by Lisa De Jong
“Don’t be gone long. I was hoping to actually spend time together this weekend,” I admit, staring down into his deep blue eyes.
“I promise to make it quick.” He kisses me softly.
“I have to prepare a few things for the council meeting Tuesday, anyway. It’s not a big deal,” I say, though the second part isn’t necessarily true. All the time we spend apart is a big deal.
He smiles. “Only a lawyer would understand a lawyer.”
“Now, get out of here before I replace you with a bearded woodsman,” I tease, doing the best I can to bury my disappointment that we’re not spending more time together in humor.
“You wouldn’t,” he says, squeezing my shoulder.
“If you’re not in that boat with me by one o’clock, I’ll strongly consider it. And don’t think I can’t find one around these parts.”
He laughs and shakes his head as he disappears back inside the cabin. Sometimes I wonder if things are really as bad as they seem, or if my idea of happy is just too much for him to give. Is my perception different than reality?
Two hours pass before he finally returns. Four more hours pass before he finally steps back outside to tell me he needs fifteen more minutes. It’s already after three o’clock, but that doesn’t seem to matter. Promises aren’t really promises in the Mason household.
I’ve written most of my oral arguments for Tuesday night’s council meeting. I sat on the dock for over an hour, soaking in the warm summer sun while trying to clear my head. I even texted the girls to let them know I’m going to miss my second straight wine night, which just about killed me. It’s my free therapy, and there’s no telling what two missed weeks might do. My phone dings just as I close my computer to check on Cole.
Unknown: How’s your weekend?
Marley: Who is this?
I tap my thumbnail against the screen, watching for the three gray dots that reveal the person on the other end is typing.
Unknown: Sir Line Crosser. Mind Reader Extraordinaire. Controller of the Universe.
Marley: River?
River: You’re smart.
Marley: I’ve been working. I’m almost ready for Tuesday.
River: Can I call you?
I look over my shoulder. No sign of Cole.
Marley: If you make it quick. I’m heading out on the boat soon.
Not even five seconds later, my phone vibrates. I accept, putting it to my ear. “Hello.”
“Hey, since you said you’re working, I thought we could go over a couple things.”
I bite down on my lower lip. Work is the last thing I wanted to do up here, but it seems like that’s all I’m going to do. “Yeah. I have a few minutes.”
“So, what did you find? Are we fighting a little battle or a whole damn war?”
In a couple of minutes, I give him the full rundown on the reasons the city has the property zoned the way it does, and the loopholes I discovered to fight them.
“You think it would help if I went around and talked to the other business owners in the area before Tuesday’s hearing?” he asks after listening to my summary.
“It can’t hurt. A real businessman should be able to sell. Am I right?”
“I can sell anything to anyone.”
I laugh quietly, tracing my finger along the holes in the tabletop. “We’ll see where that fits into your powers.”
He’s silent for several seconds, which is rare for him. “I’ve been thinking about your idea, and the more I do, the more I like it. It wouldn’t work in every neighborhood, but this one is quite different.”
I’m stunned. It’s so different from his usual designs. I should know; I’ve been in one and did research on the others. “Are you actually considering my concept?”
“That’s what I was trying to say without implying that you win.”
“Hmm,” I say, smiling again. “Does this mean you have the control or that I do?”
“Just because I agree with you doesn’t mean I don’t have any control. I control whether to incorporate your idea or not.”
“You’re right,” I admit. “But I know it’s still killing you that I came up with it first.”
“I’ll get over it.” He pauses. “I do have one more favor to ask. Would you mind coming with me Tuesday to talk to the business owners? I think we might have more pull that way.”
“All day?” I ask, cringing inside. A few minutes on the phone is one thing, but an entire day.
“I’ll pay you double and buy you lunch.”
“How long is it going to take to get it through your head that I don’t need to be bought off?” My voice rises more than I intended it to.
“How long is it going to take for you to realize I don’t take no for an answer?”
“About as long as it’s going to take you to realize I can drop your ass any time I want to.”
He laughs, not to reward my humor, but to taunt me. “You’re too far into this to drop it now. Besides, if all goes well Tuesday, you’ll never have to see me again.”
A cool hand grips the back of my neck. Glancing behind me, I see Cole standing there. It’s about goddamn time.
“Look, Mr. Holtz, I have to go. Why don’t you meet me at my office at ten on Tuesday morning, and we’ll go from there.”
“Oh, your husband is finally back. Does that mean the spontaneous dates must to come to an end?” He taunts me further.
Cole’s hand slips down my chest, skimming the tops of my breasts. I close my eyes, holding my breath steady. “You obviously have a game to play so I’ll let you get back to it.” I tap to end the phone call before he has a chance to respond.
Cole continues to tease, seemingly oblivious. His hand slides further down, slipping inside my bra. I grip his wrist, holding him steady. The only time we’ve spent together since we arrived here is when we’re having sex. I like sex—I love it—but I also want a dedicated husband and relationship.
“What’s the matter?” he asks, pressing his lips against my earlobe.
“Can we go out to dinner or something? We stayed in last night and it was nice, but I’d really just like to go somewhere and talk.”
He pulls his hand away. His lips are no longer pressed to my ear. “Where would you like to go?” he asks, sounding about as annoyed as if he lost a case—which I’ve only seen on a rare occasion.
“Cole—”
“Where do you want to have dinner, Marley?” His voice is tight. My heart is worn.
Without responding, I push my chair back and breeze past him, straight to the small bedroom tucked in the back of our cabin. I fall into the bed, staring out onto the lake through the picturesque window. I’ve never been a runner. I’m a fighter, but he’s taking some of the fight out of me. I’m tired. If someone had asked me a few years ago where my life would be today, this isn’t it.
The door creaks open. My whole world—or the one I used to know—crawls into bed behind me. Lovers can be strangers; I’m convinced of that now.
“I’m sorry,” he says quietly, curling his fingers against the side of my tank top.
“For what, Cole? What are you sorry for?” My voice speaks tears I didn’t know I’d held in.
“For everything you need me to be sorry for,” he answers. “I don’t know where we went wrong, but I want to go back and make it right.”
“You never talk to me anymore. I don’t even have a clue what case you’re working on.”
He sighs, sliding his hand over my stomach. “I’ll try harder. The last thing I want to do is lose what we have because we don’t communicate. I have to go out of town again this week to wrap up this case, but I promise I’ll be home next week. I’ll cook you dinner when I get back.”
“You make a lot of promises you can’t keep,” I point out, closing my eyes to hold in the water works.
“I won’t break this one. If I do, you can redecorate the whole damn house, and I won’t say a thing about it.”
The house means nothing. He means ev
erything. When will he realize that?
I entwine my fingers with his, both our hands resting against my stomach. “I’m going to hold you to it.”
One more chance. It doesn’t matter if he’s already had ten or one hundred. I need him, and I’m not ready to give up, but for a woman who is used to drawing lines for others, I’m not doing a very good job with him. This has to be it. One more chance.
“IS YOUR CALENDAR FOR today correct?” Beatrice asks, as I thumb through the mail. I look up momentarily.
“Why do you ask?”
“It says River Holtz from ten this morning to eight this evening. That seems like a long time.”
“We’re meeting with business owners all day, then we have the council meeting tonight,” I say, focusing back on the pile of mail.
“Do you need me to add an extra scoop or two to your coffee?”
“Make it three,” I answer, walking off to my office.
With Cole out of town again, I spent the entire night mentally preparing myself for what today would bring. A day with River Holtz isn’t my idea of fun, but I’m less leery of it than I would have been after our first meeting.
I’ve studied him the way I study any case. He’s not easy to deal with, but I’m learning how he works. He’s complex. He’s arrogant. But he’s also smart. The last is the characteristic I need to focus on. I won’t let him outwit me because he already has me out-charmed.
Beatrice walks in, placing a fresh cup of coffee next to my computer. “Is there anything else I can do for you this morning?”
I hand her the address for River’s new property. “Can you map all businesses within a four-block radius, and see if you can find the owner’s name for each? I think he intends to go in blind, and that’s not my style.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
I glance up.
She smiles. “I’m not saying anything that’s not true.”
“There may come a time when you know me a little too well,” I admit.
She laughs. “I’ll be back in a while with another cup.”
For a few minutes, I click through my email. My heightening nerves don’t allow me to comprehend the complex legal jargon some of them hold. I answer a few then stare down at my phone, willing Cole to call me. He was supposed to over an hour ago.
Eventually, I cave, sliding my finger over his name. It rings at least four times. “Hey,” he answers, his voice quiet.
“I’ve been waiting for you to call.”
“Sorry.” He sighs heavily. “I was reading through briefs and lost track of time.”
“My day is packed so I thought I’d try and get ahold of you before I left the office.” I pause, turning my chair to stare out the window. “I miss you already.”
“I miss you, too,” he whispers. “What’s on your schedule today?”
I shake my head. “Remember? I’m working with Mr. Holtz. If everything goes well, I’m hoping today will be the end of it.” I talked about it with him on the flight home Sunday. Quite in depth, actually.
“Oh yeah, Mr. Holtz. You’ll do great. You always do.”
There’s a long pause. I stare off toward the ocean, thinking about everything and nothing until the door clicks, startling me. Turning in my chair, I’m surprised to see River standing just inside my office.
“Look, Cole, I have to go. A client just walked in.”
“Love you, baby.”
“Love you, too. I’ll talk to you later.”
My eyes never leave my guest who’s dressed in a crisp navy blue suit, white shirt with the top two buttons undone, and expensive brown leather belt and shoes—the kind Cole works so hard for. River carries the look with ease.
“I hope I didn’t interrupt,” he says, sauntering toward one of my guest chairs.
“You’re early.”
He shrugs, relaxing into his seat. “I was bored, and I’ve noticed you like your coffee, so I thought I could buy you a cup. It’s the least I can do since you’re going to have to put up with me all day.”
“Who said you could barge into my office?”
He smirks. Stupid dimple. “Your secretary was missing so I helped myself.” His eyes stare into mine—too long and far too intense. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your phone call with Mr. Mason, by the way.”
“Something tells me you’re not feeling all that guilty.”
“You’re right, but I did learn something about you.” His elbow rests on the arm of the chair, index finger brushing his chiseled jaw.
“What’s that?” I ask, unable to look away.
“You profess love with indifference.”
My mouth falls open before I realize it. I quickly recover, searching for my voice. “What do you know about love?”
“Enough,” he says simply.
Beatrice walks in with another cup, pausing momentarily when she sees River. “I didn’t see you come in, Mr. Holtz. Can I get you a cup of coffee or a glass of water?”
“Actually,” he replies, “I’m going to take Marley out for a good cup of coffee before our first appointment.”
Beatrice’s eyes narrow in on him. Well, this ought to be good. “Are you inferring something about my coffee?” she asks.
He throws his hands up. “Absolutely not. Your coffee is excellent.”
She rolls her eyes before walking out. There’s no doubt in my mind she’d eat River alive if he did me wrong. The woman scares the shit out of me sometimes when I hear her on the line with clients who haven’t paid, or the rare few we’ve dropped because they’re too hard to handle.
As soon as the door closes, River’s attention is back on me. “If you ever decide to fire her, send her my way. I could use a gatekeeper.”
“Not happening. And she’s not a gatekeeper,” I say, shaking my head.
“Let’s go get that cup of coffee so we can get started on Project Kiss Some Ass.” The part of me that wants to argue is silenced by thoughts of sitting alone with him in this space.
“Let me pack up my things.” I stand from my desk, stuffing the pile of briefs in my bag. From the corner of my eye, I catch him staring at my chest as I bend to pick documents up from my desk. “Something got your attention, Mr. Holtz?” The temperatures were starting to heat up earlier so I unbuttoned the top of my sleeveless black blouse. River wasn’t on my mind when I did it, but it might work to my advantage if it’s going to throw him off.
If he’s embarrassed, he doesn’t show it. “I can’t help it if your chest is level with my eyes.”
I ignore him as I finish packing and power down my computer. We could spend all day going back and forth, but we wouldn’t get anything else accomplished.
“Ready?” I ask, walking around the corner of my desk. His eyes journey down to my legs as soon as they’re within his view. The emerald green pencil skirt and black heels weren’t the best options either. He follows me out the door, standing close behind me when I stop to say goodbye to Beatrice. I feel the warmth of his body on my back.
“I won’t see you until morning,” I tell Beatrice. “If anyone important calls, send them to my cell phone. I’ll try to check my voicemail when I get the chance.”
She looks at me like I’m crazy—as if I’m jumping from the tenth story of a building or hitching a ride across the country with a complete stranger. Can’t say I blame her.
I step into the elevator, hitting the button for the parking garage, but River leans over me, pressing the one for the lobby instead. “We’ll take my car. There’s no use taking two.”
“And I suppose you’re going to drop me back off here after the meeting tonight?”
“Good inference. Did anyone ever tell you that you’d make a damn good lawyer?” he teases.
“A time or two.”
The door opens to the lobby. His hand presses to my lower back, guiding me forward. I swear his fingers curl against my shirt as we wait for our turn in the revolving door. I don’t mention it because it’s not that big of deal. Or
, maybe I don’t want to make it into a big deal. I search for his Escalade, but the oversized car is nowhere in sight.
“Over here,” he says, guiding me to a fancy-as-shit sports car.
“What is this thing?”
“A car,” he remarks, opening the passenger side door.
I turn toward him before climbing in. “I’m a lawyer, remember? A damn good one.”
He grins. “It’s an Aston Martin Vanquish. I only take it out on special occasions.”
“Today is special?” I ask, carefully sliding into the seat.
He ignores my question, closing the door and running around the front of the car. He slips inside and turns his body toward me. “You’re going to make me a whole bunch of money today. No pressure.”
“I don’t crack easily.”
For the next fifteen minutes, I relax into the leather seat as we move through downtown. The sun shines bright, lending a clear blue sky. I used to spend days like this on the beach … with Cole, but we haven’t even done that in a long time. Simple moments mean everything to me; I just haven’t experienced many lately.
“We’re here,” River announces as he parks in front of a little coffee shop I recognize from the list of area businesses. I glance over at him. He winks.
“I don’t waste any time. Figured we’d kill two birds with one stone.”
“Not a bad idea,” I remark, climbing out of the car with my leather bag in hand. “Do you want to talk strategy before we go in?”
“No, I figured we’d drink a cup of coffee and discuss it. We’ll hit them up on the way out.”
I nod, making my way toward the quaint little coffee shop that sits at an intersection. The tables outside are full, but there are two open inside.
“Grab a table, and I’ll get us some coffee.”
I lift a brow. He can’t possibly know what I like to drink.
He smiles. “I know more about you than you think.”
I stare at him. His smile falls slightly. It’s not worth the fight; he can bring me a decaf with extra cream for all I care.
I pick the table in the back corner, pulling my notebook and a pen from my bag while I wait. In law school, I practically lived in coffee shops. Memories come flooding back, but I push them away because some are only reminders of how far I’ve fallen.
