I’d been instructed how to answer. “I work at local restaurant.” I’d been instructed not to say the name of the diner or mention my other job. The coaching lessons had left me even more anxious. Would I say the right thing?
“And how did you find yourself in the alley in question?”
“Taking a short cut to get to my vehicle.”
Ms. Guthrie allowed me a few seconds before pressing me. “Go on.”
As I always did when I was nervous, I fidgeted with my hands, even closing my eyes to try to remember every detail. Even if in doing so I would be haunted later. This was important. This was my civic duty. The monster had to pay for his sins.
“When I was in the alley, I heard a noise then a voice. Someone pleading not to be hurt.”
After taking another deep breath, I placed myself at the scene, pretending I was relaying a movie. Then something happened and a sob broke free from my throat. Normally, I could stop the horrible emotions after a few seconds. Not this time.
Now I was crying and sobbing loudly, incapable of putting a coherent sentence together.
“We’ll take a thirty-minute recess. Please clear the courtroom,” Judge Armstrong suddenly said, obviously referring to my panic attack. His tone was controlling, dark in the intense command while still holding a level of compassion. I could hear him as loudly as I could my own heartbeat.
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t talk.
Before I knew what was happening, a hand was placed on my arm, the touch gentle yet firm.
“Ms. Smith. Why don’t you come with me to my chambers. It’s much more comfortable inside.”
There was an electric hum surrounding us and suddenly, I felt as if I was in a vacuum. Where I couldn’t see before, when I lifted my head, gazing into his eyes, my mind was suddenly clear and I felt much calmer. “Okay.”
He guided me away from the panel. There was no one else in the oversized room. He took me behind the bench to a door. Once inside, he ensured the short hallway was clear before walking with me to his office.
His hand never left the small of my back. The gesture was a little thing, but I felt much better. As soon as we were inside, I was able to breathe. I stood where I was until the ugliness faded and I was able to focus. His tastes were just as I’d expected. Leather furniture. A huge, colorful rug. Vibrant art on the walls. And a massive mahogany desk that reeked of power.
With me safely nestled on one of the overstuffed chairs, he grabbed an ice-cold bottle of water for me, even twisting off the top. “Here you go. I want you to know that you’re safe here. It’s just you and me. No one else.”
I almost laughed. Maybe I did since he looked at me strangely as he sat down. For at least thirty seconds, our eyes locked. I felt as if we were connected somehow, two strangers coming together to fight evil.
The moment was entirely too electric, which was completely out of place. Even so, every inch of me tingled from his heated gaze. For a few glorious seconds, the dark robe he wore commandingrespect faded away. The man sitting in front of me was rugged, dangerous in the most alluring way possible. Maybe I was a very bad girl to allow my x-ray vision to imagine what he’d look like in jeans and a funky shirt.
Or perhaps nothing at all.
“What do you like to do for fun?” There was a wry smile crossing his face and for just a few seconds, a twinkle in his mesmerizing eyes.
The question came so far out of left field that I laughed. How strange but as soon as I did, the wave of nausea and terror faded away. “I don’t have much time to do anything fun. I work two jobs and have several responsibilities.”
“Come on. There must be something that lights up your days. Or nights.” His smile lit up his face and I noticed for the first time he had a hint of gray at his temples. That made him look almost regal, certainly more commanding in his presence.
My gaze dropped to his hands. Sexy hands. Long fingers and instead of manicured nails, they were just a little ragged around the edges, which didn’t compute with how he looked in his dark judge’s robe.
I’d caught him in his suit, form fitting in a way that had made my mouth water. How inappropriate, but it had allowed me to feel as if I was still alive instead of caught in a dead zone.
“Binge watching Netflix and enjoying rocky road ice cream. Maybe a glass of wine with it.” When he didn’t say anything at first, I could feel the heat slipping across my face. I’d never told anyone that before.
I was surprised when his grin widened as if he’d discovered a favorite forbidden treat. “That sounds like a great evening. I’d love to join you.”
Asking him to share in my sinful indulgence was right on the tip of my tongue. That was foolish and certainly against the rules, but it was the first time in so long that I felt desire as well as if he had huge arms wrapped around me, protecting me from monsters.
“It’s simple and cheap.” I nervously brushed my hand through my hair.
When he leaned forward in his chair, so did I. Suddenly, we were so close I managed to detect a hint of citrus in his woodsy aftershave. My body tingled, his scent almost intoxicating.
A few seconds passed, maybe longer. It was good to have a few minutes to collect myself.
