Page 53 of Relentless Pursuit

Apparently, Mitch had tried his little game on everyone within earshot.

“Okay, ladies,” Mitch said. “I can see I’m in the minority here.”

“We’re just teasing you,” Lana said as she went back to her conversation with Josh.

I’m not.

“What’s his name?” Gina asked.

“Julian Anders.” Kayla smiled when she said his name.

“The attorney?” Mitch responded.

“How did you know that?” She stared at him.

“He’s well-known in the city. We’ve profiled some of his clients at the station. He’s been interviewed a few times. He’s a little old for you, isn’t he?”

“How much older?” Gina inquired. “Like not your dad’s age?”

“He’s ten years older than me. He’s a friend of my brother. I’ve known him a long time.”

“That’s cool, and he’s hot?” Gina picked up her phone and did a search for him. “Holy shit! He’s gorgeous. Look at this picture.”

Lana glanced over. “Who the hell is that? He looks like a model. Those cheekbones and that jawline. Damn.”

“Kayla’s boyfriend,” Gina said.

Not really my boyfriend, but...

“You go, girl!” Lana raised her glass to clink with Kayla’s beer bottle.

“Is it serious?” Gina asked.

“It’s still kind of new.” She didn’t feel comfortable talking about this. She had an arrangement with Julian, a rather specific one, and it never included the wordboyfriend.

“Serious?” When Mitch put his arm around her she tensed up. “You’re too young for serious. You live in the most lively city in the world. Go out and have fun. Explore all of your options.”

“I believe she’s doing just that.” Julian approached the table just as Kayla wiggled out of Mitch’s awkward hold.

* * *

Julian handedhis keys to the valet. He’d relieved Francis of his duties for the evening and told him to take his wife to dinner. When he spontaneously decided to ask Kayla to dinner, he didn’t expect to be heading to a crowded bar scene with a bunch of her now ex-coworkers. He’d been taken by surprise when she invited him to join her. He’d had a stressful day and wanted...no, needed to see her. When had she become such a necessity?

He walked into the bar and scanned the room, spotting her immediately. He’d also found Mitch Hampton with his arm around her. He stormed toward the table, but slowed his stride when he watched her body language. Then he remembered her words that Friday evening when they were in the shower.

He deserves whatever he gets, but I don’t want that kind of drama. It could follow me for years. I can take care of myself.

That was true. She may have liked when he dominated her in the bedroom, but there wasn’t a submissive bone in her body when they were done playing. Sometimes, he wondered if she was submissive at all. Labels didn’t seem to matter anymore. They were becoming more comfortable with one another, more compatible as the days went by. A true match.

He observed her shifting her body and tossing Mitch’s arm off her with a force that made him proud. He clenched his fist, resisting the urge to punch that cheating bastard square in the jaw.

“You’re too young for serious. You live in the most lively city in the world. Go out and have fun. Explore all of your options.”

“I believe she’s doing just that.” Julian stopped at the table, taking in the skinny guy with the cheap button-down shirt. “She’s known for exploring every opportunity that comes her way.”

“Julian.” Kayla got up and stood beside him.

That won’t do.

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