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town during this same time. I guess he had better luck with the after-
lunch traffic than I thought he would. Let him in, please.
Why do you need a lawyer? her father asked.
Why do you need one, Dad? she replied without missing a beat.
He s a friend, and I asked him to join us if he could. As I said, I
didn t even expect him to make it.
I see. If Mr. Blair was surprised, he hid it well. Yes, Miss
Jennings, please send him in, then. He s expected.
Tessa stood as Zachary strolled in with an amused smile on his
gorgeous face. He extended his hand, which she grabbed like a
lifeline, so grateful not to be all alone with her father during this
dreadfully difficult reading.
I m sorry to be late, Miss Calloway. I wasn t sure I d make it at
all.
Thank you so much for being here, Mr. Barrett. I know you had a
previous engagement. Pretending she hadn t had his impressive cock
in her mouth less than twelve hours ago as he reciprocated with his
mouth on her pussy, she stood and shook his hand for what was
probably longer than prudence allowed.
Nothing as important as this, I assure you. His expression very
lawyerly and serious, Zachary took the seat next to hers, placed his
briefcase on the floor next to his chair, and smiled at Mr. Blair.
Please excuse my interruption and continue on.
Unbridled and Undone 107
Her father was certain to have questions about Zachary s
presence. She decided against glancing in his direction. She kept her
gaze on Mr. Blair with rapt attention.
Yes. Well, that s fine. Mr. Blair coughed one last time and
brought the document back up to eye level and started reading again.
We are here today to officiate the formal reading of the last will and
testament of Virginia Alice McBride Butler& He continued to read
through lots of legalese before any pertinent information was
dispersed.
All the while, Tessa felt the weight of Zachary s attendance and
fought the urge to stare at his profile. If she dared one single glance,
she might be too mesmerized to ever look away. For as much as she
never expected him to come today, she was very grateful that he had.
She wanted to slide her fingers into his hand for comfort during this
difficult day but resisted that urge as well.
Her father glanced at Zachary more than once as Mr. Blair spoke.
She rehearsed what she wanted to say and found the words came
easier than expected. She d simply tell her father she was an adult and
capable of making her own decision regarding her life.
The relationship with Dell and Zachary made her not only more
self-confident, but a little bit more assertive as well.
Mr. Blair continued speaking in an even tone. Somehow the
reading of her grandmother s will made Tessa feel the loss even more
than when she d died. It was like this meeting made everything final.
She d never see Gamma Butler again, and Tessa naturally missed her
very much. She did her best to shut away the pain. And instead, she
focused on her future. The one she wanted with Dell and Zachary.
The lawyer droned on for several moments as Tessa did her best
not to touch Zachary inappropriately. And she so wanted to touch
him. Memories of the night before filtered into her conscious mind,
and sexy images of Dell and Zachary drowned out Mr. Blair s
monotonous voice. So enthralled in succulent touches, whispered
108 Elle Saint James
endearments, and remembered orgasms, Tessa almost missed hearing
the reason she was here.
To my granddaughter, Tessa, I leave my home and its contents to
do with as she pleases in accordance with the laws attached to the
property. There were a few other donations to various charities, and
then Mr. Blair mentioned a final bequeath, and Tessa figured she
should do her best to pay attention rather than speculate further on
how good Zachary looked in his suit. The incredible scent wafting off
of him made her want to rip his clothes off, push him backward onto
the surface of Mr. Blair s enormous desk, and do him.
To my son-in-law, Mickey Calloway, as prescribed in a previous
agreement, you shall have the property promised to you by my late
husband. Mr. Blair read a plot number and some county tax
information. One of the county names mentioned sounded familiar,
but Tessa didn t pay attention.
She turned her gaze to her attorney. Zachary had a small notebook
in hand. He had started taking notes after her portion of the will was
read. She found his studious intent of the proceedings on her behalf
very sexy.
Zachary made her hungry. Tessa shifted in her seat and tried to
pay attention as unsuitable thoughts of her lawyer circled in her head.
Zachary had his attention focused on Mr. Blair. The notepad that she
hadn t noticed him retrieve from his briefcase rested on his knee. He
took notes here and there as the probate attorney finally finished the
reading.
Her father lifted up from his chair and turned to Zachary. He
extended a hand. I m Tessa s father, Mick. Good to meet you. I
didn t even know my daughter had a lawyer at her disposal.
I m Zachary Barrett. Good to meet you, as well.
How did you come to be in the services of my daughter?
Tessa inwardly rolled her eyes. I met him through Dell Harper,
Dad. Zachary is also Dell s lawyer, she answered quickly. She hated
putting Zachary on the spot.
Unbridled and Undone 109
Zachary smiled. In addition to being his general council, I m also
Dell s business partner. We own our ranch together in Wyoming. I
handle the legal aspects of the business and he runs the ranch.
You sound like a very busy man. Her father sounded sincere in
his queries, but she didn t trust him to keep the conversation civil for
very long.
I d say I m busy enough. Truthfully, the law is more of a side
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