Caught Crossing the Line (6 page)

“What are you doing?” she asked as I came around her desk and lifted her by her upper arms, out of her chair.

“I’m talking to my clearly upset fiancée.”

“I’m not your fiancée.”

“What has gotten into you? Everything was okay when we parted this morning. What happened since we both were working?”

“Working... is that what you call it?”

“Yes, I believe it’s what most lawyers meeting with clients and going to court call it.”

“If you were going to a meeting, why was Jackson’s assistant with you?”

“Really, that’s what has gotten your panties in a fucking bunch?” I gripped her chin and looked her in the eyes. “Don’t ever doubt my morals because I bent my ethics for you. I’ve never slept with another employee, ever. She wouldn’t have been hired if I had before she started here. I’m not that guy. What made you think I wanted anyone else?”

“I was getting coffee when I heard the guys saying she was leaving with you again for probably another trip to your hotel.”

“Really, these fucking men act like a bunch of old ladies. I’ve never been intimate with her. She’s a flirt but nothing more. I think it’s just her personality. We’ve been to the hotel when meeting a client. When Kristen isn’t able to go with me to take notes, sometimes, I borrow Claire. That’s it. For someone who knows how rumors feel, shouldn’t you give me the benefit of the doubt.”

“I know, but still it sucks to hear people saying you slept with her. I couldn’t put it past you, even if it was in the past. You wouldn’t like it if I’d left with someone I’d slept with before.”

“No, they’d be dead. But you’ve only been with me, so they would have gotten at you after me. And since there’s no after me, I would end them.”

“I’m sorry. I just don’t know how to deal with this.”

“What is this? Us?” She nodded. “This is forever. You and I are a team, and I’m not going to let anyone separate us. I’m going to make it my priority to keep you happy; that’s all that matters to me. So just hold your head high and don’t let any of these pieces of shit make you feel less than wonderful. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my wife and I plan to make it official very soon.”

“Thank you for making me feel special.”

“You are special to me. Now come and give me a kiss before I go back to my office to finish my latest case.” She reached up on her tippy-toes and kissed me lightly along my jaw, then up my cheek until she reached my lips. She was sexier than she knew. It was hard to believe that she was a virgin at this time the day before.

I pushed away and rushed out the door before I fucked her right there, grumbling as I exited. “Damn woman is a menace.” I heard her giggling and felt a hell of a lot better. I was so busy trying to fix what was bothering her that I forgot to ask about the meeting. I’ll wait until later tonight. Seeing her again would get her fucked on the desk. One day…one day.

~~~~~~~

Wow, when he left my office I had a full turn around, emotionally. I can’t believe or even understand the feelings he brings out in me. Yes, I had ambition and happiness, but I’d never been jealous, envious, or an emotional wreck. I turned back to my assignment and got through the next few hours before we left. Picking up my things at home took a while, so we ordered a pizza and got some wine. Once we finished dinner and cleaned up the mess, it was time for bed. Of course, that didn’t mean sleep. That meant a night of mattress gymnastics, something I was becoming a pro at.

The next morning, we got to work and this time came in together. If they were going to gossip about Caleb with anyone, it might as well be me. He said he had something important to take care of this morning so he only spent two hours in the office, but he would meet me for lunch.

I just finished writing up my brief when there was a knock at my door. I looked up and it was the wrong James brother standing there.

“What can I do for you, Mr. James?” I asked insolently. After his suspicions and accusations, I didn’t care for him. I knew it was because he loved his brother, but I was still hurt by it.

“Mr. James?”

“What is it with you men? Is it not your last name?”

“Yes, but you know we go by first names here?”

“So, Malcolm, what can I do for you?”

“I’m guessing he told you what I said.”

“Nothing more than anyone else said, but yes, he told me.”

“He’s my brother. I needed to watch his back. Truth be told, the whole Chicago thing was a factor in my opinion about you, but it wasn’t the main reason. I’d never known Caleb to be anything but honest and forthcoming. With you, he was going against the grain and it was scary because I knew you had the power to crush him. I just came in here to tell you I’m sorry for misjudging you for no other reason than my brother was acting crazy and the rumors.”

“I get that. I really do. It’s just this stupid rumor won’t go away.”

“I get that. Rumors are killer since it’s hard for people to tell the difference. Don’t worry. From everything in your file, you were a great lawyer for their firm, and you’ve already finished one of the cases you were given. I saw the end result and was very impressed.”

“Thanks. I’ve worked hard trying to prove to everyone that I could do it, only to have my career derailed by some asshole.”

“Well, if you keep up the good work, you’ll prove that you’re good all on your own. I can’t say that you’ll ever make partner because Caleb isn’t going to like that idea.”

“Yeah, something about barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen comes to my mind when I hear the shit that comes out of his mouth.”

“Can’t blame us; it’s in our DNA.”

“No, I suppose not…” I grumbled. Malcolm patted my hand and gave me a smirk.

“Hey, get your hands off my woman. I leave for a little bit and you come in here trying to steal her away.”

“Please. He has a beautiful wife.”

“He’s only teasing me because I say it to him every time I walk into his office and find my wife sitting on his desk taking notes.”

“Yes, well you still haven’t trained her to sit, yet.”

“I’m going to tell her you said that,” Malcolm warned.

“Shit, please don’t. I still need her.”

“I was just here to apologize to your woman for being a dick.”

“Good, by the way, do you and Kristen want to join us for lunch?

“Sure.”

“Great, just give us ten minutes.”

“That’s all.”

“That’s all she needs,” Caleb joked.

Once we were alone, he turned to me and growled, “Damn, do you look beautiful.”

“Thank you, Caleb. So did you take care of the something important?”

“Yes, I did. As a matter of fact…” he paused as he got down on one knee. “Sophia, from the moment you walked into the office for an interview, I was done for. My heart was racing, palms sweating, and my mind running a million miles a minute. I’m constantly thinking about you. I know it’s soon, but I fell in love with you two weeks ago. Will you marry me?”

“Oh, Caleb…” I paused. This was crazy to the nth degree, but I was in love with him. “Yes.”

He slipped a beautiful diamond on my finger and gave it a tender kiss before rising to his feet. He took me into his arms and kissed me deeply. I felt every cell in my body ignite with happiness.

“Thank you, Sophia. I know I’m rushing this, but I love you and know that you’re the one for me.”

“I love you too, Caleb.” We kissed some more. It wasn’t as sexual as it could have been. It was truly romantic.

“I think we should ditch them and go on a nice long lunch,” he whispered suggestively.

“No sir, we need to work. You can do dirty things to me when we get home.”

“Home. I like that, babe, but I’d like it more if I was buried in you right now,” he grumbled petulantly. 

“Poor Caleb,” I said with an affected pout.

There was a knock at the door. “Damn it, did ten minutes pass that fast?”

“I’m afraid so. Time flies when you’re having fun.”

I opened the door and there stood Kristen, grinning from ear to ear. “So you two ready? Or did I interrupt?” she giggled.

“Shut it, Kris, you did interrupt. Let’s go.”

We walked to the bank of elevators and Caleb didn’t let go of my hand. I thought he would want to keep up appearances, but I guess he was done with the whole “we’re not together” kind of thing. I tried to pull away once, but he wasn’t having that.

“Babe, there’s nothing to hide. You’re going to be my wife. So, what’s the big deal? Are you embarrassed to be with me?”

“That’s a stupid question. How could I possibly be embarrassed by the man-God? I’m not comfortable about what they’re going to say. I know I shouldn’t be, but I am.”

“Get this. Should anyone make you feel uncomfortable you better let me know, and they can start looking for a new law firm to work at. This is a place of busy professional lawyers, not a group of housewives at a beauty salon. They talk too damn much anyway.”

“Are you two coming or not?” Malcolm called out while he held the door open button on the panel. I hadn’t realized we’d stopped outside of the elevator.

“Sorry,” I apologized meekly.

“Ignore that fuck. Let’s feed you, love. I need you to have your strength tonight.”

“Then you better get your fill too, big boy.” I couldn’t believe that I was so bold with Malcolm and Kristen there. My face flushed brightly.

“So are you going to let me see this massive rock on your finger?”

I stuck out my hand for Kristen to see. I felt awkward because this was all new and moving a mile a minute.

“It’s gorgeous. You did good, Caleb,” Kristen said as she held my hand, examining my ring.

“Nice bro. Now, ladies, do we want to get out of the elevator or are we ready to go back up for another ride.”

“Okay, elevator police. We are getting off,” I grouched.

“Watch out, Malcolm, we got the both of them to team up against us,” Caleb warned his brother.

Our lunch was fabulous, but we needed to get back to the office. We all were super busy.

“So, Sophia, how’s it going with your cases?”

“So far, so good. I have three open cases. You guys gave me the easier cases in my opinion. I don’t know if it’s because I’m new or a woman, but I’ll take it.”

“It’s because you’re new to the firm. We need to be sure that you can handle them before we give you anything too intense. Ryder is handling his well, too. He’s done so well that Caleb gave him more work.” I watched Caleb look at his brother like he was going to kick his ass. That explained why Matt was getting out of work so late. I didn’t get mad. I just felt terrible for Matt.

“Well, he’s pretty freaking awesome,” I sang. I knew it would piss Caleb off, but that’s what he gets for being a jealous ass. The look he gave me was almost comical.

He growled and pulled me close to him. “I think being freaking awesome just earned him a long working weekend.”

“That’s not cool, Caleb.”

“Neither is telling everyone that your ex-boyfriend was awesome.”

“I’m going back to work. Thanks for lunch.” I walked angrily back to my office. I didn’t need his jealousy. I couldn’t take back that I started dating Matt, but I didn’t fuck him, and he’d fucked plenty of women. I just wanted to go to his office and kick him.

Two hours later, I got up and went to refill my coffee mug. Lee was in there. Did the shithead ever work?

“Wow, so that was quick. Here a week and engaged to the boss,” he sneered.

“Don’t sound jealous, Lee. Caleb doesn’t swing that way,” I retorted. I wasn’t in the mood for his baiting today. He was the worst of the bunch. I wasn’t sure what he had against me, but I hated his daily digs.

“Lucky for you, he doesn’t. At least this one wasn’t married.”

“What the fuck is your problem? Are you such an asshole because I’m a woman or are you just always such a prick?”

“My problem comes from little tarts coming into a company and spreading their legs for the bosses in a heartbeat.”

“Do yourself a favor, Lee. Shut the fuck up before I fire your ass. You talk to my fiancée like that again and I’ll murder your ass.” I turned in shock to see a furious Caleb standing there.

“Sophia, get your coffee. I’ll talk to you later. Lee, in my office now.”

As much as I hated Lee’s treatment of me, I didn’t want Caleb to fire him for it. He didn’t like whores, which is what he took me for, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t a great lawyer.

~~~~~~~

“Lee, give me one damn reason I shouldn’t fire your ass this instant.”

“Um…”

“You’re all big and bad talking to a woman like that, but you can’t say shit to me. Sophia is going to be my wife, and even if she wasn’t, who she’s with should be none of your damn business. The only reason I didn’t deck your ass right there was because I’m a professional and I know that your wife was screwing her boss. I can see your resentment to women in the workplace.”

“It’s just she went from the new lawyer to the boss in a heartbeat.”