Page 50 of Barristers & Bones

I glanced at her with a confused look. “I wasn’t aware there’s an age requirement to be a paralegal.”

She ignored me. “Isn’t Gideon still with you?”

I put the woman out of her misery. “I’m Mr. Fowler’s legal intern.”

The woman’s posture relaxed, and she turned to me. “So Roman is mentoring you. That’s odd. He told me he usually prefers male law students since there’s less chance they’ll develop a crush on him.” I tried not to wince, wondering if I might fit into that category.

“Not this time,” Roman answered.

Her wet lips turned down. “Your choice of attire is… interesting. Are you making some kind of statement?” Her date sipped champagne behind her with a bored expression.

“No.”

Roman took my arm and turned. “If you’ll excuse us, there are a few people I need to speak with.”

She looked at him hungrily. “It’s lovely to see you again. Call me if you ever need… anything. Enjoy your evening.” Her message was clear.

A trail of whispers followed as we walked away, and I turned to Roman. “Let me guess, ex-wife?”

“No ex-wives.”

“Ex-girlfriend then, or ex-submissive?” He was silent, and I knew I was right. “Huh, I learn something new every day. You’re into submission and dominance. I’ll have to ask Declan about–”

He stopped abruptly and faced me. “If you have questions about it, you will askme. Do you understand?”

In hindsight, I should have guessed months ago. His dominance wasn’t an affectation, it was something deeply engrained in his DNA.

“Luna, answer me.” He didn’t sound angry or annoyed, just determined.

“Alright. If I have questions, I’ll ask you.”

He relaxed, and we started walking again. “You survived your first shark encounter.”

“Sharks would be easier—at least they don't pretend they aren’t dangerous,” I murmured, thinking more of him than Marla.

As we moved through the crowd together, Roman would sometimes whisper facts about people before they came within earshot. We had a system down, and I began to think I’d make it through the night unscathed when a man I recognized stepped in front of me.

“Good evening, Luna.” Cameron Wilder gazed down at me, looking handsome in a charcoal suit and red silk tie.

I smiled up at him. “Hello, Cameron. It’s nice to see someone I recognize here tonight.”

“Are you up for lunch or coffee next week? I’ve called the office a few times, but you’re never available.”

I glanced over at Roman, but his face was blank. “Do you have your phone on you?” I asked.

He grinned, pulled it out, and unlocked it. “Here, you can type your number in.”

Suddenly, Roman stepped behind me and slid his arm around my waist as if he were claiming or marking me. “She’s with me tonight, Wilder. You need to back the fuck off.”

My body stiffened, and I froze in place. Cameron glanced down at his arm, then looked up to study my shocked face. “She doesn’t seem to be aware of that. And wouldn’t it be a serious faux pas to be romantically involved with your law school intern?”

Roman swore viciously but didn’t step back.

Cameron looked down at me and smiled. “If you want to do lunch or coffee, call my office and have them put you through to Marcus, my assistant. Leave your number with him. Iwillcall you back, Luna. Have a good evening.” He glanced up at Roman, and for the first time, I saw ice in his eyes.

Roman’s arm spasmed around my waist, but he let me go and stepped back as Cameron walked off. I slowly turned and stared up at him. “What–” my voice croaked, so I tried again. “What inthe fuckwas that?”

He studied me with hooded eyes. “He is not as friendly or safe as he seems.”

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