Page 121 of A Legal Affair
Caleb, pinning her to the hood of his Lambo and ravishing her like a man possessed.
On most nights, she fell asleep thinking about the times she’d lain in his arms after they made love, her head nestled against his shoulder, his hand lazily caressing her as they whispered endearments to each other before sleep overcame them—or a fresh wave of lust.
No matter how hard Daniela tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about him, couldn’t stop dreaming about him. Couldn’t stop missing him.
There was no cure for it. All she could do was hope that in time, her mind and body would learn to forget him.
She knew her heart never would.
At the office, Kenneth, Noah and Janie stole worried glances at her whenever they thought she wasn’t looking. More than once, Daniela had walked into a room that grew suddenly quiet when she appeared. The guilt-ridden eyes that shifted away from hers betrayed the fact that she’d been the topic of discussion.
Although they all knew what had transpired between her and Caleb—thanks to her mother, whose worried face greeted Daniela every night when she came home—no one dared breathe a word of it to Daniela. In fact, they all went out of their waynotto mention Caleb’s name, or anything remotely related to him, in her presence. Which meant that any allusions to Northbridge University, law school, the Majestic Theatre, motorcycles or ranches were strictly off-limits. Daniela would have found their precautions amusing—if she still had a sense of humor left.
One afternoon, she rapped on the door and walked into Kenneth’s office to ask him a question about a case she was working on. She was totally unprepared for the sight of Janie perched on the desk with her legs wrapped around Kenneth’s waist, locked in a passionate kiss.
At Daniela’s startled gasp, the couple sprang apart guiltily. Janie jumped down from the desk, smoothing her skirt over her thighs while Kenneth hastily straightened his tie.
“I’m sorry,” Daniela mumbled, embarrassed as she backed quickly toward the door. “I knocked, but I guess you guys didn’t hear me.”
“Uh, no, we didn’t.” Janie sent her husband an accusing look, hissing out of the corner of her mouth, “I thought you locked the door!”
Kenneth grinned sheepishly. “Guess I forgot.”
“I’ll come back,” Daniela said, and ducked out of the room.
Janie appeared in her office doorway a minute later, her cheeks flushed with color. “I’m really sorry about that, Daniela,” she muttered.
Daniela waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about it. I should have knocked louder…although I’m not sure it would’ve done any good, with all the heavy panting that was going on in there.”
Speechless, Janie gaped at her, and then before Daniela knew it, they both burst out laughing. It was the first time Daniela had laughed in weeks, and it felt good. Healthy, normal.
When their mirth had subsided, she smiled across the cluttered desk at her sister-in-law. “Though my eyesight ispermanently damaged from what I just saw,” she teased, “it was worth it. Looks like things are working out for you and Kenny.”
Janie nodded, grinning happily. “We’ve been having long, productive talks about our relationship and working through some issues neither of us wanted to face before. It’s been wonderful.”
“I’m so happy for you guys,” Daniela said warmly.
“Thanks, Daniela. And thank you, once again, for helping me land the job here. I’ve really enjoyed working at the agency—and not just because I get to have sex with the boss during lunch breaks.”
Daniela gave a mock shudder, holding up a hand. “Please. My eyesight, remember?”
Janie chuckled. “Seriously, though. I never thought I’d enjoy working here as much as I have. You guys give me so much freedom and autonomy. I appreciate the opportunity to implement new things and interact with your clients—some of whom are quite fascinating, I might add.”
Daniela grinned. “No argument there. Anyway, we love having you here, Janie. You’re doing a fantastic job. We’re very lucky to have you.”
“Thanks, El.” Janie paused, her gaze softening on Daniela’s face. “It was good to hear you laugh. We’ve all missed the sound.”
“I know,” Daniela murmured, straightening a pile of paperwork on her desk. “Guess I haven’t had much to laugh about recently.”
“I know.” Janie pushed out a deep, heavy breath. “I just wish there was something I could do, Daniela.”
“Short of giving Caleb a bad case of amnesia,” Daniela grimly joked, “I’m afraid there’s not much youcando. Don’t even think about it,” she added wryly when she saw the considering look that crossed Janie’s face. “I think I’ve already caused Calebenough harm. The last thing he needs is to be accosted and clobbered upside the head by one of my family members trying to make him lose his memory.”
Janie grinned. “Well,I’mnot so sure he doesn’t need to be clobbered upside the head for being so damn stubborn and unforgiving. But if anyone’s gonna take a crack at him, it won’t be me. It’ll be Noah. He’s been itching to go talk to Caleb and plead your case.”
Daniela frowned. “He has?”
“Yup. You know how overprotective Noah is when it comes to his baby sister. And I think he feels super guilty for forcing you to go undercover in the first place.”
