Read Online Knock 'em Dead by Rhonda Pollero - Free Book Online Page B

authorized to involve herself in this case is Rebecca Jameson.”
    “Because?”
    “She’s a lawyer,” Dane answered, as if that explained all the great unknowns in the universe.
    I got to my feet. “Are you telling me I can’t visit my friend? Support her through this?”
    Ellen just sat there. Dane shook his head. “Becky said it was important for you to attend the arraignment tomorrow, so I’m giving you the day off.”
    “Thank you.” I think .
    “After that, I want your word that you will cooperate fully with the police and the attorneys. Other than that, I don’t want to see your name in the paper or your face on the news. Clear?”
    “Crystal.” With my spine stiff, I pivoted on the ball of my Cindy Says sandals and started to leave.
    “Finley?” Dane said.
    “Yes?” I half turned to glance back in his direction.
    “One misstep and I will fire you. No suspensions this time.”
    And no compassion either. I took some of my frustration out on the elevator button, punching the Down arrow with my knuckle. It didn’t help and now my finger hurt.
    I glanced down at my watch and frowned. It was a little after two and all I really wanted to do was hit the closest bar and get drunk. Not an option, since I had to call Liv, check on Jane, drive to Boca to meet the Jason Quinn, and then meet Patrick for dinner. Since getting drunk wasn’t feasible, I did the girlie thing and started to cry while I was still in the elevator. Not cry cry, more like sniff as my eyes welled with tears. Tears of anger, frustration, sleep deprivation, and an overwhelming sense of impotence.
    I brushed the tears off my cheeks on my way back to my office. Margaret was gone and I knew from hearing the tail end of the conversation between Ellen and Dane as I was leaving that they were on their way out, but still, I didn’t want to walk the halls weeping like an unprofessional loser.
    I had one foot in the door when I spotted Patrick placing a vase of white roses in the center of my desk. With my emotions still raw, I was definitely glad to see him. He turned and flashed me that perfect smile, and I rushed forward into the haven of his embrace. It felt good to be held.
    Patrick brushed the hair off my forehead, then tenderly cupped my face in his hands. Our eyes met before he lowered his mouth to mine.
    The kiss was soft and gentle. But I didn’t want soft and gentle. My day had seriously sucked and I’d earned a few minutes of wild lust.
    After practically jerking Patrick around, I hopped up on my desk and pulled him into the cradle of my thighs. I expected him to get hard immediately; after all, it had been weeks since we’d last been together. When it didn’t happen immediately, I locked my arms around his neck and thrust my tongue hungrily into his mouth.
    My skin warmed. Patrick didn’t. His fingers gripped my forearms but he neither pushed me away nor pulled me closer. “Fin,” he said against my mouth. “This isn’t the best place for this.”
    I swallowed a groan. Once, just this once I wanted him to get off script and have some quick, spontaneous sex with me. “No one’s here,” I assured him as I made teasing circles with my fingernails up and down his back. Then I slipped my hand between us and stroked him through the fabric of his cargo shorts. The parachute-thin material and my determination made it impossible for him to do anything but respond.
    Okay, so it wasn’t rip-your-clothes-off passion, but Patrick got with the program and began nuzzling my neck, nibbling and kissing his way down the side of my throat to my collarbone.
    I sucked in an excited breath when his teeth tugged the straps of my tops off my shoulder. At the same time, his hand slipped up and tested the weight of my breast.
    My fingers weaved into his hair, pressing him to me as heat poured into my belly, feeding my sense of urgency. A small moan gurgled in my throat when his thumb flicked across my erect nipple. With incredible one-handed