How dare she just assume I’d drop everything on a Friday night to come to some boring merger party.
She knew I was in law school at night. Who knew if I had class? Technically, I didn’t have class on Friday evenings, but that's none of her damn business. I worked hard for her every other day and missed class the last two nights for this bullshit.
I honestly just wanted to stay in tonight and veg; maybe clear out my poor DVR that had damn near two hundred missed episodes waiting for me.
“Yes, Arlene. I hear you,” I said through gritted teeth. She smiled a smile that didn’t reach her muddy brown eyes. She looked almost frumpy today. Something was off. She was usually sharp in power suits and overly expensive shoes, but today she looked...rough. Word around the office was she was going through a nasty divorce.
No wonder. I felt bad for any guy married to this C U Next Tuesday. I wouldn't call her the C word, but she had me close.
“So, anyway, tonight the event is at the Peterson Center; be there by 7:30 pm. Wear something…” She looked over my attire. I looked respectable in a plain black business suit but underneath, I wore a lacy pink cami. A classy black heel covered my feet. Nothing about me screamed, ‘high-powered attorney’, but that’s because I’m not one...yet.
Whatever problem Arlene had with my wardrobe, she could stick it up her ass.
“What's wrong with my clothes, Arlene?” I breathed a long sigh.
“Nothing, dear. I mean as far as an everyday getup for a paralegal, they're fine, but for this event, in our client’s upscale space, we must dress to impress. I'm going to need you to do a little something better. If you need to take the corporate card and go buy yourself something new, by all means do so, but just step it up.”
I wanted to ‘step up’ from behind that desk and wrap my hands around her lily-white neck. How dare she talk to me like I didn't know how to dress and had no sense of fashion. If anything, especially today, I definitely looked better than her.
She was not going to take it out on me because she was upset about her man not loving her anymore. Yeah, I’d heard her talking over glasses of wine with the other senior associate about how her ex-husband was a complete ass hat. He did not appreciate her. She’d make him pay. Blah blah blah.
It sure didn't help matters she was face down ass up with every partner in the company trying to sleep her way up the ranks and become partner. He probably found out and was finished with her, and I didn't blame him.
“I don't need the corporate credit card, Arlene. I'm fine,” I said, my tone void of emotion. I wasn’t going to let her know she got under my skin. She didn’t deserve that satisfaction.
“Okay, well...what about the hair?” She looked up at my tousled hair. As a black female, I wore my hair natural sometimes, but it could easily be blown out, straightened, curled and look absolutely perfect. Or, I could rock this fro all night, and she could deal with that, too.
“Arlene, contrary to your belief, I know how to clean up quite well. You don't have to worry. I will be there with bells on.”
Now, everything in me wanted to be at this dinner. I didn't want to go at first, but since Arlene was acting like a pretentious bitch, I would show up dressed to the nines. If anything, I would look better than her and maybe, just maybe, I would even show her up in front of the client. Either way, I would be there looking amazing and she could suck it when I did.
“Perfect, maybe you should leave early so you can...prepare.” She looked at her cell phone still in her hand. “The dinner is in exactly two and a half hours. I would suggest you leave now.”
“I still have some things I need to finish up—”
“Don't worry about it. If they can keep until Monday, then go. You have been working long hours all week.”
No shit.
But, she was right; I could use the extra hours to get ready, even though she was being condescending about it. Straightening the mess of curls on my head would take the most time. I would have to leave now or else it would not be dry and straightened in time. I knew the perfect dress I would wear; an impulse buy I picked up one weekend when splurging on myself. And, Arlene thought I didn't know how to dress.
I’d show her.
I still have some party attire from when I actually had a life, before I worked for her.
Before closing my laptop and packing some files I would need over the weekend, I remembered I saw an email come through while I was speaking with Arlene. I wanted to check it in case it was something I had to take care of before I left. I took a look at my inbox and noticed the sender. I narrowed my eyes on the name.
Matheson
I audibly gasped. He must have seen my assignment come through. I’d sent him a great many assignments since I’d started law school. He’d taught more than just one of my courses during my three year tenure. Never ever had he responded to the emails. My grade would just appear on my dashboard shortly after I submitted the work. This was highly unusual. I almost broke the mouse pad on my laptop trying to open the damn email.
Miss Mitchell,
Thank you for sending in your assignment in a timely manner. This will be reviewed, and you will have your grade shortly.
I was disappointed you did not make class last night. We are going over some material I think is pertinent for you in the next few weeks until graduation. Please make class a priority.
Also, I hope you are feeling better. I know the last time we spoke, you were having some anxiety and stress. I don't want to add to it, but this must be done before graduation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me, and I'll see you Tuesday in class.
Best wishes,
Reid Matheson.
I read the email again and then again. I don't think I ever remember Professor Matheson giving a shit if I was in class or not, especially not enough to email about it. But, then again, the last I’d seen him, he had to basically talk me from the ledge. I was a mess.
I should respond. I should thank him for what he did for me that night, but I was embarrassed for lack of better terms; mortified would have better suited. Instead, I logged off my computer, grabbed my bag and hightailed it out the door. I would deal with Reid Matheson another time. Right now, I had to get home, get showered, get beautified and get my tail to this dinner.
May not be a high-powered lawyer yet, but I would be one day. But, for tonight, they would know who Addison Mitchell is.
Chapter 3
I sipped from my glass of wine, standing in front of my full length mirror in my upstairs closet. I gave myself a once over, examining how I cleaned up for this dinner tonight. I didn’t look half bad at all, if I did say so myself.
“You’re looking like a badie indeed, Miss Mitchell,” I said to my reflection, dressed in a daring red cocktail dress. I had little to no business wearing this dress, but it would be the last time Arlene looked at me and my fashion with disgust. I laughed as I swayed my hips to whatever hip-hop and r&b was playing on my streaming app.
“Well, one thing’s for certain, there won’t be any of this music playing tonight.” I chuckled. “No, I bet I’ll be the only speck of pepper in all the salt…per usual. Bunch of millionaires talking about how they are turning their fortunes into billions from this merger.”
I looked down at Clubber Cat as he pranced around my bare legs. My words were a bit slurred. I lumbered toward my kitchen, high heels in hand, and pulled out a Greek yogurt; something to soak up the alcohol. This red plunge dress was form fitting, and I couldn’t afford to eat anything heavy that would cause a stomach bulge.
Eh, screw it.
I stabbed into a forkful of leftover Chinese from last night’s dinner and shoved it into my face. After a few bites, the pang of hunger and the impending wine buzz subsided.
“Okay. I feel good. That’s enough,” I said to the cat.
I shoved the take-out container back into the fridge and ran to the bathroom to brush and gargle real quick. Couldn’t have Moo S
hu breath tonight. Who knows, Mr. Right could be at this party and then what? He’d be offended by my amazing Chinese take-out breath? “No, girl, we don’t do that,” I said, looking at myself in the mirror.
Now, breath and teeth minty fresh and unoffending, I grabbed my purse and cell and called up my Uber.
Arlene had demanded I be there on time and heaven forbid Bosszilla be undermined.
I stepped out onto the upper deck of a posh new restaurant/bar on the Upper East Side of the city just after 7:00 p.m. Soft jazz could be heard playing from speakers hidden amongst decorative trees and plants sprinkled throughout the area. There was also a soft glow of lights to provide ambience. The East Side buildings lit up as the backdrop to the evening.
I looked around to see if I recognized any of the people already milling around the area, but most of these people looked like our clients and maybe some of their investors.
“Where have you been?” I heard Arlene’s voice at my ear, and I startled. “Christ, you scared me half to death.” I put a hand to my chest. Arlene followed the motion and her eyes bulged a bit.
“Holy cleavage, Addison. Who knew you had all that under those pants suits you wear every day?”
I looked down over my red hot and unbothered mini-wrap dress. The deep V of the dress did show off a healthy portion of cleavage and I was no A cup. My ample delights filled out every feature of the sleek, form fitting silhouette. The tantalizing, asymmetric hem fell right at the middle of my creamy, brown thigh. The back of the dress dipped just as low, revealing more than half of my back. The slip of material was finished with a hidden zipper back. I finished off the look with strappy black, ‘fuck me’ heels displaying my long legs and hiking me up over Arlene. I flipped my sleek wrapped hairstyle over my shoulder showcasing my neck and allowing any part of my upper half that had been covered by my hair to come even more into view.
And, what was she gonna say about it?
“I’ll take that as a compliment, Arlene.” I shrugged. I knew I looked damn good and there was nothing more she could say.
“Yea, yea, whatever.” She shoved a flute of gold-colored bubbly in my direction. “If your girls hanging out can impress the client, then go for it.”
I cringed at the thought of her thinking my tits were on display to impress some old fogey client. She played the game that way, not me. I just liked getting dressed up every now and again because I could.
She placed her hands on my shoulders and turned me slightly. “Over there are the heads of the merger we were talking about earlier. Those are the people we need to impress tonight.” She pointed out a few more guests as they walked in, while spouting off orders about how we should deal with each one accordingly.
She stopped talking when she noticed him, and I spotted him at the same time, too. My breath caught as I looked him over. Dressed in a tailored, dark blue suit covering an apparent sculpted body, Reid Matheson stood across the terrace in a conversation with Joe Eisen, one of the named partners at our law firm.
Arlene audibly growled in their direction. I looked from him to her and back again. “You know Mr. Matheson?” I asked.
She scoffed and her nose turned up as tears formed in her eyes. I’d never seen Arlene this upset before. “Yes, you can say that.” She shook her head. “How do you know that asshole?”
I raised a brow at the venom in her voice. Reid had never been anything but kind to me. Especially since the last time I’d seen him. He’d helped me with my little episode, or whatever the hell that was. “He’s one of my law professors,” I responded.
She chuckled but there was no humor in her tone. “Of course he is.” We watched as Reid shook hands with our client. “I swear to God, if he is trying to take my client...” Arlene started in their direction, but I grabbed her elbow.
“Hold on,” I said in a hushed tone. She looked down where I had caught her arm, and I let my hand fall away as if her witchy skin had burned me.
“What is it, Addison?” she hissed.
“You can’t go over there looking like this. I don’t know if you noticed, but you are crying.”
“I am not…” She put a hand to her face and felt the moisture there. “Shit,” she said as if she wasn’t used to emotion. “That son of a bitch…”
“Plus,” I continued. “Joe is over there. Your client is his client, right? Joe isn’t gonna let Reid steal our number one deal right under his nose.”
Arlene shook her head in agreement.
“Now, I’ll take this,” I said, taking her flute of champagne. “Run to the ladies’ room, powder your nose or whatever it is you need to do to calm down. When you come back, you will be clear headed to deal with whatever Reid Matheson did to you.”
As she walked away from me, she called over her shoulder. “You’re a smart one, Addison Mitchell. There may be some hope for you yet.”
Chapter 4
I rolled my eyes at her retreating back and looked over to where the four men stood. This was as good a time as any to make my presence known to my boss’ boss and our client. I’d also catch Reid’s attention and show him maybe I learned a thing or two from his lectures in class.
I downed the contents of my champagne flute, and what the hell; I threw Arlene’s drink back, too. I placed the empties on a tray of a passing server. I tucked my clutch purse under my arm and made my way over to the four men standing near the bar area.
When I neared them, Joe caught sight of me first. His eyes lit up in recognition. I don’t know if he’d ever said more than ‘hello’ to me in the hallway at work.
He knew of me, but I wasn’t his direct report. John was his paralegal. Anything we had to say to each other went through Arlene.
But, still he greeted me. “Miss Mitchell,” he said, opening the men’s circle to allow me in. “Gentleman, this is Addison Mitchell. She is the one that worked on the presentation for your merger. Addison, Kyle Torreson and Philip Cope.”
I offered a smile to both the men. One looked old enough to be my father and the other looked to be around my age. I shook both their hands. “Gentleman, it’s a pleasure.”
They smiled. “I look forward to seeing what you have come up with. Reid here tells us you put a lot of work into this, and I appreciate it.” Philip, the dad of the pair offered, raising his scotch glass to salute.
“Oh, well, thank you. I hope it’s what you wanted.” I sliced a glance in Mr. Matheson’s direction. What else had he been saying about me? And, how the hell would he know what work I put in the project?
His unwavering gaze pinned me, and my heart thudded in response. Every inch of my body reacted to that heated stare. My nipples hardened and my panties dampened in an instant. I’ve been attracted to Reid Matheson since the first time I walked into his Law 101 class. Sharp dressed, smooth talking and sexy as no one’s business. I’d imagined undressing him with my teeth more than once while in his class, but he’d never given me more than a passing glance or a ‘good job’ when commenting on an assignment I handed in. But now, school was finally coming to an end and he’d calmed me from an anxiety attack, emailed me about my whereabouts and now...this look. That was bedroom eyes with a ‘I want to rip your clothes off you, too’ stare. The look was fleeting and only when the other men were looking at me and not at him. The heat of his gaze cooled when Joe looked back at him.
I’d realized I missed whatever it was Phillip had said while looking at Reid, but Joe piped in and answered him.
I felt flushed, and I excused myself from the men. “I need to step away for just a minute. Need some water.” My tone was hoarse and so unlike my own. The looks Reid was giving me left me parched. I wondered just how he could quench it. But, that was completely inappropriate while we were in the midst of my boss’ boss and important clients. But, he was standing mere feet from my overactive girl bits, and I couldn’t help my dirty thoughts.
“Yes, of course, Addison,” Joe said, stepping out of my way. “The bar is just there.” He pointed to the pristine
set-up.
Reid spoke up. “I can get it for you.” The deep timber of his voice went right through me.
“No, really, I can…” But before I could say more, he was at my side with his hand at my elbow as he escorted me away from the circle of men.
He spoke low for my ears only. “Are you okay? Your skin is flushed. You aren’t having another… episode, are you?” He caressed the underside of my elbow.
I looked up at him then, noting the look of concern in his dark gray eyes. He searched my face as his gaze roamed from my eyes to my lips before dipping lower over my chest to the rise and fall of the swell of my breasts. My pulse quickened as he did not hide his perusal of my girls, nor attempt any form of apology for his extended glance.
“I can see your heart beating through your chest, Addison.” His tone was low and measured. I gulped, taking in his words while staring at his lips wondering just exactly what they could do.
“It could be because you are looking at it, Reid,” I said. His eyes shot back up to look me in the eyes. That dark brooding look I’d seen before was there again. His Adam apple bobbed.
“You are so damn tempting, Miss Mitchell.” He shook his head and stepped away.
Wait a minute… He thinks... I’m tempting?
“I’m…what?” I sputtered over the words.
He picked up a pitcher of water from the bar left for the guests to help themselves and poured me a glass before handing it back to me.
“Drink, Addison,” he whispered to me looking around to see if anyone was watching us. He must have caught sight of someone because his body immediately tensed. I looked over to where he was looking and spotted Arlene exiting the ladies’ room.
I had to find out what the deal was there. The clear distaste was obviously mutual.
“I want to talk to you some more, but not here. Meet me tonight. I want to show you something.” His gaze lingered over my lips again and then back up to my eyes. “The law library after the party?”
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