Page 32 of When You Give a Lawyer a Kiss

“Sure. When the person isn’t you,” I say, giving him a gentle jab in the chest. “From what I’ve witnessed, it’s not like you to do something without expecting a significant payoff on your investment.”

Dawson twirls a piece of my hair around his finger. “You’re the exception,” he whispers.

My heart skips a beat, hoping I heard him right. “Why?”

“Because if you want to become a lawyer, you deserve the chance to do it.” His tone is sincere. “Although, I’m not sure you have what it takes to work in corporate law. You’re way too nice.”

I wrinkle my nose in disgust. “You couldn’t pay me enough to do that. I may not have a definitive plan in place yet, but I do know that I’m going to work as a child advocacy lawyer someday.”

Dawson’s eyes visibly soften. “What made you decide that?”

“My mom passed away when I was a toddler, and I was lucky enough to be raised by my grandparents.” I pause, reflecting on how their love shaped who I am today. “But so many kids grow up in foster care without anyone looking out for their best interests. I may not be able to help them all, but I’m going to make a difference for as many as I can.”

“Well shit, you’re making me look bad.”

I knit my brows, perplexed. “That wasn’t my intention,” I assure him.

“Oh, I know.” He offers a small smile. “I was in foster care until I was fifteen, and even though my adopted father is a public defender, I never considered working as a child advocate.” He avoids my gaze as he plays with a strand of my hair. “I alwayswanted to be a partner at a corporate firm where I’d have control and the ability to dictate the terms of my success without limits.”

My chest tightens at hearing a small piece of the challenges he faced as a kid. While I grew up without my parents, I was lucky to have been raised by two people who loved me unconditionally and provided me with a safe place to call home. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Dawson to be moved from one place to another, never knowing where he would end up.

His personality makes more sense to me now. I assume he’s unwilling to get close to anyone because he’s learned that most attachments only lead to disappointment or getting hurt.

I realize how much it means for him to open up, and I’m grateful that he trusts me enough to share this part of himself. Still, I refrain from making it a big deal, knowing he wouldn’t welcome my sympathy.

“Don’t worry,” I say, patting him on the shoulder. “We can’t all be selfless like me.” I wink as I sit up in his lap to take a bite of my sandwich.

“You’re right,” he states. “You’re one of a kind; the world could use more people like you.”

With a few simple words, he makes me feel seen, and his unexpected tenderness has me sinking deeper into his embrace. His commanding presence, the low rumble of his voice, and the way his piercing gaze seems to see right through me. His commanding presence, the low rumble of his voice, and the way his piercing gaze seems to see right through me is proof how easily

I put my sandwich down and take a sip of water.

“Thanks for lunch, I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” Dawson replies.

My body still when he reaches out to brush a crumb from the corner of my mouth, his thumb lingering against my lower lip.

“Maybe I should get up now,” I whisper.

Dawson drops his hand. “If you want to.”

When I don’t move to get out of his lap he brings his hand to the small of my back, trailing his fingers along the fabric of my shirt in a hypnotic fashion. My breath catching when he leans in to tuck my hair behind my ear, pressing a chaste kiss to my temple. He exhales slowly, the air brushing against the side of my face, and a soft moan escapes my lips.

“You’re so beautiful, Red,” he says softly.

His words of affection cause goosebumps to rise on my arms.

He gently grips the base of my neck and moves forward to brush his nose against mine. His touch is soft, almost reverent, as if he’s imprinting this moment in his memory. A whimper escapes me when he tilts his head to nip at my bottom lip.

“Fuck, your sweetness is intoxicating,” he says quietly.

I gasp when he seals his mouth to mind. Our electric kiss creates a fire inside me, leaving me craving more.

When I shift in Dawson’s lap, my eyes widening as my ass brushes against his cock, and I can’t help but break our kiss to glance down to see the evidence of how I affect him.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I tentatively move my hand between us to rest against his slacks. My breath hitches when I feel the outline of where his cock is pressing against the fabric. A guttural groan passes his lips when I move my fingers in a circular motion, teasing him.

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