Page 11 of Zane

Forcing her smile to stay in place, she aimed her eyes at the woman. “Yet, you told a friend—” Walking over to her desk, she retrieved her notes and just happened to glance at the back of the room. His eyes connected with hers and had her nerves jangling. For the space of several seconds, she froze and had no idea what she was about.

“Counselor? We’re still waiting here.”

The judge’s voice snapped her out of her trance. Gritting her teeth, she turned and walked back to the bench. “I apologize, your honor.” She glanced at her notes even though she knew them word for word. “You told a friend that you were tired of the screaming and lack of sleep and wished that Joey had died before he was born. Were those your words?”

Before the defendant could answer, her lawyer sprang up.

“Objection! Hearsay. Your honor, counselor is harassing my client.”

“I’m merely trying to establish a pattern, your honor. Ms. Blake here would have us believe that she was a mother who loved her son, when all the while she was resentful of his very existence.”

“Objection overruled. Continue.”

Chapter 4

Kara told herself that it was relief and not disappointment she felt when she happened to glance at the back of the courtroom and found the place where he had been sitting vacant. She had no idea why he was there in the first place and was happy he had seen it fit to leave.

On top of her stress, she didn't want to add a multibillionaire biker, a study in contrast, to her already overburdened mind. She had enough on her plate. And William was pressuring her. After being content to wait for two years, he was suddenly eager to push up the wedding date. No doubt with her mother's approval.

She had her head down attending to a text message on her phone and did not see him until she was almost at her vehicle. Something made her look up. She froze, her footsteps faltering. He was leaning on the driver's side of her vehicle, looking for all the world as if he belonged there. His arms were crossed at his chest, the muscles in his forearms well defined. His hair was fluttering in the breeze, and his outfit of faded denims and black T-shirt made him look far too dangerous and appealing.

She attributed the increased tempo of her heart to extreme annoyance and nothing more.

"Mr. Stanhope."

His lips quirked in acknowledgment that she had discovered who he was.

"Kara." He deliberately used her first name, amused that he had the ability to make her flustered.

"How may I help you?"

He continued to lean against the door. Other than muscling him away, she had no choice but to wait.

"How's the car?" he asked.

"I had it checked out yesterday. It's running very well."

"Good to know." Tawny eyes wandered over the neat-as-a-pin blouse and jacket that did not show an inch of skin, and he wondered why he was so intrigued. "You did good in that courtroom. Had the jurors almost eating out of your hands."

In spite of herself, she found her spirit perking up.

"I'm not so sure about that. The defense attorney is very talented."

"Alfred is a posturing peacock. He's more into lining his repertoire than caring about his clients. And the defendant is as guilty as hell."

More perking up, but she kept her face expressionless. "I cannot discuss the case with you."

His amusement increased. "Of course not."

"You seem to be familiar with the defense attorney."

"Much to my regret. How about coffee?"

She blinked at his rapid change of topic.

"What?"

"There's a half decent diner a couple of blocks away."