She placed a hand on my forearm. “I want to be fair and we’re a new firm. You’d be taking a chance on us and if you do, I want to reward you for that. I want to promise you that these will always be your prices. For as long as I’m a partner, anyway.”
I tried to focus on her words, but I was distracted by the warmth of her hand. “I’ll think about it.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She slung the strap of her bag over her shoulder before walking toward the door.
I followed her, intending to lock the door when she left.
She turned to face me. “Thank you for this morning.”
“You’re welcome.” I wondered if I should mention she was welcome to try another class for free or if that was too pushy.
She turned, opening the door to leave.
“I have a class at six on Monday if you’re interested.” The words came out in a rush.
“I’ll think about it.” She turned slightly to me, a smile playing on her lips.
“That’s fair.” I hoped she’d take me up on my offer.
I watched her walk down the street and out of sight.
I closed my eyes and rocked on my heels. If I were her teacher, I’d have to be close to her, touch her. Could I be that close to her and not want more? If she were my attorney, we couldn’t cross that line anyway.
Chapter Six
Hadley
I forced myself to walk home, not looking back even though I felt Cade’s eyes on me. Was he as affected as I was? When he grasped my arm to demonstrate a move, an overwhelming feeling of longing and desire streamed through me as my heart pounded. His thumb softly stroked the sensitive skin on the inside of my wrist and my breath came in short pants.
His touch was thrilling and sweet torture. I told myself it was the proximity to a man who took care of his body.
When he brought my back against his very defined chest and his arm across my neck, I’d closed my eyes for a second and breathed in his scent—the starch of his uniform and soap—before I cleared my mind and allowed my prior training to take over.
I checked his eyes to see if there was a flicker of interest, but there wasn’t. He kept his lower body away from mine. I didn’t see his eyes dilate, his breathing increase, or his words waver.
Cade had lines around his eyes that made me guess he was in his thirties. He’d seen life. He’d lived it and suffered. An aura of sadness clung to him like the smell of sawdust. It never lifted and it never washed off. If I pursued him, I’d have to deal with the source of his pain. Would he trust me enough to share it with me?
I’d relive today when I closed my eyes tonight. I’d remember his scent, his touch, and the strength of his body as he twisted, flipped, and maneuvered me on those mats. I could easily imagine how he’d take control in bed.
Was it a good idea to continue with him as my teacher and my client? Especially when I was physically attracted to him. If he hired me, we couldn’t date. A sexual relationship between an attorney and a current client was a violation of the rules of professional conduct. I’d worked too hard to have my license suspended or taken away.
Not only was it unethical for anything to happen, but I never pursued men. In my circle, potential suitors were analyzed, much like the moves we’d gone through at the studio. Did the man come from a reputable family with money? Did he have a good education and job? Was this a good match—one that our families would support? It was never as visceral and straightforward as reacting to someone’s touch, his smell, or the desire to make someone smile.
I walked up the steps to my second-floor apartment, feeling pride in my tidy apartment, filled with things I’d bought. I stepped through the sliding glass door to the porch, overlooking the water. It was the reason I’d settled on this place. It was within walking distance to my office. It was calm and peaceful.
Had I felt anything for Layton when I first met him? A tingling in my blood, a vibration under my skin, a lightness in my chest, or a thundering of my heart? No, I hadn’t. Instead, I’d listed his details as I’d study for an exam.
Degree from a prestigious business school. Check.
A well-respected family who came from old money. Check.
A job in the successful family business. Check.
But the other side of the coin was a man who was cold, calculating, and manipulative like my father.
When I imagined a marriage proposal, I thought I’d be elated. I’d be looking down at the man I could see forever with. My heart would be full. Shouldn’t the proposal come with a declaration of love?
Kissing Layton was something I did but hadn’t enjoyed. I hadn’t imagined sinking into his hold to feel his body pressed against mine. I didn’t close my eyes to breathe in his scent without distractions. It was nothing like how my imagination ran wild when it came to Cade.
Maybe the reason I was attracted to Cade was because he was his own man. He owned a business and made his own decisions. He didn’t seem like he let anyone influence or pressure him. That was evident in how he’d assessed my moves this morning and carefully reviewed the estimate.
With his attentiveness to detail and form, I suspected he’d be phenomenal in bed. He’d note every sharp inhale of breath, each arch into him, and do whatever caused those reactions over and over again to please me. His pleasure would be derived from mine. The thought caused my core to clench.
My phone buzzed with an income text.
Cade: It’s Cade. I hope it’s ok for me to text. You
