“Surreal” didn’t come close to describing her evening repast with Gavin. Megan had heard of slick lawyers with their legal talk meant to make your eyes roll back in your head. Met with a disinterested one who made her actually want to murder someone. Given her current experience, she didn’t hold lawyers in very high regard, so she certainly never expected to lust after one.
I’m a grown woman. And yet, much like a moon-struck teenager, she clung to Gavin’s every word, trembled inwardly every time they innocently touched. Even worse, she couldn’t help hoping he’d touch her more.
It completely and utterly annoyed her, yet she couldn’t stem the reaction, but she could make sure things didn’t go any further.
Once dinner was over, again he led her with a firm hand in the middle of her back. He held open the door for her and tucked her hand in his arm as he walked them to the parking lot. His courtly gestures didn’t do anything to help her attraction.
Why can’t he act the uncouth jerk? It made it so much easier to dislike him.
Refusing a ride home wasn’t an option, not when she lacked cab fare. However, she’d not counted on the intimacy of his two-seater sports car. Did he purposely brush her knee and thigh with his fingers every time he shifted?
Did it matter? The result remained the same; she shivered each and every time. God, I hope he can’t guess how he affects me.
Could she blame her extreme attraction on some kind of psychological syndrome? Wasn’t there one that made women fall for men who swooped in like a hero promising rescue from a dire fate? In her case, was she mistaking her gratitude that he wanted to defend her as attraction?
Nah. Face it. The guy was hot. Handsome. Sexy. With a voice made for late-night radio and dirty words.
Or, even better, dirty acts. It’s been much too long since I’ve indulged in some naughty fun.
The purring engine shut off a moment after he pulled to the curb in front of her building. Miracle of all miracles, he’d managed to scoop a spot. Displaying, once again, an uncanny agility and speed that nagged at her, he somehow managed to make it to her side of the car within seconds of parking.
After opening the passenger door, he held out a hand to her, and as she clasped it she couldn’t help a quiver in her lower belly as their flesh touched. Was it her or had he sucked in a breath? With a firm clasp of her hand, he aided her from the low-slung vehicle.
Once on the pavement, he didn’t immediately release his grip, and she bit her lip, uncertain of what he expected from her. She’d meant what she said earlier. She wouldn’t put out. I’m not that kind of girl.
Her body, on the other hand, disagreed. We could totally be that kind of girl, and enjoy it.
“Thanks for the ride,” she said, even if it was the banal kind.
“You’re welcome.”
“I guess I’ll be hearing from you.” And probably dreaming, her imaginative sex life so much more active than her reality-based one.
“I’ll be in touch tomorrow,” he said as he laced his fingers through hers and walked her to the glass door of her building.
“You don’t need to escort me to my apartment. I am more than capable of seeing myself the rest of the way.”
“A gentleman always sees a lady home.”
“Are you always a gentleman?” she blurted out. She bit her lower lip a moment later at the implication he wasn’t. He wasn’t her family or a close friend to whom she could just speak her mind or, as her cousins complained, insult at every turn.
Instead of taking offense, he laughed, a low baritone that again set her nerves atingling. “Most definitely not. Most would actually compare me to the wolf.”
“Because you’re wild?”
“Partially, but more because I’m a hunter. When I see what I want, I go after it.”
“And what do you want?”
As the elevator door closed, encasing them in a small space where she remained much too aware of him, he didn’t immediately reply, but he did stare down at her, an intense gaze that had her dropping her eyes to study the scuffed floor.
A finger tipped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Would you run like a scared rabbit if I said I wanted you?”
“No, but I might hurt you in your man parts if you try to take liberties.”
A wicked smile curved his lips. “Is that a challenge?”
No. Yes. Conflicted, she managed to stammer, “N-n-no, it’s not a challenge. We need to keep things professional. Don’t you lawyers have to swear some kind of oath about not sleeping with clients?”
“Who said anything about sleeping? But, in answer to your query, yes, we are ethically obliged to try and keep a distance and not engage in personal relationships. However, once I’ve acquitted you, all holds are off.”
“You’re that confident you’re going to win.”
“Yes. I rarely lose, especially when it’s something I really want. So prepare yourself. Once I’ve cleared your name, I will pursue you. And we will become involved.”
Cocky. Self-assured. So utterly male … and sexy. But she was a modern woman. Surely she wasn’t falling for his caveman tactics? How dare he dictate. “You make it sound so ominous. As if I don’t have a choice.”
“You don’t. Don’t you remember what I said? I’m a wolf, and I always get what I want.”
The sound of a ding prevented her from replying, as did the swish of the elevator doors opening. Hiding her racing pulse and flustered thoughts proved easy as Megan stepped from the elevator cab and, with quick steps, marched to her door.
When she fumbled the keys to unlock it, his hand covered hers, which didn’t help, not when such awareness flared between them.
The tumblers clicked, but she didn’t open the door, instead turning to face him.
He stood close, much too close. It made her much too aware once again of the size of him, of the overwhelming maleness of his bearing. What is the matter with me? She’d dealt her whole life with imposing men. She’d never had a problem before putting them in their place.
Peeking upward into his chiseled countenance, she uttered a polite and dismissive. “Thank you for everything.”
“No thanks needed. I’m doing what I must.”
Despite her insistence on nothing personal between them, she couldn’t help a miffed squirt of irritation that he’d relegated her to the status of a chore. “Must? I didn’t realize you felt forced.”
“You misunderstand. I am representing you because I can’t stand by and watch a gross miscarriage of justice. Nor can I allow the woman I intend to pursue, ardently I might add, to suffer against obviously false charges.”
When put like that …
Before she could reply, firm lips pressed against hers, stealing words and breath. No time to react. No time to reciprocate. The electric touch was there one moment, gone the next.
“What was that?”
“Since I didn’t have a contract, I sealed our deal with a kiss.” With a naughty wink, he strode away from her and back to the elevator.
She stared at his receding back. Even in a suit, the rear of him shouted, I’m hot!
With her lips tingling and body screaming for more, Megan could only numbly blink as he tossed her a sensual grin over his shoulder and said, “See you tomorrow, little rabbit.”
Then he was gone, in body perhaps, but not in mind.
Enclosing herself in the comfort of her apartment, Megan leaned for a moment against the door, struck dumb by the kiss and the promise she read in his parting words.
As her new lawyer, yes, he’d have to see her, but why did she suspect he meant more than that?
Probably because he’s stated quite emphatically that he’s interested in me as more than a client.
Forget indignation at his caveman intent to claim. The woman in her couldn’t help but flush in pleasure.
He wants me.
And God help her, but despite the complication, she wanted him, too.