“Fine.” I agreed before pivoting on my heel and making my way back to the bull pen.
Dylan had more staff, handled more high profile clients and cases, and provided the most opportunity for growth in my career, but I didn’t want to return as his associate only because we had sex. I wanted Dylan to respect me as a legal professional and to trust me enough to have me as a member on his team.
When James guided me to my private office a few paces away from the bull pen, I knew that more than my brain had to do with the change.
I walked into the beautifully decorated office, while James waited at the entrance with bated breath.
“Is everything to your liking?” he asked eagerly.
I placed my purse down on the mahogany and glass desk and looked toward the large window filtering in sunlight. The gold and mahogany vases and knick-knacks glistened under the rays.
The office was smaller than the one I had seen in my dream, but it was gorgeous. It was everything that I wanted. It was everything that I had expected, except that it didn’t feel like it had in the dream. The office felt wrong.
I turned to James and smiled.
“Thank you James. This is very nice.”
James handed me a folder.
“Mr. Hanson instructed me to give you this case. If you have any questions or need any help, just dial my extension and I’ll be right here.”
I nodded slowly feeling as though I had been sucked into an alternate universe.
I sifted through the information that James had given me. The lawsuit was pretty interesting and had a labor focus, one of my favorites.
I settled into the posh office, but didn’t feel at ease. It was like house sitting for Ariel. My stuff was there. I knew where everything was, but it wasn’t mine.
James popped up every hour or so. I had expected to see Dylan, but as usual he didn’t do as expected.
The desk phone startled me when it rang. I hadn’t noticed it nor heard it all day. Unsure how to answer I did the best that I could.
“This is Yvette.” I stuttered.
“Come to my office.” Was all that the deep voice rumbled before the call was disconnected.
The day had gone too smoothly. I should have been prepared for the speed bumps.
When I stepped into Pete’s office, he stood.
“What can I do for you Pete?” I asked tersely.
“I already told you what you could do for me.” he responded. “You didn’t seem to like that idea.”
He moved closer.
I took a step back, almost to the hallway.
“That’s not why I called you here.” he said. “I’m done with that notion and I’m done with you too.”
He handed an envelope to me.
“I want you out of here for good by the close of business today.”
“What?”
I was stunned.
“You’ll never amount to anything here, and while you have you a nice ass, if I don’t get to see it or use it, your services are no longer needed.”
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
“The only reason that you are still here is so that Dylan can pump you as needed.”
My heart sank but my anger boiled.
“You will find a non-disclosure form binding you from speaking of the event. Also the settlement offer is more than fair. We compensate our whores well. Return the paperwork via courier at our expense. Do not set foot on my premises again.”
12
Dylan
I had sent James on a mission. His objective: intercept Yvette before she made it to Pete’s office and discreetly deliver her to the office I assigned her. She hadn’t returned my calls. I wasn’t sure when she would return to the office, but I knew that she would return. Yvette had wanted a mentor, support, and the opportunity to learn. James, who had no interest in women sexually, would be able to provide that for her. An office of her own would safe guard her from ridicule, if any were to arise.
I was feeling pretty smug about my plan until I walked into the office that I had someone so elegantly decorate for Yvette and found it empty. Leads on the Hunter case and meetings had kept me busy most of the day, but I had fully intended to see Yvette.
James was by my side in seconds, before I had to find him.
“Where is Yvette?” I questioned in a tone that didn’t hide my annoyance.
The constipated look of pain that crossed his face let me know all that I needed to.
The greeting area was empty as usual, so I easily made it to my father’s office undetected.
Yvette was standing in the doorway impeccably dressed in a form-fitting pencil skirt and a tucked in chiffon shirt. Her perfume lingered in the hall. She was hard to miss. I just had to follow the intoxicating smell. Seeing her after what had seemed like an extended absence nearly caused me to forget why I had come upstairs to begin with. I had seen beautiful women before, but poised grace and … my thoughts came to a stop as I heard my father’s voice.
“Do not step foot on my premises again.” my father boomed.
I noticed the familiar envelope in her hand instantly.
My father had always been a prick; he just hid it well. Money covers a multitude of sins. Women who worked for my father didn’t last very long, because his attention span didn’t last very long. He would send them off on their unsuspecting way with an envelope full of cash and a glowing recommendation for employment. None of the women knew that any personal recommendation from Pete Hanson, stamped with his personal seal, was just a whore stamp on stationary. Accepting a dismissal settlement from Pete Hanson was a proclamation to other firms of being a certified freak in the sheets.
I snatched the envelope from Yvette’s hands.
Her gasp and my father’s smirk let me know that neither of them had been aware of my presence.
“Dylan. Of course you would come running.” my father sneered. “Did you plant a chip in the girl when you fucked her?”
“Only the one that you wished you could have put there.” I retorted.
“I sneeze in her direction and you show the hell up.” He shook his head. “Are you worried, son? Scared that there may be competition?”
I stepped in front of Yvette and moved toward my father. I wanted to make sure that he saw what I was going to do and my meaning behind it.
I ripped the envelope in half and laid it on his desk.
“Where my employees are, is my business.” I let him know. “And make no mistake, Yvette is my employee.”
This seemed to amuse my father. His laughter filled the room.
“I guess you grew an inch overnight and you’re feeling tall this morning.”
“What I do at night is none of your concern. Neither is who I do. It may have been your name that started this company, but recognize that I keep this motherfucker moving.”
His eyes narrowed at that.
“You’re nothing more than a drunken mistake and a six-second regret.” he spat. “Remember who created you. I’m not dead yet.”
“We’ll see.” I snapped before exiting with Yvette in tow.
The whole building was a shrine to that man. The people here worshiped his every word and footfall. I couldn’t forget who started the company if I wanted to. Even if he died, Pete would rise and haunt my every waking moment if I ever for a second neglected to acknowledge his contributions.
We didn’t walk fast, but the pace wasn’t leisurely either. It felt natural for Yvette to be next to me.
I had thought my relationship with my father had been strained before the disagreement over Yvette. However, the possibility of losing this case and taking a huge financial loss, added additional pressure to what I was already under.
“You alright?” I asked.
Yvette was quiet during our entire walk back to my office. I didn’t poke at her. It had to be difficult being caught between my father and I.
“Thank you.” she finally spoke in a voice so small it was barely audible.
/>
“I’m here for you.”
She scoffed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked trying to hide the fact that she offended me. I had just stood up to my father for her more or less.
She shook her head at the question as though that were somehow an answer.
“I appreciate what you did in there for me.” Her mouth turned up into a weak smile. Her eyes were sincere when they found mine.
“You work for me and me only. I’ll take care of Pete.” I reassured her.
Yvette nodded, but I doubted that the she fully understood what I was trying to tell her.
“Thanks again.” she said offhandedly, her words floating in the air as if unimportant.
It bothered me that she seemed so sullen. I was reluctant to enter my office without a kiss or touch from her. I stood admiring her alluring curves as she walked away from me. I couldn’t help but be envious of her office chair which would have the awesome benefit of holding her.
My office felt cooler than normal and I no longer found satisfaction behind my expensive desk. The place where I had once felt most comfortable and at ease was becoming less so.
James was in my doorway before I could call for him. We had worked together for a while now, so he had a way of knowing when to show up.
“Is there anything that I can help you with?” he asked.
“Set up a conference call concerning the labor case with Yvette as the lead. Send me the information once you’ve confirmed.”
He nodded. “Anything else?”
“Yes.” I sighed before pulling a folder from my desk. “You take the lead on the Armstrong case and the office next to Yvette’s as well.”
His hands dropped to his side.
“Wait. What?” He looked thoroughly surprised.
It wasn’t often that I got to be the good guy. James had worked hard and truly deserved a promotion. Plus, I needed him to support Yvette. I didn’t fraternize with my employees, but I knew they could and would talk. Hanging around Yvette’s office every day, even as a mentor to her, the rumor mill would likely be running rampant with the belief that I was screwing her. She didn’t deserve that and I didn’t want that for her. There had already been enough speculation as it was. James would never be me, but he could give her a good foundation with my crafting.
“Loyalty and dedication are two very elusive characteristics. I thank you for both.”
“All right. You’re welcome.” he replied excitedly.
My father had many characteristics I had admired him for as a child. However, his treatment of women was not one off them. Sex had been around before sliced bread, but there was a time and a place for everything. My father never learned this lesson. He even went so far as to install an apartment off his office for convenience. Work, eat, sleep, and fuck. All neatly at hand.
Shortly before Yvette’s conference call was to end I patched in. I wanted to go to her office and lay both my eyes and hands on her luscious body, but I knew that would probably lead to me bending her over the desk. I was failing to keep things separate. I justified my need to check on her as a boss wanting to monitor the performance of an associate.
When I heard her voice on the line, I knew that my well-check was about much more than monitoring how well she could handle a case. I was ready for her to handle my cock again. Anyway that I could connect with, even in the smallest of ways, would have to suffice until I could get her alone again. It would have to wait until I could get her away from the cock blocking building.
“The deposition is set for next for week. Before such, I would like to meet with you face to face.” Yvette said in a commanding voice.
I was drawn to her. Each well spoken word thickened my dick. Her acute efficiency with the client was sexy as fuck.
“An injunction will slow the spread of the video.” she continued. “I can have a judge sign an order before the end of business today.”
I imagined her lips forming each syllable and her tongue darting in and out of her mouth. The girl knew how to use her mouth.
The call ended too quickly for me. I could have listened to her legal speak for hours. My hand found its way into my pants. Her intelligence caressed me, her assertiveness stroked over me in waves stoking my need to be inside of her.
Before I could bring myself to a much needed release, there was a knock at my door.
“Who is it?” I growled with my dick in hand.
“It’s me. Yvette.” Her voice was smaller than it had been on the phone.
I quickly made sure that everything was in order, myself included, before inviting her in.
“Enter.”
“I need to talk to you.” The words came from her lips soft but they were hard to hear.
The sight of her was too much. Her sultry voice coupled with her sassy stance in front of my desk had me at full attention.
“Make it quick.” I spit out the words before clearing my throat. I knew that I was being short with her, but I needed for her to either strip or scurry. Her standing in front of me was dangerous for both of our reputations.
“You know what?” she stated with an attitude that hardened my dick even more. “I’ll just ask James.”
When she turned to exit, I released the breath that I didn’t even realize I was holding.
“So much for ‘I’m here for you’” she mumbled on her way out.
She was angry, but I would rather her be upset now than a victim of company gossip later. It really worked to her advantage for people to see her frustrated after leaving my office. That’s how most people felt when they left.
13
Yvette
I felt my composure shatter when Dylan dismissed me with his curt statements. The same man who had gone through the trouble of telling off his father for me couldn’t even find the decency to say three kind words to me when I needed him too. I had wanted to thank him for the opportunity to lead a case and show off my skills. I had wanted to get his opinion about the best judge to approach concerning my new case. I had wanted to be a team, to work together. He obliterated that idea with one look. Being a jerk just seemed to be a habit that Dylan couldn’t break.
Although his demeanor had crushed my feelings, it had done nothing to dash the desire rushing through my traitorous body for the rude man. Even though his staff treated me abominably, the thought of him possessing my body instantly created a flood of desire to pool inside my panties.
Walking into the solitude of my office was an unexpected comfort. At the least I didn’t have to share the bullpen with the guys anymore. I had my own space to wonder about the sexy man who made me hot in more ways than one. It was a really nice space that any person would be proud of.
James popped his head into my office before his body followed.
“You busy?” he questioned.
“Not at the moment.” I sighed.
I could have been busy. I could have been doing a million different things to tie up loose ends for the case, but my mind spun around Dylan in such a dizzying way that it left me unable to focus.
James moved his fist forward and I bumped it with my own.
“You rocked that call.” he said with a flair that I hadn’t noticed before. It was the first time any of his attributes had made me wonder about his life outside of the office. I hadn’t seen James enthusiastic very often.
“Thanks.” I smiled at James. “I’m glad you were around to set the conference up.”
“Well I’ll be next door to you from now on. So if you have a question or need to pick my brain, just hop on over.”
My face revealed my lingering skepticism about his sudden change in attitude. I was sure that Dylan was behind James’ offer of support though.
James moved in closer.
“I was asked to help you out.” he stated plainly. “But you’re a really good lawyer. I apologize for not noticing that before.”
Quitting time snuck up on me. After speaking with James, I had gotten so wrapped up in my
case that the time had ticked away without me being aware of it. I had to stay focused on the case. If my mind was given any freedom it would wander to the man who had forgotten about me. Dylan hadn’t bothered to check on me the rest of the day.
I gathered my belongings. Purse. Briefcase. Cell phone. Keys. Left behind were the picture of my Aunt and my dancing daisy. I felt optimistic about the future again.
My car looked lonely in the parking lot. There were a few stragglers, but mostly everyone had left.
“You shouldn’t be walking out here alone.” A familiar voice called out.
The sound halted me. The panty melting tenor of it was smooth enough to record and play on repeat. No other man had affected me in that way. I didn’t have to see his face to feel vibrations of want ripple through my body.
I closed my eyes with the experience of knowing that looking at him inspired a greater reaction from my clitoris than his voice.
The nearer that he stood, the better that he smelled, and the hotter I became.
“I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.” I replied. I finally had to open my eyes.
I didn’t look at him directly though. I couldn’t bear to see another rejection cross his handsome face.
Silently, I counted the number of yellow lines in the parking lot.
He had been an ass earlier that day and I wouldn’t give him the benefit of my attention. At least not purposefully.
“Look at me.” he requested softly, sounding like someone other than the gruff, tin man executive who lacked a heart.
I wanted to hold onto my anger. I wanted to hold onto that hurt that I felt when he disregarded me, but it was like trying to fist water.
“I’m sorry about earlier.” His finger slid across my cheek. The shiver started there, where his finger pulsed against my skin, but made its way through my body.
He guided my face toward his with a gentleness that I remembered from being in his home.
My eyes fell onto his and I was lost in the feelings of want that radiated through them. The grudge was gone, scorched away by his hot tenderness.
Game Winning Catch: (Secret Baby Sports Romance (Pass To Win #5) Page 23
