Temptations - The Complete Series Page 6

  “What’s the case about?”

  I took a deep breath. “It’s the Slade Bridgewell case.”

  Michael’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? You’re working that? You just got on at that firm, and you’re already assigned to something like that?”

  “No. I mean, I’m on the legal team, but I couldn’t imagine I would take the lead on this. I’m doing the preliminaries, though.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning I’m staying there with him all this week. I have to, as Malcolm put it, ‘find out what makes him tick.’ The translation for that, of course, is that Malcolm feels that I can use my abilities to find the truth of the matter.”

  “And? Is it working?”

  I shook my head. “No. It doesn’t seem to be.” I sighed. “He’s very closed off. I could sense that from the very beginning. He has this affable, friendly demeanor, but it’s all a façade. Unfortunately, I’m unable to get anything clear from him. It’s like he has this brick wall up.”

  Michael sat back in his chair. “Ah, I get it. You got the hots for this cat.” Then he shrugged. “Not that I blame you. He’s pretty smoking.” Then he looked at me. “What? I can say a guy is smoking. That doesn’t make me gay.”

  I smiled. “I didn’t say that it did. You know that men your age are much more likely to say a guy is attractive than older guys do. That doesn’t make any of them gay, either.”

  “That’s cool. So, what’s the problem?”

  I shook my head. “I do find him extraordinarily attractive. I can’t help it. He has this magnetism. He’s virile and handsome and….graceful. Discerning. My head is going haywire. So, my attraction to him, combined with the fact that he’s closed-off.” I shook my head. “I’m worried that I can’t do my job. The job that Malcolm wants me to do.”

  Michael sipped his water, and the waitress came back around. I ordered the cauliflower cakes, “aioli made with oil, not butter,” and Michael ordered the grilled salmon.

  “I don’t understand,” Michael said after the waitress left. “Why does Malcolm even care if the guy is guilty or not?”

  “Well, he doesn’t want to look bad if it turns out that Slade is acquitted, when the whole world knows that he’s guilty. Not to mention the fact that he doesn’t want to lose this case. It will also help the defense if we know if he’s guilty or not. And, really, I’m the perfect person to do the preliminaries if you think about it. We can’t put him on the stand if he confesses to his guilt, so we certainly don’t want him to admit to anything. Yet I can presumably tell if he’s lying. The only problem is, I can’t tell at all if he’s lying.”

  “That is a problem,” Michael agreed. “What are you going to do about that?”

  I took a deep breath. “What do you recommend? Should I try to talk to Malcolm about excusing me from this case, or do I keep going, knowing that I’m probably not going to get a good read on him? Or should I just try to keep getting a solid read? I’m only human, after all. I can’t always turn on my psychic abilities on command, as much as Malcolm wants me to. I’m kind of in a dilemma here.”

  “You are, that’s for sure. If you want my opinion, and I think that you surely do, then I say that you need to stick it out. You’re not a quitter. And if you don’t give Malcolm accurate information, then you don’t give him accurate information. You’re not a trained monkey. You can’t just dance on command. So, don’t worry about it. You won’t lose your job over it.”

  “No. But I might lose my reputation. Not to mention the reputation of the firm.”

  Michael broke open the bread that had just appeared in front of us, and looked at me. “He shouldn’t have put you in that position. If you lose your job over something like that, I would think that you would have grounds to sue.”

  I smiled. “Sue for what? Psychics aren’t exactly a protected class under the Civil Rights Act.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Race, gender, national origin and disabilities are all protected. You can’t fire someone just because they’re black or a woman or they’re disabled, unless the particular disability interferes with the job description. But I can get fired for not providing an accurate empathic reading.”

  “Ah, I see. Well, it sounds like you might get fired either way.” Then he smiled. “And, Serena, you probably will be fired for sleeping with this guy, so don’t go there. Even though I know that you want to. I can see it in your eyes.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” I said. “I’m not stupid. I know that sleeping with him would be a no-no, to say the very least.”

  “Ummmmkay,” he said. “Well, then…” At that, the waitress brought us our food. We dug in with gusto, talking the rest of the time about things that had nothing to do with Slade.

  For the first time in days, I truly felt relaxed.

  After lunch, I headed back up to Los Angeles. I caught the Pacific Coast Highway when I got north of Del Mar. This was a much more scenic route up the coast, even though it didn’t go all the way up to LA. Parts of the PCH went through quaint little coastal towns, the ocean gleaming close by. I loved this part of California, and I wondered how I ever managed to live for so long in New York City, in that cramped brownstone. Not that I didn’t love the vibrancy of that city, because I did. And Luke was nearby, and, probably more importantly, Dalilah. I loved her more than I loved my own sister, Amy, because Dalilah got me. She got me far more than any member of my family, probably because she didn’t know me before I changed. She didn’t know the brat that I used to be. She embraced me fully, and that meant the world to me.

  A few hours later, after exiting the PCH and getting on the Five, I was on the road to Malibu. I felt considerable anxiety, and I had no idea why. All that I knew was that there was a prickly, icy-cold feeling that I tried hard to shake. I was getting close, I knew, to getting to the point where I could uncover Slade’s demons. They were there, just beneath the surface. I knew it. I could feel it.

  Winding my way up the steep hill to his house, I felt a bit calmer. Then, when I approached the gate, and there were more reporters than ever, not to mention a helicopter, I felt the anxiety rising again. I had no clue what awaited me, but it couldn’t be good. It was six o’clock, and I didn’t know when the party was going to start, but I would imagine it would be soon. I ignored the reporters, of course, and they didn't try to harass me, and I was soon in the gate.

  I made my way to his home, which was completely abuzz. There were teams of waiters in black ties, pants, and tuxedo shirts. They were busy setting up tables in the grand room, which was as large as any ballroom. It was filled with tables with white tablecloths, a centerpiece of star lilies and wildflowers, and candles. In the kitchen, there was an entire crew of people back there, preparing lobster and grass-fed filet mignon, risotto and salads. In the bar area, there was another crew of people who were standing at the ready.

  I found Slade, who was busy directing somebody, presumably the head of the wait crew, about everyone’s stations. He glanced at me, barely, and then asked the wait crew head to find him the head chef, because he needed to talk to him too.

  I waited patiently, and then he turned to me. “What happened to you today?” he asked me.

  “I went out.” I didn’t really want to give him any more information than that.

  “Out where?”

  I didn’t like his tone of voice. It was accusing, with a hint of bitterness. “Out.”

  “Well, you probably should check with me before doing that. You’re lucky that you weren’t followed by a reporter.”

  “Why should I care if I am?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You’re my lawyer. Are you new to this? You obviously are. I can tell that you’ve never been involved in a case like this one.” Then he clicked on the television, and Fox News came on. They were discussing his case. He clicked on another channel. CNN. Also discussing his case. Another channel. MSNBC. Discussing his case.

  “Do you get the picture here? You don�
��t want some reporter stalking you. You might give them more information than you should, if you aren’t properly trained on what to say. Which I suspect is the case.”

  I felt my bile roiling. “Mr. Bridgewell, I’ll have you know that I’m a professional. I’ve had plenty of courses on legal ethics, thank you very much, and I know better than to discuss a single word of what you told me, which wasn’t much. But if you think for one second that I would ever, and I mean ever, slip up to a reporter about your case, then I’m disappointed in you. You obviously believe that I’m some kind of green first year law student who is seeking the limelight. You couldn’t be more wrong about that.”

  At that, he put his hands on my shoulders, and looked me right in the eye. In spite of my anger, I felt electricity shooting throughout my body where he was touching me. It almost burned. I tried to ignore my aching nether parts, which suddenly, and without will, were standing to attention as well. I blinked my eyes, trying to ignore how captivated I suddenly felt. My breathing was shallow as his face got closer to mine.

  “I apologize. Of course, you’re a professional. It’s just that I’ve had more people selling me up the river than I care to fathom. People I have trusted have talked. None of these people are in my inner circle anymore, of course. I just don’t want to lose another one. That’s all.”

  I closed my eyes, feeling his sincerity in my bones. “It’s okay, Slade,” I said. “You have every right to be angry. From now on, I’ll be sure and let you know personally when I leave and what I’ll be doing. It was very unprofessional of me to leave like that.”

  He stared at me for a second. “I think that’s the first time you called me by my first name.” Then he smiled. “I kinda like it. Lawyers usually don’t do that unless I give them permission, which I didn’t with you. But it makes me feel that you and I are a bit more than lawyer and client.” At that, he seemed to get a devilish look in his eyes.

  I then felt the heat between us, and I looked down at the floor. “Maybe we should keep it lawyer-client. After all, I’m staying here with you for the week. It might be weird.”

  He put his finger on my chin and lifted up my face. I tried to ignore the weakness in my knees as his face got closer and closer to mine. Then, just like that, he pulled away. “Not weird. It’s nice. Please, continue to call me Slade. That’s my name, after all.”

  And, just like that, he turned his back and walked away. I saw him speaking to a guy with a tall chef’s hat on, and I had to admit that I had to recover from him touching me so intimately on my chin. For a second, it looked like he wanted to kiss me, and I was embarrassed to admit that I was begging for that.

  We were more than lawyer and client. I hated to think about what that might mean to him.

  I had to talk myself down, because my heart was pounding out of my chest, and my hands were shaking like leaves in a strong wind. You’re his lawyer, Serena. You can’t have him. That would be completely unethical. And, besides, he’s not interested in you.

  When I told myself that last part though, I wasn’t so sure. There was certainly something there in those piercing green eyes of his, while he looked at me so intensely. I could feel it coming from him. He seemed to be as attracted to me as I was to him.

  I sighed. I was in trouble - that was for sure. That electrical spark between us was going to cloud my judgment and possibly send my natural intuitive senses completely haywire.

  I might never get to the truth about him.

  Chapter 7

  At 7 PM, the party was in full swing. Everyone was standing around, eating hors d’oeusvres, which consisted of caviar, salmon puffs, enormous prawn cocktails and beef carpaccio. There was light classical music floating through the air, and I saw a four-piece quartet in the corner. The hall was filled to the brim with people in black tie and evening gowns. It seemed like the crème de la crème was there, from Senators to models and actors. There were quite a few people that I recognized as major film producers and actresses, as well as people that I knew were prominent artists and business people. I didn’t recognize everyone there, of course, but I knew that there had to be quite a few billionaires in that room.

  And, of course, I noticed that there were a few people taking pictures. I went over to Slade, who was holding court in a tuxedo. I felt underdressed, even though I was wearing a sundress and heels. I didn’t think to pack a formal evening gown, of course, never imagining that Slade would have what looked to be a charity ball right when he was under investigation for a brutal murder.

  Tone-deaf. That was the only word for him at that point. “Slade,” I said.

  He put his arm around me and smiled. “Everyone, I would like for you to meet Serena Roberts. She’s the person who is going to put this whole sorry affair to bed for me. Serena, this is Senator Johnson, Charlotte Boswell and Max Pierson. Max is an amazing artist who actually just got a showing at the Louvre, of all places. You really should check out some of his pieces – they’re amazing, and I have more than one in this home.”

  I nodded to everyone, and Charlotte, who was a willowy brunette with large breasts, long legs and a perfect face, looked at me suspiciously. “I’m very pleased to meet you,” she said. “I’m Slade’s girlfriend.”

  Slade just looked at me, and shook his head. It was then that I recognized her from all the cosmetic ads that she had done. She was a famous runway model who just got a major part in a film coming that fall.

  I had to admit, my heart fell when she introduced herself as Slade’s girlfriend. I wasn’t aware that he had a girlfriend, of course. I thought that he had lots of girlfriends, not just one, although I had to admit that every other girl that I had seen him with were just like this Charlotte person. Gorgeous, statuesque, and without an ounce of fat on them.

  Slade looked at the little group of people. “Would you please excuse me,” he said. “I believe that Serena needs to talk to me in private. I will be right back.”

  At that, he took my hand, and I felt the electricity shoot up through my arm again. Every hair stood on end, and I cursed these involuntary reactions to him. My body was betraying me. It was betraying my mind, too, because all I could think of when I was led through the crowd of people was what it would be like to see this magnificent man naked.

  We finally got to the den, which was closed off to the party at the moment. However, judging by the way that it was set up, I assumed that there would come a time when the party was going to be heading that way. There were candles and flower arrangements everywhere in that room, where there weren’t these things in that room before.

  “I can see that you need to talk to me. And, thanks, by the way. Charlotte can’t seem to get into her head that we’re through. I didn’t even invite her. She just showed up, and I didn’t want to make a scene, so I just let her stay.”

  I nodded my head. “I wanted to tell you that there are paparazzi in this place.”

  “Of course,” he said. “There always is. I always invite a few reporters and photographers to my functions. How else can I get publicity for the cause?”

  “I’m embarrassed to even ask this, because I guess I should have asked this before. But what is the function for tonight? I guess I didn’t realize that it would be so formal.”

  He smiled. “What, you thought that there would be a host of topless floozies here and men bashing guitars? That’s next Saturday night.” He wasn’t smiling, but I got the joke anyhow. Then he broke into a grin. “Nah, I don’t tend to have those other kinds of parties anymore. I go to some, though. But this is a charity ball for the ASPCA. I’m on the board, and it’s my pet cause, no pun intended.”

  I shook my head, feeling ashamed. I berated him for partying while he was under suspicion of murder, and I didn’t even bother to ask him what the party was for. ASPCA was a charity that was near and dear to my heart, too, as I annually donated thousands to them. I kind of loved that this was his “pet cause,” no pun intended.

  He looked at me, and took my hands. “Was that
all that you wanted to say to me? That there are photographers here?”

  “Yes,” I said, feeling my face go white-hot.

  He nodded his head. “I love that you’re looking out for me, but I got this. It’s your job, though, to make sure that my image isn’t tarnished while I’m under investigation. Not indictment, though. Hopefully I won’t be indicted. But, seriously, I got this. I wouldn’t imagine that having a charity ball would make me look bad to the public, but you just never know.”

  He put his hand in my hair. “I forgot to mention, but you have gorgeous hair.”

  I closed my eyes, reveling in his touch. “Thanks,” I finally said. My heart rate was going through the roof, and his fingers were leaving a trail of burning flesh in their wake.

  Then, just like that, he dropped his hand. He looked around, because the door was opening. There stood Charlotte, big as life, giving me the stink-eye like nobody had ever given me the stink-eye before. “There you are,” she said tightly to Slade. “Senator Boxer is looking for you. I know that you don’t want to keep her waiting, since she’s so integral to your cause.”

  Slade just nodded his head. “Of course.” Then he turned to me. “So sorry, Serena. I know that you’re looking out for me, but I do have to do a little ring-kissing. There’s legislation pending and I need all the congressmen and women I can get on-board this thing. We’re trying to end gestation crates for all pigs, and I can’t think of anything more important.”

  He left, and I caught my breath again. He looks like that, and he’s passionate about animal rights? I shook my head. I was getting way, way over my head on this one. All I could think was that I couldn’t possibly do my job correctly.

  I had to detach myself. I knew that I had to try to do that, so I closed my eyes and found my center. Sometimes meditation helped me when I was feeling stressed out or out of sorts. I needed to find the calm that I was just starting to find when I was thrust into this man’s life. I wished, anew, that I was home, where I felt safe.