McIver's Mission. Brenda Harlen

blood heated when he thought about that kiss—and about kissing her again. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t his type, that he wasn’t in the market for a romance right now.

      He was concerned about her. He knew there was something going on in her life, something that worried her, and he figured if he spent some time with Arden, it might encourage her to confide in him. And if they engaged in a little flirting or shared a few kisses along the way, well, there was no harm in that.

      “I don’t date lawyers,” she reminded him.

      He’d heard her the first time, but her insistence only made him all the more determined to break through her barriers. Because he was concerned about her, he reminded himself again.

      “It wouldn’t really be a date,” he said.

      “I’m not agreeing to be your pretend date,” she said, sounding miffed. “And I don’t believe you’re so desperate you’d need to take me. The ball isn’t until sometime in December. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a date before then.”

      “I want a date who won’t have any expectations.”

      “How do you know I won’t?” she challenged.

      “Because you’ve already stated—twice—that you don’t date lawyers, and you’re about as interested as I am in a romantic relationship.”

      “That’s not a very flattering invitation.”

      “I could try flattery,” he admitted. “But you’d see right through me.”

      “I might have appreciated the effort, though.”

      Shaun grinned. “I thought you’d appreciate a more honest approach.”

      “The answer’s still no.”

      “I haven’t finished outlining the terms of the proposed contract.”

      “Contract?” Her lips twitched in the beginnings of a smile. “And what kind of consideration would I get for entering into this contract?”

      She sounded so sexy when she was in lawyer mode; the combination of that smoky voice and cool attitude went straight to his loins. “Other than the pleasure of my company?”

      “Other than that,” she agreed dryly.

      Now he smiled. “Tickets to the opening night performance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead next month.” He’d learned, again courtesy of Greta Dempsey, that Arden loved the theater. It was a happy coincidence that he had season tickets to the Fairweather Players’ Theater.

      Arden’s eyes narrowed. “That’s an interesting offer.”

      She was practically salivating, but he wasn’t above sweetening the deal. “Box seats.”

      “Damn,” she swore under her breath, but she was smiling. “I really don’t want to go to the ball. All those lawyers, talking shop.” He didn’t think her shudder was feigned.

      “But you really want to see that play,” he guessed.

      “How did you know?”

      He didn’t think it necessary to tip his hand just yet. He had a feeling that Mrs. Dempsey might be an invaluable ally, but not if Arden knew he was tapping her for information. “Is it a deal?”

      “I’ll check my calendar.” She came back into the kitchen with her appointment book in hand. “When is the ball?”

      “Saturday, December fourth.”

      She flipped through the book. “I have appointments that day.”

      “In the evening?”

      “Well…no,” she admitted.

      “Then pencil me in,” he told her.

      She did so, but with obvious reluctance. Her calendar, he could tell even from a distance, was quite full.

      “Is it hard dealing with marital disputes day after day?” he asked.

      “No harder than dealing with career criminals, I imagine.”

      Shaun grinned at the jibe. “Did you ever consider anything but family law?”

      “No.”

      “Why not?”

      She shrugged. “I just felt that it was the one field in which I could make a difference for people.”

      He hesitated, certain she wouldn’t appreciate his prying. Still, he felt compelled to ask, “But at what cost to yourself?”

      “What do you mean?”

      “You were a wreck yesterday, Arden.” His words were gentle but firm.

      “Yesterday was the first time I buried a client. I think I was entitled to a few tears.”

      “Nobody’s suggesting otherwise,” he agreed.

      She folded her arms over her chest, a clearly defensive stance. He decided to back off—at least a little.

      “Do you believe that happily-ever-afters can happen?” he asked.

      “I like to think so,” she admitted. “But it’s hard to imagine, when I spend so much time dealing with the aftermath of relationships that fall apart.”

      “What about Colin and Nikki?”

      “I think they’re the exception rather than the rule.”

      “Maybe,” he allowed.

      “And they had their share of heartache first,” she reminded him.

      “Some would call it paying their dues.” And they had both paid dearly when Colin walked out on the wife he hadn’t known was carrying his child. He hadn’t trusted that Nikki loved him enough to move halfway across the country with him. When Colin had finally come home, Nikki hadn’t trusted that he loved her enough to stay. But somehow they’d worked through the barriers of the past and were now blissfully happy together—Colin and Nikki and their daughter, Carly.

      “I don’t ever want to fall in love if that’s the price I have to pay,” Arden said.

      “You’ve never been in love?”

      She shook her head. “No.”

      He sat back and studied her. It was hard to believe that a woman who was thirty-one years of age had never been in love. Then again, he had been in love, and he couldn’t think of a whole hell of a lot to recommend it.

      Still, he wanted a partner with whom to share his life. Someone with similar goals and values. And he wanted to have children. Not that he was in any particular rush to get married and start a family, but someday.

      So he’d approached the problem like any other legal dilemma: with reason and research. He’d even made a list of the attributes he wanted in a wife: nurturing personality, good with kids. He would prefer to find a woman who’d be willing to stay at home to raise their children. His practice was successful enough that they wouldn’t need a second income, but he was willing to be flexible. His wife could work, so long as her choice of career wasn’t too demanding.

      His sister-in-law had laughed when he’d explained his criteria to her. Nikki had accused him of trying to pencil love into his Daytimer like a court appearance, of wanting a woman who would be his subordinate rather than an equal partner. Shaun couldn’t deny there was probably some truth in that. After all, it had worked for his parents. And his experience with Jenna had shown him how easily conflicting ambitions could destroy a relationship.

      He wasn’t looking for love. He didn’t want passion. No, thanks. He’d tried that before, and although fun while it lasted, it hadn’t lasted long. He wasn’t prepared to go through that heartache again.

      Still, he couldn’t deny that he was attracted to Arden. Which made him wonder why he’d ever suggested this