Page 21 of A Legal Affair

Immune she was not.

“Do you have a minute?” she asked when he reached her.

He nodded, then glanced at Emma. “Thanks for your help today. We’ll talk later.”

“All right,” she said, smiling shyly. She eyed Daniela curiously before continuing up the stairs and out of the classroom.

“What can I do for you, Miss Moreau?” Caleb asked, his tone formal.

Shoring up her courage, Daniela said, “I was wondering if I could buy you a cup of coffee.”

She saw the refusal in his eyes even before he opened his mouth. “Thank you, but?—”

“I was hoping to pick your brain about the case brief I’m working on. I know it isn’t due until the end of the semester, but I could really use some help.”

“I’m sure Shara would be more than happy to answer any questions you have.”

“I know, but…” She gave him what she hoped was her most beguiling smile. “Well, youdidoffer your assistance yesterday in the library. Do you remember?”

“Of course I remember.” By the look on his face, though, she could tell he probably wishedshehadn’t remembered.Fortunately, he was too much of a gentleman to renege on the deal. “Why don’t you stop by during my office hours this afternoon? We can talk then.”

“Can’t do it this afternoon,” she lied. “I’m meeting with my study group. Besides, I really want to start working on the case brief as soon as possible. One cup of coffee, Professor Thorne. That’s all I ask. Please?”

He hesitated, flicking a glance at his watch. “Coffee, huh?”

She grinned, tasting victory. “And maybe a beignet, too. What the heck. I’m feeling generous.”

He chuckled, and her stomach fluttered at the low, sexy rumble. “In that case,” he drawled, “how can I refuse?”

8

Daniela was surprised, and more than a little relieved, when they made it out of the building and to the parking lot without encountering Shara Adler.

“We can take my car,” she told Caleb. She glanced at the matte-black helmet tucked beneath his arm, then added hopefully, “Unless you want to take me for a spin on your Ducati?”

He looked down at her tight skirt, his eyes darkening. “You’re not exactly dressed for it,” he said gruffly.

Daniela swallowed, tingling from the heat of his brief perusal. “Guess not.”

They reached her car, a silver Audi convertible that gleamed in the morning sunlight. Caleb ran an appreciative eye over the sleek, classic contours of the vehicle. “Nice.”

“Thanks. I like it, too.” She unlocked the doors and dropped her laptop and backpack into the backseat next to Caleb’s helmet and messenger bag. As she slid into the car beside him, she saw that his legs were too long in the confined space, his knees colliding with the dashboard.

“Sorry about that,” she said, grinning as he adjusted the red leather passenger seat. “The last person who rode with me was my mother, and she’s only five-two.”

He smiled a little. “How tall are you?”

“Five-seven.” She started the car and reversed out of the tight parking space. “From what I understand, my father was very tall, and that’s where I get my height from, as well as his complexion. He passed away when I was a baby.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Caleb said quietly.

“Thanks. In a way it was both a blessing and a curse that I was too young to remember him.”

Caleb nodded. “I can understand that.”

Daniela maneuvered through the parking lot bustling with students and faculty, and turned left at the first intersection. “How long have you been teaching at Northbridge?” she asked conversationally, though she already knew the answer. Might as well get used to pretending not to know certain details about him.

“Five years.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him studying her profile. “Are you originally from San Antonio?”