Indiscretion

by Anderson, Callie

My fingers danced over Anthony’s name. I could just annoy him, but I knew from past experience that Poochie always delivered whenever I asked for information, so if he had dirt on Evan, it was worth the wait.

  I smiled, thinking of how grateful I was for Poochie. My freshman year of high school, Poochie had been my savior and my first real friend. Mom was between husbands, and we had enough to get by, but food in our house consisted of rice, eggs, white bread, peanut butter, noodles, and Spam, and most of the clothes I wore were from thrift stores. “We’ll get through this”, my mother would say. Don’t we always? She was right, we did get through it, but it gave the other girls in school a reason to taunt me. Girls were vicious. I was picked on for weeks straight about my clothes and the apartment we lived in. It wasn’t until Poochie stepped in and defended me that it all stopped.

  Shaking the memories of my adolescence out of my head, I looked down at the file in front of me. I had my new file for Venturini v. Seymour ready to go. Evan was a thirty-one-year-old mortgage broker with a love of gambling, alcohol, and women. I had a list of all his favorite bars and lounges, a list of the last twenty clients who abruptly left him, and a full report on his family and previous relationships.

  I was proud of the cheat sheet tucked in my oversized workbag. This was a proper cheat sheet. Not like that crap I got my first day. And when Poochie provided me with the information he found on Evan, my cheat sheet would be perfect.

  * * *

  The elevator taking me up to Sarah’s was nearly closed when it slid open again. Great! Now it will be another two minutes before it closes again. I stepped to the side, closer to the corner to allow the person in, and scrolled through my phone to locate the text message Lila sent me with the time and address for tonight. It wasn’t until I felt my heart pound that I looked up. My head snapped in his direction, and I saw those hazel eyes burning bright like the golden sun. A cunning smile appeared on his face the same moment my breath caught in my throat.

  “Katherine, what a pleasant surprise.” His voice was smooth and seductive, causing my palms to sweat.

  “You have to be kidding me,” I muttered.

  I never believed the saying that there were six degrees of separation between humans, the belief that all the humans in the world were six or fewer steps away from each other. Of all the buildings in New York, he had to be there. And of all the lawyers to be the defense attorney on a case, it was him. It was always him. Six degrees, fate, or bullshit. But everywhere I went, his presence was known.

  “Hello, Cole.” I looked at him for a brief second before turning away. I tapped my foot in hopes it would mask the thumping sound of my heart.

  “What are you doing here?” I quipped annoyed that I was caught off guard.

  “I live here.” He walked toward me, and I instantly closed my eyes. His scent was overpowering, driving the butterflies in my stomach crazy. Knock it off. Where was the liquid courage I had the night I met him? Every time he got near me, I became a mess, whimpering and gasping for air. What happened to that confident woman I tried so hard to portray?

  He tapped his key card over the electronic pad behind me, lighting the button for the top floor. I took a deep breath to regain my bearings. Every ounce of self-control I had, I used to avoid his gaze. But my efforts were in vain. I was drawn to him like a moth to the light.

  Breathe, Katherine.

  “No. This isn’t the elevator we too—”

  “That was a service elevator. I only use that one when I we go through the garage.”

  “Oh.” I felt like a complete fool.

  “Are you here to see—”

  “The Smiths,” I said with a firm voice. I met his gaze. “I’m not here for you, I didn’t even know you lived here.” I internally kicked myself for rambling.

  “Sarah and Edward Smith on Fifteen?” I nodded. My voice was gone. It had lodged itself deep in my throat. “Can I convince you to come up with me instead?” He bit his lower lip.

  “No, you know we can’t. You’re the defense attorney on the case. You and I will never happen.” I looked away, focusing on the numbers as they lit up the electronic display, waiting for the elevator to stop on my floor. Almost there.

  “We don’t have to talk about the case when we’re together.”

  “Cole . . .”

  His name rolled off my tongue like velvety melted chocolate. Every step he took toward me caused the oxygen to escape my lungs a little faster. His eyes undressed me slowly. “Katherine,” he murmured.

  “We can’t do this,” my voice was barely a whisper.

  “But you never saw the view from my bedroom.”

  “I don’t want to see your stupid view,” I blurted, and shook my head as I tried with all my might to not be lost in him again. The elevator doors opened, and I walked out, hoping he wouldn’t follow. I didn’t know if I could turn him down again.

  I stood in front of Sarah’s door and shook my hands in hopes that the anxiety I felt would fly off my fingers. When my heart rate returned to a normal rhythm, I knocked gently on her door.

  “Katherine!” Sarah greeted me with a warm smile. I heard rapid footfalls coming from the little rug rats.

  “Kat!” Noah bellowed.

  “Come on in. They’ve been waiting for you,” she said, opening the door wider.

  Though I worked for Sarah while I was in college, she had become a friend. There were times when we sat around and watched the kids play and caught up on life. When she offered me a glass of wine, I made myself comfortable on the couch. I knew I wasn’t leaving yet.

  An hour later, I was tipsy and fully caught up on all the gossip Sarah had on her friends. With my cell phone in my hand, I sent a message to Lila that I was on my way home before she questioned my whereabouts. When the elevator bell finally rang, I moved forward. If I ran home, I still had time to paint my nails before the gala. With my eyes on the screen and my chipped nail polish, I walked into the cart, but my head snapped up when I realized someone was already in there. My eyes met Cole’s, and I cursed under my breath.

  “You’re fucking with me right?

  This must be a cruel joke. Not only was Mr. Off-Limits in the elevator again, but he was also freshly showered, shaved, and wearing a custom fitted tuxedo with a beaming smile from ear to ear. He stood dead center, daring me with his eyes to enter.

  How many times does this elevator run throughout the day? What are the chances that I get stuck in here with him twice in one day? The universe was sending me a big “fuck you.”

  I cleared my throat and stepped inside, bowing my head. I cracked my knuckles and waited for the slowest elevator door ever to close.

  “We have to stop meeting like this,” he said, rubbing his forefinger and thumb down his chin. Even from my peripheral view, I could see how slowly he moved his hand on his face.

  I met his gaze. “Funny, I was thinking we have to stop meeting at all.”

  “Why?” He chuckled. “What fun would that be?” He smelled like forbidden fruit—the kind you bit into and then let the succulent juices slide down the side of your mouth.

  “Well, for starters, you’re trespassing into stalker territory,” I said, and he laughed. “And this thing between us is not happening,” I whispered, unsure whether I was telling him or myself.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  I tucked loose strands of hair behind my ear, hoping I looked somewhat presentable. “Sure.”

  “You’re a woman who grew up in Newport, graduated top of her class at Northeastern, is acing NYU Law, and landed one of the most prestigious internships in the city. How do you know Sarah?”

  “Stalker boy has been checking up on me, huh?” I crossed my arms over my chest defensively, anticipating his reply.

  “A little,” he admitted. A boyish grin appeared on his face, and I found myself staring at a dimple I hadn’t noticed before. When he caught me staring, he winked at me. “And I might have paid the security team to tell me when you left Sarah’s ap
artment so I could make sure we were in here together.”

  Blushing, I tucked my hair behind my ear again and studied the descending numbers on the panel. “You haven’t dug deep enough.” I didn’t know why I said that. I didn’t want anyone digging into my past, especially not him. “I moved to Newport my sophomore year of high school. When I moved to New York, I needed a job that had easy hours, Sarah was hiring a nanny.”

  He moved closer. His proximity made the hair on the back of my neck rise on end. “Have dinner with me? You can tell me about it then.” Luckily, the elevator stopped, and the door opened.

  “No,” I said, walking out. “Besides, you look like you already have plans.” I stopped to look at him one last time and admire the form-fitting tux that hugged his muscular frame.

  “I’ll cancel. Just say yes.” He followed me into the front lobby.

  “Good night, Mr. Rhodes,” I shouted back to him, hooking my thumbs into the belt loops on my jeans. When his hand wrapped around my upper arm, I almost lost the last bit of poise I had.

  “This is fun for you?” he asked. “You like to act as if this is a game, but I was in that elevator with you on Monday. I know how quickly your pulse raced when I touched you, and I know for certain you were soaked by the end of it. You can play now, Katherine, but I do plan on tasting you again.”

  He leaned down and kissed my cheek, which burned from both his warm touch and embarrassment. He pulled his lips away from my skin and walked directly into a waiting black limo without looking back at me. When I saw him leaning down, I had expected his lips to meet mine, but instead, he left me speechless—and breathless—on the sidewalk.

  8

  Katherine

  There was no time in my schedule to squeeze in workouts.

  Skipping the sweet treat, I pulled water from the fridge and marched to my room. I didn’t have much money, but I was one hell of a bargain shopper. I spent many months obsessed with the obituaries and where the best estate sales were in Greenwich. Thrift stores were my best friends when I needed a quick outfit. I spent many years making sure I had enough in my closet so that I could be dressed for any occasion.

  I grabbed the beautiful hunter green Chanel dress out of my closet, my favorite snag from my fifth estate sale. I’d never had a reason to wear it before tonight, but when someone took your hundred-dollar offer for a Chanel dress, you left it in your closet for the perfect day. It wasn’t in season, but it would have to work.

  The sweetheart bodice hugged tightly around my breasts, elevating them and letting my ample cleavage out to play. I arranged my hair in spiral curls then loosely braided it into a low side bun. With my lips parted, I applied mascara, taking my time to make sure it didn’t clump.

  “God damn! You look hot, mama,” Lila said as she walked into my room. She looked stunning in her satin, cream-colored Valentino dress. Hers was directly off the runway, sent by Caleb earlier in the week.

  “Speak for yourself. You look gorgeous, my friend.” I rotated my finger, urging her to turn around. “The perks of having a rich boyfriend, I see.”

  “Correction. He and I are only friends, so perks of having a rich friend,” she said with a mischievous smile.

  “Friends, my ass. None of my friends ever buy me the stuff he buys you.” I turned back to the mirror to finish applying my mascara. “And according to the restaurant review in the paper. The owner of the new ‘it’ restaurant in Midtown was happy with the grand opening and was even seen sharing an intimate kiss with his girlfriend.” I quoted the article to her. “He loves you, Lila, and he loves showering you with lavish gifts. When are you going to admit you love him, too?”

  She walked over to my dresser and took the lip-gloss from my makeup bag. “You know I don’t have time to commit to him. He’s only in New York now because of this restaurant. But we both know this is just a hobby for him. Once he’s bored here, he’ll open something in Miami or LA,” she said, and I could hear the hurt in her vice. “My main focus has to be my career and not him.”

  “Yeah, but what happens when he’s tired of waiting around for you? You’ve shut him down on numerous occasions.” I closed my mascara and reached for a nude lipstick.

  “He knows where I stand. I don’t have time to commit to him full-time. He knows he can go if he wants, and what we have is just for fun.”

  “If you say so,” I said before applying a final coat of lip-gloss. I knew that if Caleb really left her, she would be devastated. “What’s the Gala for again?”

  “The Hunterton’s foundation, I think. The woman that runs it and Caleb’s mom are friends, and apparently, her foundation throws these lavish parties to raise money for a few different hospitals around the city.”

  “Does that mean you’re meeting Caleb’s mom?” I teased and blotted my lips.

  She rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at me. “I’ve met her before, but no, she is sailing the Mediterranean at this very moment.”

  “Are you two ready? Caleb is waiting for us.” Ben popped his head into my bedroom. He gave Lila a soft kiss on the cheek before walking over to me and kissing the back of my head. “Damn, Kat, I’m gonna have to fight the men off you all night.”

  “Right?” Lila said, adding fuel to the fire. “Her sexy, vixen kitty cat has emerged.”

  My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “The both of you knock it off. Come on, we’re going to be late.”

  * * *

  Caleb was waiting for us downstairs, champagne flutes in hand. He was a rare catch, extremely wealthy but never flaunting that he had more than anyone else, and incredibly hot.

  Lila’s hair changed with the weather, but it was never too bold. She always made sure it complemented Caleb’s light features, even if she’d never admit to that. He was much taller than she was, lean and fit, not muscular, with ash blond hair and light green eyes. They both looked like cover models.

  The limo stopped at the red carpet, and the cameras flashed once Caleb stepped from the car. He reached for Lila’s hand and escorted her out, clutching her to his side, ensuring every picture was taken of them together. Ben climbed out behind Lila and turned back for me. The cameras continued down the red carpet, following Caleb and Lila, ignoring Ben and me—the nobodies.

  “Madam?” Ben joked, bowing and extending his hand.

  “Why thank you, kind sir.” I tried my best southern accent as his lips softly kissed the back of my hand. “What does a lady have to do to get some attention around here?” We both laughed.

  Ben held my hand as we strolled down the red carpet. We didn’t get photographed, but we were asked to walk slowly so that the press had enough time with Caleb. When we were halfway down the carpet, a new limo pulled up, and the mob of photographers rushed to catch the new arrival. Ben and I looked at each other and then behind us to see if we knew who the newcomer might be. I shrugged at him before we caught up to Lila and Caleb.

  The ballroom at the Waldorf Hotel had been magically transformed. One section was dedicated to a silent auction, and the other side boasted a lavish bar with high tables for mingling. The adjacent room was filled with dinner tables, a dance floor, and a jazz band. Ben and I made our way to the bar area while Lila and Caleb checked out the silent auction items. We stood near a high table, and a cocktail waitress approached with two flutes of champagne.

  “To the good life,” Ben said. We clinked our flutes and sipped the top-shelf bubbly. Ben pulled me closer and whispered in my ear, “So, should I act like the overprotective boyfriend or the loving best friend? I can do either.” He winked.

  I leaned my head on his shoulder. “How about the loving best friend? And if I need you, you can totally act like the crazy psycho boyfriend.” He kissed the top of my head.

  “Loving best friend is easy to do.”

  High-pitched giggles accompanied a small crowd of people as they moved to a nearby table behind us, and a group of women and men surrounded someone we couldn’t see. Ben and I continued to look, hoping to catch a
glimpse of a celebrity. When the man in front of me moved to get his drink from the cocktail waitress and created an opening in the crowd, my eyes immediately connected with yellow-hazel irises, and I gasped for air. Cole was staring directly at me, his jaw hard.

  And the award for the person with the worst luck goes to . . .

  Ben lowered his lips to my ear. “That’s the Rhodes heir, right? Caleb said they’re friends but I’ve never met him in person. Is that him?”

  I couldn’t answer him. My eyes were glued to the man who had left me breathless outside his home. Cole’s sly smile vanished, and a look of what I assumed was anger appeared on his face. I managed to pull my eyes from his long enough to take in the group surrounding him. He had women lined up to talk to him, including a stunning brunette who had her perfectly manicured hands wrapped around his bicep.

  “Katherine?” Ben spoke softly into my ear. “Do you know him?”

  I brought my eyes back to Cole’s one last time before facing Ben. “Please be overprotective boyfriend. The overbearing, psycho, doesn’t ever leave my side, needy type.”

  “You sure?” He looked back toward Cole, then back at me. “I can feel the heat flashing between you two,” he whispered softly. “Is he the guy from the club? He was there that night.”

  Lifting up on my toes, I brought my lips mere centimeters from his. “Ben, my love, that’s Cole Hunter Rhodes. The one I almost slept with. The one who pinned me in the elevator, not to mention the one who is the defense attorney on my case. So please, overly-jealous, stalker tendencies boyfriend.”

  Ben’s hand held my face, then he pecked my lips softly before kissing my cheek. “Your wish is my command,” he muttered into my hair.

  My body relaxed for a split second before my skin began tingling. This only happens when he’s close. I closed my eyes, preparing for his voice or his touch.

  “Katherine,” Cole said.

  My knees weakened and sweat began to form on the back of my neck. I spun to face him, and the woman latched to his side. Ben cleared his throat, reaching for my hand.