Laws of Love

by Schultz, JT

  Abby woke to the sunlight pouring in through her window and turned her head on the pillow. It smelled like spicy musk, expensive, and like Jack.

  Jack!

  She sat up in bed and glanced around. He was dressed and slipping on his suit coat. The top buttons of his dress shirt were open. He looked incredibly gorgeous.

  “Morning.”

  Jack grinned, moved over to the edge of the bed, and had a seat. Leaning in, he brushed his lips softly against hers. “Good morning. I hated the thought of waking you. You looked so beautiful.”

  She smiled. “I would have to get up for work anyway.”

  He kissed her lips again. “Not a problem. Unfortunately, I have to get to work as well.” His brow furrowed. “When can I see you again?”

  “How does tonight sound? I can make dinner here.”

  His handsome face lit up as his mouth curved into a smile. “It sounds wonderful.” Again, he kissed her lips and desire twitched between her legs.

  If he kept kissing her, she was going to strip him naked and bring him back into bed with her. “What time?”

  “What?” She shook her head and giggled. “Sorry, I was thinking.”

  “I can only imagine what you were thinking about.”

  She lifted her brows. “I’ll show you after dessert. How about seven o’clock for dinner?”

  “Marvelous. I’ll see you then.” Jack kissed her lips then winked as he stood and walked out of the bedroom.

  Smiling to herself, she glanced at the clock. Perfect, she would be able to go into work early today, as she had plenty of paperwork preparation on a new case. It was going to be a great day.

  The front door closed and she quickly hurried to the shower. Within record time, she was dressed in jeans, a blouse with a blazer, and was on her way to the office. Grabbing a coffee at her favorite coffee shop on the way, she made her way towards the office through the thick stop and go traffic.

  Normally, she hated the L.A. traffic, but today it hadn’t even fazed her. She kept thinking of Jack and how it was weird the way things worked out sometimes. Glancing at the run down office building, it reminded her how sometimes the impossible was not so impossible, and that things worked out certain ways for a reason.

  “Good morning, Marcie,” she greeted her secretary.

  “Morning, Ms. Crosby. You look good.” The older woman peered over the top of her thick rimmed glasses. “Really good. I like the color in your face.” Her eyes sparkled and her brows lifted. “Don’t tell me you actually had a date.”

  She sipped her coffee and decided to keep her friend in suspense for a moment. “Originally no, but by the end of the night, yes, and I’m seeing him again. Maybe my luck with men is improving.”

  Marcie winced. “I don’t think so. Mr. Frost called. Turns out he’s the attorney for Hunter Industries and told me—rather rudely I might add—to have you call him immediately and that he really doesn’t want to deal with your bleeding heart bullshit.”

  She paused. “Yes, those were the words he used. Your mom called, and Mrs. Burlington phoned to say she has to cancel her appointment again because the baby is still sick.” Marcie flipped through some notes on her desk then returned her gaze to Abby. “Also, she said if you don’t mind going to her, she can meet with you at the house.”

  She sighed and thought of Mr. Anthony Frost. “You realize, out of all the attorneys in the state, they chose the one attorney who hates me with vengeance?”

  Her secretary’s lips thinned and she nodded with an apologetic expression. “You shouldn’t have broken up with his son.”

  “His son was a controlling ass who is already on his third marriage.”

  Taking another sip of her coffee, Abby cringed, thinking of her ex-fiancé. “Marrying him would’ve been an extremely bad move on my part since I would’ve ended up just like his first wife.” She shuddered and a knot formed in her stomach. “No thanks, the selfish jerk has turned into the marrying man since we split. He certainly didn’t waste any time on finding a replacement for me.”

  She turned on her heel and headed to her office, thinking of Mrs. Burlington. She sighed. “Can you get Mr. Frost on the phone so I can tell him exactly what this bleeding heart bitch is going to do to Hunter Industries?”

  “Abby?”

  Marcie never called her by her first name unless she was getting maternal on her. Apparently this was going to be one of those times. She paused and looked at the woman who had worked for her for years. “Yes?”

  “You aren’t letting your personal feelings interfere, are you? You know this is just business?”

  Sighing, Abby glanced around the office. She’d come a long way from her humble beginnings. “Business is personal, Marcie. Get the old bastard on the line.” That was the end of the subject and she headed into her office. She wished the day was over and that she was sitting over a great dinner with Jack. Smiling, the darkness that had tried to settle over her quickly vanished as she brought his handsome face to mind.

  Jack strolled into the office late and couldn’t have cared less. Smiling at the secretaries, he headed to his father’s office with the full knowledge that he was grinning like a fool. He didn’t care. He was in an incredible mood and counted down the hours and minutes until he could see Abby again. It dawned on him that he’d never gotten her number so he couldn’t call her. He’d remedy that tonight, as well as find out where she worked so he could send flowers.

  I wonder if she’s into roses or wild flowers.

  His mind flashed to the night he’d spent with her and his grin broadened. He knocked on the door then walked into his father’s office, not surprised to see Anthony Frost, his father’s attorney, sitting on the expensive sofa, talking on the phone with a folder spread out in front of him.

  “Good morning, son, how are you?” His father stood by his desk and waved him in.

  “Fantastic. How are—”

  “You listen to me, Ms. Crosby. You have no idea who you’re tangling with. I’ll make damn sure I rip you to shreds. Richard and JW Hunter are not willing to stop their project because some poor people will have to relocate and find other housing. Life is hard—they should know that considering the rat’s nest they call a neighborhood.” He paused then continued with more bitterness and terseness in his voice. “By the time my client is done with them, they will be grateful.”

  Shoving his hands into his pockets and turning from Mr. Frost, he looked at his dad. “Is he dealing with the Gibson Project?”

  “Yeah, those court papers you were served yesterday are going to throw a real wrench into the shopping center and high rise plan. I guess the people found a sucker attorney to take them pro-bono.”

  “Wonderful! A lawyer with a conscience. Personally, I don’t trust them. I think they’re all sharks.”

  His father nodded then set his jaw. “We have a good one.”

  “I don’t know who the hell you blew to get a hearing so soon, but I’ll see your ass in court. Better tell your clients to start packing.” Anthony all but shouted into his cell phone then slammed it shut. “Bitch!” He scowled and nodded towards Jack. “You look good, JW.”

  His mind brought the image of Abby this morning before he left her place. She’d looked amazing and he’d used every ounce of control not to ravish her again. “Thanks, I wish I could say the same about you. I take it things didn’t go well?”

  “No, the plaintiff’s attorney is a demonic legal nightmare. She won’t back down and I have no clue whose dick she sucked, but she’s pulled some strings to get a preliminary hearing for Thursday.”

  “No, reschedule. It’s a long weekend, Friday is the holiday, and nothing will be open. We’ll lose days if we have to file or counter anything.” Jack shook his head, this was unacceptable—this project was his pride and joy. “No.”

  “Apparently, she is screaming Human Rights and is willing to bring some heavy hitting Ethnic Rights activists.” After delivering that news like he would a death sentence, A
nthony gathered up his files. “She’s a real fireball and a vicious opponent. I have to go; you guys take care and I’ll place some calls and see who can put a stop to her.”

  “This woman sounds charming,” his father noted sarcastically. “Do whatever you have to. I refuse to lose a multi-million dollar deal because some woman wants to piss with the big boys.”

  Anthony rose and shook his head. “It’s worse than that. My guess is the little bitch is taking this personal. She grew up white trash in a foster home in that neighborhood. Made one hell of a name for herself and sunk her teeth into the corporate world as an environmental lawyer. She made huge money on a case that paid her millions. She’s a tough cookie; just be thankful I know all about her. She’ll do whatever it takes to win and will stop at nothing.”

  “Get her under control, and I don’t care what you have to do. That includes getting on the phone with whoever you have to at City Hall.”

  His father’s words, for some reason, made him think of Abby. She was fun and smart and he thought of the way she had given out money to the people in the neighborhood. Maybe she knew something about this attorney. If anything, Abby would be able to lighten his mood since despite his great evening and excellent start to his day things had turned stormy, souring his mood. He could only see things getting better where she was concerned. Not only would it be a good night, but he had no doubt, an enjoyable one.

  Chapter 4

  Abby was happy that the day was almost done. Something about dealing with Anthony Frost always left angry and unsettled. Traffic moved slower than a group of tortoises lumbering uphill and didn’t improve her mood. How dare Anthony speak to her like she was trash, and who the hell did Hunter Industries think they were?

  If they went in and built their monstrosity of a project, there were going to be many people without affordable housing. The price jump in rent even six blocks over was three hundred or more a month.

  It was companies like Hunter Industries that had caused her to leave big business and use her law degree for something good. She’d made millions in the environmental battle and now, since money wasn’t an object, the least she could do was improve the lives of others. What did she care about the money? She had lots and by working for next to nothing or often for free, she was paying it forward.

  No, the neighborhood wasn’t the nicest, but she had grown up there, and after bouncing around to several foster homes, she had ended up with a woman named Anna Crosby. Anna had adopted Abby six months after she had gone to live with her and Abby never looked back, only forward. She had a mother who loved her and believed in her enough that she graduated high school and went on to law school with full scholarships.

  Eventually, she moved her mother out of the neighborhood, but neither one of them forgot their friends and remained in contact. She thought of Mrs. Burlington, a friend of her mother’s and another foster parent in the area. The woman’s stress level was high with a sick three-month-old baby and now the fear that she would have to move to an area she couldn’t afford.

  Maybe Marcie is right.

  Abby had taken this case personally. She shook off the negativity of her day and the weight that wanted to settle on her shoulders as she walked into her apartment and got ready for dinner with Jack.

  Jack.

  Now there was a man completely different from the other guys she had dated in the past. Jack was sweet and caring, even though his clothes indicated he was in the corporate world. His demeanor seemed down to earth; he was great in bed, and of course, drop-dead gorgeous.

  She slipped on a short, fitted, black dress and twisted her hair up. A knock at the door scattered her thoughts and her stomach fluttered. As she hurried to the entrance of the apartment, her lips curled into a smile. She turned the knob and opened the heavy oak door. “Hello.” Her stomach fluttered again just from the sight of him standing there, looking down right delicious.

  Jack stepped in through the door and raked his gaze over her. The look was slow and deliberate. Pursing his lips together, raw lust heated his dark eyes. “You look incredible.”

  “I’d have settled for a honey, I’m home,” she teased and stepped toward him. She took the bouquet of roses from his outstretched hand.

  “You look this sexy too many evenings and I will be saying it.” He enveloped her waist with his arms and carefully, so as not to crush the flowers, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “You sound pretty confident about that,” she whispered as her body came alive against him.

  “I always get what I want.” The husky tone and the intent expression on his face hinted that he wasn’t teasing. She caught her breath. He looked truly powerful in his crisp and expensive suit. Somehow, he managed to come across more gorgeous than seconds before. Her breath stopped in her throat and her lashes fluttered closed as he lowered his head.

  Jack tasted incredible and she parted her lips. Inviting him into her mouth, she pushed her breasts harder against his chest. His arms slid from her waist and his hands slid down her back and over her butt. Her body hummed at his touch and she moaned softly as his velvety tongue slipped into her mouth.

  Cupping her soft, round butt in his hands, he groaned and pressed her hips to him. The bulge in his pants indicated his arousal, and just thinking of how he felt inside her the night before dampened her thong with desire. She lifted her lips off his and opened her eyes. “Now do I get a hello?”

  He chuckled. “Hello.” Letting go of her, he stepped back.

  She glanced at the roses and lifted her palm to his cheek. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

  “You’re beautiful.” His hand took hers and lowered it from his face. He kissed her fingers then smiled. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you all day.” Something in his tone hinted he’d had a day similar to hers.

  Her grin vanished and she studied him a moment, hoping he would open up. “Have a long day?”

  “Oh yeah, one of the worst.”

  Abby tossed him a wink. “Poor baby.” She reclaimed her hand and her smile returned. “I picked up a bottle of wine on the way home.”

  Reaching up, he loosened his tie and undid the top button of the dress shirt.

  Taking the opportunity, she touched the skin of his neck. Everything between them seemed natural despite the short time they’d known each other. “Why don’t you open the wine and tell me why your day was so bad.”

  Again, his hand took hers. He slipped her palm to his chest and held it there. The steady rhythm of his heart beneath her touch made the moment more intimate—more personal and she stared up into his dark gaze.

  His long lashes blinked. “I don’t remember the last time someone ask about my day.” His other hand reached out and brushed a wisp of hair off her face that had escaped from the twist.

  She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and her heart skipped a beat. There wasn’t any mistake. Jack was different. “Well, it looks like you’ve had a long one, and I thought you might want to talk about it.”

  His eyes scanned her face as if memorizing every detail.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” Nervous jitters fluttered in her stomach.

  “I was just thinking that I’m really glad you hopped on the bus yesterday. Maybe later I can convince you to wear just the ears.” Wiggling his brows, they both laughed.

  She withdrew her hand and leaned into the roses. Abby inhaled the scent and savored the aroma. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had given her flowers.

  “Maybe.” Turning, she walked towards the kitchen. “Could be fun.”

  Jack chuckled and his footsteps followed close behind. “I love a woman with an imagination.”

  Jack had to admit, the welcome from Abby had improved his day significantly. Impressed by her choice of wine, the fact that supper smelled wonderful, and how the apartment had a comfortable and welcoming feel, he started to relax. He opened the bottle and poured two glasses, then passed her one.

  She smiled and to
ok the goblet. “Thank you.”

  He allowed his eyes to rake over her again. She was beautiful, and from what he could tell, as taken with him as he was with her. “Thank you. After my day, this is a welcome relief.”

  Abby sipped her wine, then checked the rice and then back at him. “Your day—why don’t you tell me about it.”

  Where to begin?

  He should ask if she knew that attorney, but for the life of him couldn’t remember the name. The more he thought about things he wasn’t even sure he’d asked Anthony what her name was. He’d make it a priority to do that tomorrow.

  Crosby, was it? Crosby what, though?

  He shook his head. “I got news yesterday that could cost me a lot of money. Today was much worse and I don’t think there is anything anybody can do right now. It’s over some land we own.”

  Why was he telling her this? She was gorgeous, a wonderful supper was almost ready, and all he wanted to do was touch her. “How was your day?”

  “Mine was rough too. I thought of you several times, and I have to be honest, I’m really glad you came over tonight.” The warm smile she sent him relaxed him further,

  Jack sat his wine glass on the counter and stepped closer to her. “So, why was your day bad?”

  Sighing, she blinked up at him. “I had a run in with my ex fiancé’s father. The man hates me with a vengeance for dumping his son. His son, of course, was a control freak who hated that my career really took off and I was making a lot of money. The fact that I eventually made more than him caused problems and we broke up.”

  Who wouldn’t want a successful woman?

  He shook his head. He thought of the women he’d dated in the past and understood what it meant to be successful. People either wanted something or resented the fact. “The ex and his father sound interesting.”

  “You have no idea. Because I moved ahead in my career quickly, and was good at what I do, they accused me of horrid things—things I wouldn’t ever do. Unlike them, I have ethics and am honest in my dealings.” She cast him a crooked grin that gave her a mischievous demeanor and in turn making her sexier than hell. Her head tilted to the side and she pondered a moment. “I always said that my ex-fiancé hated my success and always felt inferior because he was unfortunate enough to have a small dick.”