Chapter 1 #3
“Welcome to Clover Park,” Mackenzie says near my ear, rocketing me back to the present.
“Thank you,” I say politely, shifting back a little. There’s this incredible heat radiating off her body. Or is that heat between our bodies? She’s so sexy, and I can’t even believe I notice that with today’s breakup. That’s compartmentalizing for you.
Her blue eyes meet mine, and my mouth goes dry. “Long shot, but do you know Sutton Davis? She’s from Minnesota, too, and, you know, same last name.”
A corner of my mouth lifts. “Sure, I know everyone in the great state of Minnesota.”
“Smartass.”
I grin. “Sutton’s my little sister. That’s how I heard about Clover Park and Gabe Reynolds looking for someone to take over his law practice.
She subscribes to the Clover Park Record.
” My sister is a ball of sunshine, always bright and enthusiastic.
She’s a full-time virtual assistant for Brooks Campbell Security here in Clover Park.
“She works for me!”
It suddenly clicks. Mackenzie’s mom is Hailey Campbell. “You’re the extraordinary Mackenzie Campbell?”
She laughs. “Yes! And she’s extraordinary too. Her research skills are amazing. She can take technical specs from any industry and translate that into a report that’s the basis of every proposal we put together. And she’s fast!”
“She goes on and on about you. Mackenzie’s so smart. Mackenzie runs the place with confident authority. Mackenzie can do anything.”
She tosses her hair. “It’s nice to have a fan.”
I can’t seem to look away from her sparkling blue eyes.
This is a woman who likes to have fun, and when was the last time I had fun?
Rayna was an activist, always angry and worked up over one cause or another.
Then there was my job. Corporate law isn’t exactly a joyride.
Only my pro bono work for the women’s shelter brought satisfaction.
“Any chance you could get her to move here?” she asks. “I’ve asked her more than once, but she always dodges the question. Maybe with her brother in town…”
“I wish she would. She’s been with her crap boyfriend since high school, and he’s not going anywhere.”
She stills, shifting back to look up at me. “Why is her boyfriend crap?”
“He doesn’t appreciate her like he should. Sutton’s special.”
She gives me a soft smile. “That’s so sweet. What a nice brother you are.” She shifts closer. An inconvenient spike of raw lust hits.
“Just the truth.”
Would it be so bad to have a little fun?
Yes.
I don’t do casual hookups. I’ve had a series of relationships that all ended…badly. Hmm, maybe time to change things up?
What am I even thinking? I know better than to jump into a relationship right after a breakup.
Besides, it’s a bad professional move. I just got here.
Trust and a good reputation are everything in a small town like Clover Park.
Those were Gabe Reynolds’s exact words when he hired me.
I owe it to him to keep the stellar reputation of his law practice intact.
The music must’ve changed to another slow song at some point.
I didn’t notice. I spy her parents, Josh and Hailey, dancing.
They talk as they dance close, a natural rhythm between them.
Reminds me of my parents when I was a kid.
They used to roll the living room rug back to dance and really let loose.
I didn’t know how rare their happiness was as a kid.
I just thought they were embarrassing. No wonder Dad never got over her.
“What else did Sutton say about me?” Mackenzie asks with a cheeky grin.
“She says if she lived closer, she’d like to hang with you.” I grimace. “I’m not sure if I was supposed to share that.”
Her hand goes to her chest. “No, it’s nice! I always thought the same thing. Funny she never mentioned you.”
“Obviously she idolizes me.”
“Ha! I’d love to take her on in a larger role if she lived closer.”
I lift my brows. “Okay if I tell her that?”
“I’ll do it. Do you think she’ll marry that guy?”
“Not anytime soon. He’s still sowing his wild oats.”
She steps back, looking outraged. “Does she know he’s cheating on her?”
“She knows, but doesn’t want to know. He always explains away suspicious activity. I’ve tried to talk to her about it, but she gets defensive.”
“Hmm…”
“Yeah.”
She draws close again. I hold her stiffly at the waist, preventing any further closeness. Just feels safer that way.
She gives me a sweet smile. “I like dancing with you.”
I clear my throat. Just be polite. “Yeah, me too.”
We’re quiet for the rest of the dance, but somehow that makes it worse.
Her hand slides from my shoulder to my elbow in a warm path, easing my stiff hold on her waist until she’s moved so close our bodies brush against each other as we sway, a little brush to my chest; her chin brushes my shoulder. It would be rude to push her away.
The heat builds between us, a sparking tension, like our bodies are communicating on a primal level. This is bad. As soon as this song ends, I’m outta here.
The song ends, and she grabs my hand. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
I follow her.