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Maybe she needed something more than what she’d spent years working for.
Maybe she did need a man to cherish her, but it couldn’t be at the expense of her goal for professional security. She needed to keep her eyes on the prize. As partner in the firm, she would have a guaranteed eight-figure salary, student loans paid off, a pension, and autonomy. She was one case away from making junior partner, and not even the delicious desire Finn stirred could dissuade her. But if he thought he could compartmentalize their personal and work relationships, who was she to argue?
Chapter Nine
Finn
The next morning,Finn couldn’t be sure if he’d dreamed about kissing Hailey, or if it was real. He was eager to get to the office and see her, but then remembered his promise. He would be completely professional, no behavior that could lead anyone to believe that they were anything more than competitors.
No one would know they’d closed the dumpling restaurant down then made out in his car like two high school students afraid to take things further. When it was clear kissing wasn’t going to be enough, he walked her to the door and made sure she got into her apartment safely before he went home and took a cold shower. She’d been careful not to share any personal details about growing up, but he did find out she’d never had a passport, loved to watch black-and-white movies, and collected obscure books after finding a rare first edition at a yard sale.
She was an enigma and he wanted to learn everything about her, but it was clear he would have to treat her like an IED, with a hairpin trigger ready to explode. But her walls were falling fast, once she determined she could trust him. Now wasn’t the time to slow down. She’d agreed to see him outside of work, and he wasn’t going to blow his chance. He just needed to keep his desire for her reined in at the office. But now the question also begged if he could spend time with Hailey outside of work, was it time for him to consider a position with the Navy JAG office? He could still be in the Navy and not be a SEAL, and he decided he owed it to himself to explore the option.
After a grueling morning run, Finn put on his favorite suit and arrived at the office two minutes until eight with a tray of coffee. Hailey’s office light was on at the end of the row but he resisted the urge to pop his head in to say good morning. They’d agreed to act normal. He could do normal while he thought of all the things he’d like to try with her once they were done at work.
Instead, he logged onto his computer, bypassing three emails from the senior partners and two clients, opting instead to open one of the emails Hailey had sent at seven a.m. Clearly, he was already failing at acting normal. They were meeting with Mrs. Tovar for an emergency meeting in thirty minutes. But why hadn’t Hailey called him? She’d known for an hour something was up.
Before he could get up to ask her, a newspaper fell on his desk.
“Did you see this? She stood before him in a navy-blue suit with a light blue blouse he didn’t recall seeing before. His eyes traveled up her frame—the memory of how hungry she had been for his touch and pliant in his arms last night clear in his mind. Her lean muscular form had been responsive to his touch when he ran his hands along every inch of her during their steamy make-out session that had actually fogged up his car windows.
“Good morning, partner. No, I haven’t read the paper today. I’m more of a newsfeed on my phone kind of a guy.”
“Well, when you’re working on a local messy, multimillion-dollar divorce, you may want to scan the local papers on the newsstand.”
Her tone was admonishing, but she kept it low so the other rookies wouldn’t hear her. And she was correct.
“Okay, fair point.” He stood and picked up the paper. “What’d I miss?”
She huffed. “Page two.”
Million-Dollar Deal on Sexy Adult-Only Toysthe headline read in bold letters at the top of the page.
“She’s selling?”
“No, he’s trying to.”
“What the hell? He knows he can’t do that, right?”
“Meet me in the conference room. We only have about twenty minutes before our client is calling in.” She grabbed a coffee and silently stalked off. He stepped out into the hallway to place the coffees in a communal area when Smith walked up and grabbed a coffee.
“Damn, Maguire, how can you stand working with such a sweet piece of—”
He didn’t even think before knocking the coffee out of Smith’s hand, who yelped from the heat of the piping hot brew that burst from the cup and spilled onto the floor.
“You better be more careful what you say. You never know who could overhear you.” Finn nodded toward the front doors where Mrs. Stewart and Baxter were approaching.
“Shit, man, thanks.”
“Gentlemen, were you fighting for the last cup of coffee?” Baxter said, eyeing the mess.
“No, sir, just a little amped up. I’ll have it cleaned up pronto,” Smith said, but Finn was already grabbing napkins from his desk to sop up some of the spill.
“Maguire, come see me this afternoon. I need to discuss a new client with you,” Baxter said.
“Yes, sir.” Damn, his day was really not going well so far. He glanced at his watch. He’d just lost five minutes of prep time, and Hailey would be annoyed, rightfully so. In the conference room, Hailey was already on the phone with their client. He mouthed sorry, and she hit mute.
“She called early. She’s really upset.” Hailey hit mute again. “Mrs. Tovar, we realize this is extremely upsetting, and you didn’t want any of this information hitting the press, which I’m guessing is exactly why your soon-to-be ex-husband is making it such a public issue. But we have already drafted a cease and desist as well as notification to the purchasing company to advise them this business is not for sale. I suspect the buyers are well aware the ownership of this company is being contested and are hoping to get it at a discounted price. The media is just a way to put pressure on you.”
