Page 48 of Greed

“Rygar will drive us.” He motions toward the lobby doors. “If you’re game, we can go right now.”

“I’m game.” I nod. “You’re going to make this a first date to remember, aren’t you?”

“You know it.” His fingers skim my chin. “I want every date we go on to be one you’ll remember forever.”

* * *

“When didyou decide to become a lawyer?” Declan asks as he finishes the last of the red wine in his glass.

I opted for half a glass because I want to be fully aware of every small detail of our first date. So far, it’s the best date I’ve ever been on. The food was cooked to perfection and served on beautiful plates. Dessert consisted of something made of chocolate that melted in my mouth. I made note of the box on the counter that it came in. Dobb’s Bakery is only a few blocks from my apartment, so I plan on checking out whatever else they offer on the weekend.

“I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer.” I rub my left toes over the top of my right foot.

My shoes were off as soon as I entered the apartment. Declan kicked off his and invited me to do the same. I did, without a hint of hesitation, before I sat on a stool in the kitchen while he got to work preparing dinner.

“Are either of your parents lawyers?”

Casting my gaze to my lap, I shake my head. “My dad is a plumber. He runs the company my grandfather founded. My mom was a teacher.”

“Is she retired now?”

“She died,” I rush the words out the way I always do because they’re so hard to say. “Many years ago from a massive heart attack.”

“I’m sorry.” His hand inches across the dining room table to rest over mine. “I can’t imagine how rough that is.”

It was the worst time of my life. I felt unanchored and adrift for years after she passed away. I couldn’t fathom how someone filled with so much sunshine and goodness could be ripped from the world so suddenly.

Not wanting to dwell on the lingering sorrow I still feel over her loss, I change the subject. “What about you? Why did you become a lawyer?”

He shakes his head slightly. “It felt right at the time. I interned at Rook’s family’s firm during the summers when I was in high school. I did it for extra credit and to hang out with him. Somewhere along the line, I started seeing the law as a career path.”

“A short-lived career path?”

He huffs out a laugh. “It turned out that way.”

I thread my fingers between his. “Do you ever think about going back to it?”

His thumb caresses mine. “Often.”

Surprised by that, I perk up in my chair. “Will you?”

His gaze drifts to our joined hands before it settles back on my face. “You never know what is around the corner.”

“I was.” I smile. “I was around the corner the night I was dressed like a princess.”

He moves to bring my hand to his lips for a soft kiss. “I felt like I won the lottery when I saw you standing there.”

“Did you know it was me right away?”

Nodding, he lets out a heavy exhale. “Your hips. Your body, Abigail, is one-of-a-kind.”

“I take it you like it?”

He reaches down to grab one of the legs of my chair to drag it closer to him. Then before I know what’s happening, he has my hand pressed to the front of his jeans.

“I’m aching for you.” His voice is etched with need. “You feel it.”

I rub my palm over his obvious erection. Even through the denim, I can sense how hard he is.

---