CHAPTER TWENTY
Cole
After two hours of off-site meetings, I return to the offices, and I’ve just reached the entrance of the building when a phone call from Houston stops me in my tracks. I step to the side of the door and finish the conversation I need to have now and in private. Five minutes later, I enter the building with the understanding that the partner voted into control of Houston, meant to be an extension of both myself and Reese, has created chaos by shuffling clients, and there’s a mass exodus in effect.
I cross the lobby and step onto the elevator with regrets over the structure of the Houston office within our new operation, I intend to mend it and mend it immediately. What I don’t regret is following Lori into that stairwell, especially now, knowing I’m going to have to leave town. I’d seen the look in her eyes before she headed to the door, hatred of herself for wanting a man she felt could have substituted her for any other woman burning in her stare. A man who didn’t really feel she was different when I damn sure do. Add that to the fact that I’m now her boss, and I wasn’t going to let her spend another minute of this day feeling what I was certain she felt, what I’d seen in her eyes.
The elevator arrives on my floor and I waste no time exiting and making my way to the executive hallway. When I reach Lori’s office, her door is open and I stop, catch her attention and motion for her to follow me. I pause and wait for her at the glass doors.
“I have a crisis in Texas,” I say. “An uprising against the senior VP I left in charge.” I open the door for her.
She quickly enters, and I follow to find Maria behind her desk, her attention on us. “I need a private jet that can get me to Houston tonight and back by the party on Saturday night. And I need to talk to Reese the minute he’s out of court.”
“Got it,” she says. “On it all.”
I motion Lori to follow me to my office. “I need you to find me a secretary by Monday,” I say. “Interview. Make a hire. Just get them at the desk ready to work. Make sure they have a backbone and skills.”
She enters the office. I join her and shut the door. “You’re going to trust me to actually hire for you?” she asks.
“And a whole lot more,” I promise her as Maria blasts over the intercom. “Reese is on the line! He’s on break so he has about sixty seconds.”
“Thanks, Maria,” I say, walking around my desk, I sit down, and grab the line while Lori moves to sit in one of the two seats directly in front of me. “Reese,” I say, confirming I’m talking to him considering the sensitivity of the topic.
“Why do I know this is a problem?”
“There is a revolt against Newton.”
“Newton? Everyone voted him in. He’s good.”
“Apparently, he’s a secret Napoleon. You know how power goes to some people’s heads. Bottom line here: I need to go and stop a mass exodus, and then this plan we had to keep the offices divided for success needs to be trashed.”
He curses under his breath. “Where does this leave us? Do you want to pull all management into this office?”
“You have court right now,” I say. “Focus on your client. I’ve got this. Let’s talk once I evaluate.”
“How confident are you that you can fix this?” he asks.
“Completely. The way I see it Newton did us a favor. The sooner he fucked up the better. I’m still rooted in that world with those people.”
“Right. You’re right there. We have the open house Saturday night, though. Everyone who is anyone will be there.”
“I have a private plane booked,” I say. “I’ll fly back late tomorrow night. You just go win your case, even if it costs me that bet. I’ll call you.” I hang up and refocus on Lori.
“What can I do to help?” she asks.
“There’s an open house here Saturday night. In attendance will be clients and potential clients, political figures, a few judges, as well as a clusterfuck of press and then some. You’ll need to be at the party.”
“That didn’t tell me how I can help, but that aside—do you really think you can handle what sounds like a massive problem and be back here tomorrow night?”
“If I have to go back Monday I will, but if I do, I will not be pleased. I didn’t move here, to have to be there all the damn time.”
She straightens. “That brings me back to, what do you need me to do? Tell me how to help.”
Her.
I need her.
Personally, and right now, professionally. Her readiness. Her directness. Her intelligence. “There are two stacks of files on the conference table behind you,” I say. “It’ll be easier on you if you just settle here in my office and study them. The first stack are potential cases. You’re skipping the quiz on my cases and applying what you learned to the candidates who want to become clients. Pick the top two based on your study today. The second stack of files are the people who will be here Saturday night. You’re going to need to brief me on who they are before we attend the party.”
I reach into my pocket and slide my phone across the desk, allowing her access to my phone that is not filled with random women’s numbers. “I’ll need your number, for easier access.”
She looks at me a beat, understanding flickering in her eyes. I wouldn’t hand my phone to just anyone. I want her to trust me. I’m giving her mine. “Of course,” she says softly, swallowing hard and picking up my phone, and while I have professional motives, there is a sense of intimacy between us that would not be there with someone else.
While she keys in her contact information, I pack up my briefcase and stand, rounding the desk. By the time I’m on the other side, Lori is on her feet, brushing her long brown hair from her face, and offering me back my phone. I set my briefcase on the chair and reach for the device, my fingers brushing hers as I accept it, the instant charge between us fierce enough that she sucks in air and presses her lips together. Lips that need to be on my lips and on my body.
I slide my phone into my pocket. “What else do you need me to handle?” she asks. “And what else do I need to know?”
“Cocktail attire Saturday night,” I say.
Her eyes go wide. “Right, about that. You really want me at the party? I’m an intern.”
“The idea is to turn you into the next powerhouse, and you’ll be ours and mine.”
“Not your one night stand?”
And there’s the answer to a question in my mind. Have I convinced her that she is all that has been on my mind for months now? The answer is no. I step closer. “I never wanted you to be a one night stand. I looked for you. Now I found you. The question is: are you going to be here when I get back?”
“Since discovering you’re my boss, I’ve considered my options. Reese came to me.”
I narrow my eyes on her. “And?”
“He asked me about us, in a discreet fashion, of course.”
“What did you tell him?” I ask.
“That there is nothing to tell, but he made it clear I could go to him. I could also ask for a transfer with the consortium, but I risk months of delay and they say the devil you know is the devil to know. Or that’s my version since I really don’t know you. I don’t know what devil I get if I leave here. And you were right, anyway. I’d look like the attorney who can’t handle a problem and I can.”
“Is that what I am now? A problem?”
“Trouble. I told you that. I was right when I said it, but I spent hours today studying your work. You’re a damn good attorney and I like what you and Reese stand for. You make money, a lot of money, but you don’t do it just for the money. I want to stay, and I want to work for you and learn from you.”
“To be clear, Lori. I’m damn lucky to have you on my team. I know your track record as well.”
“Then when you get back, Cole, we have to talk about limits and rules.”
Maria buzzes in. “Cole, your plane will be ready and waiting in an hour. The pilot can fly you back tomorrow night or Saturday.”
“Thank you, Maria,” I say, and the minute she disconnects I say fuck it, and do what I’ve wanted to do since the last time I saw this woman. I drag Lori to me, mold all her soft curves to every hard part of me, and close my mouth over hers. Her hand is pressed to my chest, elbow stiff, but the minute my tongue strokes hers, her elbow softens, and a soft sexy sound escapes her lips that has me ready to shove her against the desk, and pull her skirt up, and finally be inside her again. But I can’t. Not now. Not with me leaving town.
“That,” I say, tearing my mouth from hers, “was in case those ‘rules’ include no kissing, and damn, woman, you taste and feel too good not to kiss.” I brush my lips over hers again. “But if that’s what you decide, if that’s what you want, I’ll follow your rules.” I release her and grab my bag, walking toward the door before I end up kissing her again.
“Cole,” she calls out, just before I exit.
I turn back to look at her and she opens her mouth to say something but seems to change her mind. “Good luck.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. I’ll call you later.”
I leave then, with the taste of her on my lips, and a vow that I will respect her rules, after, of course, I state my opposing opinion, and deliver my most persuasive closing statement.