by Annie Dyer
“Right hook!” Max yelled at full lung capacity, bracing himself as I pushed my frustration into the hit.
“Again!”
We went through the motions, sweat flying off us, tops long since discarded, mouth guards in – just in case one of us wasn’t concentrating because a black eye was a lot better than a knocked-out tooth.
It was six in the morning and we’d been here since five, battering the shit out of each other in an aggressively controlled way. Max was full of pent up worry about Victoria and the baby, but he couldn’t sound off to her as he usually would, and I was sexually frustrated and it was his fault.
He’d employed Georgie.
I blocked his upper cut and hit him with a fierce body shot that had him on the ropes, panting and sweating even harder.
“Time.” He called it, his gloves making a T. “Water.”
I grabbed the two bottles we’d left at the side and threw one to my brother. ‘You’re getting old.”
He shook his head as he drank, getting half the water over him, probably on purpose. “You’re getting good. Maybe you could start getting shit faced the night before we train or something. It was easier to dodge your punches then.”
“Yeah, well. I leave that to Shay now.”
“How is our disease-ridden cousin? His cock fallen off yet?” He grabbed a towel hanging over the ropes and wiped his face.
“Seen him once in the last week. We managed a couple of beers on Saturday night. How’s Vic?” We hadn’t exchanged pleasantries before starting to train and I was worried about Max’s wife. Out of all my siblings’ partners, she was the one I was closest too, despite having an Everest sized crush on her when Max first met her. I’d gotten over that now, and so had she. Wasn’t sure Max ever had though.
He nodded. “She’s good. We’ve a scan tomorrow.” His face lit up. “I can’t wait.”
It’d been years since I’d seen my brother cry, but his eyes definitely looked glassy and it wasn’t sweat that was in them. Usually, I’d rip the piss out of him for being soft, but this wasn’t the topic to do it with. He and Vic had been trying to get pregnant for ages before it’d finally happened, and now he was a bag of nerves, worried that something would go wrong.
“Send me a photo of the scan. I want to see my latest niece.” This was how I was torturing Max, telling him he was having a girl, which was exploding his mind. If he did have a daughter, it was unlikely she’d ever be allowed to date without the boy having a full police check and spending some time with the KGB.
There was a growl, which I interpreted as an agreement.
“What’s gotten into you this week?”
His eyes narrowed and he looked suspicious. A suspicious Max wasn’t a good thing to have around.
“Nothing. I’m fine and dandy.” I hated lying.
“Bullshit. You’ve snapped at Nadia, torn a strip off Ewan, and went for a run one lunch time. Since when the fuck do you run?” He undid his water bottle and tipped it over his head.
“A shower would be tidier, Max.”
He raised a brow. “I think it’s Georgia.”
“Who?”
“For fuck’s sake, don’t be a pedant.” He pulled off his gloves and started to unwrap his hands. “I’ve caught you staring at her at least a dozen times this week. Even Jackson noticed in the partners’ meeting on Monday.”
I looked at my feet and bit my lips together. I was shite at lying to my siblings. I was pretty shite at lying full stop.
“She’s attractive.”
“She is.”
“Maybe you should’ve employed someone older. Male.” I shook my head. “She’s so good at what she does, Max.” I tipped my head back. “Fuck.”
Max laughed, loudly. He was too fucking amused.
“I’m enjoying this.”
“Why?” I pulled my gloves off and dropped them. “I’m working my arse off to show I’m not the kid you need to keep worrying about doing something stupid. I’ve curbed going out; stopped hooking up – I’m the fucking poster boy for Mr Professional of the Decade and you’re enjoying me crushing on the one woman I’d commit career suicide if I went there?”
Max had now pretty much doubled over with laughter. If I didn’t like Victoria so much, I’d have given him another black eye. Maybe a broken nose.
“Max, seriously. It’s like you’ve done this on purpose.”
He shook his head, his laughter calming down. “I needed that.”
“You’re welcome. Anytime you need a laugh, just let me tell you about my life.”
He laughed again. “Claire always said you should’ve gone to drama school.”
“Fuck off.”
“What’s the big deal with taking her out for a drink? If it doesn’t work out, you have to see each other in work, but it happens. Offices across the country are full of the remains of relationships that didn’t work out, you just have to be adult about it.” His face had faded back to its usual serious mode.
“You don’t think it would work out?”
The idea rankled me.
Max shrugged. “She gorgeous and intelligent, and she’s sane, so I’d be surprised if she went out with you in the first place.”
“Thanks, bro.”
His smile ate shit. “Cassie was gorgeous and intelligent and the dictionary definition of crazy. You haven’t dated anyone since her. I’m just judging you by your last – case.”
Trust him to bring law into it.
“Do you think Georgia would be interested? In you, I mean.” He pointed at me. “Given that she doesn’t know you that well yet and we’ve not had time to tell her anything.”
“I’m not that bad!”
He grinned again. “Marie’s always said we could look at a dowry for you. You know, we talked about it when you moved in with me and Vic; that one way to get rid of you would be to marry you off. Maybe we need to see if Georgia would be interested in a business transaction…”
I picked a glove back up and launched it at him.
Max cackled.
“I can’t take her out.”
“Why not?”
“Because we share the same office. She has a kid. Everyone would automatically think I’ll fuck it up.”
He shrugged, putting the towel around his neck. “You can swap offices. Why’s the kid an issue as long as you don’t fuck her about? And only you think you’ll fuck it up, Seph.” He sounded serious now, which was worrying.
“I’ve known her three weeks.”
“You sleep with women you’ve known less than three hours.”
True. “Why are you encouraging this? Shouldn’t you be doing the opposite?”
“Because I’ve seen the moon eyes you’ve been making at her. And I’d love for you to ask her out and her to say no, I’ll be honest.”
“Thanks.”
He laughed. “Kidding. But if you keep gazing at her like Vic does at me, you’re going to drive yourself – and the rest of us – mad. I know you’ve stopped sleeping with any female with a pulse, Seph, but actually dating someone, getting to know them – that’s different.”
“I just don’t want to be distracted from work,” I grumbled, feeling that yet again I’d gotten something wrong.
“You’re already distracted. And only working isn’t the life that you want. Ask Jackson, Killian, Owen, Eli – hell, me. My hobby away from work was lecturing until I met Vic.”
I looked away from him, knowing he was right and hating it.
“I can’t ask her out, Max. I get what you’re saying about dating someone, but it can’t be someone I work with. If I fuck it up, it’d be disastrous.”
Max shook his head hard enough to spray me with his sweat, which was pretty damn disgusting. “Whatever. I need a shower.”
I couldn’t agree more.
One of the expectations of being a partner in a law firm was that you brought work in. That meant socialising and networking with potential clients, either taking them out on your dime, or be
ing taken out.
Tonight, we were being taken out. It was a Wednesday, so we still had work in the morning, which meant no one would be taking too much advantage of the free bar, unless they’d had the sense to book the morning off, or arranged meetings for later on.
Lomax Taylor was a large, growing accountancy company who were courting a few law firms so we’d throw work their way. It was a standard function room in a hotel with a three-course meal, speaker and a band. Already I could see a couple of the trainees we’d brought with us getting flirty with people they’d just met, pretty much expected for something like this.
Less than a year ago, I’d have ended the night in a hotel room with a woman. Tonight, I was channelling Jackson; all business, all professional, no play.
There was just one problem. The redhead who was sitting next to me, her hair curling down her back, the plunging neckline of her fitted dress a magnet for my eyes that I was desperately trying to fight.
I was fucked.
Fucked. Fucked. Fucked.
“How long have you been at Callaghan Green, Georgia?” The man sitting on the other side of her asked. He was around the same age as us and didn’t have a wedding ring on. I’d caught him eyeing up Georgia’s tits twice already and only the good angel on my shoulder had stopped me punching him in the face.
“This is my third week,” she smiled at him. “How long have you been at Lomax Taylor?”
I’d forgotten he was one of the accountants, Simon something, I didn’t particularly care.
“Three years. I moved here to take the position. I was in America before that – Seattle. Have you ever been?”
I looked away, knowing full well she hadn’t because we’d been talking about where she’d visited – before Rose – yesterday. A three-week trip to Australia, a long weekend in New York, a summer spent walking the Inca Trail in Peru and the girls’ holiday to Ibiza which she’d given very little away about, making me suspect it had been wild.
“Once,” she gave him a smile. “Callaghan Green has offices in New York too, so maybe I’ll get the chance to visit again soon, or even take my daughter.”
“You have a daughter?” He sounded incredulous. “You don’t look old enough.”
Georgia took a sip of her drink and smiled at him. “I’m plenty old enough but thank you for saying so.”
“Is your husband looking after her tonight?”
No, she’s left her at home with a wolf to babysit, fishing fuckwit.
“My sister has her. I’m not married.”
I debated stretching my arm out across the back of her chair, but I wasn’t the sort of man who wanted to piss on his territory. And Georgia wasn’t my territory.
“How old is she?” He wasn’t giving up.
“My sister or my daughter?”
He laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “You’re daughter.”
“She’s four. Sometimes four going on fourteen.” Another sip of wine.
Simon Something nodded. “I don’t know much about kids. What do four-year olds do?”
I stood up, pushing my chair back. “Excuse me.” I couldn’t listen to his droll questions any longer and if Georgia wanted to get out of answering them, she had the ability to do so.
The bar was packed, Lomax Taylor having invited a hundred or so people to the event, but I wanted a whisky and to get away from Georgia’s scent and hair and everything else for a few minutes.
A familiar face looked shocked when she saw me approaching, then she hurriedly composed herself. It had been a long time, but not long enough. My stomach churned, a feeling I’d almost forgotten about.
Cassie Miller had been the person I thought could’ve been my soul mate for nearly ten years. We’d met the first week of university and for the next few years we’d intermittently been together. On again, off again, more times than a television.
It’d ended more than three years ago, when she’d hammered down the final nail in the coffin and I’d spiralled into a bit of mess that resulted in my twin coming back to London to yank me back into normality.
I did not have good memories of Cassie. The last I knew, she’d moved to work for a law firm in Leeds so seeing her tonight was a surprise I didn’t need.
“Seph.” She gave me a forced smile. “How are you?”
“Good. I didn’t expect to see you here.” I didn’t smile back.
She shrugged, blonde hair framing her pretty face. “I was in London today and one of the associates in my firm couldn’t make tonight, so they asked if I wanted to come. I thought I might bump into you. It’s been a while.”
“It has.”
A hand touched my shoulder from behind and my body warmed. I turned and saw Georgia, her smile serene and curious.
“This is Georgia Marston. She’s just joined Callaghan Green as a partner. Georgie, this is Cassie Miller. We went to university together.” I wondered if Cassie would want to elaborate. I hoped not.
“Nice to meet you, Cassie,” Georgia smiled. “Seph, one of the junior associates was looking for you. Do you have a minute?”
I had more than a minute if it meant I could get away from my ex. “Sure. Nice to see you, Cassie.”
“Maybe we could meet for coffee sometime?” The look she gave me was one that usually started us on a pathway to bed.
I hated being rude to anyone, or dismissive, but there was nothing nice I could say back. “I’ll let you know if I have time.”
“Sure.” She licked her lips.
“Sorry, Cassie, I do need him.” Georgia’s hand gripped my forearm and I let her guide me away from the bar, thankful for whatever mess the junior had managed to get themselves into.
We headed to the part of the room where the bifold doors led outside to a wide balcony, designed to give a view over the Thames.
“What’s up?”
She shook her head. “No crisis. You looked uncomfortable talking to her, and Simon was starting to get on my nerves, so I figured I’d do us both a favour.”
It was quiet outside and dark, most people remaining indoors as it was still cool. Georgia’s skin had goosebumps over it from the cold, so I took off my jacket and handed it to her. “Have this. Consider it a thank you for saving me.”
“Who was she?”
I gave a hard laugh. “Cassie. My ex. If my sisters have told you anything about me, they’ll have mentioned her.”
“They did. Payton did anyway. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so tense.”
All I heard was that she’d been watching me.
I smiled, my eyes lingering on her. She wrapped my jacket around her shoulders and smothered a shiver.
“You want to go in?”
She shook her head, red curls dancing everywhere. “No. I needed some fresh air. It’s been ages since I’ve been at one of these functions. Probably before I had Rose, and I’d forgotten how they were.”
The noise from inside spilled out, laughs and murmurs of people socialising, time away from their families under the guise of work, the perfect excuse.
“Did you used to enjoy them?”
“Yes. Any excuse to dress up and drink on someone else’s money.” She laughed. “It feels like more of a chore tonight though, probably because I’ll be up early to take Rose to Elspeth’s.”
“You still got to dress up though.”
She smoothed her dress over her hips. “And it still fit. Think I bought this just before I got pregnant.”
“You look beautiful.” I was surprised the words didn’t sound like they’d been blurted out by a fifteen-year-old boy on his first date with a girl he was infatuated with.
When she looked up at me, I felt nothing like the fifteen-year-old boy I’d been.
“Thank you. I have to say, I like you in a dinner suit.” Her eyes didn’t leave mine and the world shrunk again. Music tipped out from inside as the band started to play and a soulful voice began to sing.
I knew I was smiling hard at her, Cassie the furthest
thing from my mind. My jacket swamped her, hid some of her skin from my eyes, but it was her smile that held my attention.
“I think you look better in my dinner suit.” Any resolve I’d had floated away on the night air. “That dress…”
She twirled round, giggling, playful. “It makes a change from work suits, although my feet are killing in these heels.”
I looked to where she’d displayed a leg, a strappy shoe at the end, and then endless silky skin partially hidden under the fitted material of her dress.
I reckoned I could have that off in less than ten seconds.
I wanted to tell her that the skirts she wore for work drove me mad, just like the pants that clung to her arse and made me want to hold it in the palms of my hands and pull her against my hardened dick.
I wanted to tell her I was a fool for saying that kiss was a one-time thing and couldn’t be repeated. I wanted to take her home and show her how each kiss we had could be better than the first.
“Can you dance in them?” I thanked whichever deity was on duty tonight that something non-pornographic came out of my mouth.
“If I can remember how to dance. It’s been a long time.”
I reached out my hand and she took it, letting me guide her into me. She smelled of subtle perfume and musk, her skin warm when my fingers grazed against it, and she fit against me as if someone had designed her to be the perfect height.
The band played a song that that was slow enough to be able to hold her to me, but had enough of a beat that we could dance. The lyrics spoke of having a lust for life, only my lust right now was for the woman pressed close to me.
Her arms linked around my neck and she looked up at me, her lips synching with the words. I knew she was close enough to feel the rapid beat of my heart as it tried to burst its way out of my chest.
One of my hands was placed higher up on her back, the other just where her ass curved, underneath the drop of my jacket and on the smooth material of her dress.