Page 32 of The Devil You Know

“Gemma?” Fields asks. “Anything?”

I grind my teeth. Having to follow up Ben’s coup with absolutely nothing fills me with loathing for him all over again. “I’ve been pretty buried with the Lawson case,” I tell him, sounding like a goddamned intern. “And Roberts was supposed to go to mediation but they postponed.”

Have you brought more work to the firm, Gemma? No.

Have you spearheaded something on your own? No.

Did you just let the worst person here fuck you on his desk? Yes. Yes, I did.

I wouldn’t make me partner either.

I march out of the meeting as fast as I can and head straight for the elevator with Ben at my heels.

My finger stabs at the button to go downstairs. “Are you following me?”

“Are you running out of here early because you’re scared of my devastating sexual appeal?”

I roll my eyes. “You’ve now fucked me twice. Once last night and once at today’s meeting. That seems like enough.”

His nostrils flare. “Lawson’s the biggest case either of us have. Of course, I was going to discuss it. You’d have done the same thing.”

He’s right. If I’d gone first, I’d have discussed Lawson, as if I’d done all the work on my own too. I’d have delighted in it.

I step into the elevator and he follows. I walk clear to the other side and hold my bag to my chest, as if to ward him off.

He glances over at me and his nostrils flare once more. “You’re impossible.”

I laugh. “Oh, is this the part where you act like a dick and make it out to be my fault? We’ve managed to move through all the stages of a relationship without actually having one. Impressive.”

His jaw is locked tight. “I made a mistake. I admitted it. I’ve apologized until I’m blue in the face. But you are hell bent on seeing the worst in me no matter what.”

The elevator doors open, and I walk out, grateful to escape his clean, testosterone-scented air. “No, because I don’t see anything in you at all,” I reply. “Go play your games with someone else. Or better yet, don’t. Grow the fuck up and stop treating women like pawns.”

19

For the next week, Ben and I avoid each other like the plague. We converse only via email, which is absent even the barest hints of cordiality. No thanks, no let me know if you need anything, no regards in the signature line.

To: Ben Tate

From: Gemma Charles

We need to file the motion by Wednesday.

To: Gemma Charles

From: Ben Tate

Send to me for review before submission.

To: Ben Tate

From: Gemma Charles

Motion attached.

To: Gemma Charles

From: Ben Tate