Legal Heat by Sarah Castille Read Free Book Online Page A

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