“Oh, don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll make sure that you’re taken care of come bonus time. Meanwhile, let me show you just how grateful I am…”
Miles started to undo the buttons on my blouse, but I was offended and pushed him away. “Don’t, Miles. Just don’t.”
“What’s wrong, babe?” He seemed genuinely confused.
I couldn’t believe it. “You know, all this time, I thought we had something special.”
“We do—why would you think otherwise?”
“Because we don’t.” I was so disgusted with him, but most of all disgusted in myself. “What we have is a married man taking advantage of his position and thinking that he can have his cake and eat it too. Well, you know what, Miles? You can’t have it all. Not anymore. I can finally see through to the selfish bastard you really are. You never had any intention of leaving your wife for me, and why would you? Not when I was stupid enough to give you everything you wanted on a platter. Well, it ends here: the ignorance, the lies, the secret hotel affair, all of it!”
“Rebecca!”
“No, Miles. It’s over!” I turned to walk away. “Oh, and you don’t have to worry. I’m not going to tell anyone about us. Your secret’s safe with me. But if you cause any problems for me at work, any at all, then all bets are off. Do you understand?”
“Becca! Would you please calm down.” Miles tried to pull me into his arms, but I resisted and backed away.
“Do you understand?”
“Yeah.” He looked deflated. “Whatever you say.” He dropped back onto the bed, shaking his head, and wouldn’t look my way.
I took that as a cue to leave.
I walked out of the hotel room with my head held high, surprised at just how happy I was to be free of him once and for all. But the thought remained, and it was the only thought that mattered. What now?
Eleven
I decided to drop by the office on my way home to see if I had missed anything important while I was away. It was late. Most people had left for the day by the time I arrived, which was a good thing, because when I saw that I had an email from Devon, I couldn’t stop grinning and I didn’t want anyone to see.
Hey,
So I’ve been thinking, and it turns out that I need to come to California for an important meeting. I’ll be arriving tomorrow and I was hoping that my favorite rival lawyer would free up her schedule to accompany me to dinner? I do have a little proposition that I think you might be interested in, and I think it’s best discussed in person in case you have any questions.
Would 8 o’clock suit you?
Devon
I didn’t give it second thought. My fingers flew over the keys as I sent my reply accepting his invitation to dinner. I couldn’t shake the feeling he coming out just to see me, making some excuse that there was an important business meeting. Maybe to save face or not to seem to desperate? Whatever the reason, he’d just made me incredibly happy.
#
I could barely focus on work the next day. All I could think about was that I was going to see Devon later that night. I’d thought long and hard about what to wear and what to say. I wanted to make a good impression without seeming like I cared too much. After all, it could really be just a business meeting. I could be wrong about Devon wanting to see me again, I mean in the context of why he wanted to see me. Just because he was rich and he could do anything he wanted, didn’t mean that coming to California for a date was something he was interested in.
So in the end, I went for a slightly more casual look than the last time we went out, an understated, sexy look. Dressed in a flower-printed black shift that flared from my waist, I strutted in red pumps that matched my signature lipstick. The shade Devon particularly liked.
He was waiting for me outside one of my favorite restaurants, Sam’s Seafood House—they had the best paella in the whole city.
“Rebecca.” Devon smiled. “Looking gorgeous as always.”
“Thank you.” As I approached him, he kissed me on the cheek. “You don’t look too bad yourself, mister.”
Devon was wearing a fitted grey jacket with a light blue shirt that had the first couple of buttons undone. I found myself having to resist the urge to touch him. Kiss the little triangle of skin peeping through, remembering the feel of his chest pressed against mine, his breath brushing gently on my neck.
“Rebecca?”
I blinked, being yanked out of my thoughts by Devon calling my name and looking concerned.
“Are you all right? Shall we go inside?” A sly little smile spread across his face.
He held the door open for me, as a gentleman should, as I waved to the waiter, who knew me by name. I’d eaten here too many nights.
“Your usual table, Rebecca?” he asked.
“Yes please, Paulo.” He led us to a table by the window with a great view over the city.
“Wine?” Paulo asked.
“White, thank you. Devon?”
He nodded. “White would be fine.”
As Paulo went off to get our drinks, I turned to Devon. “I can’t believe that you’re here. I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again.”
“Yeah, I figured that from the speed with which you left the penthouse.” Devon didn’t smile when he said it.
“I am so sorry about that. I really am. I was in a bit of a mess. I didn’t know what to think. Sleeping with you was the last thing I expected.”
“And now you’re regretting it?”
“Oh God, no.” The words were out before I could stop them, and my hand flew to my mouth once I realized what I’d said. “I mean, that was one of the best nights of my life, if not the best. In fact…” I looked straight at him, so he knew that I was serious. “It was so good that I came home and immediately broke up with Miles.”
“You didn’t.”
“Yep, I did.”
The look of joy on Devon’s face surprised me. I knew he felt Miles was bad for me, but I didn’t think he cared that much either way. “Well, that makes what I’m about to say potentially even more interesting, then.”
“Really?” I was intrigued. “Do tell.” I leaned forward.
“Well, as you probably noticed, Dad hates losing at anything. When you beat him with Leeson, he was absolutely fuming, but once he calmed down, he came up with an idea…” Devon took a sip of his water, obviously nervous. “Ahem. How would you like to come and work for Caesar and Krause?”
“What? And be lost in some big corporate machine? I don’t think so.” I couldn’t believe he’d asked me that. Although I took it as a huge compliment and a true sign of defeat on their part, I couldn’t let Devon know that. “So this was what dinner was all about? You didn’t want to see me at all. You just wanted to try and get the contract from under me in any way you could? You wanted the gold even if you had to buy the goose? Is that it?”
“No, no, no, Rebecca. That’s not what I meant at all. In fact, what we’re suggesting is really rather unique. See, I have a suspicion that the reason why Doug went with you is because you offered him personalized attention, as opposed to, as you stated, the big corporate machine.”
“That’s right. That’s exactly what he needed.” It was no secret.
“Okay, so we don’t want you to become just another cog in the wheel. That’s what lost us the contract in the first place. What we want is to give you complete autonomy when it comes to Douglas Leeson. You’ll be in charge of your own team and you’ll have sole control of Doug’s account. You’ll need to update Dad on your progress, but you hit the nail right when you suspected that he wasn’t going to have anything to do with handling the account. Dad enjoys the thrill of the chase, but the mundane daily details bore him. He wouldn’t interfere with what you want to do at all, and you’ll be given credit for your innovations, something I’m guessing is sorely missing from your current position.”
I had to admit, once again, he had a point.
“Right. Now, you haven’t officially signed the contract wi
th Doug yet, have you?”
“Not yet.” I’d walked out on Miles the day before. I hadn’t had time to look over what Douglas had sent.
“Which means that if you were to jump ship now, you could bring him with you and no deals would be broken. I don’t think Doug really cares which firm he’s dealing with as long as he’s got you dealing with his legal matters from now on. And Doug is loyal to a fault, so with the impression you’ve made he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.”
“Douglas is a nice guy, no doubt about it. It’s refreshing dealing with someone who doesn’t seem to have any kind of hidden agenda and just says exactly what he’s thinking without resorting to lies to siphon information.”
“Touché.” Devon nodded. “Although that wasn’t my intention, I’ll take that blow on the chin. So getting back to what I was saying. In addition to giving you your own team, I’m authorized to offer you a very generous bonus as a welcome incentive, as well as another bonus at our annual review, which is due in only three months.”
Devon scribbled a number on a napkin and passed it to me. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw what he was offering. Six months’ salary as a bonus just to change companies!
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Devon said, “and I don’t want to pressure you into making a decision before you’re ready, but I’m flying back home on the red eye tomorrow evening. I’d like it if you were next to me.”
“It is a lot to think about.” I took a deep breath, still struggling to absorb it all.
“Tell you what—why don’t we ban any more shop talk for the rest of dinner and enjoy our meal? I won’t pressure you any longer or put any kind of expectation on you. We’re just two friends out together, enjoying each other’s company for a few hours.”
“Okay, good.” I was relieved. “That sounds like a plan,”
This time, it was me who made suggestions about the menu, and when Devon took the first bite of his paella, his eyes rolled back in his head. “This is the best damn paella I’ve ever had in my life.” He took a few more bites. “I always say that if you want to get to know an area’s hidden treasures, you have to ask a local to show you around.”
“I know, I’ve been coming here for years. Miles and—” I caught myself. “I’m not going to talk about Miles tonight. The sooner that man is out of my head, the better. He’s occupied my thoughts and my life for far too long.”
“Maybe you should talk about him. Get it all out of your system. Treat me like one of your sympathetic girlfriends, apart from the fact that I’m a man, and tell me everything that’s on your mind. You’ll find that I’m a great listener.”
“I know. It’s what attracted me to you in the first place. But I kind of feel like I’ve already told you everything I need to about him and I want to move on. Who knows when we’ll have dinner again? I’d rather spend our time together getting to know each other better. Like, what’s your earliest childhood memory?”
“A fish tank.” He laughed.
“Really?”
“Yep. I remember distinctly going to visit my grandfather’s house and being mesmerized by all the fish in the enormous tank. It probably wasn’t that big in actuality, but to a small child, it might as well have been the ocean. My grandfather died when I was three, so I can’t remember my exact age, but it would have been from around that time. When he died, I asked my mother what happened to the fish, because I wanted to take them home with us and I would take care of them myself. She told me the fish had all swum away, and I was sad, but I accepted it because I didn’t have a choice. Years later I found out she had flushed them down the toilet.”
I gasped. “Oh no!”
“Yep. My mother, well, let’s just say she could be a cold fish when she wanted. No pun intended. Those fish were probably worth a fortune. My grandfather had some really unusual specimens in that tank. And she just flushed them without blinking an eye.” Devon took a moment to collect himself. “So, what about you?”
“Ah, it’s my turn.” Paulo came back with our wine and glasses, set them in front of us, and began to pour. “Well, believe it or not, my first childhood memory was my brother pushing me down the stairs. I was about two at the time, he was five, and I remember there being blood everywhere from a cut on my forehead that has faded now, thank goodness. He swears to me to this day that it was an accident. I’m not convinced, though. Knowing him, he was trying to get rid of the competition.”
“Let me guess. Your brother’s a lawyer too?”
“How did you know?” I laughed. “Was it his cutthroat attitude that gave it away?”
“Yep, got it in one.” Devon winked.
Just like the last time, our conversation flowed as if we’d known each other for years. We ordered more wine with our food and dessert to give us an excuse to stay where we were. Devon and I talked and talked into the night until we had to finally leave because the restaurant was closing. Neither one of us realized it was so late.
“So what now?” Devon asked, as we stood outside the restaurant doors.
“You want to come back to my place?” It left my mouth, and I regretted it did, sort of, kind of, okay, not really.
“I was referring to whether you were going to accept my job offer or not, but now that you mention it, it would be great to see where you lay your head.”
My eyes narrowed. I knew full well that he hadn’t been talking about the job, but at the same time, he’d kept his word to me. We hadn’t talked business all night, and it was time to give him an answer.
“What happens if I say no?”
“Then hopefully the invitation to come back to your place still stands, and if not I’ll do my best to fly out to see you as often as possible. That is, if you want me to.”
My heart skipped a beat and played a little tune. The little drummer boy had nothing on me. Was Devon saying he actually wanted to date, start a relationship, regardless of how it looked?
“Of course,” he went on, “if you did accept my offer and moved to New York, it would make it so much easier.”
“For?”
“Us to date. This bicoastal thing is doable, but it’s still a pain in the ass.”
“Are you being serious, Devon? I don’t have time for games. If you’re—”
“Rebecca, on my name, I would never lie to you. Look at me.”
I looked him straight in the eyes and knew he was telling the truth.
“Well in that case, I better start looking for an apartment. I heard finding good New York real estate is a bitch.”
The kiss that Devon gave me following my decision said everything I needed to know about his sincerity and just how happy I had just made him.
Twelve
Six months later
I walked into my office. “Any messages?” I asked Gina, my secretary, as I walked past.
“Douglas Leeson called. He wants to book dinner with you for getting that case dismissed. Devon Caesar also wants to see you, and there was another call from someone, but he didn’t want to leave his name. He said he’d call back later. Your mail is on your desk, along with today’s papers.”
“Thanks, Gina.” I walked in and shut the door to my office. The view from my window never ceased to amaze me. I didn’t know how many strings Devon had to pull to get me there in a corner of the building with a view across New York, but I loved looking down at the hustle and bustle of the city.
I picked up the paper, turned to the business section, and gasped when I read the main headline. Lawyer under investigation for embezzlement.
According to the story, Miles had been involved in embezzling money from clients. From what I could understand, if I had stayed at my old firm, they somehow would’ve found a way to do the same to Douglas Leeson, and I would have been under suspicion. Did he know? Was this the reason he wanted me to take the lead on the case? But if so, why would he do business with us at all? So many questions.
The phone rang and startled me.
“Rebecca?�
� It was Gina. “I’ve got Devon Caesar on line one.”
“Thanks, Gina. Put him through.”
“Good morning, gorgeous.” The sound of Devon’s voice always put a smile on my face. Now that I lived in New York, we’d been seeing a lot more of each other, and Devon had started talking about us moving in together. Every time I thought it was impossible to be any happier, Devon always found a way to prove me wrong.
“Hey, sweetie,” I responded. “Are we still on for tonight?”
“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Our six-month anniversary deserves a celebration. Speaking of which, could you come up to my office? I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“Sure. I’ll be there in a minute.”
I touched up makeup in my compact mirror and then walked toward the elevator. Devon’s office was two floors up, next to his father’s, and if I thought of my room as a swank little condo, it was nothing compared to his mansion. One day, I promised myself. One day I’d get one of my own.
His door was cracked open, so I walked straight in, not bothering to knock. There standing next to his desk was a tall man, around six foot one, if I remembered correctly, truffle-brown hair, chiseled, square jaw from his wrestling days, and a little more muscle to his frame than what I remembered. A dark blue suit, exquisitely tailored.
“Rebecca.” Devon smiled. “I want you to meet the new lawyer on your team. Rebecca Bevan, this is—”
“Rick Neill,” I said, not so under my breath. I swooned a little where I stood.
“Oh? You two know each other?” asked Devon, looking confused.
“Rebecca and I go way back.” Rick smiled. “Don’t we, Rebecca?”
“We’ve known each other since high school.” I was unable to tear my eyes away. It couldn’t have been. This wasn’t real. “We haven’t seen each other for years, though.”
“So you’ll have a lot to catch up on, then,” Devon said, looking at Rick then back to me.
“We most certainly do,” Rick agreed. “So if you don’t mind, Devon, I’d like to take Rebecca out for coffee… do a little of that catching up you’ve mentioned.”
The Red Eye (The Red Eye Romance Series Book 1) Page 8
