by Piper Rayne
“I better get upstairs before the boss comes in. See you up there, Victoria. I hope to see you again, Reed.” She nods in his direction.
“You’ll see me again. I’m relentless when I want something.”
“That’s for sure,” I mumble.
“Refreshing to see a man who doesn’t give up on what he wants.”
I clear my throat and they both look over at me. “Bye, Chelsea.”
She waves her fingers in the air. “Bye.” She turns on her heels, running right into a man. He grips both her arms to allow her to find her footing again.
He’s wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a black leather jacket, his hair mussed in multiple directions. Not in an I-don’t-care way, but in a sexy, I-just-got-fucked kind of way.
“Hello, there.” Chelsea’s voice oozes seduction. “Care to escort me to my building?”
The man laughs, staring down at her with a promise of reckless, casual sex that will surely leave her legs wobbly. Huh. Maybe I get the bad boy obsession a little bit after all.
“Didn’t I see you in the courtroom just last week?” Reed says next to me.
“Huh?” The bad boy stares over at Reed and it’s clear the moment he recognizes him.
Chelsea turns, the guy still holding her up. “You’re a criminal?” she asks him, half with disgust, half with what sounds like intrigue.
The man nods.
Chelsea stands back.
“What are we talking? Murder? Robbery? Armed robbery?” I’m not sure if Chelsea is hoping he was there for a misdemeanor or a felony.
“You should move it along.”
Reed’s stern voice has him taking the suggestion and he winks, his brown eyes almost promising Chelsea that they’ll have fun another time. Then he crosses the street to the sound of brakes slamming and horns honking at him.
“Did you see that chiseled jaw?” Chelsea’s head circles around like she’s about to pass out.
“I saw that he’s unfamiliar with a crosswalk,” I deadpan.
Reed raises his eyebrows at me. “I better get going so I can stay on schedule this morning.” His warm body stays close to me.
“Thank you for the ride.” I smile politely.
“You’re welcome.”
His teeth bite down on his bottom lip and I wait for whatever else he wants to say.
“Standing date next Monday,” he says.
“Not a date.”
He’s smiling before he even says the word I know is coming next. “Yet.”
“Never,” I singsong like the joke is getting old and roll my eyes.
He glances down the road to the courthouse and then back to me. “Tell Chelsea that guy isn’t the guy for her. Remember I’m the ADA. It’s my job to be able to tell the good from the bad.”
“I haven’t forgotten.” It’s one of the reasons I’m keeping him at arm’s length.
“I know you haven’t.” He frowns for a brief moment. “Have a great day, Victoria.” He runs his hand down my arm, a path of goose bumps chasing behind his touch.
“Bye.” The word comes out needy and breathier than I intended.
He grins then steps off the corner, raising his hand as he continues to look down the one-way street and reaches the other side without one squeal of brakes or honk of a horn. Stopping on the other side, he circles around and a case-winning smile crosses his face when he sees that I’m still watching him.
“Lovesick puppy!” Chelsea calls out from the entrance of the building. “I thought you were playing hard to get!”
I swivel on my heels and dodge the people walking along the sidewalk like I’m in a game of Frogger until I reach Chelsea.
“I’m not playing hard to get.” We step through the doors and I press the up button on the elevator.
“Sure, you are.”
We get on the elevator, and I’m thankful no one else joins us. Chelsea isn’t good at keeping her mouth shut in front of others.
“I am not. I just don’t want a relationship,” I say as I press the button for our floor.
Her face morphs to a stone-cold serious expression. “The man I just met practically has a sticker on his forehead that says, ‘I’m excellent in bed. Use me, abuse me, and toss me aside.’”
Diagnosis confirmed—Chelsea is nuts.
“No, he doesn’t. He has a ‘I’d be a devoted husband, fun dad and love you forever’ sticker.”
The corners of her lips tilt up until she notices I’m watching her and then she tempers her reaction. “Just sleep with the guy and get it over with.”
“He’s not that type of guy, plus—”
She rolls her eyes. “Every guy is that type of guy, Vic. What is it really?”
The bell dings, and the doors slide open, leaving us in the RISE foyer in front of the glass doors. We step off the elevator and I turn to face her.
“I haven’t dated anyone since the divorce. You think I don’t see what a wonderful guy he is? I do, and that’s why he can’t be my rebound guy.”
I walk through the glass doors and into my work area, Chelsea following behind.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. I thought we weren’t going out with him because he’s a lawyer and was the best man at your wedding? Now you’re bringing in a third reason?” Chelsea sits down in the chair across from me as I boot up my computer.
“There’s a host of reasons. Lawyers lie, yes, but technically he works for the public interest to put the bad guys behind bars, a noble profession. The best man thing is bound to cause trouble, but it really would be a great fuck you to Pete if I did sleep with his best man. Not that I would because of that.”
She leans forward in her seat and points to me. “He deserves it.”
“I’m not against ever getting married again, or dating, or living with someone, but right now I need to finish school. I need to make it, so my mom lives with me, not the other way around. I want to show Jade how to live your own life and let the man join your life, not become your life. Reed’s the type of guy who will gladly add us onto his shoulders—he’ll house us, feed us, clothe us, and love us.” My voice quivers despite my best effort to stop it from doing so.
“Vic,” Chelsea sighs. “You can have all that and get your degree and have a career.”
I shake my head. “Maybe, and Reed might be the person to allow me that, but what if he’s a rebound and I lose him because I’m not mentally able to move on yet? There’s a reason I haven’t dated in so long.”
Chelsea leans back with a forlorn expression on her face and I wish I was capable of reading her mind right now.
“I understand.” She stands and leans forward to squeeze my hand before walking down the hallway. “But at least screw him.” The echo of her laugh trails along with her as she heads into her office.
The office door opens and Hannah races in, her heels clicking faster than I’ve ever seen before. “Just the person I need to beg.” She points to me and doesn’t stop, but heads right into her office.
What now?
Chapter Sixteen
“Beg?” I ask following Hannah into her office.
Her space is like walking into a Pottery Barn office catalog if there was such a thing for office furniture. White desk with a green fabric chair tucked underneath. A leather couch and a flower-patterned chair are arranged in the corner with some knick-knacks with empowering sayings by women strewn throughout the space. Don’t get me wrong, it’s all beautifully done. She had a decorator, but the vision was hers. It screams femininity and I love that she didn’t cave to the typical dreary brown and gray office furniture.
“I need a lawyer.”
I tilt my head. “A divorce lawyer?”
“No. I’m already divorced.” She holds up her left hand where her ring finger remains empty. “Someone to look over some contracts. There’s a similar foundation out there that’s coming after us saying that our name and slogan is too similar.”
“Oh no. Okay, I can look someone up. I’m sure it won’t be a problem.” I
jot it down on my pad of paper. “What about that tax attorney who called the office a few weeks back?”
She’s already shaking her head. “He’s great with numbers, but I need someone who knows lawsuits and contracts. Not to mention, I already tried him. He’s on vacation or something. His secretary said he couldn’t be reached. Where does someone go that a cell phone can’t be answered or an email sent?”
She scrunches her face up as if the thought is really beyond her understanding. The man’s probably on an anniversary trip with his wife or a family trip and doesn’t want to be disturbed.
“I’ll find someone.” I turn around to head to my computer thinking this will be an easy task.
“Victoria?”
I circle back around. She’s sitting down in her chair and plugging in her laptop now.
“What about that steak guy? Isn’t he a lawyer?”
I wave her off. “He’s the assistant district attorney. We should probably find a specialist for this.”
She types in her password, and then leans back in her chair, her fingernails tapping on her desk. “Could you give him a call? He’s what, just down the street, right?” She glances out the window as if she can see his office from here. Which she probably can since we’re high enough in the building.
“Um… I’m sure he’s busy. I guarantee I can find someone else.” I step backward.
“Maybe he can just take a quick look on his lunch break?”
Why is she pressing this issue?
“Um…”
“You’re not comfortable with it.” She waves me off. “I would never put you in an uncomfortable position. Never mind.”
All the tension leaves my body.
“It’s just this company is threatening to file later today and I’m desperate for someone to make sense of this,” she continues. “There are terms I just don’t understand. This will affect the programs we’re already implementing with the girls and I’d hate for them to stop. Losing traction would be detrimental to our efforts.” She pauses for a second. “Once you find someone, try to get them here today. I’ll pay double.”
I nod, stepping out of the room.
Shit, shit, shit. She’s not even a mother and she can guilt trip almost as well as my own. Fuck.
I sit down at my desk. Finding the right lawyer is easy, getting him or her here today even with double pay, will not be. And what if we end up with one of those ambulance chasers because we don’t have time to vet the right person? And then there are the girls. Girls my daughter’s age.
With a mental curse, I pull my cell phone out of my purse.
Holding it in my lap, I stare down at it for a few seconds. This is a business transaction. I’ll offer to pay him. Yes, brilliant. If he’s getting paid, then it’s not a favor.
Convinced I’ve come up with the best possible plan given the circumstances, I pull up his name.
Me: Do you have lunch plans?
Three dots appear immediately, and I wonder if there’s ever a time he doesn’t have his cell phone close at hand.
Reed: Is this Victoria?
Me: Do a lot of women text you asking about your lunch plans?
Reed: Well…I am a catch. Just ask your friend Chelsea.
Me: Try to get a hold of your ego for a second. This is business related.
Reed: Business? Did you commit a crime in the last half hour?
Me: My boss wondered if you’d look over some legal contracts for her?
I go on to explain the situation and his response is immediate and exactly what I was expecting.
Reed: What do I get for my trouble?
Me: Double pay.
Reed: Double pay?
Me: Yes, we’ll pay double your normal fee.
Reed: I don’t do favors for money. That’s called prostitution. ;)
I ignore the innuendo and text him back.
Me: It’s not a favor, she’ll pay you.
Reed: I work for the state, I can’t take her money.
Me: But you can do it as a favor?
Reed: Have I asked for anything in return?
Me: No, but you will.
Reed: You wound me! Why do you insist on thinking so poorly of me?
Me: In my experience lawyers rarely do something for nothing.
Reed: You just haven’t experienced the right ones. ;) See you at noon.
Me: What do you want in return?
Me in a bed naked with chocolate sauce dripping off my nipples? I can take one for the team.
Reed: Nothing. See you then.
Me: Thank you.
The three dots appear, disappear, appear again but another text never comes through and I worry that I may have actually pissed him off this time.
“He’ll be here at noon, Hannah,” I call out.
“Thank you, Vic, you’re a lifesaver.”
Funny, I feel like a little bit of an ungrateful bitch at the moment.
* * *
When the door opens at noon, my breathing picks up pace expecting to see Reed. Instead, a woman dressed in an expensive looking pant suit walks in with a briefcase clutched in one hand. Her hair is dark and shiny, cut right to her jawline which accentuates her beauty. She laughs, glancing behind her, and I see Reed stroll in behind her with his perfected swagger and million-dollar smile on display.
No wonder he didn’t want anything in return, he had a lunch date already.
He shuts the door behind him and leads the woman to the edge of my desk.
“Good afternoon, Victoria,” he says, all business, like all I really am to him is the receptionist.
“Good afternoon.” I tap my pen on the desk in an effort to relieve some of my irritation.
“This is Raegan Gilroy and she’s an intellectual property attorney. She’s probably the best one to look over your contracts.”
Raegan places her hand out in front and I stand, shaking it. “Pleasure to meet you. If you want to have a seat, I’ll tell Hannah you’re here.”
“Thank you.” She smiles, a perfect row of straight teeth unveiled from between her plump red lipsticked lips.
Reed winks and follows her to the couches in our waiting area.
I lift the phone at the exact same time Chelsea steps out of her office. She glances to her right and then to me and back to her right again.
Reed waves. “Afternoon, Chelsea.”
He can take his good afternoon and shove it up his ass.
“Hey,” she says and then clears her throat. “What are…”
“Chelsea,” I call out and she walks over to me rather than standing there awestruck.
Raegan Gilroy whispers something to Reed and he smiles, whispering back, shaking his head.
“Can you please grab me a photocopy of this while I let Hannah know her appointment is here?” I shove a stack of papers at Chelsea and for once in her life, she does what she’s asked without arguing.
Once she’s heading down the hall, I pick up my receiver and buzz Hannah’s office to let her know her appointment is here.
“Send him in and can you sit in and take notes?” Hannah asks.
“Sure, but he is a she. Reed brought an intellectual property attorney with him to look over the contract.”
“Really? Perfect. Send her in.”
I hang up, stand, straightening my own skirt. My outfit looks like I got it from the thrift store in comparison to Raegan’s.
“Ms. Gilroy, Hannah is ready.”
Raegan stands, again whispers something to Reed. He shakes his head and she says nothing more, smiling at me as she meets me right outside Hannah’s office.
I open the door, following Raegan in. “Ms. Gilroy, this is Ms. Crowley.” I introduce the two of them and take a seat on the couch by the window, notepad in hand.
They shake hands and I see the stack of contracts sitting on the corner of Hannah’s desk. She picks them up and rounds her desk.
“Thank you so much for doing this on such short notice. Oh, Victoria, on second thought
we’re good. I don’t need notes but thank you.” She smiles and then signals toward the couch to Raegan, effectively dismissing me. “Can we get you anything?”
“No, I’m good.” Raegan looks at me because yes, I am the beverage go-getter. Isn’t she a smart one.
“Let me know if you change your mind.” I leave the room, closing the door behind me. When I return to my desk I find Reed in the chair situated in front of my desk, his ankle propped up on his knee, revealing black socks with lines on them, his black shoes shined with no sign of wear.
“Thank you. That was nice of you to set us up with an IP attorney.” I sit down at my desk, sliding my chair in.
“I’m nice like that.” He winks, and I want to glue his eyelids open, so he can’t repeat that sexy move.
“There’s that ego again. I enjoyed its short vacation.”
He raises his hands in the air. “I’m not going to stop thinking I’m the best person for you. I told you I’d prove it.”
“How long until you think you’ll give up?” I shift some papers around my desk that don’t really need shifting.
He shakes his head, his foot drops to the floor and he leans forward. “Never. I told you I like you, Victoria. I want you and I’m not easily sidetracked when I’m this sure about something.”
“Am I really supposed to expect that you’re just pining away for me, remaining celibate until I say yes?”
He grabs his phone from his pocket and tosses it on my desk, followed by his keys.
“Here.”
“What?”
“The password to my phone is 624507. The round key is for the front door of my building. The square one gets you into my condo and that small one, that will get you into my safe.” He leans back in his chair like it’s case closed.
“I don’t want any of this. I trust you.”
“You clearly don’t. I could tell you thought Raegan was a lunch date I brought here with me. Why would I bring a woman here when I’m trying my damnedest to get with you?”
I pick up his phone and keys, placing them on the edge of my desk. “Believe me, I don’t want to worry about that stuff. I don’t want to think the worst, but that seed was planted in me a long time ago and the roots grew too deep. At this point, I don’t know how to kill it.”