Indiscretions (8 page)

He put his bare feet up on the sofa and leaned back into the cottony softness, furious with himself. If he hadn't been so wrapped up in that damned case, he would have left his apartment in plenty of time and would not have been racing down the highway. But who was to say she even showed up? She probably didn't, he consoled himself. But if she did, he'd just explain everything the next day. She seemed like a reasonable woman, and he felt confident she would accept his explanation.

Fortifying himself with that thought, he closed his dark eyes and drifted off to sleep with visions of Khendra dancing through his mind.

Late Sunday evening, Khendra returned to her apartment totally exhausted. Kicking off her shoes and dropping her shopping bag of new clothes in the foyer, she headed straight for her bedroom. Within minutes, she had slipped out of her clothes, showered and crawled into bed.

As she lay staring up at the stuccoed ceiling, she realized with a twinge of apprehension that it was the first time since Saturday morning she had been alone with her thoughts, and that sinking sensation rapidly returned.

How could she have been so gullible as to think that Sean really cared about her? He was probably used to women who just dropped at his feet, and expected her to do the same. She had promised herself she would give him the benefit of the doubt, against her better judgment. He had proven royally that he didn't deserve it.

Turning on her side, she struggled into a fitful sleep. Her last conscious thought was that she was completely miserable.

“As you all know,” began Alex, “Mr. McMahon will be leaving us in a few short months. Therefore, the position of junior partner will be open once Mr. McMahon's position is filled by the very capable Darren Kennedy.”

A short round of applause echoed throughout the room.

“As a senior partner of this firm, I have made my own recommendations.” His magnetic blue eyes moved slowly around the conference table and lit, briefly, on Khendra. She quickly looked away.

“However,” he continued, “any one of you who feels he or she has the capabilities to fill this position may submit a proposal in writing. Based on a review of these proposals, the principals will make a determination.” With that statement, he turned to the attorney seated next to him.

“Now as that was the final issue of the morning,” intoned the stately Gordon Perry, picking up his cue, “this meeting is adjourned.”

The half-dozen attorneys began to rise, whispering among themselves about the possibilities. All of them knew that whoever Alex had recommended was virtually guaranteed the spot.

Khendra quickly gathered up her notes and draped her maroon linen blazer over her arm just as one of the associates sidled up to her.

“Tough break about the clinic case.” Brendan Clarke gave her a cynical grin. “Looks like you've been demoted.” He angled his head in Sean's direction. “Better luck next time.” He patted her on the shoulder and walked out. Using all the self-control she could muster, she bit her tongue. She wasn't going to let the remarks get to her, she vowed again. She was sure Brendan's comments wouldn't be the last.

The main thing she had on her mind at the moment was getting out of the room before Sean said anything to her. As she looked up, she saw him conclude his conversation with one of the attorneys and begin to move in her direction. Quickly, she stuffed her notebook in her briefcase and turned toward the door.

“Khendra.” The black satin voice shimmied down her spine.

For a split second she considered stopping, but instincts propelled her forward. She heard his muffled footsteps close in behind her as she quickly strutted down the corridor. Just as she approached the threshold of her office door, his large hand braced her shoulder.

“You're still running from me.”

She whirled around to face him, hurt and humiliation rimming her eyelids. But when she looked into those magical midnight eyes, the torrid words she wanted to lash out at him caught in her throat. For a brief moment, she nearly forgot why she was so angry. Then sanity returned.

“Please let go of me, Mr. Michaels,” she said as coldly as she could. She looked at his hand as if it had grown claws.

“So…now we're back to Mister. Is that it?” He reluctantly removed his hand, the tingling sensation from the brief contact still racing up and down his arm.

“Look,” she said, venom rising in her voice, “you seem to be an expert at deception, and I don't have time to play your little games.”

He visibly winced from the sting of her words, and Khendra immediately felt a surge of satisfaction.

“I know I owe you an explanation. If you'll—”

“You don't owe me anything, Mr. Michaels. If it doesn't have to do with business, we have nothing to discuss.” She turned and walked into her office, slamming the door in his face.

Sean stood on the other side of the closed door in temporary disbelief. Then his own anger boiled to the surface. Who the hell did she think she was, anyway? He didn't have to take that from anyone. He stormed into his own office, slamming the door solidly behind him.

Still fuming, he flung himself into his chair and spun toward the window, a deep frown creasing his brow. It wasn't often that he wore his emotions on his sleeve. Now when he did, he got smacked square in the face.

What was worse, the insult was coming from someone who obviously didn't give a damn about him in the first place. His ebony eyes cut across the horizon in disgust.

Then a flash of insight hit him. She did care!

Why else would she have been so upset? Women! He should have seen that. He took a deep, relieved breath. Turning to face his desk, a slow smile of understanding spread across his lips. He would just have to handle Ms. Phillips with kid gloves, he realized. She was certainly not going to stand still for any excuses, and he had to be sure not to give her any. At that moment, he was more determined than ever to have her in his life, and he would not allow her icy front to dissuade him.

He briefly glanced up at the grandfather clock standing in the far corner of the spacious office, and his mind turned to the business at hand. In less than an hour he was due in court. This case was really taking its toll on him. The press had hounded him from the first day. There wasn't a day since the jury selection began that he hadn't been photographed, questioned, or misquoted. Well, if he wanted notoriety, he certainly had it with this case. The district attorney's office was watching his every move.

He gathered his notes and prepared to leave.

Then, just as he reached the door, an idea struck him. The perfect touch, he thought, a boyish light filling his eyes. He walked back to the phone and dialed information.

CHAPTER EIGHT

The brilliance of the setting sun cast orange and gold hues across the skyline. The light appeared to dance off the glass window, highlighting it in a rainbow of effervescent color.

Rising from behind the desk, Khendra stretched her tight muscles and strolled toward the window. Her luminous eyes spanned the horizon, allowing the magnificence of the evening to soothe her harried spirit. With the day finally drawing to a close, she knew she could no longer put aside the issues that were wreaking havoc with her thoughts. She had successfully avoided Sean and Alex all day, she could not hibernate in her office forever. Turning away from the window, she prepared to leave, when there was a light knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Leslie came through the door, her arms laden with a huge arrangement of roses, Khendra's eyes widened in surprise.

“These just arrived for you, Ms. Phillips.” She gingerly placed the flowers on the wide windowsill.

“Who on earth could these be from?” Khendra asked, more to herself than to Leslie.

“There's a card,” Leslie offered, her own curiosity piqued. Khendra was labeled “the ice lady” throughout the office. She had turned down every request for a date in the past three years, so to receive flowers made Leslie feel warm inside. Deep down she knew that Khendra was one of the nicest people around. She was just glad to know that someone else thought the same thing.

Khendra reached for the card and silently read the scrawled inscription. “I'm sorry. I hope you'll give me a chance to apologize.”

Khendra's heart filled to near bursting. A warm smile formed on her lips.

“Anyone interesting?”

Khendra looked up and smiled. “Quite,” she said softly, a faraway look in her eyes. She took a shaky breath. “Well…it's getting late. I'd better be going.”

Leslie got the hint, and knew that her curiosity would not be satisfied. “See you in the morning, Ms. Phillips.”

Khendra didn't hear Leslie's words or see her leave. For countless moments, she reread the words on the card and stared, hypnotically, at the beautiful arrangement of yellow, white and red roses.

He had gone out of his way to apologize. Maybe something did happen to him on Saturday after all. She gently stroked one of the budding roses. Could she have been that wrong? Or was this another one of his ploys? She shook her head in confusion. Well, there was no way of knowing until she spoke with him. This time, if he offered, she would at least listen.

She gathered up her belongings, switched off the lights and headed for the garage.

Sean paced nervously. He checked his watch.

She should be down any minute. Then the elevator doors to the garage slowly opened. His muscles tightened when he saw her. It was now or never. But suppose she wouldn't listen?
I'll just have to make you listen, won't I?

He waited until she had reached her car and inserted the key in the lock. Quietly, he walked up behind her. “Hi.”

She turned, startled, then was immediately relieved. “Do you always sneak up on defenseless women?” she asked coyly, a soft smile outlining her full lips.

Sean's heart raced. “I'm really quite harmless.”

He moved closer, encouraged by her response. “I've been trying to tell you that.”

“You've been trying to tell me a lot of things. I guess I just haven't been listening.” She lowered her eyes, then looked up at him, a hopeful light filling the warm pools.

“This may not be the right time to ask for a favor, but could you give me a lift?”

Khendra's eyes rapidly surveyed the garage.

“Where's your car?”

“I had a little accident on Saturday on my way to the club.”

Khendra's heart caught in her throat. Haunting images of Tony's lifeless body flashed through her brain, and the ceaseless feelings of guilt rushed to the surface. “Was anyone hurt?” she asked in an unsteady voice.

“Only you and me,” he said softly, a bit shaken by the look of anguish that darkened her eyes. “I'd like to change that, if you'll let me.”

Khendra's heartbeat slowly returned to normal, as she forced the visions of Tony back into her subconscious.

“I think I have some making up to do myself. How about dinner, at my house?” She startled herself at the spontaneity of her words, but was happy she had made the decision.