C'mere (Paul Banks fanfic)

The Heat

Paul walked slowly back to his bedroom and tried to forget about his problems. What he couldn't quite forget about as the girl who had been waiting for him the whole time took off his jeans was the smell of his lawyer's hair.

-

In the solitude of the lift, Rhi fanned her face with the white folder. This was totally unacceptable. Everytime she was near this client, she would fuss about and become really... hot. The thought of it horrified her. She had heard the expressions "having the hots for someone" or "someone making one hot", but she never thought there was a literal rise in temperature when one liked someone as irrationally as she did him.

She started to play with the idea of leaving the case to some other lawyer. It was not particularly challenging, and she thought this smelled like trouble.

-

Monday came and Rhi was still thinking about quitting the case... but then she remembered Paul telling her he trusted her... she took off her spectacles and let out a big sigh.

"I can easily walk out of this before something weird happens..." She thought, to immediately refute. "No, grow up, come on, you can do this."

Instead of calling another lawyer to take over, she ringed Aiden Wilson, like she had promised Paul.

- Hello. - He answered in a raspy voice. Rhi immediately disliked him.

- Mr. Aiden Wilson, please?

- Yes, this is him speaking.

- Good morning, Mr. Wilson, this is Rhiannon Yeatts, and I speak to you in representation of Mr. Paul Banks.

She waited for him to reply, but he just let out a  grunt, therefore, she continued.

- I want to talk to you about a disagreement you have had with Mr. Banks regarding the legal rights of some songs...

- Yes, I'm suing his ass for using my songs without crediting or paying me, what about it?

She furrowed her forehead.

- Well I am calling you precisely because, as a lawyer, I think it is better for both parties if we could settle this outside court. I was hoping to have a meeting with you and Mr. Banks so that we could reach an agreement that will favour both of you...

- Ain't no favoring anyone. - He intervened. - I want my money, those songs are mine and I want to get paid because they used them...

Rhi politely insisted they should settle without court bureaucracy and used her negotiation skills until she finally got him to promise he would meet them in two weeks in New York. She smiled, very proud of herself and immediately ringed Paul.

- Yes...? - He answered with a sleepy voice. 

Rhi made a mental note not to call him before noon. The Client was definitely not a morning person.

- Paul, it's Yeatts here, I have some very good news regarding Wilson.

- Oh Rhi, hello. Tell me, please. - His tone changed completely.

- He has agreed to see us on Wednesday June 13, is that fine for you?

- Well, yes. I'm surprised... How did you get him to...?

- It's my work. - She cut him off modestly.

- That's amazing. Do you think we can make him forget about the suing nonsense?

- I would not get my hopes up just yet, but that's exactly the objective of this meeting. I need to meet up with you before, you can call Ms. Hatcher to set up the day and time.

- Great, yes, definitely, I will do it this same week.

- Excellent.

- Rhi...

She felt that twitch again. She never should have let him start calling her that.

- Yes?

- Thank you so much.

- No problem. That's what I'm here for.

She hung up and looked up, discovering Ly standing in the door frame with some papers in her hand. She had the smuggest face on.

- Was that The Client? - She asked in a casual tone.

Rhi rearranged her spectacles and answered lowering her gaze to the notes on her desk.

- Yes, why?

- Because you're blushing like a teenager...

- Ly... get off my back. It's Monday, don't push your luck.

Lydia sniggered and went to give her the papers.

- Mick Jagger's assistant brought these. Also these, these and... these need signing. Want me to schedule a meeting with the parts?

- Yes, please, I need to close this case because he's going back to London next week. I don't want to wait until he comes back again...

- Alright... - Ly started scribbling on her tablet. She suddenly stopped with a thoughtful stare. - Why do you think Mr. Banks didn't send his assistant to take care of this?

Rhiannon stared at her impatiently, then started to sign the papers.

- I have no idea. Ask him next time he comes round... In fact... why don't you try to get on with him? - She proposed.

Lydia cackled.

- I'm not the kind of girl a rockstar would notice! - She protested.

- Yes you are. - Rhiannon assured.

Lydia was short and skinny, with very pale skin and big hazel eyes. Her reddish brown hair was cut short, and made her look younger than she was. Rhi honestly thought she was cute.

- Get out, if you're telling me this so I can stop nagging about you liking him...

- That would also be lovely. - Rhi said, grinning.

- Just that I won't... - Ly sang as she got out of the ofice.

Rhi wondered if Paul had perceived his effect on her. Ly knew her very well and of course, could detect any change in her attitude and behaviour. But he had just seen her a couple times. She really hoped she could keep her cool facade on around him until the case was over.

Suddenly she felt an urge to take this case to a happy ending as soon as possible.