“I love the way you negotiate.” She licked his cheek and then hoisted herself into the driver’s seat. Hand on the lever, she jerked the seat forward and started the VW. Antonio reached over, placed his hand over hers on the gearshift and twined their fingers together. Their eyes met and silently they stared at each other for a moment before she directed her eyes to the road and pulled forward.
Chapter Four
Déjà vu was a bitch.
Grace woke the next morning stretched out naked with her body half under Antonio’s, his soft snores in her ear. The coverlet and blanket had been lost to the floor in the midst of their passion, and the sheet was twisted around her foot. For a moment Grace had basked in the unbridled joy that filled her. This bed, this man created all the paradise she’d ever need in this life or the next.
But then the same old doubts began to intrude. She knew she should awaken Antonio. She should try to talk about what had happened between them so she could figure out what it all meant. But what if he obviously hadn’t intended anything other than to comfort his friend, a friend he pitied for her unrequited love? Oh no. She didn’t feel strong enough for that. Then a glance at the clock on his nightstand gave her all the excuse she needed. It was already eight a.m. Being late for work would be grounds for firing on the most casual of days but with her workload…
As soon as she stepped off the elevator and into the office foyer, senior partner Brackman’s assistant informed Grace she was wanted in his office. Without even putting down her briefcase or coat, she rushed to see him. The Nelson case went to trial in just four days. There must have been an urgent development.
Grace knocked and opened his door in one movement. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, come in,” Brackman said, glancing up while he signed correspondence. His face twisted in a grim frown. “I hear you made a spectacle of yourself last night in public at Finnegan’s.”
Larry Carson. That troll had probably called him from the bar last night to tattle.
Grace breathed in deeply and all fear of this bully fell away. “My private life is none of your business, Mr. Brackman.” With deliberation she straightened and met his gaze squarely. “I resent being called in here like some naughty child to be disciplined.”
“You kissed another lawyer from this firm in public.”
If only he knew what else they’d done in public. Carson apparently hadn’t seen any of that. But at this point she didn’t care if he’d seen them having sex on the VW, she wouldn’t be victimized at this law firm one more day.
“So I kissed someone,” she said. “So what?”
Grace turned to go and then turned back. “By the way, I’m settling the Nelson case. The client wants a settlement and it will give us the best result in my opinion.”
His face reddened with anger. “I told you—”
“Yes, I know what you told me. But you assigned the case to me. If you don’t like my legal strategy, then take the case back.”
“I’ll be speaking to the other partners about releasing you from employment this afternoon,” Brackman sputtered with bluster.
“If the price of working here is that you are allowed to trample on my personal rights and try to force me to violate my ethical obligation to do what’s best for the client, then I’m not paying it.” After the statement, the exhilaration of freedom coursed through her. She’d finally stood up for herself. “Out of curiosity, are you bringing Antonio in here to be berated too?” she asked.
Her question seemed to shock him and his eyebrows arched. “No,” he said. “But you’re a woman and if any client saw that display…”
“Oh, so the standard is different for a woman attorney at this firm.” She gave a firm nod. “Good to know. The other partners might be interested in this double standard you’re talking about.”
“That isn’t what I said,” Brackman stammered as he rose from his chair. “I didn’t say there was a double standard.”
“Really? That was what I heard.”
Grace spun on her heel and barreled out of Brackman’s office and came face-to-face, chest-to-chest with Antonio.
“You,” she said.
“Yes, me,” he said, seizing her arm. “And you are coming with me. I’m not letting you get away with running this time.” He dragged her to his office and closed the door, shutting them in before he released her.
“I don’t know what you’re so furious about,” she said.
“Oh yeah?” he asked, red-faced. “You left me stranded at home without a car. Mine’s at Finnegan’s. Remember?”