Legal Heat by Sarah Castille Read Free Book Online Page B

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