Page 52 of Contentious

“What should I tell Julian?”

“You can call him in the morning to say you’ve decided to make a change. I’ll reach out to Kaidan and ask her to take over your case. If that’s all right with you.”

“Won’t he have questions?”

“I’m sure he will. I’ll talk to him.”

“I really like working with Julian, but I understand your dilemma. Does this mean you won’t be helping with my case anymore?”

“Not directly.”

“What does that mean?”

“I won’t officially be investigating your case on behalf of the firm. One of the investigators who works for my mother’s firm will take over that part of the case, as well as the surveillance, with all my notes to work with of course.”

“Oh.” Her expression turned guarded and perhaps a bit sad.

“What’re you thinking?”

“That you found a way out after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“You never wanted this to happen, and now that it has, you’re extricating yourself and your firm from my life. It’s your exit strategy.”

“That’s not what I’m doing. I’m making it so I can stay close to you and Ty until this situation is resolved without risking my license and the certification I worked hard to get. I’m in bed with a client. I’ve crossed every ethical line there is to cross here.”

“So you want to stay close to us because you’re worried about what Marlon might do?”

“Among other reasons.”

“What other reasons?”

He ran a fingertip from the base of her neck to her breast and circled her nipple. “More of this. More of you.”

“You said you didn’t want to be involved.”

“That’s still true, but nothing says we can’t enjoy each other for as long as it lasts, right?”

The question disappointed her. He’d enjoyed having sex with her. He wanted more of it. That’s all this was to him. “I suppose so.”

“Hey…”

She forced herself to look at him as he rested his hand on top of hers. “Hey what?”

“I want you to know… This is a line I’ve never crossed before in my life or career.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m not sure what any of this means, but you’re special to me.”

Cresley already knew him well enough to understand that he was struggling with how to manage a woman who was “special” to him. He had no experience with such things, and up until recently, he hadn’t wanted that. She was wise enough to know that people didn’t suddenly change their life rules because of one night of great sex.

He’d crossed a major line for her and was taking steps to mitigate the damage, which meant he must be planning to stick around for longer than one night. Why else would he bother if he could just step back over the line and return to “normal” after a quick lapse?

Since she was well aware that he might duck and run back to his safe existence, she needed to take full advantage while she had him naked in her bed.

Cresley took him by surprise when she straddled him and took grasped his hands.