Falling Into the Black

by Lauren Runow

  “Yup.” I grab my notepad and head out to attend the biggest meeting of my career.

  In a man’s world, I’m not surprised that when I walk into the conference room, all I see are suits, of all colors and sizes, but when my eyes land on one, grabbing my attention in ways it shouldn’t, my heart sinks.

  Cole.

  “Gentlemen,” I say in greeting, trying not to bring any more attention to him than necessary. I almost want to look up to see if I still have that gray cloud following me like Kamii suggested. Truly, I have fucked up luck sometimes.

  Everyone takes their seat, and of course, the only one left is right next to him. I pull out my chair, and his eyes greet mine, his tongue quickly licking his lips. I’m glad he hasn’t brought attention to us, but my nerves are the last thing I want in this meeting.

  After I pull my chair in, I feel his leg come much too close to mine, and I cough my surprise.

  Mario, the head attorney on the case, gives us the rundown of what we’re up against. It’s a sexual harassment lawsuit against the CEO of a major corporation. The guy is a family man and swears up and down this is a money grab by the three different women accusing him.

  Everything is hearsay, but as we all know, it will take strong evidence to get him off. Even though he knows the odds are against him, he’s willing to drop millions to make an example as to not mess with him and draw this entire case out in court rather than just pay off his accusers. He wants it done fast, though, before public opinion sets in, so they are bringing our firm on to find a way to prove them wrong as fast and accurately as possible.

  “Angie,” Tom says. “We’re going to need you doing a lot of research on the accusers. Talk to everyone you can. If you need to go back to their preschool teacher then do it. Dig up any dirt on these people that you can find.”

  Mario adds in, “This is Cole next to you. You two work together, bounce ideas off each other, compare notes and come up with a game plan.” He throws a stack of papers bound together by a clip on the table. “This is what our client came up with so start here. Then talk to their friends, neighbors, ex-bosses, anyone you can. Their women are good, but we’re better.”

  Cole grabs the stack of papers. “On it,” he says before looking at me. “Looks like we have our work cut out for us. Hope you’re a coffee drinker.” He smiles, and yes, I feel it deep and low, and I cross my legs in response. The tiny laugh on his lips makes me want to hit him.

  The meeting continues and afterward I walk to my office, thinking I got off scot-free until I hear the light wrap of knuckles hitting the door.

  “Yes,” I say, hoping it’s someone from my firm and not him. If only I were so lucky.

  His tall frame enters my office, giving me a sexy smirk as he closes the door behind him.

  “How did I get so lucky?” he says, walking to my desk.

  I stand up. “Stay right there,” I urge. “This is my workplace. I need this job, and I can’t screw up this opportunity.”

  “I wouldn’t dare put you in any situation to get you in trouble.” He holds his hands up like he’s not guilty, but the look on his face says anything but.

  He slowly makes his way toward me, and I’ve never been so glad my desk is as big as it is, keeping him at a safe distance from where I stand.

  Placing his hands on the surface of my makeshift barrier, he leans in, whispering, “I will, however, enjoy every aspect of this case because I get to know you better. So, dinner, my place, say five o’clock?”

  “Smooth, real smooth, but no. Let’s meet here. We can have takeout delivered.” I may be a freak, and I may like to fuck, but I know there’s a time and place, so being here, at my work, will keep me in line. This isn’t a relationship; this is work.

  “You don’t have to worry. I’ll be a good boy. I promise.” He crosses his heart and winks before turning to leave.

  “See you tonight, Evangeline.”

  At five o’clock, there’s a knock on my office door, and I know the time has come. Instead of telling him to come in, I stand up, opening the door myself, ready to escort him to the conference room. Being in my small office would be too claustrophobic. We need a large space, with windows on either side if we’re going to work together.

  I take a seat on one side of the table and am happy when I see him sit on the other side.

  “See, I can be a good boy,” he teases.

  I grin before letting out a sigh of relief. This might work.

  We open the files, laying everything out on the table, but before we start, Cole grabs his phone. “So what are we ordering in?”

  “There’s a great Chinese place down the street that delivers,” I respond.

  After looking up the number, he places an order for way too much food, and we open the files, getting started on a game plan.

  This is a completely different side of Cole I’m seeing. I’ve seen the teacher, I’ve seen the sex god, shoot, I know him personally. But this, this is different. This is the professional Cole, and I like that I get to see every aspect of him.

  Our food arrives shortly after we get started. Cole gets up to greet the delivery guy downstairs and brings the bags up to our floor.

  “How much do I owe you?” I ask, reaching for my purse.

  “Evangeline, really? I can buy you dinner without it meaning anything.”

  “Well, thank you,” I say, looking back at my files.

  “Come on. We can eat first. I won’t bite. I promise,” he says, handing me a plate.

  I give in. He’s right. We can take a break to eat. It’s going to be a late night as it is.

  “So, Evangeline, tell me about your name. Why did you go by Angie when Evangeline is such a beautiful name?”

  “Nope. Not going there.” I eye him.

  He smirks. “Okay, then let’s start with something else. Where are you from?”

  “Where are you from?” I ask back.

  Knowing I’m not going to go there, he starts talking. “I grew up not far from here actually. Can you believe I was kind of a scrawny nerd in high school?”

  He laughs, and I can’t help but join in with him. It takes a big man to make fun of himself.

  “Back then glasses weren’t as sexy as they are now.” He plays with his glasses, pushing up his eyebrows at the same time. “Don’t try to hide it. You liked seeing them in class the first time.”

  I smile a knowing smile but don’t give him the satisfaction of actually saying it, but yes, his glasses were a turn on in a weird way. They aren’t your normal reading glasses. They’re black, slim-framed, and very retro.

  “That’s why I wear them, you know. It makes the girls horny.” He grins at his own joke.

  “Then why don’t you wear them at the club?”

  “Glasses and masks don’t mix. Thank God for contacts.” He winks.

  “So you were the nerd, huh? Is that why you’re a member? Making up for your lonely high school days?” I joke.

  “Nah, not really. I like the kink of being there, having someone watch me, and of course, the no strings attached thing is a plus.”

  “Until you met me.”

  “Yup, you had to come screw everything up.” He smirks at me before he takes a bite of his General Tso’s Chicken.

  “Am I the first person’s identity you figured out from the club?”

  “Yes and no. I knew.” He pauses, correcting himself before he says his full name. “Secret.”

  My lips tilt up in a silent thank you for not telling me his name. “What’s his story?”

  “Ha!” he belts out. “You don’t want to know his name, but you want to know his story? Come on, you know I can’t go there.”

  I bite the inside of my lip. He’s right. There’s something about him that I’m dying to know. He’s mysterious, and it excites me in a way I never imagined.

  “Is he always like this?”

  He shakes his head. “Nah, he’s actually never been like this, but I think he saw you liked it, so he’s going
with it. The first day we met you he was in a mood. That’s what started it all.”

  “So it’s not me?”

  “Why would it be you?”

  I shrug, playing with my food, my stupid female insecurities creeping their way up.

  “Besides, that’s how I’ve gotten to have you all to myself.”

  I roll my eyes in his direction, and he chuckles softly. “New subject,” I demand. “Besides being at an anonymous club, what else do you do for fun?”

  “Music. Anything music related; concerts, record stores, searching YouTube for new bands.”

  “Okay, what’s your poison? What kind of music do you listen to?”

  “I like a bit of everything, but my favorite is new age rock. The bands that are a little hard, a little old school rock, and play a mean guitar.”

  “Do you play?”

  “Nope, I wish. I couldn’t hold a tune if I tried, but my air guitar is on point.”

  I have to cover my mouth to stop the food from coming out when I laugh out loud.

  “What about you? Are you a music buff?” he asks.

  I hold up my finger, grabbing my napkin to cover my mouth as I finish my bite. “I’m the same,” I speak out. “Actually, I just saw Skillet a few weeks ago.”

  “Shut up. At the Filmore? I was there! I worked my way to the front, right below the girl guitarist.”

  “Nuh-uh, I was on the other side in front of the guy.”

  “They kicked ass,” he states, sitting back in his chair.

  “Right? I was so impressed when the drummer sang out during Awake and Alive. That’s talent.”

  “I thought the same thing. I couldn’t believe her voice could belt out that clear while banging away on the drums. I always thought it was the other girl singing those parts.”

  “Me too,” I jump up, excited he thought the same thing. “She sang too, though.”

  “Did you know they’re husband and wife? That singer and the lead guy.”

  “Really? I wondered who was hooking up with who.”

  “I’m going to see Shinedown on Thursday. You should go with me.”

  “I already have tickets.”

  He nods his head. “Nice, then I’ll see you there.”

  “Maybe even before.” I’m not sure what came over me, but I like this—just sitting with him, discussing music and hanging out. It’s nice.

  He grins then picks up the folder we were going over earlier, getting right back to business as we continue our dinner, discussing the case and working into the late night.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Evangeline

  Yesterday was fun. I genuinely enjoyed working with Cole, and I was impressed when at the end of the night, he didn’t try anything. He insisted on walking me to my car, and when we got there, he kissed me on the cheek, whispering his goodbye in my ear and that he’d pick me up in the morning.

  We made a list of everyone we should talk to, and today we’re heading out to track everyone down together. I should be nervous about it, but oddly enough, I’m not. Last night was comfortable, and I’m actually looking forward to spending the day with him.

  Against my better judgment, I gave him my home address, and when I hear the knock on my apartment door, butterflies swirl lightly in my stomach. When I open the door, the sexy guy I first saw in class greets me but in a completely different way.

  The first day I saw him he was wearing jeans and looked like a laid-back kind of guy. Now the man before me is wearing a tailored suit, with his dark hair lightly gelled, making it look sexy yet put together.

  His smile, though. Man, he’s got one that can knock any girl on her ass.

  “Well, hello, Evangeline,” he greets me with a grin.

  I’m still getting used to hearing my name again and coming from his lips makes my heart pitter-patter more than I want it to.

  I might actually be falling for this guy.

  I turn quickly, trying to hide the flush from my face, and grab my purse.

  “So who’s first?” I ask as we slide into his Audi S4.

  “I mapped out our trip.” He hands me a map with way too much detail on it.

  “You’re kidding, right? You really are a nerd,” I tease.

  “Ha. Ha,” he deadpans. “I’m prepared. I don’t miss anything or waste any time.” He smirks before pulling away from the curb as we head to the first spot on the printed map and discuss our game plan.

  So far the day is a bust when it comes to the case, but for everything else, it’s been the best I’ve had in a while. Cole’s had me laughing harder than I’ve done in years and has made me blush more times than I can count.

  Now we’re pulled over on 17th Street at a taco truck. “Are you sure this is safe?” I ask, staying in my seat.

  He walks around, opening my door. “Come on. It’s the best taco truck you’ll ever have.”

  His hand is outstretched, offering to help me out of his low car, and I grab it. Once I’m up, though, he doesn’t let go, and I allow him to keep his hold on me.

  It’s been a long time since I’ve hung out with a guy like this. Even though we’re working, we’ve spent a lot of time in the car together today and have talked for most of it. He’s told me about his family and his little sister who’s just about to graduate college.

  The look on his face almost made me spit out the water I was drinking when I asked how he’d feel if she joined a club like Bridge. I told him he had some massive double standards, and his only comeback was that he didn’t care, and there was no way in hell.

  As we approach the truck, I look up at the menu, asking, “What’s lengua?” Trying my hardest to pronounce it correctly.

  He lets out a loud laugh. “It’s tongue.”

  I quickly turn to walk back to the car, and he laughs even harder, stopping me in my tracks. “Come on. I’ll order for you.” I eye him suspiciously, so he continues, “I promise, is carne asada okay? It’s grilled steak.”

  I hit his stomach. “I know what that is. And fine. Order for me. But I’m putting my stomach in your hands.”

  He leans in, kissing my cheek. “I’ll take whatever part of you I can get.”

  After ordering we walk over to some picnic tables and sit to wait for our food.

  “You’ve really never heard of lengua? Where are you from?”

  The thought of lengua makes me want to gag in my mouth again, and I have to shake off the notion. “I’m from Minnesota, from about the smallest town you can think of. And no, there’s no tongue eating happening there.”

  “Funny, that’s where—” He stops mid-sentence, shaking his head and changing his mind on the thought. Right then our order is called, and he gets up to grab the food and brings back the best smelling containers to our table.

  There are two small tacos on each plate containing two corn tortillas, each topped with little chunks of what I hope to God are carne asada, along with onions, cilantro, and a lime next to each one. They look so simple yet smell amazing.

  He holds up his first one and tips it up to me, saying, “Cheers,” before taking a bite.

  Going in for it, I take a bite and savor the tastes bursting in my mouth. I’ve had tacos but not like this.

  “Good, huh?” he asks through a mouth full of food.

  I nod my head while reaching for a napkin to cover my mouth. “Yes. Back home there aren’t a ton of Mexican restaurants. Seriously, Taco Bell was about as authentic as things got and that wasn’t even in my town. We had to drive a few towns over.”

  “I couldn’t survive there. I live on Mexican food.”

  Thinking of Cole back in my small town makes me laugh. He’s right. He couldn’t survive there. He’s too uptown for my hick town.

  “Okay, I’ve got to learn where you’re from. Tell me something else,” he asks.

  “Not much to know, really. I moved here about ten years ago, haven’t ever looked back, and after working at a law firm for the past five years, I’m interested in moving up, so that
’s why I’m in your class.”

  “You weren’t interested in law growing up?”

  I laugh. “No, far from. I might have broken the law a few times, but never thought about fighting for it.”

  “Broken the law, huh? Do tell.”

  I shake my head, looking down, laughing but ashamed as well. “I told you, I grew up in a really small town. Well, there were only two police officers on shift at a time, so it was easy to see where they were and more importantly, where they weren’t. My friend and I would trip an alarm at the local grocery store after it closed and then go do whatever the hell we wanted anywhere else in town.”

  “Was this friend a boyfriend or girlfriend?” he asks, and I pause, taking a deep breath.

  “Hurry, go, go, go,” I scream, jumping in Carter’s car as he speeds away.

  I can tell by the white of his knuckles he’s scared shitless, but I love the rush. We get a few miles up the road before we hear the sirens and then watch the two cop cars fly by in the opposite direction.

  I watch as he visibly lets out a breath and sits back more calmly in his seat. “So what now?” He turns, asking me what else I had planned for the night.

  “It’s you and me, baby, we can do whatever you want. We have at least an hour until they clear the alarm and get the whole thing situated,” I respond.

  “Water tower?” He looks at me for approval.

  “Perfect!”

  There’s a huge tower people can climb on the outskirts. Town officials are always afraid someone’s going to fall if they climb it, so it’s a hotspot for the cops to patrol. I’ve wanted to climb it but never got the opportunity.

  We park and both jump out of the car, knowing we have a time limit to our escapade.

  Once we’re on top, both of us lie down on our backs, close to each other, and stare up at the stars. Minnesota has an amazing view anyway, but up that much higher in the sky, without any lights surrounding you, it’s truly a sight to be seen.

  Carter’s hand intertwines in mine, and he looks over, whispering, “I love you, Evangeline.”