Caught Crossing the Line (7 page)

“Not that it’s any of your business, but her and Ryder weren’t really dating. Hanging out because they were both new is normal. Besides, I pursued her. Now, I’m going to give you a choice because you’re a really great lawyer; an asshole, but a hell of a lawyer. So, you can stay aboard and learn to not be a prick to any of the female employees here, or you can start looking for another job.”

“I’m sorry, Caleb. I’m going to try and not paint every female with the same brush.”

“They aren’t all the same. By the way, Chicago was just a rumor. Nothing more.”

“Sorry. It’s just Carla really fucked me up when she left me while I was in law school.”

I let him go to think about his issues. I really wanted to smash his head in for speaking to Sophia that way. Even though she held her own, it wasn’t the point. She shouldn’t have to endure it. If he stepped out of line one more time he’d be gone.

I called her office phone but it went to voicemail. So I called Kristen. “Where’s Sophia?”

“She’s on a call right now.”

“Oh, okay. Can you have her come in to speak with me when she has a moment?”

“Sure thing, boss.”

I was frustrated, I wanted to make sure she was cool. She seemed normal, but I needed to be positive she was good. Ten minutes later, there was a knock at my office door. “Come in,” I called out and stood.

“You wanted to see me, Caleb?”

“Come in and close the door.” She did as I requested as I sat on the edge of my desk.

“Tell me, Sophia. Are you okay?”

“Are you worried about earlier, Caleb?”

“Of course I am.”

“I’m cool. He’s an ass, but it’s really nothing.”

“Well, I’ve dealt with it. If he acts like that to you or any other female here, he’ll be out of a job.”

“I’m glad you didn’t fire him. I’d hate for someone to be fired because of me.”

“He wouldn’t have been fired for you. He would’ve been fired for harassment. It’s because of you, I didn’t can his ass. I know you’ve got a kind heart, so I’m giving him a chance not to be a dick.”

“I knew if our relationship went public we would have issues.”

“There’s no real issues. Our relationship is taboo to many, but that still doesn’t warrant his behavior. I was wrong to even pursue you because I’m your boss, but that doesn’t mean I’m letting you go; therefore, heads are going to turn and tongues are going to wag. Let them say whatever they want. Worst case scenario, people talk shit.”

“I let it go, Caleb. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, babe, I’m great. I just want to go home and fuck you so hard.”

“Me too. I have several more hours before I can go today. How about you?”

“I’ll be done around seven thirty. I need you right now, Sophia.”

“Not right now, sir. I have to work. What would your staff think if they knew we were getting down and dirty in here,” she teased me.

I growled and pulled her into my arms. “Stop teasing, Sophia. You’re dealing with a desperate man.” Turning her, I pushed her ass against my desk. She tried to look tough, but I watched how hungry she looked as I stood there without my suit jacket. Sophia grabbed my bared forearms, lightly caressing them.

“Enough with the games. I want you, and I’m not waiting until we get to my place. Take off your panties, Sophia.”

“Just because you’re my boss,” she sneered, “doesn’t mean…” I shut her up with my mouth on hers, dominating, owning, and silencing her. Reaching between her thighs I tore her panties off of her wet heat. I wasn't playing.

“If you want something done right,” I growled as I thrust myself into her pussy. I threw my head back as she cried out, and her thigh cradled my waist.

Gripping her face, my eyes met hers in heated hunger, I demanded, “Don’t make me wait again.”

“Yes, Caleb. Please more,” she moaned huskily as she leaned back on her elbows. As I stuffed her pussy, I was using my hands to undo her blouse. I needed to see her sexy breasts. I popped the buttons open and pulled down one cup. Growling, I took her nipple into my mouth, hardening it with my tongue.

“Ah,” she sighed. “Caleb.” I could feel her body contracting, squeezing me. Her hands moved up my arms and up to my neck. I groaned when she slid them into my hair. She tugged and pulled until my mouth came up to hers. She slipped her tongue into my mouth; I sucked it in and tangoed with it while I started driving harder into her. My one hand slipped into her hair and tugged on her bun. It was three more strokes and she started screaming her orgasm in my mouth. I grunted out my release as I nutted into her. I didn’t care if anyone had heard us.

“Fuck, I love you, Sophia!” I kissed her roughly as I pumped the last of my load into her.

“Caleb, I love you, too.” Her words were breathy and labored, stiffening my dick again.

I reached over and grabbed some of the Kleenex Kristen kept in my office and pressed it to her heat as I pulled out my cock. I groaned at the feel of her tight walls squeezing me as I exited her sweet center.

“I guess there is no need for tonight then,” she whispered. I raised my brow at her letting her know she was nuts if she thought I wasn’t going to be in her heat again.

“Babe, there is always need for me to be inside you, so stop teasing, woman.” I helped her off my desk and pulled a sticky note, now even stickier, off her ass. “I need this.”

She craned her neck around to look at her ass to make sure she didn’t have any more notes on her. I covered my mouth trying not to laugh, which didn’t work so she smacked my arm. “Don’t laugh at me!” she hissed.

“I’m not laughing at you,” I lied.

“Bullshit, Mr. James. I’m going to use your bathroom and then I’m going back to work because someone needs to work.”

“I just worked an orgasm out of you.”

“You’re incorrigible,” she complained then headed to the bathroom.

I walked in there a moment later when she was taking too long. “What’s the matter, love?”

“What’s the matter? Look what you did,” she roared, showing me her collarbone and her cleavage. I gave her a look of remorse, but I wasn’t. She was my woman and I wanted everyone to know it. Hell, I wanted to shout it out to everyone.

“Sorry, babe. I couldn’t help it. You’re so damn sexy,” I growled as I pulled her to my chest and kissed her roughly before moving to the sink to wash up.

“Really, you’re something else.”

“Yes, I am. It’s not that bad. If you button up your shirt all the way, no one will notice.”

“Was that your plan? To force me to cover up?”

“Not at all, but it does work in my favor,” I added with a smirk. She needed to get used to what people thought of her. I was starting to think of going to Chicago and breaking a motherfucker’s jaw. That stupid shit fucked up her confidence.

She fixed her blouse and turned back to me to ask, “How does this look?” She had buttoned up her blouse to almost the top. It was still sexy because her breasts were fucking huge.

“You’re sexy either way, babe.”

“Well, I have a conference call with the other owner’s lawyer. They’re trying to dissolve the business and neither can agree on the way to go about it. It’s been a headache for months. They’ve hired a new lawyer and want me to meet via phone call for it.”

“Do you need me to sit on the call?”

“No. It’ll be fine. I’ve got this. This isn’t my first client. Thanks, anyway.”

“If you ever need help with a case just let me know. I’m still your boss, you know.”

“I haven’t forgotten, Mr. James.”

“You know, when you say it so sexy like that, I just want to bend you over the desk and take you again.”

“We don’t have time. I have the call in ten minutes. So thanks, but we’ll have to reschedule.”

“Then you better get your sexy ass out of my office.”

“Bye, Caleb.”

She left and I missed her like a fucking nut. Getting back to work, I knocked out a couple of problems with staff workload and got to start one case. I needed to check in with Jackson and see how the newlyweds were doing. They were supposed to be having a party for Jackson’s baby sister tomorrow, so they left for Maine already.

“Hey, Jackson. What’s up?”

“Man, I’m losing my mind. I feel like some shit is bound to go down. Since they’ve been after us for a while, I know that someone has to be involved back here. I have the guys looking after Elizabeth, but I’m still anxious. How are things there in the office? Did everything cool down with the staff and Sophia?”

“I had a chat with Lee today. I gave him a choice. He could either shut his mouth or find another job.”

“I’m guessing he’ll be quiet from now on then,” he laughed. He knew Lee was full of himself.

“He better. All we need is a lawsuit on our hands,” I complained. I meant a suit against me because I’d beat him to a pulp if he said anything else about Sophia.

“Damn straight. I don’t know what it is about her that drives all the men to act like total fucking teenagers, but they better get over it. Speaking of teenagers, I might have to murder some if they look at my wife tomorrow.”

“Well, it doesn’t help that your wife is their age, you fucking Chester.”

“Fuck off, Cal. At least she doesn’t work for me. Something about you James brothers. At least Malcolm met Kristen before she worked for us.”

“I met Sophia before she worked for us.”

“Anyways, I’ve got to run.”

“Sure, let me know what’s going on. Enjoy the party and the honeymoon.”

I hung up with my best friend as I chuckled. It was crazy that we both found someone we needed at the same time. I got back to work and it was already eight o’clock when I got a call at my desk.

“Hey, are you still working?”

“Yes, I am. Are you ready? You can come meet me in the office. I only need another ten minutes.”

“That’s works. I’m going to work on my notes from my call earlier.”

It was twenty minutes later and she hadn’t come to meet me at my office yet. So, I shut off all the lights and locked up my office. Walking towards hers, I could still see her light on, then I heard her on the phone speaking harshly in Italian.

“Mamma, non sto tornando a casa per sposare Matteo. Sto uscendo con un avvocato qui e sono felice. Non voglio parlarne più. Devo andare. Io ti amo. addio,” she said as she hung up the phone. All I got out of that conversation was Matteo, and I love you. My ears were about to burst with anger.

I burst into her office and roared, “Who the fuck is Matteo? And why the fuck are you telling him you love him?”

“You know what they say about eavesdroppers don’t you?”

“I don’t give a fuck, tell me right now or I’m going to have to fly to Italy to end a motherfucker.”

“First, crazy man, he’s my parent’s neighbor. Second, you need to work on your Italian before you come in here losing your shit. I was on the phone with my mother, and I told her I loved her before I hung up. Are you ready to go or are you going to grill me some more?”

“I’m sorry, babe. Hearing you’re in love with someone else made me a bit irrational. I’ll try and keep my cool. Let’s get out of here.”

The next day in the office was good. After getting on her ass about the call, I learned that I needed to calm the jealousy down a notch. She was my fiancée after all. I had nothing to worry about, so everything went smoothly. It was the next day that shit got crazy.

I got a call from Jackson, who sounded frantic. “Caleb, that nut daughter of Thompson’s was in my office bare-ass naked thinking I was up for fucking her. She’s got to be in on it.”

“Do you think Thompson’s got it in for you?”

“That’s possible. We never really got along. You know me making partner first wasn’t something he appreciated since he was with the firm before I got there.”

“Well, be careful. Let me know what that fuck has to say when you talk to him.”

“I will. Talk to you later.” I was worried that something was up with Thompson, our other partner, for a while now. When he mentioned branching out to Seattle, I thought it was smart to dominate the coasts, but it seemed he may have had an ulterior motive. I doubted he was innocent. If I weren’t so busy here, I would go meet Jackson and figure out things over there and choke Thompson and his whore daughter myself.

It was around lunch time when I got a call from Milo, one of our security team members that went to Maine with Jackson and Elizabeth.

“What’s up, Milo?”

“Somebody shot at Elizabeth, Mike, and Jackson’s sister and mother today. They’re at the hospital and all are going to make it.”

“What the fuck?”

“Yeah, they were rammed while going home today. Then the other car opened fire. Mike got them out of there but not without getting hurt.”

“Should I come out there?”

“No. Jackson thinks it’s best that you stay there. It may be your partner behind this. If you come, then he may come after you.”

“True, but tell me what I can do. Shit, this is so fucked up.”

“Tell me about it. First that nutty woman waiting for Jackson then this. I’m looking into it on my end. See if you can find anything out that would help Jackson from there. He said he’ll call you tomorrow when things calm down.”

“Okay. Thanks, Milo.”  I sat there for a minute just fucking freaking out. I told Kristen, Malcolm, and Sophia what happened this morning when we went to lunch. They were going to flip when they learned how dangerous this was getting.

We were all supposed to go out to dinner so I would tell them then. An hour later we were sitting down at our favorite place when I filled them in on Milo’s call.

“I can’t believe that. It’s so horrible,” Sophia cried.

“Don’t worry, babe. We’re staying here, so we’ll be safe. It seems Jackson and his family are the targets, but they don’t put it against anyone to come after me if I go there.”

“We should beef up the security here. Did you talk to Duke about it?”

“Yeah, he called me ready to fly to Maine to bust some heads, but we’re needed here.”

“True. You still have a company to run.”

“I hope they catch this person before anything else goes wrong,” Kristen said fearfully, rubbing her belly.

“Kris, babe, relax. I’m not going to let anything happen to my family,” Malcolm reassured his wife before kissing her lips lightly.

“So how far along are you?” Sophia asked Kristen.

“Five months, now.” She got pregnant the first time Malcolm had sex with her. The lucky bastard. I wanted Sophia to be pregnant, but she was taking birth control. For what reason, I don’t know. It wasn’t like she was having sex.

“Congratulations.” She looked at me after she said that.

“You’ll be congratulating us soon,” I boasted.

“Oh really?” Malcolm asked.

Sophia brows arched and she stammered, “About the wedding?”

“Nope, about becoming pregnant. Don’t even think of arguing with me. The instant we’re married you’re getting off that shit so I can knock you up.”

“Don’t you love how romantic my fiancé is? Absolute Charmer,” Sophia asked Kristen sarcastically.

“Totally, I don’t know why it took him two weeks to get you to be his,” Kristen replied like a smart ass.

“I know, right? With words like that I should have dropped my panties during our first meeting,” Sophia added. She had no idea how much I would have loved to have dipped into her honey that day.

“As nice as it would have been, sweetheart, it would have been fucked up because Jackson was there. We’re close, but he and I aren’t that close.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

“Well, I’m going to do what he asks and that’s managing the firm and working with Duke on the Homans,” I answered my brother.

“You know I got your back in whatever you decide.”

“Sure thing, but whatever I do, I know one stop has to be Italy.”

“Have you told your parents about the engagement yet?” Kristen asked her partner in crime.

“No, not yet.”

“We’ll tell them when we get there, okay?” I wanted to reassure her she could do it at her leisure. I’d hoped to be married to her already, but I also needed her to be comfortable with the decision she made.

“Good, I’d like to tell them in person.”

We finished our dinner, only after Mario talked Sophia’s ear off and introduced her to his wife, Carmela.

~~~~~~

The next few days were insane. When Jackson called to tell me that it was Thompson who’d been the one to shoot Elizabeth, I wasn’t shocked.

“Hey, Caleb. I need you to do me a solid. Can you come here and leave the office up to Malcolm and Kristen?”

“Sure can. I will be there in the morning,” I reassured him. “Did you call our accountants?”

“Yes, they can be there tomorrow.”

“Fantastic, I’ll be there bright and early.”

“Thanks, Cal.”

I hung up with him and called a meeting with my three.

“Babe, I need you to pack today and take whatever cases you can to work on. If you have anything scheduled for the next few days, try to wrap it up today or cancel.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“I just got off the phone with Jackson. It was Thompson. He shot Elizabeth and Mike. I need you two to hold down the fort for Jackson and me.” He looked towards Malcolm and Kristen.

“Sure thing. You know we can.”

“I don’t want us to take on any new cases for the rest of the week. With things messed up in Bangor, I need to reassess where we need people and how much new load we can take on. I’m going to have a staff meeting in the next hour. My plate is empty so this works well for me. You, babe? Am I going to have to reassign any of yours?”

“No, I only had three cases since I started, and I have a meeting with the client and the other party to settle.”

“Great. Kristen, are you feeling up to working late?” We may have argued with each other, but that was because she was my new sister. It’s what siblings did. That didn’t mean I didn’t notice she was looking worn.

“Yes, I just need to make sure I get sleep tonight,” she hinted pointedly to her husband.

“Grrr. I’m not good with this schedule,” Malcolm joked.

“Well, let me know what I can do to get you all set to handle the office.”

“There’s really nothing. Without taking on new cases, we’ll just be rounding out the previous ones. Payroll is done by Addison, so we don’t need to worry about that,” Kristen offered.

“Are there any lawyers in court today? I didn’t see any, but you’d know better,” I asked her.

“No there isn’t. Everyone is in the office today,” she said after looking down at her tablet with the staff schedule on it.

“Great, well, Kristen, call the meeting. Then I need you to go take a nap on the sofa there while we talk to the staff because you look like shit.” I chuckled.

“You’re a prick, but it still works for me,” she exclaimed before she got up and left the room.

“You’re an asshole, Caleb,” barked Malcolm

“You’re the asshole. The poor woman needs her sleep, but you’re too horny to care.”

“It’s not me who’s too horny,” he snorted.

“Boys!” Sophia admonished. “Caleb, just know if you ever tell me that when I’m pregnant, I’ll bury you.” She stood up then added, “I need to get my things together. Do you need me in the meeting?”

“No, I don’t, so do what you got to do to get out of here early,” I commanded before I pulled her to me and kissed her hard.

We all exited my office. Sophia went to hers while Malcolm and I headed to the conference room. My ten lawyers gathered around.

“Guys, as you know Jackson and his family were attacked. We learned today that the attacker was Thompson.” The entire room gasped in shock.

“So, I’m needed back in Maine to get things in order. I’m leaving the firm in the hands of Malcolm and, of course, our trusted Office Manager while Jackson and I are in Maine. If you have any questions you can call or send us an email.”

“Do you think he was stealing?” Everett asked.

“I don’t know. But considering there was an upcoming audit and he tried to off Jackson’s family, it’s very possible.”

“I’m taking Sophia with me. Before you all get out of hand with the comments, I want you to know that she’s going to be my wife, and I’m not going to tolerate any shit-talking about her. She’s a brilliant lawyer and an amazing woman.”

“Do we need to take on her caseload?”

“No, actually, she’s managed to knock out her cases and is going to finish the last one today.”

“Damn…she’s badass.”

“Yes, she is. I’m grateful to those fucks in Chicago who enjoyed spreading rumors like little school girls.”

“Although, I don’t know how long she’s going to be working with us.”

“Why?” Ryder asked. I wanted to still pound him for even kissing my woman.

“Because I plan on knocking her up once we’re married.”

“Way to go, Caleb!” cheered the guys.

“Enough, guys. Just get these cases working in our favor. Keep on the up and up and we’ll all be happy come Christmas time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got arrangements to make.”

I left the conference room knowing that despite being sexist asses, they were great lawyers. I got back to my office to see my briefcase packed by my lovely assistant.

“Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”

“I thought you were joking. I really look terrible,” she said. Her eyes started to water.

“No, Kristen. Don’t cry. I didn’t mean anything by it other than you look tired. I know that pregnant women suffer and you’re always running. I think you’re beautiful. Come here and give me a hug,” I said as I opened my arms. Malcolm was going to knock me out if he saw her crying. She hugged me tightly.

“It’s alright, Caleb. I knew you were just joking, but it’s the damn hormones. One minute I’m happily jumping up and down, the next I’m bawling like a baby.”

“So this is what I’ve got to look forward to,” I groaned.

Her eyes opened wide with mischief and she snorted, “Much worse, she’s Italian. They’re full of passion.”

“Damn, I knew there had to be a downside for all that passion,” I teased, which made her giggle.

“See what I mean?” she asked as she started laughing, hysterically.

I chuckled, “Yes. I do see what you mean, but if you don’t mind, I need to book my flight.”

“It’s already done.”

I looked at the miracle worker that was my assistant in shock. “Damn, you need a raise.”

“I’m going to remember you said that later on,” she warned. I knew she would, but she did deserve it. Kristen was a multitasking pro.

I rushed out of my office and into Sophia’s. “Babe, how’s it going?”

“I’m going to that meeting in an hour. Then once it’s through I’ll be ready to leave. Are you leaving now?”

“No, babe. I’m not leaving without you. There are other things I can do before we go.”

“You don’t have to wait for me. I can meet you at your apartment.”

“Our apartment, but there’s no reason for me to go home without you.”

For some reason, leaving her didn’t sound plausible to me. It had taken another two hours before we were able to walk out together. Our flight was scheduled for midnight, and we should get to Bangor just before eleven in the morning, West Coast time. Sophia promised she’d sleep on the plane, and she did. She told me it was because she traveled all the way to Italy often that it’s become second nature to her. I passed out as well. Jackson was going to keep us busy; rest was necessary.