“Just as I thought. I’m taking my client home. Let us know when you have actual evidence of her supposed crime.”
He gently clasps my elbow until we get to the door. His grip loosens until he moves his hand to my lower back, and he pulls open the door. Signaling me into the hall ahead of him, he calls over his shoulder, “Gentlemen, it’s been less than lovely. Happy to be back with you again.”
We’re silent as we walk outside. I hadn’t even realized that it had turned to night until that moment. The cool airbrings goosebumps to my skin as we cross into the parking lot.
Needing to get his attention, I say his name, “Chris.”
He stops and looks at me.
“Thank you for getting them to let me go. If we want to exchange contact information right now, I can get a taxi or something home.”
Chris scowls, and there’s no denying this is just as sexy on him as his cocky grin. “You can’t go home, Lily. It’s still an active crime scene and probably will be for a few days at least. Do you have a family member or a friend that you can stay with tonight?”
There’s a relief that I don’t have to go back to the house tonight, cascading with the dejection that I really don’t have anywhere to go. I don’t really want to bother Anna or my boss, Cheryl, even though I do consider them both my friends. I definitely need to be alone tonight.
I hike my purse higher up on my shoulder. “I didn’t think about that. I can just get a hotel room.”
Staring at me for a minute, he gives me a curt nod. “Alright, let’s go. Do you have a preference for where?”
I tell him the name of one of the nicer hotels on West End Avenue.
He gestures to a car parked behind him. “I’m parked over here.”
I want to push back. I want to insist that he doesn’t have to, but the strength I was forcing earlier starts to fade. “Thank you for driving me. I appreciate it.”
He gives me another definitive nod before leading me to his shiny, dark-colored, high-end sedan. I don’t know a lot about cars, but if I had to guess, this one probably costs six figures. Gently helping me into the passenger seat, he shuts the door. I watch him circle the car and climb in next to me.
His cologne invades my nostrils, and the crisp, masculine scent disorients me for a moment before his deep voice grounds me. “Buckle your seatbelt, Lily.”
My stomach flips at his demand, leaving me confused. For many years, I assumed my libido was gone. But my defense attorney is proving that undeniably incorrect.
6
Chris
Her sweet perfume is something floral and feminine. It’s intoxicating being locked in close quarters with her. I steal a glance at her profile as I pull out of the parking lot. On the cheek closest to me, I can make out the faint shadow of a bruise as the headlights of a passing car illuminate the inside of the car.
The fury that coils in my gut returns in full force. When she said she tried to leave before and he put her in the hospital, my blood boiled. The person you’re supposed to love and cherish and protect. I can’t even imagine everything Lily has gone through. Any earlier hesitation about doing this dissipates as we get closer to the hotel. I try to ignore the thoughts about how beautiful she is and how that might also be a factor in my decision. I do everything I can to push that part of me away and focus on driving. Not onlyis that wildly inappropriate, but defending her is much more important than my attraction to her.
The police station isn’t far from the hotel that she told me she wanted to go to, so it isn’t long before I’m turning into the hotel parking lot. I stop in the unloading zone. Without turning off the engine, I shift in my seat. When she meets my gaze, I say, “You stay here. I’m going to get you a room. I think it’s best that it’s under my name so that, on the off chance the press starts calling hotels, looking for you when they get wind of what happened, the room won’t be under your name. As unlikely as that probably is, I don’t want to take any risks.”
Her features scrunch, and when she speaks, her voice sounds thin and strained. “I also didn’t think of that. Yes, please. If you could, that’d be great. I can pay you back this week.”
I force what I hope is a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it.” Pushing the door open, I step out. “Be right back. Lock the door while I’m gone.”
The valet makes his way to me. “Good evening, sir. Checking in?”
“Yes, I am. My wife’s in the car. I was going to leave it here for a few minutes while I run inside?” I have no idea whymy wifecame out of my mouth. I could have gone with anything. Friend. Girlfriend. Or a more generic—someone. But I didn’t. And I don’t think I want to examine that right now.
The young man smiles. “Of course, no problem at all.”
I’m glad the lobby is relatively empty for a Saturday as I head inside. The woman at the front desk greets me. “Hello, are you checking in with us tonight?”
Pulling out my wallet, I ask, “Hopefully. Do you happen to have a room for four nights?” Deciding to give her a storyin case she recognizes my name from a few years ago when I was in the news more, I say, “My place had some plumbing issues and flooded. I just need to stay a few days while they clean everything up.”
She nods and starts typing. “Yes, sir. We do actually have a few rooms left this week. So, do you have any preferences?”
I start to tell her no, but an urge to make sure Lily is comfortable leads me to say, “A king bed, and if you have any upgrades, I’d appreciate it.”
