His arguments for using the information were valid. And besides, if he wanted things between them to return to a normal professional level, he couldn’t tread lightly around her feelings just because they’d once been involved.

Were still involved. Dammit. He didn’t like this one bit.

She rose from the bed, wrapping the sheet around her in what seemed more like an emotionally protective gesture than a physical one. “Well I guess we know where we both stand on this issue. And whose opinion carries the most weight.”

He hated hurting her. He hated the distance he’d just put between them even more. “Mallory…”

She shook her head. “Go shower and talk to Lederman.”

Knowing there was nothing more to say, Jack pulled on his pants and retreated to his own room for a shower. By the time he’d cooled down and knocked on her door, no one answered.

Whether she’d headed downstairs for a walk on the beach or if she was just ignoring him, the result was the same.

He was alone.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

JACK STRODE into the crowded gym. Seven-thirty in the morning was prime workout time when the sun beckoned for the rest of the day. Looking around, he spotted his mark standing by the treadmill, white towel wrapped around his beefy neck.

Jack steeled himself for the argument to come. He’d been too damn lax on this trip. Too distracted by the thrill of the game he and Mallory had played.

He walked over to the corner of the room. “Paul. I’d like a word with you.” Jack refrained from showing his anger or frustration yet. There was still a remote chance his gut instinct regarding Lederman’s motives were wrong. But he doubted it.

Lederman turned-reluctantly-away from the treadmill and met Jack’s stare. “I was going to give you a call this afternoon.”

Sure he was. Since his return, he’d been making himself scarce. And because of Jack’s affair with Mallory, he’d been too preoccupied to care. But if her chilly attitude this morning was any indication, the honeymoon was over, and maybe it was for the best.

“What’s up?” Paul asked.

“Why don’t you tell me. I’ve spent four days here and not a word from you. Meanwhile my sources tell me you’ve been holding out on me.” Jack glanced around to make sure no one was in hearing distance. “Prescription drug abuse?” Jack watched Lederman’s reaction closely.

“How the hell did you come up with that?” Paul narrowed his gaze, then shrugged. “No matter now. It’s ripe for use.” He narrowed his gaze. “You willing to use it?”

“If you hire me, and if that’s what you want and if it makes strategic sense, then yes.” As he spoke, the look of disappointment in Mallory’s face flashed before his eyes and his stomach knotted in self-disgust.

His father’s pleading face came next. Jack didn’t have to question how he would react if his parents’ divorce got messy and his greedy mother decided to use his father’s weaknesses and shortcomings against him. Nor did he question the names he’d be calling the lawyer who was willing to represent his mother and play those dirty games. Games Jack had been playing for years with other people’s divorces and unspared feelings.

Lederman let out a loud laugh. “I’ve done some digging of my own. You’ve got yourself a damn good record, obviously a damn good team of investigators and you’ve got balls. I like that in a man.” Without warning, Paul held out his hand. “Consider yourself hired.”

Jack forced himself to shake Lederman’s hand. “You won’t be sorry. Waldorf, Haynes will give you the best representation out there. But there’s one thing we need to settle first.”

“What’s that?”

Jack stepped into Lederman’s personal space. “I might be willing to play hardball, but I don’t appreciate having it played against me by my own client. My reputation precedes me,” Jack said, not caring how arrogant he sounded. “Either you trust my ability or you don’t. Next time you play games I’m out of here.”

“Deal.” Lederman pumped his hand with enthusiasm before excusing himself and turning back to the treadmill that awaited him.

Jack walked back through the gym. He’d just accomplished a huge coup. He’d secured his firm’s largest client and kept the eccentric man happy at the same time. And though Lederman was slime, Jack hadn’t agreed to dirty his hands or compromise his professional work ethic.

He hadn’t agreed to go any further on this client’s behalf than he’d done many times before. But instead of feeling ecstatic, instead of the usual rush of adrenaline he’d experienced in the past, Jack’s stomach twisted into tight knots. Because despite the positive outcome of the business side of this trip, he had the uneasy feeling this case would reverberate through his life in unexpected ways-jeopardizing the future he’d never thought he wanted.

The one he’d never have.

Though he wasn’t looking forward to the confrontation, Jack owed Mallory an update regarding his conversation with Lederman. And with their return to the office imminent, they needed a frank discussion about what had gone on between them as well.

Not to mention that Jack needed one last time alone with Mallory before reality set in.

MALLORY ZIPPED her suitcase closed. She had to get out of here and back to her life before she lost her sense of self. Falling in love with Jack, she’d discovered one Mallory and lost another. The one that was goal-oriented and on the fast track to partnership. The one who never thought she wanted a husband or family. The one content to hide her femininity.

The one who considered Jack an unattainable dream.

She could never put the new Mallory behind her any more than she could completely return to the ice princess who’d been Waldorf, Haynes’s top associate. The feminine, erotic woman was a part of her now. So, too, was the woman who considered Alicia Lederman’s feelings more important than making partner.

She’d changed. There would have to be more changes when she got home. Spending more time with Jack Latham would never allow her to get over the one and probably only love of her life. The one who distrusted women, relationships and love. The one who’d come to her on a dare and continued on only because each challenge became harder to resist.

The one who didn’t believe in dreams or happily ever after.

The ringing of the telephone startled her out of her deep thoughts. She picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

“Ms. Sinclair?” A deep male voice she didn’t recognize answered her.

“Yes. Who is this please?”

“The hotel concierge. I’ve been asked to inform you to meet your business partner in room 520 at eight o’clock this evening.”

Jack’s room across the hall. Her heart began a rapid, thudding beat. A keen sense of longing took hold, the emotions strong and overwhelming. “Thank you,” she murmured into the phone.

A lump that might as well have been Mallory’s heart lodged in her throat. Not an invitation but a business meeting. And certainly not a returned declaration of love.

Mallory Sinclair, Esq. would never deny a partner’s request. But Mallory Sinclair, woman, had no choice. She was smart enough to know when to give in. She lifted her suitcase onto the floor.

There was no way she could handle one last meeting with Jack. Not with her heart in shreds and her career at a crossroad.

She didn’t fault Jack for his attitude this morning. Using the private investigator’s report was the right move-for someone who wanted to represent Paul Lederman. She didn’t need to forgive Jack for doing his job. It was the same strategic move she would have made the day she’d arrived at the resort. But no longer.

Along with finding herself came a clarity and acceptance of life she hadn’t had before. The same way she knew she’d never change her parents’ lack of feeling for their only child, she now knew she couldn’t change Jack’s negative views on love and relationships. Lord knows she’d tried.

Too bad she’d been the only one to undergo self-revelation on this trip or she wouldn’t have to leave the resort alone. She and Jack could go-together.

She wiped at the tear dripping down her cheek. She’d begun this game with an invitation aimed at teaching him a lesson. He’d returned the favor and they’d engaged in a sensual, exciting competition, each trying to top the other-neither realizing one of them would end up with a broken heart. Until it was too late.

So no, she wouldn’t show up, not even for a business meeting. She’d find a way to get the message to him so she didn’t stand him up. And then she’d head home.

Alone.

JACK PACED the floor of his room. At nine o’clock he realized Mallory wasn’t going to show. At ten o’clock, one stiff drink later and well into seventh-inning stretch of the Yankees game, there was a knock at the door.

Professionally he should have been furious she was so late, but at this point his heart was thinking for him and his emotions were keyed. He was angry and hurt as hell. Be it a business summons or a personal request, the very least she could have done was send him a polite “no thank you.”

His head was pounding and his throat raw. He felt like crap and realized Mallory was just a part of it. All he needed on top of things was the damn flu. He rose from the couch and walked to the door. On the other side was Alicia Lederman-the last person Jack expected to see.

“Can I help you?”

“I’ve got a message for you.” The older woman held out a white envelope with the resort logo on the upper lefthand corner. “I promised to bring this over earlier. Much earlier. But we had an emergency in the lobby. A man had a heart attack and I had to call the hotel doctor and 9-1-1…” She shook her head. “Anyway, here it is with my sincere apologies.”

“No need to apologize.” Considering what Jack had in store for her, he ought to be saying “I’m sorry.”

The thought jarred him, taking him by surprise. When had he ever felt the need to apologize for doing his job? He glanced at Alicia. Though she looked as elegant as ever, the weariness in her face tugged at Jack’s heart. He wondered if he was truly seeing her for the first time or viewing her through Mallory’s eyes. Either way he didn’t like what he saw and wondered if Mallory was right-if there was a way of settling this divorce without causing needless pain and heartache.

He met Alicia’s gaze, impressed with her dignity and courage. “You could have sent a bellboy with this.” He waved the note in the air. “Why bring it yourself?”

“Because if Mallory cares, then you must be a good man in here.” She tapped the area near her heart.

He wouldn’t touch that assumption. “You’ve spoken with her then.”

Alicia nodded. “Before she left. She’s on her way home. I’m sure that note explains it all.”

He stepped back. “Come in, please.”

Alicia followed him inside but remained silent, obviously sensing he needed space. And he did. So Mallory hadn’t stood him up-not in the way he’d thought anyway. But the truth didn’t make him feel any better and his stomach churned with remorse.

Jack didn’t care if he had an audience, he just wanted to know what Mallory had to say. He pulled the scented paper from the envelope and read silently.

While I regret not telling you in person, I’m smart enough not to engage in a battle I can’t win.

This trip taught me a lot about myself and what I want out of life.

I’m going home to begin making some changes. And regretfully I’m going to have to let this last meeting pass.

It was fun while it lasted.

Love,

Mallory

The pain in Jack’s gut grew larger.

“Endings are never easy.” Alicia placed a hand on his arm, then embarrassed, she withdrew quickly.

Jack met her sympathetic gaze. “I guess you would know,” he said, careful to let kindness not sarcasm infuse his voice.

She nodded. “I realize I can’t keep Paul if he doesn’t want to stay. And I know you thought I was ignoring you when you told me to get an attorney, but I wasn’t. I was preparing.”

“And keeping your cards close to your vest. I respect that.”

“I’m not certain what I’ve done deserves it. But what I do know is that the marriage is over. And I refuse to go without a fight.”

“You realize this is when I advise you to get counsel.” She was so easy to talk to, Jack couldn’t help but smile.

“I will. But I was hoping we could deal first.” Reaching into her bag, she held out a manila envelope. “I’m not as naive as my husband thinks. There’s some information on me that I am certain he’ll want to use. Let him know I’ve got ammunition of my own.”