Scandalous. Donna Hill
“Who would like pretending to adore a bunch of stuffed shirts.”
She smiled. “I’m glad you understand,” she replied softly, surprising herself at her candor. He was a perfect stranger.
Justin turned and braced his hip against the balcony railing. Vaughn stood with her back to it. Inches separated them.
“Why are you involved, then,” he asked, “in politics? If you don’t like…all this?”
Vaughn sighed wistfully. “Maybe one day I’ll tell you all about it.” She took a sip of the warm wine.
Why did I say that? she wondered.
Justin turned sideways and looked down at her. “I hope that’s a platform promise, Ms. Hamilton, because I intend to hold you to it.”
She gazed up at him and saw the warm sincerity in his eyes and let the caress of his voice wash over her.
She swallowed hard, and their eyes held for what seemed an eternity. She didn’t realize that he’d taken the glass from her hand, and she couldn’t find her voice to either accept or decline when he swept her onto the dance floor.
The band was playing a slow, bluesy Nancy Wilson song, and Vaughn felt her tense body slowly begin to relax in the comforting embrace of Justin’s arms. Their bodies seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces, Vaughn realized with alarm.
They danced in silence through three numbers before Justin spoke. “Actually,” he said, speaking into the silky texture of her upswept hair, “you’d make an excellent politician.”
Vaughn arched her neck to look quizzically up at him. Her dimples flashed for the first time in hours. “Why is that?”
“You have a knack for evading direct questions.”
“I am a politician,” Vaughn snapped. “What do you mean?” she said more softly.
“You very skillfully avoided answering me about Paul Lawrence. He seemed to have upset you earlier.” Then he smiled sheepishly. “I couldn’t help but notice.”
“Some things are better left unsaid,” she answered quietly.
The music ended and Vaughn stepped out of Justin’s arms. “I have a question for you,” she said. “Shoot.”
“Are you acquainted with Paul?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“Now, you’re beginning to sound like a politician,” she countered with a smile.
“Touché. Paul and I have crossed paths on several occasions.”
“Personally or professionally?”
“Professionally.”
Vaughn’s brows rose in surprise. “He didn’t try to convict you of anything?” she asked drolly.
Justin laughed heartily. The deep sound rumbled through his chest. It made her feel warm and tingly inside. “No. We stood on opposite sides of the table.”
“You’re an attorney?”
“Don’t say it with such disdain,” he said, pretending offense. “Politicians and lawyers don’t make such strange bedfellows, you know.”
Her dimples winked at him. “I deserved that one.”
They fell in step next to each other and headed for the bar.
“So, who do you work for?” Vaughn asked.
“Scotch-and-soda, and a white wine for our hostess,” he said to the bartender. He turned his lazy gaze on Vaughn. “I don’t work for anyone,” he said, evasively. “I have a small private practice.”
Vaughn held her snappy retort in check. She was beginning to enjoy the verbal sparring. “Alone, or with partners?”
“I have two partners,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Really?” Her interest peaked. “What’s the name of your firm?”
He looked her full in the face, a bold grin lighting his eyes. “Montgomery, Phillips, and Michaels.”
It took all she had for her mouth not to drop open in astonished embarrassment. “You’re that Justin Montgomery?”
“I guess so,” he chuckled. “Disappointed?”
“You don’t have some ‘little’ practice! You have one of the busiest firms in D.C.” His notoriety didn’t end there, Vaughn thought. Justin Montgomery was also known for his eye for investments, which had afforded him a luxurious life-style.
Justin noted that she’d expertly sidestepped his question once again. He shrugged his broad shoulders. “We keep busy.”
“I know your partners—Khendra Phillips and Sean Michaels. They were involved in a major case a couple of years back.” How could anyone not notice Khendra Phillips, with her gleaming auburn tresses, wide eyes, and expressive mouth? Khendra always reminded Vaughn of the singer-turned-actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph, of Dreamgirls fame. And Khendra’s husband, Sean Michaels, was to die for.
He nodded. “Those are the ones.”
Her brow crinkled. “How come you and I have never crossed paths?”
“I try to keep a low profile. Actually,” he took a sip of his drink, “I do more speaking engagements than litigation. I let those two hotshots handle that. They say it keeps the spark in their marriage going.”
As she listened, glimmers of press clips flashed through her head. Her past was haunting her more than usual tonight. “I see,” she said stiffly. “Listen, Justin…I really should mingle with the other guests. They are paying a lot of money to be here tonight.” Her smile was devoid of emotion. “Please excuse me.”
She made a move to leave. Justin touched her arm and a tremor raced through her. “Is it something I said?” he asked, perplexed by her sudden change in attitude.
“It was nice talking with you, Justin. Good luck with your practice.”
He stared at her hard. “There you go again, avoiding my question.”
She returned his look without flinching. “Thanks for the drink. And the dance,” she said with finality. She eased away and was quickly swallowed up in the crowd.
Justin stayed long enough to listen to the round of toasts on behalf of Vaughn, who made a point of avoiding him for the rest of his stay. Shortly after, he said his goodbyes.
Just as he was heading for the door, Vaughn crossed his path. She stopped short.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself tonight. I appreciate your coming,” she said formally.
“Listen,” he began, his thick brows forming a thunderous line, “I don’t know what happened between us back there. But if I’ve offended you in any way, I apologize. I know that sometimes I have a tendency to come on a little strong.” He stepped closer, cutting off the space and the air between them. Her head swam and her pulse pounded in her ears as the heavenly scent of him rushed to her brain. “But I’m also known for going after what I want—in the courtroom and out.” His dark eyes stared deeply into hers. “This isn’t the end, Ms. Hamilton.” He raised a finger and gently stroked her jaw. “Not by any means. You can either do this the easy way,” he shrugged his shoulder, “or my way. It’s your choice.” His smile was devilishly wicked, but his eyes were deadly serious.
Vaughn’s eyes widened in disbelief. Who the hell did he think he was, anyway? Vaughn thought in a rush, her thoughts finally focusing. She was an assemblywoman for the state of Virginia. She was the daughter of a Superior Court judge. How dared he talk to her as if she were just…just a woman? As she opened her mouth to tell him just where he could go, he leaned down and placed a silencing kiss on her pouting lips. “Think about it,” he said, brushing past her. “I will.”