Page 23 of Trials of a One Night Stand
Judge Patricks sweeps into the courtroom, and I stand. I’ll have to wait to see whether what he told his lawyer has any consequences and what I’ll do about that. I don’t care how great the sex was, Nathaniel Lowe better not mess with me.
After the hearing ends and the judge leaves the chamber, I sit in my chair in disbelief. Judge Patricks approved the change of venue, which I expected, but he didn’t throw out the case. Why not? The question swirls in my mind.
Lucas snickers. “Guess you’re as good as they say.”
“I am.” The words don’t sound as strong as they usually would. I can’t get over seeing Nathaniel again. It took all my focus to make it through the hearing without glancing his way, but I’ve worked too hard to act like a teenager with a crush in front of a judge and my client. “We’ve got this.”
My tone is firmer. But even so, I’m stunned the judge denied the defendant’s motion to dismiss. It seemed like a no-brainer because Sugar Valley truly doesn’t have a case. I’ll have to review the entire case to see what he saw that I’ve missed. There must be something, right?
“Confident.” Lucas wags his eyebrows. “I like a strong-willed woman.”
“Lawyer. I’m your lawyer,” I remind him, not wanting him to see me as anything else. “And most lawyers are paid to be confident.”
Lucas growls as if my words turn him on, giving me even more of an ick feeling. I’m sure he’s a nightmare to message with on dating apps or go out with in person. “Let’s celebrate by getting a drink.”
A “no” sits on the tip of my tongue. I have to remind myself he’s paying the firm big money for representation, so I need to be polite. “Thanks, but I have work to do to prepare for the upcoming depositions.”
“Those aren’t for a few days,” he reminds me as if I would forget the next part of his case. “All work and no play makes Jayne a dull girl.”
“That’s me. Dull Jayne. The dullest.” I did my job today. Nothing else is required of me. If Lucas is upset with my not wanting to socialize, he can take it up with Jason.
As I pack my briefcase, I glance at the defendant’s table. I need to speak to Nathaniel even though that’s probably the worst idea ever, given the case. Still, I can’t leave without some sort of discussion. For starters, I hadn’t gotten the case until the following morning, so nothing illicit occurred, but he wouldn’t know that. I don’t want to be accused of an impropriety or conflict of interest. That would kill my chance of a promotion.
I follow him out of the courtroom, tracking his every move, but I’m not close enough to overhear what he says to Cliff Ranger.
“I need to take a call.” Lucas waves his buzzing phone. “Are you sure you don’t want to get a drink?”
“Positive, but thanks.” He’s paying a high hourly fee for my legal advice and services, so I should at least try to be pleasant even if he makes me want to hurl.
Nathantiel heads toward the bank of elevators at the other end of the hallway. I make my way there, keeping my distance so he doesn’t spot me but close enough so I don’t lose him in the crowd of people milling around.
When he stops in front of the elevator button, I pull up next to him. He hits the down button, which suggests he’s either parked on one of the lower levels or walked here from a nearby hotel like me.
He stares at the neon numbers above us. “I wondered how long it would take you.”
“I wasn’t planning to ignore you, Nathaniel, or should I say Nate.” Even though he’s already pressed the button, I lean forward and stab my index finger on the DOWN.
“I never tried to hide who I was, Jayne. Whereas you didn’t tell me that you’re the lawyer on the case against my business.”
I glance at his profile to see his jaw is as tight as his tone. “I wasn’t assigned the case until the following morning when I got a text from my boss. That was why I left so early. I had to go into the office.”
“Convenient,” he snaps.
“What’s your problem?” I don’t understand his attitude. He sounds like he’s seconds away from throwing a tantrum. “We agreed it would be one night. I stuck to the rules you made.”
“We both made them.” He turns his head slowly to stare at me. “You look different, and I’m not sure I like it.”
My breath hitches, and my skin prickles. Douchebag! I shouldn’t be so affected by his words, and I hate that I am. “Well, to be honest, I wasn’t that into you either.”
He huffs, but I can’t tell if he’s upset or laughing at me. “That’s not what I meant, Jayne. I just prefer your hair down.”
My free hand touches my head, reminding me I’m wearing my hair up today. Something I usually do in court.
A smile twitches at the corners of his lips. “I won’t deny what we shared that night, but if you want to deny the spark between us, go right ahead. I’ll just forget the way you yelled my name alongside God’s and how you came all over my face and dick.”
God, I can’t believe he’s throwing that back at me. Though after what I said to him, I probably deserve it. And then I remember where we are. I quickly look around to ensure no one heard him. His words might be a turn-on, but I don’t want everyone in the courthouse knowing my—our—business.
The elevator doors slide open, and Nathaniel enters the car. I hesitate, not sure whether to follow him, but when a large man with a ponytail pushes past me to get in, I stumble forward. If I turn around now, it’ll look odd, so I stand next to Nathaniel.
