Page 146 of Dial L for Lawyer
"What?" I ask, suddenly self-conscious.
"Just...this. You. Us." He kisses me again. "Before I met you, if someone had told me I'd be watching terrible crime shows in bed with a woman who stress-bakes when she's worried about my career, I would have had them committed."
"And now?"
"Now I can't imagine my life any other way."
His mouth finds mine, slow and reverent. Everything else disappears. Just his breath and mine, the taste of snickerdoodles and the sound of snow against the windows.
"So what do we do now?” I ask, breathless. “Now that you're officially not getting fired?"
"Now…we celebrate," he says, pinning my wrists to the mattress with both hands and kissing me until I forget every bad thing that's ever happened in my entire dumb life.
Two hours later, I’m thoroughly debauched and putting my earrings in before we head out to meet everyone at Vertigo so we can celebrate in style.
I stand in front of the mirror, black velvet and mesh wrapped so tight around my body I'm concerned about being able to breathe properly.
Caleb stands in the doorway of the closet, tightening his tie as he looks me up and down. "You look like a nineteenth-century villainess on her way to destroy a rival duchess. And I mean that as a compliment."
I finish with the clasp and turn to him, popping a hip. "Are you intimidated?"
"Rattled. Shaken. Completely thrown." He takes a step closer, running his fingers up my spine. "I may have to keep you at arm's length all night or they'll disbar me just for what I'm thinking right now."
"Let's make a deal," I whisper, pulling him in by the lapels. "If you manage to keep your hands off me in public for the next two hours, I'll do whatever you want when we get home."
“And if I don’t?”
“You have to do whatever I want.”
He grins in that slow, hungry way that makes my heart race. "You realize that's a challenge I'm fully prepared to lose?"
"Good." I run my fingers down his tie. "Because you're not the only one who likes reckless decisions. What say we scandalize a whole nightclub?"
He brings my hand to his lips, biting lightly on my knuckle. "I'm starting to think you were the real predator in this relationship all along."
"Never underestimate a marketing girl's hustle," I say, twisting away. "We're the ones they warn you about in business school."
He laughs and follows, and for once everything between us feels light and easy.
Vertigo is chrome and mirror and bass you feel in your teeth—everyone pretending not to look at everyone. It’s packed for a Thursday night. Our group has claimed a corner section with bottle service and a view of the city that makes everything look like a jewelry box.
"There they are!" Layla shouts over the music, waving champagne dangerously close to Dominic's head.
"The couple of the hour!" Dominic adds, raising his glass. "Congrats on not getting fired, Kingsley."
"It was a close call," Caleb says, guiding me through the crowd with his hand at the small of my back.
Bennett stands when we approach, looking perfect as always in what's definitely a bespoke suit. "Congratulations are in order," he says, extending his hand to Caleb. "Though I'd appreciate a heads up before the next professional crisis. My blood pressure can't take it."
"No more crises," I promise, accepting the champagne Layla presses into my hand. "We're boring now. Completely drama-free."
"I love your drama!" Audrey teases, and I roll my eyes, accepting hugs and congratulations from everyone.
"To Caleb and Serena," Logan raises his beer, "for proving that love conquers all, even ethics boards."
"To not getting disbarred!" I counter, and we all drink.
The night unfolds in a blur of laughter and champagne, everyone talking over each other, racing to cram in every thought, every joke, every moment of connection. I feel strangely light, like all the tension I've been carrying for weeks has finally dissolved.
