Page 87 of A Legal Affair
As they swayed side to side, keeping to the beat of a romantic ballad heard only in their minds, she was intensely aware of hisbig body against hers. Every sinewy muscle that defined the hard wall of his chest, the slide of his powerful thighs, the featherlight brush of his fingers across her cheek. Her breasts felt unbearably heavy and full, aching for his touch. She wanted to curl into him, press herself completely against him—so she did.
Caleb groaned softly into her hair. One strong hand slid up her back to close over the nape of her neck, while the other moved down to possessively grasp her bottom through her dress, making her shiver.
He tipped her head back, his hand firm on her neck, callused thumb rasping over the pulse beating at her throat. She breathed deeply, her eyes half closed, watching him through the thick fringe of her lashes. She saw his sensual lips curve, saw his lids lower. And then he was kissing her, a slow, drugging, tongue-twining kiss that made her feel positively, wonderfully boneless. His big hand kneaded her ass, dragging her closer until she felt the undeniable proof of his arousal. An answering need swept through her like wildfire, so hot and heady she gasped into his mouth.
He shoved his fingers through the sides of her hair, working at the French twist until the pins loosened and popped free, scattering across the terrace. He emitted a low, satisfied groan as her hair spilled to her shoulders.
“I’ve wanted to do this all night,” he confessed, his voice a sexy rumble. He sank his hands into the curly mass and took her lips in another scorching, soul-stealing kiss. Daniela kissed him back just as voraciously, luxuriating in the heat and intoxicating flavor of his mouth, running her hands up and down the corded muscles of his back. She wanted him more than anything she’d ever wanted in her life. It scared her senseless.
By the time he finally lifted his mouth from hers, her panties were soaked and her legs were the consistency of gelatin.
“It’s getting late,” she managed in a shaky whisper. “We should probably start heading back.”
Before I lose my mind completely and beg you to take me right here and now, and God help us if your family is watching!
Caleb must’ve had the same thought, his pupils dilating in the candlelit gloom. A heartbeat later, his lips curled in a slow smile that made her breath catch, it was so damn potent.
“You’re right,” he murmured silkily. “I’d better take you home now…while I still can.”
26
“How’d the interview go with Crandall Thorne?” Janie asked the next afternoon when she met Daniela for lunch at the Espuma Coffee and Tea Emporium located in the King William District. The quaint little café had been converted from an old house and featured cozy rooms decorated with the works of local artists.
Daniela took a sip of her iced Vietnamese coffee, a signature menu item at the Espuma. “The interview, if you can call it that, went well.”
Janie eyed her curiously. “What do you mean, ‘if you can call it that’?”
“Well, the actual interview itself lasted all of five minutes. He asked me a few questions, and then it was time for dinner. For dinner we were joined by his housekeeper, private nurse and, of course, Caleb. So there really wasn’t much opportunity for Crandall to continue the interview.”
“Hmm,” Janie murmured, nodding slowly. “Interesting.”
Daniela could see the wheels spinning in her sister-in-law’s mind. “What are you thinking?”
“Really wanna know?” At Daniela’s exasperated look, Janie grinned. “Okay, here’s what I think. I think the interview wasless about ascertaining your qualifications as an intern, and more about determining your potential as a future daughter-in-law.”
“What?” At Daniela’s loud exclamation, curious heads swung in her direction. She gave the other diners a sheepish look before returning her attention to Janie. “What are you talking about?”
Janie’s grin widened. “Think about it, El. How often would you guess Caleb Thorne takes first-year law students home to meet his father?”
Daniela frowned, remembering the conclusion she’d reached about Caleb’s nonexistent affairs with his students. “Probably not very often,” she admitted.
“I’d venture to say he’sneverbrought home a student. So you can imagine his father’s surprise when, barely two weeks into the semester, Caleb comes to him about a student who should be considered for an internship at the firm. Afirst-yearstudent without a law background and no legal experience whatsoever. Now tell me. What doyouthink went through Crandall Thorne’s mind?”
“That his son believes I’m exceptionally brilliant?” Daniela suggested, but without much conviction.
Janie chuckled. “While that may be true,” she said wryly, “somehow I don’t believe that’s the case here. I think by the time Caleb finished telling his father all about you, Crandall realized that you must be pretty special to his son. Special enough to bring home for a personal introduction.”
Daniela grew silent, recalling the first words out of Crandall’s mouth when he met her.You must be the young woman my son’s been raving about.
Had Caleb really raved about her? She felt a thrill of guilty pleasure at the thought.
Janie was watching her, a speculative gleam in her eyes. “Which makes me wonder…Exactlyhowclose have you and Caleb gotten?”
Heat crawled up Daniela’s neck. In the time it took her to drop her gaze and become absorbed in an examination of her half-eaten vegetable pita, Janie’s eyes widened in shock. “Oh my God! Have you slept with him?”
“Must you be so loud?” Daniela hissed, glancing self-consciously around the busy restaurant. Thankfully no curious gazes met hers this time—although she did notice more than a few averted grins.
She scowled at her amused lunch companion. “Thanks for broadcasting my personal business to a roomful of complete strangers.”
