door. “Thank you for the ride, Preston. I appreciate all you’ve done for me today and all that you will do for me in the coming days.” She gave him one of her best smiles. She wasn’t pretending. He smiled back. There was mischief in his smile. She decided to take the plunge. “Are you free for dinner? I hate eating alone. Unless you’re too busy.” She mentally cringed. She hadn’t wanted to put him on the spot. His hand brushed against hers. She wasn’t sure if it was intentional but the touch of his skin gave her goose bumps. She curled her fingers into a fist and bit the inside of her cheek. He smiled. “I know a restaurant that you might like.” “Nothing too fancy?” “Not at all but the food is great.” She tucked a curl behind her ear. “Pick me up at seven?” “You heard her, Frank?” “Seven it is,” Frank replied. Cadence climbed out of the car. The bellboy tipped his hat. She walked into the hotel without looking back but she knew Preston was staring after her. What am I doing? Flirting with my lawyer? Inviting him to dinner? They both knew what she’d been offering for dessert. What a crazy idea. Good one, Cadence. But she didn’t really care if they were breaking some kind of rule. It had been so long since she had experienced the exhilaration of being with an interesting man. So what if he was her lawyer and they were supposed to be all about business and contracts? She wasn’t looking for a relationship. She just wanted to feel good for a change. And have really awesome sex.
Preston couldn’t take his eyes off the retreating figure of Cadence Burke. She had a tight body and her ass swayed seductively from side to side as she walked. Damn, she was gorgeous. But he wasn’t just attracted to her hot body or the sultry looks she kept slinging his way, it was her, the whole package. What she’d learned this morning about her family would’ve put anyone off her game. Yet Cadence walked with her head held high and a sway to her hips that only a blind man would be able to resist. Yeah, she’s coming on to me. He would take full advantage of the invitation. She’d surprised him when she agreed to go with him to dinner. He’d thought of asking her but had dismissed it as too soon. He’d wanted to give her time for the bad news to sink in and allow her some privacy. Apparently, Cadence hadn’t been as gutted by what she’d learned as he’d thought. He told Frank to take him back to the office and pulled out his BlackBerry. He had some calls to make, the first one to a reserve a table at one of his favorite restaurants. His mother always frowned on him seeing clients outside the office. She wouldn’t like him seeing Cadence Burke, whose case had to be handled with care. He’d never do anything to hurt Cadence. That was always his bottom line in any relationship. Cadence disappeared into the hotel, his last glimpse her ass in that tight skirt as the door closed behind her. She was a stunner. Her big baby blues appealed to him in all the fundamental ways. Her lips begged to be kissed. Perhaps he would add a post-dinner interlude at an expensive hotel. Dessert was on him. He could only imagine what she would look like underneath him, what type of panties he’d be peeling back. He arrived at the office hot and bothered. He needed to concentrate on work. Would Mom be happy about selling Sparkle Industries? What kind of price could Cadence get for the business? He’d make some calls, set the wheels in motion. And spend the rest of the day thinking about Cadence Burke’s very nice ass.
Chapter Four
Cadence entered the lobby, the familiar surroundings of the Michelangelo a balm to her jagged nerves. She always came here when she was in the city because it reminded her of happier days. Today the small boutique hotel was her sanctuary. The first time she’d stayed here, her mother had brought her after working a fashion shoot. Cadence had tagged