“Charlotte,” the voice on the other end said. “It’s Worthington.”
“Professor,” I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t trying to –”
“I’m not sure what you said to Cutler, but he raved about you. Great job. He wants you on the case.”
“Oh.” I swallowed. Was it possible Noah Cutler had decided that since I’d stood up for myself that he should hire me after all? “That’s great. I’m so glad. Um, is there anything Josh and I can do tonight?”
“No,” he said. “Josh isn’t going to be working with him. Cutler didn’t get a good vibe.”
“Oh.” My mouth went dry. “So it’s just me then?”
“Yes,” he said. “Just you.”
“Okay. Um, is there anything I should do?”
“No, not right now. He hasn’t been charged. But Noah Cutler is his own worst enemy. We’re going to have to keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn’t mess up his own case. You got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
There was a call coming in on my other line, so I said a quick goodbye to Worthington and answered the call.
“Charlotte?” It was Noah Cutler. I recognized the voice immediately. Smooth, husky, with just a touch of amusement.
“How did you get this number?”
“I’ve heard you’ve been tasked with the job of making sure I don’t get into trouble.”
“Yes,” I said, deciding to try to be professional. “You need to make sure you stay out of this, that you let Professor Worthington take care of things.” I hoped I sounded like I knew what I was talking about. I wished I knew more about the case, but if I’d learned anything these past few months, it was that people thought law students were better seen and not heard.
The door to the office opened, and Noah Cutler came walking out. He hung up his phone and gave me that grin. “Oh, good,” he said. “You’re still here.”
“Did you send the car away?” How was he doing all of this?
“Yes. That other kid was worthless.”
“Well, thanks,” I said, annoyed. “Now I have no way home.”
“You’re not going home,” Noah said. I noticed for the first time there was a long black coat slung over his arm, and he was holding a briefcase.
“Then where am I going? “ I asked.
“With me.”
“Where?”
“To my apartment.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m not having sex with you.”
He shook his head at me, like he couldn’t believe I would be so presumptuous. “No one said anything about having sex, Charlotte. But you heard Worthington, I need to be watched. Otherwise I’m going to get myself into trouble.” His eyes blazed, and a heady mix of heat and desire shot through my body. “I’m going to need 24/7 supervision.”
His intent was clear. He wanted me to come back to his apartment. For what, thought? What was he going to be doing that could get him into so much trouble?
Worthington’s words echoed through my head. Noah Cutler is his own worst enemy. We’re going to have to keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn’t mess up his own case.
“That’s impossible,” I said to Noah now, shoving my chin into the air. “I can’t be around you twenty-four seven.”
“Why not?” He moved forward, reached out and traced a line down my chin, over my lips, down my collarbone.
His eyes blazed, cool and icy blue. God, he was gorgeous. I’d never seen a man this gorgeous up close before. I’d had sex with him! He’d seen my half naked, he’d been inside me.
I felt my face flame.
Noah leaned forward, his face just inches from mine. “Are you thinking about what we did earlier, Charlotte?” he rasped. “Because I am.”
I shook my head. “No,” I lied. “I’m not thinking about what we did earlier.”
“You’re not?” he pressed. “You’re not thinking about what it felt like to kiss me, how your body felt against mine, how my hands felt on you?” He was moving closer now, his lips just inches from mine. “Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”
The pad of his thumb ran over my bottom lip, and the sensation drove me almost insane with lust.
“Come back to my apartment,” he said. “We can do whatever you want.”
“Whatever I want?” I repeated.
“Promise,” he said. “We’ll do whatever you want.”
I knew it was a lie. Noah Cutler wasn’t the kind of man who gave up control to anyone. He made the rules. He knew it. I knew it. And we both knew I was going to go back to his apartment with him anyway.