Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 83171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I’ll be with you in a minute, Lila,” I say. “Just getting drinks.”
“I’ve put your name on the table,” she says. “You can’t miss it. Enjoy the rest of the evening!”
“I will. Thank you.”
The bartender finishes the drinks, and I pick them up and push through the crowd, not spilling a damned drop, thank you very much, as I reach Skye’s table.
“One banana daiquiri.” I hand the canary-yellow drink to Tessa.
“Thanks so much.” A grin splits her face.
“I took the liberty of getting you Wild Turkey in case you changed your mind.” I hand Skye a glass.
“I didn’t.”
“Great. Then two for me. Follow me. I’ve got a much better table.”
“I’m sure being Braden Black has its perks,” she says dryly, a lock of hair falling over her forehead and into her eyes.
I lower my head and softly blow her hair out of the way. “Being with Braden Black also has its perks.”
Chapter Seventeen
Tessa takes a long sip of her banana daiquiri and then heads back to the dance floor.
Nice. Now I can talk to Skye alone. I take a drink and then slide my tongue across my bottom lip. The bourbon warms my mouth and throat.
“Did you notice how Peter Reardon made a quick getaway when I showed up?”
Skye grits her jaw. “Yeah. I’d have to be blind to have missed it.”
“You said I thought he was hanging around you because of me,” I say, “but that’s not what I thought, and that’s not why.”
“Oh?”
“He was pursuing you because you’re sexy as hell, Skye.”
She gulps, pink spreading again to her lovely cheeks.
“He made a quick getaway because when he saw me stake my claim—”
She crosses her legs slowly. “Excuse me? Stake your claim?”
“You think that was a bad choice of words?”
“I do. I’m not something you can plant your flag on. I’m a person, Braden.”
“A very intriguing person,” I say. “At any rate, when he saw that I was interested—are those words better?”
She nods.
“He put the contract ahead of bedding you. Which is fine by me.”
“I see,” she says, clearly trying hard to sound nonchalant but failing.
“Sure you don’t want a drink?” I nod to the second Wild Turkey sitting in front of her.
Tessa returns to the table and sits down, her brow line sporting a fine sheen. “This band is fantastic, but I need a break. Care to accompany me to the little girls’ room, Skye?”
“Yeah. Sure.” She stands and grabs a silver clutch. “Excuse me for a minute,” Skye says to me.
“I’ll be here.” I hold back a smile.
Several guests clamor up to me as Tessa and Skye turn to leave the ballroom. Everyone wants to shake my hand, which is the usual way of things at these events.
I exchange greetings with the mayor, the district attorney, several MADD board members, and a few people schmoozing to get my business. Then Peter Reardon appears.
“Mr. Black,” he says.
“Hello, Peter.”
“I just want to… I mean…”
For God’s sake, spit it out, man.
“I’m sorry,” he finally blurts out.
“For what?”
“For dancing with Skye. I didn’t know that you and she were…you know.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know.”
“She’s obviously your…” He drops his gaze to the floor. “I’m just sorry.” He rushes off.
I actually feel for the guy. His father wants that contract, and he thinks he just blew it. Little does he know I’ve already decided to go with another firm.
I rise to head to the auction table. A tall blonde has other plans for me, though.
“Mr. Black”—she holds out her hand—“Laurie Simms from Carter and Amos. I’d love a minute to speak with you about your legal needs.”
I shake her hand. She has a firm grip, which I like, but I’m going to have to let her down nonetheless.
She takes a seat at the table. I guess the auction items can wait. I’m not a rude person, so I sit down next to her.
“We represent several big businesses here in Boston,” Laurie says. “Our corporate law department is top-notch.”
“I’ve heard great things about your firm, Ms. Simms—”
“Laurie, please.”
“All right. Laurie, I’ve heard great things about your firm”—not a lie—“but Black, Inc. handles most corporate matters in-house, and for those issues we need extra help with, we have a retainer with Johnson, Mahoney and Crabtree.”
She nods. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed, but Johnson, Mahoney and Crabtree is an excellent firm.”
“But not as good as yours?” I prompt. I’m interested to see how diplomatic she’ll be.
“I like to think we’re the best corporate firm in Boston,” she says shamelessly. “All our partners and a majority of our associates were written up in Legal All Stars this year, myself included.”
“You’re a partner, I take it?”
“I’m on track for next year. I won’t lie to you, Mr. Black. If I could snag Black, Inc. as a client, it’d be a huge feather in my cap.”
“Call me Braden,” I say. “I admire your boldness.”