CHAPTER NINE
ZANDER
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As I run through the park, I try to get the image of Courtney winking at me out of my head.
I fail.
Again.
All night I tossed and turned, dreaming about her.
Of laying her out on my office sofa and burying my face in her pussy.
Of pulling her onto my lap while we drove through Manhattan and yanking my cock out of my pants, telling her to sit on it.
Of following her up to her penthouse and stripping every inch of clothing off her to finally get a glimpse of her breasts.
C-cups. I’d put money on it.
I shouldn’t have touched her; that’s what started this. The zing of arousal that shot through me the moment I felt the warmth of her body on my palm.
I want more.
Like forbidden fruit, I want more.
I’m starting to paint a picture of who Courtney Blackmore, nee Courtney Jones, is.
She held three jobs prior to marrying Adam Blackmore. A cashier at Walmart back in Arizona, waitress in Manhattan, and then the modeling gig where they met.
That’s it.
It sounds like their entire marriage he’s been controlling. She hasn’t been allowed to work or further her education as she desired. He kept all their money under his name and forced her to undertake business duties she wasn’t paid for.
I’ve seen that kind of control before by wealthy men and find it revolting.
Are their cocks not big enough?
I pressed her again later in the evening, and she sighed, replying, Mr. Sterling, it was what my husband expected.
Courtney doesn’t strike me as a woman who puts up with a man running her life, and yet that’s what happened. Why?
With me she’s confident and sassy.
Hell, that wink took me by surprise.
You’re my lawyer, not a date and not my friend. Remember?
Oh, I remember.
I had to wonder if she didn’t want me walking her to her door because John the painter was waiting to service her pussy.
I grind my teeth.
I shouldn’t give a damn what John was doing to Courtney’s pussy. She says they’re over, but who knows.
The fact that it irked me...irked me.
Which means I’ve officially lost my fucking mind over a client who I apparently want to undress and have my wicked way with and can’t.
Wonderful.
“Hey buddy.”
I snap out of my haze to see Dereck, Drew’s cousin, jogging on the spot before me.
I nearly ran into him.
“Oh, hey. Morning,” I puff.
I’ve been pushing myself hard this morning.
I glance back and spot Freddie a few feet behind. He looks grateful for the break even though the guy is ex-special forces and much fitter than I am, which is fair. The guy uses the company gym during the day while I’m sitting on my ass in meetings.
Then again, I make billions while sitting on my ass. I can’t complain, though; my physique is in good condition.
“Heard you’re working the Blackmore divorce.” Dereck plants his hands on his hips, drawing in oxygen.
It’s not a secret. Courtney announced it, and he would have heard about Adam’s infidelity claim. These things are gossiped about among the business community like teenage girls.
I lean into a stretch. “I am.”
He knows I can’t talk about it, so I’m surprised he brought it up.
“Think she’s guilty? Another Sandy?” Dereck asks. “Not that she’s killed him yet.”
Yet?
His comment irritates me more than I want to admit. The irony is that I’m usually the cynical one. Lifting my bottle, I take a swig instead of telling him to fuck off.
“Well,” I sigh noisily. “If she does, that will make my job redundant. I’m not a criminal lawyer.”
We share a laugh.
I can’t imagine Courtney hurting anyone. Although she did look like she wanted to hurl a lamp at me a few times last night as I nudged for the last piece she’s keeping from us.
She’ll break eventually.
Whatever it is, it keeps eating at me.
What really made her leave?
I push thoughts of her away, focusing back on my life.
“I take it you’ll be at the Spring Ball this Friday?” Dereck asks, referring to the Annual New York Spring Ball that’s attended by everyone. The one percenters.
The spring gala season is well underway. I don’t attend all of them, but it’s a great way to network, rub shoulders with peers, and ensure my name is on their mind when they decide to divorce.
Someone is always divorcing someone.
“Ah,” I rub the scruff on my face. “Most likely. It will depend how things go this week with this client.”
Courtney.
The woman whose leg I palmed last night. Jesus, anyone would think I was a fucking virgin. One touch of her thigh and suddenly everything has changed.
It would’ve if I’d tugged it over my leg and ripped her panties off.
Yeah, that would’ve most definitely changed the way last night ended. And my fucking career.
Which is why it will never happen.
“I look forward to hearing how they settle. The media are already doing a pool.” Dereck shakes his head. “Reason ninety-nine for not getting married, am I right?”
I laugh. “If you do, make sure you come to me for your divorce.”
Like many of my friends, Dereck is a successful entrepreneur.
He started a luxury fashion brand a few years back, and thanks to social media, his celebrity pals, and his knack at engaging his followers, it exploded.
From socks to podcasts, his brand is expanding in all directions and collaborating with the hottest names in the world.
A lifestyle brand magnate, they call it.
Damon, Drew’s stepbrother, and no relation to Dereck, owns a streaming platform which is becoming so big it’s competing with the big boys. I’ve heard rumors they’re working on some major projects.
“Keen to hear more about what you and Damon are working on.”
Dereck laughs. “That’s locked up tight right now, but it’s fucking exciting.”
I bet.
Now I’m even more intrigued.
“Good to see you, Sterling. Make sure that Vanguard, Junior doesn’t knock you off your perch.” Dereck slaps my back. “See you Friday.”
“You probably will.” I glance over at Freddie and consider doing another circuit. The thought of Warren Vanguard has me fired up. He’ll be doing everything he can to ensure his client pays out the least possible, whereas I’m attempting to get Courtney as much as I can.
The end result will impact Courtney’s life and my ranking as a divorce attorney. If Vanguard wins it puts me back probably a year from my greater goal of being recognized nationally.
I won’t let Blackmore or Junior do that.
I’m the goddamn shark.
Courtney’s hot ass and cute wink might have distracted me, but bumping into Dereck just snapped me out of it.
I shouldn’t be thinking about her, my client, the way I have been. From this moment on, I’m refocusing my priorities which are:
- Destroying Adam Blackmore’s strategy.
- Securing fifty percent of the assets for Courtney my client.
- Maintaining my position as The Shark.
- Then watching her hot ass leave my office.
Goddamn it.