From all hed seen and heard, Mallory Sinclair was one of the best. But before they could get down to business, they were headed for an informal get-to-know-you-better session, demanded by their eccentric client. Based on Mallorys cool personality and severe looks, casual and relaxed wasnt her thing. Which meant Jack wasnt looking forward to their enforced time together.
Yet despite himself the memory of those china-blue eyes stayed with him. Intrigued him. Made him wonder what else he didnt know about Ms. Mallory Sinclair.
She rose from her seat. Guess that means case closed, then.
Im sure well survive, he said, issuing a grin meant to ease things between them.
He waited for a smile in return and was disappointed not to get one. Ill need to wrap some things up before I can start on Ledermans case, she said.
No problem. Our flight leaves at 7:00 p.m. Think you can tie up loose ends, pack and be at the airport in he glanced at his watch. Three hours?
Her lipstick-free mouth opened, then closed again. Hed managed to get a reaction after all. Our flight? The word sounded more like a squeak.
He nodded. Mr. Lederman is at his resort in the Hamptons. He doesnt care to cut his vacation short, so were going to head on out there and get to know him. Grab your sunglasses and bathing suit. Were going to the beach.
MALLORY ROLLED her silk stockings down her legs slowly, savoring the sensation against her skin. She so missed the little luxuries in lifesilk, satin and anything soft, which was why she always did her best to pamper herself beneath her conservative image.
Thanks to a spilled pocketbook-size vial of her favorite perfume, normally saved for evenings after work, the comforting aroma indulged her senses now. But neither the conservative attorney nor the buried woman were foolish enough to wear stockings to a hot, summer resort.
With Jack Latham.
She shivered at the unexpected prospect of spending hours in his company away from the office. She opened her suitcase and tossed it on the bed.
Going somewhere exciting? Her cousin Julia bounded into the room with all the exuberance of a college freshman. Or someone who would be a college freshman if she hadnt opted for a free-spirited route in life.
Just looking at her, Mallory felt old beyond her years. Mallory was still young enough to be carefree, it was just the external trappings that constrained her. And those couldnt be avoided. Not if she wanted to make partner.
Hey, Mal. I asked you where youre off to?
Mallory turned to her cousin. Their fathers were brothers, and by a strange mix of the gene pool, Julia and Mallory shared an uncanny resemblance, down to their blue eyes. Looking at her cousin was like looking in a mirror, minus a few years, chronological as well as emotional. Julia was a bundle of happiness, and like Mallory she was also a disappointment to her father. Unlike Mallory, she didnt feel the need to change her parents opinion.
Im off to a sunny resort and before you get jealous, remember its business. And with luck, Jack would remember that, too. Hed dress up and not down and even if their eccentric, bossy client insisted on a poolside meeting, Jack would dress, period. Because Mallory was afraid if she saw him bare-chested and tanned, in swimming trunks that accentuated and revealed, she couldnt be responsible for her actions.
And Mallory Sinclair was always the upstanding, responsible adult and attorney. Always. She had to be.
Julia sat on the bed and crossed her legs. It may be business, but its still the beach.
Thats what Jack said. The memory of his charcoal-gray eyes boring into hers lit a fire inside her. The warmth of desire burst into a burning flame. Lust, Mallory reminded herself. Nothing more than sexual need, a desire easily controlled. No matter if she was lying to herself, she had no choice but to convince herself and act accordingly. So what if the man was sexy? She was an adult, after all.
Whos Jack?
The senior partner in charge of this case. Her garment bag already packed with a combination of appropriate lightweight pantsuits and skirts, Mallory folded her private underthings and placed them inside the suitcase.
Julia seated herself on the bed. Whats he look like?
Whats it matter? Mallory shot back quickly.
Too quickly, and her cousins eyes narrowed. Why so testy? Uptight about going away with a seventy-year-old man whos judging your every move? Julias blue eyes locked with hers, daring her to reveal what was on her mind.
Sometimes Julia was too perceptive and understanding, just another reason why Mallory adored her cousin and let her live here rent-free while she found herself in New York. More like a thirty-something, perfect-looking, unattached man, Mallory muttered.
Julia laughed. I heard that.
I wanted you to or I wouldnt have spoken out loud.
Thats my favorite cousin, nothing uncalculated, nothing unplanned.
The complete opposite of your spontaneous nature, you mean. You know it wouldnt hurt you to plan ahead. Set goals, chart your course in life.
Any more than it would hurt you to jump into something with your heart and not your head. So whats the story with your office hunk?
Mallory shook her head. No story. Not with a no-office-romance policy, and not with a man who, if you believe the rumors, doesnt have the ability to commit. And not with a man who hadnt shown her an ounce of interest.
Julia leaned forward, resting on her elbows and propping her chin on her palms. So? Does he have to commit to have an affair?
Who said I was looking for an affair? Or a commitment for that matter. She didnt have the time to worry about her personal life, at least not until her partnership was secure and stable.
Maybe you should be. Julia reached into the suitcase and held one of Mallorys lace teddys in the air, dangling it from her fingertips. Seems to me these lacy getups are wasted if youre alone.
Mallory grabbed for her nightie and buried it back inside her suitcase where it belonged. Didnt you ever hear of doing things for yourself?
Anyone ever tell you its more fun doing it with a partner?
Visions of herself and Jack played before her eyes, a seductive dance with the ocean as the backdrop. She shook her head at her thoughtsall inappropriate, un-called for and not possible. Beyond office policy and Mallorys long-term goals, she understood reality.
She swung the suitcase off the bed and blew Julia a kiss. Ill be in touch. She passed the mirror as she headed out the door, catching a glimpse of herself in the glass. Her black glasses stood out, glaring and unattractive. Exactly as shed meant them to be.
Mallory was heading off to an exclusive resort with the best-looking man shed ever met. A man who made her ache with a simple glance. A man whose voice caused ripples of awareness to burst to life inside her.
But just as she planned, that sexy man wouldnt give her an interested glance. Jack Latham wouldnt be captivated by Mallory Sinclair, attorney. He wouldnt be charmed, enchanted or tempted.
It might help if you let down your hair, her cousin supplied in a sugary-helpful voice.
Not if she wanted to make partner. Mallory glanced at her watch. Half an hour till show time. She had a firm-hired car picking her up downstairs to take her to the airport. Gotta run or Ill be late.
Not if she wanted to make partner. Mallory glanced at her watch. Half an hour till show time. She had a firm-hired car picking her up downstairs to take her to the airport. Gotta run or Ill be late.
Dont do anything I wouldnt do.
Its not like Ill even be given the chance, she muttered to herself.
2
JACK GLANCED at his watch. Half an hour until landing and their descent couldnt come a minute too soon. He didnt know how much more togetherness he could take. Mallory shifted in her seat and her right knee grazed his left leg. A shot of heat radiated up his thigh.
Sorry, she mumbled, then sighed.
It had been like this for the entire flight. The cramped quarters of the plane and Mallorys enforced proximity was causing his body to react in conflicting and confounding ways. Shed exchanged the uptight suit for a lightweight dress with a hem that ended marginally higher and revealed an enticing hint of bare skin. Without stockings he was treated to tanned, smooth-looking flesh and he found his gaze drawn back again and again.
He assumed her contradiction in dress, along with the arousing floral scent that had permeated the cabin from the moment of her punctual arrival accounted for his curiosity. He wasnt about to call what he felt for Mallory interest.
But he hadnt noticed her feminine fragrance in his office earlier that afternoon, and he couldnt help but wonder about a woman who dressed and acted with an ultraconservative flair, yet managed to unwittingly tease a man with her voice and affect him with her scent. A woman who could entice with an innocent, accidental brush of bare skin.
So whats the plan when we arrive? Mallory asked.
Grateful for normal conversation at last, he turned toward her. Lederman has a car meeting us at the airport. We should be at the resort by nine. I assume well unpack and get some sleep. After that, its up to our host what happens next.
With any luck we can discuss his plans, lay out strategy and be home in a couple of days.
He didnt miss the hopeful note in her husky voice. What do you have against the beach?
Nothing if youre on vacation. But every day were out of the office means work is piling up. Her jaw ticked in frustration.
He leaned back in his seat. Thats why I had the bulk of your work reassigned. Paul Lederman is eccentric. He doesnt like to be rushed and if hes refusing to leave the resort to meet with us in the office, I wouldnt hold my breath for a quick decision on his part.
She muttered something he didnt catch and he shifted his gaze from the drawn window shades to her face, taking in her profile for the first time. Severe hair and black glasses aside, she had chiseled features, high cheekbones and even minus the makeup, porcelain skin most actresses and models would kill to possess. But she did nothing to enhance her looks. In fact, she did everything possible to detract from them. He wondered why.
He shrugged and transferred his gaze. This flight was definitely too damn long if he was looking beyond the surface and contemplating Mallory Sinclairs grooming habits.
What are the basic facts of the case? As she spoke, she leaned down and pulled a yellow legal pad from her briefcase, then grabbed for a pen. Ready when you are. She sat up straight in her seat.
The woman was brusque and efficient, the way he liked his associates. But not his women. Women, he preferred soft and pliant, warm and giving. With at least a week at a resort ahead of him, thered be no shortage of the opposite sex. Unfortunately, strangers no longer appealed to him, which meant life was becoming increasingly complicated.
A short, no-strings affair suited his lifestyle and beliefs best. He couldnt end up in divorce court as anything other than counsel if he lived by his self-imposed rules. With no commitments, he couldnt be the cuckolded, sad excuse for a man his father had become. But with age came wisdom and discriminationand an increasing restlessness he couldnt understand.
Mr. Latham? Is something wrong?
At the sound of her lush tone, a ripple of awareness meandered through his veins. A trickling, growing warmth pulsed in his groin. Something was wrong, all right. Everything he was feeling about his associate was off-kilter and he didnt like it one bit.
What did you want? he bit out.
The facts of the case. She waved the legal pad in the air, reminding him of why they were together on the plane. I want to be up on things to help impress the client.
He met her gaze behind the thick lenses. Sanity returned and he immediately felt better. You might as well call me Jack.
She nodded, wide-eyed.
He forced his stare away from the blue eyes he couldnt see clearly. Ledermans been married for years. Hes fifty-eight and wants out.
Why? She paused, pen ready to write down his every word.
Irreconcilable differences.
Thats the legal definition. Whats the behind-the-scenes take on things? What will boost the settlement in his favor? Assuming we get the case.
Jack stretched his legs out in front of him as much as he could, but made sure he didnt touch Mallory as he moved. Thats what were here to find out. Then we decide how to take her faults and spin them in our clients favor.
Interesting turn of phraseher fault.
How so?
She crossed her legs in front of her, and his gaze fell to her ankles. Hed never been a leg man, but she made him rethink his preference.
Youre assuming it was Mrs. Ledermans fault that the marriage disintegrated. Theres always the possibility that our client was equally to blame. And if thats the case, we need to put a positive spin on his negative actions.
He leaned his head against the seat and turned toward her. Thats what I said. We need to put a positive spin on things.
You said we need to spin her faults Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head before capping her pen. Never mind.
Im not sure I get the distinction youre trying to make.
She let out a long-suffering sigh. Im sure you dont. She busied herself putting away her things and latching her briefcase.
Good afternoon, folks. A voice sounded on the loudspeaker, from the cockpit of the small plane. Were about ready to begin our descent, so go ahead and fasten your seatbelts
The captains voice prevented any further talk. Mallory checked her safety belt and stared out the window. She obviously had no desire to finish their conversation. Yet shed gone and given him an odd, empty feeling in his gut. As though in the brief minutes of their discussion, shed judged him and found him lacking.
He didnt like the sensation of coming up short in her estimation and he wasnt sure why. Once again, she had him off balance, only this time shed left him with the burning desire to shift both her negative opinion as well as her lack of interest.
Jack loved a challenge, but he only acted when that challenge made sense. And his interest in Mallory Sinclair did not.
A WARM BREEZE blew off the ocean, carrying the scent of salt water in the air. Mallorys hair frizzed in the humidity, destroying the bun shed worked hard to make earlier this morning. She glanced at her watch. It was 8:00 a.m. and there was still no sign of their host.