put my hands on him. I wanted to show him who was in charge. I wanted to exert that kind of power over him so I could…
So I could what? See that same vulnerability in his eyes that I'd seen when he’d thought something had happened to his lover? No, I didn't want to see that again. What I wanted was more of that spark. That one that said Jude Archer was alive and well beneath the cold façade. His fiery temper that he worked hard to control was like a drug. I wanted more even though I knew I shouldn't.
As I paced around Jude's office, I took in the view and tried to mentally prepare myself for what was to come next. I had no doubt that the fight would continue. But this time, I needed to maintain my own control. I was a professional, damn it. This wasn’t my first time on the job and he most certainly wasn't the most difficult client I'd ever had. Well, at least not yet, anyway. Of course, I hadn't ever wanted to bend any of my other clients over the back of the couch and fuck them senseless either.
By the time the door to the bathroom opened back up, I'd managed to settle down enough to at least give the appearance that I was ready for the next battle. Jude came out looking pretty much exactly like he had before he’d spilled the coffee on himself. I'd already seen the fresh jacket and shirt in his bathroom, so I wasn't surprised to see that he’d changed. Instead of returning to his desk, Jude went to the counter where there was a small refrigerator as well as a coffee maker. He got a cup of coffee going and then snagged a towel and returned to his desk.
"So, are you attempt number three from company number two or attempt number one from a new company?" he asked as he mopped up the coffee that he'd spilled on his desk.
"I'm from Smithfield," I said.
Jude nodded slowly. "Right. So I'm assuming that you won't be distracted by shiny objects like Mr. Halsey."
"Most clients aren't in the habit of running from the people who've vowed to protect them," I responded. I didn't really like making excuses for Lenny, but I wasn't about to go apologizing to Jude for the subpar service he'd received thus far from Smithfield. I'd already had a long conversation with Lenny that had pretty much served as his one and only warning to get his act in gear. As for Tolliver, I'd kick his ass if he was ever foolish enough to show himself again.
Jude paused for a moment and let his eyes lift. "Uh-oh, did I get little Leonard in trouble with his daddy?" he asked coolly.
I didn't respond. Instead, I went to the coffee maker and confiscated the cup of coffee he'd been preparing. I turned and took a slow sip of the rich brew and felt a shimmer of satisfaction when I saw Jude's eyes harden just a bit. But he didn't say anything as he continued to right his desk.
"So I suppose Mr. Tolliver earned himself a talking-to," he commented.
"That was the plan." I paused and eyed Jude. "Now that I've met you, I'm thinking maybe he was on the right track, though twenty grand seems a bit low," I said sarcastically.
I swore I saw Jude actually smile a bit, but I couldn't be sure. "So they sent in the big guns," Jude continued. "I'm flattered."
I made myself comfortable on the couch. Jude finished working on his desk and then went to make himself another cup of coffee. Upon returning to his desk, he began typing at his computer. As tempted as I was to finish all of this, I knew I couldn’t make the next move. Even if the man wanted to wait me out for another eight hours like he had the day before, I had no problem doing it. If I gave Jude the upper hand even once, he'd never let it go again.
"Falkov," he murmured after about ten minutes as he stared at his computer screen. "Russian," he added with a nod. I knew I was supposed to respond to the randomness of his bringing up my name, but I held my tongue.
He continued to type away and use his mouse occasionally as his eyes flicked over the screen. I used the opportunity to study him in more detail. He was completely focused on