Nemesis(7)

When he glances back at me, I flash him a knowing look. “Oh, do you know her?”

“No,” he practically spits out, brows furrowing. “Why would I?”

I shrug and look down at my plate. “Debra seemed to know you pretty well.”

“What did she say?” A scowl mars his handsome face. “I didn’t date her, if that’s what you’re getting at here.”

Date her, probably not. But f*ck her? That’s something else, isn’t it?

“I didn’t say that, you did,” I retort, wishing I’d never brought it up. “She just mentioned that you’re a bit of a ladies’ man.”

He smirks and studies me with an intensity that makes me squeeze my thighs together. “And do you believe everything you hear?”

“No,” I say slowly, but I’d be stupid to disregard the information. “I mean, it’s not even my business.” I pause. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

And here it is. Lines are getting crossed because Cohen is confusing me by telling me that we’re friends, by treating me as such. He might be becoming a friend, but I need to remember that, first and foremost, I work for him.

“You can say whatever you want, Jacinta,” he says, something that looks like regret flashing through his eyes. “You’re safe though.”

“From what?”

“My so-called womanizing ways,” he replies, lightening the mood by winking at me. “Are you going to eat those fries, or not?”

I slide him my plate. “No, it’s okay for you to eat them.”

“I’ll work them off later tonight,” he says, making my eyes widen.

Wait, what?

Does he mean in bed? He’s going to f*ck them off later tonight? Jesus.

I imagine him naked, glistening with a sheen of sweat as he takes his pleasure. Did it suddenly get hot in here? I shift on my chair. At his deep laugh, I return my eyes to him.

“What?” I ask, having trouble maintaining eye contact.

“At the gym,” he says, smirking. “I’ll work it off at the gym tonight.”

“Oh, right. Of course.”

Sometimes I think I shouldn’t be let out in public.

Looking at the time on my phone, I tell him, “We should get back.” “You have to get to court, and I have a lot of emails to send out.”

“Want to trade?” he asks, pulling out his wallet.

I raise my hand. “I’m paying, remember?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he says, placing money on the table and standing up. “You can get the bill next time.”

“Cohen—”

“We’re late, Jacinta, we don’t have time for this argument.” He gently takes me by my wrist and leads me out of the café.

“Cohen—”

“It’s such a nice day today, isn’t it?” he says, lifting his face up towards the sun. Momentarily distracted, I stare at his throat and jaw, the stubble that I just want to run my fingers over.

“Yeah, it is.”

But that didn’t change the fact that he paid when it was meant to be my turn to, and if he thinks he’s getting away with that, then he really doesn’t know me at all. We cross the road together and head towards our building. His fingers accidentally brush mine, so I pull my hand away, rubbing my fingers together.

Yeah, us hanging out? It isn’t a good idea. Not at all. But how do I put a stop to it now?

“What are you thinking about so hard?” he asks me, the deep sound of his voice like a caress. A f*cking caress. Just his voice.

It’s official. I need to get laid, and pronto.

“Nothing,” I say, looking up at him. “Nothing at all.”

He smiles, and my heart beats just a little faster.

Yeah, I’m f*cked.





Chapter Four


I open my car door, about to drive home from work, when I see Cohen approaching.

“Hey,” I greet, shoving my handbag in the backseat.

“Hey,” he replies, coming to stand next to me. “Do you want to come out for a drink with me and a few friends?”

My eyebrows rise. “You’re the ‘after work drink’ type?”

“I’m a lawyer,” he says, running his hand through his brown hair. I wonder what it feels like. Soft, I bet.

“And all lawyers are alcoholics?” I tease, knowing the stereotype associated with his field.

He laughs, leaning against the back door of my car. I have to wonder if any of the dust from my car is now on his expensive black suit jacket. I really need to wash it one of these days. “I have a drink every now and again. There’s a bar around the corner. Are you coming or are you going?”

“Going,” I say, not apologetic in the least. “Sadie’s cooking dinner and waiting for me. Plus, the thought of meeting a new group of people and having to talk to them is my version of Hell.”

Cohen grins, and reaches out to touch the underneath of my chin with his index finger. “Nothing but honestly leaves those lips, does it?”

I swallow hard and shrug, unable to tear my eyes from his. What is it about him that has me so drawn to him? I need to distance myself, because this isn’t going to end well. I can’t exactly say that I can’t have lunch with him anymore because I’m a little too attracted to him though, so I have no idea what to do. Maybe I need to find myself a distraction, such as another man to keep my mind preoccupied. And on that thought…