The Pecker Briefs

by Sawyer Bennett

  Talk about a small world. I played rugby with Reeve on the weekends and worked at Knight & Payne with Leary by weekday, never once imagining those two would end up together and not by my introduction either.

  They met the same way as Viv and me but because that case was so intensely personal to Leary, it got really, really ugly between her and Reeve at one point. It makes me more than grateful that Viv and I don’t have that obstacle between us.

  I can remember the day Leary told me about her little striptease in front of Reeve in the elevator. She did it as a means to size him up and to rattle him before their hearing. I couldn’t believe she’d done such a thing but a big part of me, as her mentor who advocates for dirty tricks in moderation, was kind of proud of her.

  She was brutally candid with me and shared that Reeve had cornered her outside the courtroom, not at all happy with the way she’d been playing him. He’d backed her into a corner. Between a lot of flirting, innuendo, and challenge, he felt her up right there in the hallway.

  And Leary liked it.

  It wasn’t too long after Leary told me this story that I was out with Reeve chugging a few beers when he’d happened to mention this hot attorney on a case he had that stripped in the elevator in front of him, and it was then I realized my two friends were involved with each other.

  It was then I realized Leary and I were done.

  For good.

  From the start, I knew those two were going to go the distance and just look at them. A few years and a baby later, I couldn’t be happier for the two of them.

  There was a time I didn’t think they’d make it. Their situation and mine with Viveka is vastly different. The stakes were so much higher in that case, and there came the inevitable moment that Reeve had to resort to some strong tactics to win the case.

  He had found some really bad evidence against Leary’s client, and he blindsided her with it in open court. Just as Viveka and I have promised to never let this case get in between us, so had Leary and Reeve.

  But what Reeve did—even though it was aboveboard and ethical—was too much for Leary to forgive and she threw him out of her life. Leary simply couldn’t keep her love for Reeve and her passion for her case separate.

  Luckily, I don’t see that as an issue here. Viveka doesn’t have the same emotional investment that Leary did. This is just another case to her, and she’ll have another one like it on the near horizon.

  Reeve and Leary obviously overcame their issues, and only because Reeve made a very bold move. He handed her a witness she hadn’t known about who actually turned the tables and gave Leary the win. It was the absolute height of ethical breach for him to have done that. Far more egregious than me donating some money to the organization that hired Viv.

  To this day, if anyone ever found out what Reeve did, he could kiss his legal career goodbye.

  “What are your plans tonight?” Reeve asks as he sort of falls onto the bench beside me. He also groans in pain.

  “Probably get some work done,” I say as I bend over to unlace my cleats.

  “Is everything okay between you and Viv?” he asks, turning slightly toward me.

  I crane my neck, cut him a sharp look, and go back to my shoes. “Of course it is.”

  “Something must be wrong,” Reeve says with assurance in his voice. “It’s a Saturday night, and you’re not going out with her.”

  I give a sigh, because fuck if I don’t want to be with her tonight. I try for a neutral tone, but think I fail miserably. “She’s doing a girl’s night with her best friend. Old movies and manicures I think is the theme tonight.”

  Reeve doesn’t say anything so after toeing my shoes off, I turn to him. He just stares at me.

  “What?” I snap in annoyance.

  “You should go over there,” he says. “Drop in. Surprise visit. Bring them both some ice cream. Tell them you’re just bringing it over, so they think you’re all cool and dashing, and trust me… Viv will ask you to stay.”

  I sit up straighter. This idea has merit. “You think so? That’s not like stalkerish or anything?”

  “Not if you act like you’re really only there to drop ice cream off,” he says, and my mouth curves into a very sly grin.

  That’s exactly what I’ll do.

  ♦

  “This is weird,” I mutter as I stare straight ahead at the TV. Their chosen movie of the night is The Goonies, and I’m seeing it but not really seeing it.

  “It’s not weird,” Viveka says from my left.

  “Stop fidgeting,” Frannie adds from my right.

  I’m not quite sure how I ended up on the couch, sitting in between these women, getting a manicure.

  I look at Viveka, wondering how in the fuck I got so lucky to meet her. It was a right place, right time type of thing. She’s currently massaging what she said was “cuticle” oil into my fingernails. Feels good, but her hands on me always feel good.

  Swinging my head in the opposite direction, I study Frannie. She’s busy filing the nails on my other hand. She grins almost evilly.

  It all started an hour ago when I showed up on Viveka’s doorstep with Ben & Jerry’s and two bouquets of flowers. It was a given I’d bring flowers for Viv, but bestowing the same on her bestie would help to ensure I’d get invited in for the night.

  I had also brought some dog friendly cookies from a local bakery, not to enhance my charm in any way, but mainly because those mutts are growing on me.

  When Viveka opened the door, I would have given anything to have had a video running to capture the look on her face. Surprise to start out and then absolute delight.

  And this was before she even understood I came bearing gifts. She may have been all in for her girl’s night with Frannie, but her face told me that she had been missing me.

  Truth be told… it was the ice cream that got me the invitation to stay, and that was by Frannie herself. She welcomed me in right away, and never once made me feel like I was impeding on something sacred. If the penance is having a manicure done, then so be it.

  “So, Ford,” Frannie says as she moves the file briskly around the edges of my nail. “What’s your story? I mean… Viv tells me you were essentially a manwhore before she met—”

  “I never said that,” Viveka practically shrieks from my other side.

  “You said he wasn’t about commitment,” Frannie points out.

  “Well, that’s a far cry from saying he’s a manwhore,” Viveka sputters.

  I get whiplash turning left and right to look at them as they argue over exactly what I was before meeting Viv.

  “I guess what I’m getting at,” Frannie says drolly, “is that here you are… showing up on girl’s night because clearly you can’t stand to be away from Viveka, and I’d like to know if that’s typical behavior from you? Is it because she’s different from all the others, or is it because you’re slightly stalkerish? Or maybe you’re just wanting a little nookie tonight and couldn’t stand not having it.”

  Viveka groans from my left with clear embarrassment, but I don’t look at her. Instead, I address Frannie. First, I get her attention by pulling my hand away from her. Her head pops up.

  “All the above,” I tell her.

  “All the above?” Her eyes round in wonderment.

  I nod and then shove my hand back at Frannie, so she can finish up. She automatically starts filing again. “Yes, Viv is different from all the others, and yes, I’m being a little bit stalkerish tonight. And why would I deny I want a little nookie from my girl? It’s the best nookie ever.”

  Viveka groans again, and Frannie giggles.

  “But there was one other reason I came over,” I add, and Frannie’s head pops back up again. “I wanted to get to know Viv’s best friend. She talks about you a lot, and you’re an important part of her life. Viv’s met my best friend and hung out with her, so I thought I needed to do the same.”

  And that was the moment I won Frannie’s undying devotion.

  I wasn’
t bullshitting her either. I’ve been generally curious about the hair salon owner who befriended Viv when she moved in next door to her. The day I found Viv over there, sitting in one of the chairs and spinning in circles as if it was her second home, I knew Frannie was an integral part of her life. Her importance became even more apparent after I had the pleasure of meeting Viv’s mother.

  Frannie puts down the nail file and snaps her fingers at Viv. “Cuticle oil, please.”

  Viv stretches across me—and damn, she smells good—to hand a small bottle to Frannie. As Frannie dabs little drops of oil on my nails and massages it in, Viv does something that rocks me.

  She laces her fingers through mine, and unobtrusively… so very naturally as if it belongs there… places our joined hands on her lap before leaning over to rest her head on my shoulder.

  I sort of freeze in place, afraid to move. I don’t want to jostle her or in any way make her think it’s uncomfortable. On the contrary, I want to rip my hand away from Frannie, reach across my chest, and pin Viv in place so she can’t ever move.

  Slowly… gently… I kick my feet up on Viv’s coffee table. “Tell me about your kids, Frannie,” I say.

  “Both have flown the coop,” she says with an equal measure of pride and tenderness. “Aimee is twenty-five and fiercely independent. She’s a nurse over at Wake Med. And Shawna is a senior at Appalachian. She’s going to be a teacher.”

  Viv shifts beside me slightly, and she lifts our hands up from her lap. Higher still, until my entire arm raises. Then she’s ducking under, snuggling into my side and letting my arm come down around her shoulders. I instinctively tighten my hold and pull her closer.

  This right here.

  Relaxing.

  Talking with Viv’s friend.

  Cuddling on the couch on her girl’s night out that I interloped upon.

  Not a single place I’d rather be right now. In fact, I’d go one step further to say I kind of want this night and what we’re doing right now to go on and on.

  This is how I realize I’m pretty sure she’s the one.

  CHAPTER 22

  Viveka

  I lean back in my desk chair, which squeaks from the movement. Tipping my head back, I close my eyes and rub at my temples.

  I’m done.

  I can’t get any more ready for the hearing, which is set for ten tomorrow morning.

  Ford and I agreed not to see each other tonight. I knew I’d be working late, and even when I get home, I’ll be going over my oral arguments several times before I go to sleep. I won’t be good company.

  Besides, Ford is working late, too. He’s got more evidence to organize and present since he has more expert witnesses. I’ve got my one and only Dr. Mellman, who is flying in tonight from Ithaca and will testify tomorrow.

  Ford did throw me a tiny bone. He admitted he wasn’t going to call any of his experts to testify, but rather was going to present their findings via affidavit. That prompted me to call Dr. Mellman and ask him if he’d be willing to testify live. It was going to cost me. I had to dip into my own personal savings to get him down here, but I think it’s worth it. He could totally sway the case.

  I raise my head and look out the new window that got installed today. I had to have a heart to heart—or in other words, threaten legal action—with my landlord last week since he was balking at the cost. Gone is my name from the window in the fancy gold lettering that Adam had done for me all those years ago, but one day I’ll dig up some extra money and have it redone.

  It’s starting to get dark outside, and my eyes cut over to the time on my computer screen.

  “Shit,” I mutter as I realize I’d been here a lot longer than I’d planned to be. It was nearly eight, and I try to never be in the office this late because it’s not the greatest area of town.

  An incredible wave of guilt also hits me that my poor pups have got to be starving to death. Their dog door gives them full access to go in and out during the day when I’m not there, and they have plenty of water, but they’re probably ready to eat each other.

  Or, God forbid, they’ve decided to eat my pillows in open rebellion.

  Granted, they normally eat dinner around six and my brain acknowledges they are not going to die waiting a few hours, but my heart tells me it’s time to go.

  I log off my computer and pack up my briefcase with the documents I need for tomorrow. That includes an updated pecker brief—yes, it still makes me snicker—to hand up to the judge, as well as an outline of my direct exam for Dr. Mellman.

  I shoot a quick text to Ford as I promised to let him know when I was leaving the office. On my way out the door.

  He responds quickly. Be safe. Text me when you get home.

  My heart squeezes in response. In the years we were together, Adam never once told me to be safe. It’s not that he didn’t want me safe, it’s that he was always so busy it wasn’t efficient for him to say those words.

  I hitch my purse over my shoulder, then grab my briefcase in one hand and my keys in the other, which also has a bottle of pepper spray attached to the ring. It’s not pitch black out, but it’s dark enough that the streetlights are on. I’m always aware of my surroundings, and I look left and right when I step out to lock my door. I’m relieved to see Gary, the locksmith on the other side of Frannie’s salon, also locking up for the night.

  He lifts his chin at me. “Night, Viv.”

  “Night, Gary,” I call back, and trot to my car parked right in front. Gary watches me, and that makes me feel safer.

  Once in, I lock the door and start the engine, secure within the protective environment of my trusty Volvo. Before I put the car in drive, I grab my phone from my purse and on a whim call Ford.

  He answers on the first ring. “You’re violating the rules,” he says in a low, sexy voice.

  “I know,” I say with a laugh. Not only did we agree not to see each other tonight, but we agreed not to talk at all so we could concentrate on our cases. “But I’m driving home. I just figured I’d call and tell you good night and good luck with any prep you still need to do.”

  “I’m done,” he tells me in a relaxed voice. I have an image of him lying on his couch, watching ESPN or something. “Say the word, Viv, and I’ll get in my car right now to come to you.”

  A cramp hits me between my legs as images of what Ford would do to me fill my mind. He’s become an expert at playing my body. He’s figured out how to make me come really fast and hard, and that’s always how he starts out. He gets me off either with his fingers, his tongue, or if he’s feeling extra playful, my vibrator. He actually tortures me with that thing, making me come over and over again with it before he fucks me.

  “I can’t,” I practically croak with a healthy dose of whine in my voice. “I still have work to do.”

  “I won’t stay all night,” he murmurs. “I’ll only come over for a little bit. I’ll make you feel good, Viv, then I’ll leave.”

  I know my panties are wet. Just soaked from the promise in his voice. I want to say yes so bad, but I have so much still to do. What I don’t have in money and resources, I make up for with hard work. I’ll be going over my arguments until late into the night. I don’t have a few hours to spare for Ford’s magic cock, and we both know he’d probably stay all night.

  “Can’t, baby,” I whisper. “I want to, but I can’t.”

  Ford chuckles. “Okay. I’ll leave you alone.”

  “But tomorrow night—”

  “I’m going to destroy you,” he finishes my thought. “Wreck you so thoroughly you won’t know what hit you. Make you come so many times you’ll forget your name. Going to make up for not seeing you tonight, Viv.”

  Oh, God. Just… how can one man be that sexy? It’s like he received all the sexiness in the universe.

  I’ve never been all that great at phone sex. Ford always has me so discombobulated when we’re in bed that I’m fairly quiet there, too, unless I’m yelling his name out.

  While I can�
�t give promises of rocking his world back to him because they tongue tie me up so much, different words come into my mind that are just as heartfelt.

  “I’ll miss you tonight,” I tell him softly. Not his cock. Not his tongue. I’ll miss him, and I hope he understands that’s what I mean.

  Ford is silent for a bit, and I think perhaps I’ve gone a little too mushy for him.

  But then he gives it right back to me in a voice filled with emotion. “I’ll miss you too, Viv.”

  “I’ll text you when I get home,” I promise.

  “Okay, baby.”

  By the time I’m pushing my phone back into my purse, my house comes into view. When I pull into the driveway, Daisy’s face appears in the front living room window and she starts barking in joy to see me. Butch is too tiny to look out, but he jumps up and down beside Daisy, so his head pops up periodically. He’s yapping hysterically.

  Those dogs aren’t starving. They’re just happy I’ve come home to them.

  “Silly pups,” I murmur as I step out of my car, pulling my purse and briefcase out with me.

  Just as I’m shutting my door, a large hand clamps down on the back of my neck, another on my shoulder. I give a tiny yip of fright, but then I’m being spun so fast I can’t get my bearings. Then the roof of my car is rushing up to meet me as my attacker slams me forward. I try to push back, but the effort is wasted. My forehead slams right on the edge where the roof meets the driver’s door, and stars explode behind my eyelids. I can actually feel the skin split and the immediate rush of blood dripping down.

  Miraculously, a calmness sort of overtakes me. I have a moment of clarity where I realize I need to figure out a way to fight back. Daisy’s barks have changed now to big booming barks of anger as she watches me from the window. She seems to be telling me something.

  Make noise.

  I open my mouth to scream, but he releases me before I can let loose. His hands are gone, and he just… disappears. I turn to try to identify him, but all I can see through the blood dripping down is a dark figure running down the sidewalk and melting into the darkness of the night.