Blackjack and Moonlight: A Contemporary Romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

court appearance.
    Still, Blackjack’s threat—or had it been a promise?—about not giving up couldn’t be banished from its spot at the front of her brain.
    On Saturday, Elise went into the office to draw up the settlement papers for Everton . She half expected that man to call from a number she wouldn’t recognize, forcing her to pick up. As a result, a straightforward drafting job took longer than usual, what with her looking at the phone every few minutes, half afraid, half hoping it would ring. Revolting man, that he could reduce her to such teenage behavior.
    Back at home, she checked the phone for messages even before she’d hung up her coat. Nothing. How absurd to feel a hollow pang of disappointment. She was like those sentry guards who longed for an invader just to make all the DEFCON nonsense worthwhile.
    When her home phone stubbornly didn’t ring on Sunday either, and the clock ticked off every hour with no deliveries of flowers or gifts, Elise realized she was officially over the edge. She’d been so busy guessing what his next move would be she’d missed that this had been his next move. Psychologically astute, her judge. Without a word, he’d permeated her Sunday routine. Insidious man.
    She needed reinforcements. She called Christine, her best friend at the firm, and told her to come over for The Good Wife .
    When they were settled on the couch with beers and the TV muted as crazy teams screamed at each other on The Amazing Race , Elise got to the point.
    “You’ve got to back me up with this Blackjack nonsense. I need someone on my side.”
    “You didn’t like my advice on Monday.”
    Elise scowled. “That’s because you told me to date him, not how to get rid of him.”
    “You’re not seeing anyone else and I think the two of you might be good for each other.”
    “Tell me again how dating a delusional judge helps me?”
    Christine laughed. “That’s ‘Philly’s Newest—and Sexiest’ delusional judge, don’t forget.”
    Elise glanced at the magazine on her coffee table. Why hadn’t she thrown it in the recycling bin yet?
    Christine went on, “Well, it would be something to tell your mother.”
    “Don’t remind me. I try to tell my mother as little as possible, but she calls Kim regularly for updates.”
    Christine made a show of inspecting her fingernails. “She’s called me.”
    “No effing way. When?”
    “Uh, the most recent call was, I don’t know, last month? No, wait, it was January. She called to wish me a happy New Year. And to talk about your love life.”
    Elise stared at her cozy living room, only slightly tidier than her office. She loved her house, bought with her own money, decorated to her taste. She loved her solitude. Sure, hooking up with a guy for a few months satisfied her physically. For her, though, true happiness was this quiet house and the time alone to enjoy it.
    Now, her home already felt invaded by Blackjack McIntyre, by his energy and intelligence, his schemes and intentions. And that was without his setting foot in the place. Adding her mother’s voice echoing around the room, wanting to know if Elise was seeing anyone, was too much to bear.
    “This isn’t fair. I don’t apologize for not being interested in romance.”
    “You like men,” Christine pointed out.
    Elise eyed the cover of Philadelphia Magazine with distaste. “I like my relationships short and sexy. The men are just a means to an end.”
    Christine laughed. “That’s what vibrators are for.”
    “Maybe you think it’s thrilling to have a judge start drooling in desire, but it’s like being offered a buffet of all the foods I’m allergic to. He’s going to want to talk about feelings . I haven’t done that with a guy since high school and I’ve no desire to try it again.”
    “You are the most unnatural female.”
    Elise ignored her. “I have until July to make Blackjack go away.”
    “What happens in July?” Christine asked.
    “Partnership retreat.”
    “Oh.