She laughed softly. “I think you’re trying to distract me.”
“Is it working?”
“If I say yes, it will encourage your behavior.”
“I think you like my behavior.”
She rolled her eyes but let me link my fingers with hers. I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed the tender skin.
I glanced toward the bar, narrowing my eyes at the asshole still staring. He grabbed his coat and walked out of the bar.
“That’s right, fucker,” I muttered. “Keep walking.”
Fee shook her head, understanding dawning across her face. “Incorrigible.”
I sat back with a grin and picked up my Guinness. “That’s me.” I leaned forward. “I think we need to go back to the office after we eat, Fee. There is something in the library I need to do.”
“What is that?” she asked.
I narrowed my eyes, my stare intense. My body was fired up with testosterone, and I knew only one way to calm it. My fantasy was going to be played out. Repeatedly.
“You.”
By Thursday, my body was teeming with energy. I hadn’t been without Fee beside me at night once.
Every morning, I swore I would go it alone that night, and every night, I found my way back to her. It didn’t matter if it was on the sofa in her place, her bed, or mine, I slept. As long as she was close, I could relax.
I even felt calmer during the day. In control. Whether it was the sleep, the sex, or Fee, I had no idea.
I was drawn to her. At the office. At home. When I was out at meetings or in court, she was constantly on the shadowy edges of my mind.
Rejuvenated, I worked out harder. My mind was sharper.
And the sex. Never had I experienced the sensations sex with Fee brought me. Unlike past relationships, the more I had sex with Fee, the more I wanted it. At the office—especially the library. Every surface, hard, soft, wall, or counter in the condo. In my car. Every chance I got.
I craved her touch. I could hear her voice and place her in the office, even when my door was closed. Every excuse I could come up with, I found a way to touch her. She was an addiction.
One I wasn’t sure how I would live without once this was over.
Because it would be over—it was the way things worked for me.
Fee came into my office, setting some documents on the corner of my desk. “Rene needs you to sign these as soon as possible, please.”
I reached for them, my fingers brushing against hers. I tried to keep our time during office hours professional, but I broke my own rule time and again. After the office closed, all bets were off.
And usually, so were our clothes.
“Have I mentioned you look very pretty today?” I inquired. She had her hair down and was wearing a new dress, the deep green emphasizing her eyes.
Her cheeks colored and she smiled. “Thank you. I wanted to look nice for tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“I’m having dinner with Joanne.”
I frowned. “Did I know about this?”
She shook her head in exasperation. “I mentioned it on the weekend, Halton.”
“Where are you going?”
“To The Keg. Not far.”
“Take a cab. Call me when you’re ready, and I’ll pick you up.”
She took a stack of files I was done with and held them against her chest, her crossed arms holding them in place. “I will walk there and take a cab back to my place. You don’t have to pick me up.”
“It’ll be dark,” I protested, unsure why I felt the need to make sure she was safe.
“I’ll be fine, Halton. I’m meeting her at six. I’ll be home around nine or so, and I will be fine.”
She turned and walked away, her swaying hips teasing me. The dress swung around her knees, the silky fabric grazing the swell of her ass. It was spectacular.
“Then call me when you get there. Both coming and going.”
She didn’t turn her head, but I knew what her facial expression was without seeing it.
“Stop rolling your eyes at me,” I commanded.
Her low laughter confirmed my suspicion.
“Worrywart,” she muttered.
“Stubborn woman,” I retaliated.
But I was grinning as I dragged the documents closer. I enjoyed sparring with her. More and more of her personality was shining through, and I liked seeing it. My admiration for her grew daily. She endeared herself to me more than I thought possible.
I wasn’t certain how I felt about that. But I seemed unable to stop it.
I rubbed my eyes and shut off the desk light. I had worked through everything on my desk and that waited for me on my computer. I was fully caught up—a rare occurrence these days, given how busy my practice had become. I had been mulling over Fee’s idea the past few days, thinking she was right. Maybe it was time to bring someone else on board. Another attorney with the same principles as me, who wanted to do some good in this world. Between the two of us, I was certain I could convince Fee to stay on board. There would be enough to keep her and Rene busy. We could even expand the office and add a third body to help out.
I walked to my car, still thinking. I glanced at my watch, wondering if Fee was home now. I already knew I would seek her out. I had given up the fight, deciding to enjoy the peace she gave me and the sleep I was getting used to while I could.
It was past ten, dark, and the streets quieter than usual as I steered my car out of the garage and headed toward the condo. I turned down the street where my building was located, intent on getting home, having a shower, and going to Fee. Her bed was smaller, but I preferred knowing she was safe at home when I returned to my condo in the early hours of the morning and got ready for work. She still insisted on separate vehicles, and I had stopped fighting her.
I was still waiting for Scott’s offer. Jonas had requested an extension, and I had the feeling he was having trouble pinning Scott down. The delay worked in our favor, but I was looking forward to putting the screws to them as soon as possible.
As I sat at a red light, I glanced to my left when the flash of something bright under the streetlight caught my eye.
I froze when I realized what I was seeing. Fee was standing on the sidewalk, arguing with someone.
Scott.
As I watched, he gripped her shoulders, pushing her back against the brick of the building beside her, shaking her fast.
Rage tore through me, clouding my brain. I didn’t wait for the light to change. Not giving a shit for my own safety, I hit the gas, tearing through the red light. The car screeched to an abrupt stop, and I slammed it into park and flung open the door so fast, the hinges creaked in protest. I ignored the honks of other cars that had to veer around mine I had left abandoned. My entire concentration was on Fee and the asshole who had her pinned. I could hear her voice pleading with him to calm down and let her go as my feet pounded against the cement. A noise escaped my throat—one I was certain I had never made until that moment—a low, almost feral growl.
Fee’s terrified gaze met mine, her eyes widening in relief and alarm as she saw the murderous look on my face. I sank my hands into Scott’s shoulders, pressing hard, and tore him away from Fee, sending him sprawling to the sidewalk. I stepped in front of Fee, protecting her with my body as I glared down at him.