Legal Heat (6 page)

Tim excused himself to find an affirmation sheet. Cool air rushed into the stuffy, windowless boardroom as he hurried out the door.

“Speaking of money, how’s the firm doing?” Steele leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.

A loaded question. Steele knew how the firm was doing. The recession had hit litigation boutiques hard, and law firms all over the city were scrambling over the few clients with the capital to run the long and expensive courtroom battles that were a litigator’s bread and butter.

“Fine.” Mark had no interest in getting involved in a discussion about the firm’s financial struggles. Steele knew he was the sole reason Richards & Moretti had not folded like so many other firms. He just wanted to rub it in.

Just like Tony.

The barrage of questions he had had to endure both in the club following Katy’s departure and on Monday morning at the office had made him rethink his decision to run a second business with his fellow partner.

Mark flipped open his file and tried to shut out any thoughts about Carpe Noctem. Too late. His betraying mind had already conjured up images of Katy. He could still feel her soft curves under his palm and her warm skin under his lips. If he breathed in deeply, he could even smell the faintest trace of her perfume. Had he pushed too hard? If he had shown some restraint, would she have run away?

Tim returned with the affirmation sheet. “I didn’t see opposing counsel, but I’m sure she’ll be here on time. The Wildcat is never late.”

“Opposing counsel is a woman?” Steele smirked. “And she’s called the Wildcat?”

Mark frowned. Although common for members of the Vancouver litigation community to give each other nicknames, only the best and brightest were singled out for the dubious accolade. He thought he knew every nicknamed litigation partner in the city, but he had never heard of the Wildcat.

“Katherine Sinclair,” Tim said in response to Mark’s quizzical look. “She’s an associate lawyer at Knight and Frank, which is why you wouldn’t have heard of her. They’ve only just started pitting her against partners.”

Steele laughed. “An associate? With Mark on the other side? He’ll have this case wrapped up before lunch.”

“Why would her firm put an associate on such a high-profile case?” Mark’s frown deepened. Any lawsuit involving Hi-Tech, no matter how small, would be big news and big news meant big business. The kind of business usually handled by a partner.

Tim leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “Not my place to tell.”

The door behind Mark opened with a bang. A rush of cool air ruffled his papers, carrying with it the scent of lilies.

Two sets of heels tapped across the tiled floor.

The game had begun.

Mark scribbled nonsense on his notepad, resisting the urge to turn around. The first few minutes of any legal hearing were critical for establishing control of the room. And he specialized in control.

He waited until he heard a chair slide and then looked up; ready to feast his eyes on the Wildcat associate and put her in her place.

Katy.

His pen dropped to the table with a soft thud. Shock gripped him and wouldn’t let go. Blood pounded through his veins as he fought a losing battle to keep his face impassive and his body still.

He drank in the sight of her, his hungry gaze missing nothing. Her stiff wool suit did little to hide the sweet curves underneath. Firm, full breasts, gently molded by her fine, white silk blouse. Rounded hips hugged by a pencil skirt, nipping her trim waist. Long, slim fingers clutching a file folder, knuckles white.

Their gazes met and locked, sweeping him back to the crushing disappointment of discovering her gone, and a weekend of unfulfilled fantasies.

He had a sudden desire to wrench her hair free and let the silken waterfall cascade down her back. Tear off her jacket. Shred the thin white blouse. Push that tight skirt up to her waist…

Maybe not such a good idea
.

He would ask her out for coffee.

Better
.

Then he would take her to his bed, draw those plump lips into his mouth and kiss her until she writhed under his body and begged him for…

No.

Although their brief encounter was unlikely to give rise to a conflict of interest, it was as far as they could go while they opposed each other on the same case.

Mark shook his head, trying to chase away the onslaught of erotic images and focus on the legal proceeding and the room full of people waiting for him to engage in the proper social conventions. But his brain and body had a disconnect.

He could almost see her pulse throbbing in the sweet spot at the base of her neck.

How would she taste if he licked her now?

No, no, no
. Not him.

Katy dropped her books on the table with a bang. Beside her, Martha jumped. Hundreds of lawyers in the city, and the man who seduced her had to be opposing counsel on the most important case of her career.

Or had she seduced him?

Get a grip, Katy.
But her throat had seized up and she couldn’t speak. His gaze drew her in and the world fell away.

She flushed as his gaze traveled the length of her body with a slow, arrogant sweep, baring her just as surely as he had done in the club, roaming where his hands had touched. Heat seared through her at the memory of every caress.

Masculine approval flashed in his eyes.

She frowned at his continued scrutiny. Did he expect some kind of emotional response? A gasp of horror, perhaps, or a quiver of fear?

Well, get used to disappointment.
She locked away her emotional turmoil, forced her lips into a smile and held out her hand. “Katherine Sinclair, for the plaintiff.”

He rose from his chair and rounded the table. Strong, muscular legs carried him toward her until he stood only inches away. Confident. Calm. He showed no hint of disquiet or surprise at her presence.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him. In his impeccable wool suit and blue silk tie, he embodied the man of her fantasies. Tall and devastatingly handsome. Powerful and in control. She caught the familiar scent of spice and sandalwood.

Hot. Sexy. Her mouth watered.

Stop it.

She gritted her teeth and stared at her…opponent. All that stood between her and the partnership dream. If she didn’t keep that clearly in her mind, she would lose everything she had worked so hard to achieve.

“Mark Richards, for the defendant.” He shook her hand; his thumb brushed over the sensitive underside of her wrist drawing a sharp breath from her lips. His slow, deliberate stroke sent her senses into overdrive.

Richards
. Now she could search him to her heart’s content on the Internet. She jerked her hand back and away. If he thought he could seduce her here, he was sorely mistaken.

“Pleasure,” she murmured.

“You’re late, Ms. Sinclair.” His deep voice held a hint of amusement.

Katy looked up at the clock and frowned. “Perhaps you need glasses. According to that clock, we still have two minutes.”

“By the time you set up, it’ll be past ten and my client is not prepared to stay late to make up your lost time.”

She narrowed her eyes at his condescending tone. “I suggest you seat yourself quickly, Mr. Richards. You may require set-up time, but I don’t. I’m ready to begin.” She paused for effect. “Now.”

Mark raised an eyebrow then gave her a curt nod and returned to his seat.

Don’t look at him.

How could she not? Longing gripped her fiercely, crushing her lungs. She took a deep breath and forced her pulse to slow. If she couldn’t handle five minutes in a hearing with him, how would she manage for the next few years until the case ran its course?

Or was it even an issue? Maybe they had a professional conflict. She mentally sifted through the professional conduct rules she had studied in law school. A quick wine cellar seduction was unlikely to affect her ability to represent her client, much less amount to a conflict. Plus, Mark hadn’t said anything. He was a partner and the senior lawyer in the room. He would have had experience dealing with conflicts like this. With those looks, that voice and the alpha attitude, he probably seduced young female lawyers every week—maybe every day.

Katy took her seat and focused on his client, the famous Darkon Steele. How did it feel to head one of the most powerful pharmaceutical companies in North America? She had seen his picture splashed across newspapers and magazines, always with some Barbie-doll blonde in tow. In the press, he had appeared handsome, with his inky black hair, dark eyes and muscular body. But in person, the sharply hewn cheekbones and thin, red lips contrasted with the rough features, giving him a more sinister look.

Katy stiffened her spine. She’d faced down intimidating witnesses before. Hell, she’d even sued the partners in the firm where she had trained as a lawyer after they terminated her employment contract when they discovered she was pregnant. After the settlement, no one would hire her. Then Ted came knocking at her door. He could smell an opportunity for profit a mile away. An infamous associate drew attention. Attention meant publicity. Publicity meant clients. Clients meant profit. Her litigation skills had just been the icing on the cake.

The sinfully rich rumble of Mark’s voice broke the spell. “Ms. Sinclair, this is Darkon Steele. I believe our clients are already acquainted.”

She nodded at Steele instead of offering her hand. A deliberate power play. Amusement glimmered in Steele’s eyes.

Katy glanced up at the clock. Ten o’clock. She smiled at Tim to let him know they could start and he gave her a wink. Tension ebbed from her body. She liked Tim, not just as a reporter, but also as a friend. Recently he had hinted he wanted more than friendship, but she had neither the time nor the energy to pursue any kind of relationship and after Steven, she didn’t want another man messing up her life.

She took a deep breath to steady herself. “Mr. Steele, as you are aware, my client worked as a laboratory technician at Hi-Tech for approximately two years. She has filed a claim against your company in which she alleges Hi-Tech wrongfully dismissed her from her job. I understand she ultimately reported to you, is that correct?”

“It is.” Steele’s deep voice reverberated around the stark, windowless room.

“You were the one who made the decision to terminate her employment?”

“Yes.” Steele leaned back, crossed his arms behind his head and yawned.

Katy raised an eyebrow to let him know his disrespectful behavior had not gone unnoticed. “Is that the reason the company selected you as its representative for the case?”

“Objection.”

Katy tried not to smile as the corners of Mark’s mouth lifted slightly. He knew she was testing him. Hi-Tech’s Board of Directors had to select someone to represent the company for the duration of the legal hearing. Their reason for selecting Steele was not directly relevant to the case, but she did want to know why a CEO was involved in what should have been a simple human resource matter.

Mark raised a questioning eyebrow and Katy shook her head. No point wasting time arguing the objection. If she really wanted an answer, she could apply to the court. Instead, she launched into a series of questions about Martha’s performance. Nothing in Martha’s work history indicated anything but a dedicated, competent, hard-working employee. Surprisingly, Steele agreed.

She flipped through her file as she considered her next line of questioning. “In the Statement of Defense, the stated reason for my client’s dismissal is a violation of company policy, is that correct?”

“Yes.” The quick glance Steele gave Mark suggested the official reason for dismissal might be a legal fabrication.

Interesting.

“What policy was that?”

“A prohibition on entering the premises after hours without authorization.”

“I want to see that policy.”

Mark smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “And you shall.”

She tore her gaze away from his full, sensuous lips. “Do you, Mr. Steele, believe the policy violation was sufficient grounds for dismissing an employee with a stellar work record, and without any recourse to proper statutory or company disciplinary procedures?”

Mark sucked in a sharp breath. “Objection. Stick to the facts, Ms. Sinclair, and let the judge make the conclusions.”

She clenched her teeth and attacked again. “Mr. Steele, weren’t your actions unusually heavy-handed?”

“Ms. Sinclair.”

She flinched at the sharp warning in Mark’s voice, but she didn’t take her eyes off Steele and she didn’t back down. “Is dismissal the usual consequence for breach of that particular policy?”

Steele narrowed his eyes. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for corporate spies.”

Katy raised her eyebrows and shifted her gaze to Mark. “Mr. Richards, perhaps you might remind your client to refrain from making unfounded accusations on the record, unless he has evidence to substantiate his claims.”

Steele leaned across the table. “I don’t need evidence. I’ve been in this business a long time. I know a spy when I see one.”