Entice, p.1
Entice, page 1
ENTICE
Marie Tuhart
https://www.marietuhart.com/
ENTICE
When Crystal Hayen walks into Jordan Frost’s office, sparks fly. The spunky paralegal captured his attention the first time they met in more ways than one. Crystal is perfect for the job he needs to have done. But he wants more. He wants all Crystal can give him. He only hopes she’s up to the challenge.
Crystal’s attraction to Jordan is immediate and powerful. But she’s vowed never to date a co-worker again. Worse yet, he’ll be her boss. She’s already lost one job due to to a personal relationship; she won’t do it it again. When Jordan agrees to an ironclad contract between them that her job is safe, Crystal finds herself free to explore a world that has intrigued her for a long time, but old fears haunt her.
Crystal and Jordan are thrown together while working the case. The stakes increase and threaten to spill over into their private lives and the lives of their friends. While both have secrets, their past and present collide. They must confront old attitudes and beliefs in order to open their hearts to each other and find a lasting future together.
Table of Contents
Title Page
ENTICE
Copyright
Dedication
To My Readers:
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
Other books and bio
Entice, Copyright © 2020 Marie Tuhart
All rights reserved
Print ISBN: 978-0-9971800-7-7
Digital ISBN: 978-0-9971800-6-0
Cover design by Designed by D
Editing by Red Quill Editing LLC
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, opinions, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is entirely coincidental.
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Thank you!
DEDICATION
This book wouldn’t have happened without the following people:
Laurie, thank you for all your expertise editing and formatting.
Nia and Isabel, my critique partners, who always find ways for me to improve my story.
Red Quill Editing, your editing is the best.
TO MY READERS:
This book contains elements of the BDSM lifestyle that are only true to life in this book. There are varying forms of the lifestyle as decided between the people involved. While I researched and talked with people in the lifestyle, this is my take on how my characters choose to live.
If you decide to explore the lifestyle yourself, please remember to always be safe. Never go home with someone you don’t know. Attend a munch or a small get-together first to see if this is something you want in your life. Reading about the lifestyle and living it are very different.
Any liberties taken with the lawyers or the law in this book is this author’s voice. I researched as much as possible, and many things are based on the law in the state where the book is based.
There is no mention of the coronavirus that exists in our world right now. I purposely left it out. This is a place for you to escape.
Publishers Note: This book contains a dominant male, spunky heroine, and sexy situations. This book also includes emotional, physical and childhood abuse and frank language.
CHAPTER ONE
Crystal Hayden strode with confidence into the office of Frost and Company, Attorneys at Law, in Pleasant Valley. The firm was looking for a paralegal, and as a freelance paralegal, she had the freedom to take jobs when and with the firms she wanted.
She needed a job, but she wanted this job, in particular. The grapevine said this firm was handling a huge case, and if the courts ruled in their client’s favor, it could set far-reaching legal precedents. The case could also make the firm a household name and, by association, further her career. So, after talking to people in the know, she set up an interview.
Crystal stepped into the lobby of the building, the warm air caressing her cool skin. She removed her raincoat as she waited for the elevator. It had decided to rain in the Pacific Northwest today, nothing odd there. The wet weather was part of living here, and she’d rather live here than anywhere else.
The elevator pinged, and Crystal stepped in and pushed the button for the third floor. The firm occupied the entire floor. When she stepped out, her feet sank into plush, likely very expensive beige carpet as she made her way to the reception area. Very nice. Top end leather furniture. Chrome with beveled glass on the cocktail and end tables, an espresso machine, real china for coffee, and what looked like Waterford crystal glasses for the bottled water in the small refrigerator next to the coffee station.
The muted chatter of the law office made her smile. She sometimes missed the camaraderie an office setting offered. She stepped up to the curved receptionist desk. The young woman smiled back, her strawberry-blonde hair caressing her shoulders, her blue eyes sparkling.
“Good morning, welcome to the Frost law offices. How may I help you?”
“I’m Crystal Hayden. I’m here to meet with Kendra Winslow about the paralegal job.”
“Oh yes. If you’ll have a seat, I’ll let Ms. Winslow know you’re here.” Her gaze moved to the coat over Crystal’s arm. “If you’d like, I can hang your coat up.”
“Yes, thank you.” Crystal carefully handed the young woman her raincoat.
“Please feel free to have coffee or water.”
“Thank you.” Crystal wandered over to the waiting area. Drinking anything was out of the question right now. Why was she so nervous? She’d been on interviews before. Crystal glanced down at her outfit. Everything still in place.
“Ms. Hayden,” a soft voice said.
Crystal raised her head to the older woman standing in front of her. “Yes.”
“Kendra Winslow.” She held her hand out. Kendra had on a navy pantsuit with a white blouse tailored to fit her perfectly.
“Ms. Winslow.” Crystal clasped the office manager’s hand.
“Kendra, please. If you’ll follow me.” Kendra moved down the hallway.
Crystal followed, noting the soft painted walls and original artwork. No lithographs or prints. Oil on canvas. Kendra gestured for Crystal to enter the small conference room.
“Please have a seat,” Kendra said as she shut the door. “Is it still cold and windy outside?”
Crystal pushed a strand of stray hair back. “Yes, Western Washington in winter is always a surprise.”
“At least it’s not snowing,” Kendra said, taking the chair to Crystal’s left at the circular table, leaving the one to the right empty. “Thank you for coming in on such short notice.”
“Not a problem. I was surprised to see the firm needed a short-term paralegal.” Surprised, but grateful. She needed a challenge.
“Yes.” Kendra opened the file she’d brought in with her. “Your references are impeccable, along with your reputation.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say. A knock sounded at the door.
“That would be Mr. Frost. He wanted to sit in. Come in.”
Frost. The name tingled at the back of her neck. While she’d done her research, she... How could she have missed it? There was only one name: Jordan. She closed her eyes.
“Good morning, Kendra.” Then his brown gaze turned to her. “Crystal.”
“You two know each other?” Kendra asked as Jordan took the chair to Crystal’s right.
Damn it, why hadn’t she’d put two and two together? She trembled. She and her friends, Sierra and Tess, had discussed their jobs over coffee a little over a month ago.
“Crystal and I have met, yes.”
He leaned forward, and she caught a whiff of his cologne. A woodsy scent that reminded her of hiking in the forest. Mind on the interview.
“I wish you would have told me,” Kendra said.
“My apologies, Kendra,” Jordan replied. “The meeting was over a month ago, and it was coffee with mutual friends.”
“Very well.” Kendra looked back down at the papers in front of her. “As I was saying, your references are stellar, as is your resume.”
“Thank you.”
Jordan’s intense stare sent a wave of uneasiness through Crystal’s body. Damn that heat. She shouldn’t have worn a suit jacket today.
Jordan shifted in his seat. “Why do you want this job, Crystal?” he asked.
The husky tone of his voice sent a tingle of awareness down her spine. She was a mass of contradiction. First unease, now awareness. He’s a lawyer and your potential boss, she reminded herself. She wouldn’t get involve
“The grapevine made it sound like a challenge.” The ad hadn’t said much. Paralegal wanted. Experience with civil law a plus. Temporary position for three months, possibly less.
“The grapevine?” He shook his head. “Figures. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep this completely quiet. And yes, it will be a challenge.” He leaned back in his chair.
“It was bound to get out,” Kendra said, then looked at Crystal. “The case is very sensitive. So you’ll understand there are some legalities we need to work out. Are you and Jordan going to have any issues?”
“We won’t.” Crystal’s voice was firm. Kendra looked at Jordan.
“Kendra, will you give us a minute?”
Crystal saw the surprise on Kendra’s face, but she nodded and left the room. Crystal kept her gaze on Jordan. He was watching her, and she had to force herself not to shift under his scrutiny.
“I’ll ask Kendra to come back in a minute. I wanted to make sure you’re okay working closely with me. You were pretty upset with me after coffee.”
Crystal looked down at her hands. She was a professional, and this was the office, not a coffee shop. Yeah, she’d been a bit curt with him. She blamed it on two parents arguing and their little boy looking so upset. How many times in her childhood had an argument like that turned into a punishment?
“I was upset. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I apologize.”
“I can understand why it upset you. I dislike when parents air their issues in front of their kids, and I accept your apology.” He rubbed his chin. “I want to make this clear. You’ll be working for me, exclusively.”
A tremor went through her body. The way he said it made her think of late nights and midnight kisses. “What about the other lawyers?” Thank goodness her voice was steady because her body was reacting to Jordan in ways it shouldn’t be.
“They have their own paralegals.” Jordan leaned forward, his expression serious. “I asked around when you made the appointment, Crystal. You’re one of the best paralegals in the field. I need someone like you.”
He’d checked her out; she hadn’t expected any less. Maybe next time she’d do better due diligence when researching the lawyers in the firm before agreeing to the interview. “What is the case?”
“Let me call Kendra back in.” Jordan stood and went to the door. Kendra stood there, her arms crossed over her chest.
“Inappropriate,” Kendra said as she walked past Jordan and back into the room. Crystal’s gut clenched. Maybe she should leave and look elsewhere. But she didn’t want to. This case sounded like something interesting, and Crystal couldn’t wait to do research.
Kendra sat down. She glared at Jordan as he retook his seat, then looked at Crystal and blew out a breath. Crystal steadied herself.
“Maybe it would be better if I turn the job down,” she said. The last thing she wanted was to make an enemy of the operations manager.
Kendra’s green eyes lit up with surprise. “I was pointing out to Jordan that he wasn’t acting in the firm’s best interest in asking me to leave.” Kendra took a breath. “It’s not your fault or mine. Jordan has a tendency to be hands-on in certain things. I’m trying to break him of the habit.”
Jordan flashed a grin. “I wanted to clear the air with Crystal. She asked me about the case, which is why I called you back in. All I can say is it’s a civil case. I can’t go into particulars until we have a signed contract and NDA in place.”
Crystal’s spine stiffened. “An NDA?” While nondisclosure agreements in the legal profession weren’t unheard of, her gut tensed. She was still wary of them in the workplace.
“Yes, this case is sensitive.” Jordan’s gaze focused in on her.
“I see.” She shifted in her seat. Sensitive. The word didn’t make her think of the case. A shiver ran over her skin. Why was she reacting to Jordan this way? It was like she’d never been attracted to someone before. Crystal took a deep breath and pushed her fascination aside. “The ad mentioned this is a temporary assignment for three months?”
“That is correct,” Kendra said, flipping the papers in the folder.
“We have depositions set up a week from today, with a hearing a week after, so you’re going to have your work cut out for you, getting up to speed.” Jordan spread his hands on the table.
“Why did you wait so long to hire someone?” Another anomaly.
Kendra chuckled. “Because he thought he could handle it himself when his paralegal went out on maternity leave.”
“There is that.” Jordan’s finger tapped against the table. “Also because I didn’t think the case would get this far.” He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “I’m in a bind. I hear you’re the best. I’m willing to pay for your expertise and time.” He named a salary.
Kendra rolled her eyes, and Crystal’s jaw dropped.
“You have to be kidding.” He had to be. She was prepared to negotiate a fair wage, but doing so would be moot. Yes, she was at the top of her field, but seriously… She shook her head.
“I’m not kidding. You’re the best. You’re not afraid of hard work or long hours. Your research skills are the stuff of legend. This salary takes everything into account.”
“It’s far too much.”
“I’ve never had anyone tell me I was paying them too much.” The humor in his voice was apparent.
“It’s definitely a first for me as well,” Kendra said.
Crystal shrugged. “Being truthful.”
“As am I. You’re worth the money.”
A tremor wracked her body at his husky tone. What was it about his voice? “All right. May I see the employment agreement?” She looked at Kendra.
“Of course.” Kendra pulled it out of the folder and passed it to her.
Crystal began reading. “Sure of me, were you?” He already had her name and certification details filled in.
“Jordan prepared it; it’s my job, but he overruled me,” Kendra said.
“I was being hopeful.” He grinned at her.
His grin sent a tingle of awareness all the way to her toes. He’s a lawyer; don’t fall for his charm. The employment agreement was standard. Crystal was still concerned about the money. She had never argued before about someone paying her too much. “The NDA?”
More papers were passed across the table. Crystal read it.
Most of it was standard, but there were a few areas of concern.
“I can’t discuss the case with anyone at all?” A bit unusual. Well, not exactly. She never talked about an active case with anyone, not even her best friends.
“I have a list of professionals you can talk with about the case and, of course, our client and those here in the office who need to know, but no one else.”
Crystal nodded. “What about the clause: There will be disclosures and other information pertaining to this case you may find personally offensive and/or disturbing. What kind of case is this?” The hair on the back of her neck stood up.
“Civil case. I can’t say more about it at this point.” Jordan sat back in his seat.
She placed the papers on the table. “I understand your client’s desire to ensure their privacy, but I need to know more before I sign anything so I can make an informed decision.”
Jordan stared at her with those mesmerizing brown eyes. “How about this? Sign the NDA, and I’ll explain. Then, if you don’t want to work on the case, no harm, no foul.” He glanced at Kendra.
“I can agree to that,” Kendra said.
Crystal frowned. This was highly unusual. Her fingers twitched. What harm could there be in signing the NDA and finding out what the case was about?
Jordan’s phone rang, and she jumped in her seat. She hadn’t realized how quiet the room was.
“Excuse me, I need to take this.” He stood up and went to the opposite side of the room.
Crystal nodded and began reading the NDA once more.
