Sweet Treats [NOOK Book]

"Have you met Devon's niece?" Erika Arnold heard one man at the front of the elevator ask another. "She's pretty nice looking."

Her best friend, Mark Lincoln, glanced down at her and winked at the comment of the man in the front of the elevator to another man. She wrinkled her nose at him and waited to hear what the other man would have to say.

"I haven't met her yet, but I've seen photos," the tall, well-built stranger in front of her replied.

His voice stroked across her senses like malted whisky and silk, and she had to fight not to moan. The sexy, deep Scottish murmur kept her mind firmly in the bedroom. The air around her seemed to hum while Erika fought the urge to purr. She listened, rapt, as he continued speaking.

"I don't know how bright she is but she's definite eye candy, that one," rumbled the man in front of her, his voice raspy and warm.

Erika frowned as she stepped forward, intent on objecting. Before she could form a word, the door to the elevator opened, and Mark clapped a hand over her mouth, maneuvering her to the front of the small space and out the sliding doors before anyone could really get a look at her. Quickly, he pushed her into an empty office and closed the door before they both dissolved into fits of laughter.

"Eye candy!" she choked, trying to contain the tears of mirth that threatened her eyeliner. "That's a new one. I think I like it."

"Come on now, my little lollipop ... gumdrop, chocolate chip!" Mark guffawed.

"You're just jealous because nobody mentioned your sweet round gumball derriere!" she countered, delivering a stinging slap to her longtime friend's posterior.

Mark jumpedaway playfully and chuckled. "You know, Erika, you could have used your 'radar' to find out who that guy was...."

'Radar' was how she and Mark referred to Erika's ability to listen to other people's thoughts. There were certain, self-imposed rules that she applied to her radar, and getting information about hot guys was a big no-no in her book.

"I didn't need my radar for that, bright eyes! How many guys with a voice and an accent like that do you think are wandering the hallowed halls of Duncan, Devon, and Rice? I'll find him. Besides, you know I only use that for finding out if people are lying to the court or their lawyer!" she stated piously.

"Yeah, sure, and I'd better start calling you cherry because that sounds sweet, but we both know you're full of it!" Mark crossed his arms and shot her a mock glare.

"How could you say such a thing to me? Me! Your dearest friend. I'm hurt!" She leaned back and tried to look wounded, failed miserably, dissolving into another fit of giggles.

"Okay, bubble gum, time to pull yourself together for our meeting with your uncle. He said he had our next year's assignments ready for us. We have to meet our department counterparts, too, don't we?" Mark was becoming nervous, and Erika stood still while he fussed with her hair and the neckline on her dress.

When he turned his attention to his own appearance, Erika tried to calm him. "Don't worry, Mark. We know he's going to give us separate assignments, but we did well working for the District Attorney's office these past three years. We've proven ourselves," she reassured him.

She knew that Mark was a compulsive worrier. She also knew that her uncle would do his best to place him in an interesting department. While many young lawyers came to the prestigious law firm of Duncan, Devon, and Rice directly from law school, Erika and Mark had chosen to work outside the firm and establish strength and credibility before joining her uncle's practice.

They had both risen steadily through the ranks of Manhattan's District Attorney's offices and had gained confidence in themselves and their abilities. Erika knew that Mark hoped to work in criminal law while she was more interested in international law.

"I know you're right," Mark agreed, turning toward the door. "I guess now we're fashionably late, huh?"

Erika slid her hand through the crook of his elbow and led him toward her Uncle Charles' office.