Tempting Fate (34 page)

He sat up and brushed the sand from his arm. She didn’t get it. Unless you played the game and believed their mantra, how could you really?

Most people envisioned justice as right and wrong. But it wasn’t. It was all too gray to be defined. If you were smart, you used that to your advantage. The best attorneys did.

“What is it about Palmer that’s keeping you up at night? Why is it that you're thinking of throwing it all away?”

“I don’t think he got a fair shot at the system.”

“Wasn't that for his lawyers to handle?”

“That’s just the point, they didn't. I received a letter from Palmer asking for me to help him appeal. After reading the court transcript...” He let out a disgusted sigh. “His lawyer dropped the ball so many times I wonder if he even knows what it looks like.”

It wasn’t his place to question another lawyer’s strategy, but the whole thing was ridiculous. He could have tried this case in his sleep and still won.

Wendall Palmer was just another guy trying to fight against the system. His lawyer wanted the easy way out, a plea bargain. Devin had seen it done many times, but Palmer would have nothing to do with it. He’d maintained his innocence and the evidence supplied was compelling enough to convince Devin, too.

“If he’s innocent, it will all come out in the end.”

Devin chuckled sardonically. “That’s not the way it works. Palmer's lawyer had an obligation to give him the best defense money can buy whether or not he had a pot to boil rock soup in. The trouble is, Palmer doesn’t even have that. And his lawyer seemed to decide it wasn't worth fighting.”

He sighed, wondering where this ethical dilemma had come from. “Every man deserves the best defense money can buy, even if he can’t afford it.”

“Now who’s looking through rose colored glasses. Somewhere and at some time another guy is going to fall through the cracks. You can’t possibly save them all, Dev.”

“You're right. I can't take on every case. But I can help some. Those that won’t have a chance otherwise.”

“What will you do?”

He gazed at Cara and grinned, his breath catching in his throat at the mere sight of her. It amazed him how incredibly sophisticated Cara was and at the same time, so very vulnerable. The night breeze tossed her hair about until it fell in tangles on her bare shoulders. She was beautiful. But then again, he’d always known that. He’d just forgotten how much effect it had on him.

“I’m going to have another drink,” he said, lifting the bottle to his lips and sucking down the warm liquid.

His head was spinning, but not from the alcohol. He needed Cara. He wanted her. God, how he wanted her. And not just for a quick roll on the sand. What he was feeling now was that forever kind of love that made his head lift to the clouds. The kind of love he never thought he could possibly have room for in his life.

She flashed him a wicked grin, and she tore the bottle from his hand. “Gimme that. I mean it.”

He did, too. He wanted to make love to Cara. It wasn't like it was some great revelation. Their first kiss all those years ago had rattled them both and he'd wanted to make love to her then, too. Even though they'd pushed those feelings aside for their friendship, they were genuine. He remembered that now.

Cara had been right about one thing. Back then, they were too young and eager to take on the world. One of them would have had to compromise their dreams if they’d given in to the youthful passion they’d felt for each other. He saw it now reflecting back at him like an image in a mirror. If they'd made love then, it would have destroyed their friendship.

When his father died and he’d gone back to college, he’d purposely chosen not to call Cara. Not because he didn’t need her--Lord, he needed her more than ever then--but because it was the only way to stop the clock and keep what they had preserved in time. And he and Cara had passed the test of time. This week proved that. His feelings for Cara were stronger now than they’d ever been.

One of them would have had to choose and it would have destroy the precious friendship they shared. But that was all behind them now. They'd both made a success of their lives professionally.

Although the thought of Roger touching Cara nearly sent him through the roof back at the party, Devin didn't believe Roger was any real threat to what was happening between him and Cara. And there was definitely something incredible happening between them. But he'd be damned if he could figure out what was wedged between them now.

“Come on,” Cara urged. “Tell me.”

He flashed her a half grin. “Maybe I’ll act as stud for you and become a house husband.”

She giggled. “You’d last all of five seconds with a dirty diaper.”

His heart plummeted. “You don’t think I’d make a good father?”

She silently stared at him, her expression collapsing. He watched her as the flames from the fire danced in her eyes.

“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things these past few days. Nothing has made any sense. Except when I think of you and me.”

Cara’s eyes dropped to her hands and she nibbled on her bottom lip. “Us?”

“Maybe your mother has been seeing something that we’ve been afraid to.”

“My mother sees a lot of things and I’m afraid of them all,” she said wryly.

He chuckled, but Cara could tell that there was no humor in the tone. Devin was serious. And she was feeling too good because what he was saying was actually making sense. She tried to imagine her and Devin having a baby, making love...

But what was she thinking? What was he thinking? That was an undertow that would only serve to destroy their friendship.

He inched closer and she felt his heat as strong as the flames from the fire, even though they weren’t touching.

“We’re not kids anymore, Cara. We don’t have to be afraid of what we’re feeling.”

“You’re delusional,” she sputtered, trying to keep her insides from humming with his nearness. He was joking, right?

She sat up and straightened her spine, clearing her throat. “I'm involved with Roger,” she said, stating the obvious.

“Roger's not here, Cara. It's only you and me.”

Devin stared at her. Hot molten desire simmered in his eyes and set her on fire. Maybe it was the drink, but he was completely transparent now. And he wanted her. She kicked herself for actually liking that fact, liking the way his eyes caressed her. What could she possibly gain by making love with Devin? They were friends. They'd just found each other again after all these years.

She dragged her gaze away, but not before she saw the hurt register in his eyes. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. After all, they’d had too much to drink and emotions were flying high. Tomorrow morning, well after he dried off this wet night, he’d see that it was just the champagne talking. She wasn’t about to risk losing their friendship over ridiculous talk of marriage and babies with Devin Michaels. Not after they’d just found each other again.

She sighed, feeling an ache deep inside, an ache of unfulfilled need. When she finally had the courage to look at him again, she saw that his expression had softened.

“Cara.” His voice floated to her. She could barely hear it over the roar of the incoming tide. But she saw his lips move and knew he had called her name as if she could really hear it. Reaching out, he stroked her bare arm with his fingers, sending a blazing sensation racing through the rest of her body.

Devin pulled himself from the sand and held his hand out to her. Her head was spinning, but she knew it wasn’t the champagne. Devin was going to kiss her. He knew it and so did she. Taking his hand, she lifted herself from the sand like she was walking on air and fell into his arms, pressing herself against the rock hard wall of his chest. With his arms wrapped around her waist, he felt good, too good for her to muster any resolve to pull away.

He didn’t kiss her at first. His dark eyes, black from the night and his desire, gazed down at her until she thought he could see the center of her soul. Reaching up, he touched her lips with his fingers, making her shiver with anticipation.

When his lips finally crushed against hers, it was with a fury that matched the force of the ocean, and she rose to meet that fury head on. His mouth was hot and demanding, tantalizing and delicious. And she wanted all of it. All of him.

She started to pull away, half wanting to give in to her desire, half wanting to listen to that little voice of reason telling her she was making a mistake. But Devin held her tightly to his chest and in his arms, she gave in to her heart.

It would be so easy to give in fully. So wonderful to take the very pleasure they both wanted in each other.

Devin tangled his fingers in her hair and pressed her against his chest. She felt the urgency of his desire hard against her belly. His heart pounded against her ear with each labored breath he took.

“Devin,” she said, pushing with the palms of her hands flat against his chest. His scent filled her head and belied any strength she thought she had to keep her distance. Catching her breath, she found the strength to take a few steps backward. She held her hand in the air in the hopes that Devin would keep his distance.

The ocean crashed around them and sounded as thunderous as the hunger that had her on edge, echoing in her head. The crescent moon was a bright line in the sky. What little light it cast was drowned out by the crackling fire.

What the hell had she done? She was kissing Devin Michaels. And she was loving every second of it! Wanting more of him.

A strange sense of excitement intermingled with regret gripped her. She’d never felt this way with anyone before, least of all Roger. No one had ever made her head spin or her heart beat like a wild stallion on a run.

But Devin had.

“I won’t say I’m sorry for kissing you.” Devin’s voice was rough and sexy, filled with a need she felt.

“We shouldn’t have done that,” she finally muttered.

Bruno’s tail slapped on the sand, cutting into her thoughts. She looked at the dog, lazily reclined on the sand next to an empty impression that Devin’s body had made, and imagined her impression right alongside it.

“You felt that kiss just as much as I did and still do. It was just as powerful as when I kissed you on the carousel that Fourth of July.”

He took a step closer and reached out to touch her arm, but she pulled away. The pained expression on his face when she did nearly broke her heart.

She averted her gaze.

“And it is just as powerful seventeen years later. A flame like this never dies, Cara.”

She cleared her throat and took a deep breath, hoping to find some strength when she swung around to meet his gaze. But when she did, she realized she’d found none.

“I can’t do this, Dev.”

“Why not? You and me-”

“No!” She held her face in her hands and shook her head. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. All these feelings, whirling around her, completely out of control. She was out of control.

“Don't you see? We’re drunk, Devin. I won’t risk losing this friendship again because I swallowed too much drink.”

She had to get out of there. Not just because her whole body was numb from the champagne, but because it wasn’t. She was very much alert and aware of every sensation Devin had managed to bring to life with his kiss. She wanted him, and if she stayed there much longer, she was going to forget her own name and make love to Devin right there under the stars.

“Don’t run away from me,” he said, his eyes almost pleading with her.

“I’m not,” she said, picking her white sandals up from the sand. “I’m trying to keep us from making a bigger mistake if I stay. Tomorrow, you’ll see that I’m right.” She only hoped she’d feel that way, too.

Devin didn’t follow her as she spun around and quickly made her way along the edge of the beach. She blinked hard to see through her tears until she could finally focus on the porch light of her parents’ home. When she did, she began to run.

Placing one bare foot on the wooden porch step, she glanced up at the window of her brother Manny's room. It was dark. All the windows downstairs were dark, too. The party was over, everyone had gone home, and Roger was fast asleep.

Yes, she was sure Roger was sleeping like a baby. Unlike Devin, Roger wouldn't feel jealous of her spending time with another man. As she yanked on the screen door, she couldn't help but wonder what, if anything, Roger would have felt if he'd seen that kiss.

# # #

Chapter Ten

He’d been hit by a train.

Devin was sure of it as he held his throbbing head and fought to pry his eyelids open. It was the only logical reason for his head feeling as though it were crushed like an over-ripe cantaloupe. Not only did he have the lack of brains to polish off the rest of the champagne he and Cara been drinking on the beach, he’d slumped on the sofa with Bruno at his feet and polished off the last of the beer in the fridge. The sledge hammer hitting his skull was punishment for his stupidity.

Serves him right, going after Cara the way he did in a drunken stupor. How could she take his feelings for her seriously if she thought she was only a drunken roll in the sack? She deserved more than that. So much more than he’d given her last night.

That kiss.
God, it still seared him to the core with its memory. How could he think a passion like that could dissolve with time? It had been like dynamite detonating inside him.

They’d always been friends as kids. In his memories of her, they'd always maintained that their relationship was based on friendship, even after that one scorching kiss they'd shared.

Damn, what an idiot he’d been! He’d been deluding himself all this time. If he was at all honest with himself, he’d admit that he wasn’t falling in love with Cara now for the first time. He’d always been in love with her. Except back then, it scared him to death. It still scared him, but it was different. He wasn't a kid trying to take on the world anymore.

And Cara had grown into an impossibly beautiful, sexy woman.

He swung his legs off the bed until they hit the floor with a thud. Trying to steady himself, he buried his face in his hands, shielding the light from his eyes. God, his head hurt.