Dylan and Eve, both high-achieving lawyers, share a deeper connection than either of them realizes. As past events resurface, they discover their lives are more intertwined than they ever imagined. When they find themselves on opposing sides of a critical court case, they must make a decision that could either shatter their hearts or bring them lasting happiness. In a world where the lines between dominance and deception blur, Dylan and Eve engage in a dangerous game of power and passion, where winning might come at the cost of losing everything they hold dear.
Book 3: Dominance or Deception
DYLAN
“This is unbelievable,” Lexi said, her voice trembling.
I glanced at her from my desk, trying to reassure her. “Don’t worry, Lexi. We’ll sort this out.”
“My own dad is suing me for breach of contract. What contract? We only had a verbal agreement. He can’t really do that, can he?” Her voice was filled with confusion and fear.
I shook my head, trying to calm her. “Harvey knows that a verbal agreement doesn’t hold water legally. Unless you signed something, we can handle this.”
“I didn’t sign anything!” Lexi’s voice was rising in panic.
I could see her anxiety growing. I moved from behind my desk and took a seat on the leather chair next to her, taking her hands in mine.
I looked into her eyes, trying to soothe her. “Harvey is just trying to intimidate you. He wants you to settle for whatever unofficial agreement you had. I don’t think he expected you to actually hire a lawyer.”
“He’s not going to ruin us, is he? Asher, the twins, and me?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“I’ll fix this,” I promised, giving her hands a reassuring squeeze.
Harvey Johnson was a real piece of work. Suing your own daughter after she just had twins was a low blow.
I had a feeling those kids would never meet their grandfather. Maybe that was for the best. They didn’t need someone like him in their lives, especially as a role model.
I checked my watch before helping Lexi to her feet and walking her to the door.
I had a meeting the next day with Harvey’s new assistant attorney. I didn’t know how the meeting would go, so I didn’t mention it to Lexi.
We said our goodbyes, and I promised to call her with any updates.
Lexi and I had become close friends over the past few months. I won’t deny that I found her attractive.
She was beautiful. But I also won’t lie. I’d tried to win her over.
But she was in love with Asher. Seeing her happiness with him and their little family, I knew she made the right choice.
I glanced at my watch again. It was getting late, and I still had a few errands to run.
I tidied up my desk, grabbed my suit coat, and headed out. The office was dark and empty.
It was Friday, so I let everyone leave early, much to my assistant’s chagrin. That woman really needed a break.
One thing I learned from interning for Harvey was how not to be a boss. When I opened my own practice, I vowed to be a good boss to my staff and a good lawyer to my clients.
Harvey led by fear. I refused to be like him.
***
An hour later, I found myself at Masquerade, a local club. I knew I should probably head home.
I had an important meeting the next day. But I was already here, and I hadn’t eaten all day.
I decided to order another drink and some dinner.
I was scrolling through my phone, waiting for my food, when she walked in. She caught my eye immediately.
She had sun-kissed skin and long, sleek black hair. Her big brown eyes sparkled even from where I sat.
She wore tight jeans and knee-high black boots. Her black shirt hugged her body, showing off every curve.
She was stunning, exotic. She looked like a dark angel. I had to have her.
I didn’t waste any time introducing myself. I knew if I didn’t approach her, some other guy would.
That wasn’t going to happen, because she was mine. Or she would be.
As I walked toward her, our eyes locked. The closer I got, the more I wanted her.
Her red lips curved into a side smirk. I groaned quietly, imagining those lips around my cock.
I stopped in front of her, struggling to find my words. She raised an eyebrow and tilted her head, silently asking what I wanted.
“Dylan,” I said, extending my hand.
She looked me up and down before taking it. “Eve.”
***
I woke up with a smile on my face and a pounding headache. I dragged myself out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
I needed a shower, some caffeine, and aspirin. I had to clear my head.
I needed to focus on the meeting. But my mind kept drifting back to the dark angel I’d met last night.
As I stepped into the shower, I pictured her perfect, curvy body. I could still feel the way she felt in my arms.
There was a need in her, a desire to break free. She was holding back, and I wanted to know why.
I gripped my cock as the scene replayed in my head.
We crashed through the restroom door. I’m not a fan of public restroom sex, but all logic had left my mind the moment I’d smelled her perfume.
I pushed her back against the door as I locked it. My fist tightly gripped her long black hair as I pressed my body against hers.
Her moan only made me harder.
“Fuck. I want you so bad. I need to taste you,” I mumbled against her neck.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her shake her head. I looked at her, worried she was having second thoughts.
But before I could say anything, she dropped to her knees. She pulled down my pants in record time.
The moment her tongue licked my tip and her lips wrapped around my cock, I was lost.
Desire and lust coursed through my body. I grabbed her hair with one hand and braced myself against the door with the other.
Looking down, I watched as she took me fully into her mouth. Her beautiful brown eyes looked up at me as she brought me closer to my release.
There was something in her eyes, a mix of hunger and lust combined with longing and vulnerability.
It made my heart ache. But before I could dwell on it, she did something incredible with her tongue.
“Holy shit! Eve! Keep doing that.”
I liked the sound of her name on my lips. Apparently, so did she.
Her nails dug into my ass, pushing me forward and deeper into her mouth.
I came so hard and violently; I was afraid I’d hurt her. But when I looked at her, she just smiled and wiped her mouth.
“Fuck, woman. You are trouble.”
The memory of her had me climaxing before I even knew what was happening.
Damn, that woman was a problem. I wished she hadn’t disappeared so suddenly.
I didn’t even have her contact details. All I had was her name, Eve.
I had to see her again. I just needed to figure out how to track her down.
But I couldn’t dwell on that now. I had to concentrate on Lexi and her jerk of a dad.
I quickly cleaned up, reviewed my notes over a cup of coffee, then headed out to Harvey Johnson’s office.
***
“Harvey and Evelyn will see you now.” Joanie, Harvey’s secretary, signaled for me to follow her.
Evelyn must be the assistant attorney. I mentally kicked myself for not getting her name earlier and doing some background checks. I like to know what I’m up against.
I hate going into situations blind. The moment I stepped into the office, I was reminded why.
My stomach plummeted when I saw her, my dark angel. Judging by her expression, she wasn’t expecting to see me either. Although that did make me feel slightly better, my defenses immediately went up.
Either she was just as shocked as I was, or this was all a scheme to extract information about the case.
Damn, I was let down. She looked incredibly sexy in her pencil skirt and button-up blouse. I could just imagine her on top of that desk, skirt hiked up to her waist, her underwear on display.
I inwardly groaned at myself and tried to erase the image. Lexi was my friend. I wasn’t going to jeopardize this case.
It didn’t matter what I wanted, and it certainly didn’t matter what Evelyn wanted. We were adversaries now, and that’s exactly how I was going to treat her.
EVE
Of course this is happening, I thought as I saw the guy from last night walk in. Karma is a bitch, and she seemed to be kicking my ass lately.
I was sure I had done something to deserve the shit-luck I’d been having. Working for Harvey Johnson probably wasn’t going to help me in that department either.
I had to take the job, though. He paid well, and I needed the money. I figured if I could get through a year working here, I should be able to save the money I needed, then hopefully find a better job.
That plan seemed all well and good, too. Until he walked in.
I wanted Dylan differently than I’d ever wanted anyone. I don’t know how to explain it, but that hadn’t been me last night.
I don’t just pull random strangers into the bathroom and get down on my knees for them. Damn, I’d wanted him in my mouth, though. The satisfied sounds coming from him had made me feel powerful and confident.
He had been more than willing to reciprocate the gesture, but reality had hit at the worst time.
I couldn’t afford a distraction right now, and Dylan was definitely a distraction. So, I’d just left, thinking I would never see him again.
Damn!
“Dylan, have a seat.” Harvey gestured to the chair in front of him.
Dylan walked up to the chair, resting his hands on the back. “I prefer to stand.”
He gave me a side-eye that made my stomach turn. Of course, he was going to think this was planned, but it wasn’t.
Thanks to Harvey deciding that our initial meeting was unnecessary, I never got any information on who was representing his daughter. I wished Dylan knew that I had no idea who he was.
And the fact that I wished that told me I was in so much more trouble than I wanted to admit.
“Suit yourself.” Harvey shrugged. “Dylan Rochester, meet Evelyn Sanders. She’ll be your primary contact for this case.”
Dylan was clearly getting more agitated by the minute. “I didn’t expect you to be here for this first meeting. You know, since you are actually the client. The man who is suing his daughter.”
Harvey strolled up to Dylan, stopping right before him. They were toe to toe, staring at each other.
I was about to clear my throat and tell them to have their little pissing contest later. Harvey gave Dylan a wicked smile before I could.
“You want to be the big bad lawyer, fine. I’ll see you in court.”
Harvey nodded to me before walking toward the door. “Evelyn.”
“I’m not afraid of you, Harvey,” Dylan said. He might have been speaking to him, but he was looking at me.
Harvey’s laugh was deep and frightening. “We’ll see.”
It took all my strength to hide my disgust. The man was an ass, but like I said, I needed the money. Plus, it was good exposure.
Dylan didn’t take his eyes off me as Harvey left the room. As soon as the door shut, I started before he could say anything.
“Dylan, I know how this looks, but I swear, I didn’t know who you were.”
He huffed. “Why should I believe you?”
I was about to give a polite response when something occurred to me. “How do I know that you didn’t know who I was? Maybe you are the one trying to get information from me.”
“Please…” He crossed his arms. Those muscular arms that he had around my body last night. “I do not need to cheat to beat you.”
“Why should I believe you?” I threw his words back in his face, and I swear, he tried to hide a smile.
He took a step closer. “You have to take a different case.”
“Excuse me?”
Another step closer. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since yesterday. If you stay on this case, we’ll be enemies.”
He took another step forward. That’s when I realized I’d backed up against the desk. He could see my nervous reaction. I hated myself for letting it show.
He whispered into my ear, sending a shiver down my body. “You know what I do to my enemies?”
I tried to stand my ground. “You don’t scare me, Dylan.”
He smiled and put his hand on my lower back. Bringing me to him, he pressed my body into his. I could feel how hard he was, and I moaned. I kept my arms at my side, refusing to touch him.
“I torture them,” he continued like I didn’t even respond.
Grabbing my chin, he positioned my head so his lips were barely touching mine. I knew this was a demonstration. He was going to torture me by never fully giving me what I wanted.
Well, two can play at that game. I quickly nipped his lower lip. He slightly jerked back, surprised.
“Torture is the game you want to play. Fine. I wonder who will break first. Good luck, Dylan Rochester.”
I used his stunned reaction to remove myself from his grasp. Then, I walked out before I lost my nerve. But not before I looked back to see the shocked—and aroused—look on Dylan’s face.
I smiled. This was going to be fun.