Destiny shook her head. "No. We discussed that. I won't leave her stranded."

He returned to his desk, eager to put distance between them. "La'Treece is not a victim. She brought this on herself. She needs to be gone before I get home today. I'm having the locks changed too. I'm simply telling you as a courtesy."

"Then, I'm going with her." He watched her bottom lip tremble, obviously dismayed with the choice she had to make.

"Now, you're the one who's lying."

"You think I won't do it?" She raised her chin a full inch in the air.

"If you do, it'll be the biggest mistake you ever made. You have a chance to start anew. You're a grown woman. I can't tell you who to keep company with, but she's out of my home."

"How can you be so cold?"

He reclined in his leather chair. "I'm protecting what's mine."

Her eyes sparked with anger. "I am not yours!"

He folded his arms over his chest. "I meant my house, not you."

The power of her glare diminished as she headed for the door. He waited until she'd opened it before stopping her. "Oh, and Destiny, When I make a move on a woman, you'd better d.a.m.n well believe I've never been rejected."

She tossed a retort over her shoulder. "Contrary to your c.o.c.ky beliefs, not every woman wants you."

He smirked. "I haven't met one yet."

Chapter 6.

A week had pa.s.sed since Cayson kissed her in his office. Destiny came to work each day and did her job as instructed. She and Cayson were professionally polite. He made sure to leave the door to his office open at all times, and she made sure not to watch the movement of his s.e.xy lips as he talked. Every time she thought about his tongue stroking hers, she got wet. She couldn't afford to keep soaking perfectly good pairs of panties. So, she forced herself to be angry at him. Anger was a much more effective tool than l.u.s.t.

Anger fueled her need to better herself. She had to work hard and get that apartment for both her and La'Treece. She missed her best friend. After she'd had to break the bad news that she would not be moving out with her, La'Treece stormed out of the house and refused to speak to her. All of Destiny's calls to her best friend's cell phone had gone unanswered. Soon, the apartment would be ready. She really wanted La'Treece there with her.

La'Treece knew her almost better than she knew herself. She knew that Destiny's mama had been in the military and had decided not to reenlist when she found out she was pregnant with Destiny. She knew about her mama's PSTD. She knew about her mama's 'crazy bouts' and that she couldn't take care of Destiny properly. And most important, she knew about mama's death in the Veteran's Affairs hospital the month before Destiny's thirteenth birthday. Poor Mama. She served her country, but n.o.body was there to help her when she needed it most. All Destiny had left of her was a gold locket with her picture. It dangled like a precious memory from a tiny chain on Destiny's neck. Merely touching the smooth metal gave her renewed strength. She could do this.

From that point on, she poured herself into her work. There was always plenty to be done. A few of the girls in the temp pool even invited her to lunch. They were cool to hang with, but they weren't La'Treece.

One night, Destiny came home exhausted. She thought about making dinner. But her previous attempts in Cayson's kitchen always ended in disaster. Her last failure had her a little skittish. Spaghetti shouldn't be that hard to make! Yet, somehow, she'd ended up with overcooked meat and undercooked pasta. She was convinced the appliances in Cayson's kitchen were conspiring against her. She wanted to at least earn her keep by cooking, but lately, Cayson never got home before ten p.m. anyway. She was sure he'd pick up something to eat.

After shedding her work clothes and slipping into a pair of fleece pajamas, she curled up on the couch with a pint of Ben and Jerry's Coffee Toffee Bar Crunch ice cream. She flipped through channels until she landed on a popular sitcom. It was one of La'Treece's favorites. In fact, they'd watched it a few weeks ago sitting in this very spot. Destiny shoveled ice cream into her mouth as she watched the show. Soon, her melancholy disappeared, and she was cracking up at the antics of the lead character. This was therapy for her. Laughter was good for the soul.

The moment the commercial came on, she heard the front doork.n.o.b rattle. She froze, spoon in mid-air. It was only seven p.m. Much too early for Cayson to be home. And besides, she hadn't heard the garage door opening. He normally parked his Porsche there. Her heart thumped in her chest. If that wasn't Cayson, then who could it be?

Somebody was trying to break in!

She jumped up from the couch, abandoning her post. Someone on the other side of the door was frantically jiggling the k.n.o.b. She imagined an intruder trying to pick the lock. Her eyes darted across the living room in search of a weapon. She grabbed an iron fireplace poker and stood ready, legs braced wide, the poker swung high over her head.

C'mon, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d. You might get in, but I'm getting a few good licks in first!

Finally, the intruder gave up and started banging on the door. Destiny jumped, started by the noise.

"Cayson!" a female voice called from outside the door. "Are you in there? Cayson, open up!"

Destiny placed a palm over her heaving chest. Surely, a burglar wouldn't know her victim by name? She lowered the poker, but advanced toward the door cautiously. She peered out the peephole, and saw a pet.i.te gray-haired woman standing on the porch holding an oversized pink Tupperware container. A burglar would definitely not bring dessert.

When Destiny opened the door, a pair of chiseled, blue eyes stared at her. The sunset dipped low, creating an eerie red backdrop against the woman's pudgy frame. The "intruder" gasped. By the look on her face, she was just as shocked to see Destiny as Destiny was to see her.

"Who are you?" Destiny demanded.

"Irene Sullivan." Her eyes dropped to the poker in Destiny's hand. "Who are you?"

"Destiny Jackson. I live here. Well, temporarily anyway."

The woman's grey eyebrows jumped. "Excuse me? My son, Cayson lives here. He gave me a key, which worked until today."

"Cayson had to change the locks because my friend" Destiny paused, staring at the pink Tupperware in the woman's hands. "Is that a cake?"

"Key Lime pie. I brought it for Cayson, but it looks like you and I could both use a piece." Irene stepped into the entryway. "I'll eat while you explain why my son has a strange woman living in his house."

Cayson pulled into his driveway. He was dead tired. Hours of depositions and thirteen-hour work days were killing him. It didn't help that his current client was an ignorant buffoon. But he paid Cayson's salary, so he had to deal with his bulls.h.i.t no matter how badly he wanted to punch the man in the face.

He came through the front door and dropped his briefcase on the hardwood floors. He trudged toward his bedroom, but stopped when he heard m.u.f.fled voices. All the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Destiny was normally in bed by now. There could only be one reason for the conspiratorial whispers: La'Treece must be back. Anger replaced fatigue as he barged into the kitchen.

"What the h.e.l.l is going on in here?" he thundered.

The words erupted from his mouth before he could fully comprehend the scene in front of him. Destiny and his mother sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by plates of pie and cups of coffee. Destiny pinned him with her signature narrowing of the eyes. His mother's mouth was dropped open in indignation.

Oops.

"Watch your language, young man!"

"I'm uh, sorry Ma...I just thought...I..."

Destiny stood, the fleece pajamas she wore doing nothing to hide the ample curves of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "I think I'll turn in for the night. I've had a long day." She turned to his mother. "I enjoyed talking with you, Irene."

"Me too. Please come and visit me soon. I live right around the corner."

Cayson's eyes followed Destiny as she left the kitchen. The sway of her a.s.s in those pajamas held his gaze hostage. Seeing her at work in her b.u.t.toned up blouses and slim skirts was one thing. At home, where she let her guard down was too much for him to handle.

"So," his mother interrupted his lecherous thoughts. "I've heard Destiny's version of what's going on. Now I'm ready to hear yours."

An hour later, after he'd had his fill of Key Lime pie and coffee, Cayson had revealed everything that had happened since he walked into Barracuda's courtroom three weeks ago. Well, not everything. His mother would be mortified if she knew about his erotic thoughts for Destiny. And he was too embarra.s.sed to tell her the real reason for Gracie's grudge against him. There were some sins a man simply did not divulge to anyone.

"Let me get this straight," his mother confirmed after draining her second cup of coffee. You kicked Destiny's friend out?"

"I know it sounds harsh, but I had to, Ma. La'Treece is bad news. She tried to sleep with me! I bet Destiny didn't tell you that."

"You're used to females throwing themselves at you. You're a handsome man, and I daresay I think you enjoy being the center of attention." She ruffled his hair in jest.

"Ma, I'm serious. It was creepy, her sneaking into my bed." Cayson pushed his empty plate to the middle of the kitchen table. "I was prepared to forget all about it, but she started yelling at me. She flipped out. I can't have someone like that under my roof. But I will admit I'm worried about how Destiny is taking it. They are really good friends."

"Yes, I can tell you care for Destiny. I see it in your eyes." She placed a hand on his. "And who could blame you? She's a beautiful girl with a good heart."

He was ashamed to admit Destiny's heart was not what gave him a hard-on every time he saw her. "I'm only doing this because I'm under court order. Don't start planning a wedding."

"Oh!" she jumped excitedly. "I forgot to tell you. Dane and Charly have set a date."

"What? They're getting married?"

"Yes! Can you believe we're having another Sullivan wedding?"

It was the second wedding in two years. His brothers were on missions to expand the Sullivan family. His brother, Mark had gotten married to his former co-worker and business partner over a year ago. They'd opened a luxury travel resort in the Maldive Islands. Now, his oldest brother, Dane was getting married. Cayson met his bride, Charly last year in the Maldives where the three brothers were vacationing. Charly was a beautiful woman with her own business and two teenagers. "Do you realize I'll be an instant uncle? I'll have a niece and nephew to spoil rotten."

His mother's grin lit up the room. "I didn't know you liked kids."

"I don't mind kids as long as they come with a generous return policy."

"You mean you don't want to be a father some day?"

"Pssh!" He blew a burst of air through tight lips. "No thanks. I can barely look after myself."

She nodded. "Speaking of kids, how old is Destiny?"

Back to that again. When would people learn she was a temptress, not a child? "Twenty-four. Why do you ask?"

"I thought she might want to help me volunteer at the senior center."

"Ma, I told you not to get too attached to her. She won't be here permanently."

"Cayson," his mother admonished. "Don't be rude. You can't treat her like a stray puppy you suddenly got tired of playing with."

He thought back to what Destiny said the night they met. He was not treating her like s.h.i.t on his shoe. If anything, he'd elevated her status in life. Got her a new wardrobe and a job all within the span of a few days. She'd hit the jackpot. And what had he gotten? Blue b.a.l.l.s. It hardly seemed a fair exchange.

He stood and placed their dirty dishes in the sink. "C'mon, Ma. I'll walk you home."

Upstairs in her room, Destiny called La'Treece on the new cell phone Cayson had purchased for her yesterday. She wanted to make sure La'Treece had the number. She lay flat on her stomach across the colorful bedspread. She cradled the phone between her ear and her shoulder, half expecting to get her best friend's voicemail.

"You still livin' with that hotshot lawyer?" La'Treece quipped.

Destiny smiled at the abrupt greeting. n.o.body could ever accuse La'Treece of beating around the bush. "Finally, you answered. I haven't heard from you in a week! I thought I might have to send out a missing person's report on your a.s.s."

"Girl, you better not call the laws on me."

Destiny laughed, happy the tension had been broken. The two caught up and filled each other in on the week's events. La'Treece had found a job in home health care, playing nurse a few days a week to an old lady. Destiny didn't know how La'Treece kept finding these jobs she had no experience in. But La'Treece could be very resourceful when she wanted.

"Listen, La'Treece," Destiny said finally broaching the subject. "I'm gonna stay here until we get our apartment in a few weeks. There's no sense in us both being worried about where we're living."

"Well, I'm worried about you being there with him. Its' not safe."

"He's harmless."

"He might try to force himself on you. Like he did with me."

Destiny was starting to wonder about La'Treece's version of events that happened that night. Cayson looked her directly in the eyes and told her La'Treece was lying. Something in her gut begged her to listen. And not just because she'd gotten to know him better. Cayson was a good-looking man. He had women falling at his feet. And she had to admit, she liked what she saw too. Sometimes, when he wasn't looking, she watched the way he moved. Watched the way his muscles rippled in his back when he reached for a gla.s.s in the cabinet. Watched the lines of his a.s.s when he walked. Watched his biceps bulge when he stretched. The man was fine! And if his kiss was any indication of his lovemaking skills, it was no wonder he had women stalking him. He didn't have to force himself on anyone.

But he hadn't stepped to her again after that. He'd been all business and sour-like. Maybe he hadn't enjoyed the kiss as much as she had. She guessed she really shouldn't complain. She didn't want things to get all hot and heated with him. One kiss might lead to another, and the next thing she knew, he would discover her secret. She was too shamed to reveal that. When he'd asked her to steer clear of him, she'd dutifully obliged. She wasn't going to mess up a perfectly good opportunity. All her life, she'd relied on others to keep her in their good graces. Now, it was her turn to make things happen.

"You're gonna be happy when we get our apartment," she told La'Treece.

"Yeah. In the meantime, I'll be countin' down the days."

"Where are you staying? Back at the shelter? "

"With some people Porter hooked me up with."

"What?" Destiny pushed herself up on her elbows. "How can you hang with him after the mess he got me in?"

"That was an accident. He explained everything it to me."

She forced away needles of irritation that p.r.i.c.ked her skin. "I wish he would have extended the same courtesy to me."

"Oh, listen to you using big phrases," La'Treece mocked. "I wish he would have extended the same courtesy."

"I mean, I just wish he woulda told me instead of you. I'm the one he owes the explanation to."

"Well, I'm pa.s.sing along the message for him." She paused, and the tension between them was noticeably present again. "I gotta go, girl. Talk to you later."

Destiny hung up. She'd learned early in life to trust her intuition instead of trusting people. Her intuition never failed her. And right now, something didn't feel right. She gnawed on her bottom lip. She didn't have the answer right now, but she knew it would be revealed soon. She got up and ran the water for her shower. Her professional life was taking shape at last. As for her personal lifeshe'd never felt more alone than she did now.

Chapter 7.

"Case dismissed!"

The sound of the gavel striking the block signaled the judge's final decision. Cayson's smug smile of satisfaction could be seen from a mile away. Destiny was happy for him. He'd worked hard, and he was seeing the fruits of his labor on this case. From her seat in the second row of the courtroom, she watched him confidently stride to where his client sat and shake the man's meaty hand. Not so long ago, she sat in a similar position, her heart thumping wildly as Cayson defended her. She was sure his ridiculously wealthy client hadn't lost one wink of sleep over this case. He was used to things going his way. He probably knew this time would be no different. Destiny wondered how it felt to know everything in life would work out the way you wanted it.