I storm into the conference room and wait for everyone to get in there. Elaine and Sara come charging in, but it’s Chris who walks in with a smirk on his face that pisses me off. When they’re all in, I slam the door and face them.

“We have a problem,” I hiss, trying my best to keep my voice low. Hunter and the other interns are just a couple doors down.

Elaine and Sara glance nervously at each other while Chris tries to hold back a snicker. He has to know how uncomfortable all of this is for me. Instead, he’s finding amusement in it. If anyone finds out I’m not only screwing around with a stripper, but also an intern I’ll be screwed.

“Did we do something wrong?” Sara asks.

Sighing, I walk past them to the window. If Hunter thinks I’m going to let him slide because we’re lovers he has another thing coming. This is my practice and I have to do what’s best for my business. “No, Sara, that’s not it. I have a problem with one of our interns.”

“But they’re perfect,” Elaine claims. “They’re the top of their class. I interviewed them weeks ago and knew they’d be a good fit for us. We’re trying to hire new blood, are we not?”

I turn around and face them. Elaine and Sara are seriously confused which leads me to believe they have no clue who Hunter really is. “Yes, we’re trying to find new blood, but Hunter’s not going to work. I have no doubt of his academic skills, but he needs to go.”

“But why?” Elaine challenges.

For the first time in my life, I’m tongue-tied. Usually, I can think on the top of my feet, but with Hunter around, it’s like I lose my game. That’s how much he flusters me. I steal a glance at Chris and he shakes his head, clearly not agreeing with my demand.

“There’s nothing wrong with him being here, Kennedy. We own this practice together, and I say let’s give the guy a shot. Just because he gave you the best lap dance of your life doesn’t mean you should punish him.”

And there it is …

Elaine gasps while Sara stares at me in shock, slapping a hand over her mouth to contain her giggle. “I thought he looked familiar,” Elaine points out. “I think he looks hotter in a suit.”

Yes, he does. Rolling my eyes, I sit down. “He’s a distraction. No one will be able to take him seriously if they find out he’s a stripper.”

Chris huffs. “That’s why none of our clients are going to find out. Honestly, I think he’s pretty damn serious if he’s graduating at the top of his class. If I’m willing to look past his extracurricular activities, then so should you.”

Elaine nods. “I agree. I say he stays.”

“Me too,” Sara pipes in.

“So basically, you’re all overruling me?” I ask, knowing I’m defeated. I don’t want to take this opportunity away from Hunter, but I can’t work with him. When I say he’s a distraction, it’s really for me. I don’t trust myself when I’m around him.

“Yep, you’re overruled,” Chris announces. He glances down at his watch and clucks his tongue. “And now we’re all running late.” His gaze focuses on Sara and he tilts his head toward the door. “Do you mind seeing if my client is here? I’m going to get Hunter to shadow me.”

Sara hurries out the door and I nod at Elaine to follow her. Chris gets up and shuts the door, his eyes lit with humor. “What is it?” I huff.

Leaning against the desk, he breaks out into a smile. “I’m curious, Ms. Vaughn. So when were you going to tell me about Hunter? I’m a little hurt you didn’t confide in me.”

“How could I?” I say, massaging my forehead. The whole situation makes my head hurt. “He’s a stripper, Chris. I’ve done things I know I shouldn’t.”

He crosses his arms across his chest. “Like what? Sleeping with a sexy, younger man you’re attracted to?” Hunter’s in his mid-twenties so it’s not like he’s that much younger than me. I’m only thirty-three.

“It’s more complicated than that.” I avert my gaze to the window and he steps in my line of sight.

“You’re making it that way. Being a stripper isn’t a big deal. He’s probably just doing it to pay for tuition. Not everyone is made of money, Kennedy. You and I were some of the lucky ones who didn’t have to pay for our schooling.”

He’s right and it makes me feel even guiltier. I didn’t have to pay for college. My parents saved up for years so that I wouldn’t have to take out loans. Hunter didn’t have any of that. His parents died when he was young. The thought makes me sad for him. I can’t imagine having to strip to make money for college.

Sighing, I close my eyes. I don’t want to look at Chris’ accusatory stare any longer. “You’re right,” I murmur. “I was hasty and I shouldn’t have overreacted. But it still doesn’t change the fact that things are going to be awkward.”

He taps my chin. “How awkward are we talking? Are you saying you and Hunter are a lot closer than just the lap dance?”

The heat rises to my cheeks and I open my eyes. “Yes,” I confess. “We’ve been seeing each other since that night.”

“As in dating or just having sex?”

I roll my eyes. “Both. I agreed to a date and it was actually nice. But I lied to him and he lied to me. He had no clue I was a lawyer and I had no clue he was in school to be one.”

He lifts his arms in the air. “Then I’d say you’re even. He’s probably in his office right now wondering if you’re about to screw up his career.”

The words sting and I blanch. “I would never do that.”

“Good, because I’m going to let you give him the good news.”

“Why don’t you tell him?” I gasp. “He’s working with you.”

Shaking his head, he strolls to the door. “He’ll want to hear it from your mouth. Besides, you two need to talk anyway.” I watch him turn the knob but then he freezes and jerks around, his eyes wide. “Holy shit, I just had a thought.”

“What?”

“You’re working undercover for Jennifer Bates, right? At Society X?”

I bite my lip, remembering the show I watched the other day. I haven’t told Chris about it yet. “Yeah, why?” He points down the hall toward Hunter’s office and it’s like everything falls into place. “Oh my God,” I gasp. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

His smile grows wider. “Exactly.”

 

 

The day drags on and I’ve managed to stay in my office to avoid seeing Hunter. I’m not ready to talk to him yet. I have no clue if he’s left since it’s closing in on five o’clock, but I have a strange feeling he’s going to stick around until I leave. If he’s going to work in my firm, he has to watch the way he acts around me … and vice versa. Ground rules need to be set and followed.

“Kennedy?” Sara calls out over the speaker on my phone.

“Yes?”

“Mrs. Bates stopped by. She wants to know if you have time to see her.”

I press the intercom button. “Of course. Please send her back.” I was just about to call her anyway to see if she knows when her husband’s going to be at Society X.

“Yes, ma’am. She’s on her way.”

I finish up my paperwork and stack it on the corner of my desk. The day’s been busy but I welcomed it. I have a lot of court dates coming up, and thankfully, it’s nothing that requires a lot of energy. I’ve had cases before where I had to fight tooth and nail for my clients; it’s exhausting.

A soft knock raps on my door. “Come in,” I call out.

Jennifer opens the door and smiles. “Hey.”

I wave her in. “Hey, I was just about to call you.”

She shuts the door and sits down across from me. “Good timing, then. I thought I’d come by and give you these.” Opening her purse, she pulls out a set of papers and hands them to me.

Looking down at them, I gasp in shock. “Wow. Your husband’s a busy boy.”

Her face turns green. “You’re telling me. Makes me sick.” In my hands are copies of her husband’s datebook entries. Apparently, he’s starting to spend more and more time in the viewing room.

“Have you asked him where he’s going at night?” I ask. I feel sick for her. If I was her, I probably would’ve already kicked her worthless, lying husband to the curb. But I understand her need to catch him cheating on her. She was going to need proof to take a man down like Chad Bates.

She drops her gaze down to her purse, her hands shaking as she holds it tight. “He says he’s working late or meeting with a client. I want to punch the shit out of him every time I see him.” I can’t imagine what it must be like to be stuck with a man you pledged your loyalty to and find out he’s cheating on you with different people every week.

I glance down at today’s date in his notebook and there are the initials DR scribbled in his handwriting. “I’m assuming he’s in the dark room tonight?”

Her jaw clenches. “So it appears.” If he’s in that room, it means he’s having sex with someone he can’t see. It’s the thrill of using your bodies to guide you. The thought’s intriguing but it’s not something I’d be interested in. The rest of the dates for the next month are all in the viewing room; I can handle that.

“Thank you for bringing me this. You have no idea how much it helps.”

“Have you had any luck at the club?”

I shake my head. “Not yet, but I have someone who might be able to help. He’s on the inside.”

Hope blossoms on her face and I pray I can keep it there. “That’s great,” she sighs in relief. “I just wish I didn’t have to go home. I don’t know how long I can handle being near that bastard.”

“Why don’t you tell him you want to go away for a while? With what he’s doing, I don’t see him caring about what you do. Use his money and stay somewhere nice.”

She bites her lip. “You know what? I think that’s the best thing I’ve heard all day. I’m gonna do it.” If she didn’t get away from Chad, there’s no doubt she’ll lose her cool at some point and give everything away. There’s only so much anger a person can take. Getting to her feet, I mirror her and she hugs me. “Thanks, Kennedy. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’re welcome. Now get out of here and take a break. I’ll handle it from here.”

As soon as she leaves, I glance down at the clock. Unfortunately, I can’t avoid Hunter forever. I shut my computer down and grab my purse. When I walk out into the hall, all the other offices are dark except for Hunter’s. Heart racing, I take a deep breath and stop at his door. He’s in there with his head down, examining the documents lying on this desk. I knock gently and he looks up, his expression serious. I haven’t ever seen him look like that before.

“How was your first day?”

He laughs once. “You mean my last? I know you’re here to let me go, Kennedy. I’ve been waiting to get the boot all day.”

I walk inside and sit across from him. “Then you’ll be waiting for a long time. I’m not getting rid of you.”

An audible sigh escapes his lips. “Thank you. I’ve been thinking about what I said to you this morning. It was out of line and I’m sorry.”

I shake my head. “Don’t worry about it. However, if you’re going to be staying here the next few months, we’re going to have to lay down some ground rules.” His whole demeanor is so serious it’s hard to imagine he’s the same Hunter.

He nods. “I’ll do anything. This internship means everything to me.”

“First off, you have to address me as Ms. Vaughn around the others; especially your classmates. My co-workers already know who you are and they’re not going to say anything.”

“I can do that,” he agrees.

“And you have to keep your hands to yourself,” I warn. “This is a professional place so make sure to act like it.”

He nods again. “Anything else?”

Sighing, I close my eyes and all I can think about is the time we’ve spent together. I hate that all we’ve done is lie to each other. “Yes,” I murmur, opening my eyes. “From this day forward, there’s to be no more lying. I promise to be honest with you if you’re honest with me.”

“Okay,” he says softly. We stare at each other for a moment and I’m the first one to break away. “Does this mean we’re still seeing each other or have I lost my chance? I don’t want to lose what we have, Kennedy. I want this to work, even if I have to wait until my internship is over.”

His voice is so genuine I can’t help but smile. “I want it to work, too. For now, let’s just take it one step at a time.” He smiles in return and I’m so happy to see it again. “What does Chris have you doing?”

He shrugs. “Nothing much right now.”

“Good, because there’s something I need your help on. I don’t even know if you can or if you’d get in trouble, but I’ll be right there with you. It’s kind of an undercover type of thing.”

His brows furrow. “What is it?”

I lick my dry lips. “I have to find someone who likes to perform in the viewing room with other women. He’s a client, not an employee.”

“And what are you going to do when we find him?”

I scoff. “Rip off his balls.” I can think of a million things I’d like to do, but all of them will land me in jail.

“This isn’t your ex-husband, is it?”

“No,” I exclaim. “Aaron would never do such a thing. It’s for a close client of mine. She needs my help. And I’m hoping with you by my side we’ll be able to do it.”

Sighing, he runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t think I can do it, Kennedy. The money I make at the club is what helps me pay for law school. Without that income, I’m fucked. I want to help you, but finishing my schooling is more important.”

Even though he turned me down, I can see the determination in his gaze; he’s serious about being a lawyer and I like that. It shows his commitment to his future.

“Then let me compromise,” I say, catching his attention. “If you get fired, I’ll offer you a job here so you can pay for school. It’s the least I can do for your help.”

By the expression on his face, he ponders the idea, but I can see the turmoil in his brown gaze. I don’t want him to get in trouble, but I can use his help.

For a moment, I lose all hope, but then he holds out his hand. “All right, I’ll do it. But I want it all in writing. You will offer me a job if I lose mine at SX. Deal?”

Not thinking twice, I shake his hand. “Agreed. I’ll draw up the papers tomorrow.” He releases my hand and I can feel the tingles all the way up my arm. “Now how about we talk about the details over dinner? We can order take out.”

That sexy smirk of his is back. “My place or yours?”