Page 9 of Draco's Defiance

“He wouldn’t dare,” Draco promised. “Monroe might be a lot of things, but brave isn’t one of them. He refused my offer to discuss the matter in person. There’s no way he’ll hang around for another chance.”

“You sound very sure.” Her furrowing brow suggested she didn’t share his sentiment.

“I am.” He offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “I know how his mind works.”

Naturally, the woman sipping at her drink had no idea what Draco was thinking as he watched her supple lips sip at the rim of her cup. Thankfully, she couldn’t read his mind and envision the ways he contemplated pinning her down and devouring her, but he was glad she hadn’t ended up Monroe’s next victim. A woman like Moira deserved a better quality of captor.

“Ah, here comes the food.” She put down her cup as the server introduced the two enormous sandwiches to the table. “I’m starving.”

“Go for it.” He gestured for her to go ahead as he acknowledged the server. He’d say one thing for Berrunti’s; the quality of the fare was always decent. His beef sub looked genuinely appetizing. “Did you say that you’re a lawyer?”

“That’s right.” She covered her mouth, conscious of her table manners as she chewed at her sandwich. “Although right now I only hold a frustratingly lowly position.” Finishing her mouthful, she exhaled. “That’s something I hope to rectify soon.”

“How fortuitous.” Draco arched an eyebrow, watching as she wriggled in her place. What, he wondered, was causing that apparent discomfort? Was she uncomfortable in his presence, or was, as he hoped, she also enjoying the view?

“Really?” Wiping the corners of her mouth, she met his gaze. “Why?”

“I need some decent legal advice.”

“Maybe I can help?” Her lips curled. “I’d like to pay you back for what you did today.”

Pay me back? Now there was a thought. Draco could conjure a few mental images of how she might return the favor...

“That would be great.” He genuinely could use the legal advice, but hadn’t imagined it coming from someone he’d simultaneously like to pin against the wall and screw. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” She fingered the edge of her sandwich. “I’m sure I can fit you in, Draco.”

“Where do you work?” Presumably it was somewhere close if Monroe had been following her. “Should I make an appointment?”

“Actually, it might be better if we meet privately?”

Her delicate eyebrow rose as she spoke. It was only a miniscule gesture, but he noticed it immediately. She wanted to meet privately. The day was going better than he could ever have hoped.

“Privately?” Damn, his growing arousal was making it difficult to think clearly. “Yes, that sounds ideal. Would it be too forward of me to invite you to my place for that meeting?”

“Your place?” There was no hesitation as she replied, and no sign that she was uneasy at his approach. “And where would that be exactly?”

“My family owns a few spots around the city.” He didn’t intend that to sound as immodest as it probably had, but to her credit, Moira didn’t flinch at his assertion. “But I prefer one in the middle of town. It’s not far from here actually.”

“Really?” Her twitching lips conveyed how little she was surprised by his claim.

“Yes,” he went on, sensing where this might head if he played his cards right. “You’d be welcome to join me now, but I’m sure you’re due back in the office soon.”

“Oddly, I’m not.” She tore another piece of sandwich with her teeth, her gaze not leaving his as she chewed slowly on the food.

“You’re not?” Jeez, Moira was giving him every sign that she fancied an impromptu legal session back at his place.

“No.” Concluding her mouthful, she ran her tongue provocatively over her lips. “I worked so late I’ve decided to finish for the weekend.”

“Good call.” He’d scarcely touched his sandwich, but watching Moira meant he now had an appetite for much more than only lunch. “We all need a break sometimes.”

“My sentiments entirely.”

Tucking into another mouthful, she slowly devoured her sandwich. Draco watched, engrossed, as she finished off the meal. He’d rarely seen a woman with such a ferocious hunger and he’d never realized how scintillating it was to witness someone eat.

“Won’t you get into trouble for not returning?” Not that Draco cared. Her job was her responsibility, but he was interested to see what her response would be. Did the idea of being ‘in trouble’ perturb or engage her?

“Maybe.” Her tone was dismissive, leaving him unsure which of the two camps she fell into. “But if Mr. Monroe starts complaining about my behavior, I might not have much of a role to return to.” Her gaze flitted to his. “So, maybe I don’t have much to lose.”

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