Watch Me Spark: Watch Me, #3

By K J Baker

There is no such thing as a hero.

If you want justice in this world you make it yourself. That's why I became a lawyer. I don't trust anyone, not since the night I saw my mother murdered. But when tattooed, gorgeous Cole Davies saves my life from the very criminals I swore to fight, my armor begins to crumble. He's dangerous. He has dark secrets. I know I should walk away but I can't. I want to peel back his layers, see what lies beneath.

 

But I'm terrified of what I'll find there.

 

***

 

I've been broken for a long time. I had a life once. A future. Then I made a mistake and that future was shattered. Now I live in a world of violence, where everyone is out for themselves and you have to watch your back. I trust no one. Until I meet Olivia. She's intelligent, beautiful. And dangerous. I should walk away but I can't. She's breaking down my walls. But if I let her, I'll lose her.

 

I can't be her hero. No matter how much I want to be.

 

Watch Me Spark is a smoking hot bad boy romance with a protective alpha-male hero and a sassy, street-wise heroine who dares to look behind the facade. If you like your romance fast-paced, full of high-octane attraction and of course, an HEA, try Watch Me Spark today!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: K J Baker
• Release date: Jul 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201426989

Book preview

Chapter 1

The party is filled with people—people I don't know. They're laughing, joking, drinking. I smooth my dress self-consciously, hoping nobody is staring at me. Why did I let Carrie talk me into this?

She stands at my side, looking as excited as a schoolgirl. She's wearing a tight black dress and heels so high that I’m surprised she can take two steps without falling flat on her face. Carrie is the only friend I have here, the only person I know in this whole damned city.

I’m the new girl in town. New job, new life.  At my new firm on Monday morning Carrie was given the task of showing me the ropes. She decided to kick my social life into gear as well.  So here I am at a party full of strangers, feeling like a round peg in a square hole.

I should have stayed home. I should have read up on the hit-and-run case I was handed today. Instead, I smile as Carrie hands me a glass of wine and leads me further into the room. I recite the promise I made to myself. A new start. A new life. Make some friends. Stop being a workaholic.

I grit my teeth and take a big gulp of the wine. It does nothing to ease my tension.

Hey, Carrie! You look hot, baby! A tall woman steps up to us and envelops Carrie into a hug. I recognize her from the firm although I can't remember her name.

Not as hot as you, Carrie replies. Holy shit, Shaznay, that color is amazing on you!

Ah, Shaznay. Of course. She works in accounts. It’s her party.

Carrie turns to me. Shaz, this is Olivia. She's the new girl. You remember?

Sure, Shaz says, holding out her hand for me to shake. How's your first week been? Head spinning? I remember when I first started. So many names! So many titles! I thought I'd never remember them all!

I’m glad I'm not the only one, I reply with a laugh.  I got lost twice on my first day. I spent half an hour sitting alone in the boardroom waiting for a meeting that was on the other side of the building!

Shaz and Carrie smile uncertainly, not sure if I'm joking. Nobody ever gets my sense of humor. I'm told I have a 'dry wit', whatever the hell that means. I decide to change the subject.

Happy birthday by the way, Shaznay. This is a great party.

Shaz looks around at the people chatting in small groups. Yeah, not a bad turn-out. I'm sure they all just come for the free alcohol though. She spots someone across the room. Oh, there's Chanelle! Enjoy yourselves, I'll catch you later.

With that, she glides away.

Come on, Carrie says. Let's mingle. There are loads of people I want you to meet.

I glance at my watch. How soon can I make my excuses and leave? I need to be up early in the morning. I hope to have a case outline ready before I meet with my clients.

You’re doing it again, Olivia, I tell myself. Relax. Have some fun.

I gulp down the rest of my wine. Instead of relaxing me, it seems to make me even more wound up.

Liv? You listening?

Sorry? What?

Carrie rolls her eyes. I said, I’d like to introduce you to Kris Whiles.

The man in front of me is tall and thin with a boyish face and blond hair shaved close to his skull. He smiles warmly and holds out his hand.

Nice to meet you. So, you're the new attorney? Has old McAllister got you running in circles yet?

You know Mr. McAllister? I ask, surprised.

Mr. McAllister is the head of the firm and one of the most hard-nosed criminal lawyers in the country. I’m a little in awe of him. And a little frightened too.

Kris laughs lightly. I'll say. My dad and McAllister started the firm thirty years ago. He's always been something of an uncle to me. A scary uncle that is.

Kris’s set up his own company now, Carrie chips in. Downtown. They specialize in environmental law.

She gazes up at him with wide eyes. Ah. Now I get it. Kris is her man. Or at least, she hopes he will be.

Carrie tells me you're new to town, Kris continues. How are you settling in?

Oh, you know. Busy, busy. I haven't seen much of the city yet. I haven't even unpacked my boxes. I've found the coffee machine and the TV so it's all good.

Kris smiles. I'm sure you'll like it here. McAllister runs a tight ship but he's fair. Who knows, maybe you'll be a partner yourself in a few years’ time?

Listen to you two! Carrie says. Discussing work at a party! Enough already! She quirks an eyebrow at Kris. Want to dance?

A sudden spike of alarm goes through me. Hang on, she's not going to—

Come on, I love this song!

She is. Oh my god, she is. She's going to leave me on my own.

I open my mouth. Wait, perhaps we should—

But she's already turning away. In seconds she and Kris disappear into the crowd.

I lick my lips and glance around nervously.  Everyone is talking, dancing, laughing, joking. There's only me who's an outcast, standing in a corner and hoping desperately that nobody will notice me. I eye the door. Could I slip out without Carrie realizing?

I notice a guy standing by himself on the far side of the room. He’s leaning against the wall, one hand holding a water bottle, the other tucked into his pocket. The arms of his shirt are rolled up and I can see the ends of black tattoos peeking out from beneath them. He seems to be watching the crowd and there’s something about him that makes him look out of place in a party full of lawyers. I can’t quite put my finger on it. He’s dressed just as smartly as everyone else but it’s the way he holds himself— relaxed and self-confident and completely at home standing there on his own—that catches my attention.

He looks up suddenly and our gazes meet from across the room. Piercing gray eyes peer out from ruggedly handsome features. There’s a couple of days’ worth of stubble on his chin, another thing that marks him out as different from the clean-cut lawyer types at the party. Heat flushes into my cheeks and I look away. To cover my embarrassment, I raise my glass to my lips only to realize it’s empty.

Shit. I need a drink.

I inch my way around the outside of the room, weaving in and out of groups of people until I reach the kitchen. It’s blessedly quiet in here and I lean against the kitchen counter, breathing deeply to still my nerves. I grab a bottle of wine and press it to my lips, taking two big gulps and wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

Why am I no good at this? Why is it that in the courtroom I’m calm, excited even, yet when faced with social situations I feel like a fish out of water? I’ve always been the same. My shrink says it’s because of what happened to my mom. She says I took all the pain of that experience and channeled it into single-minded dedication to putting things right. That’s why I became so obsessed with becoming a lawyer. That’s why I pushed everything else aside: friendships, relationships, anything that could distract me from my goal. And now I’ve reached that goal? I’m useless at anything else.

Ah, hell. I take another gulp of wine. Maybe if I get steaming drunk I can start to enjoy myself.

You look like a woman on a mission.

I spin around at the soft voice behind me. The man I noticed earlier is standing in the doorway, head-cocked as he watches me. My eyes are drawn to the tattoos poking out from beneath his rolled-up sleeves and I find myself wondering if they cover the rest of his body as well. Do they mean something to him?

I shake myself down. There I go again. Analyzing people. It’s a habit I need to break. I glance at the bottle in my hand and smile sheepishly. I haven’t even bothered to get myself a glass. What must I look like?

I’m merely doing my duty as a guest, I reply. It would be rude to refuse our host’s hospitality wouldn’t it?

He smiles and his deep gray eyes light up. Absolutely. I can see you’ve been brought up to have manners.

You bet I have. I hold up the wine bottle. See, I’m even trying to save on the washing up by not using a glass.

This time he laughs, a warm rumble that seems to come from deep inside his chest. Very considerate of you.

Yes, I thought so.

He steps forward and holds out his hand. I’m Cole by the way. Cole Davies.

I reach out and shake his hand. Olivia Martinson but most people call me Liv. Pleased to meet you.

I shake his hand like I would a client—firm and business-like. This seems to amuse him. His lips curl up at the ends. As I release his hand the tips of his fingers brush lightly along my palm. A tingle walks up my spine. I step back and desperately try to think of something to say.

So, um, I saw you standing on your own in there. Dancing not your thing?

I wince as the words leave my mouth. Yes, nice one, Liv. Just go and admit you’ve noticed him. Make yourself look tragic why don’t you?

Cole shakes his head. Not really. I was hoping to bump into some friends but I seem to have been stood up. You? How come you’ve retreated in here? I’ll bet there are a ton of people out there who’d like to dance with you.

I snort a laugh. Hardly. I don’t know anyone. Only Carrie. And she seems a little bit...preoccupied at the moment.

Ah, yes. I noticed she had her eye on Kris. Poor guy.

You know Carrie? I ask, surprised.

He nods but doesn’t elaborate. He shifts his weight, leaning against the counter opposite me. He crosses his arms over his chest and I can’t help noticing how his sleeves pull tight over his biceps.

So, you're a lawyer, Cole asks.

I nod. Qualified last year. You?

Um, no. I never went to college. I’m more a student of life.

I hear that’s the best education you can get.

Yeah, it doesn’t pay well though.

I don’t answer and silence falls between us. I usually hate silences. I usually try to fill them and end up saying something stupid. But I don’t feel uncomfortable this time. I feel...calm. Calmer than I have since I walked into this party. Perhaps it’s the wine but I don’t think so. I think it’s Cole Davies. There’s something about his presence that makes me feel...safe.

Carrie suddenly pokes her head into the kitchen. There you are! What are you doing hiding in here?

I’m not hiding, I laugh. Just talking to a friend of yours.

Carrie turns her head and spots Cole. Her eyes narrow and her expression goes flat. She positions herself between me and Cole, her arms crossed.

What are you doing here? she hisses. You weren’t invited.

Cole lifts his water bottle to his lips and takes a swig. Last I looked this was Shaznay’s party, not yours. And she said it was open invite.

Yeah, for friends! And I’d hardly call you that. Why are you here? Out for what you can get no doubt!

Cole’s expression turns cold and something flashes in his eyes. Anger?

Before he can reply, Carrie grabs my hand and marches me out of the kitchen and back into the main room.

What the hell was all that about? I demand, pulling my hand from hers.

Carrie glances behind as if to make sure Cole hasn’t followed and then leans close to me. There are certain people you have to be careful of. Cole Davies is one of them. Stay away from him, Liv. He’s bad news.

Bad news? I frown. What do you mean? He says you two know each other.

She nods tightly. We went to school together. He’s an asshole. A womanizer and a thug. Trust me, Liv. You should stay away from him.

I stare at her. Cole, a thug and a womanizer? That’s not the impression I got of him. But then, understanding men is not one of my strong points.

Don’t worry, we were only talking. Besides, men are the last thing on my mind right now. Way too much to do at work.

She nods, seemingly satisfied and pulls me into the crowd. Come on, let’s dance.

The rest of the evening passes quickly. Cole doesn’t reappear from the kitchen and by the end of the night I’ve forgotten all about him. I dance with Carrie. With Kris. With Shaznay. A bunch of us make a conga line and weave our way through the house, laughing. Heck, I even end up enjoying myself.

Some time after midnight the house begins to empty. I find myself on the front steps waiting as Carrie says goodbye to Kris. They’re in a clinch in the doorway, kissing so deeply it’s a wonder either of them can breathe.

You want to come back to my place? Kris asks her.

She gazes up at him and says a little breathlessly. I can’t. I need to make sure Liv gets home safely.

I roll my eyes. Jesus, Carrie. Go with him. I’ll get a cab.

She looks at me and bites her lip. I can tell she desperately wants to go with Kris. You’re sure?

Of course! I laugh. I’ll be fine. You kids go and have a great night. I’ll see you tomorrow.

With that, I give them a wave, button up my coat and walk out into the street.

I CROSS TWO INTERSECTIONS before I realize I’m lost. Carrie and I caught a cab to the party and I didn't pay any attention to where we were going. Awesome. Why didn’t I get Carrie to call me a cab before she disappeared with Kris? Nice one, Liv.

I halt on a corner. Lights shine behind some of the curtains of the large houses lining the street but most are dark, their occupants in bed.