by ML Guida
“Defense. You may proceed.”
Lara stood and gestured toward Cora. “Your Honor my name is Lara Black and I am representing Cora Amici. Ms. Amici has never been charged with a crime, not even a traffic violation. She is a city librarian in Frisco and has worked there for the past five years. She owns her town home. Her family resides in Colorado and she has no reason to leave the state. I submit that she be granted bail until her next hearing.”
The judge looked over the file again. Cora held her breath. Her heart ran road runner fast and she thought any minute she’d overheat and die. “Rise, Ms. Amici.” Cora stood on her trembling legs, praying that she didn’t crumble onto the floor.
Pleasepleasepleaseplease.
The judge leaned forward. “It’s true that the defendant is of good standing in the Frisco Community. She hasn’t committed any other serious offenses. Although I’m granting the defense’s request, I want to make sure that Ms. Amici realizes the seriousness in her offenses. She almost hurt an innocent bystander and I can’t overlook that someone could have died based on her carelessness. I am setting bail at a one hundred fifty thousand dollars. Trail will be set in thirty-five days from today.”
“Thank you, Your Honor,” Lara said in a loud voice.
“You may be excused,” the bailiff said.
Cora gasped. Fifteen thousand dollars. She grabbed Lara’s arm.
Lara patted it. “Don’t worry. We have it covered.”
“By who?”
“Seth.”
“What? But he’ll lose his shop.”
“Don’t you get it, Cora?” Lara said softly. “You mean more to him than his shop.”
A cold bucket of water whooshed over Cora. She had her answer. Seth loved her and was willing to lose her dream for her.
She wouldn’t let that happen. She’d fix this. “Lara, I need to call Caterina. Now.”
Chapter 13
Seth paced back and forth at his home. He kept checking his phone to see if Lara tried to call him. He’d given her twenty-thousand dollars to pay for Cora’s bail. Miles had already called to say he was going to start proceedings to take the shop. All Seth’s hard work had been for nothing. Without the shop, he wouldn’t be able to keep the house. But it was worth the sacrifice. Cora would be free and that’s all that mattered.
He grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator. It was only one in the afternoon, but he didn’t care. His life went from great to shit, all within seventy-two hours. A beer was called for.
He wanted to call Lara, but he could interrupt Cora’s bail hearing and that was the worst thing he could do.
No, the only thing he could do was wait.
He chugged the beer down and headed to get another.
Someone pounded on his door. He stopped. God, was Miles already here? He hung his head.
The pounding grew louder. “Miles, are you there?”
He slammed the beer down on the table and raced over to the door. He whipped it open. Cora had on the same dress she’d worn at the reunion, but dirtier.
“Cora?”
“Seth.” She frowned. “Did I do that to your face? I’m so sorry.”
“No, Miles did.” His heartbeat was racing around and around. “Please, come in.”
“Thank you.” She ushered past him.
He shut the door quietly. “Are you all right?”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I am now. Thanks to you.”
“You’re my life, Cora. I couldn’t leave you there. You’re my mate. I’d do anything for you.”
“Even give up your dream.” She walked over to him and slid her arms around his neck. “Even face your greatest fear of living on the streets again.”
He kissed her hard, needing to taste her again. “No, my greatest fear was losing you again.”
“I’ve been such a fool, Seth.” She clutched his arms tightly and laid her head against his chest. “When I was in jail, the only person I could think of was you.”
He stroked her hair. “I nearly went mad when they wouldn’t let me post bail and get you out of there. Lara was the one who kept me sane.”
“She is a rock.” She put her hands on his chest. “I have two things to tell you.”
He toyed with her hair. “What?”
“I called Caterina.”
He stopped twirling her hair. “What? Why?”
She kissed his palm. “I was wrong about her and Miles.”
Tingles swept through him and he had trouble concentrating. “What do you mean?”
She smiled, but there was something mischievous about it. “Miles really does love her.”
“Yeah, so?”
“I told her what you did for me, and that you were going to lose the shop just to get me out of jail.”
He held his breath.
“She told Miles if he foreclosed on the shop, she’d leave him.”
“Miles already called me and he said he’s taking the shop.”
“I know.” Cora went over to her purse and pulled out an envelope. “Here.”
He slowly took it. “What is it?”
“Open it.”
He did as she asked and his mouth dropped. Miles had written an affidavit that he wouldn’t take the shop and he would accept the payment. There were two witnesses––Caterina and Lara. The affidavit was signed by Judge Jane Morrison.
“Lara drafted the affidavit. Judge Morrison officiated over my hearing and guess what? She’s a shifter. A tiger shifter.”
“What about the charges?”
“Lara’s working on getting them reduced. According to her, I won’t go to jail, but I’m not out of the woods yet.”
He picked her up and whirled her around. “You did this for me?”
She clasped his cheeks. “Yes. I’d do anything for you. Even be your mate. I love you.”
He gently put her down. “You will? You do?”
“Yes.”
“You remember what that means?”
Her cheeks turned rosy. “Yes, anal sex. I remember.”
Adrenaline sent all of his senses on fire. He was so ready for this, his whole body shook, except for his cock that was rock hard.
Cora looked down and gripped her dirty dress. Now, that she’d agreed to be his mate all of her shyness came rushing back. “I should probably take a shower. We could––”
“No, I don’t want to wait.” His husky voice sent shivers down her spine.
He lifted her chin with his strong fingers. “Do you?”
“No… I don’t.”
Without a word, he took her into the bedroom.
“Seth, I’ve been in a jail cell for a whole weekend. I…”
“Want to take a shower. How about together?”
She’d never taken a shower with a man before. Another thing he could teach her. “Yes.”
He led her into the bathroom. He turned on the shower. Water cascaded down.
She started to take off her dress.
“No, let me.” He stepped behind her and unzipped her dress then gently pulled it down, kissing one shoulder.
She shuddered with anticipation.
Cold air rushed over her exposed breasts, and she shivered. He reached around and pinched one nipple.
She squeaked. “Seth.”
He laughed and rolled down the dress. He licked her back.
“I’m filthy.”
“You’re my mate. I love the taste of you.” He pressed his cock against the back of her thigh.
“Are you… going to…”
“Fuck you from behind. No.” He slid his hand around and clasped her breast. “I want you slick before I do that. I promise I won’t hurt you. Trust me.”
She put her hand over his. “I do.”
He pushed the dress down past her thighs and he kissed her ass. “So beautiful.” When he got it to her ankles, he said, “Step out.”
She did as he asked. He gently clasped one ankle. “Lift up and I’ll remove your shoes.” One shoe, then the other, was
gone.
“Turn around. This is my favorite part.”
She looked down at him and his eyes glowed. He stuck his thumbs in her panties, then slid them down gently.
“I think this is the first time you didn’t tear–Oh, God!”
Seth planted his lips on her pussy and was sucking her hard. She didn’t expect this at all. His hands held her thighs, preventing her from moving.
She gripped his shoulders to keep from falling. She’d missed him sucking and licking her like this.
“Cream, baby, you always taste like cream.”
“The shower.” She croaked.
“As you wish.” He ran his hands up her thighs, then in one swift movement, he lifted her into the shower.
Hot water drizzled down her flesh, erasing the horrors of the weekend. She reached for the soap.
“No, I want to wash you.” Seth hurried, kicking off his boots, ripping off his pants, and tossing his shirt aside.
He stepped inside the shower and she pressed herself against the wall, since it was so small. He picked up the soap and lathered it in his hands. He put his hands on her tender breasts, then squeezed and kneaded them. Soap and lather drizzled down her trembling body.
She parted her lips and he kissed her hungrily. She held onto his neck. Water sprinkled onto his broad back and onto her hands. His thick hair stuck to his back like a wet mane.
He slid his slick hand down her belly then slowly stroked her pussy. He broke off the kiss, then she looked at him questionably.
“You said you wanted to be washed. I’m going to wash you like a cat.” He took the bar of soap and caressed it all over her body, lathering her from head to toe. His hands were everywhere, stroking, teasing, fondling her.
Shampoo was pooled onto her head.
“Now, kneel down and suck my cock while I massage your scalp.”
She knelt on the base and licked his cock. She opened her mouth and he slid his cock inside.
“That’s it, sweetheart. Take me in your hot little mouth.” He ran his fingers over her head, tingles sweeping down her back.
She moved her head back and forth, sucking and licking while he traced his fingertips over her head, sending tingles down her spine and matching the heated pace. She fingered his heavy balls and he groaned.
“Damn, Cora.”
He stopped massaging her head and concentrated on gliding his cock in and out of her mouth. He put his hand on the wall and arched his back. Hot seed spilled into her mouth.
Panting, he pulled his cock out of her mouth and lifted her to her feet. “That’s the first part of mating. For you to taste my seed.”
“Tastes salty.” She licked her lips.
“Salty wench.” He carefully washed the soap out of her hair. He nuzzled her neck and pushed the folds of her pussy open as he stuck a finger inside.
She gasped. “Suck my tits.”
He smiled and in an instant, his hot mouth was latched onto a nipple, sucking hard. She threaded her fingers through his hair as an orgasm built up inside her. Her blood pumped through her, flowing down to her core.
“Seth!”
“Not yet.”
He removed his fingers then pressed his mouth onto her pussy, licking and laving her until she came. Before she knew what was happening, he thrust his cock inside her and pumped her hard, knocking her against the wall. She clung to the hard muscles of his back. As big as he was, she stretched easily to accommodate him, aware of the friction moving between them. Water pulsed onto their slapping bodies in a jumble of wild music. His thumb stroked her clit. Her breath quickened as she tried to keep from passing out. Was this what Caterina was talking about when Miles had fucked her so hard? He bent down and licked her shoulder, then bit her hard.
Lightning gushed from her shoulder throughout her body. Power sizzled through her. Her muscles and bones thickened. Her heart beat wildly and her vision blurred. Pain and pleasure shattered inside her, in a fever pitch. Her orgasm burst inside her and she slammed her head against the wall.
Seth cried out and came inside her. She shared every shudder, every shiver, every fluid of his release, bathing in their frenzied mating.
“You bit me.”
“I branded you, but we’re not finished.”
Her legs trembled and she sucked in her gut. He was so big, too big. “I don’t know if I can do it.”
“You’ll find anal sex pleasurable. I promise.” He gently untangled her legs from him then turned her around.
The shower door opened.
She glanced over her shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“Getting a lubricant.”
She turned her face around and gripped the tiles with her fingers. Chills raced down her back and she stiffened. She squeezed her eyes shut waiting for him to rip her in two.
Cold rushed inside the shower when he re-opened the door. She gritted her teeth, waiting for the unbearable pain. He was so big. How could her ass accommodate him?
“Relax, Cora.” He kissed her shoulder. “Trust me.”
He lathered her crack with the cold lubricant. “I’m going to insert one finger.”
A burning sensation gripped her. He slid his other hand and stoked her clit. “Spread your legs farther apart.”
Her body seemed to relax and another yearning built inside her. “Okay, I’m going to insert another one.”
More burning seized her and she couldn’t breathe. He pumped his slick fingers in and out. “That’s right baby, relax.”
The burning sensation diminished until he inserted a third finger that stretched her muscles even farther. She moaned and he stroked her clit hard. Her panting increased and she found herself moving back and forth.
He kissed her shoulder as he slowly removed his fingers. The tip of his cock crept inside her hole, stuffing inside her, and she tensed, afraid any minute he’d tear her apart.
“Trust me, baby. Trust me.”
The sound of his voice and the stroking of her clit helped her relax, despite the burning sensation. He began to slide his cock in and out slowly. The burning faded, replaced with a pulsing pleasure. Groaning, she matched his rhythm, moving her ass against him. “That’s it.” She spread her palms wide against the wet wall to give her leverage. As the burning lessened, sweet sensations swelled inside her, and she rocked her backside.
He kissed the back of her neck. “Keep going.”
The rhythm intensified until pleasure exploded inside her. Seth bent down and bit her shoulder. Another surge of lightning pulsed through her in a burst of ecstasy. She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t yell, and she couldn’t move. He continued to vibrate inside her.
“We’re mated.”
She finally found her voice. “Meaning?”
“You belong to me, and I to you. You have my heart. You always have.”
She glanced over her shoulder. His eyes were filled with passion, love, possessiveness. “I love you.”
“I know.” He kissed her lip, then he took her on another ride of bliss.
Chapter 14
Cora clutched Seth’s hand tightly as they walked with Lara to the prosecutor’s office. Her heart was pounding and she thought she’d faint. What if something went wrong and she went back to jail?
“It will be all right.” Seth kissed the back of her hand.
“I hope so.” She couldn’t lose him after what had happened.
A wedding was planned. Seth had decided to sell his shop in Denver and relocate to Frisco. He loved the mountains as much as she did. They were currently looking for a bigger townhome or a small cabin.
The only thing that could destroy her happiness was prosecutor James Novotny.
Lara glanced over at her. “Cora, I promise you, you’ll be fine. Once we make the plea bargain and you agree to his stipulations, you’ll be fine.”
She kept saying that, but what if Lara was wrong? They headed for the District Attorney’s office and Cora’s throat constricted as if a rope were tightening around her ne
ck.
Lara opened the door. Cora touched Seth’s arm. She hadn’t slept a wink last night no matter how many times Seth made love to her. The smell of the jail, her roommates, and the fear had haunted her all night.
The office was busy with people typing on computers and answering phones. Lara headed for the gray-haired receptionist.
“Good morning,” the receptionist said. “May I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Lara Black and I’m representing Cora Amici. We have an appointment with James Novotny.”
“Is he expecting you?”
“Yes.”
The receptionist picked up her phone and dialed. Cora edged closer to Seth. She needed her tiger more than anything. She didn’t want to be separated from him. What if he decided he didn’t want to be with a jailbird? His older brother was in prison, and he rarely spoke of him. She didn’t even know why he was in prison. It was a dark secret that Seth hadn’t shared with her. What if he abandoned her like he had his brother?
“Mr. Novotny. Your appointment is here.” She looked at Cora who trembled. “Yes, I’ll show them to your office.”
Walking down the carpet was like walking to the gallows. Cora stood straight and hoped she looked demure in her black suit. She had her hair pulled back and wore little make-up. Lara wanted to her look like a typical librarian and not a big-time partier.
Jane knocked on a door. “Mr. Novotny?”
“Come on in.”
She opened the door and Cora’s heart fell to her feet. James sat behind a huge mahogany desk with files and a computer. A statue of justice was on his desk and she was worried any minute the scales would tip to jail. Off with your head! No, that was the Queen of Hearts.
He stood. “Lara, how are you?”
“Fine.” Lara shook his hand. “You remember Cora.”
“Of course. And this is…”
“Her fiancé, Seth Reese.”
“Have a seat, all of you.”
Cora sat on the hard-wooden seats, still holding onto Seth’s hand.
“I’ve drawn up the necessary papers.” He sat behind his desk. “Cora, has Lara gone over the plea bargain with you?”
“Yes. I’m… supposed to plead guilty to driving under the influence.”