Lawyer Up by Kate Allure

object. Why did she have to meet him as a suspected prostitute in a filthy jail? But the irony was that without being arrested, she would never have met him. Probably, she’d still be working in that trashy dive. The two days in jail had been the kick in the butt she needed to change her life.
    Tossing her long, blond locks, Beth warned herself that she needed to rein in her growing attachment to him or risk a broken heart, reminding herself of the many reasons why this would never work. Jon was handsome, wealthy—by her standards anyway—and way out of her league. Most likely, any attempt at a relationship would turn out badly for her. He was a highly educated lawyer, and she was an uneducated hillbilly. No matter how much Jon might be attracted to her—and enjoy sex with her—this man would never fall in love with her, never consider her more than a fling. Important men like Jon weren’t for the likes of Bethi-Ann Sikes, formerly of Nowhereville Gum Springs, Alabama.
    Wake up! Beth sat up straighter. Tonight was Jon’s celebration. Don’t ruin it for him, and hell’s bells, don’t ruin this nice night for yourself.
    They pulled up to a fancy place, Geoffrey’s Malibu, complete with valet parking. If nothing else, Beth would enjoy a fine meal in the nicest restaurant she’d ever been to, probably the nicest she would ever see the inside of. She smiled graciously as the valet opened the car door, welcoming her to Geoffrey’s and assisting her out to the curb. Jon came around and escorted her toward the door. Beth was hyperaware of Jon’s hand resting gently on her lower back as he guided her inside. She should warn him that they were letting their liaison show, but the shiver of pleasure trembling down her back made her keep her mouth shut.
    The maître d’ also welcomed them. After Jon gave his name, they were immediately escorted to a table out on the deck with an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. It was obviously one of the best tables in the restaurant.
    â€œJon! This is amazing.” Beth looked out at the glistening water spreading as far as the eye could see. The setting sun lit the sky in fiery red glory. “It’s magnificent!” she breathed.
    â€œI wanted to get here in time for the sunset,” he replied, the happiness rich in his voice.
    As the maître d’ held the chair out for her, he politely intoned, “I hope you enjoy your meal, miss.”
    â€œThank you.” She flicked him a quick glance before returning her shining, enthusiastic smile to Jon. In this moment it was impossible to mask all the deep gratitude and raw excitement that she felt. Her breath stopped and her entire body tingled when she saw how Jon stared at her—like a starving man. Almost how she imagined a man in love would look.
    The moment only lasted a few seconds before Jon returned a crooked smile and glanced away.
    Beth sucked in a breath of sea air. She felt light-headed and still tingly. Remembering she was not Cinderella and Jon was not her Prince Charming was going to be extremely difficult on this magical night, she realized.
    When Jon began speaking, he sounded completely normal, as if there had been no moment at all. Beth told herself that she must have imagined it. She needed to stop reading stuff into everything. Taking a calming breath, she decided to put her limited acting skills to use and be the perfect dinner companion, nothing more than a buddy out celebrating a friend’s success.
    Beth stifled a gasp when she saw the prices on the menu and was glad Jon hadn’t accepted her repeated offers to pay. She also had to suppress her urge to tell him it was too much. Jon had chosen this place, so obviously this was where he wanted to celebrate. They ordered their meals, and Jon selected a bottle of wine.
    Attentive staff brought water and bread, and the whole time Beth felt like she was floating. She was Cinderella at the ball,