Page 31 of Trials of a One Night Stand
“I mean it,” she insists.
All I want to do is smile. “Yeah, I hear you, Jayne.”
“I don’t think you do.” A cute little V appears between her eyebrows.
God, she reminds me of Zelda at times. Maybe that’s why I’m so attracted to her. Perhaps I have a type—ball-busting women who give great head. Jayne mutters about “men being stupid dickwads.” Yep, she’s a lot like Zelda.
“What are we going to do then?” I lean on the sofa, mainly because being close to her is making me want to bend her over it and fuck her from behind.
“We aren’t doing anything. You are leaving.” She places her hands on the sofa as if ready to push herself up.
No, no, no. If she makes me leave, I might only see her in the courtroom. That will not do after I’ve thought about her for the past five weeks. I also don’t have her number. Sure, I now know where she works, but I want her to give me her cell number. “I have an idea.”
She glares at me.
My offer of amazing sex went nowhere, but I know what’s important to her. “Why don’t we chat about the case? Maybe I can give you some insight you don’t already have.”
She blows out a huff. “As if you’d do that. You’ve made it clear you think you should win, so why on earth would you give me any help? Not to mention that would be wrong on so many levels.”
“Maybe I want to give you a fighting chance.” It’s a weak argument. She knows I won’t help her to ruin my reputation and my company.
“Just go. It’s unethical for us to discuss the case. I could be disbarred.” She stands and rubs her hands together. “The night we shared was great, was being the operative verb, past tense.”
“I really can’t change your mind?” I stand and move in front of her. I lift a finger and run it along her cheek, making sure the touch is soft, gentle, and lingering, one she’ll remember after I’ve left.
“Nathaniel.”
“Okay, okay.” I laugh at the pissed-off set of her jaw. “I’m going now.”
I walk to the door and feel her presence behind me. I fight hard not to turn and pull her against me. The last thing I want to do is say goodbye. It’s not only about having sex. I want to spend more time with her. When I put my hand on the handle, I pause and kiss her cheek.
“Goodbye, Jayne.” I wink, and as a little smile touches her lips, I get the feeling it’s just a matter of time until I’m with her again.
I sure hope so.
CHAPTER TEN
JAYNE
I’ve worked one-hundred-hour weeks since the preliminary hearing to be prepared for today’s depositions at Zentello. Usually this kind of work exhilarates me, but not in this case.
I’ve never been so tired in my life. Even my bones want to nap, but I force myself to stay awake in the high-tech conference room decked out with every electronic gadget known to man. A waste of money in my opinion, given they are nothing but expensive toys.
Once again, I yawn, chalking up my exhaustion to the long hours and a certain defendant, Nathaniel Lowe. I should be grateful he’s only popped into the room a few times today. I’d much rather deal with the arrogant Cliff Ranger in his designer suit and fancy tie than Nathaniel. Although both men are on my shit list.
I haven’t seen Nathaniel since Portland, except he’s left messages on my work voicemail every day since I returned from the preliminary hearing. Stalker much? He never gives his name, probably out confidence I’ll know who he is, and I do recognize his voice. How can I not when the rich tone makes me tingle all over. It takes everything in me not to type his number into my contacts.
But. I. Can’t.
I just can’t do anything where he’s concerned until the trial is over, but I must admit the attention is somewhat flattering. I mean, he’s a big deal in the pharmaceutical industry and Seattle. Me? I’m new in town and hoping I can remain here after the trial ends.
Still, I feel as if I’m a double agent. Not that I’d ever take advantage of knowing the defendant. That would be wrong on every level, and I wouldn’t have a job if I did that. Even now, things are…precarious. Oliver went straight to his stepfather to tattle about Nathaniel knocking on my hotel room door when he returned from Portland. That put me in the hot seat. Thankfully, my quick thinking settled down a red-faced Jason and was reminiscent of dancing a jig that would’ve made Irish dancers in Riverdance envious. I carefully explained to my boss how Mr. Lowe was only trying to get workout tips from Oliver—yes, Nathaniel followed up on that, thank God—and nothing else was exchanged.
Not the complete truth, given saliva mixed during the kisses, but my promotion—and my career—is at stake, and no one will ever know about the kisses or the sex. Lottie knows about the sex, but only that I had a one-night stand with a sex god named Nathaniel, and she’d never tell anyone anyway. We might be ten years apart in age, but she’s not only family, but she’s one of my closest friends. If Nathaniel heard how I described him to my cousin, his ego wouldn’t ever let me live it down. Another reason everything must remain secret.
At least I learned an important lesson, trust my instinct regarding Oliver. I predicted he’d go straight to his stepfather, and he did. Now he’s proving himself as worthless as I imagined he’d be. Although he showed up at Zentello for the morning portion of the depositions, he returned to the office leaving me here on my own. Doug decided to take an overdue vacation yesterday, and no one has replaced him yet.
Which means as soon as this break ends, it’s me versus Zentello, Cliff Ranger, and his team. Now I know how David felt against Goliath.
