Page 11 of You Complicate Me

He leaned forward and she mimicked his action instinctively. His voice lowered as he said, “So, Grace Emerson Montgomery, just how good are you?”

Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth and she felt the blush start somewhere around her toes and shoot right up to her hairline.

He studied her for a moment. “Right to the gutter again, huh, angel?” He shook his head. “I do love the way you think. But I was asking how good you are as a lawyer.”

She instantly relaxed. “I’m the best.”

“Yeah?” he asked. “So, you always win in court? Get people to confess and shit, like A Few Good Men?”

She laughed at the enthusiasm in his tone. “No, nothing like that. I’ve never done any criminal work. My clients are big companies, and if they have to go to court, it probably means I really failed them.” She popped another fry into her mouth. “And I do my best to make sure I never fail them.”

“And you’re happy?”

Grace blinked. She wasn’t sure anyone had ever asked her that before. People asked how much money she made, or mentioned how proud her parents must be of her accomplishments, but never if she was happy. She thought for a moment before answering quietly, “Yeah. I am.”

“Then that’s all that matters.”

“What about you?” she asked.

His gentle smile stole her breath. “I am today, angel.”

Chapter Five

Grace and Nick finished their meal in companionable silence. When Nadine asked if they were ready for their check, Grace ordered a piece of apple pie to go.

“Mommy, can I have pie, too?” the little girl at the next booth asked.

The mom sighed. “I’m sorry, baby. I have just enough money for our dinner and gas. If we spend any more, we won’t make it to Grandma’s.”

The little girl nodded solemnly. “That’s okay, Mommy. I understand.”

Grace glanced at them under her lashes. The mom looked young, no more than twenty, and haggard in a way no one that age should ever be. The little girl had waist-length braids of golden blonde hair and an adorable gap between her front teeth. She was maybe eight. Way too young to understand a budget and not having enough money for a lousy piece of pie. This obviously wasn’t the first time she’d had to do without.

Grace’s first instinct was to have Nadine send her to-go pie over for the little girl, but something about the mother’s tight expression and defeated posture told her charity might not be welcome. Grace made a mental note to pay their tab anonymously when she paid her own on the way out.

“You ready?” Nick asked.

She nodded, reaching for her purse. “I’ll take care of the check.”

He raised a brow at her. “No, you won’t.”

Nick made a grab for the check as they stood, but she was faster. “Don’t be a Neanderthal,” she said. “We’re not on a date. I won’t let you pay my way.”

Nick took a step toward her, then another, until she was forced back against the wall behind their booth. Grace lowered her arms and pressed her palms back against the wall with the check still held loosely between her fingertips as he towered over her.

And he really towered. Jesus, had he always been this much taller than her?

She sucked in a sharp breath as he leaned into her and planted a palm on the wall next to her head. Her thoughts scattered until she was left with nothing but the ohmyGod ohmyGodohmyGod variety.

His gaze fell to her lips and that was all it took for her body to completely override all common sense. Her nipples leapt to attention as his chest pressed into hers.

And holy hell he smelled incredible. If she could bottle that combination of soap and heat and man, she’d probably carry it around with her and take hits off it all day like a junkie.

“Grace,” he whispered in her ear, sending shivers through her whole body, weakening her knees.

Her answer was a combination moan/sigh, completely unintelligible and completely embarrassing.

“When you’re with me, I pay.”

---