Was she ever. She pushed aside her work, hoping she didn’t appear too eager. “Yeah. I’m ready when you are. You didn’t hear anything from Miles did you? I don’t want to push Jennifer until we know something.”
“I’m going to check my email again, then we can head out.” He cocked his head, his expression thoughtful. “I was thinking, I only have a few more days here. If you’re not opposed to the company, I’d like to spend them with you.”
Opposed? Nothing could be further. A chill snaked down her spine. Brad in her house like he had been yesterday. Part of her world, in every sense of the way. She swallowed hard. She should say no, keep some boundaries between them. What if someone saw them and started talking? Her neighbors could be terribly nosey. She was already attached, already half in love with him. If she let him stay, there’d be no hope of avoiding heartache when he left.
But as usual, sense fled when he came within five feet of her. “I’d like that.”
Brad rapped his fingers on the doorframe. Desire flared in his vibrant blue eyes. “Okay. Let me check my email, and we’ll swing by the hotel. I’ll check out. And then…” He let the words hang as he moved his gaze over her body. “We have some unfinished business to take care of.”
Cassie struggled not to close her eyes and whimper. She’d do whatever he asked so long as he didn’t engage in last night’s torture. But before she could say a word, Brad disappeared down the hall to Chris’s old office. After they finally got his laptop connected, she’d allowed Brad to the empty space in case he needed to consult with Miles privately. She leaned back in her chair with a muffled groan.
…
Brad couldn’t curb the smile that took up residence when Cassie’s cheeks flushed with the telltale stain of arousal. He had her exactly where he wanted her—primed and ready. A few minutes more and she was his for the taking. He’d taunt her a little, because she enjoyed it, and then he intended to make up for last night. Multiple times.
He eased behind his loaner desk. A shake of the mouse woke his laptop up. It prompted him for a password. He entered it and tilted the screen back a fraction more to cut the overhead glare.
Miles’s email displayed in his in-box. Good. They could finally work in some productive direction.
He clicked the email open, scanned the first few lines. But five paragraphs of text contradicted Miles’s usual succinct style. Brad’s heart rate began to accelerate. Words rushed together. I’m sorry, Brad…can’t sacrifice what I believe in…unacceptable conditions.
Brad reached the last paragraph, and his stomach bottomed out. Typed in bold face letters, Miles had written:
I am adamantly opposed to allowing Anna to spend any time in Dale’s presence. Tell Ms. Blaire I will fight Jennifer for every penny she has over this matter. You are my attorney, and I expect you to represent my interests, not intimidate me with what pursing this will do to my daughter’s wellbeing. Your recent communication has left me questioning whether you’re working for me or pacifying opposing counsel.
No.
No, this wasn’t happening. What did he mean, by ‘recent communication’? The question was fair—Did Miles want to pursue what might be traumatizing to his daughter? Brad had mulled his phrasing over every way he could think of and found nothing offputting in the detailed account of what it would involve. He would have done the same to any other client…wouldn’t he?
Or had he somehow been influenced by his involvement with Cassie?
Brad snatched at his phone. He stabbed in Miles’s number.
Miles answered on the second ring. “Cooper—what’s up, Brad?”
“Would you mind to explain why you think I’m pacifying Ms. Blaire?” Brad took extreme care to keep his voice calm, devoid of the uneasy fear he’d said something that would reveal the truth of his involvement with Cassie.
Miles expelled a sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to have you question my confidential disclosure.”
“You might have told me in confidence, but I am legally and ethically bound to further action. I wanted to be clear on all this. I would prefer solid proof before we involve Anna.”