Justice for All (5 page)

Van couldn’t look at her just yet. He kept his gaze focused on the ceiling above him, and it was all he could do not to plaster his lips to hers again. He hadn’t let go of her entirely; his hands were still at her waist. He could feel her ribs expanding and contracting with her breath. His fingers clenched her just a bit, then his thumbs made twin caresses under her breasts before releasing her.

“Kay, this isn’t a good idea.”

“It isn’t?” The words were a question, but her tone was a grumble. He guessed she was somewhere between hurt and frustrated, with a side of confused. And he couldn’t blame her in the least.

Van watched her settle down on her rump and run one hand through her hair. He dug his feet into the carpet and rolled his chair back a little to put some space between them. When she raised her head, he gazed directly into her eyes and smiled apologetically, “If it makes me the bad guy, then so be it, but I don’t want to be the reason your goals take a detour.”

She gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes at him. The blue and green depths sparked with the sort of fire that nearly made him want to take back his words and instead take her across the board game table.

“You know, some people might say this could be a step towards achieve one of my goals.” Her voice was low and her words measured.

“Sleeping your way to the top? Not a chance. I know you better than that.”

She snorted in a very unlady-like manner, then shifted her weight and stood up, walking around the table. He wanted to murmur a thank you for the extra distance between them. One kiss from Kay Rawley and he was on fire in every way imaginable. His willpower could only stand so much.

“Kay, I’ve watched you,” he continued. “I see the drive you have to succeed. Not just to become some big shot attorney, join the firm, and make partner one day. You’re really in this to be the best, to do it right, and to do it well.”

There was surprise hidden in her expression, though it seemed it was all she could do to contain it. She gave him her back, and he figured that was just a means of buying time while she considered a retort. Finally, she walked towards the hallway, then turned back to face him, leaning one shoulder against the door jam.

“So you think you know me?” A shake of her head stopped him from responding. “I’ll try to convince myself that’s true while I go back to bed and nurse my wounded pride…”

“Kay…”

“Let me finish, counselor.” He chewed his tongue to keep from chuckling at her sharp tone. “I just want to be clear. I kissed you because I wanted to, Van. And I’d sleep with you now because I want you. Because that kiss was something hotter and sexier than anything I can remember having in a very long time. And if it happens again, I’m not going to let it stop. I’m not going to let you put the brakes on next time”

There were any number of things he might’ve said after that little monologue. He could have issued another cautionary statement about her future. He could have argued that she wouldn’t be able to keep him from doing anything he wanted. And then again, he could have strode across the room and kissed her once more just to prove it. Instead he stared at her, getting lost in those gorgeous eyes.

After a moment, she smiled, turned around and exited the room. He heard the water come on in the kitchen as she rinsed out her glass. “Good night,” she called out to him.

Silence crept through the house, though he could still hear a rushing in his ears as he tried to think straight. He wanted to be proud of himself for maintaining his control and not letting them get carried away. Somehow all he could muster was the sinking feeling of being old. There weren’t that many years between the two of them, but something seemed incredibly wrong about a man turning down a woman as sexy as Kay Rawley.

“Damn,” he grumbled, furiously scratching at his head with both hands.

~oOo~

Van was in the process of scrambling a bowl of egg whites when Kay made her way into the kitchen, feet dragging behind her. She didn’t look like she’d slept well at all, but the puffy dark smudges under her eyes somehow made her look pretty. She was a stunning woman when perfectly made up for the office or court. Now, with her blonde hair askew, cheeks flushed and an indentation in the side of her face probably from the pillow, there was a vulnerability that was almost irresistible.

“Orange juice?” he asked, coughing to clear the hoarseness from his voice.

She plopped down onto one of the bar stools across from him. “Coffee?”

Chuckling, Van nodded and set the eggs aside so that he could pour her a steaming cup. “Cream or sweetener?”

“Mmm … a little sugar is all.”

He passed her a few packets, a spoon and mug, then watched her carefully doctor the coffee just the way she wanted it. When she took a sip, she closed her eyes, and it was all he could do not to reach over the counter and brush an errant strand of her hair away from her forehead.

“Did you get some sleep?”

Kay made a grumbling sound. “Not enough.” She took another drink and set down her mug. “And how did the king of restraint sleep?”

One dark eyebrow shot up, and he lifted his chin so that he could glare down his nose at her. “Like a baby.”

Liar,
his mind hissed. By the incredulous look on Kay’s face, she might have heard his inner voice dispute his words. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed the bowl that held the eggs and poured them into the hot cast iron skillet. He heard the buzzing of a phone and glanced over his shoulder to see his guest frowning at the broken screen.

“Is that him?”

“Who? Oh, you mean Thomas. No, it’s my brother.”

He looked at her even as he dumped the cooked eggs onto two plates. “Bad news?”

Kay appeared startled, tucking her phone back into her purse and shaking her head. “Why would you assume that?”

Her plate made a scratching sound as he pushed it towards her on the breakfast bar. He shook salt and pepper onto his own food and then placed the shakers in front of her. “The assumption was based on that little furrow you’ve got just above your nose.”

As if without thinking, one of her hands raised to finger the spot, but she caught herself and grabbed her fork instead. “Not bad news. Something he wants to tell me about before I get there.”

“Ah, Christmas. When are you leaving?”

Kay had just stuffed a huge bite of eggs and bacon into her mouth, and he watched her cover her lips with her fingers until she could swallow. Everything about the woman seemed to be incredibly charming to him this morning.

“I really need to hit the road by this afternoon. I’ll get there late tonight or early in the morning, which is nice. There’s something about getting there that time of night, headlights following the long drive up to the…” She trailed off and brought another bite into her mouth.

He had the feeling she had stopped herself just before revealing something she hadn’t intended. Van chose not to press for now.

“What about you?” she asked. “Do you have plans for Christmas?”

He stabbed his fork at his eggs and brought it to his mouth, holding it there while he spoke. “I have a few things I want to do at the office this afternoon, but I’ll probably head home tomorrow. The hens will be busy cooking for at least forty-eight hours ahead of time so it doesn’t do me any good to get there early.”

Kay snorted a laugh. “Hens?”

“My mother and my three aunts.”

Her head rose and fell in long understanding nods. “That’s nice though. I mean to have all of the family together.”

“I’m not complaining. Or maybe I am, but the insincere complaining is part of the fun. I chide the hens all day while I sneak back and forth into the kitchen to steal bites and nibbles. They fuss back and smack my hand with a wooden spoon.”

Kay laughed, then turned thoughtful. “So there’re the hens, but aren’t there any roosters around?”

“My two uncles, but they pretty much stick to the easy chairs and watch football. The entire family will all arrive Christmas morning after the cousins’ kids open their presents.”

He studied her, the way her eyes were alight, moving a little as she became lost in thoughts he couldn’t be privy to. He wanted to know what those thoughts were and what that touch of emotion might be. “So you’re heading to your home. What are your family traditions?”

Kay’s head snapped towards his direction, and she cracked a bit of a smile. “We go to church early Christmas morning, then decorate the tree before opening presents. Apple cider.” She inhaled as if searching for the scent. “Somehow apple cider always tastes best that morning, even though it’s always made the same.”

Van grabbed their empty plates, carrying them to the dishwasher. “Funny how that happens. The magic of Christmas, my aunt calls it. Things are just different that day.”

When he faced her again, their eyes locked onto each other. There was something disarming about nostalgia. It stripped away barriers and opened one to scrutiny they might not otherwise have allowed. Van let her look at him, let her search him without flinching or turning away. Their family stories were different, but the same on some level. They both had loved ones to go home to, but he wondered if she missed having a mother there as much as he missed having a father. That thought led so naturally to images of a family of his own that he might have been startled.

Thankfully, Kay broke their stare first, grabbing her purse before hopping down from the barstool. “I really appreciate last night. Definitely much better than a hotel.”

Van inclined his head. “My pleasure. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll take you home.”

Kay wasn’t surprised to find a note from Thomas pinned to her door when she got back to her apartment. The plastic shopping bag hanging from the knob was entirely unexpected though. A peek inside revealed an iPhone box. She frowned, grabbed the bag and unlocked the door.

“What the…” She slipped the box from the bag and onto the breakfast table before ripping open the note.

Sorry for being a dick. I know I broke your phone, so I thought the least I could do was restore your communication with the world.

Thomas

She bit her lip and ran her hand along the box. It had been her plan to get a new phone on her way out of town this afternoon. She wasn’t sure what to think of this surprising gift. Part of her was grateful and relieved that she wouldn’t have to waste time at the cell phone store. Another part wanted to delicately return the gift because keeping it might lead to more inappropriate feelings on Thomas’ part. Then there was also the part that felt a twinge of guilt for some perceived wrong she might have done to him.

“Oh, Thomas. What am I going to do with you?”

A flick of her hand sent the phone box across the table. She slapped the note down and then began to shed her clothes as she headed for the shower.

Her bags were already partially packed for the trip, so while she slipped into some yoga pants and a T-shirt, she tossed a few last-minute items into her satchel. She was just in the middle of brushing her teeth when she heard the knock.

Thomas’ head was low when she opened the door. Her hand holding the toothbrush fell away from her mouth, and she offered him a pasty grin. She motioned him inside, then turned back to the bathroom. When she returned a few minutes later she found him opening the iPhone box.

“You didn’t have to do that, Thomas.” He shrugged but didn’t say anything. “But I really appreciate it.”

When he glanced up at her with puppy eyes, she punched him in the shoulder affectionately. A grin finally broke through his sad face, and he chuckled. “Well, pull up your lappy and log me into your cell phone account so I can activate this thing. You’re going home for Christmas today, right?”

Kay didn’t answer, only sighed as she opened her laptop and pulled up the account. While he bent over the screen and started the activation process, she carried a few bags out to her car for the trip.

The moment she re-entered the apartment, Thomas was there holding her phone out to her with a cocky grin. “So, here you go. Now I won’t have to worry about you on the trip.”

“Worry, my ass. I’m sure you’ve got lots of dates and plans lined up for Christmas week. The man with ‘no family worth a shit’ will have plenty of alternatives ready for this holiday.”

Thomas pointed a finger like a gun and smacked his lips at her. Then his smile curled down, and he approached her with a serious expression. Both of his hands settled heavily on her shoulders, and for some strange reason she had the urge to back away from him. “I really am sorry for last night.”

“Stop apologizing. We’re good.”

He nodded and frowned. “Where did you spend the night, anyway?”

“Grrr.” She made a noise in the back of her throat as she gently slipped his hands away. “None of your business, Thomas. Let’s just move on, ‘kay?”

“Yeah, okay.” He reached into the back of his pocket and pulled out a little box, messily decorated in silver snowflake wrapping paper. “So it’s Christmas. Friends get each other gifts, right?”

Kay took the box with nervous hands and opened it. “Oh, Thomas … wow…”

It was a fancy clutch handbag, just like one she’d admired a few months ago when they’d been shopping at the Galleria in Dallas. She’s considered purchasing it at that moment, but it always seemed wrong to buy for one’s self just before Christmas.

“Well, have fun with the fam, okay. Let’s hang when you get back.”

She stared at the bag, rubbing her hand over the flap and thinking it was entirely too expensive a present to receive from just a friend. When she looked up and saw him making his way to the door, she stopped him. “Oh, wait, I’ve got something for you, too.”

As she watched him open the shoebox-sized package, she felt a little sheepish. His gift was lavish and probably much more than she should have accepted. Her gift to him bordered on silly. Still, his eyes lit up when he began pulling out assorted
Breaking Bad
items.

“Whoa, it’s Blue Ice rock candy. Cool!”

Rolling her eyes at his juvenile enthusiasm, she couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, and I’m sure one of your girlfriends will enjoy the bath salts.”

His eyes were alight with happiness. To her credit, she didn’t flinch and pull away when he kissed her cheek. It was no more than a second’s contact and not inappropriate for friends, but considering the things he’d said the night before it still made her uncomfortable. “Thanks, Kay. This stuff is awesome.”

By the she finally got on the road, it was well past noon. The farther she got from Dallas, the farther Thomas got from her mind. Instead, images of Van and that very enticing kiss haunted her. She wondered what he was doing, whether he was thinking of her.

Swallowing and shaking her head to stop her thoughts from following that path, she hit a button on her steering wheel to dial her brother Jeremy.

“I was wondering if you were going to call.” Without even a hello, his voice sounded through her car’s speakers and she rolled her eyes.

“Hello to you too, brother.”

He snorted, and she could just about picture his raised eyebrow and knowing grin. “Everything all right? I thought you’d get on the road before noon.”

She’d texted him that she would call him when she started the drive. Her dashboard showed 3:15, much later than she’d originally anticipated. “I’m good. Just couldn’t seem to get things together.”

There was a moment of silence before she heard him take a deep breath, “You’ll get here pretty late.”

“Or early, depending on how you look at it. Might as well ‘fess up, Jeremy. What’s going on there at the big house?”

He hated when she called it that, even if the truth was Arrington Manor was in fact a “big” house. Still, he took her reference in the tone she meant it. She felt suffocated by their family’s wealth and stature. As soon as the opportunity had presented itself, she’d left for college. Jeremy felt differently, which was probably as it should have been since he was the heir. He would take over the estates and also the seat on the House of Lords when their father retired or passed away.

“We have some guests.”

“The cousins are here from Durma?” She practically shouted the question. Their Durman relatives rarely traveled to the United States and certainly never for holidays.

“Kay, this is about Aunt Iggie.”

She focused on making her way around a slower vehicle and then when in the clear, pressed hard on the gas. Angst tightened up into a ball in her belly, and she subconsciously scratched at her abdomen. “She’s alive?”

Agnes “Iggie” Rawley was their father’s only sibling. When Kay was just an infant, Aunt Iggie had run off with her lover, and they’d never heard from her again. At least not in person. Kay had lived all of her life being constantly compared with Iggie. If their mother was the personification of womanhood, Iggie was who her parents did
not
want Kay to take after.

“Apparently she died years ago. But she had a son, Kay. He’s not much younger than you, probably. He’s staying here at Arrington while he works to get her cottage in order.”

The slew of emotions churning within her were as acidic as the bile rising into her throat. She swallowed and considered the implications of his words. “How do you know he’s her son?”

“I know exactly where your mind is, Kay. I’m not going to deny that I thought the worst, too. At least reserve judgment until you meet them.”

“Them?”

“Oh,” Jeremy added, “Oh, he has a friend with him. A woman named Sealla and their daughter Nichole.”

She gritted her teeth a few seconds, “I’ll see you in the morning, brother.”