Chapter 10
Lila
I am playing with fire, and I am definitely going to be burned. I cannot believe that Max and I haven’t kissed or killed each other yet.
We only met each other this morning, but I feel like I’ve known the man for a lifetime.
And I might just be a little crazy because I have an overwhelming desire to feel his lips on mine.
I now understand what it is to be both drawn to someone and want to run away at the same time.
Max confuses and enrages me in the most delicious of ways, and if he wasn’t my boss, I’d go all in to see what sort of crazy he could bring to my life.
I've always thought a great love affair could take my acting and emotional vulnerability to the next level.
However, he is my boss. I need the paycheck more than I need oxygen, and I don’t really need the emotional entanglement of being with a man like Max.
However, the more I think about it, the more I think that Max could be the perfect man to break my heart.
My acting could really go to the next level if I got involved with a man like him.
I peek at him on the other side of the elevator. He's staring at something on his phone, and there's a frown on his face that, for once, is not directed at me.
The elevator doors open, and we step out into the foyer of what appears to be a penthouse apartment.
It's luxurious to the point that I wouldn't be surprised if the King of England himself stepped out. The expansive floors are all shining white marble, and there’s a huge crystal chandelier glittering from the embossed ceiling. A tall man with prominent features, who I recognize from my research as Jack Whittington, stands there waiting for us. I’m taken aback by how tight his gray suit fits his body.
The trousers look like they could have been let out a little because his bulge is there for all to see.
“Do my eyes deceive me, or do you look like you could become my third wife?” Jack asks in dulcet tones as he takes my hand and kisses my palm.
My heart races as I stare at him. It’s weird because I really don’t find him attractive, but still, I’m drawn to him.
I guess that’s the magic of men with money.
My palm tingles as he reluctantly lets go of my hand and takes a step back.
He hums something under his breath, and I feel my uncomfortability monitor rising quickly.
I hear Max clear his throat and turn to look at him.
He's frowning as he steps forward with his hand held out.
"I'm Max Spector. It's good to meet you, Jack.
Or would you rather I call you Mr. Whittington?
" He stands in front of me so that he is now next to Jack, and I feel like he's just become my shield.
I wonder if he did that on purpose. Is he being my knight in shining armor or just trying to cockblock me?
He's either sweet or a douchebag.
I need to stop thinking about him as anything other than my boss.
Note to self: This is real life, Lila. This is not a play or a role. Max Spector is not your leading man. This is not going to end up with you receiving a Golden Globe or an Oscar.
Those golden statues would be like my babies if I ever won one.
The only golden baby I could possibly end up with would be puking all over me, with chubby cheeks and irresistible blue eyes. And I’m not quite ready to be a mother. Not that Max is ready to be a father. Or that I’d even want him to be the father of my children.
I need to stop letting my imagination run away with me.
"Call me Jack." Jack gives me a smoldering smile, then turns to size up Max. He holds out his hand and gives it a solid shake. I watch as the two men take stock of each other. Jack nods as if he's impressed by what he sees. "I've heard good things about you."
"Really?" Max says, though there's no surprise in his tone. Suddenly, I want to google Max and find out everything I can about him. Our interaction in the car had been fraught with tension, and I almost felt like he was going to pull me onto his lap and devour me. Or maybe that had been wishful thinking. He’s gorgeous, and I’m drawn to him in ways that I've never been drawn to any other man before in my life.
I need a lobotomy.
"So, are you another one of the attorneys at the firm?
" Jack turns back to me and gives me a once-over. I feel his eyes on my legs and shiver, but not from warmth or butterflies, but rather coldness. Jack's once-over is creepy. He’s making me feel like a pig in a butcher shop, hung upside down and skinned. I suddenly don’t find it a compliment that he thinks I could be wife number three.
I immediately feel sorry for his soon-to-be ex-wife. I don't care what she's done to him. I can tell that he deserves it. Not that I will tell Max my thoughts on his newest client. He’s probably taken some sort of oath that makes him look out for his client, no matter how smarmy he is.
I'm definitely not going to tell him that Jack Whittington reminds me of a used snake oil salesman dripping in his own product from head to toe.
“Or would you like to be my personal… attorney…” He chuckles, and all I feel is distaste. His words don't even make sense.
I press my lips together so I don’t show him my emotions and have him demand Max fire me.
"No, I'm not an attorney. Not even close.
I'm Max's assistant, Lila," I say with an embarrassed smile.
"I'm just accompanying him so that I can take notes and ensure we give you the best representation possible.
" Very professional! Good one, Lila! "He is the best attorney in all the—"
"Great!" Jack cuts me off and moves closer, going around Max to get to me. His eyes shift downward again, and I have the distinct feeling that he is trying to look down my shirt. What a pervert. If I weren't here for a job, I'd slap him.
"If you were my assistant, I'd take you everywhere, as well. All hours of the day and night." He licks his lips. "Only if you were my assistant, I'd make sure that skirt was shorter." He winks and blows me a kiss. "If you know what I mean."
I blush and look over at Max, whose lips are thinner than I’ve ever seen them.
I wonder what he's thinking. He’s angry for sure, but I’m not sure if it’s at me for wearing the short skirt or at Jack for pointing it out.
I wonder if he regrets hiring me. I guess I really don't look appropriate for a professional job like this.
"Jack, I think you're making Lila uncomfortable." Max’s voice is grim, and I wouldn’t be surprised if fire soared out of his mouth.
"Let's you and I talk about your marriage and the dissolution process.
Is there somewhere we can sit? I take it you have the signed prenuptial paperwork for me to review? "
"I do." Jack turns to him, his expression now serious. "There's a slight complication."
"I’ve heard." Max stares at him. "Are you going to tell me what that complication is?"
"My wife cheated on me." He stares at me and smiles that creepy smile again. "I have a feeling you wouldn't cheat on me. Would you, Lila?"
"I don't cheat," I say, swallowing hard. Why is this man asking me all these questions? I don't understand why he's focusing so much of his attention on me.
"Exactly. I feel like you're a good girl. I like good girls," he almost whispers, like some creep in a movie on Lifetime. I shiver slightly and look over at Max. His eyes look furious. I can tell that he’s not happy with the conversation, but I don’t want him to say something that would cause him to lose this potential client. I know that a client like Jack Whittington, who’s worth millions of dollars, would be very valuable to any law firm.
“Why don’t we focus on the matter at hand?
” Max says, stepping forward and expertly guiding the conversation back to business.
“My assistant, Lila, and I don’t have very long to chat with you.
We have some other appointments later today.
” This is the first I’ve heard about that, but I don’t say anything.
“Appointments, eh?” Jack looks at Max with a knowing glance. “I’d have an appointment every afternoon with Lila if…”
“That’s enough,” Max says, shaking his head and clenching his fists. “You have a prenuptial agreement that states if your wife cheats, what happens?”
“She gets nothing,” Jack says, shrugging, his smirk back on his face. “If she cheats, she gets nothing.”
“So, what’s the complication, then?" Max asks, frowning. "And why did you need me to help with this case?"
"Because I don't want to be embarrassed." Jack is annoyed as Max grabs my arm and moves me to the other side of him. "I don't want this to get out into the media. You understand? I have a company that has a very wholesome image."
"What does your wife cheating have to do with your company's wholesome image? It's her who looks bad," I say, unable to stop myself from asking the question.
He stares at me for a couple of seconds, then smirks. "The fact of the matter is, my wife and I attended a very exclusive club." He pauses. "And while I was only there to watch, it may not go down well that I was there in the first place," he says softly.
"An exclusive club?" I ask. "Like a nightclub?" I know I shouldn't be talking, and I can see Max frowning, but I can't stop myself.
"Something like that," he says, then looks over at Max. "I think you know what I mean."
Max stares at him for a couple of seconds and nods. "I think I do."
"So discretion is very important," Jack continues. "In fact, I need to ensure that this doesn't get out."
"Are you willing to pay your wife anything to ensure that happens?" Max asks.
"I'm willing to give her a hundred thousand dollars." Jack licks his lips. "No more."
"A hundred thousand dollars," Max says, frowning. "That's it?"