Justice for All (4 page)

Kay stood on the street and watched the cars go back and forth for a few moments. Her phone made a half-vibrate/half-ring, and she retrieved it from her clutch to try to decipher what was on the screen.

A text from Thomas. Annoyance turned to anger as she struggled to tap out a short response on the cracked screen. A few minutes passed without another notification, and she breathed a sigh of relief that maybe he was going to leave her alone for now.

She’d taken a cab to the party since she knew she’d likely be drinking. Her original plan had been to hitch a ride with Tamara back to her side of town and then catch a cab from there. Somehow, “open mouth chewer” or not, her friend had managed to leave the party with Kyle instead.

“Can I give you a lift home?”

The sound of Van’s deep voice thrummed down her spine, and she released the breath she had been holding as she considered her options. Turning on her heel to look at him, she smacked her clutch against her thigh a few times before speaking. “Don’t take this the wrong way—I’m not trying to be suggestive here—but the last place I want to go is home.”

“Okay, since I’m not allowed to take that the wrong way, why don’t you tell me your reason for not wanting to go home.”

“Thomas will be looking for me, and I’m nowhere near ready to make nice with the little creep yet.”

“Ah,” he chuckled, “Is that a touch of willfulness?”

“No, just me being pissed off.”

He took two steps to come even closer to her, then dug into his jacket for the card to hand to the valet parking attendant hovering just beside them. When the man was gone, Van took his time studying Kay before responding. She felt uncomfortable and was just opening her mouth to tell him she was going to get a taxi when he stopped her.

“Since we’re not taking things the wrong way, why don’t you just come to my place? My house is big enough I can put you on one end, and I’ll stay on the other and you won’t have to feel uncomfortable about it.”

Kay nodded her head in agreement before she could give his offer too much thought. The very sensible part of her was screaming no, but she was just too tired to give that voice any credence. A car pulled up to the curb, and the valet attendant stepped out. Van opened the passenger door of the black Lexus, motioning with his hand for her to get in. She licked her lips and took a deep breath before complying.

“I wouldn’t have picked you for a Lexus for some reason,” she said when he got into the driver’s seat.

“And what would you have picked?”

She cocked her head, considering that. “For some reason I would have thought a truck. Which makes no sense, but that’s the first thing that popped into my mind.” She laughed, suddenly nervous making small-talk with him. That was silly, considering they’d spent the last few hours chatting easily and exclusively at the party.

“So you’re right, at least partly. This is a lease, and I mainly use it here around town and for court. I own an older Ford F-150, and that’s
my
vehicle. It’s the one I prefer to drive.”

“Hmmm…” She wondered how she had so successfully pegged him. Somehow she felt he’d been like an open book with her this evening, honestly answering all questions posed to him. It was a strange paradox to their business relationship, an intimacy she hadn’t anticipated and certainly hadn’t pursued. Still, she wasn’t nearly as unnerved about it as she might have expected.

Everyone in the firm knew she wanted full-time employment when she passed the bar. She was all business at the office, working hard, putting in extra hours and excelling in all areas so that she could impress all of the partners with her drive. And there was no nonsense about it. She was going to work her way to the top, not manipulate players to get what she wanted.

She could’ve been worried about this turn in her relationship with Audrick Van Buren. She knew she was an attractive woman, but Van didn’t make her feel threatened. She didn’t at all sense he was trying to take advantage of her in the least.

“So you think Thomas would be at your home, waiting for you?”

“Well, he lives just down the hall from me. Same apartment complex.”

Van side-eyed her then twisted his head with a little shake. “I had no idea he lived near you. That explains a lot.”

“It does? What exactly does it explain?”

She watched his chest expand with a huge breath that he very slowly released. “I don’t mean this to sound insensitive, but I could honestly never understand your relationship with him. I wouldn’t have put him in the same class with you.”

“The same class? Well, you certainly are a snob.” She paused and chewed her thoughts a moment. “Or maybe you’re saying I’m a snob. What class do you think I’m in?”

Kay was sensitive about her origins. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of being the daughter of an earl, but she found people often changed when they found out she was an aristocrat. They either shied away from her in discomfort or tried to manipulate her in some way. It was easier just to keep her family to herself.

“I’m selective about my own friends. I would expect the same from someone like you. I know you have plans, Kay. A person doesn’t get through law school with the types of grades and achievements you have if they don’t. Thomas just doesn’t fit into that.”

“How so?”

He coughed and scratched behind his ear. “I’m on the faculty you know. He might not be in law school, but I know what kind of student he is. And he changed his major again last year. He may never get out of college.”

Kay tried to stifle it, but a laugh bubbled up within her. “Yeah, Thomas doesn’t have much drive. But he’s been good to me. We hang together, and at least when I was studying he helped and didn’t distract me. I tried to get him to hit the books harder, but if he didn’t care, why should I? His parents have money. He doesn’t really need a degree.”

As she thought on it now, she couldn’t really remember why she was such good friends with Thomas. Maybe it was strictly convenience. Except that he was combative as hell on booze and that he tended to follow her like a puppy dog from time to time, it was easy to just maintain the friendship.

~oOo~

By the time Van had shown her to the spare bedroom and made sure she had everything she needed, Kay’s eyes had been almost too heavy to keep open. She managed to brush her teeth and remove her shoes and bra, then collapsed onto the bed as if she hadn’t slept in weeks.

Now her eyes snapped open, and she struggled to remember where she was as she examined her dark surroundings. Bringing her hand to her chest in alarm, she recognized the feel of the sweater she’d been wearing that evening, and after a few moments the memory of what happened came back to her.

And more panic welled up like an expanding balloon in her chest.

“Holy crap, I’m in my boss’s bed,” she croaked, her throat dry.

So maybe it wasn’t exactly Audrick Van Buren’s bed, but it was definitely a bed in his house and that was way outside her comfort zone. What had she been thinking to ever agree to come here?

The sour churn of her stomach reminded her that she hadn’t exactly been thinking with all of her faculties. Rolling over she found a digital clock on the nightstand and saw that it was only 3:38 in the morning.

This wasn’t unusual for her when she’d had a bit much too drink. Her body would wake her up a few minutes later, demanding hydration. She needed something to drink, preferably orange juice. She rolled her feet out of the bed and raked her hands through her blonde hair, shaking the tangles away.

As she exited the bedroom and padded down the hallway in her bare feet, she tried to recall the layout of the house. The kitchen wouldn’t come to mind, and she didn’t think she had seen it at all. Surely it couldn’t be too hard to find. And Van had assured her that the master bedroom was on the opposite end, so she shouldn’t have to worry about running into him.

A few turns and her feet touched cold tile. She almost gasped at the luxurious room sprawled out before her. The contrast of granite countertops against the black walnut cabinets was striking. And it was perfectly capped by shiny stainless steel appliances.

Kay licked her dry lips, remembering the reason she’d been looking for this particular room. She opened and closed a few cabinet doors before finding a glass. She was less than an inch from pressing the glass into the refrigerator door to dispense the water, then stopped and opened the door to see what Van had available.

“Yes!” she hissed in excitement when she saw the jug of orange juice. When that sweet and tart goodness hit her tongue she closed her eyes in a mixture of relief and pleasure. Her shoulders dropped with relaxation as she chugged the entire glass, then she poured up a second.

Kay was just about to enter the hallway and head back to the guest room when she heard something from the other side of an open door just off the kitchen. Curiosity piqued, she tiptoed over to glance inside.

And there was Van, reclined in an easy chair, both legs spread out before him. In the center of the room was a short, circular table with what looked to be some sort of board game. He was still wearing his dress clothes, though his shirt was unbuttoned almost to his belt so that she could see the ridges of his chest and stomach peeking out. There was a dark sprinkling of hair pointing down to a place she found a part of her wanted to see.

But with all of that sexiness to look at, it was the alluring expression on his face that had her stopped in her tracks.

This was the second time Kay had taken one of Audrick Van Buren’s courses. The most intimidating adjunct law professor on campus was also one of the most interesting, it turned out. And after managing to earn a high B the first time, she was determined to grab an A this go-around.

Now here she sat in his office, doing her best not to fidget as he read through her brief in support of a motion for new trial. He was leaned back in his chair, holding the papers in one hand. His other arm was propped against the desk, and his index finger rubbed his chin just below the lip.

She found herself mesmerized by that finger, by its subtle back and forth movements so close to his mouth. A mouth that for the first time she realized was somewhat sexy.

“… and if my memory serves me, there are several other findings that oppose this particular method of applying waiver.”

Her gaze flicked up to his eyes and the way they were furrowed in deep thought. He was so focused, so targeted on the paper. She wondered if he might be that intense when making love to a woman.

“Miss Rawley?”

A cold rush filled her veins as she realized he was speaking to her. She mentally backtracked, trying to recall what he had just said. Licking her lips, she cleared her throat and nodded. “There is a shortage of this particular ruling, but my case is based on the application of both doctrines, waiver, and statute of limitations. With those findings compounded, it’s my belief that the court must find for the defendant in this case.”

Her cheeks flushed under his scrutiny. He wasn’t grinning or frowning or making any specific expression exactly, but there was something deep and primal in his dark eyes. The way in which his stare fixed to hers was so strong as to be an almost physical caress.

Van’s hand stretched forward to deliver the paper back into her grasp. She took it and waited. “I look forward to seeing how the class responds.”

Almost as if he sensed Kay’s presence just outside the door, Van’s eyes lifted, and he smiled when he caught sight of her. She returned the gesture, then feeling a tad uncomfortable she lifted the orange juice to her lips and drank.

“Did I wake you? I thought I had the music down low enough.”

Music?
Kay rotated to her left and looked at the speakers. There was a strong instrumental score filling the room, weighted heavily by a chorus of strings and percussions. She hadn’t even noticed until just that moment.

“No, you didn’t wake me. I just needed something to drink.” She raised her half-empty glass of OJ. “Something besides alcohol, that is.”

He reached around behind his chair and emerged with a bottle of water in his hand. Tipping it in her direction, he grinned deeper.

“What are you doing exactly? Playing a board game?” She stepped softly into the room, tentative in the event she might be invading his private space. “Wait! Is this Diplomacy? I know this.”

He quirked a black brow high with an expression of incredulity but said nothing. Her lower lip pulled up into her mouth and she nibbled at it while she stared at the huge board, which was actually a map of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. One hand reached out to hover over one country in particular.

“Durma was different at that time,” Van noted, inclining his head towards the map. “Interesting when you consider they lost nearly a quarter of their holdings as a result of the second Great War.”

He couldn’t know it, but she had no need of a history lesson about Durma. Her father’s country was devastated first by the financial collapse post World War I, which was partly what drove the family to America. The Second World War might almost have been the nail in Durma’s coffin, but her people managed to accomplish a minor revolution and transition into a ceremonial monarchy such that the majority of power resided in the parliament.

She chuckled and shook her head as a wave of nostalgia washed over her. Her father owned the game Diplomacy, though to her knowledge he’d never actually played it. She hadn’t realized she missed him so much until that moment when a little pang hit her square in the chest. Thankfully she would be home for Christmas in just a few days.

“You have a strange look on your face. Is something wrong?”

Kay raised her eyes to him. “No, nothing’s wrong at all.”

He turned to glance at the computer behind him. “Moves are due by morning. I was taking some time to strategize”

“Are you playing this online or some other way?” Kay pointed her chin towards the board.

“These days most people play online. There are sites that keep track of moves and plays. Even though everything’s in there. . .” He touched the monitor. “I like seeing it a little more up close. It helps me concentrate.”

“And what country do you represent?”

Van leaned away from his desk and tapped the game board, “The very one you were just staring at so intently. Why were you staring?”

She’d never revealed much about her family to anyone at the office and not even to Thomas. Somehow she was compelled to share with Van now. With a deep breath she pointed to the chair across from him and upon his nod, she sat down.

“I actually have dual citizenship in Durma and the US.”
Stop right there. No more revelations about your family.

“You’re kidding.”

Kay shrugged and finished off her orange juice. “Not kidding.”

“Would you like some more orange juice?”

“Oh, no, I should probably leave you to your game. A girl should know better than to intrude in the man-cave.”

Van grimaced and rubbed a hand across his face. She couldn’t help but notice the five o’clock shadow that had developed and the way it made him appear rakish. “My mother would be absolutely horrified by the very suggestion that I own a man-cave.” He waved his hand to bring her closer. “And you’re not intruding. I’m stymied at the moment. It usually takes me all of a twelve-hour block to come up with a move.”

She decided to take him at his word that she wasn’t intruding and approached the map. “So how does this work? I seem to remember you get to team up with other countries.”

Van leaned back in his chair and interlaced his fingers behind his head. “Mmm, that part’s right. I currently have tentative alliances with France and Austria-Hungary. Russia is questionable at this point, though they are ‘open to discussion’ after the first movement.” He made imaginary quotations with his fingers.

“Ick, France.” She wrinkled her nose.

“You don’t like France?”

“Never trust a Frenchman.” Though the words were said in her voice, she heard them in her father’s. She suppressed a little giggle as she studied the scene closer, squatting down so that the board was almost at eye level.

“Well, these days most people agree that if Austria can survive the first season, then they may survive the game. So, I’m sure they’ve tried to make other alliances as well. Durma’s close geographically to the UK, but our relationship with Austria has them concerned.”

“Then let’s just attack them all!” Kay laughed, turning her head in his direction. She inhaled quickly when she found herself almost nose-to-nose with Van. She hadn’t realized he’d come forward so that both his elbows were resting on his knees. Her eyes confronted his and in them all time seemed to stand still for a moment.

Van didn’t move and in fact held himself completely still. She waited, anticipation tingling under the skin. Seconds, perhaps even half a minute, passed and nothing. Unable to wait any longer, Kay leaned in and put her mouth to his. For a moment, she thought he might pull away, but when her hand touched the inside of his leg, he opened his lips and ground them against hers.

The kiss was consuming, and Kay’s legs gave way so that she slipped to her knees just between his thighs. His arms wrapped her up, lifting some of her weight and pulling her tight against him. She could feel his erection pressing into her stomach just below her breasts. It was so erotic a sensation that she moaned and nipped at his lip.

Gasps of air were exchanged between pecking kisses. Then, open-mouthed, their tongues stroked one another, tasting, teasing. And then it ended. Kay blinked, reaching at empty air with her mouth, but Van had pulled away, head back and his breath coming in such quick huffs as to make his Adam’s apple move up and down.

“What’s wrong?” she stammered, worry furrowing her brow.