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“I only have a second, Jeff. What’s up?” He hates to be called Jeff, and something about the irritating look and his fat face turning crimson makes me internally laugh.
“I’m concerned that you’ll end up costing us a lot of money.” He’s never held back his punches. Why would he start now? “This De Santos case,” he continues, “is bringing in a lot of money to the firm. Plus, he’s Penn’s client, too. If you screw this up, he’ll most likely walk away from our firm, and we can’t have that.”
“Really, you don’t say?” I reply flippantly, and I don’t make eye contact with him. I do everything to show him as little respect as he’s shown me throughout the years. “But thanks for the reminder.”
His hand comes down on my desk. It startles me, but I’m used to his temper, and I stand, moving my line of sight to him.
“You listen here, you little shit. All you’ve ever been is eye candy to get us clients. And it’s all you’re good at. I won’t put up with you costing our firm millions, you incompetent Barbie Doll of a lawyer.” I should act shocked. It’s the twenty-first century, after all, but with Jeffery, I’m not.
“Excuse me?” I articulate my words, keeping my tone low and even. “Don’t come into my office and attempt to scare me. I have brought enough money into this firm based solely on my talent as a lawyer. It’s why I’m a named partner. I may not be fully vested, but I’m on my way.” Thanks to a sizable inheritance from my grandparents, but I keep this part to myself. “I’d appreciate it if you leave my office, and if you have any concerns, go to Penn.”
Jeffery Mann just proved my point. This is one reason I can’t get involved with Luciano De Santos. No one will ever take me seriously if I sleep with him. Well, sleep with him again.
* * *
My Pamela Roland sleeveless form-fitting silhouette gown fashioned in gold sequins isn’t subtle. With a thigh-high slit, I had opted for the most expensive dress and a pair of Stuart Weitzman metallic leather heels.
Caroline enters the room as I exit my private bathroom. “Wow, look at you. You’d be the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree if you had more sparkles.”
The simple gold studs and a golden pendant necklace complete the look. “Are you sure this is just dinner?” she asks.
I hit her with a pointed stare. “I’m nothing if not professional,” I claim, and I’ve never crossed the line between professional and personal. I’m not going to start with Luciano De Santos.
“His secretary called; the car just arrived. Don’t have too much fun at thisdinner meeting.”
She leaves in her own immaculate Tom Ford pencil skirt and Jimmy Choos. She’s loyal and great at her job. And I reward her for everything she does for me.
I garner the attention of many wandering eyes, making my way to the elevator and the front of our illustrious building. I’m not looking forward to this dinner meeting. Or I’ll continue to tell myself this until I convince my entire body that I’ll despise every second of this evening with the gorgeous Italian.
* * *
“As you can see, no one witnessed the dumping of all the waste, and it’s the best defense we have. I’ll discover a tactic within the next couple of months, and once a court date has been set, I’ll have it all figured out.”
How is it that in the presence of this man, all my higher education and my formal speech go out the window and I sound like a kid?
“Heaven, if you haven’t figured it out, tonight was a pretense, a reason to get you away from the office. I’ll have little day-by-day interaction with the case. It’s why Harry will oversee my part. But, if you believe for one moment I want to talk about a bogus claim made by my competitor, you have another thing coming.”
His words catch me off guard. I pass over his admission about this fake dinner meeting. Still, as a lawyer, I hear what could lower the preponderance of evidence, the term used in civil cases to win, instead of reasonable doubt. “Wait, you believe it’s your competitors, and I’m just now hearing about this?”
He shrugs his shoulders. “It had been my belief. Harry said nothing would come from it without substantial proof.” He reaches his hands over the table and pushes my Prosecco closer to me. “I want you to come home with me tonight, Heaven. One time with you isn’t enough.”
“Mr. De Santos, I don’t mix my personal and professional life.” My voice cracks with my reply. Not very confident, I think to myself. Good job, Anisten.
He pulls his jacket cuff back to look at his watch and then reaches for his phone. “I guess I’ll have to call Penn and tell him I rescind my request. I want you as my lawyer and lover, but if I have to choose, I’ll pick lover and have that man with the unfortunate name represent me.”
He’s pressing numbers, and in my haste to get to his phone, I bump the table. My Prosecco falls, emptying the contents onto the floor, and gaining the entire restaurant’s attention.
“Heaven, there’s only so much restraint I can give to you. And I’m telling you now—you’re pushing it.”
Oh, I’m pushing it? He’s about to get a glass of Prosecco in the face, though I have none left to toss.
“Don’t you dare mess with my career!”
“Oh, Heaven, I don’t want to mess with your career, just you…” He pushes to his feet and moves his chair around the table, crowding me. “And your nipples, your ass, and your pussy. You might as well give in, Heaven.”
His hand caresses the one area of my legs not covered by gold sequins, and a shiver runs through my body. A glimmer appears in his eyes. He knows he’s affecting me.
“How old are you, Heaven?”
