Bang! The door to BJ’s office slammed into the wall and Kalista, her raven hair perfectly coiffed in a severe updo, stormed through the opening. Twin spots of color slashed her pale cheeks in stark relief. Her light brown eyes snapped fire, while her full sweetheart lips pursed in a thin line. She clutched a folded sheet of paper in her fist.

“What is the meaning of this?” Kalista demanded. “Are you trying to get me fired?”

BJ lifted his cell phone from the desk, pressed a number then listened a moment before holding the phone out.

“What?” She glared at BJ, and a smirk twitched his lips as her mouth dropped open. “You’re what?”

Janice, her flowing, sable brown hair held away from her face with a simple headband, sauntered through the open door, a cell phone to her ear. Her turquoise blue eyes were cool. “I said, if you persist in harassing my client’s assets, we will be forced to bring your actions before the courts as well as relevant bank personnel.” She dropped the phone in her bag then extracted a folder. “Every instance has been documented, and the fact that he’s waited until now to even seek legal attention speaks of how much he was hoping you’d see reason.”

Kalista swung her gaze between BJ and his lawyer. “You’d take away my job at the bank?”

BJ stood, straightened his summer wool suit jacket then came around the front of the desk. “You seem to have no problem taking away mine, Kalista.” He leaned a hip on the corner of the furniture. “Those accounts you periodically freeze jeopardize my ability to do business, which in turn interferes with sending my support payments on time. Or did you forget what a generous amount you receive on a bi-weekly basis? And this is on top of what I buy Sydney.” Sydney was their three year old daughter together. While the child support he paid went for the basic necessities he liked being about to spoil her with huge toys, a nifty bike and probably other stuff she would never really use. He was sure the money he spent on that stuff could be better spent being placed in a savings account, but he loved doting on his daughter.

“Are you saying I spend the money on myself?” Kalista planted her hands on her hips.

He sighed. “If I thought you weren't taking care of her, she wouldn’t be with you at all.”

He skimmed his gaze over her curve-hugging suit. The dove gray jacket accentuated her firm round breasts and nipped in at her waist. The knee-length skirt clung to generous hips he longed to feel beneath his hands. Three months was too long to not touch her.

“You should have thought about that before you decided to cheat on me.”

“I know what I did Kalista, and not a day goes by that I don’t regret my actions. But if you want to punish me, then keep this fight with me. Not where it will affect our daughter.” He glanced at his lawyer. “Could you wait outside a moment, Janice?”

The brown-haired woman nodded. “I’m just outside the door.”

While BJ waited for the door to close, he dragged his fingers through his dreadlocks before scrubbing the heel of his hand across his face. Yeah, he’d messed up big time, and he’d had too many long lonely days and nights to think about his actions. So many times he wished he could take back that one moment of weakness. There was no explanation for his indiscretion other than stupidity.

“Keep your fight with me. Not my company.” He straightened, the subtle scent of jasmine wafting to his nose when he stood in front of her. “With me. Understood?”

“Why did you cheat on me after I gave you everything?” Her voice wobbled while unshed tears glistened in her eyes. “I loved you.”

His heart ached for what he’d tossed away, and he’d give anything to have it back. “I know and I was stupid.” He cupped her shoulders, her body stiffened beneath his palms. A sigh eased past his lips.“I hurt you because I was dumb and drunk and not thinking.” He infused as much sincerity in his voice as possible. “That’s all I can say. You were great and what we had together was wonderful. I messed things up. Not you.”

He palmed her cheek, catching a tear with his thumb. He allowed his hand to linger, admiring the contrast of their skin, his dark chocolate, her smooth vanilla. “You may not believe me, Kalista, I still love you, but I can’t allow you to keep attacking my bank accounts.”

Her soft scent beckoning, he moved closer, and her full lips parted in invitation. “All I want is a chance to prove to you that I’m the man you fell in love with, or better than before.” He lowered his head until her breath mingled with his. “Just one chance.”