After their dinner in the bar that night, things had shifted between them. He wasn’t so hostile and uptight.
She was used to grumpy, uptight, always-frowning James. But the smiles, though small ones, had been more frequent. When he said hello in the building, it was without the edge of resentment.
It was both alarming and a relief.
One thing was clear—he kept her on her toes.
Now more than ever.
*
James hollered androse to his feet as the batter hit one straight past centerfield and into the stands for a home run.
Why had he thought he didn’t like baseball? Maybe because it had been years since he’d been to a Mariners game in person.
But this was fun. Probably having a suite had something to do with it too.
It seemed that not everyone at the firm had come out, mostly just the senior partners, a handful of junior attorneys—himself included—and a couple of older paralegals who’d been with the firm forever.
From what he’d gathered, they were courting a big shot attorney from New York. Times like this, and summer associate season, were usually when HR brought out the game tickets.
Grace, Niles, and Tori from Human Resources were all there too. While Niles had kept on his work clothes—slacks and a button-up—the women had changed into something more casual.
And, god help him, casual Tori was just as sexy as clubbing Tori and athletic Tori.
He glanced over to where she was still clapping from the home run while talking to Grace. Her eyes were bright and her smile was natural. She was having fun.
Before he could stop himself, he trailed his gaze from the top of her head to her toes.
Her long brown hair, dark, with strands of caramel throughout, was loose in a way that made him want to reach out and touch it.
Then there was that T-shirt. Who looked that good in a sports shirt? The Mariners top wasn’t low cut or anything, but it was tight and hugged her large breasts. And finally, those jeans clung to the bold curves of her hips and ass.
Once upon a time, he’d held that ass. The memory of that day in the tent assailed him, but he shoved it aside.
Now wasn’t the time for it. At night? Game on.
Far too many nights, he’d laid in bed, stroking himself to release while he’d remembered that moment with her.
Again, not the time.
With the seventh-inning stretch approaching, James tore his attention from her and went to grab himself a slice of pizza that had arrived in the suite.
A few of the older attorneys were talking shop, and he gave them a nod in greeting.
“Hey, James,” the woman in the group called out. “Would you ever consider coming over to the trust and estate side at Wright and Williams?”
Ah, right, that’s the practice they specialized in. He’d seen them on another floor that the firm leased in the building, but hadn’t been sure exactly what they practiced.
James offered a small shrug. “I hadn’t thought about it much. Ryan’s kept me pretty busy on the litigating side.”
That being an understatement. The nights had been getting later, and the stakes higher, with the case they were working on.
“Well, keep us in mind.” One man he remembered, named Chuck, reached out to shake his hand. “We’re looking for new blood. And I know it can get a dull rap, but probate can be more exciting than you’d think.”
“Thanks, guys. I’ll be sure to do that.”
James took his pizza and wandered around the suite, glancing around at everyone who’d shown up tonight.