Misadventures with a Lawyer

by Julie Morgan

“Because she’s a fucking tramp, and no one takes anything she says seriously.” Anger rose in my words, but not toward Ainsley. The rage was all for Patricia. I hated her and the time I would never get back that was spent with her. How the hell did I ever think I could love such a demon of a woman?

  “And you fucked her, just like you fucked me. So how does that make me look in your colleagues’ eyes?”

  “I could give a fuck what they think,” I said, my voice raised. “You. Are. Not. Patricia!”

  “Well thank fuck for that!”

  Ainsley sidestepped me and headed toward my door. I couldn’t let her leave. Not now. We were finally getting somewhere, and damn it, she was mine. I reached for her once more, and with a pull, I yanked her back to me. Her body slammed into mine, and I pushed her up against the wall.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she yelled.

  “Everything and nothing. Right now, tell me what you want, Ainsley. Tell me you want me and want this thing between us to work out. Tell me you want it as much as I do. Tell me I’m not the crazy one in thinking you’re my soul mate. Tell me, please…for the love of all things holy, woman, tell me!”

  She stared into my eyes for a moment and didn’t say anything. I was confessing my love for her without saying the three words she wanted to hear most. And the asshole I was, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t say it. Even if those three words were to save her life.

  “I shouldn’t have to tell you that, Chase. That’s just it.” She placed her hands on my chest but didn’t push me away. Instead, she brought them to my cheeks and cupped my face. “If I hadn’t drunk your Scotch and written you that letter, would we even be standing right here, right now?”

  I wanted more than anything to lean into her, press my lips against hers, and never let go. But a kiss would not answer the one question that hung between us.

  What if that never happened?

  With a sigh, I took hold of her wrists. My heart shattered into pieces as I pulled her hands from me and took a few steps back. I lowered my gaze to the floor and shook my head.

  “I…I don’t know.”

  She sniffed, and when she spoke, she had tears in her voice. “And that’s why I need to leave. Goodbye, Chase.”

  And a little piece of me died.

  Ainsley sidestepped me once more, and this time I didn’t stop her. I heard the door open and close with a gentle click. The air in the room suddenly engulfed me and brought me to my knees.

  What the fuck had I just done?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Ainsley

  The dress hung before me like a bomb ready to explode. My mind ticked like a stopwatch. It was only a matter of time before the ticking stopped and something tremendous happened. I could have the night of my life with the man of my dreams, or the night could end on a sour note and I would go on to die an old cat lady.

  My stomach clenched, and I felt thankful I hadn’t eaten anything. It would have surely ended up on the floor in front of me. I nibbled on my bottom lip and stood naked in front of the red satin dress. I wanted to reach out and touch it, but feeling it made it real, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. At least not yet…

  “Ainsley, you back there?” Everly, my sister, called.

  I breathed a sigh of relief. She was here. I had called her earlier, frantic, about tonight. I needed someone to prep me for this event, and who better than my stylist sister? She stepped into my white-walled bedroom, which was decorated with a few pictures of legal libraries and knickknack items I’d collected.

  “I’m back here,” I called. “Warning… I’m naked.”

  I heard Everly chuckle. “Won’t be the first time seeing you in the buff.” She crossed the threshold of my bedroom and lifted a brow. “Wow, sis, you look like shit.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest with a huff. “Well, thank you so much. That’s why you’re here—so I won’t look like shit.” I rolled my eyes and motioned to the dress. “Here’s what you’re working with. What can you do?”

  Everly smiled, turned toward the dress, and gasped. “Holy fuck nuggets, is that a Prada?” She approached it and lifted her hand to the fabric but didn’t touch it. She let her hand hover over the material, and her breath shuddered.

  “What is wrong with you?” I asked, amused. I turned toward my bed and sat down on my dark-blue comforter. I pulled up the side and wrapped it around my body. “It’s just a dress.”

  “No,” she whispered. “Don’t listen to her. She didn’t mean it, baby. You’re so beautiful.”

  I shook my head and gave my sister a moment of lovemaking with the dress. “When you’re done having your orgasmic material moment, I need you to do my hair, makeup, and get me in this dress.”

  “Shoes” was all Everly said.

  “What?”

  “Shoes. There have to be shoes to go with this magnificent dress. Where are they?”

  I snickered to myself and laid my fingers over my lips for a moment. “I’d show you, but I’m afraid you’ll try to kiss and lick them.”

  She glared over her shoulder at me and then rolled her eyes as she went back to the dress. “Don’t worry, baby. Auntie Everly loves you.”

  “You’re so strange,” I told her. Honestly, I’d needed this distraction. My stomach no longer felt nauseated, although thinking of the ball set the rumblings on overdrive. “Everly, I’m scared.”

  This got her attention. She turned around and made her way over to my bed. “Which part? Wearing the dress in front of all the people you don’t know, or wearing the dress Chase sent you in front of all the people you don’t know?”

  I sighed and looked at my hands. I fidgeted with my fingers and picked at my nail. “I’m scared of him and how I feel about him.”

  She slapped at my hands and tsked at me to not pick my fingers. “Go with your head held high and own that place. They don’t own you. Hell, they don’t know you. So go in there and own it, Ainsley. Hold on to Chase’s arm if you need to, but be your own woman. You’ve got this, sister. Now, if you’re good to get ready, I’ll doll you up and cry while I put this beauty on your ungrateful body.”

  “Seriously, you’re weird.” I then pulled my sister into a hug. “Thank you,” I whispered. “You always know just what to say.”

  She hugged me back. “You’re welcome. Trust me, you’ll know what to do when the time comes.” She pulled back and cupped my face. “If that means confessing your love for Chase Newstrom, do it. If it means giving him up and walking away”—she lowered her hands to her lap—“I’ll be here with Ben & Jerry’s for our evening consumption.”

  I nodded and felt dampness jet down my cheek. I quickly swiped it away. “Thank you again.”

  “Right. Let’s get you dressed!”

  “Turn,” Everly told me. “Let me see you in full action.”

  I felt like a princess. My hair was pulled into an upsweep, with a few tendrils around my face, the dress fit me perfectly, and the shoes—the shoes would make me change my stance on fashion. These shoes were quite amazing. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Well, except for the gazillion-dollar necklace.

  Everly opened her purse and pulled out a string of pearls. I gasped when I saw them.

  “Those were our grandmother’s!”

  “Yes,” she said. “And tonight, they’re yours. Now turn around.”

  She lifted the necklace over my head, and the chilled pearls lay against my chest. They hung just below my neckline, and in the center was a round platinum band with a row of diamonds. I reached up and touched it with my fingertips. I could remember our grandmother wearing this on special occasions. The scent of her perfume invaded my mind, and it was as if she were here with me.

  “I have some diamond earrings,” I announced in the silence. “You think they’ll be okay?”

  “Are they studs?”

  I nodded.

  “Then yes, they’ll be perfect.”

  I went to my bathroom and opened my wooden jew
elry box. It was something my father had given me when I was a child. I’d had it for as long as I can remember and still used it to this day. I loved it in a sentimental way. I found my diamonds and pulled them out. When I looked up to the mirror, I paused and simply stared at myself.

  My makeup was perfectly airbrushed, the shadows were on point, and my lipstick was the color of my dress. My eyes watered at the image in the mirror. This wasn’t me, was it? Maybe I was Julia Roberts going to the royal ball after all.

  “Are you okay?” I heard Everly ask.

  “Yes, I’m okay. I hadn’t seen myself yet.” I let go of a long breath and then slid my earrings into place. I turned to face my waiting sister and held my arms out. “Well?”

  She smiled. “Absolute perfection.”

  My doorbell rang, and my stomach fluttered, knotted, and I felt sick all at once. “What do I do?” I whispered.

  She smiled and, with a wink, said, “You go own that ass, sister. You show him who’s in charge and make the night yours.” She left my bedroom and headed to what I assumed was my front door.

  I grabbed the small black pearl clutch I’d picked up in a boutique the other day and slipped my lipstick, license, and keys inside. With a deep breath, I walked out of my bedroom and headed down the short distance to my living room and entrance.

  When I stepped into the room, Chase and Everly both looked at me. He stood in a tuxedo, with a bowtie that matched the color of my dress. His hair was styled perfectly. Even his shoes were perfect.

  I paused, hesitating to move forward until Everly smiled. She winked at me, and I felt a smile slowly creep across my lips as I stepped into the living room.

  Chase took a step toward me, and his eyes—his beautiful blue eyes—were wide with wonder. He looked at me with adoration, longing and, if I wasn’t mistaken, love. It made my heart skip a beat and my feet want to run toward him.

  But I didn’t. I stood my ground, mainly because I was afraid I’d trip. My legs were weak, whereas a moment ago I was just fine. This man…this incredible, beautiful man. I was in love with him, and there was no going back.

  “Ainsley,” he whispered. “You are absolutely stunning.” He reached out his hand, and I rested mine in his. He brought it to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back of it.

  I smiled. “Thank you.” I felt a blush rush up my neck and cheeks. “You look quite handsome yourself.”

  “Shall we?” he asked.

  I nodded. “We shall.”

  Everything from his office, my pushing him away, and Patricia walking in on us… It all disappeared. I wanted to hold on to tonight as my dream, but I knew soon reality would hit. We would enter the gala, and the facade would fade. He would mingle with his lawyer friends, and I would find those I knew.

  Then there was Patricia. She would be there. What would I do when she approached me? A woman who walked with confidence would not need to size up her competition, but that wasn’t Patricia. She was a predator readying herself to pounce on her prey, and tonight, that would be me.

  What would Chase do in this situation? Would he take my side and tell Patricia to fuck off? Would he stay with his friends and watch the event unfold? My heart knew he would do the former, but my mind screamed the latter.

  He tucked my hand under his arm and turned to my sister. “I’ll have her home later tonight.”

  She snorted and motioned toward the door. “Don’t bother telling me that. I have my own place. This is hers. As long as she survives the night, get her home on your own time.”

  “Everly,” I groaned.

  She giggled and opened the door. “Have fun, you two!” She walked out and left the door open in her wake.

  I looked up at Chase. “Well, are you ready?”

  “I would rather stay here and admire you in this dress. Then devour you out of it.”

  As amazing as that sounded right now—and it did—we needed to make an appearance. I also needed time to talk to him about me…about us.

  “Maybe after the party.”

  He lifted his brows. “Well, let’s go, then.”

  Moments later, we were driving down the boulevard toward Rosewood Mansion in Dallas. This was one of the most beautiful hotels in the city, and I’d never been inside. The car ride was quiet except for soft music that played through the cab. The driver’s partition window was rolled up for privacy.

  I glanced over at Chase and found him fiddling with his fingers in his lap. Was he nervous? Anxious?

  My heart hurt from the experience at his home when Patricia had walked in. I’d felt completely exposed. Was that his fault? No, not necessarily, but I wasn’t ready for anyone to know we were an item, assuming we even were that.

  But my heart also ached for him in a way I had never felt. I wanted him in my life. It was so much more than sex. It was love. I knew it, and I would wager he knew it as well.

  I reached for his hand and slipped mine into it. His palm was clammy, definitely nervous. He looked at me, and I smiled. “Are you all right?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I’m good.” He sighed. “No, I’m not. I lied. I’m sorry. I’m not all right. My head hurts, and I want to turn this car around and head back to your place and never come out again.”

  I smiled again at his words. I wanted to tell him how I felt. To yell to the skies that I loved Chase Newstrom and would give anything to be with him. I wanted to tell him everything and show him exactly how I felt about him in my bed.

  “Chase,” I started but was cut off by his driver.

  “We’ll be there in five minutes, sir. Do you wish to be dropped off at the front or near the back?”

  Chase looked at me and raised his brows. “What would you prefer?”

  “The front. I honestly don’t care.”

  “The front,” he repeated to the driver.

  “Very well,” he said, and silence once again enveloped us.

  Chase cleared his throat and looked at me again. “You were saying?”

  I sighed and pulled my hand from his. “We’re almost there. Another time, maybe.”

  “No, go ahead. What were you going to say?” He took my hand back into his and placed his other hand on top, covering mine completely.

  They were warm, and I briefly recalled how they felt on my body. I shivered. I opened my mouth to tell him everything, but we came to a stop.

  Flashes erupted through the window, and the door to our car was opened. Cameras were shoved inside, and flash after flash went off. A hand was extended for me, and I looked at Chase. He simply smiled.

  “Go on. We’ll talk later. I promise,” he said.

  I nodded, and with a sigh of defeat, I held one hand in front of my face to block the bright lights of the cameras and accepted the extended hand with my other. I stood from the car, and warm air surrounded my body. Exhaust, too much perfume, and cigarette smoke filled the air. I coughed and held on to the hand that helped me out. It was his driver, Andrew.

  “Don’t let me fall,” I told him.

  He smiled and patted my hand. “Never.”

  “I’ll take her from here,” Chase spoke and took my hand in his.

  I looked at him and felt ease settle over me. Soon we would be inside and out of the flashes, yells, and polluted air.

  “Why are the paparazzi here?” I asked.

  “This is one of the biggest events of the year in our area. Law firms aren’t the only ones who support this cause. There are some wealthy investors, professional athletes, and celebrities as well.”

  I nodded as we walked up the steps toward the gala. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and even with the animosity behind us, for the most part, Chase was my home base tonight. And if I needed a quick out, I had my sister or Uber.

  Let the festivities begin.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chase

  If someone had told me a month ago that my date for tonight’s event would be Ainsley Speire, I would have called them a liar. But here we were.

  I looked at
her and smiled as she took in our environment. She was stunning. Exquisite. I wanted to take her away from here and do naughty things with her. All in due time—assuming, of course, our fighting spell was behind us.

  We walked into the ball. A large glass sculpture of a mermaid sat atop a mound of rocks, and the water that was her backdrop was formed of ice. It was striking.

  Some of the wealthiest people from Dallas and the surrounding areas were here tonight. Money was thrown around in ways that was almost sickening. So many had so little, while we were going to eat off five-thousand-dollars-per-plate settings. I wasn’t sure I’d actually cared about that small detail before tonight. That was also, of course, before Ainsley.

  How I hadn’t really seen Ainsley before she wrote her note would always be beyond me. I should thank her again tonight for getting drunk and letting her feelings flow. I smirked to myself as we walked farther into the gala.

  From tuxedos to expensive ball gowns, no one had spared any pennies. I wondered, since we were putting on a charity event, if the dress attire should have been T-shirt and jeans rather than million-dollar outfits. Seemed to be a complete oxymoron.

  “What’s on your mind?” Ainsley asked me.

  I gave a slight shrug. “I guess I’m actually wondering why we’re really here tonight.”

  She raised her brows. “Meaning?”

  A waiter approached with a silver tray and eight flutes of champagne. I took two and handed one to Ainsley.

  “Meaning this,” I said and held my goblet up to clink hers. I took a sip before continuing. “All this money spent preparing and putting on this charity ball, where said charity would see none of it.”

  She nodded in understanding. “So you’re saying invest all this money that funded this ball into the charity itself?”

  “Yep, exactly.”

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” She took another sip and then winked at me.

  I chuckled and pulled her just slightly closer. “Does this mean you forgive me?”