“Beckett Pierce,” Gianna teased. “Are you flirting with your client?”
“A. Since this is a consultation, you’re not technically a client yet. B. Since our —” he paused and glanced over his shoulder before continuing in an exaggerated whisper. “Sexual relationship began before you were a client, I’m not being unethical. And C. Yes, I am.”
Gianna’s smile lit up her face. “In that case, after we’re done consulting I was wondering if you’d care to join me for lunch. At my house. Clothing optional.”
Beckett was glad he was sitting behind a desk so Gia couldn’t see his immediate and very noticeable physical reaction. “I think that sounds do-able.”
“Great, then let’s get this consulting nonsense over with so I can take your pants off.”
Beckett blinked. His mouth was open, but no noise came out.
Gianna was grinning at him in his visitors chair. “Unless of course, you’d like to test out how sturdy your desk is now and then consult later?”
“You’re evil. You stay on your side of the desk and I’ll stay on mine for the next fifteen minutes.”
She pouted and Beckett wanted to bite her bottom lip. “Behave yourself, Red,” he warned.
“Fine,” she sighed with an exaggerated eye roll. “Go ahead and consult me.”
“Did you talk to your ex-husband about legal guardianship?”
She leaned forward and grabbed the coffee. “I did. He seems to be in favor of it.”
“Seems to be?”
“It’s hard to get Paul to focus on the details, but he seemed enthusiastic about any solution that would free him of the burden of health insurance.”
“Okay. We’ll get started, but I do want you to try to make him understand all the implications. You don’t want him thinking that you’re taking his son from him or that this means he’s free from obligations such as child support and visitation.”
Gianna nodded. “I’ll make sure he understands.”
“Good. Then I’ll start the paperwork. We’ll file a Petition for Appointment of Guardian in family court. Paul will need to give his consent, which will make the process less complicated. Then there will be a court hearing.”
Gianna blanched. “A hearing?”
“It’s much less scary than it sounds. In a case like this the judge will likely review the filing and ask you and Paul why Evan should be with you before approving the guardianship.”
“Evan won’t have to testify, will he?” Gianna asked wide-eyed.
Beckett shook his head. “Since Evan’s under fourteen, the judge won’t ask for what they call ‘informed consent.’ And as long as you and his father are in agreement, it should go smoothly.”
Gianna nodded. “Okay. Then let’s get started.”
“We’ll get the papers drawn up this week.”
“So that leaves the issue of payment,” she said, pulling her checkbook out of her jacket pocket.
“Actually, I was wondering if you’d be willing to work out a trade?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Exactly what kind of a trade?”
“Mind out of the gutter, Red. Ellery’s birthday is next month and I’ve been racking my brain for a gift. She loves your studio. Would you be willing to trade, say, six months of classes?”
“Of course. As long as it’s an equitable trade. I don’t want you doing me any special favors here. Evan’s mine and I’d pay anything to make sure he has what he needs.”
“Understood. And the only special favor here is you’re saving me from mangling wrapping paper.”
“As long as that’s the case and you’re not trying to cut your secret lover a special deal in return for secret lover favors.”
“Those favors will remain completely separate from our attorney-client relationship.”
A smile bloomed on her pretty face. “Good. Thank you for your help, Beckett. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to help my family.”
“Just doing my lawyerly-landlordy duty.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Who knew?”
“Who knew what?”
“That goodness was such a turn on.”
Gia stretched like a cat and then flopped back down on her mattress. Beckett was facedown, his arm anchoring her to his side. “Well that sure beats a mid-afternoon cup of coffee,” she sighed, snuggling in.
The afternoon light filtered through the windows of her bedroom. New gauzy sheers that she still neglected to close at night hung from the corners of the room.
The house was blissfully quiet and her heart rate had returned to normal after two adrenaline-spiking orgasms.
Beckett nuzzled her hair. “What kind of shampoo do you use?” he sighed. “I like it.”
“It’s a fancy organic kind you can only get online.”
“It smells like a rainforest.”
Gia lightly trailed her fingers down his back. “You, Mr. Pierce, are a fine specimen.” She pinched his very firm butt cheek.
He grunted and flexed under her hand, teasing a laugh from her.
“Baby, don’t you think we should talk?”