Cherish her: Laws of Seduction, Book 4 (9 page)

Considering our late start, I am amazed that we are only 15 minutes late. My mother and Jett are waiting for us, and we head down the street to one of the many restaurants offering Sunday brunch. The weather is slightly cooler and less muggy than usual due to the rain from the day before, and we select a café where we can sit outside. James once again easily charms my mother as we order and wait for our food. As anticipated, Jett gives no indication that his attitude is thawing. The waitress sets my order of eggs benedict down in front of me, and after a few delicious bites, I turn to Jett. I figure it can’t hurt to plead our case one last time − I didn’t go to law school for nothing. In a whisper meant for Jett’s ears only, I ask, “Are you ever going to give James a chance?”

With his concentration on his plate in front of him, Jett takes a moment before responding. “I know this isn’t easy for you, Lainey. I don’t mean to be difficult, but I can’’t just let go of ten years of mistrust and resentment overnight.”

“Does that mean you think you could get over it eventually?”

“I don’t know. I’m working on it. Any guy who wants my little sister is going to have to work damned hard to earn my approval. If it’’s James McAllister, then he’ll have to work even harder.”

I notice James glance in our direction at the mention of his name, but he doesn’t let it interrupt his conversation with my mother. “You didn’t give Mark a hard time.””

Jett’s lips quirk up with amusement. “That wasn’t going to last.”

I sputter in outrage. “How would you know? I might have married him.” Heat rushes to my face as I realize how defensive I sound. I am also a little flustered when I see that James and my mother have stopped speaking and are staring at me.

Jett gives a snort of laughter. “You weren’t that into him.”

I give him a disgruntled look. It is a little hard to swallow the fact that my brother had had a better understanding of my past relationship than I.

After a relaxed brunch, we all walk back to the hotel. As we are saying our goodbyes, my mother gives me a warm hug and whispers in my ear. “I like him, Lainey.”

Pulling back, I search her face, looking for further clues to her feelings. She gives me an encouraging smile. “He obviously dotes on you.”

I know I am blushing and look down to hide my embarrassment. “I love him Mom, and I am so glad that you like him. It means the world to me.”

“I know, honey. Don’t let Jett get you down. I’m sure he’ll come around eventually.” My mother looks over at James. “I’m holding you to your promise to bring her out to visit us soon.”” James nods and gives my mother a brief hug. Before I know it, the goodbyes are over and we are headed back home.

My mood is melancholy. I already miss my mother, and I find myself dwelling on the things I learned about Tobin the night before. James convinces me to put on workout clothes and join him in the gym. I usually prefer exercising outdoors if the weather is nice, but I opt for staying in the air-conditioning. Putting in my ear buds, I listen to my most upbeat playlist in hopes that it will lift my mood. I spend most of the hour on the elliptical trainer and cool down with some floor exercises. James is still hard at it when I leave to take a shower.

I have put on a pair of cut-offs and a t-shirt, deciding that now would probably be a good time to unpack the boxes that have not been touched since the move. Before placing my phone in the docking station, I select a playlist of songs from the nineties to listen to as I work. I look around the living space, considering how I can personalize it without seeming to take over the space. Maybe I should ask James before placing my belongings willy-nilly all over his apartment. I reject this idea almost immediately. If this is going to be my home, then I should at least be able to feel comfortable in it. With that in mind, I get to work going through the boxes. I separate my things into three groups. Setting aside the things from the first group for the garbage, I repack the items from the second group to be put into storage. That leaves me with the things from the third group that I want to find a home for in the new apartment.

I have a small collection of blue flower vases and realize that they would be perfect over the kitchen cabinets. Dragging a chair over to the cabinets, I carefully climb up to place them. I am about to get down again when a pair of arms lock around my waist. I let out a shriek. “Don’t sneak up on me like that. You about gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry babe, I couldn’t resist.” James swings me down off the chair and looks up at the vases. “I like.”

“You do? I was afraid you liked it like this.” I wave my hand out to encompass the living area.

“Like what?”

I try to think of how to phrase my next words diplomatically. “Kind of sparse. Minimalistic.”

James shrugs, looking around distractedly. “I never really thought about it. Do whatever you want. We can call in a decorator if you would like to make any major changes.”

“No, I hurry to reassure him. I just thought we could tweak it here and there. You know, hang some pictures, that kind of thing.”

James gives me a lopsided grin. “I have got just the right photos in mind for the bedroom.” He is, of course, referring to his birthday photos. “I am going to make a call.””

He lets me go and walks towards his office. “You’re working on a Sunday?”

“No, I want to see about getting those pictures framed.”

“Oh.” I guess he is a man with a plan. I let him go. No longer concerned that I would be encroaching into space where I am not wanted, I continue placing my favorite possessions in strategic locations. When I am finished, I look around with satisfaction. It is beginning to look like a home.

CHAPTER 9

The weekend seems to fly by, and before I am ready, I find myself sitting back in my office poring over a settlement agreement. Needing a break, I head to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. I am walking behind two admins that I recognize from the James McAllister fan club. My ears perk up when I hear his name mentioned, and I realize that they are talking about me and James.

“Have you heard that they are living together? I don’t understand what he sees in her.”

The other woman nods her head in agreement. “I heard that she got Becca fired because James was paying too much attention to her, and she thought Becca would snap him up.”

“They will do anything to keep her happy so they don’t lose Rothschild as a client.”

“I know. It’s so disgusting. They have probably told James that he has to stay with her to keep her satisfied. She’s so……” The brunette turns her head, and when she catches sight of me, she swats her friend on the arm. “Hey, what was that for?” Her friend must give some kind of signal, because she glances behind her. Under my glacial stare, they both turn a bright shade of pink and hurry down the corridor.

Although I know they would resent anyone who managed to get into a relationship with James, I can’t help feeling hurt by their spiteful words. Preferring not to see anyone at the moment, I return to my office. The fact that I am being blamed for Becca’s departure from the firm chafes. I also can’t help wondering what other awful things they were saying about me. After a few more moments of feeling sorry for myself, I force myself to focus on my work.

Lunchtime rolls around, and I decide to see if Alex can join me for lunch. He is tied up in meetings, so I walk by Patti and Nora’s workstations, but they are deserted. I consider knocking on James’s door, but I don’t want to interrupt him if he is in a meeting. Resigning myself to a solitary lunch, I head down to the deli to get a sandwich. As I cross the lobby, I see Paulson sitting on the benches that run along the windows. The sight of him reminds me of my argument with James from the night before. We had finally gotten around to discussing the fact that he had hired a bodyguard for me without informing me first. My words to him echo in my head. “Oh, you think it is okay because you didn’t think I would notice him?”

“I just want you to be safe. Not only is a homicidal Becca running around loose, but now we have information that Tobin has been targeting Davis’s girlfriends.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I am not Davis’s girlfriend. Last I checked, I moved in with a hot lawyer. I don’t think Tobin is worried about me.”

“So you think I’m hot?”

I roll my eyes. “Stop trying to change the subject.”

James had grabbed me and started raining kisses over my neck and shoulders. As usual I was lost to his powers of seduction. One thing had led to another, and that had been the end of that discussion. In the light of a new day, I feel frustrated that I had allowed him to wiggle out of our conversation. Sighing, I resolve to put up more resistance the next time he tries to manipulate me with his damn fine body.

I choose tuna salad from the display of sandwiches and pick up an apple on my way to the register. The lunch-hour rush is in full swing, and I search out the shortest line. Marveling at the cashiers’ quick efficiency, I am startled when the woman behind me jostles me lightly with her elbow and whispers. “Don’t look at me. I don’t want them to know I am talking to you.”

Could this day get any worse? It is just my luck to be standing next to one of the crazy people that wander the New York subways and streets. Afraid that I will provoke her, I give her the briefest glance before forcing my eyes forward again. The woman is about my age and height and has distinctive reddish-brown hair. She is dressed too casually for work but seems neat and put together all the same. Her next words send stress hormones racing through my body. ““I don’t have time to explain. I’ve come to warn you about Tobin.”

“Who are you?”

“My name is Ruby. I need to talk to you. Can we meet somewhere less public?”

I think quickly. “Meet me at Macy’s in the lingerie department’s changing rooms.”

“Don’t tell anyone you’ve spoken to me. I’ll see you there soon.””

It is my turn at the register, and I pay for my lunch. When I am finished, I turn around, but Ruby has vanished. I look around for anyone who seems out of place, but no one strikes me as unusual. Once on the sidewalk, I start walking briskly in the direction of Macy’s. Glancing back, I see that Paulson is following unobtrusively behind. As I walk, I question Ruby’’s motives in contacting me. Could she have information about what happened to Chantal? I wonder how she even knows about me. Obviously, she knew where I work and had taken an opportunity when I was ostensibly alone to approach me. I pull out my phone to call James, but the call goes straight to voicemail. Unsure of what I should say, I end the call before leaving a message.

Throngs of Midday shoppers and tourists move in and out of Macy’s. As I leave the loud sounds of the Midtown traffic behind me, I am greeted by a rush of cold air. The smell of cloying perfume permeates the lower level. I make my way past the salespeople hawking their scents and barely spare a glance at the sparkling displays. Crowding onto the escalator, I patiently wait as it crawls up to the next floor. I obediently step onto the next escalator and follow the signs to the lingerie department. Paulson is still behind me and sticks out like a sore thumb among all the lacey, feminine materials. I pick out a random lingerie set and head for the changing rooms. They are eerily silent, and for the first time I question my decision to meet with the strange woman alone. Bending down, I peer under the door frames for a sign that I’’m not alone. Ruby steps out from behind one of the doors, making me jump. “Are you alone?” Her voice is so low I can barely make out her words.

I think of Paulson waiting outside, but nod my head in the affirmative. Ruby gestures for me to join her in a fitting room. It is in the back corner and larger than the others, with a large bench along the back wall. We both sit, and I angle myself so that I can look at her as we talk. She does the same before speaking in a hushed tone. “I am sure you are wondering who I am and why I want to meet with you like this.” I nod my head again, and she continues. “I overheard Tobin talking about you. He mentioned where you worked so I watched outside your building, hoping I would get a chance to talk to you.”

“How did you know what I look like?”

“Tobin has a file on you.”

“You saw the file?”

“Yes, I caught a glimpse of it. Not for long, but long enough to get an idea of what you look like.”

This was becoming more bizarre by the minute. “What did he say about me?”

“He said your rich boyfriend was sticking his nose in where it didn’t belong, and he was going to teach him a lesson.”

Anxiety washes over me at Ruby’s words. “What is he planning?”

“I don’t know specifics, but he did say that he was going to use the sins from his past against him.”

The sins from his past? Ruby’s words send a chill down my spine. “Did he say anything else?”

Ruby leans back and rests her head against the changing room wall. I want to reach out and shake the information out of her, but I force myself to wait patiently as she remains lost in thought. “He did say one other thing, but I don’t know what it means.””

“What was it?” I prompt her to continue.

“He said that if the same thing happens again, McAllister would have to face consequences. They would probably put him away forever.”

My eyes widen in horror. “Put him away, like… in prison?”

“I don’t know, but that’s what it sounds like.”