That wasn’t even close to describing my job.“Since you’re so good with law students, this’ll be right up your alley.” Ford smirked.“You didn’t.” I huffed air out of my mouth. “I know you didn’t just go there.”“All the new hires get an intern,” Dominick added, like he was trying to soften the blow. “We’re not singling you out. In fact, if we didn’t assign you one, it would look like we were playing favorites.”“But I am a favorite. The three of you are my friends. That must count for something.”“Oh, it does,” Jenner replied, tapping his hand over the folder. “We gave you everything you asked for—things you wouldn’t have gotten if you weren’t our friend.”I bent my fingers together, gripping them with full strength. “You gave me what I deserve—you all know that. What I don’t understand is how you’re not going to give your top litigator a pass. Do you have any fucking idea how busy I’m going to be?”“Precisely the reason why an intern would be so helpful. Aside from your regular team
They noticed. Oh God, they noticed.I took a deep breath, trying to calm my heart. “I appreciate that, Aunt Sue and Uncle David.”“And now, we’re throwing you straight to the wolves, so you can work your ass off again,” Ford teased.My aunt smiled, shaking her head. “I wouldn’t have put it in those terms, but, yes, Ford is right. The next several months are going to be extremely challenging.”Before I could respond, Dominick said, “I’m not sure how much you know about the internship program, but you’re going to be working under one of our litigators for an entire semester. We feel that’s an adequate amount of time to get an understanding of our operations. Aside from learning the ins and outs of the department, you’ll be assisting all members of the attorney’s legal team. We want to emphasize that this is a support role; you’ll be required to do everything that’s asked of you—within reason, of course.”“In other words, if you’re told to pick up coffee, drop off dry cleaning, make rese
I wondered why. Considering Christopher had worked at the firm for the last eight years, it seemed odd that his was missing.I took another deep breath and knocked on the door.“Come in,” I heard from the other side.I didn’t know why I was racked with nerves or why my body felt so weak, my limbs numb. This was just an internship; it wasn’t like I was about to step into court for the very first time. Hopefully, I’d feel better once I got a sense of Christopher and his work style and what this process was actually going to look like.Knowing I was already taking too long, I turned the knob and slowly opened the door. I was fully expecting there to be a tall, almost-lanky, blond-haired, light-blue-eyed man behind the desk—details I’d captured during my research of him.But Christopher’s eyes weren’t the ones staring back at me.These were green.Magnetic.And they pulled so many memories from my mind, ones that had started during the mock trial, ones that continued at the bar, ones that
“You know, it’s funny; my cousin always tells me about the firm’s new hires,” I said. “At least the lawyers who come on board who have quite a name for themselves, like you. I wish he’d mentioned something, especially since you’re such a celebrity at our law school.”I wondered why Ford hadn’t told me, considering I’d watched his daughter the past two nights, giving him a perfect opportunity to bring it up.Declan was quiet for a few moments. “Your cousin works in HR?”“No.” Strands of my hair fell into my face as I shook my head. “Ford is one of the partners. As are Dominick and Jenner—all my first cousins.”“Wait.” His arms landed on the desk, moving his body closer to me. “You’re related to the Daltons?”My hands were practically dripping with sweat. As I recrossed my legs, I shoved my fingers between them, hoping my skirt would soak up the wetness. “Their father and my father are brothers.”More silence passed.“That makes you …”“A Dalton.” I bit my bottom lip. “I’m Hannah Dalton
He meshed his fingers together, his fists clasped. “You didn’t … make a fool of yourself.”“Are you sure I didn’t say anything inappropriate?” I needed to ensure this was all squashed, his response not satisfying me enough. “Sometimes, when I drink, I get a little flirty.” My hand flew to my chest. “Please tell me that didn’t happen. I would die.”Madison had nothing on me.He huffed out a bit of air, breaking eye contact to look at his hands. He licked across his lips, his brows furrowed as he glanced at me. “There’s no reason for you to worry.”“Great.” I swallowed as the dryness faded, saliva finally entering my mouth. “Well, I’m ready to get started. Whatever you need, just tell me. I’m here to help in every way. And, Declan”—I put my hand on his desk, not far from where his were, wanting to emphasize this point in any way I could—“even though I’m a Dalton, I expect you to treat me like I’m any other intern.”His arms left the desk, and he pushed back into his seat, his eyes roami
A dick that had been hard for three days, and this morning was no different.I hadn’t gotten any work done since she had started here.I probably wouldn’t today either—and that was some bullshit.I was Declan Shaw, top litigator in the state. I needed to pull my head out of my ass. Women didn’t throw off my game, and neither would Hannah.But the fucked-up thing was that this was only the very beginning.We were going to be together for an entire semester.She took a seat, her legs crossing, a notebook on top of them, hiding the part of her thighs that her dress didn’t cover. “Looks like my desk still isn’t ready, so I’m going to have to spend another day in here.” She smiled awkwardly. “Sorry.”The maintenance department had promised it would be delivered this morning.I was getting punished.Again.“That’s unacceptable.” My hand went into my hair, pulling at the roots. “I need you to call maintenance and have them find you a desk today.”“I tried—”“Try harder.”As she nodded, I too
I couldn’t look at her every day, remembering what had happened and what I wanted to happen again.I needed to get the fuck out of here.“Do you want me to organize the Drake folders when I’m done?”I stopped at the sound of her voice, turning toward her when I reached the doorway.Drake was a client of Ford’s—a case that I should be working on now.“Why would you do that?” I asked.“It’s a lot of information, and your paralegal is sorting through mountains of—”“Just focus on the filing.” The frustration was making its way into my skin. I could feel myself starting to sweat. “I’ll give you your next assignment once you’re done.”“Whatever you say, boss.”Boss … fuck.Followed by a smile that was far too satisfying on her gorgeous face.This wasn’t okay.I couldn’t have her.And that wasn’t okay either.My clients needed my full attention.They needed me at my best.And for three days, I’d done nothing but fantasize about her.“I’ve—” I cut myself off, staring at her, wondering what t
“She won’t be transferring to another litigator,” Dominick replied. “She’s staying put.”“You’re telling me that for the next four months, you’re going to keep me with an employee I don’t feel like I can properly mentor? Or work with?” Declan asked, his voice rising.My fingers tightened on the silver knob, my entire body shaking.“Don’t you think you’re being a little harsh?” Ford asked.Ford?Oh God, Ford’s in there too?“Harsh?” Declan replied. “From the very beginning, I was upfront and honest that I didn’t want an intern. Now, you give me someone who has no skills, zero experience. Whose hand I need to hold. I just don’t have time for it.”No experience—I could accept that.But no skills?That’s what he thinks of me?I glanced down at my arm, where a folder rested on top of it, my finger lodged in between two heavy sections of paper, marking a specific area. I’d practically screamed when I came across this during my filing. Since my first day here, everyone on his team had been s