Page 5 of Silver Flirt

“Well, well, well. Melissa Graham,” he says, his voice like velvet. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

“Hello, Bash.”

I say the words in a calm enough voice. But inside, my mind is reeling.

Bash looks around and gives a low whistle. “Damn, this all you?”

He turns in a slow circle, taking in the expensive modern decor and the impressive downtown view from my corner office windows.

I give a modest shrug. “One of the perks of being senior partner.”

His face splits into a wide grin. “I always knew you’d be a boss. Even back in high school. You were destined for big things.”

My cheeks flush at the unexpected praise. I decide to ignore the compliment. “What brings you by?”

He grins, oozing charm as he sits down in front of my desk. “Would you believe me if I said I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d say hello?”

I laugh, trying not to stare at how his jeans hug his muscular thighs. “Considering your ‘neighborhood’ is three hours away in Barton Beach, I’m going to say no.”

Bash chuckles. “Fair enough.”

I take the seat across from him. “So, what can I do for you?”

He sighs. “I need your help.”

“With what exactly?”

Bash leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “I run a foundation down in Barton Beach called Diamond Dreams. We raise money to give underprivileged girls college softball scholarships.”

“That’s very admirable.”

His expression darkens. “Last night, one of the board members embezzled all the funds. Now the scholarship fund is empty.”

“Oh, no! I’m so sorry,” I murmur sympathetically as I reach under my desk for my purse. “I’d be more than happy to donate. Who should I make the check?—”

Bash cuts me off. “I’m not here for a donation, Melissa.”

I blink at him. “Oh. Um, then what are you here for?”

“I’m here for you.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Me?”

“You. I need the best lawyer in Texas to represent Diamond Dreams. To help me make this right for those girls who are counting on us. You’re the smartest person I know, Melissa. Always have been. You’re the only person I trust to help me with this.”

I fight back a blush at the compliment, my traitorous heart fluttering.

“I appreciate your confidence in me, Bash. But I’m a corporate litigator, not a criminal prosecutor. Embezzlement cases aren’t really my specialty...”

Bash’s voice takes on a pleading tone that strikes me to my core. “Please, Melissa. Anything you could do to help would be great. I don’t know where else to turn.”

I’m secretly thrilled that Bash came to me for help. My rational side knows I should refer him to someone else more qualified. But the soft, vulnerable look in his eyes makes me want to move heaven and earth for him. Just like old times.

I sigh, tapping my pen against the desk. “I have a law school classmate who works in the Texas Attorney General’s office. Let me make some calls and see what I can find out.”

Relief washes over Bash’s handsome face. He stands up, and before I know what’s happening, he’s rounding my desk and pulling me into a tight hug.

He envelopes me in his strong arms, and my hands automatically come up to rest on his broad back. I can feel the heat of his body, the thud of his heartbeat against my own racing pulse.

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