Page 46 of Finding Redemption

“I’ll remember that the next time you need to hide out until your flavor of the night makes their dramatic exit.” I wink at him.

“Fine, but if I see Walker, I’m telling him you’re free to a good home.” He turns to the door. “And that you need a good spanking.”

I grab a magazine from the table and throw it at him, hitting the door as he slams it. “Asshole.”

He pokes his head back in. “You love me.”

I roll my eyes. “I do. Bye.”

“Night, love.”

I strip on the way to my bedroom, happy to get comfortable and settle in bed for the night. Again, I find myself tossing and turning all night. Every thought involves Walker. His smile, his intelligence, and the mere vision of his hard body pressed against mine keeps me up all night.

I give up the fight, getting ready for work at an ungodly hour and drive to the office.

The firm is small. Although we work for profit, most of our work is nonprofit. None of us will ever make the money Walker does, but I love what I do and having the flexibility to help who I want makes it all worthwhile.

My corner office is a hole in the wall compared to some. I turn on my desk lamp and get straight to work on the stack of papers that have continued to grow. I speak into my voice recorder, taking notes for later.

“File the petition for the Johnsons. Rogers needs to sign off on the Browning deal. Also, file the crisis center’s orders.” I sigh. “Look at the proposal from DII. I need to find a better offer than what The Historical Society is wanting.”

A knock at the door draws my attention. “Good morning,” Katie says.

“Mornin’,” I mumble.

“You’re here early. Bad night?” she asks as she sits across from me.

“Catastrophic.” I drop my head, banging it on my desk. “He refuses to bend.”

“But you said his offer was more than generous. How’s this his fault?” Her forehead creases.

I raise my head, blinking my eyes in bewilderment. “How is it not? The Historical Society countered, and he won’t discuss it with his client. Flat-out refused.”

“Was it in DII’s best interests?” A line appears between her brows.

I slump my shoulders, knowing the truth. “No, it wasn’t. I wouldn’t have advised my client to take what they offered.”

“So you start over.” She shrugs. “Do you have a middle ground?”

“There’s no such thing as compromise in the man’s body.”

“That bad, huh?” She wrinkles her nose.

“Yeah but like you said, they could bend too. I’m pulling it and starting over. It isn’t fair to DII. I know what it means, but if they’re going to be flexible, we have to be too.” I chew on my eraser.

“All right. I’ll leave you to it. Let me know if I can help. I’m gonna go file a few things.” She stands, picking up my outgoing stack of paperwork.

“Was that your reason for coming in early?”

“Not entirely. I’m working on my paralegal degree, and my computer is down at home.” Katie stares at the ground as she speaks.

“Oh, well, please come in any time. You can even use mine so you’ll have privacy.”

“Thank you, Reese.” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. I’ve been where she is, fighting to make something of myself with no help from anyone.

“No problem, sweetie.”

“I’m going to file these and work a little before the day gets started.” Katie turns for the door, pausing as she twists back to me. “Seriously, thank you.”