Chapter 7

Jane's POV

"I'll move!" I pretended to painfully withdraw my hand, but still managed a swift retaliatory kick to his shin. He merely gave me a cold glance.

I heard Mike laughing beside me. He teased, "Jane, is this how you greet people? I wouldn't mind that kind of treatment."

This comment made me feel slightly embarrassed, my face warming a bit, but I still glanced teasingly at Hunter, "You'll have to ask Hunter if he's willing to share his woman."

"Since when did you become my woman?" Hunter's voice was ice.

I arched an eyebrow. "Who was it that stripped off my blouse in his office? Treating my body like a free exhibition?"

"Hunter, I thought you've never been interested in women. What's this sudden change?" Mike quipped in surprise.

Hunter ignored Mike's teasing, neither explaining nor denying it. He picked up his glass and sipped his sparkling water at a leisurely pace.

Mike stared at his glass, seemingly wanting to say more. Seeing that Hunter ignored him, he could only shake his head and turn to me with curiosity. "So you proactively arranged lunch with me today. Did you just secure another high-income litigation case?"

I replied casually, "Just a small matter - a few luxury homes." Apart from Hunter who wasn't surprised, Mike widened his eyes looking at me. "Just a few luxury homes is a small matter? Jane, you're amazing." Mike praised. I smugly raised an eyebrow and glanced at Hunter.

Later when Mike invited me to join Huxley & Partners, I declined gracefully. I was now a senior partner at Sullivan & James, and my boss Lucas Sullivan treated me well. More importantly, I didn't want to get too close to Hunter.

In the evening, Sullivan & James Law Firm celebrated another colleague's major case victory at the Skyline Club.

I sat quietly by Lucas's side, sipping my drink, my eyes noticing how the junior associates clustered around Lucas like moths to a flame. He accepted every drink without refusal, causing his movements to begin showing subtle signs of slowing down.

'Drinking like this is enough, time to stop him,' I thought, signaling the waitstaff for a fruit platter.

"Lucas," I interrupted smoothly, sliding the plate between him and those admirers. "You'll want to try these..."

He turned to me with that warm smile that made half the female associates swoon. "Jane, always looking out for me."

"Can't have our managing partner incapacitated tomorrow," I replied lightly, but my meaning was clear. The junior associates exchanged knowing looks, no doubt adding to the office gossip about Lucas's obvious regard for me.

I smiled and returned to my seat, sipping my drink. As long as I could persuade him not to continue drinking, that was fine.

Unconsciously, I began to feel a bit tipsy, and the lights around me started to blur... When Lucas stood up unsteadily and suggested some fresh air, I nodded woodenly.

The autumn night outside was crisp, and after taking a deep breath, I felt myself become several degrees more sober. We walked in comfortable silence until Lucas cleared his throat.

"About the Warren divorce case..." he began carefully, sounding nothing like someone who had just had a lot to drink.

I kept my expression neutral. "The settlement negotiations are proceeding as planned."

"Hunter Huxley is the opposing counsel?" Lucas said, his voice gentle but firm. "Perhaps you should consider transferring the case?"

I squinted my drunken eyes and asked with a smile. "Are you doubting my abilities, Lucas?"

"Never." He touched my arm briefly, his eyes full of concern. "Only by staying undefeated can you keep landing major cases. Right now, you are the face of our firm. Many in the industry are watching your showdown with Hunter."

"Since so many people are watching, I can't afford to back down," I reassured him, giving his shoulder a comforting pat. "Don't worry, Lucas, I'll do my best..."

The quiet purr of a black car's engine at the roadside interrupted us. The tinted windows reflected the street lights.

The rear car window slid down, revealing Hunter's cold, handsome profile. The chill from the car's air conditioning drifted out, carrying a sharp, icy feeling.

"Get in."

Hunter's voice was cold and slightly hoarse, sounding like a death knell to my ears.

Had I offended him somehow? Why did it feel like he was angry?

Noting Lucas's tense expression, I couldn't risk him suspecting I was Hunter's informant.

"Ah, my scheduled case consultation," I said smoothly. "Perfect timing."

With that, I quickly bid Lucas farewell and got into Hunter's car. The car drove away from this place.

Inside the car, a brief silence settled. I noticed his jaw was tightly clenched, the tendons in his neck slightly pronounced. Drawing from our past encounters, I knew this meant he was fighting for control.

"Did Lawyer Huxley come here specifically to find me, or were you just passing by? What's the matter that you called me into the car?" I turned and asked him, confused.

Hunter glanced at me coldly, "Tomorrow, I will file a case against your client for bribing me. Tell your client to be ready for court."

So sudden? He's really angry. I haven't gathered evidence of Lyra's affair yet, nor have I found the leverage to negotiate with him. I can't let him file the case tomorrow! Otherwise, it would mean I'd lose this case where I'm opposing him in defense.

The champagne coursing through my veins made me feel bold, reckless. I leaned into his embrace, one hand gently caressing his chest. "Alright, but why are you suddenly angry today?"

"Angry? Don't flatter yourself," he retorted coldly.

I turned and straddled his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Hunter's face darkened as he pulled my hands away, about to push me off, but I grabbed his tie and gave his lips a soft, teasing bite.

It lasted only a brief moment before I pulled away, my soft hand tracing lightly over his lower abdomen. I raised an eyebrow and smiled. "It's precisely because I'm like this that you'd sleep with me, isn't it?"

The bodyguard driving the car wisely lowered the partition screen...

"Take your hands off! You just touched another man, and now you're touching me?!" He forcefully threw my hand away. Due to inertia, I leaned back, almost falling.

'So he was jealous,' I smiled and grabbed his tie just in time! My eyes caught sight of those sensual lips, and I kissed him directly, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, pressing against his firm chest.

He gripped my slender waist, punishing me with a rough squeeze on my softness!

"Mmm..." I let out an involuntary moan, a sound that made his breathing grow heavy, his body stiffen, his breath hot, revealing his wildness. It was as if it instantly boiled the blood in his veins.

Hunter's crimson eyes glared at me, and then he finally pushed me away forcefully.

My lips were swollen and sore from his relentless sucking. I could hardly believe that such a simple provocation had ignited such intense desire in this man.

I was still straddling his lap, and I could feel the hard, unyielding erection pressing against me from beneath. My hands braced against his chest, I breathed lightly, trying to steady myself.