by Taryn Quinn
At a loss, I picked up the carrier and tried to gently shake him out. He did not budge. Even with only three legs, he was hanging on for dear life. I’d have to remember to mind his claws if he became annoyed, because he clearly knew how to use them.
I set the carrier down and went to get his food dish. It probably wasn’t healthy to be bribing him on night one, and he was probably not as hungry due to his goodies from Ryan.
And I wasn’t thinking about any of her goodies anymore tonight.
I put the small dish outside Smoky’s open door. I waited five minutes, but he did not come out to investigate.
Okay, then. I had other things I could do with my time. Smoky would come out when he chose. If I was him, I’d need a while to process that Ryan wasn’t my new owner too.
Or something comparable to the plight of a horny human male.
Apparently, one of the things I had to do was to call my brother. It was hard to say which of us was more surprised.
“Pres, what’s wrong?”
I forced myself to relax in my leather wingback chair and studied the carrier on the floor. From the way Smoky had affixed himself to the back, you couldn’t even tell there was a cat inside. Considering his size, that was a feat. “Nothing. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you haven’t called me since the last presidential term? Possibly before that. You usually act as if a text is imposition enough.”
I didn’t have an answer for that.
“Not to mention, it’s past ten. Aren’t you usually in bed by now? Early riser and all that. Up before dawn to make your mogul millions.” He laughed at his own joke, but I didn’t.
“I’m not that predictable.”
“Since when?”
Since a certain someone made me wonder if I shouldn’t be.
“Being predictable is overrated.”
“I’ve always thought so. What’s up? Need advice on women? I knew she had you all twisted up.”
I nearly denied. Or deflected. Both at the same time wasn’t out of the question. But Dexter had a way with women I would never have.
“I don’t like being a remedial student.” I gripped the arm of my chair until my knuckles were bone-white.
I expected Dexter’s quick bark of laughter. When it didn’t come, I waited.
“You’re kidding me, right?” His voice was surprisingly soft. “The great Preston Shaw, needing help at anything? You aced every class. Dated all the most desirable girls, until you moved on to the next. Now you’re one of the most successful divorce attorneys in New York. You collect fat retainers like candy.”
I was struck speechless. He couldn’t see me that way. I certainly did not.
“You’re the best, Pres. You always have been.”
I searched for my voice. “It takes all my time. I don’t know how to do anything else but work. It’s like I’m Dad’s machine. He pointed me in the direction he wanted me to go and I just…went.”
“He pointed you because he knew you wouldn’t let him down. He never even considered asking me.” Dex’s laughter was too sharp. “Good thing I never minded being in your shadow, because God knows I’m not destined to step out of it.”
“What are you talking about? Women flock to you. Your little black book is a phone book with extra pages stapled in.”
“Right. Because you can’t get dates if you really wanted them.” He chuckled. “Come off it, man. You give off an air of being too important for us mere mortals. Don’t blame people for noticing and giving you your space.”
When I didn’t reply, his voice dropped an octave. “Getting a little lonely up there in all that rarefied air you breathe in your house high on the mountain?”
“It’s not a mountain. Just a hill.”
“It’s a goddamn metaphor for all the rest and you know it.”
“No, I really don’t.”
He laughed again. “I live right in the center of the square.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
“Ah, there’s the irritation. You held out longer than I would’ve given you credit for.” He paused. “I need people around me. Especially women. I enjoy them. You always made fun of me for that. Actually, no, correction, you never spoke enough to insult me. Just gave me that famous cold-eyed sneer that is so effective in a courtroom.”
I put my phone on speaker and set it on the side table so I could lean forward and drop my head into my hands. My tie tightened around my throat so I dragged it off and let an article of clothing drop to the floor for the first time in my life.
Fuck Ralph Lauren.
Just fuck all of it.
“I didn’t want any of this,” I said when I could speak again. “I wanted to go to LA and live on the beach and represent drunken rockstars against their tyrannical record companies.”
“I suppose that sounds wild to you, but you know, most people want to be a rockstar, not their attorney of record.”
I had to laugh as I loosened the top few buttons on my shirt. The air against my still too hot skin made me think about kissing Ryan, wishing she’d seen more of me—and that I’d definitely seen more of her. I was wishing entirely too much tonight.
“You know, Pres, you can have that. You can just quit tomorrow. Get a place out there. Start a new firm and hang out your shingle, if that’s really what you want. Live, man. You only get one life, but you get a hundred chances to do it over.” He exhaled. “As for Dad, just fuck him. He never gave you the option. Repay the favor. It’s his fucking firm. Not yours. You don’t owe him shit. And if you ever did, you paid off that debt years ago.”
“I don’t want that old dream anymore. I don’t,” I repeated when he made a derisive sound. “But I do want something else. I need it.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “My buddy Jared from college needed help with a paternity case last year. He found out he had a little girl with a woman he’d had a fling with, and now she’s his legally. A happy ending, you know?”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“But in my line of work, I hold a blowtorch for people to raze everything around them.”
“Still could make for a happy ending,” Dex argued. “Staying in a bad marriage is worse than walking away.”
“It is. Not every divorce I help litigate is worthy of a reality TV show. But far too many are. I need to walk. Especially now that Dad is having a fucking affair.”
Once the words were out, I braced my hand against my forehead. My brother had gone deathly silent.
“I’m sorry,” I said finally. “I didn’t mean to spring that on you.”
“You didn’t. I knew.”
“You knew?” The question exploded out of me as I glanced at the carrier. I didn’t see anything. Either Smoky was still Velcro-ed to the back or he’d slunk away when I wasn’t looking.
The food dish was empty though. Hmm. Well, hopefully, he would find his way to the litter box on his own.
Cats didn’t make a habit of going to the bathroom just anywhere. I hoped.
Dex sighed. “It’s not the first. Mom knows. She’s known for a while.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“You should. I confronted him about it over a year ago, and he was unrepentant. He told me to go ahead and tell Mom, that she’d just tell me to mind my business.”
“I don’t believe it,” I said again. “He could’ve been bluffing. How did you find out? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why would I tell you? How often do we talk?” He let out a bitter laugh. “Imagine if we didn’t work in the same damn office? I wouldn’t have a clue what was going on with you. Hell, I barely do now. And you barely know what’s going on with anything beyond your briefs.”
“Hey—”
“Legal, son. Not the ones you wear. If you focused more on those, you’d probably be a hell of a lot happier. But then again, that’s what has you all messed up, huh? She’s a fucking knockout.”
“She’s my assist—” I swore and cut myself
off. “If you breathe a word about this to anyone, I will carve your nuts off and feed them to my new cat. Not that he’d want them.”
“Whoa, new pussy? You?” I could hear the smirk in his tone. “New pussy on a couple fronts, I’m guessing.”
“Watch it. And no. We haven’t slept together. You’re my fucking brother. Isn’t there like an honorary oath that you have to be the keeper of my confidences?”
“No, and you’ve told me nothing in confidence.”
“Getting there.” I rubbed my jaw. “Tell me it’s not wrong to do this.”
“I can only surmise what ‘this’ is, but she’s not going to be your assistant for much longer. And hey, if you quit, two birds, one stone.”
I knew he was kidding. Of course he was. Ryan was supposed to work for me for just two more days and then April would be back. If we broke any rules now, they wouldn’t matter in the span of a weekend.
Besides, a lot of these so-called rules were artificial constructs. Outside her very limited time engagement at the law firm, I knew our relationship wouldn’t influence her employment. Other than the fact she was already proving herself to be indispensable to me—both in and out of the office.
But then I started to smile. No, I started to fucking grin.
“You know what? You’re right. Thank you. I’m sorry I ever called you a manwhore.”
“You didn’t. At least to my face. Wait,” he said when I would’ve clicked off to go find my cat. “What the hell are you doing, Pres?”
I took a deep breath. “Making a choice.”
Fifteen
Thursday
Card of The Day: Embrace: King of Swords & 3 of Cups | Release: Death
“Balls.”
I stared at the cards on my kitchen table next to my super-sized mug of Morning Mojo tea. Sleep had been elusive. I was still wound up from seeing a new side of Preston yesterday. The guy behind the suit who had an affinity for animals in need. Who also had a sense of loneliness in his eyes that made me ache.
I didn’t have time for that nonsense.
But that didn’t seem to matter to my hormones or sleeping habits. My bed was all tangled sheets, and two of my pillows had ended up on the floor by the time I’d finally given up on pretending to sleep. And now I had all that King of Swords energy waiting for me today.
It could be for me, since I was locking shit down. But I’d bet that freaking card was for Preston.
“Two more days. You can do this.” I tapped the Three of Cups. Maybe I’d get together with the girls this weekend and decompress. Some wine and Luna would do me some good.
The Death card was my real worry. Majors weren’t just little pats on the ass. They were a slap to the back of the head and usually meant something major—duh, Major Arcana—but I was tired of all these major life hits. I had two days left and then I could get back to my life.
I glanced at the drawing on my desk, with the little cat face peering in the window.
The one I hadn’t touched in two days.
The one I’d been avoiding. I’d only drawn it eleven times now.
I swooped up the cards and set them on my altar. I tucked the death card behind my skull. “Keep me from doing anything super dumb today, huh, George?”
I finished packing my bag. The temperatures were supposed to soar today, and I’d dressed in an unusually short dress. Nothing indecent, but the air laid heavy on me and I’d been tempted to take another shower before leaving for work.
“Enough waffling, Moon.” I reached for one of my lighter crystals off the jewelry tree in the window. I chose rose quartz and citrine to settle my crazy mind and a few obsidian and silver rings for protection.
Protection from what, I so wasn’t going to say out loud.
Even to myself.
I had enough time to stop into The Honey Pot and got a sugar-charged six-pack of donuts. My phone chimed that a delivery was waiting for me at work.
My lips twitched. Preston’s coffee had finally come in.
“Need anything else, Ryan?”
I glanced up at Dre, the owner of the shop. Behind her was an obnoxious mug with a closeup of a llama with no drama scrawled on the inside lip. “I’ll take that too.”
Dre turned. “The llama?”
“Yes, definitely.”
She rang it up and quickly wrapped it in newsprint, then tucked it into a white handled bag. I handed her my card and smiled.
“That smile seems a little sinister.”
“Maybe.”
Dre shook her head. “Preston is a good guy, you know.”
I gripped my wallet more tightly. “How do you know it’s for him?”
“You’ve glanced over at his building three times.”
“I have?” I frowned and looked again.
“See?”
“I’m just seeing if I beat him to work for once. I wanted to do it at least once. Since I’m usually late.”
“Sure. Early.” She handed me the bag and my card.
I glanced outside to make sure there wasn’t another speeding biker in my future, then stopped at the door. “Oh, did you ever see that hot guy that came in last time I was here? I felt…something.”
Dre blushed. “He’s been in a few more times.”
“Talk to him.” I pointed at her. “I have a good feeling.”
She waved me off. “Have a good one, Ryan.”
“Don’t forget to call me for a reading.”
“I won’t.”
I hustled out and across the street. I was a good thirty minutes early for once, which had never happened to me in my life. I was either on time or five minutes late for pretty much everything. Early wasn’t my style.
It wasn’t as if I was eager…much.
I stopped in at the mail drop and sure enough there was a box from PMS’s fancy coffee place. I tucked it under my arm and headed for the elevator. In between juggling my parcels and not paying attention to my surroundings, I bumped into the senior Shaw at the threshold of the elevator.
He moved back and straightened his suit jacket. Even in this wilting heat, he was crisp and buttoned up. “Miss Moon, watch yourself.”
I readjusted my purse on my shoulder and forced myself not to stiffen. I really didn’t like this guy, or the way he reminded me of all the men who came in and out of my life. Suits and oily smiles with no backbone. I shouldered past him and slapped the button.
“I am one of your superiors, you know.”
I gave him a tight smile. “When hell freezes over,” I said just as the door started to close.
He gave me an icy glare and stormed off.
I dared him to try to pull rank on me. I was pretty sure Preston would stand up to him about it, simply because he really didn’t want to be without an assistant.
Sure, that was the reason.
I ignored that little voice and stalked off the elevator. The lights were on and Dexter was on the phone at my desk. I set my things down.
“What are you doing over here?” I asked as he hung up.
“Solicitor calls started coming through. I’m not sure who actually says yes to these robo-calls about an extended warranty on your car.”
I snorted. “Yeah, I have at least one of those a day. Did you turn on the phones early?” I took a peek at my phone and saw that I was still very early.
Dex sat on the corner of my desk. “Yeah, good ol’ Dad’s assistant did. Evidently, her qualifications don’t include actually handling the phones.”
I sat down and kicked the box of K-cups under my desk as the elevator opened again and Preston’s long-legged stride ate up the waiting area.
“Miss Moon?” He checked his watch. “It’s nice to see you on time this morning.”
I swallowed my gasp and managed to smile. How he was wearing a three piece suit in this heat, I had no idea, but it was ridiculously fitted and made him look taller and broader somehow at the same time. I cleared my throat. “I even brought gifts.” I unearthed the box of pastries and too
k a moment to collect myself.
Dexter snatched it out of my hands. “Oh, Honey Pot? You are a goddess.”
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my legs, feigning a relaxed vibe even as my pulse boomed in my ears. “You both finally realized this when it’s almost my last day.”
Preston’s gaze flicked down my legs and he swallowed, then met my gaze. His dark eyes were intense and far too focused for my liking. “Did you happen to find my coffee pods on your way up?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
Dex shot a look at me with a raised brow, then went back to the box and plucked a Boston Cream from the bunch. “Thanks for the morning sugar, Sugar.”
I rolled my eyes. “Enjoy.”
Preston watched his brother walk away. “Did he want something?”
I stood and let my dress float around my hips. “Have a Honey Glazed, PMS. He was just handling the phones.”
“Oh.” He tapped his fingers on the corner of my desk. “I shouldn’t.”
“You should. I’ll see if I can find your coffee.”
“Oh, would you?” His face brightened. “I’m getting tired of the ones you found for me in the supply closet. They’re good, and I appreciate it, but…”
“They’re not what you like.” I nudged the box farther under my desk.
His gaze drifted to my mouth. “No. Not what I like.”
I did a cursory scan of the room to make sure we were alone, then leaned forward to slide my fingers down the buttons of his vest. “A little warm for this, isn’t it?”
His tongue flicked out to wet his lips. “It’s a summer blend.”
“Is this because of what we talked about yesterday?”
“It’s simply the next suit in my closet.”
“Sure.”
He gave me a wolfish smile, then took a donut. “Meet me in my office, Miss Moon. I have some correspondence you need to attend to.”
“Shall I bring my steno book?” I called after him.
He didn’t reply, just shut his door behind him.
The fact that he assumed I would follow him like a docile little kitten annoyed me enough that I pulled out a pod of his coffee and stuck it in my pocket. Knowing it was so close to him and yet so far made me hum a happy little tune.
