Total pages in book: 183
Estimated words: 174715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 874(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 874(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
“Time for the torture,” he says, motioning me forward.
I fall into step with him, remembering his comment about enduring tonight because of me. “I take it you don’t like these kinds of events.”
“You take it right,” he confirms as we turn into the main hall between the elevators. “I’d rather be working a case or in a courtroom.”
The elevator dings and a male voice calls out, “Cole Brooks, you son-of-a-bitch.”
Cole stops walking and we turn together to find Cat’s brother, Gabe, who I’ve met a few times before, exiting the elevator. “Who’s the son-of-a-bitch?” Cole challenges, moving forward to shake Gabe’s hand. “You look like shit, man.”
I almost laugh at this comment because Gabe is really not a man that looks like shit, considering he’s tall, with sandy blond hair, and a hard body in a fitted suit, but he does appear a bit wearier than usual. “Thanks for pointing that out, you bastard,” Gabe replies. “I’m in the middle of trial prep for a bitch of a case.” Gabe shifts his attention to me. “I heard they stuck you with Cole. And after consulting on a case with him recently, I have to ask: Has he made you as miserable as he made me yet?”
I have a flash of me on the desk, head thrown back and moaning that has me clearing my throat and saying, “Extremely miserable,” and I’m pretty sure I blush when I say it, but if Gabe notices, he doesn’t comment.
“Stay close to me tonight,” he suggests instead. “I’ll keep you away from the Brooks insanity.”
“This man,” Cole chimes in, glancing at me, “is the real manwhore.”
Gabe holds up his hands. “I am not a manwhore and I have never tried to pick up Lori.” Which is not true. He actually has. “Well, not that my sister knew about,” he adds, laughing. “Cat would kill me, literally.”
“And I’d represent her when she’d done the job,” Cole promises, not even trying to hide his meaning.
“Message received,” Gabe says. “And on that note. Where’s the booze?”
Cole motions Gabe forward. “Drink and be merry.”
“I plan to,” Gabe says, disappearing through the doors.
“Great attorney and friend,” Cole says, as we move toward the doors ourselves, “but he really is the manwhore.” He glances over at me. “Who I want nowhere near you.”
The possessiveness in his tone, in his eyes, does funny things to my belly. “And you’re not?” I challenge.
“Sweetheart, I haven’t touched a woman since you.”
I’m stunned, and pleased, and confused by this confession. “You haven’t?”
“No. I’ve been obsessed with you and I still am.”
“Isn’t obsession bad?”
“Feels pretty damn good to me.”
He doesn’t give me time to react to that statement. He opens the doors to allow my entry into the party, and I have this impression that’s by intent. He wants me to think about those words the entire night and I will.
I enter the party to find the massive open space clustered with people, standing tables, and random displays of food for the taking. I’ve barely had time to survey it all before Cole is by my side, and Reese is motioning us toward a group of people.
“Here we go,” Cole says, the two of us crossing to join Reese, who wastes no time involving us with the guests.
“Meet Jared Moore,” he says, of a short, stocky man next to him who is apparently the CEO of a large company battling a variety of legal woes created by the ex-CFO, details I know simply because Cat wrote an article about the man.
“I hear you’re the man to hire,” Jared says to Cole, which I’m certain will become a theme for the night.
“Only when I’m sold on the case,” Cole says, motioning to me. “Meet Lori Havens, a rising star who will be second chair on my upcoming cases, whatever they may be.”
Cole says those words without hesitation, confident enough to praise me, to share the spotlight with, rather than consuming it all alone, where I have known men who would, my ex for instance. It matters to me, just like his claim to seeing no other woman since me, matters. I think he might matter to me, beyond sex and fantasies but it’s a thought I shove away out of necessity and conversation.
From our CEO introduction, we move on to meet lawyers, doctors, executives, several retired and active ADAs, judges, reporters, and the list goes on. In between each, Cole treats me like his student, asking me to assess each person. Asking my opinion of their character, and he listens with genuine interest. We debate several topics, and I find that I am enjoying the evening, taking in the people with Cole. I like our debates. I like to hear his opinions. He engages me, challenges me, interests me beyond all the reasons I already have to be interested.