Page 17 of Mr. Flirt

“I do need to work on it, and I’m sure over time after I rake him over the coals in court, I’ll be less bitter on my friend’s behalf.”

Shep laughed and nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure that will happen.”

“Do you enjoy what you do?” Shep asked, and heat suddenly swept over my cheeks.

It was all I’d ever done, so I assumed I enjoyed law. I’d finally paid off the student loans, which made me enjoy it much more. I twisted my lips into a pout as I thought about it for a few more seconds. There were the long hours, the men who made partner all around me while I remained an associate partner, and the lack of a social life weren’t the best.

But the pay was great.

I nodded quickly. “Yeah. I like it. I like what I can do for people, especially people who have been tricked.”

“Are there a lot of you out there?”

I nodded. “Surprisingly so.”

“Full selfish confession.” He drew a breath. “You blow me away. The first night I saw you…the second night…and tonight. But I knew because of my stupid and very childish mistake that you wouldn’t come out to see me for coffee tonight if I confessed.”

“True.”

“So, give me a chance?” His broody eyes stayed on mine. “I am truly sorry.”

“I’ll think about it.” I took a drink.

“So, you love your job because of what you can do to help folks. Tell me more.”

I hated that I wanted to.

“I can make things right in a situation that is very wrong.” I squirmed in my chair.

I was an attorney used to tense situations and hostile courtrooms, but the way Shep watched me made me sweat. It was as if I didn’t need to tell him the truth. He could read it. He was exactly who I’d never want on opposing counsel. I smiled. “Well, maybe not right, but I can make it more palatable, and that makes me feel good.”

“That makes a lot of sense.” He drew a deep breath and tapped his finger on the table. “Does your line of profession mean it’s impossible to respect the opposite sex?”

His question jarred me back to something I’d been wondering as well. “I wouldn’t say impossible to respect the opposite sex, but I would say it might be hard for me to understand or respect the institution of marriage.” I clicked my tongue and shook my head. “And you certainly didn’t do any favors for my male counterparts.”

Shep nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. This was about the time most men fled the scene and labeled me as undateable.

He grinned. “I’m not much for the institution myself.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Why does that not surprise me?”

“Well, I’m not jaded about it. I just don’t think it’s for me.” His eyes connected with mine, and I felt a pulse of unexpected desire. Had I met my match?

I eyed him carefully, but all the annoying tingles swept over me. “Is that because you’re a player? Enjoy a game, do you?”

Shep smirked and shook his head. “I don’t like that word. I prefer totally upfront, noncommittal, fun guy.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “A fun guy?”

He shrugged and looked immediately disarming. “Let’s just say I have fun, and I’m sure my partner does too.”

A smoldering heat flashed through me when I realized Shep wasn’t just talking about a ride on Seattle’s Ferris Wheel.

My eyes flashed, and my lips curled slightly as I thought back to all the wives crying in my office about their husbands with whom they’d spent years faking it.

I tapped my finger on the edge of my empty cup and brought my gaze back to his. “How can you be sure the women you sleep with are having fun too?”

“It’s something I just know.” He laughed and glanced around the coffee shop. “And this isn’t exactly the kind of conversation I thought we’d be having.”

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