Mistress Under Contract Page 14

  ‘You’re spending too much time here. You never did have that night off I ordered.’ So he wasn’t taking no for an answer. ‘Corey—you lock up!’ Corey spun round from where he’d been clearing a table and the tray of glasses he had in his hands slipped—glass shattering everywhere.

  Lucy couldn’t stop the giggle as she tried to tell Daniel off. ‘You should never have done that.’

  He flashed her a wicked smile. ‘I’ll sign it off. Come on, let’s go have some fun.’

  Casual Daniel wanted to play. And that was a Daniel she couldn’t refuse.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  You rely on reason rather than intuition

  DANIEL got back from court—and a not guilty verdict—to find the dean of the law school had been trying to contact him all morning. He rang him back right away and was offered the job. Even though he’d been expecting it, the rush of satisfaction hit hard.

  He pushed away from his desk and stood—went out of the office and told his secretary he was going for a walk.

  ‘Daniel, you’re supposed to be meeting Miles for lunch.’

  ‘Cancel it.’

  The stunned expression on her face made him relent. ‘Apologise profusely. Tell him I’m not feeling well.’

  His life was getting way too complicated. He headed to the outdoor pool. He always thought things through in the water, but today he couldn’t settle into his stroke. He abandoned the attempt and went for the walk he’d said he was going to. Somehow he ended up along by the club. He didn’t go in. Didn’t want Lucy thinking he was coming to gloat over his verdict. He could hardly go in high-fiving. He wanted to play that one carefully. A lot of what she’d said was right. There were no real winners today.

  Immediately on his return to the office he was called in to his managing partner. The one he’d ditched at lunch.

  Miles leapt to his feet as soon as he saw him. ‘It’s time we had that talk, Daniel. More than time.’

  ‘You know the university has made me an offer.’ It was a confirmation of knowledge, not a question.

  ‘I knew they wanted to. I can understand it. You’ve got a brilliant brain for research and your enthusiasm for the law is palpable. You can make the most complex law crystal-clear to the most uneducated Joe on the jury and as a lecturer you’ll have students captivated. But you’re also a sight in the courtroom, Daniel. That’s your home. We can give you the resources you need. We know other firms have tried to headhunt you. You’ve stuck with us and we want to reward that, by promoting you to full partner. You’re the youngest we’ve ever made the offer to.’ He smiled. ‘There are substantial benefits, of course.’

  Daniel knew. Remuneration the university could never compete with. But then the university had other kinds of benefits—holidays, for one. Sabbaticals. Time to research and write.

  ‘I know you like to do a lot—pro bono, lectures for law school and the Law Society. All good stuff and good for the firm, but you have to be sure you can fully commit to us.’

  That word. Commit. He’d been skating around it for some time.

  ‘I’m sure you’ll think it through with your usual precision.’

  Daniel nodded and exited. Satisfied but still hungry. You’d think he’d be happy with all his pigeons coming to roost. This was what he’d been working towards for the last eight years. Setting up his pick. Trouble was, now he had to choose and he didn’t know where to start.

  He knocked on his father’s door having bypassed the usual necessary appointment. For once in his life he needed his father to be a father, not a mentor. Managing partner at Graydon Jefferies, he’d been disappointed that Daniel hadn’t followed him into the commercial law arena and made it Graydon & Son. But for Daniel sealing deals and clinching contracts around the world wasn’t really law. It was the cut and thrust of the courtroom battle he liked. The testing of evidence and the theoretical development of the law in which society operated that got him going. Not sorting out matters between large, already wealthy firms. He chuckled under his breath. Lucy was right; he was an idealist.

  ‘Hi, son. How is it?’

  Daniel knew he was referring to his work and nothing else. ‘Good.’

  ‘You’re lecturing at the university again, I see.’

  Daniel nodded.

  ‘Don’t hang out with all those academics too much though, will you? Get back to your ace-lawyer act in the courtroom. You’ll be a judge in no time.’

  Did he want to be a judge?

  ‘What about your caseload—still OK?’

  Still crazy.

  ‘Not still doing all that pro bono stuff, are you?’

  Well.

  ‘Partners won’t be interested in that. You want to be a full partner, you bring in the money.’

  Did he want to be a partner?

  His father frowned. ‘Although the publicity that last case brought was good.’

  Daniel looked at his father another moment and wondered if he should mention Lucy. He figured there wasn’t much point. His father went to bed with law tomes.

  He stiffened. Up until a couple of weeks ago, so had he. Sure, he’d had his flings, but he’d still come back to his own bed, alone, with his books.

  Now it wasn’t enough. And for the first time he could understand his mother’s side of his parents’ relationship. As a youth he’d been angry with her for leaving—angry that she hadn’t understood the drive that pushed his father, the ambition that he’d inherited. The desire to be the best, to make that difference. But looking around his father’s opulent office he wasn’t sure his father was interested in making a difference. He seemed more concerned about making money. Given there’d been money in the family going back generations, this seemed pointless.

  Status. Was that why he pushed Daniel to aim to be the youngest partner? Or youngest judge? So he could bask in reflected glory? Daniel couldn’t even be sure his father was happy. Sure, he had a successful career, but at the end of the day he went home to a house empty of everything except material possessions. He’d been so driven to succeed in his field he’d lost sight of everything else.

  His father glanced unsubtly at his watch. Time was money—every minute was assigned to some client’s account. Daniel geared up to go—realising communication on a level other than work was never going to be part of his relationship with his father. He started to wonder that if he hadn’t done law, he’d ever have had a thing to talk to him about.

  Time. His mother had wanted more of it—from his father. Said she wanted someone who had time to laugh with her, to love her.

  He’d been following in his father’s footsteps for so long, been so determined to succeed, he hadn’t really understood.

  That evening he sat in his apartment not wanting to go to the bar, but illogically wanting to see Lucy. Increasingly uneasy, he looked around his lounge. Lucy’s possessions were taking over. Her shoes. CDs stacked untidily by his stereo. He went and looked at the pile. More country. He put the top one in the stereo and pressed play. Listened for a couple of minutes before wandering around the room and breathing in the scent of Lucy. He wished she were home, then wished he didn’t wish at all.

  He stepped into the hall and peeked through the open door of her room—not sure why he was feeling so reticent given that she slept every night in his bed. Her cowgirl boots were lying on the floor. She must be in sandals tonight—given that it was hot and humid, this was hardly surprising. He smiled at the boots, happily indulging in the memory of the pool table where she had lain wearing nothing but them. Those boots were made for walking. And, yep, he was quite sure they were going to walk right over him.

  Probably soon.

  He looked at his watch and frowned—near to closing time. He needed to move if he was going to be there in time to walk her home. He refused to have her walk home alone. Bad martial arts moves or not, she was vulnerable. And while she was on his watch he wanted to make sure she was OK.

  He walked quickly to the club, foreign anxiety rising in h
im. He was setting up for a fall here. He wanted Lucy—a lot. More than wanted? His jaw clamped. No, because he knew what to expect—she’d leave. Sooner or later, she’d up and walk out leaving him nursing what—a broken heart? His blood chilled. He’d better end it. He should have finished it with her days ago. That was his rule—finish the fling before she does. But he just couldn’t bring himself to—not tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

  He woke late again, his brain even more confused. Only knowing that he was pillowed on something soft and warm and he really, really didn’t want to move. His eyes jerked open. What the hell was happening to him?

  He really needed to do some exercise. He tossed up his options—sex or swim? As if there were any question. But as he watched her sleep he couldn’t bring himself to wake her. He fought to resist the urge to run his hands over the tanned curves peeking out at him. He’d love to have her right now but she needed rest. With regret he snuck into the shower at the other end of the flat, dressed and headed to work.

  Once back at his office he stared at the email. Damn Lara. He didn’t need anything more for his brain to dwell on. Certainly not more Lucy-related stuff.

  How long would the transaction take? He had no idea, but he knew he couldn’t rely on Lucy to last the duration. She’d never signed on for anything long-term in her life. The minute she found out she’d be off. He knew it in his bones. Somewhere, deep in the chest region, a little spark hoped that she wouldn’t. But Daniel didn’t rely on sparks. He always, always prepared for all eventualities. Looked at a case from every angle. Broke it down. Decided on his response to each possible scenario—cold, analytical.

  He picked up the phone to call a temp agency. He certainly wasn’t going to walk into one of their offices—you never knew what you might come across. It didn’t take long. A quick outline of what he needed and when he was likely to need it.

  After making the call he went to see one of the partners in the commercial arm of the firm. He sent Lara an email back explaining he’d handed over her request to someone else. She was on the phone in a nanosecond. Must have been glued to her BlackBerry.

  ‘What’s going on? What do you mean, you can’t do it yourself?’

  ‘I can’t sell the club for you, Lara.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Because I’m involved…’ Ah, he didn’t want to go there. ‘It’s complicated. I do criminal, not conveyancing.’

  ‘Did you say involved?’

  ‘You need to get the best price you can and I need to be out of the negotiations.’

  ‘What sort of involved?’

  ‘Peter is taking over for you. He’s the best in the firm and he’ll see you right.’

  ‘Are we talking romantically involved?’

  ‘I think you’ll find things move quickly. Anyway, those bright lights got to you, huh? You’re in Hollywood for ever?’

  ‘Avoid me all you like, Daniel, but you can’t lie to your heart.’

  Ick. She was on a love high. ‘Gotta go, Lara. This is eating into billing time.’

  Lara’s soft laughter tinkled. ‘I can’t wait to meet her. Let’s do a video conference over the Net.’

  ‘Sure. Next century some time. BYE.’

  He hung up. Stared at the phone. Stared at his timesheet. Stared out the window. Horribly afraid Lara was right.

  After work he walked slowly to the bar. He didn’t want to tell her. This was Lucy—‘leave it when the going gets tough’ Lucy. She of the goldfish-sized attention span, who’d never held down a job for more than a few months.

  The minute Lucy found out the club was going to be put up for sale she’d pack her bags and move on. But Daniel wasn’t ready for her to. He wanted to be able to finish with her himself before she departed.

  Simple solution. He wouldn’t tell her—not yet. An omission, not a lie. He’d buy himself a little more time to slake the crazy lust he had for her.

  He was sure it would go. She was like the holiday he hadn’t had in a while. That was why he was tempted to come and hang out at her bar. Play pool, sit on the balcony with her and watch the world go by. Spend half an hour reading the paper. Spend a whole hour in bed together and not even doing anything.

  He’d ride it out a while longer. Then he’d be back to normal and embracing his overly full schedule again instead of wishing like crazy he could dump half the load and focus on the aspects he really enjoyed.

  He rubbed his hand across his forehead, the ache for her burning into him again. It really would fade, wouldn’t it? This desire to be with her? Because if it didn’t, then he was the one in really big trouble.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  You make your decisions spontaneously

  DANIEL arrived at the bar earlier than usual. He had a look in his eye that hit Lucy’s concern switch immediately. Something was up. What?

  ‘Lara’s been in touch.’

  ‘Oh, yeah?’ Feigning casual interest. Of course this had been going to happen. Only ever a short stint. Just like normal. She’d been chasing dreams. ‘She’s coming back?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘No?’ Her heart started the acceleration process—speedway-style.

  ‘She’s…ah…still deciding on her future.’ He looked down at the bar, his brow pleated.

  ‘Oh.’ She shuffled a couple of coasters. ‘So you’re needing me for longer than the three weeks, then?’

  He nodded sharply. ‘Yeah. I’m not sure how long for—play it by ear, shall we?’

  Were they talking about her job as bar manager or something more?

  She wasn’t about to ask. Daniel was a cool player. She’d play it even cooler. Poker face. Hope for the ace. ‘Sure.’

  Someone to sleep with. That was all he was supposed to be. But he was no longer a good-looking but two-dimensional suit. He was arrogant but understanding. Tough but gentle. Focused but funny. And she was so far in love with him she couldn’t think straight any more. All she knew was that she lived for the nights when, like tonight, he pulled her close and she could pretend to herself that he needed her. That maybe, just maybe, he cared.

  As soon as she woke he hugged her to him. ‘What are you doing this morning?’

  She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Maybe go into the club and get ahead on the accounts.’

  ‘No, don’t do that. Why not go for a swim? You haven’t been in ages.’ He swirled a pattern on her stomach with his finger. ‘You could meet me for coffee.’

  Um. No. She needed to maintain boundaries. Correction. Reestablish boundaries. Carve them in stone. Bed mates. Just good sex. Between utter opposites. Nothing more—and it would be over in the foreseeable future. She didn’t do vulnerable, remember? But she was more vulnerable now than she’d ever been in her life.

  ‘I really should get a few things done.’

  ‘Leave the club for a while, go and swim for a bit, have a sauna. Relax.’ He smoothed over her muscles as he spoke, heading south. They were far from relaxing, they were gearing up for another round of Daniel’s full attention. Excited.

  ‘OK.’ It was hard not to agree with anything the man said when he was doing that. She’d agree to anything so long as he didn’t stop.

  A couple of hours later once she’d snoozed and showered she decided against his advice. She wanted to have the club in top-notch order for when Lara got back. Have the books balanced, the stock management under control and more punters through the door than ever before. She’d got her hopes up that Lara might keep her on. She was comfortable there. It wasn’t too big, it was stylish and it was fun. And, yes, she wanted to stay on. For the first time she wasn’t looking to jump ship to another opportunity as soon as one appeared.

  Quite where that was going to leave the question of her and Daniel, she didn’t know. She was cheerily telling herself the two weren’t related—oh, no. Definitely not. She really ought to be moving out of his apartment and into a flat of her own. But she hadn’t had a chance to look at the paper or on the Internet. She’d been too busy. Sleeping. />
  Lucy was staring hard at the computer screen when she heard the key in the lock downstairs. Smiling, she finished the sentence she was on before closing up the laptop, expecting it to be Daniel, her body softening already. Weak, weak woman.

  He must have figured she’d be at the club anyway, come to find her for some ‘coffee’. They hadn’t done middle-of-the-day sex and frankly she was up for it. Anticipation fluttered through her and she couldn’t keep it dampened. Whatever happened once Lara did come back, for now she was lost.

  But it wasn’t Daniel who appeared at the door. It was a man in a suit, but not the one she’d discovered she loved to look at. ‘I’m sorry, can I help you?’

  ‘Oh. I was told there wouldn’t be anyone here at this time.’

  ‘Really? Well, there is. I’m Lucy, the manager.’ She waited to hear who this guy was and why he had a key to her club.

  ‘I’m Peter, the lawyer for Lara, the owner.’ He stressed the owner part. ‘I’m showing Julia around. She’s the agent who’ll be handling the sale.’

  ‘Sale?’

  Po-faced Peter looked supercilious. ‘I thought Daniel would have mentioned it?’

  Lucy managed a smile, the sharp-edged snaky sort. ‘Yes. I’m sorry, I forgot. I’ll hop out of your way.’

  ‘No, that’s OK, you might be able to answer a few questions for us. Daniel didn’t want you bothered, but if you don’t mind?’

  ‘Mind? Of course not.’ Why would she mind?

  They’d have to chip the smile off her face with a chisel, it was so fixed. Daniel didn’t want her bothered? Why hadn’t he told her? Lara must have been in touch and told him to sell the club. She thought back to that morning’s conversation in bed. He’d been so keen for her to go for a swim. Not to come to the club until this afternoon. Now she knew why. He didn’t want her to know. Her mind frantically ate at the reasoning. He hadn’t wanted her here when the agent came. Why? Did he think she’d let him down? Not be a good representative for the club?