Page 39 of Seduced By a Billionaire

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Kyle watched as Ella took Finn’s hand in hers and felt an ache in his chest. Was he setting his son up for another heartbreak? Who was he kidding, more to the question, was he setting himself up as well? He liked Ella… a whole lot. She filled the house with joy. It had been so dark and gloomy after Jemma had died, and in the months preceding her death. Ella was bringing life and laughter here again, not to mention his permanent hard-on which he was beginning to doubt would ever be satisfied.There should be a law against her wearing shorts. Damn she has the best legs I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Rich appeared with Pete by his side.

“Hey pardner, how’s my gimpy friend?” Pete said, his humor missing its mark.

“Where the hell have you been?” Kyle growled.

“I felt like it was best to stay away, or you’d be picking my brain and not following docs orders.”

“I suppose you were right. A phone call or two would have been nice, but what do I know.”

“Not much,” he said. “You’re looking pretty good, no permanent scars on that perfect face of yours. Some guys have all the luck.”

“I’d hardly call a near-fatal accident luck.”

“You always manage to come out of everything smelling like a rose.”

Kyle let it slide since he knew his college friend meant no harm. He had always been a smartass and slightly competitive. They had been roomies their freshman year of college, both intent on careers in law. They had attended the same law school and after passing the bar, Kyle on his first attempt, Pete on his third, had opened a practice together.

They currently had five attorneys working for them, a paralegal and two legal secretaries as well as Elenore, their office manager and assistant. Their firm practiced in several areas, mainly real estate, tax law, some divorce cases, and environmental litigation, which happened to be the area of law that Kyle was most passionate about.

“Pull up a chair.”

Taking a seat Pete said, “Who was that babe walking out with Finn? I’d like a little piece of that action.”

“Hands off. That’s my live-in nurse.”

Pete snickered, “Yeah right. Nurse by day, mistress by night.”

Kyle glared at his friend, “Shut the fuck up, you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Hit a nerve, did I? I guess that means she’s available then?”

“Keep your hands off.”

“So, I was right the first time. Hey, no harm no foul, I’m jealous, she is damn fine! I’d be doing her too.”

“I’m going to say it one more time so it can penetrate that thick skull of yours, Ella is off limits. You got that? You will talk about her with respect and leave your dick at home when you’re around her. Understand? There is nothing going on. She’s my nurse and she’s helping out with Finn. End of story.”

Pete held up his hands in mock surrender, “Okay already, got it. No need to get churlish.”

“Can we change the subject? Let’s get back to our main objective.”

“I know you were told about the package delivery, turned out to be baking powder.”

“Any ideas?”

“None. It could be any number of disgruntled defendants we’ve prosecuted. Or even our own clients. We haven’t won them all.”

“Most,” Kyle countered.

Sarcastically Pete replied, “Of course, we’re the best. I’ve been thinking about it, first we’ve got that environmental group Earth’s Saviors breathing down our necks over your father’s development site where that old factory was torn down. The zoning commission is giving the developers all kinds of grief as well. Then to make matters worse, the neighborhood watch dogs got in on the act, clamoring about having to hold their noses before entering their gated community. Boy you rich folk sure don’t want to share do ya?”

Kyle lifted an eyebrow, studying his friend. Something was off about Pete today. He couldn’t put his finger on it but there was something…

“Everything all right with you?” Kyle asked.

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