Hardass (Bad Bitch)(71)

Kennedy’s laugh followed us down the hall and to the elevator.

Wash carried my file for me. It was cute. With his hair all ruffled, jacket off, and shirt unbuttoned, he looked like a harried law professor late to a class. Totally kissable.

He stood close to me in the elevator, our thighs touching as we eyed each other’s reflections. The parking deck was deserted this late at night, so I was happy to have some company.

“If you have any trouble tomorrow, call me. Okay?” He walked me to my car.

“I will. But I won’t have any trouble.” I took my file from him and put it in the backseat.

When I shut the door and turned, he was close and moved closer still, pushing me against the car door. I looked up at him, wanting him but unsure if I could withstand the damage he could do to my heart. He put a hand on my cheek, and I closed my eyes at his touch.

He kissed me lightly at first and then put his hand at the small of my back, pressing me into his hard body. His lips became insistent, demanding, and my knees went weak. I gripped his shirt at the waist, fisting the material as warmth built between my legs.

He broke the kiss but kept eyeing my lips as if he wanted to do it again. “I’ve needed to do that all day. My apologies.”

I smiled. “I’ve needed you to do that all day. Apologies accepted.”

He smiled. Hello, dimples.

“All right. I’ve got to get back to Kennedy before he finds some unwary female associate who’s working late.”

He backed away and crossed his arms as I got in my car. Before I closed the door, I batted my lashes at him. “Oh, and Wash, if you have any trouble tomorrow, call me. Okay?”

He smirked and nodded.

I watched him disappear in my rearview and ignored the pain in my heart. Why was it so hard to leave him? I’d been with him all day. Hell, married people didn’t see each other as much as we did. But I still wanted more. I realized I probably always would. And wasn’t that just a bitch?



The next morning, I rolled out of bed at an ungodly hour and got ready for work. I’d left my voice recorder at my desk, so I’d need to stop by the office on the way to the morgue. Great.

The apartment was so quiet without Terrell. I missed him terribly, especially when I realized I would have to do my own dishes while he was out. Bummer. The Lynch Lane wine didn’t taste as good without him to share it with, either. But I still drank it, of course.

After over-spraying perfume in the hope it might cover the morgue smell, I drove to work. Only Mr. Palmer’s and Wash’s cars were in the deck. It was too early for anyone other than straight-up kiss-ass associates to be at work. I guess I was the only one of those.

I snagged my recorder off my desk and maneuvered down the hall to Wash’s office. The door was closed, and some sort of argument was going on inside. What the hell?

I kicked off my heels and crept closer, my bare feet silent on the marble.

“It’s not something we do at this firm, Wash. You know that!”

“I know. I know. Look, I’ve been meaning to tell you about it. I wanted to have a sitdown, the three of us, and discuss it.”

“Dammit, Wash. This isn’t something you can just discuss. I have to fix it. She’s been a great associate up until now. And now, I can’t let her stay here if you two are going to continue what you’re doing.”

My heart seemed to stop and I froze. Me. They were talking about me.

“Trent, there’s no reason for this to have to force her out.”

“Yes, there is. This firm has a strict policy on that, and you know it. Hell, you helped write it. We don’t want to be known as one of the predatory firms that goes through a lot of associates, especially not female associates. And especially not because of fraternization.” Mr. Palmer’s voice had reached a fever pitch. “This is our very reputation you’re messing with.”

“I can fix this.” Wash’s voice grew in intensity, anger roiling in its tone. “We’ve managed to keep it professional at work. We can keep doing that.”

“You know that won’t work.” A slapping sound, as if Mr. Palmer had slammed his hand down on Wash’s desk. “I don’t want to have to terminate her, but I will to save this firm’s good name.”

“It’s not her fault.” Wash’s voice was a sharp bark.

“Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you think I hate that she’s the one that has to be punished for your fuckup? She has to go. I can’t very well fire you. We’re partners here. This is the only way.”

“I can fix it.”

“No, you can’t. I’ve already decided. She has to go. I’ll give her two more weeks to transfer her workload on the Bayou Butcher case, but after that she’s out.”