by Lane Hart
"Oh God, everyone's going to know," Page mumbles, covering her face with both hands.
"Just forget about the polygraph and go back to treating me like I'm an angry asshole who is guilty."
"Yes! Okay, I'll try to do that." She nods.
"And I'll go back to treating you like a spoiled, elitist bitch."
"Hey!" she exclaims, whipping her head in my direction indignantly.
"This can work, see? You're such a pampered princess, thinking you're better than everyone."
Her eyes narrow at me when the SUV comes to a stop in a parking spot. "And you are a stubborn jerk who won't consider a plea deal even though it's your best chance of getting out of jail before your thirtieth birthday," she responds.
"I'm not fucking pleading!"
"Yeah, this is much better." She exhales. "We might be able to do this after all. You ready?"
Even though she just managed to royally piss me off, I still have to stop myself from reaching for her hand in comfort. Instead, I take a deep breath and open the car door.
I'm instantly greeted with cameras, microphones and questions being hurled at me faster than an MLB catcher.
"Excuse me," I say as politely as possible as I push my way through toward the courthouse entrance. I don't wait for Page, figuring it’s best to keep my distance. When some of the reporters yell Jude's name to ask him questions, at least I know he's right behind me.
After we make it up the steps and through the front doors things calm down. There are more reporters roped off at the entrance, but no cameras allowed thankfully. My dad catches up with us, and we have to empty our pockets and go through a set of metal detectors. On the other side, I finally turn to find Page.
Talking to the horde of vultures she looks confident and composed with her shoulders squared and chin raised. She's so damn sexy it hurts.
"Look away," Jude mutters quietly beside me. I know he's right, so I turn my back to her.
"Let's go," Page says a minute later, not slowing down when she walks past us, her heels clicking loudly on the hard floor with her sure and purposeful stride. Of course, I follow her, right down the hallway and through the double doors of the courtroom. It's filled with people in every row, plenty of which seem to be fans who had actually made posters and shit. Huh, quickly reading a few of them, they all think I’m innocent. That’s good to know.
Page finds some room for us on one of the front reserved rows and sits down with me beside her, and Jude and my dad on my other side. I can feel everyone's stares on the back of my head, or more likely on Page.
The raised bench where the judge usually sits is empty, but a man I assume is District Attorney Franklin begins yelling out a roll call of some sort.
"I'll answer for you," Page whispers under her breath.
I notice some of the people speak for themselves, others have attorneys who stand up and respond on their behalf.
Finally, he gets to the middle of the alphabet and calls, "Malone, Jackson."
"Present and represented by Page Davenport today," she says, and then retakes her seat.
"Today?" I ask since it sounded like she meant it might be someone else tomorrow.
"We'll discuss it later," she snaps under her breath, barely moving her mouth.
Damn right we would. She isn't bailing on me just because we'd gotten each other off.
Apparently, typical court administrative procedures are boring. After what feels like hours have passed, Judge Bray comes in, and DA Franklin eventually calls my name again.
"Let's go. Don't speak unless I okay it," Page reminds me before heading through the gate at the front of the bar, right up to a table on the left side. Page stands behind the first seat, so I stand behind the other one.
"Mr. Malone, you've been indicted by the Atlantic City Grand Jury on charges of First Degree Rape and Assault by Strangulation. Have you been informed of your right to counsel?" the judge asks.
"Yes, your Honor," Page barely mutters under her breath, and I repeat it.
"And have you retained your own counsel, or do you wish to have a court-appointed attorney assigned to your case?"
"I've retained my own counsel," Page coaches softly, and I echo.
"Your Honor, my name is Page Davenport of Davenport & Davenport, and I've been retained to represent Mr. Malone. If your Honor pleases, I'd like to give notice of my limited appearance on his behalf today."
Limited? Does that mean what I think it does?
"I beg your pardon Ms. Davenport, but I'm ready to proceed with Mr. Malone's arraignment today. I don't usually allow a case to go forward until the defendant has secured counsel ready to make a general appearance. So either you make a general appearance today, or we'll appoint counsel for Mr. Malone."
I don't know what all that means, but it must have freaked Page out because I hear her gasp, although probably no one else notices.
She looks down at the table for a second before her confidence returns. "Yes, your Honor. Then I will offer my general appearance on the record today so that we can proceed."
"Thank you, Ms. Davenport. Your appearance is noted for the record. Now, Mr. Franklin, we're ready to hear from the State."
"Yes, your Honor," Franklin, the District Attorney, says when he stands up at his table beside ours. "The defendant, Jackson Malone, has been indicted on charges of First Degree Rape and Assault by Strangulation. The Grand Jury found probable cause to believe that he did forcibly engage in vaginal and oral sex against the victim's will, and with the assistance of a dangerous weapon, more specifically, overpowering the victim using his superior strength to strangle her with his bare hands."
Holy shit that sounds bad.
"Does the defendant understand the charges as they have been stated against him?" Judge Bray asks.
"Yes, your Honor," Page replies.
"And at this time, how does the defendant plead?"
"He pleads not guilty, your Honor, and would like to proceed with a jury trial," she answers.
"Very well," the judge replies and then glances down in front of him. "Let's go ahead and calendar the case for the July seventh term of court. Any objections from the defendant or the state?"
"No, your Honor," Page responds.
"No objection, your Honor," District Attorney Franklin answers.
"Motions will be due two weeks from today, on June sixteenth, and all responses to motions are due three weeks from today, on June twenty-third. We'll have a hearing on any motions or allow for a change of plea on June thirtieth at nine a.m. Mr. Franklin, does the state wish to ask for another detention hearing?"
"No, your Honor. The defendant has already posted a fifty thousand dollar secured bond, and voluntarily appeared today, so at this time the State will not request detention."
Page lets out a breath, so I take that to be a good thing.
"All right. Let's move on. Mr. Franklin, call your next case."
Before I know it Page is already walking off toward the swinging gate without me. I follow, and she nods toward the back when she looks over at Jude and my dad, which I take to mean we're leaving. Thank fuck. This shit is stressing me the hell out.
When we step out into the hallway Page turns to me. "Go ahead on to the car with your dad and Jude. Don’t talk to anyone or make any statements."
"What are you going to do?" I ask.
She digs in her briefcase and holds up a manila envelope. "I need to drop this off by the DA's office, then I'll meet you out there."
"You sure you'll be okay by yourself?" I ask.
"Yeah, it won't take but a second."
"I'd rather wait for you."
"Fine," she says through clenched teeth, then she takes off down the hall.
"Whew, glad that's over," Jude says from beside me.
"I'm sorry it was so goddamn stressful for you," I respond sarcastically.
"Both of you hush," Dad hisses. “Eyes and ears everywhere.”
"Page will be right back then we can leave," I
tell them.
"Incoming," Jude says before a herd of women converges on us with loud squeals and more OMGs than a teenager's text message log.
"I am such a huge fan," one of the blondes at the front says to me as she invades my personal space. "I know you're innocent, and the slut is lying about all that shit. Can I have your autograph?"
"Um, sure," I agree with a polite smile.
Handing me a black marker she holds out her shirt on which I scribble my name quickly across the bottom.
After her, they come one right after another wanting pictures or autographs. A few even give me phone numbers and offer to fuck me. It isn't unusual, but now it just feels…inappropriate. Every few seconds I scan the growing crowd of people until I finally spot Page. Annnd...based on her narrowed eyes and pursed lips, she looks pissed.
"Thank you all for your support," I say as I walk away from them, moving toward her.
"Ready?" I ask.
She narrows her blue eyes and turns away, starting toward the exit without a word.
"Jude!" I yell for him, and he extracts himself from a group of women. Hell, even my dad is talking to two older ladies.
I brace myself for what waits just outside and walk quickly through the parking lot, looking forward to getting away from this place and being alone again with Page. After we're in the car pulling away, I finally can’t hold it in any longer.
"What the hell was that about?" I ask her.
"It doesn't matter. I'm stuck representing you now," Page replies, staring out her window. "And I told you to stay away from women, especially in the freaking courthouse!"
"Stuck representing me? That's nice fucking phrasing. You were trying to get out, weren't you?"
"I should withdraw. I need to withdraw. I'm clearly conflicted out."
"If you get out then I'm fucked," I tell her.
"I could still help with the case, just not try it. Ryan should be the one to try it anyways. I don't know what I'm doing, and I'm going to screw it all up," she says with a shake of her beautiful head.
I finally give into the urge and reach for her hand.
"There's no one that can do this better, so stop trying to bail on me."
"Then don't do this," she replies, pulling her hand out from under mine.
Motherfucker. She's gone back to ice princess mode. Screw that.
I hold my tongue on the way back to the hotel, through the lobby, and on the elevator. I don't say a word while I wait for Page to pull out her key card. Then it's on.
I press my body against her back and hear her gasp. Wrapping one arm around her waist, I run the other one up the front of her thigh, heading underneath her dress. Her entire body shivers, but she doesn't protest.
When the lights on the door finally flash green, I pull on the handle and lift her forward into the room to get us out of the hallway. As soon as her feet hit the floor, I yank her panties down and off so I can cup her bare pussy.
Her head falls back against my chest, and she moans when my fingertips graze along her slit. Feeling her wetness is almost enough to bring me to my knees.
I let go of her waist to work on the zipper running down her back, peeling the dress off of her, leaving her in nothing but a strapless bra and blue heels. The bra I quickly discard, but the heels, oh the heels can stay.
I rub my erection that's protruding angrily from my pants against her bare ass while filling my hands with her pussy and breast. She's getting closer, and my cock is about to bust its way out of my fly.
Page's body convulses and she whimpers through her orgasm before she goes limp. My arms are all that keep her upright.
Now that I have her good and relaxed, I know she'll be much more agreeable to keeping this two person party going. I pick her up and lay her down on the bed so I can get myself undressed.
With a faraway look in her eyes she watches my every move as I lose my suit jacket and shoes, then my pants with boxers, before finally ditching the hundred button dress shirt. I crawl up on the bed beside her, expecting her to second guess this and be timid. I've never been so happy to be wrong.
Page climbs on top of me, kissing me for all she’s worth. My hands grip her ass greedily, grinding her against my hard cock until the fighter in me can't stand being on my back any longer. I flip our positions, putting her underneath me, and spread her thighs wider by wedging my knees between them.
"Please, Jax," she moans against my lips.
"Please, what?" I ask while moving my mouth down, tasting her delicious neck. Of course, I know what she wants, I just want to hear her say it.
"Fuck me," she says softly. "Please fuck me."
"Oh, I'm going to fuck you so damn good, princess," I assure her. "But only on two conditions. Look at me, Page," I order, waiting for her eyes to open. She finally blinks her cobalt blue eyes up at me. "Promise me that this," I motion my finger between the two of us, "isn't going to stop just because of the case, and promise me that you're going to be the one to take my case to trial no matter what."
"Jax..." she starts, avoiding my eyes like she's going to argue, but I know a way of persuading her. I slide down her body and nuzzle her pussy with my nose, making her squirm. I kiss her flesh softly with just my lips before letting my tongue snake out to wet her.
"Oh God!"
Hearing her cry out I go to work on her clit, easing two fingers inside of her at the same time. Just like this morning, her hips go wild, and her moans almost sound like she's in pain when she finally comes. Reaching down she tries to pull my body back up hers.
"I promise. Now fuck me, damn it!" she exclaims.
Smiling in triumph I head for my pants to grab the condom out of my wallet, and Page starts freaking out.
"Where are you going? I need you in me," she says, raising up and grasping my bicep with both hands, her expression almost frantic.
I can't help but cough out a laugh, seeing her so damn horny. "Can I get a condom first?" I ask.
"Oh. Okay," she says with an exhale and lets me go. This is going to be so fucking incredible.
After I have the condom from my wallet, I lay back down on the bed and offer it to her between my two fingers.
"Put it on, then saddle up and ride me, princess."
She tears the wrapper and places the latex circle on the tip of my cock to start rolling it down. The look of intense concentration on her face is almost comical, and I have to hold back my chuckle so I won't piss her off. When the condom is finally to her satisfaction, she throws her leg over my hips, straddling me. My sense of humor is lost when she holds my cock upright and eases her tight pussy down on it. The only thing sexier than a pissed off Page is a naked Page riding my cock like a cowboy's wet dream.
Unable to keep my hands off of her any longer I reach up and grab two handfuls of her breasts. Suddenly it's like a switch is flipped. The woman freezes before she starts scrambling off of me.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"I can't do this," she says, climbing off the bed.
No, no, no. What the hell happened to my eager, horny Page?
"What are you talking about?" I ask, sitting up on the edge of the mattress.
"Why did you want me to fuck you like she did? In the same freaking hotel?" she yells, and then I curse when she pulls her dress back on. Wait, what is she talking about? Oh shit!
"Page, calm down and talk to me for a second, okay? I want to fuck you any way I can. With you on top, I can see your gorgeous body while we do it, that's the only reason I suggested it. Damn it, I didn't even think about her or the similarity because there is none between you and her."
"This is a bad idea," she mutters with her back to me.
"No, it's not. Stop overthinking things, take the dress off, and get back in bed with me so I can fuck some sense into you."
"Maybe after your case is over..." she starts, but I'm not going to let her pull away from me any further.
Coming off the bed, I launch myself at her, silencing her with my mouth so she can
't talk any more nonsense. I jerk the damn dress off again and then I pick her up and carry her back to bed, covering her body with mine when I lay her out on the mattress.
Intertwining my fingers with hers, I pin them both above her head, holding her smaller ones with just one of mine. She spreads her thighs wider so I can fit against her body, and since I still have on the condom, I ease into her tight warmth.
Her back arches while her hips thrust against mine and she moans into my mouth. Pretty sure I've ended her doubts, I still want to know for sure.
"You okay?" I pull back to ask.
"Yes, don't stop," she says quickly before lifting her head to cover my mouth with hers again. Her legs lock around my waist, and when I feel her heels digging into my lower back, I start pounding into her with more force. I reach down and cup her ass, squeezing it while driving into her clenching pussy.
"Jax, oh shit, yes!" she breaks our kiss to throw her head back and moan, making me smile. The woman never says a single swear word until she's getting off.
"You close, baby?" I ask, not sure how much longer I can last. She feels too damn amazing.
"Yes!"
Letting go of her hands, I grab her thighs and press her knees to her chest, changing the angle and making her tighter.
"Oh fuck, Jax!" she exclaims when she squeezes my cock. I thrust my tongue into her mouth and shove deep inside her pussy to feel her walls quiver with her orgasm.
Page's arms go around my back holding me tightly while her body writhes underneath mine, and I lose it.
"Ah…ah, God!" I groan when every muscle in my body tenses on my next thrust and then shudders with pleasure. "Fuck, Page."
My hips rock slowly forward a few more times, trying to milk every last drop of ecstasy from my cock. I kiss her neck between pants, before moving down to her collarbone and then to one of her heavy breasts. I tongue her hard nipple and suck her soft flesh into my mouth, content and happy after finally doing what I've fantasized about so many times.
"Mmm, that was incredible," Page says softly, running her hands up and down my back. "Just like this morning."
"Hell yes, it was," I agree with a satisfied smile. Moving back up to her eye level, I like seeing all of the markings my mouth and beard have left on her pale chest and neck.