by Schultz, JT
“I’ll walk you out.” She turned toward the door, but his hand gently caught her arm and spun her around to face him. Looking up, his lips came against hers in a rush of heat. Her body trembled and his lips lifted from hers as quickly as they had brushed against them.
“If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” Releasing his grip, he walked past her and out of the room. She collected herself and followed him down the hall. He walked to the entry, pulled the door open, and appeared as if he was going to speak, but instead crossed over the threshold. The heavy door closed behind him.
Helplessly, she started to cry again.
Jack was more than aware, as he sat in the lunch meeting with his father and Anthony, that there was a conversation going on around him. Currently, he didn’t care. The only thing he cared about was how he felt, which was sick to his stomach and miserable. Make that, beyond miserable.
Seeing Abby cry that morning had confirmed that she was as shocked with this warped twist of fate as he was and equally as upset over the circumstances. He knew he was falling for her and had even known yesterday she would be hard to let go if things didn’t work. Now, their reckless behavior had not only led them to each other, but had put an interesting spin on the Gibson Street project.
“I had a call from the building commissioner.” Anthony sounded pissed. For the last two days that had been his state. “Seems that bitch Crosby is going for blood.”
The pretty attorney was ruining his life, but that wasn’t what grated on Jack. It was the manner in which Anthony spoke of Abby. “Don’t call her that.” He started to get mad.
“I’ll call that snotty slut whatever the hell I want. She’s trouble,” Anthony snapped.
His temper flipped to the surface. Abby was far from snotty, and she certainly wasn’t a slut. “You won’t call her another name if you value your teeth in their current location.”
“JW!” His father was shocked, probably no more than Jack had been earlier this morning in Abby’s bedroom.
She hadn’t dropped the case. Instead she’d stopped their relationship from going any further. The thought didn’t seem right, not when she—they—seemed to be such a good fit. They were good together. He was crazy about her and, somehow, in a matter of days, had started to fall in love with her. Was that normal? No, most likely not, but then again she wasn’t like normal women. She was…incredible.
“What has gotten into you?”
Jack glanced at his dad, then to the food in front of him. He’d lost his appetite.
Where does Anthony get off saying that about her?
He thought back to his conversation yesterday with both Anthony and then Abby at her place before dinner. His mind put the pieces together and he turned from the chicken breast presented so nicely next to the vegetables and focused on the company’s lawyer. “You said you knew Ms. Crosby. Is that from past dealings?” He sounded cold, but didn’t care. “Tell me what makes you such an authority on her that you can call her what you have?”
“She was engaged to my son. They met at law school—”
“You know what, save it. I think I already know how this story goes.” Anthony was the former ex-future father-in-law she had talked about having the run in with. He sighed and lifted his napkin off his lap, then threw it on the table. “I have an appointment.” He rose from the table without waiting for a response.
“JW, where are you going? What are you doing?”
Jack turned and cast his dad a leveled expression. “Not what, who.”
His father lifted his brows and Jack hurried away, fearful Anthony would say something worthy of a punch to his face. Stepping outside, he hailed a cab. One stopped immediately and he called directory assistance, got the address, and gave it to the cab driver. He tried calling her office, but only got her secretary, who informed him that Ms. Crosby wasn’t taking calls. She didn’t have to take his calls; he was going to show up and force her to talk.
Jack wondered if she was still as miserable as he was. He didn’t want her upset, but he wanted to know if she was as crazy about him as he was about her. Last night he had been positive of it, and this morning when she had burst into heart-wrenching tears, he believed she cared. Otherwise why would she be so devastated?
When the cab driver pulled in front of the old, run down building, he looked around and realized it was only a couple blocks away from the corner he had lost her after chasing her down.
He pulled open the door and took in the furnishings. The office and décor were simple, clean, and probably the nicest office on the block. Casting a smile at the older woman behind the desk, he stepped closer. “Abigail Crosby, please.”
The woman smiled. “I’m sorry, she’s busy.” She studied him a minute. “Are you the one who has been calling?”
He nodded and wondered what the older woman had heard about him. “Could you please tell her Jack is here?”
She stared at him over her rimmed glasses. “I don’t know.” She glanced to a closed door nervously before returning her gaze to him. “She told me what happened. She has cancelled most of her appointments today. This isn’t like her and she’s really out of sorts. I’ve never seen her upset like this. I’m sorry, Mr. Hunter.”
Jack sighed and shoved his hand through his hair. “Is she okay?”
The secretary glanced again at the door, then back up at him. Her expression was blank, but she shook her head, confirming Abby was just as upset as he was.
Great, just great.
He never thought he could feel this bad, but he did. “Through that door?”
The secretary blinked. “I don’t think--”
“I know what you think, thanks anyway.” Jack turned and headed to the office. He opened the door. Abby glanced up from her desk with a puffy eyed expression that crossed between sorrow and surprise.
He sighed and hated that she had obviously shed tears recently. “Okay, convince me how I’m wrong and your right because, frankly, I don’t like the way things are now.”
Chapter 6
Blinking, Abby couldn’t believe Jack was standing on the threshold of her office. His gorgeous face studied her and her heart lurched. It couldn’t happen. She had people counting on her. “Jack--”
“No, you’re going to hear me out.” He shut the office door and she stood as he walked further into the room.
Jack looked amazing. Sad, but amazing. He also looked determined, and she wasn’t sure if that was a turn on or frustrating. Maybe a bit of both?
Her chest constricted and her lungs didn’t want to perform the simple task of inhaling and exhaling. “If things were different, I would.”
Throwing the pen in her hand down on the desk, she stepped around to be closer to him. Close was fine, but in his arms, touching and kissing, was unacceptable. As tempting as it was, the situation would go from terrible to excruciating painful.
Jack dragged his gaze from her face over her chest and she suddenly wished she had on a different top than the fitted shirt she was wearing. His continued his studious look as it dipped over her skirt and took in her legs. He gaze drifted up to meet her eyes again and desire smoldered in the dark depths. Her skin heated, despite the cold emptiness in her heart. She knew what that expression led to and missed his touch and the comfort of his arms. Swallowing back nerves, she struggled to speak. “Jack, this is a bad--”
“No! Listen, please. Abby, I’ve not been myself today. I went from living to going through the motions. Then two days ago, I had a really bad day and you hopped on the bus I should never have been on. Monday night and yesterday I was different. I felt different, and all morning since the turn of events in the bedroom, that great feeling is gone.”
Sighing, his strong chest rose and fell. He slipped his hands into the pockets of his suit pants and hesitated then stepped a little closer.
“My clients are suing you, Jack. Not personally, but the company you own.” Her eyes closed and she debated her next words. She opened her eyes and hate
d this. “I wish things were different, trust me.”
“Then make things different, Abby. Show me why this is more important to you than giving what we had going a chance.” He now wore a frustrated expression and pulled his hands from his pockets to toss them heavenward. “I honestly thought we had a good thing.” Lowering his arms, he glanced around her office then cast a stubborn glare. “I told you that I always get what I want.”
“This is crazy, Jack. We haven’t been acquainted very long and…” Her voice trailed. What could she say? That she had cried for an hour before going to work and for another fifteen minutes after she had gotten there? That she had sobbed on Marcie’s shoulder over a man that was special from the moment they met?
“That’s the look I was waiting for Abby.” Jack closed the distance and wrapped her in his arms. Struggling not to give in, her body betrayed her when his lips came down on hers. Her breasts pressed against his chest and his hands slid from her back to the fabric of her skirt covering her butt. She pressed her belly gently against him and felt his arousal. Desire grew between her thighs. Her skin flamed and she met his tongue with her own as his entered her mouth.
Jack’s hold on her tightened and her nipples hardened. Her hands slipped to his chest and started sliding up. He let out a groan and the bulge in his pants grew.
What the hell am I doing?
Bracing her hands against him, she lifted her lips and opened her eyes. She stepped out of his arms and struggled for breath. His lashes opened. Not only was he aroused, but the enemy of her clients. She wanted to cry, not the most professional move, but the one that seemed the most fitting.
“Abby, I like what we had going. I liked waking up next to you. If you won’t drop the case, convince me that I shouldn’t build on Gibson Street. I know you’re a hell of an attorney.”
Despair seeped into her veins. “Things are not always that easy.”
“No, but maybe we’re making this harder than it has to be. I care about you and I’m willing to listen. Just plead your case. This is about us, not Anthony or your clients. It’s about us.”
It is about my clients, and where I came from. It’s about the promise I made to never forget my roots.
Her eyes stung with threatening tears. This whole situation was completely unfair. She was an attorney and everyday her clients and cases reminded her life wasn’t easy. The struggle not to cry again became overwhelming. She wouldn’t allow herself. Why did she feel like there was a hope for them? It was too soon, it was crazy, but maybe…“You’re entitled to have a lawyer here.”
“You’re a lawyer.” His lips twitched. “Anthony Frost is worried, so my guess is you’re very good at it.”
She inhaled a slow deep breath. “I’m also representing the plaintiffs.”
That time, Jack’s lips curved into a smile. “I know, and I’m representing my own interest.”
“Which is?” What did she miss?
“Spending time with you any way I can.”
Abby blinked and tears filled her eyes. How did you respond to a comeback like that?
Jack hated the sadness in her features and had thought for sure that she was going to cry in the office. He didn’t think he would have been able to handle it if she had. As it was, a young mother with a baby on her hip had entered the office as they were leaving. She couldn’t have been any older than sixteen or seventeen. Overhearing parts of the conversation, Abby reassured her she would get child support for her from the father or at least his rich family.
He understood more now what Abby did, but wasn’t sure why he suddenly cared so much. There was no doubt though, he did care and as they walked through the neighborhood and the people greeted her warmly, a different side of her was revealed.
This was not the woman Anthony had described, but instead, an incredible lady, who had touched a lot of lives. Abby told him little tidbits about people they met, but nothing too revealing. “So, I heard from Anthony—”
Her brows shot up and she shook her head. “Ah yes, your legal counsel.”
“And from what I understand, your almost father-in-law.”
She nodded as they continued walking. “Yeah.” She glanced up at him. “So, what did you hear?”
He studied every detail of her pretty face, and decided maybe showing up and getting her out of the office had helped. As difficult as the situation was, he already felt better and could see hope of them taking a chance at working through this. “He mentioned you grew up in this neighborhood.”
“I did. In the system until my foster mom adopted me.”
Her honesty touched his soul and warmed him. “Does she still live around here?”
“No, although she still takes in foster kids.” She flashed a small smile. “Not for the money; she doesn’t need it.”
Jack grinned. “Because you made a ton of it and had to share with her.” Chuckling, he adored her, and her generosity was one of the things that attracted him to her.
“Yeah, I did help her out, but she likes kids and says it keeps her young. I think it’s because she loves making a difference in people’s lives...” Stopping, she turned and studied him carefully.
“At least I know where you get it from.”
He grinned and glanced to the park behind her. The grass was green, the play equipment new, and kids were laughing and playing. The small section looked almost out of place compared to the rest of the block. Why hadn’t he noticed this before? He stepped around her and took in every detail and the happiness of the children. “I don’t remember seeing this when I came out here the last time.”
“Understandable,” she assured. “Most people overlook it.”
Jack turned and blinked at her. “This is really nice.”
Joy dusted her strained features, relaxing them enough to bring a small smile. “I’m pleased with it. It didn’t always look like this.”
“Hi, Ms. Crosby.” A young boy greeted them with one of his feet on a skateboard. He stood next to a younger girl on a bike.
“Hi, Abby!” The young girl waved.
Her face lit up and all traces of grief vanished. She looked genuinely pleased to see the children. “Hey kids. How are things at home?”
“Good, the baby is better. But we have to get going or we’ll be late,” the girl called as they hurried off.
Abby turned, still wearing the warm expression. “Mrs. Burlington, a woman in the neighborhood here, is their foster mother.”
He glanced around again, still in awe about the park. Nothing about it was cheap or shabby and the design was reminiscent of something you would see in an upper middle class or gated community. “Tell me about this.”
“I played here when I was younger.” She tilted her head to the side. “Let me try that again. When I’d run away and couldn’t handle being in the house, I came here. It was old and rusty and the grass was here was dead. I told myself, if I ever came into money, I would make it pretty and new so kids who were sad could come and be happy.”
His smile faded as her words sunk in. She had stayed true to her word. “Abby, this is unbelievable.” He paused and weighed his words. “Then again, so are you.”
“Don’t even go there,” she whispered while her blue eyes darkened with grief. “Come on, there is more I want to show you.”
He caught her by the wrist. “Do you realize how much this land is worth?”
“Do you realize these people can’t afford to live anywhere else?”
Her words stopped him. Standing there, blinking at her, he saw another side of the woman he truly adored. One completely different from anything he had ever known and he liked it—a lot. The sound of a seagull above, birds chirping in the trees, the distant laugh of a child filled his mind and he knew then, beyond a doubt, that he was falling in love with her. They wanted different things, but when he looked at her, he couldn’t help but wonder if they both wanted each other as well.
I definitely want her. Now how am I going to get her?
Abby we
nt home after driving Jack back to Hunter Industries. She’d spent the afternoon with him, telling him why he should back down and not build the monstrosity shopping complex and high-end condos. Snuggled now under the weight of her robe, she sipped her coffee. So she had spiked it with a healthy dose of Irish Cream. It had been a very long day and emotionally taxing.
In the end she didn’t think she’d made any progress in convincing him how important this case was to who she was now, because of her past. She found herself consumed with the situation. Unhealthy thoughts floated through her mind, thoughts of her with Jack. Most definitely she was falling in love with him. Not smart, but even she could be less than a genius occasionally and do less than smart things, couldn’t she?
Sighing, she doubted that too. A heavy weight settled over her chest and she glanced around the apartment. For the first time since being a child, she felt alone. It was then it dawned on her, it wasn’t loneliness she was experiencing. She missed Jack.
A knock on her apartment door caught her attention it. She didn’t get up, but instead stared at the entry while a fleeting spark of hope filled her heart.
Maybe it’s him, maybe we can work this out—unfortunately I don’t know how.
Abby shouldn’t be thinking like that, but she was. She set her mug down. If it was the paperboy she was going to be disappointed. She walked over to the door and pulled it open.
Her eyes widened at the man she wasn’t expecting to see standing there. “What are you doing here?”
Anthony Frost narrowed his gaze. “We need to talk, and since you refuse to take my calls, I thought I would drop by and see you in person.” He eyed her heavy, terry bathrobe and his leering expression made her uncomfortable.
Anthony had always had a real knack for pissing her off. The fact that he was standing in her doorway assured her that not much had changed over the years. He stepped in and glanced around.
So much for waiting for an invitation to come in. He could have held his breath for an invite that wouldn’t have come and died from lack of air, that would have put me out of my misery.
