Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
She approached my desk, sinking into the chair Grace had vacated. I couldn’t help but compare the two visitors. One soft, pretty, and anxious. The other hard, cold, and determined. It was like comparing a rabbit to a viper.
“The divorce case I’m handling involves a company. Both are claiming they own the rights to the logo. The wife, my client, insists she came up with the concept and wants compensation added to the settlement. Her ex says he created the concept and refuses. There seem to be some gray areas around the copyright ownership.”
I shook my head. “You could have emailed me. In fact, I need you to do so, and I’ll look into it once I have all the particulars.”
A coy leer crossed her thin lips that were skillfully made up to look fuller. “But then I couldn’t see you. I thought perhaps we could have dinner and discuss the case.”
“No.”
She laughed, the sound somehow unpleasant. “Jaxson,” she purred. “I would make it worth your while.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. She had attempted on numerous occasions to invite me to dinner, to meet after hours, even blatantly offering a hotel room for a night. No matter how often I said no, it didn’t seem to matter. She made no secret of her desire to sleep with me.
“No strings, no personal feelings,” she had assured me.
“Not interested, thank you. Have you read the nonfraternization policy?”
She shook her head, speaking to me as if I were a child. “No one has to know, Jaxson. I’m not looking for a relationship. Just a good fuck on occasion.” She arched her eyebrow. “I’m always up for that.”
I regarded her disdainfully. I didn’t find her attractive, and I wasn’t interested. I also didn’t dip my pen in the company inkwell. That never ended well. After seeing a colleague lose his entire life because of a bad decision, I had been quite happy to read the rather dated and long nonfraternization document. Not, apparently, that Sabrina cared about it. But the bottom line was that I was not, in any way, attracted to her.
“No, Sabrina. Send me the details. I’ll look it over.”
A flash of anger emanated from her brown eyes. “You’re making a mistake.”
My own anger piqued. “I have said no, and I mean it. I’m not into sneaking around and risking my career over a piece of ass. I’m not going to change my mind, so drop it. I have a busy day. Send the file particulars, and I will look it over for you and send my advice. Good day.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Too good for me, are you?”
“Yes, frankly, I am. I have no desire to bed a snake,” I snapped, my patience reaching its limit. I was tired of every interaction with her coming down to this point. I didn’t care if she made trouble for me; I was weary of these encounters. “I’m a busy man, Sabrina, with little time for games. You’ve taken up enough of my time.”
She stood, obviously furious. Rejection didn’t sit well with her. Her eyes shot daggers at me. “You’ll regret it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
She left, leaving my door open in her wake. I rubbed a hand over my eyes, already exhausted. I glanced up to see Grace watching me, her expression worried. I lifted one shoulder in a silent dismissive gesture and rolled my eyes. She grinned before dropping her focus back to the file she’d been looking over.
Michael appeared in the doorway, blocking my view. “Should I have the office fumigated?”
I chuckled. “Might not be a bad idea.”
“Your first meeting is in the boardroom. You’re booked solid all day, including a meeting in the judge’s chambers at three about the Dorset trademark.”
I stood. “Right.” I grabbed the first file of the day and headed to the door, stopping before I left the office. “Grace.”
She looked up. “Yes?”
“I have a meeting at three you should attend. The Dorset case. The judge is granting us a chance to argue in his chambers—perhaps prevent a trial. I want you to sit in. Great experience.”
“All right.”
“All right. I’ll touch base later.”
Grace
Later that afternoon, I watched Jaxson argue, his words and thoughts clear. The other lawyer wasn’t as well prepared, and the judge agreed that Jaxson’s client had proven his claim superseded the other one and advised the other party not to proceed with a trial. It had been interesting and inspiring to watch Jaxson in his element. He was articulate, calm, and nothing short of brilliant, and I sat, my rapt attention focused on him. I didn’t take notes, knowing I would never forget a word he had said.
He had been kind today, meeting me at his car, not questioning the stairs. He was cool and distant—the very epitome of a boss. When the meeting was over, he stopped to talk to a colleague in the hall, and the lawyer for the other side approached me.