What The Heart Wants

Chapter 4

The blush pink walls of Paula’s room were soothing to her as she slept soundly in her bed. The early morning sky lit up as the sun began to dance across it. Views of the city from her window were normally magnificent at this time of day, but Paula was tired. Rebecca kept to her word in not easing up her workload because she decided to take Jackson’s case.

Her eyes peeked open just in time for her alarm clock to go off, waking her from her enchanting dreams. Facing another tiring work day was daunting, but not as daunting as the rain clouds swarming in the morning sky. She sulked as sunny day hopes were thrashed away by cracks of thunder and a bolt of lightning. Rain was coming and she hoped to get to work before it started.

Hope dashed again as droplets trickled down her window. Now, Paula only hoped to make it to work before it started to rain any heavier. After getting dressed in a suit made for the rain, she headed into her kitchen to make her usual cup of coffee. She thought about cooking breakfast, but just didn’t have the energy to do it. The diner was definitely on her places to go before clocking into work this morning. The coffee pot heated quickly while Paula glanced down to her phone. She’d been waiting for Jackson to call her back since the night before, but still nothing. Her phone was drier than the Sahara. Being the one to initiate conversations was never her thing. She always wanted to be the pursued not the chaser.

“Paula, what the hell are you thinking?” she shouted to herself. “This isn’t a relationship. He is your client! There’s nothing wrong with you calling him as many times as possible to get him on the phone! You are his lawyer and you need to schedule a meeting. So just do it, god damn it!”

Giving herself a pep talk was just what she needed to refocus as she dialed his number again. This time he picked up the phone. “Good morning, this is Jackson Davis.”

“Well it’s nice to hear your voice,” Paula responded sarcastically. She was still treating him like a suitor instead of a client.

“Excuse me?” he questioned. “Who is this?”

Paula suddenly realized that he probably didn’t answer because he didn’t know it was her calling. “I’m sorry. This is Paula Maxwell, your attorney.”

“Well, good morning Paula.” Jackson grinned. “I’m glad you called.”

“Are you? I called you a few times yesterday and even left a message. I was beginning to think that you didn’t need my assistance anymore.” Paula was still giving him attitude.

“I’m sorry, Paula, I really am.” Jackson’s sincerity reached her through the phone. “How would you like me to make it up to you?”

“I don’t need you to make it up to me,” Paula corrected him. “I need you to make some time for me in that busy schedule of yours for us to meet and discuss your case.”

“Is that the only reason you want us to meet?” Jackson asked her flirtatiously.

“Listen to me, smooth talker,” Paula adjusted her tone to sound more serious than she was. “This is a strictly professional meeting, between attorney and client. If you’re not going to respect that then maybe I should refer you to another lawyer.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior,” Jackson agreed. “So, where and what time did you have in mind for this meeting?”

“Well, I’ll be in the office by nine. So, I guess we can meet there and grab one of the conference rooms to go over your case files.”

“Are you allowed to meet clients outside of the office?” he asked.

“Of course I am. Why?”

“Well because Ms. Cornish doesn’t seem to like me very much. I find it very beneficial to keep out of the way of those who don’t like me,” Jackson explained to her.

Paula agreed that Rebecca didn’t like him, but she wouldn’t tell him that. “Okay then. Are you familiar with Greg’s Unicorn Diner?”

“Eat there all the time.”

“Good! I can go into work late if you meet me there at nine?” Paula suggested to the car thief.

Jackson smiled and agreed to the meeting before hanging up the phone. Paula wanted to scream and jump but once again reality hit her. He was a client, not a date. She looked down at her frumpy suit that she wore when the weather was nasty out and decided to go change.

Back in her bedroom, Paula scrounged around her closet in search of an outfit sexier than the one she had on. A form fitting black dress with a nice blazer over would do the trick. The dress gave her that extra boost of confidence that women like Rebecca oozed. Her slender figure was on full display in that dress and she wasn’t afraid to show it off.

Paula even applied makeup. It was a process she hated to do but today seemed like a good day to put in the extra effort. She stared at her beautiful face and slicked back hair wondering what in the hell was she doing?

“Girl! Have you lost your mind?” she questioned herself. “Why do you care whether or not he sees you in that dumpy suit versus this little black dress? Are you really changing yourself for some man?”

Paula couldn’t stomach that image, but after glancing at the time, it was too late for her to change back. She was stuck in business vixen mode and had a meeting to go to. The coffee was ready by the time she filled her travel mug and headed out the door.

Paula flipped back and forth in her mind about why she cared what a criminal thought about her appearance. She wasn’t going to date the guy. The things Rebecca said crept into her mind. Maybe she was feeling vulnerable and the attention of this handsome man was doing more damage to her than good. She’d already caught herself changing for him and didn’t like how powerful her attraction was. There was an air of mystery and danger around Jackson that she wanted to get close to. It was a reminder of the life she once knew. Shaking memories from her past, Paula made her way to the diner. She didn’t want to be late for the meeting with her client.

“He’s just a client,” Paula reminded herself as she walked into the diner. “He’s just a client, nothing more and nothing less.” But that face, along with his body, made her want to break every ethical code she held dear. Even after she read through his rap sheet, she wanted to be closer to him. That bad boy persona was irresistible. So, there she sat at the counter waiting for her morning meeting with her client to begin.

It didn’t take long for Jackson to show up to the diner after Paula had gotten there. He tapped her on the shoulder and when she turned around, all she could see was his warm smile. Standing up to greet him, they shook hands. Jackson’s eyes trailed the curvatures in her silhouette wondering if he ever noticed her voluptuousness before. He shook his head knowing he was in trouble. Brown Sugar was looking more like pound cake to him.