Page 25 of Dimitri
She tried to convince herself she was not avoiding him by not going straight home. He had muddled her brain so much that for the first time in her career, she had to force herself to concentrate. She had cases backing up and certainly did not need to be mooning over a man like a lovesick female. She had never been that kind of woman in her life and should not be starting now at this stage.
She was forty, for God's sake. Not a damned teenager. But he was doing things to her. She could still feel his mouth on hers, his long, lean body pressed against hers. And yes, she wanted to feel more. She wanted to see him naked, wanted all those things he promised to do to her.
And it infuriated her. It also pissed her off that the image of Michael was fading away completely. To be replaced by a disturbingly dark and handsome man who was richer than anyone she had ever known in real life.
He was arrogant and cocky and used to getting his own way. He had already established the fact that they would end up together. And then what? He moves on to the next target or just simply moves back to Russia?
She had never been one to indulge in a casual relationship. It had to be meaningful. Before Michael, there had been one other and that was in college. After Michael she had tried and failedtwice. She was not promiscuous. People would look at her and think otherwise.
She was immersed in her work and had used her career as a panacea for all the hurt and pain she had been through.
Usually, it had worked. Now, she was sitting behind her overwhelmed desk and staring at the files she had yet to open. She was due back in court first thing in the morning. She needed a clear head and a plan in case the judge decided to be stupid. She never left anything to chance.
She was going to fight to give Simon and his uncle a chance, and she needed clarity, which wasn't forthcoming. Damn him to hell!
Giving up, she grabbed the files and her jacket and headed out. She was almost at the door when her boss stopped her.
Geraldine Waters was a stocky woman piled into powerhouse red. Her hair was an unfortunate shade between orange and gold and the suit she had on clashed with the colors of her hair. Her face was sallow, and she looked untidy, but she had a big heart and was a steamroller. She ran her firm with confidence and was grateful that Allison demanded little to no compensation. The place belonged to her, so there was no overhead other than the utilities. She fought for people who could not fight for themselves and was fortunate enough to have money.
"I'm rushing in from seeing a new client." She gestured towards her cramped office and slid out of her sensible pumps.
"Bring me up to speed on the Simon case. I heard it got rough." Stepping behind her desk, she studied the strikingly beautiful woman at the other side of it. "She bitch slapped you and left a mark. That's not like you to allow that to happen."
Allison shrugged and juggled the files and her briefcase. She was not going to sit, if she could help it. "I wanted the judge to see what we were dealing with."
"So, you baited her." Geraldine shook her head. "Please don't do that again."
"Gerry"
"Please don't do that again." She repeated, her tone implacable, light green eyes frosty. "We win by fair means, not foul play. If we practice that sort of thing, we would be no better than the other lawyers."
Allison stiffened her spine. "We were losing."
"You're the best lawyer I know and could have found another way."
"I was desperate."
Gerry gave her a mild look as she settled her bulk into the chair that squeaked with the weight. "You never are. Which means you have things on your mind. A man?"
Allison angled her chin. "I will not grace that with a response."
"Better that way. You keep forgetting that I have eyes and ears everywhere. A certain tall, dark and handsome Russian came to your rescue and hustled you out. You were seen cozied up with the tall drink of water out in the parking lot. I would say that's quite a distraction."
"I work damn hard, twice as hard as anyone here and if that's not appreciated"
"Relax." Gerry held up a hand, an amused expression on her face. "You're jumpy and defensive, which makes me believe this is serious. Slept with him yet?"
"That's none of your business." She sat after all. "Look, it's nothing. I intend to win."
"Lack of sex is making you prickly. I should know." She grunted. "I haven't had the pleasure of a man between my thighs since" She searched her memory and came up distressingly blank. "Good God! I really need to get laid. No wonder I'm so goddamned tense."
Allison felt the anger dissolving as she burst out laughing.
A grudging smile touched Gerry's lips. "Let that be a lesson to you honey. Jump the man and be done with it."
"It's not that simple." She muttered.
"Sometimes we take the complicated route when there's no need. All right." She waved a beringed hand. "Hit me with details."
