"Permission to approach the bench with evidence, Your Honor," Maria called.
The two attorneys approached the judge and fumbled through pictures. I watched as Shaver reddened.
“No further questions, Your Honor.”
The wheels were turning. I could feel it.
Chapter 24
Jude
Present Day
Once we were inside her apartment, she shut and bolted the door before she turned and leaned against it. Her suit, a short navy blue one, hugged her figure, and despite the hard day we’d had, I could see what she wanted. Her eyes were ablaze as she looked at me. I tried to resist the urge, knowing she was upset about the entire day. She kicked off her shoes and walked into the kitchen, dropping her jacket as she went. I followed her in silence. She turned on the faucet and drank some water, passing me a glass.
She lifted herself up onto the counter and started to unbutton her shirt.
"Baby, fuck. I want this, but are you sure?"
She slipped the shirt off her shoulders and leaned back on the counter, scrunching up her skirt as she did. I could only watch as she slipped off her panties and spread her legs open in front of me.
I gripped her by the hips, pulling her toward me. If this was what she needed, it was what I would give her. She hooked her legs around me as my mouth pressed against hers, hungrily exploring it with my tongue. I carried her to the bedroom and placed her on her bed, turning her over to unzip her skirt. I pulled it off, and the view of her perfect ass had me straining. I undressed while she remained in that position, letting me know it was how she wanted it. I pushed into her entrance slowly, and she moaned, arching her back down, so her ass was in the air.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted this," I said as I plunged into her hard, her body rocking forward. I knew that I had to be gentle with her, but she was driving me crazy. She met me thrust for thrust, moaning my name. I flipped her over, and she spread her legs, her eyes filled with lust. I again pushed into her gently, and we created a rhythm. She was close, I could feel it, she was arching off the bed. After a few more thrusts, we were unravelling, losing control, her mewls sending me over the edge, just as an orgasm tore through her.
I lay beside her, pulling her into my arms. “Are you okay?”
I felt her go rigid in my arms. "So, a cripple can't be okay after a fuck?"
I pulled away, so I could see her face. “You know I didn't mean it like that. I just want to know that you’re okay. It’s a normal fucking question, Tara.”
She stood and made her way to the bathroom. I heard the shower and sat up. I knew she was going through some shit, but she didn't have to pretend I was the enemy. I stood and walked into the steam filled bathroom.
I opened the shower door and stepped in, the warmness of the water and the sight of her bringing me comfort. She said nothing, so I wrapped my arms around her, my front to her back, standing under the shower like that for a few minutes. "I love you," I whispered. "I love you so much, it hurts me when you're hurting."
Her shoulders shook as she sobbed, and I held her until she felt ready for me to let her go. I lathered her, then myself, our hands wrinkled from the time we'd spent in there.
When we stepped out of the shower, I dried her hair and her body, and she let me, watching me the whole time. Her eyes were red-rimmed, making my heart ache. In the bedroom, I grabbed a t-shirt of mine I'd left here one night and slipped it on her, then I moved onto the bed wearing my boxers, holding her in my arms.
“I love you too,” she whispered. “I love you, Jude. Don’t let me go again.”
“I won’t baby, this is it. You hear me?”
I kissed her forehead and heard her breathing even out. I didn't sleep that night. I hated myself for not getting there first. I hated myself for all she'd been through. This beautiful, fragile woman was at the mercy of a monster. I would never hurt her or any woman like that in my life. I had no idea what the fuck to do, but I had to do something.
* * *
We satat the table the next morning, her eyes almost as sad as they had been last night. The stress of the trial was catching up to her. She barely ate, she just shifted her cereal around and finally gave in, walking out onto the patio to lie in the hammock. I walked out with my coffee, sitting in a patio chair.
“Talk to me, Tiara.”
She turned to me and smiled. “You stole that you know.”
"Well, your dad had it right. You're a jewel."
"What am I doing, Jude? What chance do I have against all that power? I mean, I have the money to fight him, but I don't know how to play dirty the way he does. They manage to twist everything I say."
I stood and made my way over to her, pulling her by the hand and settling us into a lounger, her head on my chest.
