Page 3 of Flynn

You said you understood and you loved me for my smart mind. But you were even worse than my former relationships, and I will never forgive you for this. You made a fool of me and did it before the world."

Finishing the brandy, she eased off the desk and put the glass away. She would say no, of course. There was no way she would ever agree to anything this bizarre.

*****

Ryleigh was not the only one in deep thought. Flynn Zimmerman was standing by the window, a half-filled glass of scotch in his hand, staring out at the bright lights of the buildings in front of his corporate office.

He was weary and had to admit it to himself. The office buildings his construction company had been dedicating its time, energy, and resources to were lagging behind schedule, and it was pissing him off. But that was not the entirety of it, not the real reason he was so on edge.

Gracie had called him this afternoon and wanted to talk. The woman who had been at the focal point of his life a year ago had broken his heart and sent him into a tailspin. She had also turned into a cynical recluse who wanted nothing to do with relationships other than the physical.

He had considered not answering the call but had done so out of curiosity. He heard the rumors that his uncle had ended things with her, something he could have told her from the beginning. Lionel Braithwaite was a player. He was forty-five and had an incredible weakness for beautiful women.

She had called begging him to meet with her so that she could 'explain.' Flynn had flatly refused and hung up the phone. But his mother was right; he needed an heir and a surrogate. She had suggested the disgraced prosecutor Ryleigh Bogle.

He had met her briefly at several functions his mother had been part of, but not long enough to form an opinion. He had also read the detailed story of what had occurred between her and the senator.

The press had maligned her and classed her as either naive or stupid. Flynn had no interest in gossip and had felt his distaste and ire rising at the salacious comments that had been printed.

It could be that something good could come from what had happened to the two of them. He considered them kindred spirits; the thought filtered through his mind sardonically.

He was unaware that his fingers were clenched on the glass until they began to throb and become numb. Easing the pressure, he unclenched his hold and tossed back the rest of the drink before putting down the glass.

He was on his way to his desk when his phone rang. "Mother." Settling in the chair, he pressed the speaker button and put the phone on the desk. "You spoke to her."

"She is thinking about it."

"I am surprised she did not laugh you out of her office." Leaning back in the chair, he stretched his long legs out.

"I reminded her that she needs something to take her mind off the disaster she is going through."

"That was low, wasn’t it?"

"I had to push the envelope. Darling, I am doing this for you."

"Something I appreciate, but I would rather you not shove the woman's unhappiness in her face. She has been through enough."

"I could say the same about you. Darling, you need this. And I feel responsible-"

"Nonsense!" He retorted. "Did you put Lionel and Gracie in a room together minus their clothing? They made the choice, and it's up to them alone."

"Still-"

"If she does not agree, we will find someone else."

"She is perfect."

"I know you think that, but it might not happen." He glanced at his watch. "I have some calls to make."

"Will you be coming home for dinner?"

"Maybe not. I will see you when I get there." Hanging up the phone, he put it away, determined to put it out of his mind.

*****

"You are worried about something." Margaret Bogle murmured as her daughter approached to give her a glass of wine.

"I have a big case working on; that's worry enough," Ryleigh told her mildly as she sat across from her. Her mother had called and said she was on her way from a dinner date and would stop by. Margaret did not ask; she demanded, and even though she was feeling tired and emotionally drained, she had reluctantly agreed to the meeting.