Dara Girard - Perfect Match

“I don’t care who he is.... He’s the answer to my prayers.”

* * *

Hannah dressed her best that Monday. She wanted to make a good impression even though she knew she had the upper hand since no one else wanted the case. She felt the case itself would be a struggle based on the information she’d read about the Walkers and since it was her first, but she was ready for the challenge. She sat at her desk and waited.

Then she heard voices and a knock on her door. She straightened, and in walked the man from her dreams.

Chapter 4

Amal halted in the doorway when he saw her. He noticed the surprise and amazement on her pretty face and nearly took a step back. He had to play it cool. He didn’t want anything to jeopardize her representing him. He had to remain in control even though he didn’t feel as if he was. Instead, he felt as if his world had tilted on its axis and that nothing would be the same again. His throat constricted, his mouth felt parched and his heart acted as if it wanted to beat out of his chest. He took a deep breath, glad he still knew how to breathe. He fought not to remember the scent of her perfume or notice how the color of her lime-green suit looked against her skin. He tried to ignore how the light revealed reddish highlights in her hair and how when she licked her lips he wanted to lick them, too. No, he had to focus on the case. That was all that mattered right now.

He held out his hand, pleased by how firm and steady it looked. Yes, he could do this. “It will be a pleasure to work with you.”

“Yes,” Hannah said in a rush. “Will you excuse me?” She darted out of the room, pushing past him on her exit, allowing him another whiff of her floral scent. He gripped his hands into fists.

Hector spun around, sending him an accusatory look. “What have you done?”

Amal took a seat, setting his briefcase down. “I haven’t done anything.”

“She looked at you as if she’d seen a ghost or something. Please don’t tell me she’s a former conquest you’ve forgotten about.”

“I never forget a woman.”

“It can happen.”

“Not to me. Besides, she’s never been one of mine. And will you stop calling them conquests?”

“I say it out of admiration.”

“I don’t care.”

“Fine,” Hector reluctantly conceded, “but something’s wrong, and I need to find out what. I don’t like surprises. They are never good.”

Amal tugged on his cuffs and grinned. “My little optimist.”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“She’s the only one willing to help us. We can’t lose her.”

The thought made Amal’s stomach clench. Now that he’d found her again, he didn’t want to lose her, but he wouldn’t think about why. “We’re not going to,” Amal said with a confidence he didn’t feel.

* * *

Hannah locked herself in the bathroom stall, wanting to jump up and down and scream. She just kicked the door instead. He was here. The man she’d been dreaming about for many nights was here and was quickly becoming her worst nightmare. He wasn’t the caring, generous and wonderful man she’d imagined him to be. Instead, he was a conniving playboy who went through women as he did his shirts. He’d likely used one of his lines to get her attention that day in the park. She wondered how often he used that line. Obviously it was effective; she’d fallen for it—and him—completely. From Bonnie’s research she knew he never settled with one woman for too long, especially after breaking up with Jade Walker. She felt like a fool. She banged her head against the door, welcoming the pain in her head. It was better than the one seeping into her heart.

He’d probably laughed about how easy it had been to manipulate her. But she wouldn’t think about that. She needed the job. She didn’t need to like him. And he didn’t need to know how she’d felt about him. What he thought about her didn’t matter as long as she got paid. He’d probably forgotten all about it anyway. She’d be professional and distant.

She heard a knock on the door and then Bonnie’s worried tone. “Hannah? Are you all right?”

Hannah wiped her eyes and came out. “I’m fine.”

“Did he say something? Do you want me to be in on the meeting?”

“No, I can handle Mr. Harper.”

Hannah returned to her office and stared at Amal—seeing the steely jaw and cunning gaze. She hadn’t seen that before, but she wouldn’t forget it now.

“Okay, let’s get to work.”

They discussed the case and then finished for the day.

“Will you excuse us?” Amal said to Hector as they prepared to leave.

“Are you sure?” Hector said.

Amal sent him a cutting look. Hector hesitated and then left.

Once he’d closed the door, Amal leaned forward and softened his voice. “It’s nice to see you again, Hannah.”

“Is it?” she said, sounding bored.

“I think so.”

“So now you remember my name?”

“It suits you.”

“Stop playing games with me.”

“I’m not playing games.”

“You lied to me. In the park you said we’d met before, but when I just saw you, you were just as surprised to see me as I was to see you. Why is that? You knew my name and what I did, yet you were just as shocked when you saw me. That means you’ve never heard of or seen me before.”

He shrugged. “Okay, so I lied.”

Hannah blinked, amazed by how comfortable he was admitting it. “Why? You wanted to get my number or something? Or perhaps you were just bored that day and wanted to see if you could toy with me. I know all about you. I know how you think getting women in bed should be an Olympic sport.”

“I’ve never said that.”

“There’s no need to. Your actions speak loud enough.”

“You shouldn’t believe everything you read.”

“Or everything you hear.” She folded her arms, wanting to look unmoved, although she was feeling so many emotions she could hardly keep still. “Why did you lie?”

“I wanted to make you stop crying.”

Hannah paused, hating how he was a constant surprise to her. “I don’t believe you.”

He shrugged. “It’s the truth. Did the contractor give you a good estimate?”

“No.”

“Oh. Look, a friend owes me a favor. I can get your parents’ house fixed so they’ll get insured.”

Hannah held up her hand and shook her head. “I don’t need your help. You’re the one who needs mine.”

Amal shrugged and leaned against her desk. “I don’t see why you’re so upset. It was a harmless diversion.” He continued before she could reply, “Did I try to get your number or address?”

“No.”

He folded his arms. “You’re lucky I didn’t have to resort to plan B.”

“Plan B?”

“Yes.” He came around the desk and lifted her to her feet. “I was going to kiss you.” And then he did just that. She expected to be repelled, alarmed, violated, but instead the touch of his lips on hers was like coming home. Like the sweet smell of cinnamon pancakes on a Sunday morning, or the sound of a crackling fire on a still winter’s night. He felt safe, secure, right. Although her body wanted to believe that, her mind refused to. He was all wrong for her—too many smooth lines and charming smiles.

Hannah shoved him away and wiped his kiss from her mouth. “If you ever do that again—” She stopped at the sight of the stunned expression on his face—wonder, amazement, confusion and a slight hint of fear. All that she’d felt. But she brushed the thought aside. They were nothing alike. She snapped her fingers in his face. “Did you hear me?”

He blinked as though waking from a trance. “I’m sorry. I was out of line.” He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I don’t know what has gotten into me.”