Waiting For You Read Free Page A

her eyes… He’d never seen such intriguing blue eyes before.
    The oddly dressed lady cleared her throat and stepped closer. “Forgive me for interrupting.”
    Despite the musical lilt to her voice, the trace of British intonation brought to mind the high-and-mighty aristocrats Nick had rubbed elbows with at his last firm. With quick fingers, he straightened his tie and came forward. “Uh, no, ma’am. You didn’t interrupt anything important. I’m sorry you had to witness that, um, display just now.”
    Her lips remained stretched in a thin line and he couldn’t quite tell if she was irritated at him—and at the situation—or not.
    “Are you Mr. Nicholas Marshal?” she asked in a choked voice, almost as if she was holding her breath.
    He maintained a professional smile, but after what she’d caught him doing, it was hard not to feel like digging a hole and sticking his head inside…then covering it up. Maybe Vanessa set out to sabotage his first day in a new town after all.
    “Yes, I’m Nick.”
    “The solicitor?”
    Solicitor? Who uses that term anymore? “I’m a lawyer, yes. And you are…”
    She took another step toward him. “I’m Abigail Carlisle.”
    He approached to shake her hand, but when her eyes widened and her face paled, he stopped. Maybe she had some kind of phobia of germs and didn’t want to get close to people. He could respect that. “Nice to meet you, Miss Carlisle…or is it Mrs ?”
    “I’m not married.”
    “All right then, Miss Carlisle, are you seeking my services?”
    Her brilliant blue eyes flashed, and color crept into her cheeks. “I’m seeking your professional—I mean your services as a solicitor.”
    He tried not to grin over what he supposed she’d misinterpreted. Curse Vanessa’s hide for making me look this bad! Unfortunately, he still felt the need to clarify what really happened with Vanessa so Miss Carlisle didn’t think badly of him.
    Nick motioned toward the chair. “Please, then, have a seat.” He straightened his suit jacket as he walked around the desk to his chair. “I want to apologize again for that scene a few minutes ago. She was an unexpected visitor. We haven’t seen each other in a little while, and—” Good grief, I’m stammering! Just shut up, already!
    “No need to explain, Mr. Marshal.” She arched an eyebrow. “I understand perfectly.”
    As she sat, he slid his chair closer to the desk. “I’m surprised I didn’t see you,” he said. “I can’t remember passing you in the hall.”
    Her expression remained solemn, and he dropped his gaze to the delicate shape of her mouth. This woman was definitely a looker, although so different than Vanessa. He returned his attention to her eyes. They were such an amazing color—so brilliantly blue—and he wanted to stare into them forever. He wanted to get to know her, and…
    Back to reality, Nick, he told himself silently. Clients are off limits! Period. Hadn’t he learned his lesson from the last client he dated? He definitely could not go down that path again.
    She cleared her throat. “Mr. Marshal, you didn’t see me because going unnoticed is something I have become accustomed to as of late.”
    Unnoticed? Not dressed like that. Once more he took in Miss Carlisle’s garb. The woman would definitely stand out in any crowd. And that beautiful face…her gorgeous looks could stop traffic. Even old men at a nursing home would straighten up and pay attention if she walked by.
    He opened the drawer, took out his mini voice-recorder, and pressed the on button. “I hope you don’t mind, but I always record my sessions.”
    “That is permissible.”
    “What can I do for you, Miss Carlisle?”
    Her stiff, aloof behavior pricked Nick’s curiosity. In an attempt to draw her out, he flashed his most charming smile. She did not so much as bat an eyelash in return. It stung his ego just a bit, since women usually melted beneath that smile. Nonetheless, he wasn’t here to make her weak