Bonding Camp (2 page)

This weekend would tell.

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Chapter Two

Lauren stood at her bedroom window, looking down on the street in front of her apartment house. It was seven-thirty a.m., and she was as ready as she was ever going to be. Twirling a set of handcuffs around her fingers, she waited for the car from Cane, Moss, and White to pick her up and take her to bonding camp. Bonding camp.

She still couldn’t believe she was going to go through with this.

According to the manual she was given, the bonding camp was being held at the firm’s private retreat in upstate New York, supposedly one hour from Albany. She wasn’t looking forward to the one-hour car ride. It was that much more time for her nerves to get the better of her. The private retreat sounded very inviting, like a place where you could spend a romantic weekend. Secluded in the woods, the grounds held a main house, a caretaker’s house, and a building especially for meetings and seminars, not to mention the actual bonding camp. The manual also stated any number of prospective associates could be at the scheduled bonding camp along with members of the firm. At least one partner would be in attendance, if not all three.

The agenda for the first day had schedules for arrival, assignment of rooms, meal times, and private one-on-one meetings with staff of the firm. The meeting schedules would be distributed on arrival at a meet-and-greet brunch at ten a.m.

She bit the inside of her lip. A car slowed then sped back up to cruise on past her building. She spun the handcuffs, the metal chain in the center jingling. The coolness of the smooth metal of the cuffs didn’t incite her imagination this morning as it normally did. The
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handcuffs had been a gag gift from Betha, her oldest and best friend, on her last birthday.
“Lighten up and get a little kinky,”
Betha had said, laughing.
“You’re too uptight. I swear, you’ve been this way
ever since you and Randy broke up. You used to be fun, Lauren. Now
you’re just—”

“Guarded.” Lauren jumped, realizing she had spoken out loud.

Well, she had a reason to be guarded. It was the same reason she had broken up with Randy and kept her friends close and private now.

There were only three people she truly trusted these days, Betha, Rona, and Carol. All three had been her friends since grade school.

They knew each other’s secrets, and none of them had ever told anyone any secret they had shared, even to this day.

But Randy had told.

Randy had broadcast it to his buddies, his
drinking
buddies, that she had asked him to tie her up. She had only asked once, after much soul-searching and wondering if she could trust him, and it had come back to bite her. Randy and his buddies had been watching Monday Night Football, drinking beer like water, and making a mess of the living room. At halftime, Lauren made her way through the mess to gather empty beer cans when one of the boys grabbed her wrist.

“Hear you want to be restrained. I’m your man,”
he had said, his speech slurred and eyes bleary.

Lauren’s heart dropped to her feet.

Then the laughing and taunting began. She grabbed her coat and left. The next morning, she told Randy to leave and not come back.

She had bared her deepest, most secret desire to him, and he had broadcast it as breaking news.

She’d never forgive him. So, she didn’t reveal secrets now. Not to anyone.

Not even Betha.

Lauren looked down at the handcuffs, the silver sparkling in the morning sun. Betha had heard about her desire and bought the handcuffs. A lot of women had bondage fantasies, Betha had
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reminded her, and there was no reason to be embarrassed. Handcuffs.

As if she’d ever get to use them.
Yeah, who can you trust?
She opened one and slid it over her wrist. It clicked shut with a small
snap
. What would it be like to—

A car horn blasted from below.

“Shit.” She looked down at the street. A black sedan was double-parked at the curb. “Shit.”

Scrambling, she grabbed the handcuff key out of the top nightstand drawer and unlocked the cuff. She dropped the key and cuffs into the drawer and almost ran from the room.

What a time for the car to show up…when she was just starting to fantasize.

* * * *

Justice waited in the entry hall of the main house, more anxious than he’d ever been for the prospective associates to arrive. This time, there was only one—Lauren Brooke

Crystal White walked up beside him. “Why are you waiting here?”

He looked at his partner of ten years. She was petite, with short dark hair that complemented her big, dark eyes. He had enjoyed working with her from the beginning. Smart and sassy, Crystal was a hellion in the courtroom. And, from what he’d heard, in the bedroom, too.

He slid his arm around her shoulder. “I’m anxious, I guess.”

She pursed her lips and looked up at him. “This one is intriguing, eh?”

“Yes. Very.” He turned, taking her with him, and walked in the direction of the dining room. “I think she’d be an asset if she can shed the hard shell encasing her.”

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“Hmm. Hard shell.” Crystal lifted a slim flute of mimosa from the side buffet and handed it to Justice. “You’re good at cracking those.

I’m sure you won’t have a problem getting her to loosen up.”

He took the glass from her. “I hope you’re right. For some reason, I really like this woman. She’s special. I can feel it.”

“Your guest has arrived, Mr. Cane.” Rodgers, the caretaker, moved to the side of the doorway.

Lauren Brooke entered the dining room, her smile a bit nervous.

“Good morning, Mr. Cane.” She nodded at Crystal.

Justice raised his hand to her. “Come in, Lauren. And please, no

‘Mr. Cane.’ Let me introduce you to Crystal White. Crystal is a partner in the firm also.” Lauren took his hand and stepped fully into the room.

Crystal handed Lauren a champagne flute of mimosa. “I hope you like mimosa for brunch. I think it sets the day off to a luxurious start.”

“It’s nice to meet you…Shall I call you Crystal?” Lauren released his hand and used both hands to hold her glass.

“Yes. We’re all on a first-name basis. Here and at work. Please, come in and sit down. Brunch will be served shortly.” Crystal moved to a chair at the large table.

Justice took Lauren’s elbow and led her to a chair on the other side of the table. “I hope you’re hungry. We tend to eat quite a feast when we’re here at the retreat.”

Her smile was tremulous. “I am a bit hungry, if I must say.” She sat down at the table, placing her glass beside her plate. “When will the others arrive?”

Justice sat next to her. “The others? Oh. You are the only new associate. Crystal and Morgan and I are here. You’ll meet Morgan later. He’s running behind this morning. But we thought since all three partners would be here with you, bonding camp will be a special treat. We’ll get to know you, and you’ll get to know us. See if we mesh. Of course, we have staff here. Rodgers is our caretaker and all-around butler-type man. If you need anything fixed, he’s the go-to
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guy. Missy and Rachel are also here. Rachel cooks and takes care of the main house. Missy is our masseuse and personal trainer. If you want to work out, have a massage—which you’re already scheduled for, by the way—or swim in the pool, Missy will be your right-hand woman.”

Lauren reached for the champagne flute. “Thank you. I’m sure I’ll have a nice time.”

Justice noticed the slight tremor in her fingers when she reached for the glass. She seemed nervous, but controlled it well, which was a good trait for a lawyer. Hopefully he’d be able to calm her nervousness by Sunday night. At least she hadn’t shied away from taking his hand when she arrived, and that was a good sign.

They made small talk during brunch, tentatively getting to know each other. Crystal was her usual self, her openness seeming to set Lauren at ease. Justice leaned back with a cup of coffee and listened to the women discuss shoes. Yes, things were going well. He hoped Lauren could keep her casual air about her during the full bonding camp.

Once they were finished with brunch, Rachel entered to clear the table.

“Would you like to take a walk and see the grounds?” Justice asked, pulling out Lauren’s chair as she rose.

“I’d love to.” Her smile lit up her eyes.

A tightening began in his stomach, an inkling of promise. He could get used to being smiled at by Lauren Brooke. Very easily.

“Come on, then. I’ll show you around.” He reached for her hand. She readily took it. “We’ll see you later this evening, Crystal.”

Crystal winked at him. “Possibly. I do have a few plans for tonight.”

“It was very nice meeting you,” Lauren said. “I’d love to have coffee sometime.”

Crystal smiled. “Oh, I’m sure we’ll have more than coffee.” She walked toward the door. “You two have a nice walk.”

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“We will.” Justice squeezed Lauren’s hand. “Shall we?”

She nodded, squeezing his hand in return. “Let’s.”

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Chapter Three

Walking along a tree-shaded path, Lauren took in a deep breath.

The air was clean and crisp, with a hint of the woods. The path wound through the trees, and birds sang above them in the branches. It was secluded and private, a nature walk.

“It’s lovely here,” she said, meaning it.

Justice smiled down at her. “We come here often. It helps to get away from the courtroom and the city sometimes. Just to remind you there are other things in life than cases and clients.”

Looking up into his sparkling eyes, Lauren felt her stomach do a funny little flutter. He was still holding her hand, the heat of his touch traveling like a tendril of smoke up her arm.

She’d never expected to feel this relaxed. This was a job interview, basically. Why did it feel so much like a romantic weekend with a handsome man?
Get your head out of the bedroom, Lauren. He
is
not
boyfriend material. He is going to be your boss.

She cleared her throat. “Well, it is nice to get away once in a while, but I do love my work—or should I say, what
will
be
my work.

I enjoy researching the cases, figuring out a plan of attack in the courtroom. It’s like a puzzle I’m trying to solve, one where the outcome benefits the client and myself.”

“Interesting analogy. A puzzle.” He let go of her hand and slid his arm around her waist. “Watch your step here.”

Heat sizzled along her back where he touched, flaming straight to her solar plexus. Her foot slipped on the path when she began to step over a rock.

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His arm tightened on her waist. “Careful. We don’t want any injuries. Hate to have you file a claim against us.”

“I’d never—oh!” Both feet went out from under her, the wet leaves on the path like a patch of ice.

Instantly, Justice grabbed her around the waist, catching her, and before she knew it, she was facing him. Pressed against his chest, both his arms circling her waist, he gazed down at her.

Oh boy.

No…not boy…
man
.

She let out a giggle. “Sorry. I’m not usually this clumsy.”

His gaze didn’t falter, nor did his arms around her relax their grip.

Lauren’s heart stuttered. His heartbeat transferred through her palms where her hands rested on his chest. Strong, thrumming, his heartbeat didn’t stutter.
Kiss me. Please…just kiss me.

As if reading her thoughts, he lowered his gaze to her lips.

“Sometimes, clumsy is good,” he said, his voice deep, husky.

Her fingers twitched. She wanted to grab handfuls of his shirt and drag him down to her mouth.

She didn’t have to.

His lips met hers with a molten heat, sliding across her lips deliciously. Lauren closed her eyes, her legs watery with the passion of the moment. “Mmm,” she moaned when he deepened the kiss, tilting her head back with the force of it.
Overpowering. Yes.

Overpower me. Take me.

Too soon, their lips parted. Lauren opened her eyes, her lips hot from the contact.

Justice gazed down at her, his face flushed. “I…I didn’t mean to…”

Lauren cleared her throat. “No. Don’t. Don’t apologize. Please.”

She pushed a bit against his chest, taking a step back. His hands slid across her waist then disappeared.

Justice raked a hand through his hair and glanced off into the woods. “I don’t usually—”

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“Stop.” Lauren cleared her throat again. “If you apologize, that kiss—that amazing kiss—will seem like you didn’t mean it.”

He turned back to her. With a short laugh, he said, “Oh, I meant it.

Never doubt that.” He raised a hand and stroked her arm. “Want to continue our walk?”

She nodded. “Just so you know, I don’t normally kiss my boss.”

“Well, that just changed, didn’t it?”

“Sort of.” They began to walk again, the path leveling out. “I don’t want you to think I sleep my way into jobs.”

“I don’t. To be honest with you, at our firm, we’re a lot closer than most.” He held back a tree branch for her to pass. “But only as close as you want us to be.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.” What was he trying to say? How close was “close”?

They entered a clearing where the path branched off in two directions. Justice stopped and touched her shoulder. She turned toward him, meeting his eyes. They were honest eyes, eyes of a man she felt she could trust. She didn’t know why, but the sense that she could confide in him, tell him her secrets with no worries, centered in her being. There was no nervousness now, no apprehension about the job. Had the kiss done all that? Allowed her to feel, well, like herself?

He hooked his thumbs on the pockets of his pants. “Close. What I mean is, the people at our firm share more than cases. They share their lives. Their wants. Their needs. Their desires. All of themselves.