“Of course,” I hear myself say. For the job, for the job, for the promotion. “I’d love to, but I am on a bit of a time crunch myself. Perhaps instead of face time, we could arrange—”
Mathias interrupts me. “Don’t tell me you’re off to woo another client.”
I try to laugh it off. “You know how it is. No rest for us lawyers.”
Suddenly the flock parts, and there he is. Tanner Jakes in the flesh. The one person I would have moved heaven and earth for—too bad I missed one very important accessory.
“Well there you are, Savannah Sunday.” He takes my hand like it’s the easiest thing in the world, his familiar blue eyes locking on mine. I feel like I’m falling. All I want to do is pull away from him. Or maybe slap him. Yes, if he doesn’t let me go in the next five seconds I’m going to slap him. Rage boils. “It’s been too long,” he drawls.
I pull my hand back and barely stop myself from wiping it clean on my dress.
“Mr. Jakes—”
“Tanner, please. I like to be on a first name basis with people who handle my…work.”
My cheeks go hot. “Tanner, listen, I think we could do great things together—”
“I’m sure we could.”
Do not kill him. You need him.
I clear my throat. “I’m sure my firm’s reputation precedes us, but what more do you need to know about Briggs, Meyers, and Associates? What can I say to convince you to let us help you make lots of money?”
Tanner looks deep into my eyes again, and I do not back down. He will not rule me here. This is my future and I am in control.
“Savy.”
I hear a voice, and Cash’s nickname has me turning with equal amounts of hope and terror. He wouldn’t—oh yes he would. Leave it to him to listen to only half of the message. Cash parts the group with ease, despite the fact he’s grossly underdressed for this party. Still in his classic deep v-tee, jeans, and boots. His only exception is that he somehow acquired a jacket. Accompanied by his dimpled smile and classic features he almost looks like he might belong here.
“Whiskey on the rocks, please,” Cash says easily to Tanner, handing him a twenty.
There went that deal.
“Cash—” I say, surprised, but before I can say more, I’m cut off by a kiss that I feel all the way down to my toes. Cash kisses me slow and deep, until my head is spinning.
God, this man wasn’t lying about his skilled tongue. Finally, he comes up for air. “Sorry I’m late,” he says, still ignoring the flock of clients around me.
Say something, my brains yells. You’re a powerful lawyer, wipe that shit eating grin off your face now. But my brain is still stuck in low gear after that kiss.
“I... I…. What are you doing here?”
This was not the rescue I requested, but damn if it is not the one I needed. Cash looks up at Tanner again, still standing there his jaw about to grind those pearly whites to fairy dust. The look on Tanner’s face is priceless. I want to take a picture of it, frame it, and hang it over my mantel so I can give it the finger every day.
“Did I stutter on the drink order?” Cash asks. I don’t believe for one fucking second that he doesn’t know who Tanner is, but it’s great to watch Cash put the man in his place. Tanner’s fingers curl into a fist. If this works out the way Tanner wants it to, he’ll have enough material for a whole new album.
Not willing to let this drama fuel Tanner’s career any further, I reach for Cash. “Darling,” I say hoping I can pull off the semi-sweet tone I’ve heard Cassie use with Ryder. Trailing my hand down his chest, I try not to get lost in the idea of what his muscles would feel like without his shirt on. “I’d like you to meet my newest client—Tanner Jakes.”
“Congrats, baby. So we can officially celebrate now?” He turns to Tanner. “She’s been wearing herself out working on this contract for you guys. I’m ready to not wake up to a computer if you catch my drift.”
Mathias laughs. Cash’s natural charm seems to work even when he’s not behind a bar.
“Very nice to meet you,” Mathias says, holding out his hand to Cash, adapting to the change without an issue. Cash gives Mathias a firm shake.
It’s Tanner I’m still concerned about. One look at him and he’s gone from cowboy to raging bull. Trying to salvage what’s left of this deal, I put some distance between Cash and me. It seems to pacify Tanner for a moment. He no longer looks like he’s going to spear Cash on the chandelier.
“How did you meet Savannah?” Tanner asks.
“Bent over a bar—I’m part owner of five clubs across the Atlanta area. She walked in and I couldn’t let her leave alone. But she made me work for it, because no one walks over her.” Cash looks firmly at Tanner. Somehow, without me having to tell him, he’s been able to see that Tanner is the real problem here. He’s more than willing to jump into this fight.
CHAPTER SIX
Savannah