The noise of the busy, increasingly crowded bar fell to the wayside as Jaime’s intense expression once again trapped Olivia, while she wondered if she was biting off more than she could chew.
“I wouldn’t still be sitting here otherwise,” Jaime’s voice, self-assured, almost bordering on arrogant, should be illegal.
Olivia struggled to keep her visceral reaction to the confession from showing on her face, but heat radiated through her. “In that case, are you prepared to rule on the matter?”
“Yes, I am.” Jaime signaled for their server, who arrived a moment later and rang them up.
They paid in silence, with Olivia a second away from jumping out of her skin.
Jaime rose, gazing at her expectantly. “Lead me to your room, Counselor. Let’s see if you can uphold your end of the bargain.”
It took more self-control than Olivia expected to rise in a measured manner, instead of jumping up, grabbing Jaime’s hand, and dragging her back to the hotel. So far, this encounter painted outside all her lines, and while a part of her urged her to contemplate things further, her body, hot and wired with desire, yearned to push forward. Besides, her usual tête-à-têtes didn’t involve one Jaime Lachlan, who’d been on Olivia’s radar—in one way or another—for the last five years. How utterly pathetic, really. At least it wasn’t something she’d ever share with Jaime.
“What exactly isyourpart in it?”
Jaime smiled before stepping closer, so close Olivia caught a whiff of her perfume, something earthy and appealing. “I’ll let you have your way with me,” she whispered near Olivia’s ear.
Olivia almost swayed. Good Lord. She might be in over her head, but she’d never admit that either.
Instead, Olivia straightened and threw a self-assured smile at Jaime—project confidence even, orespecially, when you don’t feel it.The attitude had gotten her through so much, and people were rarely ever the wiser.
“I like the way you think.” And with that, they left the bar and headed back to the hotel.
pleading insanity
Theystrodebacktothe hotel in silence, though this didn’t lower the simmering tension between them. Perhaps it only existed in Jaime’s mind, as Olivia appeared calm and collected, so much so Jaime almost resented her. Of course, she didn’t knowwhatwent on inside Olivia’s head. Jaime didn’t show her own agitation outwardly, either.
Olivia’s single-minded pursuit had flattered Jaime. It had been quite unexpected to be at the receiving end of such a forward chase, especially from someone who had fascinated Jaime for years. Olivia’s presence in her courtroom had always been unsettling.
Jaime didn’t get star-struck, and she had seen many competent lawyers in her career—but there was something about Olivia that stood out, an almost mesmerizing focus and grit. Yet even that wasn’t enough to explain why Olivia lingered on her mind.
A couple of years ago, shortly after Olivia had wrapped up a case in Jaime’s courtroom, Jaime had stayed to organize her notes when a raised voice caught her attention. The courtroom was nearly empty, but Olivia and her client had remained seated near the front. The client, a prominent figure from Olivia’s firm, was visibly agitated, trying to leverage his teenage daughter as a bargaining chip in a bitterly contested divorce case. Although marital lawwasn’t Olivia’s usual focus, this case overlapped with broader legal issues tied to the firm’s prominent clients.
Jaime paused, struck by Olivia’s calm yet resolute response. Standing her ground, Olivia rejected her client’s demands, her voice steady but steely, defending the daughter with a grace and conviction that momentarily rendered Jaime speechless.
Olivia’s impact went beyond her legal expertise—it lay in her ability to remain steadfast even under pressure from someone powerful.
This unwavering resolve had fascinated Jaime ever since, setting Olivia apart as more than just another talented lawyer. If anyone other than Olivia Gray had approached her tonight, Jaime would have sent them packing. While she still was almost certain this was an epic mistake, she couldn’t resist.
Besides, it would be only one night. What harm could there be, so far away from home?
Their elevator ride dragged on as more people entered, some recognizing one or the other and offering greetings before returning to their conversations. Olivia, meanwhile, appeared completely at ease—composed, even, as if they weren’t on their way to her room to…
Jaime bit her lower lip, her pulse quickening with each passing floor. What was she doing? Was it too late to back out? She caught herself staring at Olivia’s profile, struck not just by her beauty but by the unsettling calm radiating from her. Jaime wished she could mirror this ease, but her thoughts were a chaotic mess of nerves and anticipation.
Preposterous, really.
Jaime lowered her gaze and once more took in Olivia’s outfit, suddenly noticing her hands—the tight-knuckled grip with which Olivia clutched her purse. Perhaps Jaime wasn’t alone in feeling off-kilter. She rolled her shoulders as tension bled away.
When the elevator reached the eleventh floor, Jaime followed Olivia out, both acting as if they weren’t together, with Oliviamarching ahead and Jaime a few steps behind.
Jaime almost stumbled, distracted by the sway of Olivia’s hips, the shape of her ass. To regain her focus, she contemplated how all hotels smelled the same. She didn’t even know how to describe the scent—a mixture of cleaning materials, the constant vacuuming, and room deodorizers that never fully eliminated the musty scent lingering in the air.
The AC still hummed, making the air much cooler than it needed to be, and Jaime shivered as goosebumps pebbled along her skin.
Finally, at the end of the second dimly lit corridor, Olivia halted in front of room 1135, her jaw tightening when the scanner flickered red as she held her key card against it. She huffed, repeating the gesture, and when the lights switched to green, she pushed open the door.
Jaime clenched her hands, hesitating for a second before stepping over the threshold. She shut the door behind her and opened her mouth to ask something, but the unformed words fled her brain as Olivia, after dropping her purse on a side table, pushed Jaime against the door and, pressing close, captured her lips in a hard and fast kiss.
