Indiscretions (11 page)

“Mr. Counts,” she said, straining to keep the edge off her voice, “I didn't hear you knock.”

A half-smile played on one side of his mouth, stretching his thin lips into what almost looked like a leer. An involuntary shudder ran up Khendra's vertebrae. Quickly regaining her composure, she took a seat behind her desk and clasped her hands together.

“It's good to see you again, Khendra.” Alex strolled around the office as he spoke, fingering the ivory and porcelain objects that decorated the room. “How have you been since we last spoke? I assume you received my apology.”

Snippets of their last conversation buzzed through her brain, and remembrance of the scent of the roses rolled in her stomach. Clearing her throat, she sat ramrod straight in her chair. “I've been fine, thank you. And as for your gift, it was totally unnecessary.”
And unappreciated,
she wanted to add, but didn't. “Was there something specific you wanted to discuss with me? I received your message from Phyllis.”

She was almost certain he could hear her heart hammering in her chest, even though her crystal-clear voice held no trace of the nervousness that threatened the facade of her Oscar-winning poise.

“There are quite a few things I want to discuss with you, as I mentioned.” He stopped in front of her desk, placing his palms on the cool, hard surface, and leaned toward her. “That's why I made early dinner reservations. We can talk about your future.” His electric blue eyes bore into hers.

The combination of his cologne, mixed with the lingering scent of tobacco, swam through her head. She felt totally vulnerable in her seated position, and smoothly rose to her full height. “I have plans for this evening, Mr. Counts,” she said with as much calm and conviction as she could summon.

“They couldn't be as important as your future with MC&P, now could they?”

Her soft brown eyes darkened in disbelief

“What are you saying? If I don't go, my job is in jeopardy?”

Alex let out a derisive chuckle and moved away from her desk, walking across the room. Then in a low, controlled voice, he stated simply, “I would never say anything like that.” He turned to face her. “However, there comes a time when we have to make choices concerning our careers—things that will either advance it, or hinder it. The decision, of course, is yours.”

Khendra's mind raced in every conceivable direction at once, as frame by frame she saw her years of hard work and dedication deteriorate. She felt trapped, seeing no immediate way out. She would give in, for the moment, until she found out definitively what this man had up his sleeve. If he wanted to play a game of innuendo and deception, she could be just as good at it. She tilted her chin in a subtle gesture of challenge, looking Alex directly in the eyes. “What time should I meet you?”

Much to Khendra's dismay, the day sped by at an unbelievably fast pace. Her morning court session was grueling. She was glad when the judge recessed for lunch, but her feelings of unease heightened. It was only a matter of hours before the day ended and she would have to meet Alex. He had made reservations for six-thirty, and she would somehow have to find an excuse for canceling her dinner date with Sean.

She checked her gold watch. Sean was due to meet her shortly in the courthouse lobby, after trying a case in the adjoining building. Her heart raced as she packed her briefcase. Then, the absurdity of her behavior hit her. She had nothing to hide from Sean. If anything, he might be able to help her. At least if she explained to him what was going on, he might be able to offer some suggestions on how to combat Alex without losing her job and everything that went with it. She had been reluctant to discuss the mounting situation with Alex because she didn't want Sean to get the wrong idea. But she was finally beginning to feel secure enough with him to include him not only in the good, but the troubling spots of her life as well. If they were going to make this thing between them work, she was going to have to stop being so afraid.

Taking a deep breath and feeling somewhat better about her decision, she strolled purposefully out of the courtroom, her heart smiling with every step as she made her way down the corridor to wait for Sean.

Khendra paced the lobby and briefly crisscrossed the steamy pavement as she watched the sea of harried faces streaming by. But Sean's face was not among them. Checking her watch one final time, she realized she could wait no longer and returned, reluctantly, to the courtroom. Confusion and disappointment fought for first place in her emotions. Once the court proceedings began again, however, she was able to temporarily put Sean out of her thoughts. But she still could not shake the uneasy feeling inside of her.

The small, intimate Italian restaurant was dimly lit, and soft music played in the background. Alex had already arrived when Khendra entered the restaurant. She was immediately taken to his table and, as she approached, he rose to greet her.

“What would you like to eat?” he asked when she had settled herself in her seat.

Khendra was nervous and agitated about being there, and also because she hadn't had an opportunity to talk with Sean. Food wasn't on her mind. “Will you order for me?” she asked as she watched the waiter fill the crystal goblets with water.

Khendra quietly surveyed the tastefully decorated room, as Alex scanned the menu. He ordered mussels as an appetizer, the house salad, veal with sage in white wine, and fettuccini with pesto for them both, and a bottle of wine.

“Do you come here often?” she asked, attempting to make conversation after he had returned the menus to the waiter and rested his eyes on her.

“I bring special people to dine here from time to time.” He took a sip of water from the delicate goblet and looked at Khendra over the rim of the glass. “You're a very beautiful woman, Khendra, but I'm sure you know that.”

“That couldn't be the reason you asked me here tonight.”

“Let's put business aside for now, shall we? I'd rather you just sit back and relax. Enjoy your meal, and we can talk later.”

“I'd prefer to get this out of the way.” Her tone was calm but clear.

Alex, sensing Khendra's mood, decided to try another tactic. He could wait. “Why don't you fill me in on the case you're working on?”

Khendra still wished he would get to the point, but she leaned back in the soft-cushioned chair and began to relate the details of how she was handling her latest case. She talked until the waiter began serving their meal. She was starting to relax a little as they began to eat heartily. Maybe she would get through this after all. As Khendra turned her head to ask the waiter standing nearby to refill her glass with water, she saw something that caused her heart to momentarily freeze. She had turned just in time to see Sean exiting the restaurant, his arm casually wrapped around a tiny waist.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

For several seconds, Khendra couldn't keep her heart from hammering in her chest. She went through an array of mental explanations for why he would be there with another woman. It was obvious from the intimacy of their contact that he knew the woman very well. She could think of no explanation that would make the feeling of betrayal disappear.

An overwhelming sense of hurt and anger engulfed her at once. Her appetite was gone, and she completely lost track of what Alex was saying. It wasn't until he placed his hand on hers that she even remembered he was there.

“Where did you just go?” he asked, breaking into her troubling thoughts.

“I…I'm sorry. I thought I saw someone I knew.” She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. “But I guess I was mistaken.”

Alex briefly looked in the direction that had caught Khendra's attention, an inquisitive look lifting his brow. “I see. Well, I certainly hope it didn't bring back any unpleasant memories. I want this evening to be special.” He smiled at her invitingly.

She immediately dismissed his look and his remark. She looked him squarely in the eyes, forcing her emotions beneath the surface. “I was under the impression we were here for a business dinner, and nothing more.”

“Of course. But I'm sure we'll find other things to discuss as well,” he replied in a controlled voice.

Khendra finished what she could eat of her meal and nervously checked her watch. “It's getting late, Mr. Counts, and I have quite a few things to do this evening, so if we could get to the point.”

“That's what I admire so much about you, Khendra. You don't mince words. You're direct and assertive. I like a woman who isn't afraid to say what she feels.” His eyes roamed over her as he spoke. “That's why I feel so sure that making you a partner would be good for the firm.”

“Thank you. But I thought we discussed this already.”

Alex had finished eating and took a sip of wine before he spoke. “You're a bright girl, Khendra. I'm sure you realize that nothing comes easy. You would be the first female partner the company has ever had, and it would be based on my endorsement.”

“Are you trying to tell me I would never be offered this opportunity based on my own merit?” Her voice rose in astonishment.

“I would never say such a thing,” he said, smiling cautiously. “However, without inside support, it would be extremely difficult.”

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked, trying to keep the exasperation out of her voice.

“Because I like you. I like you very much. And I think that together we can do wonderful things.”

“I'm sure you're referring to the job.”

“Why of course, my dear. What else would I be referring to?”

Khendra knew that her experience with men was limited, but she knew a double entendre when she heard one. “As long as we understand each other.”

“Yes. But as I mentioned before, nothing comes easy. If you want this job, you'll not only have to show the firm you can do it, but me as well.”

Khendra was getting tired. “It would be a lot easier on us both, Mr. Counts, if you would just say what you mean.

“I'm sure you're quite aware of what I mean.” He gazed directly in her eyes. “I've invited a select group of friends out to my boat next weekend for dinner and dancing. I'm sure you'll attend this time.”

She took a deep breath and rapidly explored her options. This was all too much to focus on, especially when thoughts of Sean and the woman kept infiltrating her mind. She would work it out later. Now, she just wanted to get out of there. “What day?” she asked finally.

Khendra dropped her bag on a chair and kicked off her shoes. She was glad she didn't have to concern herself with making excuses to Alex about driving her home since she had her own car. Anxiously she walked to her answering machine to check her messages. Anxiety gave way to disappointment when the only message was from Charisse, wanting to know when they could get together for lunch.

Plopping down on the sofa, her mind raced back to thoughts of Sean not keeping his appointment with her earlier. Then the troubling scene at the restaurant surged back into focus, and her imagination began to run rampant, conjuring up all sorts of pictures of Sean and the mystery woman.