CHAPTER FIVE: THE CLIENT
817 Words
Sarah spent the next forty minutes pretending she could concentrate.
She couldn’t.
Every time she looked across the conference table, Daniel was there.
Calm.
Focused.
Unreadable.
He listened while Richard discussed the case, occasionally making a note in the folder in front of him.
He looked completely ordinary.
Professional.
Like he hadn’t had Sarah trembling beneath him hours earlier.
Like he hadn’t whispered her name against her skin.
Like he hadn’t watched her walk away from his hotel room.
Sarah forced herself to look at the documents.
“Ms. Mitchell?”
She looked up.
Richard was staring at her.
“I’m sorry?”
“I asked whether you agree with the proposed terms.”
Sarah glanced at the document.
“Yes.”
Richard frowned.
“You didn’t read that section.”
Heat rushed to her face.
“I did.”
Victoria looked at her.
Sarah knew that look.
Suspicion.
She straightened.
“I’ll review it again.”
Richard nodded and continued.
Across the table, Daniel said nothing.
But Sarah saw the corner of his mouth lift.
She wanted to kick him.
The meeting finally ended.
Chairs scraped against the floor.
Folders closed.
Everyone began leaving.
Sarah gathered her papers as quickly as possible.
She was almost at the door when Richard called her.
“Sarah.”
She stopped.
“I want you to take the lead on this account.”
Her eyes flickered toward Daniel.
“Me?”
“You’re the best person for it.”
Daniel stood behind them.
Sarah’s stomach tightened.
Richard continued.
“Mr. Black will be working closely with you.”
Of course.
Sarah smiled professionally.
“Understood.”
Richard left.
Victoria followed.
The room emptied.
Sarah remained by the door.
Daniel remained by the table.
Silence.
She didn’t turn around.
“Don’t.”
Daniel’s voice came from behind her.
“Don’t what?”
“Whatever you’re about to do.”
She turned.
He looked at her.
“What exactly do you think I’m about to do?”
“Play games.”
Daniel smiled.
“You think I’m playing?”
“You walked into my workplace pretending not to know me.”
“I didn’t pretend.”
“You said ‘nice to meet you.’”
“We hadn’t met professionally.”
Sarah stared at him.
“You know exactly what I mean.”
Daniel slowly walked toward her.
Sarah’s back touched the door.
He stopped several feet away.
“You’re nervous.”
“I’m angry.”
“That’s not what I see.”
She folded her arms.
“You need to stay away from me.”
Daniel’s expression changed slightly.
“Do I?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m married.”
“I know.”
“You work with my firm.”
“I know.”
“You slept with me.”
A faint smile.
“I remember.”
Sarah’s cheeks burned.
“Then why are you acting like this is normal?”
“Because you’re the one acting like it wasn’t.”
She stared at him.
Daniel took another step.
Sarah didn’t move.
“You regret it?”
“Yes.”
The answer came immediately.
Daniel nodded.
“Good.”
She frowned.
“Good?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because regret means you felt something worth regretting.”
Sarah’s breath caught.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
He reached into his jacket.
Sarah instinctively stepped back.
Daniel pulled out something small.
Her earring.
He held it between his fingers.
Sarah stared at it.
“You took this.”
“You left it.”
“You could have returned it through reception.”
“I could have.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Daniel looked directly into her eyes.
“Because I wanted to see you again.”
Sarah’s heart betrayed her.
One stupid beat.
Then another.
She reached for the earring.
Daniel didn’t give it to her immediately.
His fingers closed around it.
“Sarah.”
“What?”
“Look at me.”
She did.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me.”
“I’m not afraid of you.”
“You should be.”
The words were quiet.
Almost gentle.
Sarah froze.
Daniel finally placed the earring in her palm.
His fingers brushed hers.
“See you tomorrow.”
She stared at him.
“Tomorrow?”
“You’re handling my case.”
He walked past her.
Stopped at the door.
Then looked back.
“And Sarah?”
“What?”
His eyes dropped briefly to her lips.
“Don’t wear that perfume tomorrow.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
A faint smile.
“Because I liked it too much.”
Then he walked away.
Sarah remained standing there.
Her heart pounding.
Her fingers wrapped tightly around the earring.
She hated him.
She hated herself.
And most terrifying of all—
she wanted to see him tomorrow.
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