Chapter 5
It was defiance that made her choose the outfit in the first place. She didn't shop at Romano's on a regular basis. The store was very exclusive, the prices way out of her reach on her public servant's salary. But the outfit had caught her eye, and she had given in to Abigail's pressure.
"It would look good on you. Live a little."
"The price!"
"There are going to be hundreds of society people at the function.
We cannot afford to let them outdo us. I'm springing for this totally chic and elegant lime green pantsuit.
A way of celebrating my freedom from that asshole I married.
Girl, the outfit is screaming your name.
For once in your life, defy the damn rule you live by and show some skin.
If I had your complexion, I would be walking around naked. "
Now standing in front of the mirror in her bedroom, she was having second thoughts.
The romper was figure-hugging, the bodice two pieces of material barely covering her breasts, making it impossible to wear a bra.
The color was a dazzling electric blue that seemed to glow in the light.
It was fitted all the way down, flaring at the ankles.
The back was almost bare, the two strips of cloth crisscrossing at the back.
She had gone to the salon, and her hair was brushed back at the sides, a thick lock dancing over her right brow.
And she was wearing more makeup than usual.
Instead of discreet earrings, she had gone for a shimmer of red and blue that dangled to her shoulders.
Taking a deep breath, she almost gave in to the urge to change into something less revealing and more her style.
But the fact that she knew William was going to be disapproving stiffened her spine.
It was time she started living for herself, and if she wanted to show some skin, then it was hers to show.
Lifting her chin, she went to the closet to select a soft white cashmere wrap, slinging it over her shoulders.
William had wanted to pick her up, but she had declined. She wanted to be able to leave whenever she decided to. Taking another deep breath, she headed downstairs.
*****
"You could have at least worn a tie," Zoe murmured as he walked out.
"That would have been taking it too far." His tawny gaze flickered over the stunning burnt orange dress she was wearing that barely covered her excellent thighs. "Aren't you a little underdressed?"
"Oh, this?" A smile touched her lips that were the exact shade of the dress. "I don't want to think of myself as a lawyer tonight."
"No one will mistake you for one. You must be freezing."
"That's what jackets are for." She gathered the expensive cashmere around her and snuggled. Laughter kindled her eyes as she stared at him. "Stop being so brotherly."
"I happen to be your brother," he reminded her. "Get in."
For the first time she noticed the Corvette. "Where-"
"Don't start. I decided to borrow one of the vehicles from the garage."
"I was awfully afraid I was going to have to ride on the motorcycle."
"For that pithy remark, I might just change my mind and do exactly that," he muttered. Opening her door, he ushered her in before rounding the hood to take the driver's seat. "Buckle in."
"The suit looks very good on you. Black is your color."
"And this is the first and last time you're ever going to pick one out for me."
"Duly noted." She stretched her legs out and leaned back, closing her eyes briefly.
"Tough day?"
"The worst. I'm losing my damn case."
"You mean defending a murderer is not going so well?" he asked caustically.
Turning her head, she gazed at his profile. "What happened to innocent until proven guilty?"
He spared her a glance before taking the left turn. "Mario Santos is as guilty as hell, and we both know it. The world knows it. He's a known philanderer who was involved with the young lady until she decided she wanted to end the relationship."
"And that same young lady was seen a week before her death having an intimate moment with another man. She was cheating on Mario with someone else."
"Cheating on a married man. How does that work exactly?"
"You and I are never going to agree on this topic."
"You're right. How can you represent someone like him?"
"His money is still green, and the case is very challenging."
He glanced at her again, his brows shooting up. "Your standards are not very lofty at all."
"Give me a break. The man deserves representation. That's what the good old US of A is all about. We put our case forward and let the jurors decide on guilty or innocent."
"You're right," he told her grimly. "We're never going to agree on this topic, and it's starting to piss me off."
"Ah, here we are." The hotel was one of theirs and had been recently renovated. Valets were kept busy directing traffic and attending to the vehicles. It took several minutes for them to attract the attention of a young man who came hurrying toward them.
"Mr. Stanhope. Ms. Stanhope."
"Thanks." Zane tossed him the key fob as soon as he alighted. "Park it someplace where I can have easy access, in case I decide to leave early."
"Right, sir."
"Planning on ditching the party?"
"Maybe." Taking her arm, he led the way into the lovely foyer with the urns of palm trees and marble tiles.
*****
It wasn't until they were relinquishing their jackets that William saw the outfit. Kara knew the minute he noticed it because he went as stiff as a board.
"What the devil are you wearing?" he hissed beneath his breath. Taking her arm, he steered her clear of the guests making their way inside.
"Do you like it?" Keeping the smile on her face, she turned in a circle.
"You're practically naked." He was staring at her as if she had grown two heads and an extra torso. "What will your mother say? I'm shocked that you would come out of the house wearing something as revealing as that. What were you thinking?"
Feeling properly reprimanded and humiliated, Kara lifted her chin, the flashing eyes warning him that his comment was not appreciated.
"I was thinking that I'm a grown-ass woman who does not need my mother's approval. Now, if you're done ruining the night for me, I think I'll have a glass of champagne." Turning away, she marched toward a server and plucked a glass from the tray.
She was heading toward a group of people she knew when he caught up to her.
"I apologize for the way I came across just now, my dear." He touched her bare arm briefly, his conciliatory tone doing nothing to calm her ragged nerves. "It's just that I'm not used to seeing you like this. By the way, you look lovely."
"Thanks." Her cool tone warned him that she was not in the mood to be placated.
"Please don't be upset, Kara. We came here to have fun. It was a knee-jerk reaction and one that I regret."
Turning her head, she looked at him and realized he was genuinely sorry.
"All right." She smiled at him, slightly mollified. "There's Abigail. I think we should go and say hello."
"Of course." Forcing a smile to his lips, William allowed himself to be led over to the group of people he was not particularly fond of.
But he had messed up, and it was his duty to make amends.
Warning himself to tread lightly for now, he was thinking that as soon as they were married, all this defiance would be at an end. He could allow her the freedom for now.
Zane told himself he had not been looking for her, that he had not spent the time since he arrived staring at the doorway.
He had been roped into a discussion by several members of his parents' law firm about the project going on in the downtown area and had been distracted.
The few minutes he had taken his eyes off the doorway must have been when she walked in, because when he lifted his head, there she was.
His breath became strangled inside his chest as he stared at the woman he had once thought of as buttoned up.
This was a completely different person from the one he had seen at the bike stop and inside the courtroom.
What a chameleon she was! he thought dazedly as he continued to stare at her.
She was with a group of people, and from where he was standing, he could make out the way her lips curved as someone whispered something to her.
"Darling?"
Tearing his eyes away from her, he tried to focus on his sister.
"What?"
"Jed was just-" Zoe's eyes narrowed as she followed his gaze. "Friend of yours?"
"What?"
A contemplative expression appeared on her face. "If you continue to stare at her like that, you're going to have to buy her dinner. ADA Saunders."
"You know her?"
"Of course. The question is, how do you know her?"
"Her vehicle broke down at the bike stop, and I had to lend a hand."
"I see. A very attractive woman. Are you going to-"
"Walk with me." Taking her hand, he started forward.
"That answers that," she murmured. "Are we just going to say hi?"
"No. Who's the guy hovering at her side?"
"William something. He's also a lawyer. I've seen him in court."
"I want you to take him somewhere, so I can get a chance to talk to Ms. Saunders."
"Zane-"
"No questions asked."
"All right."
"Counselor."
Kara turned at the sound of the familiar voice, her eyes widening.
"Mr. Stanhope."
"I would like to introduce you to my sister, Zoe Stanhope."
"I think we've already met." Zoe held out a hand, a smile on her lips.
"Yes, we have." Kara shook the woman's hand before turning to introduce William. "This is my, er, this is William Blakely. William, this is-"
"The Stanhopes." The man stepped forward to offer his hand, first to Zane and then to Zoe. If he noticed the hesitant way Kara had introduced him, he showed no signs of it. "It's an honor to meet you both."
"Counselor, may I have a word with you alone?"
"You two know each other?" William looked curiously from one to the other.
"We met when my vehicle broke down the other day. I told you about it." Kara was wishing desperately that she were anywhere else.