Liv
As a recent graduate of Harvard Law School, I was more than a bit surprised when I was sent a letter from a woman in England, asking for my help with setting up custody papers for her young son. His father was an American citizen, and she wanted to be sure all American laws were followed, as well as English law.
Genevieve Salisbury was a candy heiress worth millions. She’d had a child with a man who knew nothing about the kid he’d sired and she wanted it kept that way, unless she met an early demise. Which she did. And so did her parents.
A tragic accident at their factory left Genevieve’s four-year-old son an orphan. Little Harold and his father would’ve been millionaires if only his mother had passed. With the loss of his grandparents too, the fortune grew to billions of dollars that would be split by the boy and the father he’d never known.
Being so much younger than the career Navy man who is Harold’s dad, I took charge immediately with him. It was a tactic one of the older members of the firm I work for let me in on. Take charge from the very beginning, and things will fall into place much more easily.
So far it’s working. Damon is on his way here today. In mere minutes, he should be coming to our hotel suite. Harold is napping in the bedroom, and I’m hopeful he’ll stay asleep as I deliver the plethora of news to the man.
Now, the money I can see Damon being more than fine with. The grand estate that was also left to him and his son is another thing I foresee him taking exceptionally well. But the kid is the thing I find the most concerning.
Genevieve and I spent quite some time together last year when she employed me. I’ve been living with the family for that length of time. She wanted me to know the ins and outs of the business and how she wanted Harold raised. She became a close friend to me, and I miss her and her quick wit. So does her son.
I just hope I can get Damon to love the little boy.
I’m jolted out of my daze as a knock comes to the door. “Liv?”
“It’s him!” I mumble to myself as I jump up to answer the door. Stopping in front of the mirror near the door, I run my hands through my dark waves, then hurry to pull it up into a professional looking bun. With a quick wrap of the rubber band I had on my wrist, I look much more like the attorney I am.
I’d let my hair down as I rested on the sofa, waiting for the man. Genevieve had warned me that he was a real lady killer. I’m to watch myself with him, or he’ll make quick work of me, bedding me and leaving me as just quickly.
I must get him to pay attention to Harold. That’s my goal, and nothing more than that!
“Coming,” I call out as I shake my head to clear it.
When I open the door, I’m kind of star-struck. He’s tall, six something, and built like a mack truck. His eyes are dark and command respect as he asks, “Liv?”
“Yes, yes, that’s me. Liv, um, Livacious Tillman.” I extend my hand, and he shakes it. Sparks fly through me, and I’m quick to end the physical contact. “Come in. Please.” I gesture to the living area. “Have a seat. Are you thirsty?”
The way he looks me up and down makes me feel naked. With a swipe of his hand, he takes off his hat. Wearing a formal Naval suit, he looks every bit the part of the Navy Seal he is.
My knees feel like jelly has suddenly filled them. He hasn’t been here a second and already he’s affecting me!
Striding past me, he comes into the room, placing his hat on the rack that’s next to the mirror by the door. Then I find him taking off his jacket too, hanging it on one of the hooks, leaving him in only the starched-to-perfection white shirt and some great fitting slacks that accent the bulges of his thighs.
Oh Lord, this man is an Adonis!
I can see how good he’ll look in the expensive suits I’ll be helping him pick out in the next few days. He gives himself the once over in the mirror. His blonde hair is short, as I expected it would be. With a quick run of his hand over it, he looks at me, then finally answers my question, “If you’re having a drink, I will too.”
“Huh?” I ask as I’d kind of forgotten what I’d asked him. “Oh, yeah. A drink. Is tea all right with you?” I walk away, finding him following me.
“Tea?” he asks, then places his hand on the small of my back, steering me to sit on the smaller sofa. I take the seat and find him sitting right next to me. Far too close! “I was thinking about something a bit stouter than tea. How about something with more than a touch of alcohol?”
“I’ll ring the Butler to bring something,” I say and pick up the phone on the table next to me, dialing the extension. “Hello, Miles. Can you bring a bottle of something nice for us to drink? My guest has arrived and he’d like an alcoholic beverage, as would I. Anything you think we’d like will be fine.”
“I’d like to have a Jack and Coke, Liv.”
I turn back to look at him and find him smiling at me. “Oh, of course. A Jack and Coke for my guest, and what the hell, bring me one too. Thank you, Miles.” I hang up the phone and turn my body so that I’m facing Damon.
He brushes my shoulder with his hand and it sends more of those pesky sparks through me. “You should’ve mentioned how attractive you are when you sent your letter. I’m afraid you’ve caught me off guard with this rare beauty.”
Heat fills my cheeks as he looks over me. “Stop,” I giggle like a school girl. “Flattery isn’t a thing I’m used to.”
My body goes rigid as his fingertips travel over my shoulder, across my neck, and land on my chin, pulling it up and making me look at him. I bite my lower lip as he goes on. “Flattery? I’d hate for you to think it was mere flattery, Liv. You are gorgeous. I’m sorry you don’t get told that more often.”
For a long moment, we just stare into each other’s eyes. I should be intimidated by the man. He’s all man, and most likely the most handsome and virile man I’ll ever meet. Then his head tilts to the right only a bit. Mine leans to the left, and we lean in.
‘Knock, knock, knock.’
“The Butler,” I whisper as my eyes seem to be stuck to his.
“You should get the door then, Liv.”
With a nod, I get up and smooth out my long black skirt, run my hands over my white blouse, and make my way to the door. Then I realize just how quickly the man had me in the palm of his hand.
My God! I almost kissed the rogue!