Guilty Pleasure (4 page)

“
You read my mind, darling.
Come to my office, Nicole.”

She followed him to his office. She was so
nervous that she overstepped. She sat on the chair in front of his
desk and watched him set his coffee and briefcase down on his
desk.

“
You are going to fire me,
aren’t you?” She was taken aback when he started to
laugh.

“
No, Nicole. I will never
fire someone for speaking their mind. I would only fire someone for
not doing their job.” He sat on the chair behind his desk. “And you
are doing your job very well. That theory that he might have killed
a fleeing wife is one worth checking out. But tell me something, if
he is telling the truth does he still deserve to go to jail for a
crime of passion?”

“
Yes.”

“
And if Richard looked like
the man you had pictured in your head, instead of some gang banger,
would you still feel that way?”

“
Yes.”

“
Why?”

“
She didn’t deserve to die.
He could have divorced her. He could have beaten both of them up
and then divorce her. He didn’t need to kill her.”

“
And if he was mentally
ill…”

“
Then he should go to a
mental home and get some help.”

“
Your world is so black and
white isn’t it?”

“
Where right and wrong is
concern, it is.”

“
Yet, there is so many grey
areas. You will learn this working here. Are you sure you can
handle it. It would be a shame to taint your outlook on
life.”

“
Taint my
outlook?”

“
You have such a refreshing
take on things, Nicole.”

“
I can take whatever is
thrown at me, Sir.”

Michael smiled. “I’m liking the way you say
Sir, Nicole. Your respectful tone is stroking my ego.”

Nicole just averted her gaze to the floor
and prayed that she wasn’t blushing.

“
Go look into your theory
about Richard and let me know what you come up with. The police
have to cooperate with you, just make sure to tell them you are
working for Richard’s defense attorney.”

“
Is that all, Sir?” Nicole
said quietly.

“
Yes. Good job today,
Nicole.”

She kept her gaze locked onto the desk, but
she couldn’t help but smile. She got up and left the room.

Michael watched her walk away. She was so
his type of victim and yet…there was something about her that he
wanted to get to know more about.

Chapter Four

“
I have to finish reading
those interviews with the neighbors,” Nicole protested as Monica
dragged her into the bar.

“
You need to eat too. Plus,
you have been running yourself ragged over the last couple of days.
Take a small break, girl.”

Monica led them over to the table and
ordered them a couple burgers and beers. “Oh goody, Adam is here.”
Monica waved at Adam. “Wait a minute, wait a minute, who is that
delicious man standing next to him?”

Nicole looked over at where Adam was
standing. “Oh my God, that is my boss.”

“
That piece of hotness is
Michael? Girl, you lucky bitch. Introduce me.”

“
I can’t do that.” Nicole
looked at Michael talking with Adam. It was strange not seeing
Michael in a suit. He was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans. He and
Adam were similar build and height, hell their hair was even the
same dark color. The only small difference was Adam’s hair was a
just a little longer.

“
Why not?”

Nicole held her breath when Michael and Adam
walked over to the table.

“
I have heard all about
you, Michael,” Monica said. “I’m Nicole’s roomie,
Monica.”

“
I hope you heard good
things,” Michael said as he smiled at Nicole.

“
Nothing but good things.
Please sit.”

Nicole wasn’t really paying too much
attention to the conversation. Michael looked so damn good she was
having trouble concentrating.

“
Well, I have to go earn my
paycheck. It was nice talking with you, ladies. Michael, I would
love to hang out when I get back from Kansas City.”

“
We can hang out later on
tonight if you want.”

“
That would be cool, but me
and the guys are heading out right after the show. We will be back
next Saturday.”

“
Give me a
call.”

Michael turned his attention to the door
when the petite blonde entered. She looked so out of place
here.

“
Hey Michael!”

His attention quickly went to Monica. “I’m
sorry, it’s getting a bit loud in here. What did you say?”

“
I asked if you had a
girlfriend.”

“
No.”

His attention went to Nicole. She looked
uncomfortable. Monica was prattling about something he wasn’t
really paying attention. He smiled seeing a slight blush come to
Nicole’s cheeks. He was intrigue to know what she was thinking that
would cause her to blush.

His gaze flicked over to the petite blonde
and the familiar need began to build inside him. He looked back
over at Nicole.

“
Well ladies, I better
mingle. It was nice to meet you, Monica. And I’m glad you are
getting out and having some fun, Nicole. I will see you
Monday.”

“
I will have all the
interviews and other evidence ready to present you
with.”

“
You truly believe Richard
killed a fleeing wife don’t you.”

“
Yes.”

“
I’m intrigued to see what
you find out.”

Michael stood and slowly walked over to the
bar. His gaze was fixed on the blonde. He had to take his time. He
had to make sure she was the right one. He ordered a drink and kept
observing her. He brushed off the advances of the women who
approached him. He wasn’t looking for sex tonight.

After an hour Monica and Nicole left the
bar. He wouldn’t have known that if Monica hadn’t come up and said
goodnight. He was glad Nicole was gone. Strangely, a part of him
didn’t want her to see him in predator mode, though to anyone
looking at him he was simply a guy sitting at the bar.

The need began to build and build until he
was certain the blonde was the one he wanted. He watched her leave
the bar alone and he waited but a moment and followed her. She
headed over to a small diner across the street. He followed. He sat
at one of the booths as he observed her going into the back room.
Within moments she came out in a waitress uniform. She chatted with
the cook for a moment then headed to Michael’s table.

“
Hello, what can I get
you?”

“
Some coffee would be
nice.”

His eyes locked with hers. It was obvious
she liked the way he looked. Good, this would make things so much
easier. He would flirt with her. Ask her for her number then ask
her out for Wednesday night.

He nursed his cup of coffee as she kept
coming over to refill it. He went through the song and dance until
she gave him her phone number and agreed to go out with him on
Wednesday.

“
I’m sorry,” she said as
she hurried over to give him his check. “I just agreed to go out
with you and I don’t even know your name.”

“
Well Linda, my name is
Adam Matthews. And I’m beyond flattered that you agreed to go out
with me without even knowing my name. It makes a guy feel good
about himself.”

She smiled shyly.

“
I will call you tomorrow
to set up a time and place. We can meet wherever you feel
safe.”

“
Okay.”

Michael left the diner and headed down the
street. He never parked his car anywhere near the bar. It would
certainly stick out. He got into his car and headed toward his
apartment. The familiar excitement and anticipation filled him. It
was too soon to take another victim. He knew that, but something
about Nicole fueled his need, and yet he didn’t want to kill her to
sate that need. He rarely felt this way. In fact, he had only felt
like this for two other women before. He pushed such thoughts aside
as he began to plan how he was going to get his victim to Adam’s
apartment.

***

Nicole had all the evidence she wanted to
show Michael ready to go when she got to her office on Monday. He
was late coming into work. She felt her emotions begin to bubble up
again. She was so upset last night as she went over her notes.

She heard the sound of Michael’s footsteps
as he passed her office. She took deep breaths to calm herself. She
couldn’t go into his office and turn into a blubbering pile of
emotions. After a few moments she grabbed the leather tote that had
all her notes in it and left her office. She went over to his and
knocked once then entered.

“
Good morning, Nicole,”
Michael said as he sipped his coffee.

“
Sir.” She walked over to
his desk and just stood there in front of it.

“
What’s wrong,
Nicole?”

“
I finished my research…for
the Richard Williams’ case.”

“
Well sit down and tell me
what you found out.”

She sat on the chair.

Michael was intrigued by her trying to
control her emotions.

“
I got all the police
reports and I comb through all the interviews with the neighbors. I
took it upon myself to go interview a couple of the neighbors
again.”

“
Why would you do
that?”

“
The statements they gave
the cops didn’t feel right.”

“
You invested your time
because you had a feeling?”

“
Yes.”

“
Did it pay
off?”

“
Sir, you can’t represent
this client. He doesn’t deserve a defense lawyer like you.” Nicole
felt her tears filling her eyes.

“
I’m guessing your theory
about him killing his fleeing wife is closer to the truth, than his
story about finding his wife screwing someone.”

“
Her name was Delta…and
that man kept her prisoner in that tiny apartment for years. The
neighbors rarely saw her, but the few times they did she was
afraid.”

Michael got up and slowly walked over to
her.

“
The man Richard killed was
a neighbor who recently moved into the apartment building. Matthew,
his name was Matthew…he only wanted to help her and now he is dead.
He recognized the signs of a battered wife and approached her. His
sister was abused by her husband. All the neighbors liked him…and
they blamed her for his death. Can you believe they blamed her.”
Nicole couldn’t control her tears anymore.

She was startled when she felt Michael’s
hand gently stroking her hair.

“
She just wanted to be free
of that monster. What right did he have to take her life, to take
Matthew’s life?”

“
It’s alright,
Nicole.”

“
You can’t take this case.
That man deserves the worse the legal system can throw at
him.”

“
And what should I tell his
mother, Nicole. She was the one who hired me. Do you believe that
she thinks her son is a monster?”

Nicole stood and put some distance between
her and him.

“
Of course she wouldn’t
think her son is a monster.”

“
She wants the best she can
provide for him. Life isn’t black and white, Nicole.”

“
What about Delta’s and
Matthew’s parents?”

“
What about them. Where was
Delta’s parents during all of this? Do you want to dig deeper and
find out. I would advise not doing that or you will have even more
pity for her. Matthew’s parents are surely blaming Delta for their
son’s death. She knew how dangerous her husband could
be.”

“
Why is everyone blaming
her?!” Nicole said louder than she intended.

Michael watched the tears fall down her
face. Tears for a stranger, this intrigued him. The passion she had
about all of this excited him. He didn’t care at all about Delta or
Matthew or for that matter Richard. All he cared about was doing
his job, and yet Nicole’s empathy for these strangers was beautiful
to watch.

“
I’m sorry, you must
think…”

Michael closed the gap between them and took
her into his arms. He wanted her now and he was unable to control
his impulse. He lifted her up and kissed her. He felt her tear
stain cheeks against his as he forced his will upon her. His
excitement rose when he felt her arms go around him. Her surrender
to him was palpable. He knocked the stuff off the corner of his
desk and laid her down on top of it. He tore at her clothes,
needing, wanting to claim her. He kissed her hard as he undid his
pants and quickly pulled them down. He pulled her skirt up and tore
her panties from her. He impaled her with his cock, driving himself
deeper and harder into her. He gently bit her lower lip as he
rammed his cock into her over and over. He lifted himself up and
looked at her lying under him as he thrust harder and harder. Her
breasts bounced hard with each thrust. The way her ripped blouse
framed her breasts excited him more.

He pulled his cock out and lifted her up. He
wanted to take her from behind. He flipped her over and slammed her
against the desk. He entered her from behind, burying his cock to
the hilt with each thrust. He grabbed a handful of her hair and
pulled, forcing her to arch back. He felt her body shudder under
him and her pussy walls clamped down and slightly pulsate around
his cock. He released her hair and gripped her hips hard. Her skirt
was bunched up on the small of her back. He gripped her hips
tighter and thrust hard. He rammed his cock over and over until he
felt his orgasm build. His cum pumped deep inside her as he kept
his cock buried in her. He leaned over and pressed his body against
hers. He felt her body stiffen under him.