Lawful Lover (Eternal Bachelors Club #2) (11 page)

“Well,” Mrs. Vogel continued, “I have some personal connections there. Maybe they can squeeze your application in for the July exam, so that you won’t have to wait until Spring. That is, if you’re ready for the exam.”

“Absolutely. That would be wonderful. I would really appreciate it.”

Ready for the exam in less than a month? She’d have to cram day and night.

“Fine then.”

“Then let’s talk a little more about your experience,” Mr. Winslow said and launched into a case, then asked her what she would do under the circumstances, which laws applied and how she would handle the different aspects of the case.

Before she knew it, two hours had passed. It was the longest—and best—interview she’d ever had.

“Well—” Mrs. Vogel tapped her pen on the table. “—I believe we’re done here.” She stood and extended her hand. “Thank you for coming in, Ms. Palmer. We’ll be in touch soon.”

When Sabrina stepped out into the hustle and bustle of the streets of Manhattan, she inhaled a deep breath of air. Things were looking up.

By the time she arrived at home, she’d received a voicemail from the secretary of the law offices, inviting her to a second interview a few days later. Jumping up and down, Sabrina pumped her fist in the air.

“Yes!”

12

Daniel looked up at the sound of his office door being flung open. Who the hell had the audacity to barge into his office like that? Especially since he’d given his secretary explicit instructions that he didn’t want to be interrupted.

His frown turned into a smile when he saw Sabrina breezing in, a vibrant smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes, looking as beautiful as ever.

“Sabrina, what are you doing here?” he asked as he stood and made his way toward her.

“I just had my second interview.” Her words were rushed and her voice was full of excitement. He loved seeing her like this. “Oh my God, Daniel it was the best interview ever.”

He smiled. “That’s great.”

This was only the second time Sabrina had come to his office. The first time he’d shown her around and introduced her to Frances, making it clear to her that Sabrina would always be allowed to come into his office, no matter how busy he was.

He had to admit, he liked it that she now surprised him with a visit. It broke up the monotony of his day and gave him a boost of energy.

“Yes! In fact, it went so well, they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” She squealed with delight and bounced up and down, clapping her hands, reminding him of a child on Christmas morning. “I got the job!”

Laughing, he said, “That’s fantastic news, Sabrina!”

Daniel picked her up, spun her around, and planted a kiss on her lips before setting her back on her feet. “Congratulations, baby. I’m so happy for you.”

He truly was. But more so, he was happy that she was putting down roots in New York. It gave him added hope that things were going to work out between them, that she was going to stay and actually like it around here. He’d started to worry that she didn’t like New York, and that she’d want to go back to San Francisco, particularly because he hadn’t spent much time with her lately.

“I still can’t believe it. I mean, who gets hired on the spot like that?”

“You do! We should go out tonight and celebrate. You deserve it.”

“I’d love to, but it’s a Friday night. There’s no way we’re going to get a table at any decent restaurant on such short notice.”

He grinned. “I already have a reservation at Per Se. It has excellent French food, perfect for a celebration like this.” He’d had his assistant, Frances, make the reservation for him earlier in the day. And since he was a regular there, they always made sure he got a table, even if that meant changing the existing seating arrangement and squeezing an extra table in.

Sabrina looked at him, puzzled. “How? I mean, how did you know we’d be celebrating tonight?” She tilted her head to the side.

He hadn’t known, of course, but he’d been planning to spend the evening with Sabrina, because he’d neglected her so many times lately, and really wanted to make it up to her.

He shrugged. “They’d be stupid not to hire you,” he said and smiled. “I had no doubt that they’d give you the job. You’re a fantastic lawyer, Sabrina. You deserve this.”

She smiled back at him, and he felt his pulse quicken. God, she was gorgeous and when she smiled at him like that, he felt his pulse race and his heart beat into his throat.

“You’re too sweet.”

“I like to think of myself as optimistic.” He winked, and then released her.

“What time is the reservation for?”

“Seven thirty.”

“Perfect,” she said. “That gives me plenty of time to get ready.”

“I’ll be home early. I can’t wait to spend the night with you.”

“Neither can I.” She kissed his lips, and breezed out of the office just as she’d entered.

He smiled after her and shook his head. His life had been so dull and pointless before he’d found her. And now he couldn’t imagine ever going back to his old life.

Returning to his chair, he forced himself to focus on work, which was nearly impossible when his mind was consumed with thoughts of Sabrina. How long had it been since they’d made love? Work had been keeping him so busy, he realized that it had been a few days since he’d sunk his cock into her warm, welcoming body. Tonight he was going to rectify this.

***

“Your table will be ready shortly,” the maître d’ informed them as they arrived at Per Se.

Sabrina looked around the elegant restaurant Daniel had chosen and felt intimidated.

He put his hand on the small of her back and leaned close to her ear. “Come on, we’ll go to the bar and get a drink while we’re waiting.”

His touch was as intoxicating as it had always been, and knowing that after dinner they would go home and make love, made her knees feel wobbly. He guided her toward the bar and Daniel pulled out a barstool for her to sit.

Instead of sitting down, she turned to him. “Could you please order me a Cosmopolitan while I freshen up?”

He pointed past the bar. “The restrooms are that way.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“Many times.”

She followed his directions and walked toward the restrooms. When she reached the end of the corridor, she pushed the door decorated with a simple sign saying “Women” open and stepped inside. Soft music played from hidden loudspeakers, and the room smelled like the inside of a luxurious spa.

A woman with long red hair was drying her hands, then turned in the direction of the door, when Sabrina got a better glimpse of her face. Her stomach sank into her knees. She recognized the other woman immediately. She would recognize her anywhere. How could she ever forget the face of the woman who’d surprised her and Daniel in his hotel room in San Francisco: Audrey. She looked truly stunning: her dress fit her like a second skin, accentuating her wasp-like waist and her ample breasts. Her skin was porcelain-like and flawless, her eyelashes heavy with Mascara, making her hazel eyes shine even more brightly. Yes, Sabrina could easily see why a man would be attracted to her.

Halfway to the door, Audrey stopped in her tracks, her gaze locked onto Sabrina, her breath hitching.

Audrey’s eyes narrowed. “Well if that isn’t the same little tramp I caught in Daniel’s hotel room.”

Sabrina felt the urge to take several steps back and flee, but suppressed it. She wouldn’t give Audrey the satisfaction of thinking that she could scare her away. Instead, she simply walked past her to the sink.

“If you don’t mind.”

“So what I heard is true then. He brought you to New York to prolong this affair.”

Sabrina raised an eyebrow, wondering how she’d gotten the news about Daniel and her, when she remembered Linda and Kevin Boyd. From the dismissive way Linda had looked at her then, Sabrina could guess that she’d called Audrey the minute she’d left the Sinclair’s house that day.

“We’re not having an affair,” Sabrina corrected her coolly. If Audrey wanted a catfight, she’d be disappointed. Sabrina wouldn’t lower herself to that level.

Audrey flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I don’t know what Daniel sees in you. I suppose every man occasionally wants some fast food after dining in five-star restaurants all the time.”

The stab hurt, and her hands started to shake. Quickly Sabrina took some soap and lathered her hands to distract herself from the rage that started boiling up in her.

“Sometimes men get downright sick of pretentious, overpriced five-star restaurants after eating the wrong thing, and decide never to go back,” she countered and rinsed her hands.

Audrey blew out an outraged breath, her cheeks furiously coloring. “Listen to me, you little hussy. You don’t know anything about men like Daniel. You have no idea what he needs or wants, how to satisfy a man like him. I can guarantee you that the moment he gets bored with you, he’ll toss you out on your pretty ass. That’s when he’ll come back to me. He always does.”

Reaching for a hand towel, Sabrina hid the shaking of her hands by drying them slowly. “He left you, Audrey. He’s with me. He loves me.”

“Hah! Just because he has sex with you doesn’t mean he loves you.”

Sabrina tossed the hand towel in the basket. “No, but when a man asks a woman to move in with him, it’s a pretty strong statement, don’t you think?”

“He—” Audrey’s mouth gaped open in surprise.

Had Linda Boyd neglected to fill her in on this little detail?

“Nothing you say will change how Daniel and I feel about each other. Nothing.” As calmly as Sabrina could, she walked past Audrey, reached for the door handle and pulled the door open.

“This isn’t over. Daniel will come back to me. You’ll see.”

With a determined step, Sabrina walked outside and let the door fall shut behind her, Audrey’s words leaving a chill slithering down her spine. Did she really believe that she could get Daniel back? Silently Sabrina shook her head. No, Audrey had only spoken out of desperation. She had no power over Daniel anymore.

Taking several deep breaths, she walked back to the bar, but the place where Daniel had stood and ordered drinks for them was now occupied by another man and his date. Sabrina looked around when a waiter approached and smiled at her.

“Mr. Sinclair is waiting for you at your table,” the man announced.

Sabrina sighed with relief and followed him to the back of the restaurant where she saw Daniel seated at a small table in the corner. Daniel stood when she approached. He kissed her on the cheek, and then pulled out her chair.

“Is everything all right? I was beginning to worry.”

“Yes, everything is fine, thank you.” She took a sip of the Cosmopolitan he’d ordered for her and avoided making eye contact. Instead, she stuck her nose into the menu before her.

“You know how it is. There’s always a line for the ladies room.”

Under no circumstance would she mention the encounter with Audrey and allow this incident to ruin their night out.

She lifted her face and gave him a sweet smile. “So, tell me, what can you recommend here? I don’t think I know what half these dishes on the menu are.”

He returned her smile. “Everything is good here, but I can make a few recommendations if you’d like.” Then he winked. “I’ll recommend things on the lighter side. We don’t want to go home completely stuffed and unable to move, do we?”

She couldn’t miss the twinkle in his eyes that told her just what he was planning to do once they got home.

“You’re a rascal, Daniel Sinclair! An incorrigible rascal.”

“Is that a bad thing?” he murmured, leaning over the table, his gaze sinking into hers.

“A very, very, bad thing,” she whispered, licking her lips. “I’m looking forward to it.”

13

Daniel yawned even though it was only mid-afternoon, sat back in his chair, and rubbed his hands over his face. After their amazing night following a fabulous dinner at Per Se, he and Sabrina had barely seen each other. He continued to come home late when Sabrina was already in bed, and got up early to go back to the office. Too many things were going wrong with the deal he was handling, and he felt he had to be there around the clock to prevent the shit from hitting the fan.

Unfortunately, this meant neglecting Sabrina. Again. Something had to change with this pattern, because he was afraid that she would give up on him and leave. He’d seen the disappointed looks she’d tried to hide and the sad sound in her voice she tried to smooth over with a laugh whenever he told her he would be home late.

Maybe he should take time off and go away somewhere with Sabrina. Relax. Reconnect. Just as soon as this deal was sealed.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come in.” He sat up straight.

“Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Sinclair, but this just arrived for you.” His executive assistant walked to his desk and placed an envelope in front of him, the word ‘Private’ stamped on it.

“Thank you, Frances,” he answered automatically, and barely noticed how she left his office and closed the door behind her.

Daniel picked up the envelope and immediately noticed the San Francisco address. Who was sending him something from there? The San Francisco acquisition had already been finalized before he’d ever left, and the only other people he knew there were Tim and Holly.

Curious, he opened the envelope and took out several pieces of paper. He glanced over the first page and his heart started to pound. He continued to read and shot up from his chair.

“Fucking bastard!”

His blood was boiling. Rage gripped him by the throat and squeezed him tight. In turn, his hands turned to fists and he slammed the papers down on the desk.

Taking a deep breath, he picked up the phone. The call was answered on the first ring.

“Tim, it’s Daniel.”

“Hey, Daniel, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Tim chuckled.

“I need your help. Didn’t you date one of the best civil litigation lawyers in San Francisco? I remember you telling me he was pretty ruthless. I need him to take care of something for me.”