"He said I was being reckless. I said I was being professional. He said my personal involvement with you was clouding my judgment. I said my personal life was none of the firm's business as long as I performed my duties competently." Emilio pulled back to look at me. "Then I said if they forced me to withdraw, I'd resign and finish the case independently."
"You threatened to quit?"
"I didn't threaten. I stated facts. They could either keep me as an employee defending you, or lose me as an employee whileI defended you anyway. Their choice." He smiled. "They chose to keep me."
I kissed him. Hard and claiming and tasting like victory.
"You're magnificent," I said against his mouth. "Absolutely devastating."
"I learned from the best." He kissed me back. "Now are you going to make good on that promise about celebration?"
"Absolutely."
I picked him up and he wrapped his legs around my waist automatically. We made it to the bedroom this time instead of stopping at the couch. Progress.
I laid him out on the bed and took my time undressing him. Savoring each piece of clothing removed. Each inch of skin revealed.
"Four weeks until trial," I said, sliding his shirt off. "We need to use that time wisely."
"Are we talking about trial prep or something else?" His breath caught as my mouth found his collarbone.
"Both. We'll prepare during the day. Celebrate at night." I worked my way down his chest. "By the time we walk into that courtroom, you'll know this case better than anyone. And you'll know exactly what you're fighting for."
"You. I'm fighting for you." He threaded his fingers through my hair. "That's what I'm fighting for."
"Then let me give you something worth fighting for."
I took my time with him. Worshipped his body with hands and mouth until he was trembling and begging. When I finally pushed inside him, he cried out my name like a prayer.
We moved together with the kind of rhythm that came from knowing each other's bodies. From nights spent learning what made each other gasp and moan and surrender completely.
When he came, it was with his back arched and my name on his lips. I followed him over with a groan that was probably heard throughout the apartment.
Afterward, we lay tangled together while our breathing returned to normal.
"Four weeks," he said quietly. "Then we destroy them in court."
"Then we destroy them," I agreed. "And after that, we build something that lasts."
He turned to look at me. "What do we build?"
"Whatever we want. A life. A future. Something that isn't just about surviving threats and winning cases." I pulled him closer. "Something real."
"This feels real."
"It is real. We just need to protect it long enough for everyone else to realize it." I kissed his temple. "Starting with making sure Antonio Costello never threatens you again."
"What are you planning?"
"Nothing that'll tie back to us. Just a message about consequences." I felt him tense slightly. "Trust me, Emilio. I know what I'm doing."
"That's what worries me. You're very good at this. Manipulating situations. Controlling outcomes. Making people do what you want." He propped himself up on one elbow. "How do I know you're not doing the same thing to me?"
"Because if I was manipulating you, you wouldn't be questioning it. You wouldn't be aware enough to ask." I met his eyes. "I want you, yes. I've pursued you deliberately. But every choice you've made has been yours. Every line you've crossed, you crossed consciously. I didn't force you. I just showed you the path."
He studied my face for a long moment. Then: "You're right. You didn't force me. You just made it impossible to choose anything else."
"Is that such a bad thing? Being with someone who wants you enough to fight for you? Who values you enough to protect you? Who sees you clearly and wants you anyway?" I cupped his face. "You could've walked away at any point. You stayed because you wanted to."
