Page 81 of A Legal Affair

“Got a couple more stashed at my father’s place.” His grin turned rueful. “When I worked at the law firm, I needed ways to spend all the money I was earning—and the faster the better. Buying vehicles seemed to do the trick.”

“I’ll bet,” Daniela teased.

As they passed block after block of elegant Victorians cradled by columned wraparound porches and neat manicured lawns, Caleb asked, “How long have you lived in the King William District?”

“A little over three years,” Daniela answered.

“Do you like it?”

“Iloveit. The rich history, the quaint charm of the little shops and restaurants. And everything is within easy walking distance.” A soft, reminiscent smile touched her lips. “I’ve wanted to live here ever since I was a little girl, when my mother took us to our very first art exhibit at the Blue Star. I remember having to park a few blocks away from the gallery because the lot was full, and as we walked past these amazing Victorian houses, I remember wishing I lived in one of them. I think that’s when my affinity for all-things-antique was born.” She sighed deeply. “Maybe someday, after I’ve retired from…whatever, I’ll open my own antiques store. I think I’d like that very much.”

Caleb watched her as she spoke, his gaze almost tender. “Sounds like a great way to enjoy your retirement,” he agreed. “If you’re in the area, I’ll be sure to drop in and buy a few things from you.”

Daniela laughed. “You’d better!” Sobering after a moment, she studied his handsome profile with keen interest. “So what about you, Caleb? What are your retirement plans?”

He sent her a lopsided grin. “Who says I ever plan to retire? I might decide to teach until I’ve got one foot in the grave.”

Daniela gave him a wry grin. “Even then, your female students wouldstillswoon when you walked into the room.”

He chuckled, the sound so warm her stomach began to melt. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Iwould.”

Smiling, he glanced over at her. “All joking aside, to answer your question, I’ve been giving serious thought to life on a ranch after retirement.”

“Really? You mean as a cattle rancher?”

He nodded. “It definitely has its challenges, chief among them being market volatility and increasing government overreach. But I enjoy working on my father’s land—more than I ever thought I would, in fact. I could easily see myself settling into the quiet life of a rancher, getting away from the hurried pace of the city and waking up to golden sunrises every morning.”

“Mmm,” Daniela murmured, closing her eyes on a deep, languid sigh at the vivid image his words painted. “That sounds heavenly, Caleb.”

“I’m glad you think so,” he said, and something in the deep rumble of his voice told her he really meant it.

She opened her eyes to look at him. “Speaking of your father’s ranch, how far is it from here?”

“We’ve got another forty-five minutes,” he replied, meeting her inquisitive gaze. A half smile quirked the corners of his mouth. “Are you in a hurry to get there?”

She chortled dryly. “If you knew how nervous I am about meeting your father tonight, you’d know better.”

“Don’t be nervous,” Caleb told her. “My father’s bark is much worse than his bite.”

Daniela eyed him suspiciously. “Do you really mean that? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?”

He cut her a sideways glance. “What did I tell you in my office yesterday?”

She gave a low, sultry laugh. “You said quite a few things yesterday,” she purred. “Shall I repeat them all?”

Caleb cleared his throat, lips twitching. “What I told you is that I never say things I don’t mean. If I tell you not to be nervous about meeting my father, then take my word for it.”

“All right,” Daniela conceded with exaggerated reluctance, “but if you’re wrong, it’s gonna be alongride back for you, buddy.”

He merely grinned at the threat. He was in gentleman mode tonight. The feral, lust-crazed sex beast who’d ravaged her under the moon lay dormant for now.

She slid him a teasing smile. “I’m not surprised you listen to old school music. You’re kind of an old soul, aren’t you? Like Jalen Hurts,” she added, referring to the Philadelphia Eagles’ star quarterback. “I bet you have playlists with Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Maze, The Isley Brothers, Levert, The Commodores. All the oldies but goodies.”

Caleb chuckled, nodding. “Guilty as charged.”

Her smile widened with delight. “Which reminds me, I just saw that video of you and Jalen Hurts vibing to Con Funk Shun’s ‘Love’s Train.’ You were at some charity event in Philly. The crowd was singing along and women were going wild. The video had over five million likes.”