Bella's Choice by Lynelle Clark Page A

to come to your office.” She giggled.
    This woman was really starting to get on his nerves. Ever since she’d started working at the firm, she’d made her intentions known to him. And although at first he’d been flattered, he quickly learned his mistake; she was not his type. He had told her as much, but still she persisted in coming on to him.
    “This is an office, not a dating service, Chaney.”
    “That’s not what you said when you kissed me,” she purred, batting her eyelashes.
    Aldrich’s second mistake. She thought that because of one kiss, he belonged to her. Anabella’s image came to mind, which made him miss her even more. He could still feel her next to him; her well-formed, tanned body still alive in his mind’s eye, and those legs! He’d dreamed about them a few times. Long, shapely legs that seemed to go on forever.
    Chaney touched his arm, bringing him out of his reverie. “When are we going on a date again?”
    “Not going to happen.” He brushed her away, and then walked to the wall to retrieve his jacket from the hook next to the door.
    “Why, didn’t you have fun with me?” she whined with a pout, her blue eyes looking up at him innocently. By now, he knew that that was far from the truth. He was familiar with her advances toward every man on the floor.
    “It was good for one night, nothing more,” he replied, and stepped out of his office.
    She followed him in her high heels, saying softly, “That hurts, you know.”
    He looked down at her, not missing the seductive look behind the hurtful stare, and smirked. Without responding, he stepped past her and into Mr. Dorflinger’s office, closing the door behind him.
    “You wanted to see me,” he announced.
    “Aldrich, yes, come in.” The man waved him closer, and he walked to the large, mahogany desk in the middle of the office. The thin man looked dwarfed behind his desk, but his powerful presence let everyone know he wasn’t to be taken lightly. In the courtroom, he was known for his cunning wit, and for being a worthy opponent.
    “I’d like you to meet Ms. Giselle Etsibeth.”
    Aldrich saw a beautiful woman rise. She greeted him in a soft voice, so delicate it was soothing to the ear. Her short, red hair was cut in the latest style, and her smoldering green eyes looked at him with coyness and arrogance.
    He stretched out his hand, taking her proffered hand as he introduced himself.
    “Ms. Etsibeth has come to see us about a delicate matter, and as you are the best in the field, I have recommended you to the case.”
    Aldrich acknowledged the praise with a lopsided grin and sat down in the chair directly in front of him.
    “What seems to be the problem?” he asked, and Mr. Dorflinger continued to discuss the case. Ms. Etsibeth’s close proximity caused him to not give his full attention to what Mr. Dorflinger was saying.
    She was a stunner, but the way she observed him openly and with interest made him uneasy. He’d never felt uneasy with a woman before. He listened, making notes, and every so often when she wanted to draw his attention, she would touch his arm or leg. He would look down into the green pools. The look he saw blatantly told him she wanted him, and not as her lawyer. This put him on guard, which made his body tense.
    When they stepped out of Dorflinger’s office after an hour long debriefing, Tim came to his rescue since the woman had attached herself to his arm the moment they’d stood and walked out. Reluctantly, she let him go after Tim assured her it was a matter of life and death. The devilish smile on his friend’s face told him that he knew the woman was a pest. The clinging sort, one he disliked with fervor.
    Both Aldrich and Tim left the office building after he’d said goodbye to the woman.
    “Thanks, pal,” Aldrich said the moment they sat down in the restaurant, “you saved me. I owe you one.”
    “You know it, friend. Who was she anyway?”
    “New client, a Ms. Giselle Etsibeth.”
    Tim