Page 26 of When The Rain Falls

I study her, trying to figure out if she means it the way I heard it. But I don’t discover anything on her face, other than how long her lashes are. And how provocative her lips are.

“Why are you being nice to me?” she asks.

“I'm not being nice to you.”

“Yes you are.” She gives me a pointed smile.

“Shut up," I say quickly.

Aimee throws her head back and laughs. And it's as warm as that beam hitting her face.

9I GET IN THE MINIVAN

FINN

Early sunlight driftslazily through our sheer curtains. The filtered light cast warm rays across the room. I roll over in bed and pop one eye open. Laurel's dark hair spills seductively over her pillow. I curl into the body, still lost to slumber beside me. The curves under my touch are so delicate and feminine. I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her into a spoon position. She fits perfectly, nestled beside me.

"Hmmm," she hums softly, bringing a hand to reach behind her and rub the scruff on my face. Her touch is soft and warm.

"Good morning," I whisper into her tousled hair.

"What time is it?" she asked sleepily.

"Doesn't matter. We're not getting up yet." I love waking up beside this woman. And I get to spend the rest of my life doing just that.

"We're not?" she asks mischievously. She turns over to face me. In this moment, she takes my breath away. Her eyes are a golden caramel. Her smile is lazy. She's still wrapped in the sweetness of the fog of sleep. I kiss the tip of her nose.

"There's no chance I'm letting you out of this bed looking so fuckable."

She giggles as I roll onto her.

If my day is going to be anything like my first hour in the office, this one can go to hell.

“So, do I have a case?” Caroline leans across the conference room table and gives me a flirty smile. I know what she’s doing. Her eyes are growing glossy and her mouth is parted slightly. She’s fucking me with her eyes. I try not to snort. The only action I get nowadays only exists in the mind. Of other people.

"Caroline—" I begin, but there's a knock on the conference room door. My assistant, Ann, pops her head in.

"Finn, there's a call for you. It's an important one."

I nod to her before turning to Caroline. "I better get this." I stand and smooth out my shirt.

"Ok, well, we should set up a one-on-one to get all the facts straight. You come on over to my house later this week and I'll cook us up some meatloaf." Caroline gives me a loaded smile. I know exactly what kind of meat she really wants.

I walk towards the conference room door. "My office will be in touch.” Caroline stands and grabs her purse from the table. I open the door and prop it in place with my back.

“You have my number." She eye-fucks me one last time as she walks through the door. I follow her, stepping into the lobby. Ann is seated behind the large front desk, trying desperately to hide her amusement. My paralegal, Jane, is standing by the copier, her back to me.

When Caroline has safely exited the building, I let out a deep sigh of relief.

"For fuck’s sake,” I grumble, setting my hands on my hips and glaring around the room. “No more client consultations withaggressive, single women,” I bark. “One of you could have given me a heads up that she was recently divorced.”

Ann winces. But Jane looks up at me with a challenge in her face. "What? You want me to tell you every detail about every potential client? Then what's even the point of a consultation?" I glare at her, but she glares right back. I take a deep breath and bite back the anger flaring in my gut.

I turn to Ann. "Thanks for saving my ass in there."

"You really do have a call,” she says. “Someone from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel? It sounds important."

The blood drains from my face. Fuck. They're investigating the bar complaint. A sense of dread settles over me as my heart beat rises to the front of my chest. "I'll take it in my office." I turn and storm towards my office door.

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