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“If I’m to be your wife—”
“If?” he challenges.
“Because I’m to be your wife,” I amend, “my cases will bring a different kind of attention to you, Grayson. You’re a billionaire who runs a massive operation that stretches well beyond the law firm and its many offices. You have a hotel brand. Maybe even a stake in a professional football team in the near future. The interest in my cases will come with a different level of scrutiny.”
He stands up and grabs the coffee pot, refilling both of our cups and then settling the hazelnut creamer we’re both using between us. “And that means what to you?”
I grab the creamer and pour it into our cups. “What does it mean to you? Are you up to dealing with that?”
“You believe in this. We’re fighting for what’s right. Why wouldn’t I be?”
I slide off the seat and step between his legs, my hands on his thighs. “I really love you, so very much.”
“I really love you, too. Talk to me about the case. Why haven’t they offered her a plea?”
“The ADA involved is a real asshole.”
“Name?”
“Nick Reynolds.”
He picks up the phone, sends a text, and then sets it down. “I asked Blake to find out what he can about him. I’ll be interested to find out if he was involved in that dirt dive Ri had the DA doing on my me and my businesses.”
“But this case was with Ri’s firm with me there until this week.”
“I know. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth looking into. Maybe we should work this case together. I’ll be the second chair.”
“You? Second chair. Grayson, you’re the CEO of an empire.”
“And a criminal attorney, in case you forgot. Sometimes getting back to the basics reminds us about who we really are and want to be.”
“You are a brilliant man with the world at his fingertips. This is beneath you.”
“No. Helping someone who needs help will never be beneath me, and if it were, you know my father would turn over in his grave. But if this is about your independence—”
“No. Not at all. I would like to have you help me with the case prep, but if the press know you’re a part of this, the news will explode. And if we lose, you’ll look bad.”
“Then let’s not lose.”
“I’m handling my case,” I say, “but I have a proposition for you.”
His perfect eyes twinkle with mischief. “You have my undivided attention.”
I always do, I think. No matter what deal or project is consuming him, Grayson always makes me feel like he’s one hundred percent present. “You wanted me to consider working more closely with you and the corporate side of Bennett so that we can travel and work together.”
“And?”
“And what if I handle this case and then step back from a formal caseload? You’ve already approved me hiring Kevin, my old boss at Ri’s firm. Now that Ri is gone, we legally brought over my business. Kevin can take over the rest of my caseload, or whoever you feel is appropriate. I’d love to look at the charity operation. You’re not as active in charitable activity as you should be. I can have an impact. I know I can. I want to contribute.”
“What happened to needing your own career and identity?”
“I don’t know why this can’t be that, too. And as far as needing to completely free myself of your coattails, I think we’ve been there, done that. I’m done feeling like I have something to prove because you’re more experienced and filthy rich. And I don’t care if people think I slept my way to the top anymore. I think my insecurity over those things allowed Ri to break us up. I won’t make that mistake again.”
His hands come down on my arms, his lashes lowering, expression tightening before he opens his eyes and fixes me in a tormented stare. “‘I won’t let you,” he promises, his voice roughened by emotions, raw torment radiating off this brilliant, talented, good man because of me.
“Grayson—”
I never finish that sentence. He picks me up, throws me over his shoulder, and starts walking.
CHAPTER FOUR
Mia
Once we’re in the bedroom, Grayson sets me down at the foot of the bed, and his hand slides under my hair, his palm hot on my neck. “Next time you run,” he promises, his voice vibrating with emotion, “I swear to God, woman, you won’t run fast enough. Next time, I will catch you and I will bring you home and tie you to our bed.” His hand sweeps down my spine and my sex clenches, nipples puckering, this game of dominance he plays one I know well. It’s about control, about those times in his life when the pressure of being Grayson Bennett pushes his buttons. In this case, when I’ve pushed his buttons.
