“Never. She hated being married to me. I couldn’t stand her either. The day she signs the divorce papers, I’ll be free.”
It wasn’t her place to ask questions or to pry. Meghan hadn’t talked about her, and the truth was, she didn’t want to know.
Drying the dishes, she put them on the counter before she finished. Drew stepped into the kitchen, and she became aware of him. This was bad.
Before Drew, she’d never had a client with whom she’d shared a past. She’d laugh with some of the other parents. She never forgot her place and she wouldn’t start now.
Taking the last of the plates, she put them away and turned only to come against a brick wall.
He was close. The scent of his soap teased her nostrils.
“Thank you, Callie, for saving me here.”
“You didn’t need to be saved, not really. You had this in the bag.” She tilted her head back to look at him. He had the most beautiful eyes. A sharp blue.
Pulling away, she kept the smile on her lips even as her nipples tightened. “I’m going to bed.”
“Did you wake up for Meghan last night?”
“Yes. She was whimpering. I helped put her back to bed. She had a nightmare about a monster. Would you rather I didn’t?”
“No, it’s fine. I have no problem with you taking care of her. It was the first time I had a good night’s sleep.”
“That’s what I’m here for. I’m here to help.” She nodded at him, turned on her heel, and walked upstairs to her bedroom.
You’re a professional.
He’s your old bully.
Don’t go getting feelings for him.
It has been one day.
That is all. One freaking day.
He’s just a client.
Drew meant nothing to her, and she would keep it that way.
Chapter Four
One month later
Drew cursed as he slammed the phone down.
One month he’d been back and he already had a gazillion reasons as to why he fucking hated the law and all that it entailed. One client was doing exactly as he asked of them. The other, no, he was flaunting his terms of bail and seeing as he was a rich bastard, mommy and daddy wanted Drew on the case, to keep their little ray of sunshine from behind bars.
“You know, a paying client doesn’t need to hear that kind of language.”
“I didn’t fucking speak aloud,” he said, looking toward his brother. He sat back in his chair, glaring.
“You’re looking tense.”
“I’ve got to deal with an entitled prick who thinks I’m nothing more than a slave.”
“I remember an entitled prick once.”
“Oh, give me a break. Mom and Dad never had to bail my ass out of jail for beating the shit out of a barman for denying me a drink.” He shouldn’t be defending the little prick, but he had no choice. The client was on their books as they went to Callum for business law, and so it was only fair they came to him.
The truth was, he’d have the kid locked up with the intention of teaching him a lesson, but that wasn’t going to pay them money.
“It’s been a month. How are you finding things?” Callum asked, closing the door behind him.
“Do you have a problem with my productivity?”
“Not a single one. Our clients are happy and you’ve gotten some swift action on the foster kid with the community service deal. On the work front, you’re great. The best lawyer I have.”
“Cut the shit, Callum. What is it?”
“Your mood has turned sour the past couple of weeks. How’s your home life?”
“Fine.”
“You come to work in an awful mood. I haven’t heard of Tilly arriving. Want to reassess everything? Is Callie not working out?”
“What’s with all the questions? I said I’m fine.”
“And you’re a fucking useless liar.”
“You’re lying now because you know I’m the best.” He needed his pen and it was hiding under a mountain of work.
“Callie getting under your skin?”
“Fuck off, Callum.”
“Does Meghan not like her? Are you having to find another nanny? Or are you thinking of banging the nanny on a regular basis and what we’re suffering is the blue balls you’re dealing with?”
He glared at his brother. “Fuck off.”
“I got it, didn’t I? My bully little brother is finally facing the consequences of his past behavior. So, I’m guessing having Callie close, and being the best kind of fake mom, is just everything you ever wanted. She brings you lunch every day with Meghan, which creates the bond. I bet she also has dinner ready, laundry done, house completely clean. A perfectly well-behaved daughter. Am I doing well so far?”
Giving up on his pen, he sat back and glared at his brother. “Why are you being an asshole?”
“I’m your brother. I’m supposed to.”
“I thought you were supposed to be supportive of me.”
“Oh, I’m supposed to be that too, but for now, I’m playing the part of a giant dick.”
“You’re doing it really well. The best kind.”
His brother laughed. “I’m more than happy to oblige.” Callum bowed even though he was seated. “Come on then. Tell me what the problem is.”
“There isn’t a single problem. Meghan is happy. She’s finally got some routine. She doesn’t wake up at night unless it’s a bad dream. No late-night demands for movies. The weekends, we hang out, and Meghan is always talking about Callie.”
“And what does Callie do?”
“She cooks and assists me if I need it. She’s always there.”
“And is this a bad thing?”
“No.”
“Give it to me honestly, Drew, because right now, I’m not seeing a problem.”
He ran fingers through his hair. Before he went to court, he was going to have to put some gel on it so no one saw that he was hanging on by a fucking thread. What to say to his brother so he didn’t sound like an asshole…
He craved Callie.
Wanted her more than anything.
His nights were spent thinking about her.
Yearning for her.
Desperate for her.
He’d watch her with his daughter and imagine her pregnant with his kid, and it would drive him crazy because all he really wanted to do was slide his dick inside her, and fuck her so hard and fast all the freaking time.
Instead, he kept his thoughts to himself. Callie wasn’t affected by him. He’d watch her as they sat together in front of the television, Meghan curled up between them. His little girl snoring, filling the silence.
“I need to finish this work,” he said.
Callum sighed. “Fine. Actually, I came here for another reason. Leah would like Meghan for a sleepover. It has been so long since we’ve had her.”
“I know what you’re trying to do,” Drew said.
“No, Rebecca misses her.” Rebecca was Callum and Leah’s youngest kid. She was two years older than Meghan.
He blew out a breath.
Before he could say anything, there was a knock at the door. He didn’t need to look up to see it was Callie and his little girl.