by Celia Aaron
I roll over and snuggle under the sheets. I should go pee. I don’t. Because I’m comfortable right where I am.
He hurries back to bed and climbs in beside me. “Would it be cliché for you to …” He pats his chest and gives me the most disarmingly hopeful look I’ve ever seen.
Why is he trying to melt my heart? He already melted my panties. I scoot over to him, and he wraps his arm around me as I nestle against his chest. Maybe it’s cliché. But it’s also perfect, and I love the feel of his heart beating beneath my cheek.
“Do you think your brother and Elise heard that?” I whisper.
“Pfft.” He runs his hand up and down my back. “He’s probably got her bent over that Alabama white marble as we speak.”
I laugh. “Seriously?”
“They have a thing.” He shrugs. “And now we have a thing.” He kisses my forehead.
But this can’t be a thing. I close my eyes and let realization hit me full in the face. This is a huge complication. One that I brought on myself. Now, my case is at stake. Should I tell Rayford that I can’t be his lawyer anymore? Or should I go on as if nothing’s happened?
“Don’t do that.” He hugs me tighter. “I can hear you thinking and worrying.”
I drape my knee across his thigh. “You know why I’m worrying.”
“Look, maybe this will make the settlement happen faster, right? We’re both on the same team now?”
I shake my head. “We are most certainly not on the same team.”
“Is that so?” He rolls over on top of me, his cock resting between my legs and tickling my already-too-sensitive spot.
“Hart.”
“What?” He leans down and claims my mouth.
I’m almost under his spell again. But then I think of what Judge Houston would say if he knew, and how Rayford would feel, and what would happen to my reputation.
I turn away and scoot from his embrace. “I should, um … I should—”
“Stay here with me,” he offers.
“That’s exactly what I shouldn’t do.” I snatch my panties from the floor and pull them on, then finish getting dressed as he watches every move I make.
“Disagree.”
“Exactly. We disagree.” I stand and tuck my hair behind my ears. “That’s what we do.”
He gives me a smirk that threatens to pull me right back into his clutches. “We disagree, but we do other things, too.”
“Stop.” I turn toward the door. “This was a one-time mistake. Not a thing that’s going to happen again.” I spin to meet his gaze as I try to put certainty into my words. “I just got … carried away. That’s all. I guess maybe it had been building up between us or, I don’t know.”
“We aren’t a mistake, sweetheart. This is real.” He throws the sheet off and stands. No shame in his game. It takes all I have not to look down. But then I do it anyway. He’s already hard again. My thighs clench.
“You can run away this time, Ella.” He walks over to me, his green eyes intense. “But I’ll be coming for you.”
A pleasant chill tiptoes down my spine. Are his words a threat or an aphrodisiac? I clear my throat. “Well, I’m stuck here.”
“You know what I mean.” He takes my hand and kisses it. “I’ll be here when you realize I’m the one for you.”
“The one?” I push the thought away, right along with all the feelings that threaten to overwhelm me. “As in you love me?”
“Is that so hard to believe?” He cocks his head to the side and strokes my cheek. “Why?”
“We don’t know each other.”
“We don’t? I’m pretty sure you’re an uptight rule follower who graduated the top of her class and pushes away meaningful relationships because of daddy issues and a thirst to prove herself. Underneath all that is a level-headed woman who is the perfect complement to a rash man with family issues, overconfidence, and the same need to push people away.”
I blink. Then I blink some more. “You’ve put thought into this.”
“Into you and me? Of course I have.”
“This is …” I back away and into the hall. “This is too much.”
“No, it’s just right.” He doesn’t pursue me. Not this time.
But I can feel his gaze on me until I hurtle down the stairs and out into the cold night.
Chapter 9
Hart
“I spooked her.” I sit at the island as Garrett checks on his cornbread.
“I noticed. She sat on the porch for a while before that cold wind got to her and she came back in. What did you do?” He stares at the buttery-looking top, then closes the oven again. “Needs three more minutes.”
“I just told her how I feel about her.”
“And she didn’t feel it, too?” He drops some catfish fillets into his giant frying pot. They hiss and bubble on their way to fried perfection.
“I think she does, but she doesn’t do anything rash. Not like me. And she’s worried about the case. And the state bar. And everything in between.”
His caveman grunt is the only sign that he’s considering what I said.
The truth is, yeah, I can see where she’s worried that it’s too fast. But sometimes things just feel right. That’s what she is to me.
“Have you tried, I don’t know, chasing her down?” He looks over his shoulder.
“You’re hopeless.” I take my beer and wander back into the foyer. Ella is standing at one of the sitting room windows and looking out at the falling snow.
“I can’t believe it.” Elise stands next to her. “It’s really snowing. A Christmas miracle.”
“So, yeah, I guess I really do have to stay the night.”
“Don’t worry. All those ghost stories about the Blackwoods aren’t true. And maybe the ice will thaw tomorrow so you can get back to town.” She lowers her voice. “Hart is pretty much obsessed with you. Did you know that?”
Dammit, Elise. I almost bust up in the room, but I force myself to stay put. Eavesdropping isn’t so bad, right?
“Obsessed?” Ella asks.
“Not in a bad way. He’s just mentioned you here and there ever since you two first met. He never talks about anyone else. Not his style. But he’s remembered you. Followed your career. He even wanted to come to Azalea when that stuff with your dad happened, but he was stuck here with the rest of us dealing with our own mess.”
Not in a bad way—at least she qualified my obsession.
“Oh.” Ella isn’t running away. That’s a good sign. Right?
“He’s not a bad guy. Trust me, I’d kick his ass if I thought he was up to no good.” Elise shrugs. “But yeah, he’s talked about you nonstop ever since Bonnie’s case started. He thinks you’re super smart. You should hear his bitching when he sees you’ve filed a new brief.” Elise laughs. “He curses you half the time, then says how impressed he is the other half. Oh, and he adds in a sprinkle of ‘she keeps making more work for me, ugh.’”
I can’t see Ella’s face, but I hear the smile in her voice. “I’m glad I keep him on his toes.”
“Definitely.” Elise stretches. “I’m glad you’ll be here for a bit, and I may selfishly hope that you get to stay for Christmas. We bought that enormous turkey, so we’ll have plenty of grub, and our liquor cabinet is well stocked—a necessity for any holiday with these guys.”
“They’re that bad, huh?”
“They can get up to some stuff, especially when they’re together. Boys. Ugh.”
“I know the feeling. My brother Logan can’t seem to stop getting into trouble, and he’s the county sheriff.”
“He’d fit right in with Garret and Hart.” Elise shakes her head. “I guess I should get back to the kitchen and help Garrett. He’s turned into a great cook, but sometimes he likes to boss me around for fun, and I kind of like it when he hits me with the spatula just right.” She and Ella laugh together.
I back into the library as Elise passes by, then creep out and play it cool as I approach Ella. “Hey.”
Sh
e turns and meets my gaze. “Hi.” At least she doesn’t seem upset anymore. A strawberry hickey graces her throat, and I look at it with pride, because I guess I’m a caveman, too, just like Garrett.
I wrap my arms around her from behind, and we look out at the impossible snow.
“Why does this feel so good?” She grips my forearms.
I nuzzle her neck. “Because it’s right.”
She relaxes against me, though her silence tells me she’s working through all her worries again. We stand there for a long time and just watch as the ground becomes coated in a thin layer of white. Clangs and voices emerge from the kitchen along with the delicious scent of roasted meat.
“It’s beautiful here. So much different than I remember it.” She reaches out and traces the outline of the red holiday bow.
“You should visit more often.” I kiss her earlobe. I want her in my bed more often than not. I want to pick her brain over my cases. I want so much from her. But I know I can’t say all of that. Not now. Not when she’s worrying away on the inside. “Listen, Ella. I know you’re sort of turned around and confused about all this.”
“Confused? No. I mean, I knew what I wanted, and I went for it.”
“Was it worth it?” I hold my breath. Because this is it. This will tell me if I moved too fast or if she feels it, too.
She rests her head against my shoulder. “Yes.”
My overconfidence meter tops out so hard it blows to pieces. I grin. “So, you’re saying my sexual skills have convinced you that we should be more than just opposing counsel?”
“Ground rules. Don’t go throwing the l-word at me, okay? And don’t expect me to drop this case. And don’t think that just because you and I are seeing each other that I’m going to change—”
I whirl her around. “I don’t want you to change. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I want you.”
Her maelstrom of caveats falls silent as she stares up at me. “Just me?”
“Just you.”
“Even if I make more work for you, beat you in court, and make you look like a fool in front of your clients?” The mischief in her eyes turns my blood to lava.
“I guess I’m not the only overconfident one.” I can’t go another second without a taste of her, so I take it, slowly sampling her lips in front of the Christmas tree. No mistletoe necessary.
“Okay, so just one more.” Elise crawls to the back of the Christmas tree and plucks out a package wrapped in red and green paper with a lopsided bow on top.
I sit cross-legged on the floor, a warm cup of coffee in my hands. Christmas morning dawned cold and bright, the sun streaming through the bedecked windows. The roads finally thawed, but Hart talked me into staying through Christmas. He’s good at that. I lean back into his arms as he sits behind me, his legs splayed out on either side of me.
“It says ‘Ella’ on it.” Elise has mischief in her smile as she hands it to me.
“Huh. I guess Santa knew you were here?” Garrett sips his black coffee and inspects one of his gifts—new running shoes.
I take the package and recognize Hart’s scrawl across the legal-pad-yellow tag taped by the red bow.
“How did you manage a gift for me when we’ve been stuck here this whole time?” I turn, and he kisses my cheek.
“Christmas miracle.” He drops another kiss on my lips. “Just open it.”
I turn it over and pull at the haphazardly taped seams.
“I wrapped it myself,” he whispers in my ear.
“I can tell.” I mouth the words but don’t say them out loud. After all, it’s a gift.
With a rip, I pull the paper free. It’s a book. I flip it over and run my fingers along the leathery cover. Pride and Prejudice.
Hart clears his throat. “It’s not a first edition or anything, but it’s a restored collector’s edition from the 1930s.”
“1937,” Garrett grunts as Elise wraps a red tartan scarf around his neck.
“Right, 1937. I thought you might like it.” Hart leans forward, peering over my shoulder as I open the book. He’s nervous. Why does he do things like worry about whether I like my gift? It just makes me fall even harder for him. The scoundrel.
“Wow.” I run my fingers down the smooth page. “It’s beautiful.”
“You like it?”
“I love it. It’s one of my favorites.” I turn and kiss him, thanking him with my whole heart for all the gifts he’s given me this Christmas, the least of which is the book.
Chapter 10
Ella
“Thank you.” I take the waiver from Rayford and file it in my briefcase.
“So, you and that Blackwood fella, huh?” Rayford kicks back in his seat and rests his dirty boots on the counsel table.
“Yes, as we discussed. Thank you for agreeing to keep me on as your counsel and for signing the waiver. And I can promise you my relationship with him will not affect my performance.”
“None of my business. Not really.” He sucks a tooth as Ty and Bonnie walk in, though his gaze lingers the longest on Bonnie.
I watch him watching her. Then it hits me. How did I miss it? He’s got a thing for Bonnie. Is that why he’s suing his brother? Jealousy?
“All rise.” The bailiff announces, then goes back to playing on his phone.
Judge Houston waves us all to our seats as he takes his place on the bench. “Everyone have some good holidays?”
“Yes, your honor.” Good? No. The best? Yes.
“Ms. King, ready for a new year?” He shoots me a piercing look. “Heard there’s been a change in counsel’s status.”
“Your honor?”
He grins. “Heard you and that no-good Blackwood boy are seeing each other.”
“Guilty as charged.” Hart pushes through the doors into the courtroom. After dropping a powdered donut bag on my table along with a coffee, he shakes Ty’s hand and gives Bonnie a hug. They don’t care that we’re dating. In fact, no one seems to care. Not even Judge Houston. Maybe I worry too much?
“Well, let’s get this show on the road.” Judge Houston searches around on his desk. “We doing a jury?”
Hart stands. “Yes, your honor. There’ll be a panel available in half an hour. I checked with the clerk on the way in.”
“She been any nicer to you?” Judge Houston doesn’t look up.
“Nope.”
“Heh.” Judge Houston scratches his nose. “Well, the clerks love Ms. King here. Maybe she’ll rub off on you.”
Hart gives me a mouth-open gawk.
I nod. “It’s true.”
He grumbles and sits beside Ty.
I glance at Rayford. His gaze is still on Bonnie. An idea strikes me. It’s probably foolish and hopeless, but I may as well try it. “Your honor, can we take a brief recess for one last settlement conference?”
“Granted.” He waves us toward the jury room. “Get in there and solve this before I waste my whole day on it. I got things to do.”
“I need to make a phone call first.” I turn to Hart. “And I need to speak with Bonnie. Alone.”
“No.” Hart leans against his table. “No can do.”
“Bonnie, if you speak with me, I think maybe we can work this out.” I speak past a baffled Rayford.
Bonnie looks at Ty, then Hart.
“I’d be a fool to agree to letting you speak to my client without me, Ella.” Hart’s chastising tone verges on cute.
“I’ll talk to you.” Bonnie stands.
“Bonnie.” Hart stiffens. “I’d advise against—”
“I can handle myself, Hart. I think you know that. After all, if you recall, it wasn’t so long ago that I chased after you with a rolling pin for eating an entire chocolate pie that was meant for your mama and daddy.”
I can’t stop the laugh that chirps out of me.
Hart blushes. “Jeez, Bonnie. You remember that?”
“And more. I’m happy to share the rest of my stories about you with Ms. King here, if that’s what you—
”
“You can talk to her.” He runs a hand through his hair, irritation sparking in his green eyes. “But five minutes only. And you can stop talking to her whenever you like.”
“Understood.” Bonnie nods and squeezes Ty’s hand.
“What’s the plan?” Rayford pulls out a cigarette and lights it up as we stand outside the courthouse in the cold morning.
I stand in front of him and clasp my hands. “I think I may have found a solution.”
“Huh? Was that what you and Bonnie were talking about?” He takes a drag and offers the cigarette to me.
“No, thanks.” I pace back and forth. “I think the way to solve this is to go at it from a totally different angle.”
“What angle is that?” His eyes are tired, and he’s always struck me as a sad man. Maybe a little bitter, sure. But sad more than anything else. And my conversation with Bonnie reinforced that fact.
“The collaborative one.”
“The what?” He takes the biggest drag, whittling the end of the cigarette down by half as he fills his lungs.
An old clunker pulls up in front of us, the exhaust alone probably drilling a hole in the ozone layer. But Carl steps out and waves. “Can’t stay long. I got my cousin Barney watching the station, but he can’t think too good sometimes. So it’s best I get back.”
“Won’t take long.” I smile and lead him into the courthouse with a baffled Rayford on our heels.
“Carl, remember what we talked about last time I was in the gas station?”
Carl scratches his graying beard. “Was that the asteroid thing I told you about? They say it was bigger than the Empire State Building, but the chances of it hitting Earth were 1 in about 400 million or so—”
“No, Carl. What you said about Ty and Rayford’s mother.”
“Oh, yeah. That part. Let’s see here.” He cuts me a sideways glance. “I said that me and Geraldine were friends. Just friends.” He coughs into his hand. “And, ah, I reckon I told you she wanted Ray and Ty to get along. That’s right.” Carl points at Rayford and Ty. “Geraldine told me that right before she died. I was delivering Fanta. Y’all remember how much she loved grape Fanta?”