Delecto - Games of Mastery (part 1) (4 page)

“
I
imagine how you treat a migraine is a very individual matter.” I
tried to backtrack, tactfully.

“
I think
you’ll find that most things in life are very individual,” he said
with a wry smile.

“
That’s
true.” I smiled back at him. He may be acting a little recklessly,
but at least he had wit and humor.

“
Would
you care to join me in a brandy, Miss Preston? I’d more than
appreciate your company.”

I shook my head
and put up my hand. “No thank you, not while I’m working.”

“
I’m sure
your father wouldn’t mind if you have a drink with a client, at his
request.”

“
I’m also
driving,” I pointed out.

“
One
small brandy won’t affect your ability to work or handle your car
in two hours time. Come on...one little drink, for me?” He cocked
his head in what he must think was an appealing manner.

“
No thank
you. You have no idea how I react to alcohol,” I replied, frostily.
I hadn't drunk anything for a year and I wasn't about to test
myself out now.

“
No, I
don’t. But you're very tense and I’d like to see you relax, just a
little.”
He smiled at me, very obviously trying to
coax me out of my professional shell.

My hackles were
rising at his insistence that I have a drink with him and the
flirty nature of his conversation. I had no interest in furthering
that side of our relationship. Or removing one iota of my brain
power by drinking. I was keeping everything on a business and
highly professional level only. Men did not cross my invisible
safety barrier. They remained outside at a safe distance, where I
wasn’t tempted. Especially ones like him.

“
You are
using your position to influence me into doing something I don’t
want to, Mr. Shaw.”

If I was
expecting an apology for his overbearing attitude at that point, I
didn’t get one.

His eyes
searched mine, in a way that was softly invasive. “Tell me why you
don’t want to. It’s a pleasant thing to do, is it not? Having a
drink with a client?”

“
I’m not
here to relax or to indulge myself drinking with you. I need to be
focused on the task you are paying me for.”

“
I’m sure
a woman of your abilities can manage to relax and work at the same
time?” he cajoled, a little grin tugging at his mouth.

“
I prefer
to relax in my own time, not yours,” I replied stiffly.

He stared
straight faced, no emotion evident at all in his expression.

“
So, what
do you do in your own time? How do you like to relax and indulge
yourself, Miss Preston? I’m all ears.” I noticed a subtle flare and
a bright twinkle in his eyes then watched him run his tongue
suggestively around his full, lower lip.

My eyes widened
in irritation at the nature of his question and his increasingly
seductive delivery.

“
Excuse me
?” How intrusive could he be after a
few minutes in my company? Not that there was much to intrude upon.
I hardly ever indulged myself at all. In fact I didn’t ever. In any
way. He took the last sip of his drink, watching my reaction over
the top of the large glass.

He placed the
empty glass down and leaned forward, his forearms resting on the
desk, studying my face intently.

“
I’d like
to know how you spend your private time, that’s all. I’m interested
in you.”

I was very
aware that this conversation was straying far from its initial
premise, that being the preparation and signing of his will. He was
a manipulative and clever man, having maneuvered us to this point.
I needed to be more wary and close myself down.

“
That is
my business.” I couldn’t help but be a little rude, wanting to put
him in his place, and my voice had a sharp edge to it. He didn’t
react, his expression calm, but I did see a small glimmer of
something in his eyes. Was it respect? Did he see me as a little
challenging? I hoped so. Because I could be. I was remembering my
old self, little by little. “I suggest we continue with your will.
There’s a lot to cover this afternoon, Mr. Shaw.”

“
Please
call me Sebastian,” he requested pleasantly.

I was
uncomfortable addressing him by his first name, as it invited
further intimacy, but it seemed impolite and unreasonable not
to.

“
Very
well.”

“
And what
should I call you, Miss Preston?”

“
Your
lawyer,” I suggested in a bland tone. I had a terribly sarcastic
side to my nature. And he was likely to see a lot more of
it.

“
Surely
lawyers have first names,” he continued, a small smile hovering on
his lips, “or are you all the same nameless, cash-eating machines,
we are led to believe?” The smile widened further. But I didn’t
find his brand of humor very amusing at all.

I bristled at
his words. I was not particularly financially driven. Not that this
was the first time I’d heard that accusation. And why the hell I
needed to justify myself to him, I really didn’t know.

He needed a
lawyer, and there I was, at his request, a lawyer.

“
Lawyers
study the law for a long time until they are proficiently qualified
to act on the public behalf. We work hard and long hours for our
financial gains. A lot of responsibility rests on our expertise.
You should consider that.” I snapped at him, in such a harsh tone,
I surprised myself.

“
It
appears I have offended you,” he said, as he rubbed his chin
distractedly. His eyes roamed around my face, studying the hard
look currently set upon it. “That was meant as a joke, but a very
thoughtless one. Please, forgive me. And I really am most
interested in learning your name.” He offered me a disarming smile.
I admitted to myself, he had a very appealing way about him. He was
gentlemanly and so beautifully spoken. Although he had ruffled my
feathers like nothing else, he also knew how to smooth them equally
well.

I conceded the
issue and unzipped a compartment on the side of my case, retrieving
my business card which I placed on the desk before him.

He picked up
the small white card and looked at it for a moment. I observed his
downcast eyes. Long, dark eyelashes fringed them beautifully. For
someone who had suffered a migraine, he looked damn good in the
aftermath. He was smoking hot.

His gaze
returned to mine, burning with a deep green glow.

“
Amanda's
a very beautiful name. And one that suits you. But I’m sure you’re
well aware of the extent of that.”

“
The
extent of what exactly?” I probed in confusion.

“
You must
realize how beautiful you are?”

Oh, God!

I was actually
experiencing a head-rush of pleasure. It hit my stomach and sex
soon afterward, and my muscles tightened hard.

But I’m not a
nun. Why wouldn’t I feel pleasure at a compliment like this from
such a handsome man? But my reaction had shaken me. I took a
defensive stance and deflected his question with my own.

“
Is
beauty important or relevant to my work here?”

“
Not at
all, but I appreciate it nonetheless, as much as you must be aware
of it.”

“
Mr. Shaw
...” I objected. I had finally reached
the point at which I had had enough of him looking me over,
flirting, probing and his pointless buttering me up, and I wished
to make my feelings clear. This personal to-ing and fro-ing was
unnerving, and I was becoming uncomfortable and unsettled. And even
more annoying, as much as I didn’t want to be, I was aware of a
small bud of attraction beginning to form between us. . My guard
went on extra high alert and I buried those forbidden feelings
somewhere deep inside me where, hopefully, they could find no
escape.

“
Sebastian
,” he reminded me in a tone that
suggested I should not forget to use his Christian name
again.

“
Sebastian,
” I echoed, “this is not a social
visit, or a getting-to-know-you cocktail party. Shall we proceed
with drafting your will? My days are busy. I have a mountain of
work waiting for me back at the office.” I spoke in a strong tone
of voice, meaning to convey the fact that a lawyer’s life was
anything
but
one of luxury.
Especially the type of luxury he most likely enjoyed, day in and
day out—his numerous golf days—a plethora of vacations in exotic
climes—and, based on what I've gleaned of him so far, probably
filling his nights with women, all willing to cater to his every
basic need and desire.

He didn’t bat
an eyelid at my chastising remarks.

“
Surely
your work can wait till tomorrow morning? I was hoping to detain
you for a while today, to offer you dinner in return for the
inconvenience of traveling here.”

“
I
already have a dinner date, so I will have to decline your kind
invitation,” I lied. Then I picked up the documents and turned to
the first page to begin work.

“
I would
be grateful if you’d cancel it, please.”

For fuck’s
sake!

Not only was he
nosing into my personal life, he was actively interfering with it.
Not that I had one.

“
Cancel
it? Why should I?” My voice rose at his blatant
audacity.

“
Because
I insist.”

“
You insist
?” I repeated, trying not to hiss
through my teeth in annoyance.

“
As your
new client, I insist on offering you all my hospitality as a sign
of goodwill and appreciation for the excellent service with which
you will no doubt provide me.”

Oh, he’s good.
In fact, he’s a class act.

I opened my
mouth to speak and then shut it again. At that moment I didn’t
trust that anything which might fall out of it would be pleasant or
acceptable conversation to have with a new client.

Goodwill,
appreciation and hospitality?

Exactly how far
did he intend to extend his appreciation and hospitality? And I
wasn’t sure his will was that good in nature. I was beginning to
suspect other motives were at the forefront of his mind.

At that
point I really did start to wonder about his
women
and if he was seeing me as a potential
addition to that number.

His looks and
his nature were more than appealing, but I really wasn’t interested
in him. Or anyone. But I wondered, for a moment, if he saw
something in me that I myself didn’t. Something evident in the way
I spoke that pointed to the contrary. I came to realize I’d been
snapping and swiping my paw defensively. Like a little kitten that
had been thrown into the lion’s den and didn’t have much more than
a scratch to defend herself with. Where had my poise, my
manufactured inner calm and my usual superior voice gone? I used to
be far more on the ball with comebacks and cut-downs than this.

My mind focused
more fully. Maybe it wasn’t me he was interested in at all. He
could possibly see all women as potential conquests. Or perhaps he
liked a challenge, someone who didn’t simper at him from the first
compliment he issued. Someone to wear down slowly. Maybe that was
all it was with him. One power trip after another. Some more
challenging than others.

I dragged the
whole of the real me out of hiding. The old me.

He had picked
the wrong girl, if he planned on pursuing me. Hell would have to
freeze over, and I’d fight to the death before I went there.
Wherever “there” was.

I’m no kitten.
Not even a cat. I’m a saber-toothed tiger, one with the most savage
teeth that could rip him to shreds. I might be going well over the
top with my self-persuasion techniques, but it was boosting my
confidence when I needed it.

I finally got
my act together.

I’d been
pussy-footing around him, literally. But that was about to change.
This evening, I would have a small measure of enjoyment with my
client. A verbal spar. All in the line of duty.

Verbal battle
was my field of expertise. It was an art form and a skill I had
honed to perfection. I should be a real eye-opener for him.

“
Very
well. As you are
so
insistent—I’ll cancel my appointment and join you for
dinner.”

A strange surge
of excitement flooded me and I couldn’t help but smile. He
foolishly took my reluctant acceptance, and sweet smile, as a peace
offering, his serious expression relaxing into a rather premature
victorious grin.

I had to admit,
reluctantly, it was a very, very attractive one.

“
If
you’ll excuse me for a second.” I picked my cell phone out of my
case and called my father, who answered straight away.

“
Amanda?”

“
Hello.”

“
Is
everything alright?” His voice held a note of concern.

“
Yes, I’m
fine, but I won’t be able to make dinner tonight. My client has
requested I dine with him.” I smiled at Sebastian, who was watching
my performance very closely.

“
Oh.
good. How are you getting on?” my father asked.

“
Okay.”

“
I
thought you’d hit it off, that’s why I gave you his
case.”

“
Oh,
really?”

“
This is
the kind of man you should aim for, my dear.”