Winter in Sweetwater County by Ciara Knight

Author:Ciara Knight [Knight, Ciara]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Defy the Dark Publishing LLC
Published: 2014-01-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Eric Gaylord swirled cream into his coffee, dulling the bitter roast. A secretary with long legs and a thick French accent poured another cup of steaming brew and handed it to Adam.

Adam cleared his throat. “You got some place better to be?”

“What?” Eric slipped the cuff of his suit sleeve back over his watch and shook his head. “Um, no.”

Adam nodded to his secretary, dismissing her, then hiked his pant legs up and sat in one of the office’s leather armchairs. “Seriously?” He gave Eric a skeptical look. “Let’s be honest here, Eric. You and I have been through a lot together, and you probably know every dirty little secret I have. So…” He took a sip of his coffee, steam fogging his designer glasses. Slipping them off, Adam pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and cleaned the lenses.“…I’ve got a confession to make.”

Eric set his mug down on the coffee table between them and leaned back in his chair, studying his old friend and client. “What’s that?”

“I don’t need you to babysit me anymore. I know how to run the intercom-thingy, and even if I didn’t, I have secretaries that do.”

Eric laced his fingers together. “Then why keep me here in Paris for so long?” His temper was beginning to rear its ugly head, probably more from lack of sleep and jet lag than from the situation.

“Do you hear yourself?” Adam tried to look appalled but failed. “I forced you to stay in Paris? I’ve invited you out every night to see the sights, and…mingle.” He winked. “But all you do is race back to your room to chat with that chick on your computer.” He took another sip. “If you ask me, you’ve got it bad, man. Here I thought I’d persuade you to come work for me. Be my own personal attorney. We’d party every night and jet around the world, free and single.”

Eric thought about the fast life he’d had in New York. Okay, it was more business dinners and social events than nightclubs and parties. Still, it was exhausting and unfulfilling. “Not interested,” he replied.

“Wait. Now, hear me out.” Adam held up a hand. “Killer bonuses, great hours, awesome pay, and… fringe benefits. Did I mention the awesome pay?”

“Adam, maybe a few years ago I would’ve jumped at the chance, but now…I don’t know. I guess I’m happy being closer to home at this stage of my life.”

“You mean closer to that woman,” Adam scoffed. “Fine, I get it. Besides, I think you’ve lost your edge. That big wig New York attorney that would stop at nothing to reach his goal has disappeared.” He took a swig of his coffee.

“You’re right. I’m not that person anymore. I work within the parameters of the law, not that I ever broke them before.”

“No, but you bent plenty. And boy, could you bluff.” A hint of admiration shone in his friend’s eyes.

He cringed at the memory of his ruthless nature. “I’ll never be that person again. Nothing could make me bend the rules so far again.

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