Page 20 of Legal Attraction

“Except that you snatch up the best women associates.”

“Except for that, yes. Rand. Focus on what you’ve been given and be happy about it.”

He frowned and then Coral cleared her throat. “Ms. Taylor? I’m Coral Anastas.”

“Ah yes, come in. This will be your desk here.” She indicated a clean, open desk across from her own. “We have a lot to go over in a short amount of time.” She turned to Rand and when he didn’t move, she said, “this is Mr. Rand McCarthy. And this is one of our newest associates, Coral Anastas.”

Coral held out her hand as though to meet him. “Mr. McCarthy.” Her eyebrow rose.

“Ms. Anastas.” His hand grasped hers and for the briefest moment she was back on the beach. But then he let go and nodded to her. “Welcome to Goldstein and Smithson.”

“Thank you. I’m anxious to get started.”

Ms. Taylor cleared her throat. “Yes, I as well. We can talk more later if you like, Rand. But as far as your other concern, the decision is final. You can take it up with Mr. Goldstein.”

He turned without another look at Coral.

So that’s how it was going to be. She nodded to herself. She could handle that. He was professional. But who had he been complaining about? His two associates sitting in his office?

Ms. Taylor leaned back on the edge of her desk. Mr. McCarthy doesn’t think you’re ready for this client.”

Coral sucked in a breath, irritation surging. “Why not?”

“You’re new. They’re complicated. And well, honestly, he hasn’t had a bite into them yet, and I think he’s hungry to try.”

Coral nodded. “Is that what he was complaining about?” She’d seen an eye opening glimpse into Rand’s willingness to stand in the way of her career. She definitely needed to keep her eyes on him. Certainly no breaks simply because they’d kissed. She tried to ignore the stab of hurt, but it festered anyway.

“That’s a bold question about one of the partners in our law firm.”

Coral was about to recant her question when female partner name smiled. “I love it. He’s a good man though. Don’t hold it against him.”

Her frown made another appearance without Coral even trying and female partner waved her hand. “Let’s get to work. Your file was supremely unhelpful. The real file is on that book case over there in the corner and in a room full of cabinets. It would take a person ten years to catch up on the history of this client. And I don’t recommend it. But what you do need to know is on that book case. Before we can do anything at all. I’ll need you up to date at least on that information.”

Coral managed not to flinch. But that was more case reading than she’d done for one whole class last semester. “You got it.”

“I’ll leave you to it then.”

“Wait. That’s all you’re going to tell me? Why the secrecy even among people here at the firm?”

“We don’t talk about the why. We just respect their wishes. I think once you get into their cases, you will be able to infer some of it.”

Coral nodded and started walking toward the bookshelves.

“And always in the back of your mind, remember attorney client privilege. In their case it applies to even the other attorneys in the firm. It is not to be discussed except with people working directly on the case with you.”

“And who is that?”

“Right now? Me.”

ChapterTen

Rand walked out of Cass Taylor’s office with barely a civil word in his brain. Another associate went straight into Muskanza’s docket. And Rand had yet to get a glimpse. Something was definitely being kept from him, purposefully. It griped him to be beat out by a new associate, but in Coral’s case, he was more concerned for her welfare. She had almost no knowledge of the law as it applied to law firms and their clients. And she could easily be fooled or pressured or dubbed into doing something that would come back to haunt her. Did Rand think his law firm was involved in shady business? Nothing illegal certainly. And he really did assume that things were not too nefarious to worry about. But he felt protective of Coral. He couldn’t help it. And he wished she were far away.

So much for not calling her. Here she was. Never more impossible for him than at that moment. And yet under his skin every day. It might be time for him to travel for work some more. The Mediterranean was looking pretty good right about now. More client networking, business development. All knowing Coral would be right here in his law firm offices. There was no where he could go and avoid that distraction.

He growled to himself. How could he leave her there? Already the sight of her in a suit, heels, hair pulled back like she was about to spend hours reading legal briefs. It was doing things to him. He rotated his shoulders. Nothing about this would even be of note if he hadn’t already tasted the salt of the ocean on her lips. And danced with her, and witnessed her bravery and ease under pressure. She was an impressive woman on all counts and now he knew she was also impressive enough to be hired by his law firm. How had he not been paying attention to the new associates? Because he’d grown tired of it all. What would Coral do when someone first said to her. “The firm likes it when its associates are happily married.” Or. “Children add stability and a family friendly appearance to Goldstein and Smithson.” Rand had thus far avoided the pressure to settle down with a woman. But he suspected that part of his discussion was related to the fact that he was not a family man. It’s not like he didn’t want a family. He just hadn’t met the woman, or tried to meet the woman, who would make settling down sound appealing. And Coral. She was a whole different question altogether. The second royal hired by Goldstein and Smithson raised questions in Rand’s mind. Why were they trying to get a footing in the Mediterranean? And what did it have to do with Muskanza?

Maybe he could get Coral to share with him. He rubbed his face. That would involve having conversations with her, seeing her outside of work, earning her trust, or perhaps tricking her naivety? It would involve Rand very nearly falling for the woman. He stepped into his office. He could keep things professional.

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