Seduce Me

“I mean Paul. Jack’s right. This place is incredible.”

“Then after we talk, make sure you let loose and enjoy it a bit. I like my attorneys on the same wavelength as I am.” He pulled out a chair and joined them at the table beneath the large umbrella. “Marriage.” He shook his head. “Risky business.”

Mallory grabbed for her pad and pen, while Jack leaned back in his seat. “Yours made it twenty-five years. Something must have held you two together,” Jack said.

Mallory liked the fact that Jack didn’t automatically bow to Lederman’s point of view, even if he silently agreed with the man.

“My money,” Lederman muttered.

“And children,” Jack added.

“The kids are on their own now.”

“So what are you looking for?” Mallory asked. “A quick out or…”

She didn’t get a chance to finish before he picked up speed. “I don’t care about quick. I just don’t want to be taken for all I’ve got. All I’ve worked for my whole life.”

“Does your wife work?” she asked.

“Hell no. Unless you count spending my money work.”

“What about raising your kids, Paul? When did that stop counting for something?” a female voice asked.

Mallory looked up.

An older but still beautiful brunette stood behind Paul Lederman. “And what about catering your parties? Seeing to your important guests? Your whims? Your needs? Your health?” The woman met Mallory’s gaze in an obvious search for feminine understanding.

In the brown depths, Mallory glimpsed a sadness and weariness that tore at her heart. Without knowing all the facts, Ma

llory imagined Mrs. Lederman as a woman much like her own mother, who sacrificed everything in order to further her husband’s desires. If her mother had focused even for a moment on anything other than her husband, she might have taken notice of the daughter she’d borne, then ignored when her father had decreed her a disappointment. With a sigh, Mallory shook off the personal memories, but her heart went out to Mrs. Lederman.

But she couldn’t afford to pity her client’s wife. Not if she was going to convince the man she could represent him to the best of her abilities. With difficulty, Mallory tore her gaze away from the woman’s pleading expression and focused on her client instead.

She couldn’t read the man or his feelings for his soon-to-be ex-wife. But she did see an aging man with a slight paunch and receding hairline who was married to an elegant, attractive woman who still desired to be his wife.

“I suggest you two do all communication through your attorneys from now on,” Jack said, in a kind but firm voice.

Mallory glanced up through hooded eyes. The sadness in Mrs. Lederman’s countenance grew.

“I didn’t realize you’d already hired yours,” his wife said.

Paul Lederman coughed once. “I haven’t finalized a decision yet.”

“But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t protect yourself,” Mallory advised.

He nodded. “The lady’s got a point because I’m hiring the best.”

Mallory recognized Lederman’s subtle implication that he hadn’t yet decided if Waldorf, Haynes deserved the job, but right now her focus was on Mrs. Lederman and her pain.

“You don’t scare me, Paul. I’m looking at a man who doesn’t recognize the best when he’s got it in his life.” To the other woman’s credit, she held her emotions in check as best she could before she walked away, head held high.

“I didn’t realize you were still living together,” Jack said, breaking the awkward silence that followed.

Lederman snorted. “Not together. Opposite sides of the resort. She won’t leave. Says she loves me but what she really means is she won’t be charged with desertion. From her point of view, what’s mine is hers and what’s hers is hers. Damn place is turning into the War of the Roses.”

He shot to his feet quickly, pushing his chair back hard. “And I want someone who can get me the hell out of it without a dent in my wallet.” Muttering to himself, the older man stalked off, leaving Jack and Mallory alone.

“Dammit.” Jack groaned and ran a hand through his hair. “He’s explosive. I don’t want to lose this client.”