Page 64 of Legal

Chase. I held the screen to my chest for a moment, not sure how to proceed. He hadn’t left a message, and I didn’t know how I felt. Well, I knew how I felt, but I didn’t want to feel that way. I smoothed my hand over the rumpled sheets. I loved this bed. It was the very first thing I bought after the divorce. I needed a fresh start, something that was all my own since I’d decided to keep the house. When all this with Chase was said and done, would I have to go out and buy another one again?

I was being silly and melodramatic. A seven-week fling could hardly be compared to a seventeen-year marriage. It wasn’t the amazing sex that counted; it was the intensity of the feelings when you weren’t having sex.

Fuck, I was in trouble.

As I was debating what to do, he texted me:Good morning. Well, that simplified things. Texting back was easier than calling. I was such a baby.

Good morning. I didn’t hear you leave.

God, why would I even mention that?

You were out cold. I hope you slept well.

I touched between my legs. He’d come inside me last night and every part of me still felt him. Dammit, I missed him.

I did,I replied.

How late are you working tonight? Can I see you?

I felt a rush at doing this all over again. I was safe for another week, but just because I couldn’t get pregnant, did that really mean I was safe? I could have made a stupid, stupid mistake. I’d allowed him into my body in such a personal way, and it was obviously screwing with my sanity. We should have just stuck to hard fucking. Next time, it’ll be doggie-style. No kissing, no eye contact, minimal touching.

I should be done by 6. What about you?

Staying home all day working on the fall itinerary,he texted.

Maybe I should stop over and help you with that, so you don’t get anything wrong.

Shit. Was that too flirty-ish? But I was interested in the schedule he was planning for the upcoming school year. Would we still be sleeping together then, a whole month away?

You should. These are impressionable young minds and I don’t want to mess something up. I need your help.

I smiled. Okay, time to get back on track.

My place 8-10?

How about 6-8? It’s sooner.

My heart skipped, but I wrestled it back.That sounds good. There’s no chance of falling asleep and extending the time,I told him.

Right.

“To recap, Mr. Reed—”

“Please, call me Kurt.”

I nodded. “Kurt.” I spread the papers out in front of him. “Your AUM is ten million. You are bringing over your book of five hundred twenty thousand. You will have a three-month initial period in which you will take home a base salary of seventy-five thousand per year plus commission plus bonuses. You will have an additional twenty-four-month production period in which you’ll receive your salary. However, once that period is over, your salary terminates, but by that time, you should be receiving a very decent residual income from your book revenue.”

I took a deep breath. “Sound good so far, Kurt?” He nodded, and I continued. “Your first quarter goal is ten thousand. You will receive a quarterly cash bonus based on assets, a yearly stock bonus, and an incentive bonus based on anything brought in over and above your goal. Oh, and you’ll receive full benefits starting from day one.”

Kurt picked up the pen. “Perfect, Jillian.” I pointed out all the places for him to sign and glanced around his tiny apartment kitchen. Based on his performance so far, he’d be moving out in no time if that’s what he chose. He was a new and upcoming broker, and he was killing it.

He handed me the signed papers, and I stacked them up. The deal was done, and so was my work there. I held out my hand. “Congratulations. Keep pulling in those kinds of numbers and you’ll be wildly successful.”

Kurt shook my hand, holding it a bit longer than I felt comfortable. “So, we are officially finished?” he asked.

“Yes.” The negotiations had come to a close, along with any future dealings on my part with Kurt Reed. He was now in the fine hands of Barclay Schmit Investment Firm. “Mr. Morgan will be expecting you on Monday. Congratulations, again.” I collected my things to leave, gathering all my copies and sliding them into my bag. I’d organize them later at home.

“Would you like to grab a drink or coffee sometime?”

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