When You Give a Lawyer a Kiss (Aspen Grove)

Chapter 2

T he sweet scent of coconut and pineapple fills the air, causing me to clench my jaw. It’s the same one that’s plagued my memory for the past three months.

I’m known for my ironclad control. It’s one of the reasons I’m such a damn good lawyer. I’m willing to wait out my opponent until they fold like a house of cards. In my line of work, being caught off guard means losing the case, translating into millions of dollars in losses.

Which means I’m always prepared for anything.

Until now.

The one thing I hadn’t planned for was showing up to the all-hands meeting today and seeing Reese, the quirky and chatty woman from the tattoo parlor that I haven’t stopped thinking about.

“What are you doing here?” I ask sharply. “Did you know this was my firm?”

I pulled up her employee file while I waited for her to get here. This is her first week, but she applied once before earlier this year, which admittedly sets her apart in an industry where that kind of tenacity is rare. Her persistence is impressive and shows a determination that most don’t possess. I also found several glowing reports from her previous law firm, which praised her as an outstanding employee with an exceptional work ethic. Still, I’m skeptical of her motives. I can’t help but wonder if she intentionally showed up at Steel my moral compass is often skewed when seeking justice.

The last thing I need is to spend more time near the stunning woman who brings out a side of me I prefer to keep hidden.

“You can’t have me transferred,” Reese protests, her voice edged with panic.

I cock my head to one side, taken aback by her frantic plea. “Why not? I’m the managing partner of this firm, and I can make decisions regarding my employees, including onboarding staff members.”

She glances at the door like she’s ready to bolt. “What happened at the tattoo parlor was a mistake, and I’d really like to pretend it never happened.”

What the hell?

I blink rapidly, unsure if I heard her correctly. I’ve never had a woman suggest she regretted kissing me. They’re usually begging for more before our night together ends. And it stings that she’d assume I would ask her to join my team as leverage to manipulate a physical relationship.

If Reese were ever in my bed, it’s because she wanted to be there. But she’s made it clear she’s not interested, and I’ve had to remind myself for the second time that she’s strictly off-limits.

I put my hand over my heart in a dramatic fashion. “I’m wounded.”

“Something tells me your ego can afford the hit,” she retorts.

I swallow hard. “Rest assured, I’m asking you to work with me in a strictly professional capacity.”

Although it’s the truth, I’m silently cursing the non-fraternization policy. Why is it that the only woman I’ve been interested in sleeping with in ages is the one I can’t have?

“Is your objection working directly with me?” I ask.

She nods. “I was hired as Rob’s paralegal. The gossip would spread if you transferred me after only a week on the job, and I’d rather avoid that. I want to earn my place here on my own merit, not because I have an in with the boss.”

I roll my eyes at the mention of Rob. That clown thinks he’s untouchable because he’s Maxwell’s nephew, but he’s just as expendable as the rest of our employees. If it weren’t for me, this place would have gone under when Maxwell was exposed for embezzling client funds. Thanks to my ability to think on my feet—and my talent for spinning stories—the company’s reputation remained unscathed, and I became a managing partner.

“Rob will be fine without you,” I say, waving off her concern.

He’s a junior partner with a limited portfolio and isn’t assigned high-profile cases requiring extra resources. I’m not sure why HR approved his request for a paralegal in the first place.

“As for the gossip, no one will question my decision, trust me.” I might not be able to squash every piece of gossip, but I’ll damn well do my best if it means she’ll agree.

Reese straightens her shoulders and lifts her chin to meet my gaze. “Mr. Tate, I appreciate the offer but respectfully decline.”

I move closer, our feet nearly touching, but she doesn’t flinch. “And what if I don’t accept your answer?”

She draws in a deep breath. “Then you’ll be sorely disappointed because I’m not changing my mind.”

“We’ll see about that,” I say, a faint smirk playing at the corners of my mouth.

She exhales sharply through her nose and narrows her eyes, clearly not amused. I’ve never had an employee dare question my authority until now.

She stands her ground, her steady and unyielding gaze fixed squarely on me. Anyone else would scramble to make a quick exit, but not Reese. There’s something oddly compelling about her determination to challenge me, and I find myself mesmerized by her boldness.

When a stray lock of hair falls across her face, I tuck it behind her ear. She shivers at my touch, and goosebumps scatter across her arms. The charged energy between us thickens as her eyes wander to my lips. Her breathing quickens as she tilts her head toward me.

The memory of her legs clinging to my waist, her fingers tangled in my hair as she drew me closer, and the feel of her soft lips pressed against mine has me suppressing a low groan. My hands twitch at my sides, itching to grip the nape of her neck and draw her in.

Reese looks like she’s battling a similar storm of emotions, her lips slightly parted as if on the verge of surrender.

The sound of voices in the hallway snaps out of my trance, and I take several steps back. What just happened between us isn’t acceptable workplace conduct, and as much as I wish otherwise, it can’t happen again.

In an attempt to get a handle on the situation, I clear my throat before rounding my desk to my office chair.

“You’re dismissed,” I tell Reese.

I catch a fleeting glimpse of her dejected expression before it vanishes.

“Yes, sir,” she says with a hint of sarcasm before slipping out the door.

I massage my temples, struggling to push Reese out of my mind. To quiet the thought that makes me want to chase after her—to hear her voice again.

Against my better judgment, I’ve made up my mind: I want her on my team. I can’t stand the idea of her working at my firm and not seeing her every day. I’ll just have to think outside the box to make it work, and I’m more than ready for the challenge.