Hell be here, Jack said in response to her unspoken aggravation. He said to go ahead and have breakfast and hed meet up with us by the time we were finished.
She raised her gaze from the cinnamon-raisin French toast on her plate to glance at Jacks facesomething shed been avoiding doing all morning. If shed thought him devastating in a suit, he was overwhelmingly handsome in khaki shorts and a collared, short-sleeved shirt. Powerful muscles flexed in his arms and tanned skin peeked through the open buttons over his chest. His jet-black hair had been combed neatly back, and a pair of Oakley sunglasses covered his piercing gray eyes. He was perfection in a masculine package while she was a frizzy mess of conservatism in a bland, navy dress.
Oh, well. She wasnt here to impress Jack with her looks, she was here to dazzle both him and the client with her brains. If only she could pull her thoughts off his sexy frame and focus on the task ahead of them. Shed spent last night in her room across from his, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Unable to forget the scent of his musky cologne or his deep, rumbling voice.
Glad you could make it. So what do you think of my place? A booming male voice interrupted her inappropriate thoughts before she could take them to the sensual conclusion shed experienced in her dreams.
Its incredible, but then you already know that. Jack rose from his seat and Mallory followed suit. Makes me realize Im in the wrong line of work, Jack said and laughed.
Youre welcome out here any time, a burly man said. Now help me get rid of the albatross I married and Ill name a suite after you and this colleague of yours.
Mallory did her best not to wince at the callous words he used to describe his wife. The woman hed married, for better or worse. The woman she assumed hed once loved.
Paul Lederman meet Mallory Sinclair, one of our top associates. Mallory, Paul Lederman. Jack gestured between Mallory and their client who was dressed even more informally than Jack in boxerlike bathing trunks. Eccentric was putting it mildly, she thought.
She extended her hand. Nice to meet you at last, Mr. Lederman.
Call me Paul. He pumped her hand with enthusiasm. Cant be so formal while sitting at the beach and looking at this view.
She glanced over his shoulder, taking in the clear blue sky and the glistening water in the background. He was right. Shed been so caught up in not watching Jack, shed all but ignored the beauty in front of her. Youre a lucky man, Mr. Lederman.
He corrected her with a shake of his head.
I mean Paul. Jacks right. This place is incredible.
Then after we talk, make sure you let loose and enjoy it a bit. I like my attorneys on the same wavelength as I am. He pulled out a chair and joined them at the table beneath the large umbrella. Marriage. He shook his head. Risky business.
Mallory grabbed for her pad and pen, while Jack leaned back in his seat. Yours made it twenty-five years. Something must have held you two together, Jack said.
Mallory liked the fact that Jack didnt automatically bow to Ledermans point of view, even if he silently agreed with the man.
My money, Lederman muttered.
And children, Jack added.
The kids are on their own now.
So what are you looking for? Mallory asked. A quick out or
She didnt get a chance to finish before he picked up speed. I dont care about quick. I just dont want to be taken for all Ive got. All Ive worked for my whole life.
Does your wife work? she asked.
Hell no. Unless you count spending my money work.
What about raising your kids, Paul? When did that stop counting for something? a female voice asked.
Mallory looked up.
An older but still beautiful brunette stood behind Paul Lederman. And what about catering your parties? Seeing to your important guests? Your whims? Your needs? Your health? The woman met Mallorys gaze in an obvious search for feminine understanding.
In the brown depths, Mallory glimpsed a sadness and weariness that tore at her heart. Without knowing all the facts, Mallory imagined Mrs. Lederman as a woman much like her own mother, who sacrificed everything in order to further her husbands desires. If her mother had focused even for a moment on anything other than her husband, she might have taken notice of the daughter shed borne, then ignored when her father had decreed her a disappointment. With a sigh, Mallory shook off the personal memories, but her heart went out to Mrs. Lederman.
But she couldnt afford to pity her clients wife. Not if she was going to convince the man she could represent him to the best of her abilities. With difficulty, Mallory tore her gaze away from the womans pleading expression and focused on her client instead.
She couldnt read the man or his feelings for his soon-to-be ex-wife. But she did see an aging man with a slight paunch and receding hairline who was married to an elegant, attractive woman who still desired to be his wife.
I suggest you two do all communication through your attorneys from now on, Jack said, in a kind but firm voice.
Mallory glanced up through hooded eyes. The sadness in Mrs. Ledermans countenance grew.
I didnt realize youd already hired yours, his wife said.
Paul Lederman coughed once. I havent finalized a decision yet.
But that doesnt mean you shouldnt protect yourself, Mallory advised.
He nodded. The ladys got a point because Im hiring the best.
Mallory recognized Ledermans subtle implication that he hadnt yet decided if Waldorf, Haynes deserved the job, but right now her focus was on Mrs. Lederman and her pain.
You dont scare me, Paul. Im looking at a man who doesnt recognize the best when hes got it in his life. To the other womans credit, she held her emotions in check as best she could before she walked away, head held high.
I didnt realize you were still living together, Jack said, breaking the awkward silence that followed.
Lederman snorted. Not together. Opposite sides of the resort. She wont leave. Says she loves me but what she really means is she wont be charged with desertion. From her point of view, whats mine is hers and whats hers is hers. Damn place is turning into the War of the Roses.
He shot to his feet quickly, pushing his chair back hard. And I want someone who can get me the hell out of it without a dent in my wallet. Muttering to himself, the older man stalked off, leaving Jack and Mallory alone.
Dammit. Jack groaned and ran a hand through his hair. Hes explosive. I dont want to lose this client.
Mallory nodded. Even if we get the case, with his personality if we cant control him, shell come off looking sympathetic. Which the other woman most definitely was, Mallory thought.
But she schooled her face into the blank mask shed perfected over the years, careful not to reveal her inner turmoil to Jack. He was a partner and had a vote in whether or not she became one as well. There was no way she could afford to show weakness now, especially gender-oriented weakness.
She tapped her pencil against her pad. Theres a story behind every sympathetic facade. Maybe Mrs. Lederman has a lover.
Jack raised an eyebrow. Although Mallory had been called in on this case because of her gender, hed expected to battle some form of feminine empathy while working along with her. Instead she was wholly focused on their clients needs. He ought to be impressed, but her coolness bothered him in ways he didnt understand. After all, didnt he already know she was ambitious?
Jack raised an eyebrow. Although Mallory had been called in on this case because of her gender, hed expected to battle some form of feminine empathy while working along with her. Instead she was wholly focused on their clients needs. He ought to be impressed, but her coolness bothered him in ways he didnt understand. After all, didnt he already know she was ambitious?
What if its Mr. Lederman whos cheating? he asked, curious as to how shed get around the hypothetical dilemma.
Mallory shrugged. It all comes down to power. Whoevers got the most powerin this case, money and strength of willwins. It doesnt look like well get much of a fight out of Mrs. Lederman. She paused in thought.
For a brief moment, even behind her glasses, her eyes clouded over and Jack clung to the hope shed crack. Show some sign of feminine emotion. But just as quickly, the glimmer disappeared and Mallory met his gaze head-on, determination on her face. We ought to take advantage of the fact that she doesnt seem to want the divorce, she said. Use that to our advantage in convincing Lederman weve got the best strategy.
She doesnt want the divorce yet. If she gets hit hard shell probably hire an attorney who will come out swinging.
Exactly. Mallorys voice rose in pitch, excitement infusing her tone as well as her spirit.
He could see now why she was so good at her job. Because she truly loved the nitty-gritty details and the opportunity to work out solutions to a clients benefit. He understood because he felt the same rush of adrenaline each time a case or an idea came to a successful conclusion. So what do you propose?
We need to strike first and the only way we can do that is by winning control of this case. Ill call Rogers and see what kind of dirt he can dig up on Mrs. Lederman and her past. In the meantime, you question Mr. Lederman. I mean Paul. Hes more likely to open up to you anyway. Male bonding and all that.
A grin edged the corners of his mouth. He couldnt help it. She was a bossy thing when she got revved up and he enjoyed her take-charge attitude. Any other orders?
An unexpected flush stained her cheeks. From pale to cherry in a matter of seconds. So warm blood ran through those veins after all. For a brief moment, he wondered just how hot he could get that blood pumping. Until he refocused and realized this was Mallory he was daydreaming about. His staid, uptight, probably repressed colleague.
He definitely needed to hook up with a woman and soon. Sexual drought. There was no other explanation for the bizarre reactions he was having toward his associate.
She shook her head. Sorry. Im not sure what I was thinking.
Actually Id say you were on target and thinking clearly. You go ahead and call the private investigator. If Lederman sees were investing time and money in him without a guarantee, hes likely to be impressed. And Im positive I can sway him before this trip is out.
Really? I mean, great! Ill get on it. Her surprise was tangible.
Given her probable history with the other partners in the firm, he understood. But he wasnt one to knock a good idea just because it hadnt come from him. Her ideas were solid and her train of thought followed his. Theyd make a good team.
A good working team, he amended. You do that.
She met his gaze and nodded. She held his stare a minute too long.
He was unable to break the connection, but she had no problem. As shed done many times this morning, her intense gaze darted from his, guiltily, as if she were a kid whod gotten caught doing something naughty.
What a bundle of contradictions she was. He doubted hed ever understand her. It was probably best he never did. Because she drove him to distraction, causing him to question himself and his feelings. Why did he care what Mallory thought or felt as long as she did her job and did it well? Why did he have this strong, lingering desire to see if she possessed a feminine side? Why the hell did he need to know she had the emotions and the ability to empathize with a woman Jack would ultimately screw in a divorce settlement?
His feelings regarding Mallory Sinclair made no sense. Though Jack doubted Lederman was blameless, he was certain Mallory was right. If they dug deep enough, theyd uncover dirt on Mrs. Lederman and probably force her handwhich by implication would win Lederman over.
But Mallorys callous disregard of the other womans plight stayed with him. And Jack knew why. Her single-minded determination to succeed at all costs reminded him of his mothers tenacity at taking what she wanted outside her marriage, regardless of the repercussions to his father. A strange analogy, maybe but one that was alive and glaring.
One that gave him the urge to see how far she would go in the name of her job. He leaned forward. Mallory.
She paused from collecting her things. Yes?
If you run into Mrs. Lederman and chances are good you will
She rose from her seat. Dont worry, Jack. I can handle her. She paused, then drew a deep breath.
Reach out to the tentative vulnerable wife we just saw. Woman-to-woman, you know?
Jack closed his eyes. He knew. It was the exact reason shed been chosen for this case. But hearing her say it so callously, as if she had no empathy at all for Mrs. Lederman, gave him an impression of Mallory he didnt want to believe. The professional part of him was impressed but the man in him yearned to see she was human, that she felt at least a feminine kinship for Mrs. Lederman even if she couldnt act on those feelings.
And he still wanted to know she wasnt as cold and calculating as she appeared. You make it sound like youd hit her up with false sympathy anywhere, including the ladies room.
She paused, as if contemplating his words and her delay in answering gave him hope.
If thats what it took to win this client over, then yes. I would, she said at last.
So much for hope, he thought, disappointed beyond words. Geez, lady, youre cold. Just once on this trip Id like to see the woman beneath the frigid facade.
She stiffened and Jack cursed. He hadnt meant to speak aloud, nor had he meant to insult her. He just couldnt understand the conflicting emotions she inspired in him. But it wasnt an excuse and he doubted shed understand.
She held the pad against her chest. I take it that wasnt a compliment.
That much was obvious. Look, I meant nothing by it. It was just a thoughtless
Tactless, male remark. No offense taken. But her lips trembled as she spoke.
He didnt believe her. Though she hadnt run off in tears and her strength impressed him, hed finally managed to crack the frigid mask shed pasted on her face. This time she wasnt able to hide the pain his words caused her.
He felt lower than a snake. Hed gotten his wish. He hadnt seen her feminine side but he knew one existed. Unfortunately getting his wish held little satisfaction right now and not only because hed hurt her. But because in causing her pain, hed learned something about himself and Mallory. He cared about her feelingssomething that was rare for him when dealing with women.
He hated phony tears. He hated when a woman played on his sympathy because hed supposedly hurt her tender feelings. His mother was an expert at playing his father. And Jack had always sworn hed never be the vulnerable one. To accomplish that goal, he couldnt let himself care.