Free IMPULSE: Companion to The PULSE Series by Deborah Bladon Page B

Jessica was drawn to him. It's obvious he's attractive. He's older than me. I'd guess by more than a decade. His brown hair is showing the first touches of grey. His blue eyes are honed in on me. "You're an attorney."
    It's a statement, not a question. He's either heard about me from Jessica or the man has done his research. "That's not news, Governor."
    He tips his head in my direction. "Jessica told me about you."
    I feel a rush of pride at the comment. She didn't try and hide the fact that she was involved with someone. "Why are you here?"
    He leans forward in his chair. His voice takes on a whispered tone. "Did she explain the confidentiality agreement to you?"
    I try in vain to temper my reaction to his words. He didn't just say that there's a confidentiality agreement in place? I scratch my finger behind my ear trying desperately to find something to say in response that isn't going to make me look like he just threw a sucker punch at me and hit me square between the eyes. "We don't have secrets."
    "You do." He rests his elbow on the arm of the chair. His simple gold wedding band catches the overhead light as he shifts his hand. "If you don't, Jessie is in a lot of trouble."
    I hate every single word that just came out of his vile mouth. I hate that his mouth has kissed her and touched her in places I have. "Is this why you came to New York?" My hand flies behind me to the bank of windows that overlook mid-town Manhattan. "You came here to intimidate Jessica?"
    "I came here to remind her that she needs to keep her pretty little mouth shut." He snaps his fingers together with a loud pop. "She brought up something at the wedding that she's not permitted to talk about. I came here to remind her of the consequences if she shares that information with anyone."
    There's no way in hell he's talking about their affair. I need clarification about what's going on. "Jessica signed an agreement?"
    "She signed an agreement," he begins as he taps his index finger on the edge of my desk. "She also took a huge check for her …" his voice trails. A thin smile takes over his lips. "She took money in exchange for her silence. There's a small matter regarding our affair that she can never talk about."
    I stare at his smug face. He's got me by the balls and he knows it. He didn't waltz in here to ask me if Jessica broke the confidentiality agreement that he made her sign. He came here specifically to throw their past relationship in my face. "You can leave." I motion towards the door of my office.
    "You're a lucky man, Moore." He slowly pulls himself from the chair.
    I don't respond. I don't move an inch. I refuse to give him the satisfaction.
    "I've yet to meet a woman who knew how to blow me the way she did." The words are clear, cold and meant to rile me.
    I rush to my feet. My hands knot into fists at my sides. "Get the fuck out," I hiss through clenched teeth.
    He raises a hand. "When you see her, tell her I miss her."
    "Shut the hell up you bastard," I call after him as he opens the door and steps through it without looking back.
     

Chapter 14
     
    "Jessica," I call her name before I've even got the door to the apartment open. "Jessica."
    I step through into the entryway and realize immediately that she's already here. Her black flats rest near the doorway, her coat is tossed recklessly over the back of the couch and her purse is sitting on the small table next to the door.
    My intention was to come home immediately after that fucking asshole, Thomas, left my office. I wanted to come here and decompress before I went to the restaurant. In my mind, I saw myself confronting her there, at work. It was a plan with no merit. Thankfully, I was called into a meeting about the Wilkinson case. I've spent the past three hours listening to numbers being tossed around, along with terms. I'm getting close to a settlement. I should be happy but the only thought that has been running through my mind is what Jessica agreed to be quiet about. What