Scandalous by Donna Hill Page A

could keep this silky-voiced man on the phone a little while longer.
    â€œIf you have any questions in the meantime,” he added, wanting to delay their parting, “feel free to give me a call. I started out as an intern three years ago, and I’d be happy to fill you in on any of the details.” He chuckled heartily. “From the ground floor up!”
    â€œReally?” His laugh was deep and inviting, she thought wistfully. “How is it working for Mr. Montgomery?” Simone settled back against her stack of pillows.
    â€œHe’s an okay guy. He expects your absolute best and he gives it back. If you prove yourself, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to help further your career. He’s the reason I was able to continue law school.”
    â€œThen he really is the way he comes across? It’s not just a front?”
    â€œAbsolutely not. They don’t come any better than Justin Montgomery.”
    â€œThat’s good to know. Now I’m sure I made the right choice in selecting his firm.”
    Simone heard a faint ringing in the background.
    â€œThat’s my other line, Ms. Rivers; I’ve got to go. But good luck, and if you have any questions, just call me.”
    â€œThank you, again, Mr. Rushmore.”
    â€œSure. Goodbye.”
    â€œGoodbye,” she replied softly. She placed the receiver on the cradle and briefly wondered if Chad Rushmore looked as delectable as he sounded.
    While Chad jotted down the details of the phone call that had pulled him away from Simone, he wondered if the young Ms. Rivers looked as wonderful as she sounded. It’d be great to have someone to work with who was not only good to look at, but who understood the intensity of the legal profession. It had been a long time between relationships for him. He either didn’t have the time, or the few women he met were only interested in how fat his wallet was. For some reason, he felt Simone would be different. What was he doing, fabricating a relationship with someone he’d never met? Now he was really losing it. It was definitely time to go home.
    He concluded his conversation, made some final notations on the court transcripts, and checked his calendar for the following day. He really needed to get home and do some studying. The bar exam was in three months and he wanted to pass the first time out. But for reasons that he couldn’t explain, he couldn’t make out one word in his textbook that night. All he could see were different versions of Simone Rivers: tall, medium height; light, dark; short hair, long…
    Finally he just gave up, fixed a sandwich, and overdosed on television.
    Â 
    â€œWhy don’t we leave your car in the garage and take mine?” Justin suggested. “We can come back and get your car later.”
    She slipped her hand into his. “That sounds fine,” she nodded.
    â€œThose reservations for the Strawberry Café are still good. It’s an excellent place to talk,” Justin suggested, as they approached his car.
    Vaughn looked up into his questioning eyes. “To tell you the truth, Justin, as good as the café sounds, I really don’t want to be around other people tonight.”
    His voice lowered. “You have a better suggestion?”
    She smiled at him. “If you like crabmeat and shrimp casserole, tossed salad, and wild rice, I know just the place.”
    He squeezed her hand. “Would that happen to be on Lakewood Avenue, in a two-story townhouse owned by the renowned public servant Vaughn Hamilton?” he queried playfully.
    â€œGood work, Sherlock,” she teased. “I like a man with razor-sharp intelligence.” She nudged him in the ribs.
    â€œI hope you’ll like more than my intelligence,” he mimicked in a Dracula voice.
    â€œHmmm, and talented, too,” she laughed.
    Justin turned her into his embrace. His eyes swept over her upturned face. His fingers gently