Free Lawyering Up by Wynter Daniels Page A

helping out where he was needed.
    “Did you know Pete’s working here?” he asked.
    She swallowed back a gasp. “Here, like at this jail?”
    “Yeah. He’s a sergeant already. Moving up the ranks.”
    How had she missed the man to whom she’d given her virginity? “I had no idea.” All these years later, Pete Hanover still made frequent appearances in her dreams. They’d spent a little more than a year as boyfriend and girlfriend and two before that as besties. He’d taught her everything she knew about sex. To this day, he was hands down the most skillful lover she’d ever had. Well, she’d only had a few, but Pete was the king. She compared all her subsequent lovers to him and none had measured up.
    “He works nights. I only see him a couple times a year. Pretty crazy that we all ended up working in the same messed-up arena and we never get to see each other.”
    They’d grown apart. She swallowed back a lump in her throat. She’d been so busy during law school, waitressing to pay for school and studying every free moment she had. They’d planned to see each other during school breaks but things had come up and the relationship had just fizzled out.
    “We need to get together, go out and have a drink.” She glanced down at his left hand and thankfully saw no ring. Why did it matter? Wasn’t like Rudy had ever shown any interest in her. Well, except that one time. “And I guess you guys can bring along your girlfriends.”
    His eyes flashed with amusement. “Don’t have one at the moment. You?”
    Her antennae perked up at that news. “No special man in my life right now. What about Pete?” Surely the hottest guy she’d ever met had been corralled by a woman by now.
    “He’s divorced. Only stayed married for like a year.”
    Her empathy for Pete’s failed marriage was overshadowed by her spark of interest. Maybe… No, she shouldn’t even think that way. Why would he still want her, especially seeing how she’d let herself go , as her mother loved to point out to her.
    “Job’s tough on relationships,” he added.
    “Tell me about it.” But she hadn’t even dated anyone more for more than a few weeks at a time since college. She still compared all men to Pete. And maybe even to Rudy. They were both such sweet guys.
    “I’m surprised you’re single.”
    There were those adorable dimples. She could just stare at Rudy’s face all day long. And his ripped body that practically oozed sex.
    “No time for a boyfriend.” Yeah, right. As if there were a hundred guys beating down her door. Not in this lifetime.
    Rudy eyed her and she wondered if he believed her. “Are you free Saturday evening? Pete works nights, the same rotation as I do. It’d be great if the three of us could get together.”
    She took her phone out of her purse and checked her calendar even though she knew she was free. Saturday was her damn birthday and all she had planned was lunch and birthday cake with her parents and her sister. “Looks like I’m available.”
    Rudy pulled a cell out of his pocket. “I’ll send Pete a text. Give me your number.”
    After they’d exchanged information, he drew her into another hug. Damn, his embrace brought back a flood of memories, and a rush of desire. All that strength surrounding her made her feel somehow more like a woman. He was so freaking big and solid. She inhaled his scent again, tried to memorize it. That was what a man ought to smell like.
    She recalled that one time in school when they’d nearly kissed, right before she and Pete started seeing each other. Holding on a moment longer than she should have, she shut her eyes and savored the feel of his muscular arms around her, keeping her safe and secure. What would it be like to crawl into bed with that hunk of masculinity? And he had handcuffs. Oh, the possibilities. She’d fantasized about a dozen ways a man could tie her up and handcuffs were right at the top of the list.
    Releasing her, he straightened his