Transfer （n.） – Olivia #2
1a. Follow my rules to the letter.
1b. Never question my rulings or thoughts on the law.
I was only sixty pages into Judge Ashton’s employee guidebook and I was itching to take out a red pen for edits.
This man was dedicating twenty pages to explain every office rule when he could’ve condensed this into a simple list.
I flipped the page and finally made it to a new rule.
1c. Never give me YOUR thoughts on the law. (Unless I ask for them…and I won’t.)
Ugh.
As I clicked my highlighter, the sound of heels clacking against the floor made me look up.
For some strange reason, everyone in the office was running to the exit door.
Papers and files fluttered in their wake, and they didn’t look back.
“Is something wrong?” I asked. “Is this a fire drill?”
None of them looked back to answer.
Within seconds, they were gone.
I was all alone.
“Okay, then…” I shut the book. “Maybe it’s lunchtime.”
I slung my purse over my shoulder and stood to my feet right as the back door swung open.
I waited for another employee to run past me, but it was Him.
Him in robe, coming directly from court.
I tried to look away, to get the hell out like everyone else, but my feet were refusing to move.
Stopping at his desk, he slowly took off his robe, revealing a white button-down shirt and dark gray slacks.
“Mara?” He slid a pair of reading glasses off his face. “What time am I meeting my new…”
His voice trailed off as he looked over at me.
Run, Olivia. Just run…
My feet still refused to get the memo, and I was helplessly rooted to my spot. Somehow, this man had become even sexier since the last time I’d seen him, and I didn’t appreciate the effect he was having on me.
I attempted to move one more time, but it was hopeless.
His deep gaze held me still.
He stared at me for several seconds, making the butterflies in my chest flutter without saying a word. Then he stepped out of his office, walking closer.
“Hello, Miss,” he said, extending his hand. “What’s your name?”
So, he doesn’t really remember me?
“Olivia.” I shook his hand, and that mere touch sent a sudden jolt of heat through my body. “Olivia Spencer.”
He must’ve felt it too, because his eyes flashed with shock, and he immediately let go.
“It’s very nice to meet you for the very first time, Olivia.” The way he said my name made my panties wet. “Why are you in my chambers without permission?”
“Because today’s my first day working here,” I said. “I’m your new law clerk.”
“I see…” His lips curved into a smirk. “Were you hired to be on top of me?”
“Um…what?”
“Are you going to be on top?” he asked again, and the words completely went over my head.
I stared at him without an answer, and he didn’t look like he had the slightest intention of making himself any clearer.
“Do you have any legal experience?” He changed the subject instead.
“I used to report on a few trials here and there,” I said. “And I made it halfway through law school before jumping ship for a master’s in Journalism.”
“That doesn’t seem like a wise choice.”
“I had my reasons…”
“What were they?”
I opened my mouth to tell him, but the incident that led to my decision was far too intimate to share with a stranger. The memories still harbored too much pain, and as much as I tried to believe I was over everything, just the thought of them shifted my world on its axis.
“The reasons were personal,” I said. “If I could go back in time, I would’ve finished my law degree.”
“Hmmm.” He nodded. “So, are you familiar with how the criminal court in this city works?”
“Just when it comes to bench warrants and traffic crimes.”
“Is that due to personal experience?”
“I plead the fifth.”
“It’s a yes or no question, Miss Spencer,” he said. “You’re not on trial.”
“Then I really don’t have to answer anything…”
His eyes gleamed and he looked like he wanted to laugh.
“Fair enough,” he said. “So, just to be clear, you’ve never committed any crimes yourself?”
“I’ve never been convicted of any.”
“That’s not what I asked.” His eyes were locked on mine. “Have you ever committed a crime?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Never.”
“And you would never lie about something like that, would you?”
“Not at this pay rate, no.”
“Good to know,” he said. “I’m into punishing criminals, not working with them.”
I tried to read his eyes, to see if he was insinuating something, but all I could see was intrigue. And something a bit darker I couldn’t quite place…
“I hope you’ll last here a long time,” he said. “I could really use the help.”
“I’m planning to, Your Honor.”
“You don’t need to call me that unless we’re in court,” he said. “Judge Ashton is fine. What do you like to be called?”
“You mean, like at work, right?”
“Yes.” His smile was truly lethal. “Where else would I ever see you?”
Right… “You can call me Olivia.”
“Would you mind if I kept it formal at Miss Spencer?”
“Not at all.”
“Good. I’ll do that.”
Silence.
Neither of us said a word for several minutes, and I could feel a palpable tension building between us. I could feel myself being drawn to him, like if he didn’t move soon, I would be tempted to close the gap between us.
“I take it that Mara instructed you to use today to go over my rulebook?” He finally spoke again.
“She did, yes.”
“Well, if I were you I’d make sure to finish it as quickly as you can,” he said, stepping back. “This will be the easiest day you ever have under me…”
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. “Looking forward to working with you, Judge Ashton.”
“Me, too, Miss Spencer.” He smiled. “Me too…”
He looked me over one last time before returning to his office and slamming the door shut.