trick, do you?”

  “Listen, girlfriend, if you didn’t have me looking over your shoulder, where would you be? So talk.” She finished the blouse and held it up for inspection.

  By the time Khendra had unraveled the series of events—from Alex’s subtle threats, to Sean’s ex-wife’s reappearance, to his promotion—Charisse was beginning to get a very bad feeling about the whole situation.

  “…and you went along with his explanation for taking the promotion, even though you say he knew what Alex was up to?”

  “Of course. Why shouldn’t I?” she said, no longer sure of her own actions under Charisse’s steady gaze.

  Charisse shook her head in amazement. “Love is blind, just like the old saying goes. It really never ceases to amaze me how naive you can be sometimes, Khen.” Disappointment rippled through her deep voice. “Maybe I was wrong in telling you to pursue this relationship.”

  “Why?”

  “From everything I’ve heard about Sean, he sounds like a man out to win. Now I’m not saying he doesn’t love you like he says, but I get the uncomfortable feeling that if it came down to the wire, he’d choose power over you.”

  “How can you say something like that?” Khendra fumed, her inner misgivings camouflaged in anger.

  “Easy. He’s a man, isn’t he?”

  Khendra jumped up from her seat. “I thought you were my friend and that you’d be happy for me,” she lashed out. “And the first time I’ve been happy in who knows how long, you want to throw a monkey wrench in it. Thanks a lot.” She snatched up her jacket and turned to leave.

  “Wait a minute.” Charisse rushed behind her and grabbed her shoulder. “I’ve never steered you wrong, Khen, and we are friends, or else I wouldn’t give a damn what you did, and you know that.”

  Khendra took a shaky breath and hung her head.

  “I know,” she said softly. “And I’m sorry. It’s just that I don’t want anything to go wrong. Not this time.”

  “I know that, hon.” Charisse hugged her friend. “But you’ve got to stay objective and see things for what they are. Don’t let good looks and great sex ruin that brilliant mind of yours.” She gave her a sly smile, which caused Khendra to laugh out loud.

  Khendra sat back down on the sofa and folded her slender hands on her lap. “All right, so what do you suggest?”

  Charisse slipped on a pair of body-hugging brown slacks and zipped them up. “I think the two of you need an open, honest talk. Maybe you should try to get away for a few days. And definitely find out about this ex-wife thang. I don’t like that one bit,” she drawled.

  Khendra slowly nodded, her own doubts and misgivings resurfacing with force. There was something Sean wasn’t telling her, and she knew it. But she didn’t want to discuss it with Charisse—at least not yet. She wasn’t in the mood for any more lectures. Sean had been acting very strange lately, and disappeared for hours on end with no real explanation. She had the uneasy feeling that Carol was behind it.

  “Maybe going away is a good idea,” she said finally. “I’ll talk to Sean and see what he says. My caseload has diminished considerably, thanks to Alex, and Sean is swamped, but I guess a weekend would be just as good. I could use a breather before the big meeting in a couple of weeks.”

  “Is that when the partnership is going to be announced?” Charisse called over her shoulder, as she entered her bedroom.

  “Yes. And from all the rumors floating around, I’m pretty confident I’m going to get it.”

  A slight shiver ran up Charisse’s back.

  No sooner had Sean returned from court and entered his office than his intercom buzzed.

  “Yes, Cynthia?”

  “Mr. Michaels, Mr. Counts wants to see you as soon as you get settled.”

  A slight frown creased his brow. “Did he say what it’s about?”

  “No. But it sounded important.”

  “All right. Thanks.” He clicked off.

  Briefly, he paced the room in consternation, clenching his jaw as he walked. If it was what he thought it was, he would have to play his cards right. Everything was falling into place. The only sticky part was Carol. She was becoming a real problem.

  Things had reached a point where he didn’t want to answer his phone anymore or go home. He would have to find a way to put a stop to her harassment—and soon. She was ruining his concentration, and Khendra was beginning to get suspicious. He would have to tell her eventually. But it just never seemed like the right time. He’d have to see Carol soon and get her off his back. He wasn’t going to let her ruin his career again, or his relationship with Khendra.

  Damn you, Carol. Slamming his fist against the wall in frustration, he buttoned his steel-gray jacket and straightened his burgundy silk tie. One thing at a time, he thought, focusing on the meeting at hand as he strode toward the door. Let’s just see what you want today, Alex.

  “Michaels, come in and have a seat,” Alex said magnanimously, clapping Sean on the shoulder. “I have a proposition for you that I think you’d be very wise to accept.” His mouth spread into a thin-lipped grin.

  Whenever she looked at Sean’s handsome face, Khendra was instantly reminded of mouth-watering, rich dark chocolate. It always took everything she had to keep from reaching out and touching the skin she knew felt as smooth and creamy as whipped butter.

  She turned on her side and curled up next to the warmth of her lover. It hadn’t always been this way for her, she thought wistfully as Sean tossed a casual arm across
her naked hip. She had never felt so complete and loved by any man like she was with Sean.

  Even her life with Tony could no longer compete with the fulfillment she felt with Sean. She was finally beginning to put Tony’s memory and the part of her life that she shared with him in perspective. They had something special, there was no doubt about that, but there was always that underlying resentment that Tony had for her, and the need to belittle her.

  Things were different now. Sean was a man who was sure of himself and would not feel intimidated by her success. He realized how important her career and her accomplishments were to her, and he supported her all the way. Their weekend together at Myrtle Beach had proven that. He had been more passionate and loving than ever before, and she no longer had any doubts about his love for her.

  They had returned early that morning and had fallen into bed and made exquisite love, then drifted off to sleep, aware they were due in the office in three hours.

  As Khendra awakened, the thought of the morning board meeting entered her mind, and her pulse quickened. She was sure her partnership with the firm would be announced. A quick and disturbing thought crept through her brain. She had tried to talk with Sean about her feelings and expectations over the weekend, but he seemed to be uncomfortable discussing them with her, which was totally out of character for him. For so long now, they had been able to discuss everything—at least most of the time. Sean still had that secret part of him he had yet to reveal to her. But she was sure he would in time.

  Shaking off her misgivings, she leaned over on her elbow and placed a warm kiss on his ear. A slow smile crept across his dark face as his sparkling eyes fluttered open.

  “Come in, Ms. Phillips, and have a seat,” Malcolm McMahon said, as the other board members settled themselves around the conference table. Khendra walked nervously along the side of the table and sat down as the room grew silent. This was the moment she had waited for. “Ms. Phillips, as you know,” he droned on in his flat, nasal monotone, “this firm is very proud of your accomplishments. You have proven yourself to be a remarkable trial attorney with a very bright future.” He cleared his throat, and looked nervously around at the other partners. She held her breath for the but, and it came with a vengeance.