by S. Nelson
“I try to be. I have to work with a lot of different people, depending on what case I have, and it’s been my experience that if you get in good with the secretaries, life’s that much easier.” She glanced in my direction and smiled. “I’ve always been envious of this office. Geoffrey never deserved it.” Her smile faded, but when she stepped toward me, the corners of her mouth lifted again.
I was observant, almost to a fault, so I made sure to pry into her short and direct statement. “Why didn’t he deserve this office?”
“What?” Her brows scrunched together.
“You said Geoffrey didn’t deserve this office. What did you mean by that?”
“I didn’t realize I said that out loud.”
With narrowed eyes and piqued interest, I patted the seat next to me. When she didn’t move, I hit the cushion once more. “I don’t bite.” She smirked. “On second thought. I take that back.”
“Do you ever stop?”
“Stop what?”
“Flirting,” she responded, nervously assaulting her bottom lip between her teeth.
Before I could answer, telling her I couldn’t help myself, her phone dinged. Pulling the device from her purse, she checked the screen before typing a reply. The suspense was killing me. Was it Harris texting her? Her father? A client?
“Everything okay?” I prodded, leaning back against the plush of the leather. She still hadn’t answered my question about Geoffrey, her reluctance to answer curious if nothing else.
“Yeah. That was Chris. He can’t make it to lunch. He’s stuck in a meeting, first time with a new client.”
I knew damn well Harris could end that meeting if he wanted to. If I were him, I would never give up the opportunity to spend extra time with Alina. Did he assume now they were engaged, he had all the time in the world with her? If she were mine . . .
Stop thinking like that!
“Tell him you’re in my office,” I offered, although I had no idea why. I knew for a fact Chris would end his meeting and waltz his ass in here in less than five minutes, staking his claim on his fiancée. It was what I would have done if my woman was with another man, albeit innocently. But was our interaction innocent? I certainly didn’t want it to be, and I had a feeling neither did she, although she’d deny it if asked.
“Why?”
“Trust me. If you want to go to lunch with him, text him that you’re in my office.”
She hesitated, her finger hovering over the screen. The corner of her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth again, apparently a nervous habit.
She shot off a text, and I took a deep breath, counting down from five. Alina watched me inquisitively, and when I said, “One,” the vibration of her cell startled her.
“He said he can go after all.” She looked puzzled. “How did you know?”
“I’m a man.”
“Not all men are jealous.” She sent another text then slipped her phone back into her purse, taking a step away when I rose from the couch and quickly approached.
The space between us shrank with every stride until I was so close I could smell her intoxicating perfume. A light floral fragrance mixed with her natural scent, a scent I wanted all over my sheets.
“Yes, we are. Varying degrees of course. If you were mine, I’d come running if I found out you were alone with another man.”
“You’re wrong. Chris isn’t like that. Besides, there’s nothing to be jealous of.” Her words would have been convincing if it wasn’t for the pinkish hue painting her cheeks.
“I’m not wrong. You’ll see.” No sooner did I step back did my office door swing open, Harris appearing in the doorway and looking a little disheveled. He flashed me a warning glare before softening his expression and pinning Alina with his gaze.
“Hey, sweetheart. Turns out I was able to end my meeting on time.”
“Shocker,” I grumbled, not wanting to cause an unnecessary scene. Harris didn’t hear me, but Alina had, the rigidness of her posture becoming more apparent.
“It’s okay. We can go now if you want.”
“Yes.” He gripped her elbow gently yet possessively. “Let’s go.” He smiled, but I saw the muscle in his jaw tic before he ushered her from my office.
I could’ve slapped myself for orchestrating Harris rushing to my office to escort Alina to lunch. I should’ve left well enough alone and never had her text him that she was in my office, but I stupidly wanted to prove I was right about her fiancé. That he was just like any other man, possessive over his woman.
Alina
“ARE YOU GOING to go through with it then?” My best friend and former college roommate took a healthy sip of her wine while she studied me, waiting for my answer so she could proceed with her interrogation.
Daria Ralston was everything I wasn’t. Free. She lived by her own rules and walked to the beat of her own drum. We’d attended Columbia together, and while she earned her degree in marketing, she ended up opening her own art gallery right in the heart of Manhattan. She didn’t have a father dictating her every move; instead, he was loving and supportive. I was envious of their relationship, wishing I could have that for myself.
Tucking a strand of blonde air behind her ear, she leaned forward and studied me.
“What?”
“You know what. Are you actually going to allow him to tell you who you’ll marry? I mean, come on.” She winced. “That’s taking it a bit far, even for him. Don’t you think?”
“I agree with you.” I shrugged, not entirely knowing what else to say. Not wanting to have this discussion in public, and at a bar no less, I deflected and turned the tables on her, asking about her newest talent find. “How are you getting along with Paolo?”
Paolo Castan was the newest sensation to hit New York. His paintings were all the rage, the colors, and lines of his work borderline erotic. He’d asked Daria to pose for him, but thankfully she’d refused. He had quite the reputation for being a player. Rugged good looks and more money than he knew what to do with only exacerbated the gossip.
“Nice. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing?”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I replied coyly, finishing off the rest of my wine and ordering a replacement.
“Uh-huh,” she mumbled. “We’ll revisit this conversation. Have no doubt.”
“I don’t.” Touching my forehead, wiping away a bead of sweat, I’d suddenly realized the inside of the bar was rather warm, even though the establishment had been chilly when we’d first arrived. It was probably the wine, but nevertheless, I was becoming uncomfortable.
“So . . . ,” I prompted, running my fingers up and down the cool glass of white the bartender placed in front of me.
“Oh right.” She blew out a breath, smiling wide when her eyes met mine.
“Oh no.” I knew that look.
“I couldn’t help it.” She sounded both annoyed and excited. “He’s so goddamn sexy.”
“And he’s probably slept with half the city. Please tell me you used protection.” Daria was sometimes reckless, and the last thing I wanted was for her to be put into a situation she couldn’t get out of.
“Of course. I’m not stupid.”
“I’m not saying you are. I just want to make sure you’re being safe.” I placed my hand on her forearm and squeezed gently.
“Speaking of a hot mattress dance,” she laughed, “have you given Chris your flower?” Her smile widened at my astonished reaction.
“Why does everyone think I’m a virgin?”
“Who thinks you’re a virgin? Because you certainly are not.”
“Hey, what does that mean?” I knew she was only teasing. I could count how many men I’d slept with on one hand, and while my number was significantly less than Daria’s, I didn’t regret anything. I didn’t jump into bed with just anyone, and while I didn’t necessarily judge those who did, flings simply weren’t my thing.
“So who thought your lady bits had never been ravaged?”
&nb
sp; Max’s face jumbled my thoughts, but I refused to give in to the want to ramble on about him. My friend would definitely ask about my sudden fascination with someone new, and she’d never let the topic die.
“No one.” She pursed her lips before taking another sip. “Anyway, to answer your question . . . no, I haven’t slept with Chris yet.”
“Still? What is wrong with you? I’m against you marrying him solely because your father is basically demanding you do so, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t rock his world. He is a fine-lookin’ man.” A flush suddenly crept over Daria’s face, and at first, I thought it was the wine, but when she kept looking over my head and fidgeting in her seat with her mouth hanging open, I knew something else was going on. “Speaking of fine, you should see the guy who just walked in.”
Instinct told me it was both the one person I wanted to see but also wanted to avoid at all costs.
Max
FOUR DAYS HAD passed since I’d convinced Alina to keep me company while she waited for Harris. Four days of trying to get her out of my mind, but no matter how hard I tried, no matter how busy I was or how aggravated I’d become at the mention of my newest pain-in-the-ass client, I couldn’t do it. The next logical step was to numb my feelings toward her with some alcohol, right?
Wrapping it up for the evening, I took a walk, my destination only a few blocks away from work. Carlyle’s was the perfect place to indulge in a few drinks, and it was close enough that I could come back to my office to crash if need be.
The establishment was upscale, cozy with an overall industrial feel. Dark marble covered the floor, the lighting inside set to dim. A massive bar ran the length of the space, lights glowing along the bottom for a hint of illumination. The high table tops that lined the back wall were all taken, all the patrons seemingly having had the same idea to indulge in a drink after a hard day of work.
Walking toward an empty seat at the bar, I knew someone was watching me, but I didn’t know who until I sat down and looked across the bar. Sitting at the far end of the room was a beautiful blonde, but it was the woman sitting across from her who caught my immediate attention. Even though I could only see her back, I knew it was Alina. What were the chances she would be there? Pretty good, since the place is close to work.
Her friend was blatantly staring at me. Had Alina seen me enter? Had she alerted her friend as to who I was? Which only raised another question for me . . . who was I to Alina? Someone who flirted endlessly with her? Someone who just worked at the same firm she did? Could I become something more? Would she leave Harris for me? Was that something I even wanted?
Before I became completely overwhelmed with my internal turmoil, I ordered a drink and leaned back in my chair, watching and waiting to see if the woman of the hour would turn my way. I deemed it fate that if she looked back at me, I would pursue her. If not, if she kept her back to me, then I would finally find a way to move on. Stop flirting whenever I saw her and give up on the stupid notion she should be with me, or at least give the idea of us a chance.
Her friend smiled, twirled a lock of her wavy hair then reached across the table and shoved Alina’s shoulder. She lifted her chin in my direction, my eyes never leaving the scene of the two of them engaging in some sort of silent communication.
Time stood still while my next move was decided for me. Promising to stick to my ridiculous ultimatum, I took a slow sip from the glass held tightly in my hand, blinking quickly to ensure I didn’t miss a thing. Not a movement. Not a breath.
Just when I thought Alina was going to remain still and continue to face forward, her head turned to the side. In my direction. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of me and when her shoulders tensed then released, I knew it was game on.
Operation Get Alina Away From Harris has now commenced.
Alina
“OH MY GOD!” Daria exclaimed, fluffing her hair while checking her reflection in the screen of her phone. “He’s walking over here.” Straightening in her seat, a huge smile wafted across her face, and I knew Max was only a few feet behind me. I could feel the heat from his body, even though the mere notion of such a realization was absurd.
I watched as my best friend’s eyes devoured the approaching man, raking up and down his body more than once, and being none too subtle about it either. When his warm breath hit my neck, the shiver which followed made me twitch. He laughed, the deep tenor of the sound flitting through my eardrum and making me shiver once more.
“Alina,” he greeted, still standing behind me. I risked a glance at Daria and saw her stunned expression.
“You two know each other?” she asked to no one in particular, her curiosity bouncing back and forth between Max and me.
“I have the pleasure, yes,” Max affirmed, finally taking another few steps until he was beside our table, in full view. He was wearing the same dark gray suit he wore to the office, every line of the material fitting him perfectly. I knew that only because I’d captured a glimpse of him as he re-entered the building after lunchtime. He hadn’t seen me because I’d rushed off and jumped into the elevator at the last second before the doors closed. The last thing I needed was to be alone with him again. Not only did he serve to confuse me on all levels, but Chris had expressed his feelings on me spending any alone time with the man. It was the topic of our conversation when he took me to lunch after finding me in Max’s office.
Of course, I would never admit to Chris that from the first night I met the newest addition to the firm, I couldn’t get him off my mind. He annoyed yet intrigued me. He’d been inappropriate yet tested me. He was infuriatingly arrogant yet charming.
Maxton Colter was every contradiction.
He extended his hand to Daria in greeting, exchanging names, the delight on her beautiful face obvious as she placed her palm in his. He kept his eyes on her briefly before turning to face me, placing his warm hand on my shoulder and giving me a slight squeeze. “Nice to see you again.”
“You too,” I responded, my breathing suddenly becoming shallow. I flicked him a quick smile before staring at the glass I was holding, trying to concentrate on anything other than the way he made me feel.
Nervous.
Excited.
Hopeful.
Wary.
“Won’t you join us?”
I whipped my head up to glare at my friend, my nerves taking flight and making my stomach all sorts of queasy. I had to say something and quick before he pulled up a chair.
“I’m sure Max has better things to do. Don’t you?” I risked a look at him and got lost in his piercing stare. Thankfully, only for a moment, though.
“Nope.” He was already hauling over a chair before he’d finished his one-word answer. Placing a stool directly next to me, I saw Daria’s suspicion as she looked between us. She then grinned when I tried to move my chair over.
“So what do you do, Max?” Daria asked, leaning in as if he was about to tell her the juiciest secret. Her cleavage was on full display and when I saw him look at her breasts, albeit only for a split second, annoyance rippled through me. I had no right to be irritated, but I was nonetheless. Daria was a beautiful woman with wavy blonde hair and the prettiest pale blue eyes. It was easy to understand why Max would pay her attention. Or maybe I was only being self-conscious because he had me all twisted up inside.
“I’m a lawyer.”
“Oh, like Alina.”
I interjected into their conversation, keeping my eyes on Daria and away from Max. “He works at the same firm. He took Geoffrey Paulson’s position.”
“Oh.” Daria’s frown at the mention of Geoffrey piqued Max’s interest. From the corner of my eye, I saw his shoulders tense.
“That’s the second time I get the feeling this Geoffrey character was . . . not liked?”
Without thinking, Daria blurted, “You can say that again.” At least she had the decency to look apologetic about her outburst, although my leg was already in full range of motion, kicking her under the table on
reflex. Or at least I thought it was her leg.
“Ow,” Max shouted, his hand disappearing under the table and rubbing his shin while looking at me in utter shock. “What the hell, Alina? Those shoes are lethal.”
“Sorry.” I darted a warning look at my friend before giving Max a tightlipped smile. As his mouth parted, no doubt to inquire about a man I wished to never discuss, I hurriedly asked him a question to divert his train of thought. “How are you settling in at work?”
He locked me in a stare for several seconds before tilting his head and answering. “Just fine. Getting up to speed with the inner workings of the firm. Becoming familiar with my caseload. You know, that sort of thing.” His fingers tapped the top of the table, the whole while keeping me pinned in place with a glance.
“Yes, I saw you with Amber Sotter the other day. Is she yours?” I’d meant to ask him about her when I was in his office, but he’d distracted me, as was becoming the norm.
“She’s not mine.”
“She’s not your client?” All I could think about was why he was with her in the lobby if she wasn’t his client. It wasn’t a rare scene to see celebrities on the job, a large handful of them being represented by our firm.
“Yes, she’s my client.”
I tilted my head, my lips pursing. “I thought you just said she wasn’t.”
“You asked if she was mine and I said she wasn’t.”
“Semantics.” I raised my hand to signal the waitress and placed an order for another drink when she approached.
“How many have you had?” Max asked, leaning closer and jumbling any formidable thoughts that dared to formulate inside my head.
“That’s my business.”
“Don’t you think you should take it easy? It is a work night after all.”
“It’s Friday,” I corrected.
“What? You don’t work on Saturdays like the rest of us?” He smiled, looking innocent enough, but I knew he was trying to goad me.