Legally Bound (5 page)

Chapter Eight

B
obby and Paige never mentioned club Desire after that. It had been four days and the tension between them was so thick it could be cut with a knife. The long hours and working closely together did nothing to alleviate the sexual tension either.

Paige was annoyed to find Bobby staring at her and not the work whenever he thought she wasn’t paying attention. If she wasn’t good enough for his stupid little club why the heck did he insist on looking at her? It was making her blood boil with anger.

Did he reject her because she worked for the firm? That would be hypocritical. Some part of her wondered if it was because she was black. Now that she knew it was him and not some black guy that had to decline her for a club quota. She’d never been interested enough in his love life to know his usual type but she was sure she wasn’t it.

Just thinking about it confused her, he had been so tender at times with her that night. There was so much passion between them. She’d never done anything like that with any other man, and yet when it was over he rejected her. What annoyed her more than him was her stupid reaction to him.

Paige couldn’t be in the same room with him without her body responding to him. It was embarrassing how many pairs of ruined panties she had over the last few days. When he wasn’t staring at her she was staring at him, noticing things she never noticed before.

Like the way his dark wavy hair was always a sexy tousled mess. His lips were not just full but a sexy plump full that drew attention to them when he spoke. He had the cutest dimple in his left cheek. His hands were large and his fingers were long and strong looking. His smoky grey eyes were framed by thick long lashes. His eyes lit up when he laughed and his laugh was sexy as sin. Paige liked his sense of humor; he’d used it a lot when he was trying to defuse the tension between them.

At times she forgot he was the jerk that slept with her and rejected her only hours after. Bobby was doing his best to just be natural with her, but he had no control over how his body reacted to hers and how her body called to him like a siren. He hoped in time she would be able to see past what happened at club Desire and he could make his move. But he saw the look of contempt that crossed her face often, as if in those moments she recalled why she was so pissed off at him.

It was no wonder they weren’t getting half as much work done as they should have been. Between avoiding close contact and stolen glances they were moving at half the rate they should have been. Here it was Thursday and they had spent the week staying late into the night trying to get a handle on the depositions and case studies they been going through.

Camille stayed late a few nights like tonight to help out and avoid going home. Bobby had sent her out for something to eat while they plowed through some reading. Paige sat on her knees and heels peering over some notes from one of the interns. Bobby sat staring at her, watching her tuck her hair behind her ear.

The way her lips press together when she find something that interested her. He sat studying her curves in her fitted white blouse and her sexy stocking covered feet that were tucked under her luscious ramp, since she kicked off her heels.

“Ouch, ow, ow, ow,” Paige moaned and reached for her back.

Bobby shot off the couch where he was sitting rushing to her side. “What is it?” he asked brushing her hair from her face.

“Back spasm, my back is cramping,” Paige whined.

“Relax,” Bobby soothed moving behind Paige so that his legs were on either side of her cradling her in. He placed his hands on the small of her back and started to rub. “Is that better.”

“Yes, a little higher,” Paige moaned.

Bobby felt himself harden at her moans and the feel of her in his hands once again. He kept rubbing circles into her back and felt her relax into his touch. More little moans escaped her throat and he was lost in the moment. When Paige leaned back into him he leaned into her. Her head tilted to the side as his hands moved up to her shoulder blades. Paige sighed in pleasure and his mind was assaulted with images of her naked and open for him to take.

He bent his head and started to kiss her neck like it was the most natural thing to them. Her breath hatched but she didn’t pull away. Instead her hand moved to bury itself in his hair as soft moans filled the air. Bobby wrapped one arm around her waist and reached for her face with the other. Paige went to protest but he cut her words off by crush his mouth to hers.

He’d wanted this kiss for so long. Her lips were so soft and plush. She stiffened for just a moment before giving into the kiss. He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth and pulled a moan from her as he coaxed her mouth open with his tongue. Trailing the seam of her lips she finally opened for him. He groaned at the sweetness of her mouth as he swirled his tongue around hers.

The kiss went from tender and exploring to hungry and demanding as he slipped his fingers in her hair capturing her face to his. When she wiggled to get closer to him he tipped her head back to deepen the kiss, completely devouring her sweetness and whimpering pleas.

“You stay here, I will let her know you are here,” Camille snapped as she moved to the doors of Bobby’s office.

She was annoyed that her orders were ignored and he was right on her heels. The nerve of some people, she wouldn’t have let him up if she didn’t know he would just sit at Paige’s place to harass her all on her own. Pompous jerk had nerve even coming here at all.

“Paige?”

Bobby and Paige broke apart and Paige wiped around toward the voice calling her. Her face compressed as she rose to her feet. Bobby stood immediately standing behind Paige protectively. The tension in the room was no longer sexual but territorial. Both men bristled as they glared at each other. Paige just stood trying to process what she was seeing before her eyes.

“What are you doing here?” Paige snapped.

“We need to talk. I went to your place and you weren’t home I figured you were working,” Peter snapped back then snorted. “I guess I was wrong.”

“I am working,” Paige bit out.

“What part of the law requires his tongue down your throat?” Peter growled.

“Someone help me, please! Is he really standing there acting like a jealous boyfriend? Really?” This was incredulous.

“How did he get in here?” Bobby snapped at Camille who was frozen in place staring at her best friend who she just walked in on making out with her boss. Slowly pieces unseen were falling into place. Everything finally made sense.

“He saw me out front when I was coming back with dinner. He followed me up. I figure it would be better to be around when Paige…,” Camille stop talking when she realized her thoughts had her babbling.

“We need to talk, I know what you are thinking but I can explain. I would have come sooner but I had business I couldn’t get out of,” Peter eyes flicked between Paige and Bobby.

“We’re not doing this. You need to go,” Paige demanded as she felt her bottom lip start to tremble.

“Is it because of him? I’m I too late,” Peter scowled.

“No, it is not because of him. It is because of you. Look I’m not doing this here,” Paige hissed.

“Then where, because I’m not giving up until we talk,” Peter sighed.

“Fine,” Paige bit out. “I’ll meet you at my apartment when I’m done here.”

Bobby stiffened behind her, she was agreeing to see this jerk. He was watching his chance spill away. Peter glared at Bobby one last time before nodding at Paige and turning to leave. Camille was still frozen, her eyes flickering between Paige and Bobby.

“Camille, make sure security sees him off the premises and you can go for the evening,” Bobby said to Camille.

“Yes,” Camille murmured rushed to place the food on the table and leaving the office.

Bobby placed his hands on Paige’s shoulders. She jerked away and started snatch her things up. All the rage for Peter, Bobby and that stupid club boiling in her veins, she’d had enough. “Don’t touch me,” Paige barked.

“Paige,” Bobby said with hurt in his voice.

“No! I have no idea what made me start to date white man. It’s no different, no better. To you, I’m just some exotic trophy you get to brag about,” Paige sobbed no longer able to hold the tears in. “I won’t be your little whore for you to hide away while you have your white trophy wife you get to parade around. I won’t sit hidden while you make promises you won’t keep, while I waste away never getting the husband or the kids, only to look up one day and find that all I have is a career that’s going nowhere like my love life.

“I deserve better. I deserve to be loved and cared for. I deserve to be able to let down this iron clad wall around my heart and know that it’s safe. I deserve a man that I can give all my love to.

“I’ll let your father know after the engagement party that I’m leaving. I deserve better than working my ass off for a firm where I’ll never be partner despite being one of the best attorneys in the firm. One who helps all the others make a name for themselves without the real credit. Camille was right about one thing. It is time for me to change, if I’ve hit the ceiling here, then I might as well go off on my own.”

“Paige, just wait a minute,” Bobby croaked.

“No, fuck Peter and fuck you, Bobby Mairettie. I deserve more than a fucking note or a tabloid informing me I’m not good enough. I don’t deserve to be rejected over and over again. Not by Peter, not by you and not by some stupid club I never wanted any part of. In the end it’s not me, but all of you who lose.” Tears ran down Paige face as she fumed. “Just stay away from me.”

Paige stormed from the office leaving Bobby gutted. He had really made a mess of things. He hadn’t thought this through. He was thinking with his dick and it may have cost him the one woman he truly wanted.

He lifted his hand to his lips. He could still taste her. He was nothing like Peter. He wanted her for his wife, not his whore and not his trophy. He stumbled back at the thought. He was stunned. His feelings for Paige went deeper than amazing sex. He wanted that love she so wanted to give, he wanted to be that man.

~B~

“Honey,” Camille started as they stepped into the elevator.

“Please don’t Camille,” Paige sobbed.

“Hear me out Paige. I think you are being too hard on Bobby. He is a really great guy,” Camille brushed a hand over Paige’s hair.

Paige snorted. “Sure, amazing guy. He goes to a club to have sex with women and he is a known playboy. Hell Camille, he is a part of the admission process to that damn club. I can imagine the things he has done and the amount of women he has done them with.”

“He hasn’t been to the club in over a year before you and I did some digging. You’re the first he has actually had sex with on an admission session and he is very picky with his private partners,” Camille offered.

“Wait, you knew he was the one I slept with at the club,” Paige hissed.

“After you told me what happened I couldn’t believe you weren’t offered membership. I wanted to know what went wrong. An ice coffee and some chocolate and Lisa was an open book. Bobby requested to be your advisor. Your welcome package was already made up for Lisa to discuss with you before you left after your session, but Bobby went to her and told her not to admit you. He wouldn’t tell her why, he just said you weren’t to be offered membership under any circumstances,” Camille explained nervously.

“Oh, that really makes me feel better. How the hell did he even know I was looking to join the club,” Paige growled.

“I didn’t tell you something,” Camille said and bit her lip. “You need to be at top level with the club to sponsor someone. Bobby gave me his black card to sponsor someone and told me to give it to a friend. I think he was hoping I’d give it to you. Lisa said she was told to call Bobby the minute the card showed up. See, I think there is more to this.”

“Oh great Bobby Mairettie had a great scheme to get in my pants. Lucky me,” Paige snorted and sniffled.

“No Paige, it was more than getting into your pants. I didn’t get it until I saw him kissing you. That was not the kiss of a man just wanting sex. When I saw you two together it all clicked. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, he watches you. I never gave it any thought because it’s Bobby, but now when I think about it. It’s not just a look of lust. I think you’re blowing something good Paige.”

“I think that I’m going to pass on your advice this time,” Paige held up her hand to stop Camille from continuing. “I meant what I said. I’m tired Camille, of man and of not being appreciated. This discussion is over.”

The elevator chimed open at that moment bringing finality to her words.

Chapter Nine

J
ames Mairettie knew it was time to talk to his little prized attorney. She had worked hard for him and the firm since she stepped in the doors, fresh out of college. She was the best attorney in the firm and everyone knew it. He was proud of her. She never let being a woman or being black get in her way. He cared for her like one of his own children and he knew this talk was well over due.

She and Bobby were going to take this firm to the next level and James was ready to retire. With Sam married with a baby and Marcus engaged, he wanted to enjoy this time with his wife and grandchildren. James was just sorry he hadn’t had the time to tell Paige his plans sooner. It was actually a call from that bastard Peter Lacrosa that promoted him to hurry up and have the talk.

He never deserved a bright and passionate woman like Paige in the first place. Now that he lost her he had the nerve to call in a favor to win her back.
Over my dead body
, James thought as he made his way to Paige’s office. Paige was like a daughter to him, he wouldn’t see her hurt by that prick no matter how much business he brought in.

James stepped into Paige’s office to wait for her and was greeted by an enormous floral arrangement on her desk. The office was filled with the fragrance of red roses. James frowned at the thought of Peter’s slimy attempts to get to Paige. He plucked the card from the roses to read what the weasel was spewing.

James read the card and the signature on it, his brow raised and a smirk hit the corner of his lips. Maybe he would change his plans after all. This talk could wait.

~B~

Paige stepped off the elevator feeling drained. Peter spent half the night at her condo trying to convince her that the engagement was a rumor. Truth was she didn’t care. It took the rumor to make her see they were going nowhere. He wasn’t what she wanted and she didn’t love him. He certainly didn’t make her feel the way a certain someone else did. Even if
he
wasn’t the one, she now knew what real passion felt like and she refused to have anything less.

“Martha, I won’t be taking any calls for the next hour. If Bobby Mairettie calls tell him to email me, I won’t be available to sit in with the team this morning,” Paige said to her assistant as she made her way into her office.

Paige stopped cold in her tracks. The floral scent hit her at the door and the sight of the massive arrangement took her breath away. There had to be at least three or four dozen red roses on her desk. She grated her teeth as she realized these flowers could only be from one of two men, both in which she wanted nothing from.

She marched over to the arrangement and opened the card. She wasn’t sure why she was relieved to find this man to be the sender. Her heart raced a little at the thought of him.

You do deserve more than a note telling you how amazing you are, but since you won’t let me get the words out I have to do things this way. I’m sorry, but I’m not him. I won’t give up. We need to talk.

B. Mairettie

Paige tossed the note on her desk and pulled out her cellphone. She thought about her decision last night. She wouldn’t be rash and quit before closing the Lieberman and Oreeso cases. Once those cases were a success it would just be better for her new firm. She’d just let Bobby know this was a professional relationship and she wanted nothing more. He didn’t have to worry about her not working on the case.

Paige
: You don’t have to send flowers. I’ll remain until the cases are closed your wins are secure.

Bobby
: The flowers have nothing to do with work. I’ve made a mistake and I plan to fix it. Have dinner with me.

Paige narrowed her eyes at the message on her phone. He had to be out of his mind. He wasn’t hearing anything she was saying to him. She wanted a husband, someone to love not a fling.

Paige
: No. This is a professional relationship and will remain that way.

Bobby
: You and I know we have crossed that line and then some. I want to take you to dinner. Is eight good for you?

Paige
: No. Have a good day I will not be in meeting this morning.

Bobby
: I love it when you make me chase you, baby. It’ll make kissing those sweet lips so much better.

Paige snorted at the message but couldn’t surpass her smile. Her cheeks warmed as she remembered his lips against hers. Her body tingled when she thought of their night together and him calling her baby.

Paige
: A sexual harassment suit would be bad for you but would help me with the start of my new firm.

Bobby
: I couldn’t have the future Mrs. Mairettie leaving the family empire. After all she is the glue to this place. It will just be dinner. No sex, no harassment.

Paige’s mouth popped open. She had wondered if Bobby had lost his mind, now she was sure of it. That or he really would do anything to keep her here at this firm. The Mairetties were known to be ruthless.

Paige
: No. This conversation is over. I’m not for sale. Lieberman and Oreeso and I’m done.