by Sandi Lynn
“I like plain.”
She walked away, shaking her head. I pulled some dresses that I liked and she pulled ones she liked. The saleslady took them into a fitting room for me and, as I tried them on, Willow sat on the couch, feeding Hensley her bottle.
The first dress I tried on was the plain black one I liked. When I walked out of the dressing room, Willow looked at me with a shocked expression.
“Makes you look frumpy. Take it off.”
I rolled my eyes and changed into another gown. A bright blue one that she had picked.
“Well?”
“It’s okay. You can do better. Try on something else.”
We played this game for over thirty minutes as I tried on every dress we picked. None of them worked.
“May I ask what the occasion is?” the saleslady named Melissa asked.
“She’s going to her first gala tomorrow night.”
She slowly nodded her head as she looked me up and down. “I think I may have the perfect dress for you. I’ll be right back.”
A few moments later, she came back and held up a champagne-colored dress.
“This will look amazing on you. The material is a jersey sheath and all the beads on it were sewn by hand.”
“It’s too fancy,” I spoke.
I looked over at Willow and she rolled her eyes at me.
“Okay. Let me ask you this. Is this for the Business, Law, and Leadership Gala?”
“Yes.”
“This is perfect. The who’s who of the upper-class society will be dressed in their finest. You’ll fit right in with all the other millionaire’s wives.”
“I’m not a millionaire’s wife. I’m a lawyer.”
“Oh. Even better. Dress to impress.” She smiled.
I sighed as I took the dress from her and walked into the dressing room. Staring at myself in the full-length mirror, the dress wasn’t that bad. From the capped sleeves, plunging V-neck beaded neckline to the deep plunging back bodice that was accented with jewels, I liked it. When I stepped outside the room, Willow’s jaw dropped.
“Oh, Avery. That is beautiful on you. You look gorgeous.”
“See. I told you.” Melissa winked. “And look at that fit. It’s perfect.”
“It is and I like it.” I reached over and looked at the price tag. “Oh. Well, it was nice while it lasted.”
“WHAT!” Willow exclaimed as she put Hensley back in the stroller.
“Willow, it’s three thousand dollars!”
“So what? You deserve it. Take the risk, Avery. Just do it! You’re playing in the big leagues now. You need to step things up a notch.”
****
Liam
As I put on my bowtie, I heard the doorbell ring. I ran downstairs to the foyer and opened the door for Oliver and Delilah.
“Hey, bro.” I gave him a light hug. “Delilah, you look beautiful.” I smiled as I kissed her cheek.
“Thank you, Liam.”
“You two are early.”
“That’s because we have something to tell you,” Oliver spoke as he walked into the living room.
I looked at them both and smirked. “You two aren’t—”
Delilah smiled as she excitedly nodded her head. “Yes. We’re having a baby.”
“Oh my God, congratulations.” I gave her a tight hug. “That is great news.” I looked over at Oliver, who was grinning from ear to ear. “Congrats, bro. I’m so happy for you both,” I spoke as I gave him a hug.
“Thanks, Liam. We’re really excited about it. We wanted to tell you before the gala because you’d be questioning why Delilah wasn’t drinking.”
“Ah, good idea. Does Sophie know?”
“We told her earlier. She’s really happy.”
“That’s great. She’s going to make an awesome big sister. If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’m going to grab my jacket and then we can leave.”
“I’ll come with you.” Oliver followed me upstairs. “I checked out Avery.”
I looked at him and rolled my eyes. “I figured you would.”
“Do you remember that case last year that was in the newspapers, Kilbrand vs. Essex Corp.?”
“Yeah. I remember.”
“Avery was the defense attorney on that case.”
“Wow. I had no idea. Do you feel better now having her defend us against Laurel?”
“I will admit that I do.” He smiled.
“Have you told Delilah?”
“Told Delilah what?” she asked as she came strolling into the bedroom.
“I told her.”
“I hope she gets what she deserves and that’s nothing!” Delilah exclaimed. “Is Avery going to be at the gala tonight?”
“Probably not. She’s a first-year associate.”
“I really want to meet her,” Delilah spoke as she sat down on my bed.
I gave her a small smile and didn’t say anything. With the way things were going with Avery, it was highly unlikely Delilah was going to meet her anytime soon.
****
I was up at the bar getting a scotch when I felt a hand on my back.
“Good to see you, man.” Collin smiled as I turned around.
“Good to see you, Collin. Amelia, you look stunning,” I took hold of her hands and leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you, Liam. You’re looking pretty handsome yourself.” She smiled.
Collin flagged the bartender down and ordered Amelia a glass of wine and a scotch for himself.
I happened to glance over where Oliver and Delilah were chatting it up with Connor and Ellery and saw Avery in the distance talking to Mark Muir and his wife. My heart began to pick up the pace as she took my breath away.
“Excuse me, Collin. Amelia.”
I began walking towards her and she looked at me. The moment her piercing blue eyes met with mine, the nervousness that resided in the pit of my stomach intensified. She placed her hand on Mark’s arm and then walked away, slowly walking in my direction.
“Hi.” I smiled. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. Listen, I want to apologize for what I said yesterday morning.”
“Please. Don’t worry about it. It’s okay.”
“No, Liam. It’s not okay. I was out of line and now that we’re going to be working together on this case, I don’t want things to be awkward.”
“They won’t be and I accept your apology.” I smiled tenderly at her.
“Tim is waving me over. I’ll talk to you later.”
I watched her as she walked away. My cock was twitching something fierce and the only thing I could think about was taking her to bed and exploring that sexy body of hers again.
“I see she’s here.” Oliver walked up to me.
“Yep. Something is definitely going on with Finn, Muir, & Abernathy.”
“Well, make sure to bring her over and introduce her to Delilah.”
“I will, bro.”
I mixed and mingled for a while until I saw Avery over at the bar. I grabbed Delilah and took her over to her.
“Avery, I would like to introduce you to my sister-in-law, Delilah. Delilah, this is Avery Lewis.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Delilah. Liam has told me wonderful things about you.” The two of them lightly hugged.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Avery. Liam speaks very highly of you.”
“Is that so?” she asked as she glanced at me.
“Of course.” I smiled at her.
“So, Oliver tells me you’re handling the lawsuit that Laurel started.”
“Yes I am.”
“Do me a favor and knock that bitch out.”
She laughed. “I’ll try my best. I take it you aren’t fond of her?”
“No, I’m not, and after talking to her, you’ll see why.”
“Delilah, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Oliver spoke as he lightly took her arm. “Hello, Avery. You look very beautiful.”
“Thank you, Oliver.”
Chapter 17
Avery
Liam and I were standing making small talk when I looked behind him and my heart started to race something terrible. Suddenly, all the air was gone out of the room and it was hard to breathe. Liam noticed something was wrong and lightly took hold of my arm.
“Are you okay?”
“No. I’m not,” I whispered as what had me so anxiety ridden started to walk my way.
“Get me out of here. NOW! Anywhere but this room.”
“Okay. Tell me what’s going on.”
“I need some air, Liam.”
I hooked my arm in his and turned away as he led me out of the room and outside through some glass doors that led to a lighted patio. I leaned over the black wrought-iron railing and tried to catch my breath. Liam had his hand planted firmly on my back and I’d be lying if I said that his touch wasn’t what calmed me down.
“I think you just had a panic attack. Do you normally get those?”
“No. First one ever,” I spoke as I looked into his concerned eyes.
“Are you going to tell me what set it off?”
“No. It was nothing. I’m fine now.”
“Nothing my ass, Avery. You looked like you saw a ghost or something. Was there someone in there you knew?”
Don’t do it, Avery. Don’t tell him. Don’t open up.
“Hey, you two.” Tim smiled as stepped out onto the patio. “What’s going on?”
“We’re just discussing the case,” I lied with a forced smile.
“Oh. There’s plenty of time for that. Come back inside and join the party.”
“Tim, one of the reasons I came out here was because I wasn’t feeling well. I think I’m just going to call it a night and go home.”
“Okay.” His concerned eyes stared at me. “I hope you feel better, Avery. Do you want me to call someone to come get you?”
“No. That’s alright.”
“Well, since Liam is already out here with you, would you mind seeing her home safely?” he asked him.
“Not at all, Tim.”
“Good. Have a good night, you two.” He turned around and walked back inside.
“You heard the man. He wants me to make sure you get home safely. So come on, let’s go.”
“It’s okay, Liam. I can get home by myself. I’m a big girl.”
“I know, but I told him I would take you, so I am. End of argument, Miss Lawyer.”
“Fine. But don’t think you’re getting lucky.” I sighed as I walked away.
“Correction. Don’t think you are getting lucky, Miss Lewis.”
I secretly smiled at his comeback. He was good. I was impressed.
He led me to a black limousine and opened the door for me. “Climb in.”
“Is this yours?”
“No. It’s Oliver’s. I sent him a text telling him I’m taking you home.”
“Are you sure he won’t mind?”
“Nope. Scott will be back before he even misses it. Scott, meet Avery Lewis. Avery meet Scott.”
“Nice to make your acquaintance, Miss Lewis.” He smiled as he nodded.
“Nice to meet you, Scott, and please call me Avery.”
When we reached my building, Liam climbed out and held out his hand to help me. This damn dress was hard to maneuver in. Placing my hand in his, I froze for a brief moment. Just long enough to feel the ache between my legs that was screaming at me from afar.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
“You’re welcome. At least let me walk you up to your door so I know you made it in safe.”
I didn’t hesitate to answer. “Okay.”
We took the elevator up to my floor and as soon as we stepped out, I reached in my purse for my key.
“Well, here I am. Entering my apartment safely.” I inserted the key and turned the knob.
“Good night, Avery. Would it be okay if I kissed your cheek?” he asked politely.
“I suppose that would be fine.”
Before his lips could reach my cheek, I smashed my mouth into his for a passionate kiss. What the fuck was I doing? I lost all control. It was my body vs. my brain and my body won.
“What happened before can’t happen again,” I spoke with bated breath.
“I know. It would be wrong,” he mumbled in between kisses.
“So wrong. You’re my client now.” My hands instinctively grabbed hold of his waist.
“You’re my lawyer.” His lips traveled to my neck.
I kicked the door open with my foot as his lips met mine once again. I started to back inside my apartment with him following, our lips locked together.
“We can’t, Liam.” I didn’t stop kissing him.
“I know.”
But neither of us stopped and, before I knew it, the door was shut and his fingers were unzipping my dress. Just before it was about to fall, I screeched.
“Not on the floor. This is a three-thousand-dollar dress.”
He stopped and looked at me. “You paid three thousand dollars.”
“I know what you’re thinking but Willow made me buy it.”
“As far as I’m concerned, it was worth every penny.” His smile grew wide.
My lips brushed against him one last time before he removed my dress and carefully laid in on the table. Picking me up and carrying me to the bedroom, he laid me down on the bed and stared at my naked breasts as he stripped out of his clothes and his tongue made its way up my inner thighs.
****
Liam
Tasting her again was the highlight of my night. I had longed to do this ever since our first night together and she tasted even sweeter this time around. Clamping my mouth over her swollen spot, I gently sucked as I plunged a finger inside of her, listening to the sweet sounds of the moans that escaped her. I moved my way up her torso and over to her perfectly round breasts. Her nipples were so hard and begging to be sucked. The minute my lips clamped around them, her pleasure heightened and I knew she was about to come. Moving my finger inside of her and pressing my thumb against her clit, I suckled at her breast until she couldn’t take anymore as her body tightened and she let out a deep, pleasurable moan, releasing herself to me.
My cock was hard and more than ready to be inside of her.
“I have condoms this time.” I lightly kissed her lips.
“Were you planning on having sex with me again?” she asked with a small beautiful smile.
“I had a small window of hope.”
“Have you had sex with anyone since me?”
“Absolutely not.”
“No condom needed.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” I hovered over her and placed myself between her legs, the tip of my cock touching her entrance.
As I stared into her amazing eyes, I slowly pushed inside of her, both of us gasping from the pleasurable feeling that resided in us. She brought my head down to her and kissed my lips as her legs wrapped around my waist, taking me deeper inside. We weren’t fucking. We were making love and I wanted to take in every moment. I broke our kiss as I brushed a strand of her hair from her face and our eyes locked on each other. I moved slowly in and out of her, taking in the beauty that was beneath me. I sped up the pace as I could feel her swell around my cock, making it almost impossible for me to hold back. Thrusting in and out of her, my lips traveled to her neck and then down to her breasts as her legs tightened around me. She called out my name as a pool of warmth rushed over my cock. This was it.
“That’s it, Avery. You’re making me come right now, baby.” I pushed deep inside her one last time and moaned as I spilled every last pleasurable drop inside her.
I collapsed on top of her, burying my face into the side of her neck while her hands stroked my hair and our breathing returned to normal.
Rolling off of her, she looked at me with a smile and took my ha
nd, interlacing our fingers. I wanted to stay like this, but I knew it was only a matter of time before she kicked me out again. There was something about her look that displayed a hint of sadness. She let go of my hand and moved to the edge of the bed, sitting up with her feet planted on the floor. I reached over and softly stroked her back.
“What’s wrong?”
“It was my father.”
“What?” I asked as I sat up.
She turned her head and looked back at me. “My panic attack was due to seeing my father at the gala.”
“Your father is here in New York?”
“Yes. He’s a lawyer and has his own firm.”
“Who’s your father?”
“John Carrington.”
I was shocked. “Of Carrington & Lockley?”
“Yep. That would be the one.” She got up from the bed and pulled a pink satin robe from her closet.
“I don’t understand. If you knew he was here, why would you work in the same city knowing you’d eventually run into him?”
“It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Who knows, Liam?” She sat down on the bed and I took hold of her hand. “Maybe I wanted to run into him and rub it in his face.”
“Does he know you’re a lawyer?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure he does.”
“But I don’t understand why he wouldn’t have offered you a job with his firm?”
“Because that would mean he would have to acknowledge he had a kid. You are the only person besides Willow and Cam who knows this. Please keep it to yourself.”
I brought her hand up to my lips and softly pressed them against it. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. The partners at Finn, Muir, & Abernathy don’t know?”
“No. How would they? My mother made sure not to give me his last name. So besides the birth certificate stating he’s my father, there’s no other way to connect us.”
“I’m sorry, Avery. I don’t know what to say.”
“It gets worse.” She frowned. “He’s Laurel’s attorney.”
“Oh for fuck sake. Are you kidding me?”
“No. I wish I were. I’ll be facing him soon, and to be honest, I don’t know how I’m going to handle it. You saw what happened at the gala.”
Seeing her in so much pain over this really bothered me. “You’re a strong woman, Avery, and you can do this.”
She reached over and ran the back of her hand along my cheek. “Thanks. Thanks for tonight. I really needed that.”
