A soft, rosy hue shades her cheeks, and she offers me a megawatt smile that has me leaning forward, elbows on my desk. “I’ve wanted to be a lawyer for a long time, since I was fifteen and I watched my dad take on cases to help people. That’s what I want to do, and I know you’re one of the best. Masterson Attorneys are the crème del la crème, and I would be stupid to miss an opportunity to work here.”
Her voice is melodic, gentle, yet firm, and the way she twists her fingers in her lap has me intrigued. She doesn’t come across as completely submissive, but there’s a shyness to her.
“From your resume I see you’re twenty-four, Hope. That’s younger than I expected for someone with your,” — I glance at the folder, then back to her — “experience.”
“I’ve interned for a long while at my father’s company, but it’s now time for me to venture on my own,” she tells me confidently. If I didn’t have a rule about sleeping with my staff, she’d be bent over my desk right now taking my cock.
I nod. “And where do you see yourself in five years?”
She glances at her shoes, over my desk, then at the bookshelf behind me, but she doesn’t look directly at me when she responds. “I’d like to be partner by then,” she tells me. “I know it will take hard work, but I’m not afraid of getting my hands dirty.”
“And this is the only firm you see yourself working at?” My question has her flicking her gaze toward me. A small smile dances on her lips, and I’m tempted to steal it with my own. I want to kiss her. I’ve never been so viscerally attracted to someone before.
“Yes, sir.”
Good girl, I think to myself. If I actually get this girl in my bed at some point, I know exactly where I can find a job for her. Because, my god, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to deny her if she stays with Masterson Attorneys.
Even before she responded to my questions, I knew I would have her. I’d made my mind up, and now I’m going to make her see how good we can be together. I make a mental note to call Oliver in the morning and have a chat with him.
But right now, I need to make sure I’m dressed to the nines and ready for my date with the beautiful Ms. Silverton.
Chapter Three
Hope
The restaurant is lovely. Elegant staff move through the main area as they wait on their tables. The low lighting offers a calm ambience, and once we’re seated, I glance at the menu and notice the prices of the items.
This place is way out of my range. I can feel Tyler’s gaze on me. I’ve always been attracted to him, and each time he’s looked my way, it’s felt as if his hands were on me. But right now, as he sits across from me, I find myself shy and unsure of what I want. It’s not who I am. I’m normally a confident woman, but something about him turns my stomach to knots of need, twisting and coiling.
“Have anything you want on the menu,” Tyler speaks, causing me to lift my gaze. His blue eyes are darker, and under the soft yellow glow of the lights, he looks youthful, more so than his almost forty years.
“Anything?”
He nods. “Of course, Hope.”
I sit back, setting the menu card down to look directly at him. “Why am I here, Tyler? I wasn’t expecting a date, or a relationship. To be honest, I know we made a mistake that night. I was drunk; so were you. We are both adults. We can agree to move on.”
“What if I don’t want to move on?” he challenges me with a grin. There’s a glint of mischief in his eyes, and I can’t help but smile. For a man who can win any court case he takes on, who can talk to judges and police officers as if he was never burdened by their authority, there are times I’ve glimpsed the less serious man who’s still there, hidden beneath the designer suits and cocky mouth.
“I’m not sure what’s gotten into you,” I tell him, shaking my head. “But I’m confused as hell by all this.” Waving my hand in the air, I gesture at the exquisite restaurant and between him and me.
“Nothing’s gotten into me. I’ve wanted you since the moment you walked into my office three years ago for your interview.”
“Even as you were going through your divorce?” This time, I challenge him. Those months were the darkest in the office, and I had only been working for him for three months at the time. His anger and the guilt I saw him bear was nothing short of painful for everyone around him.
He cheated on his wife. And like my mother always says, once a cheat, always a cheat. I don’t want someone like that in my life. I would like a man who can keep it in his pants, no matter how pretty his secretary is. Which brings me back to the here and now, and the thoughts of just what I’m doing with him.
“What’s going on in that pretty little head?”
“Relationships and me, they don’t work, ever,” I tell him. “You’re not exactly well-known for your celibacy either.”
He nods, leaning back against the chair. He runs his fingers through his dark hair, and I watch as the tousled strands fall into place, one curling over his forehead. “I wasn’t the best husband; you’re right. I never once denied it. The morning after it happened, I went home and told Diane what I did.”
This is news to me, and my eyes widen in shock.
“The guilt sat heavily in my gut, and I just couldn’t live with myself for what I did. I may not be in a relationship right now, or I haven’t been since I signed the papers and became a single man, but I’m not a cheater who enjoys hurting others.”
His remorse is clear, written all over his face, and his eyes are filled with weariness. I’ve seen this man scream at staff to get their shit together, but I’ve never once seen him open himself up like this. I’m not sure my heart can take it. As much as I want to run from the feelings that are slowly stirring in my heart, I sit and wait for him to continue.
“I wanted more, and when I had it, I fucked it up.” His voice breaks at the final words, but before I can say anything more, the waiter brings a bottle of sparkling water and fills our glasses before he takes our drink order.
I wait until he’s out of earshot before I finally speak. “So, you mean to tell me you’d much rather be in a long-term relationship?” It sounds disbelieving after his confession, but I can’t help the doubt that sinks into my voice.
“I would.”
“And this date?” I ask. “I mean, we work together, Tyler. I can’t lose my job if people find out I slept with the boss. I also can’t have people thinking I’m trying to sleep my way to the top.” I’ve heard horror stories about women who’ve been thought of as climbing the ladder by using their bodies, and that’s not a reputation I want or need. Especially in a career where the law firms are adamant about following the rules.
“Listen to me, Hope.” Tyler speaks once more, and I stop my worried tirade. “This isn’t some fling. I don’t know what it is just yet, but I’d like to find out. If you want to keep us a secret until we can figure this shit out, I understand.”
He looks so serious. There’s truth shining in his gaze, and I find myself wanting to dive into those blue depths and believe everything is going to be okay.