Lawyer Up (5 page)

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT

Beth woke early in the morning. It was not yet dawn, but that brief time just before sunrise when the breaking light begins to lessen the darkness. For a moment she was lost, confused about where she was and why. But then memories of the past few days came swiftly, and she didn't want to move ever again—and where would she go anyway? It was easier to just lie there and remember how good she'd felt when Jon had unexpectedly pulled her into an embrace the day before. She could have stayed cocooned in his strong arms forever, feeling one hand rub soothing circles on her back.

Sighing, Beth recalled how handsome he'd looked in the expensive tailored suit that defined his trim physique so nicely. Of medium height and build, Jon had fit against her body like a puzzle piece sliding into place—as if they were made for each other. A part of her that had remained mostly dormant stirred. Just remembering Jon's hands on her, his gentle touch against the bare skin of her back, made places deep within tingle and ache slightly. She sighed again, and the vague wanting made her wonder what his kiss would feel like.

Abruptly, Beth snorted and sat up on the sofa.
Enough
with
the
useless
fantasies.
Today was a new day, and it was already
hella
better than yesterday. She'd gone to bed with a full belly and enjoyed a warm, comfortable night's sleep. Now it was time to get started on her self-improvement plan. Granted, she was starting at a lower point than she would ever have expected—no clothes, no home, and only a few hundred dollars in back pay. Beth tossed her head, attempting to shake out her mussed hair and shake off her hopeless attitude at the same time. Then she stood up and got to work.

By the time Jon emerged from the bedroom, showered and dressed in another fine suit, Beth had folded the bedding, brushed her hair, and dressed in her clothes, such as they were. She had also scrounged up some breakfast and set the table. She poured a cup of coffee and shyly offered it to him.

At first Jon seemed pleased with her efforts, but then he stopped dead, looking at her from head to toe. Beth shivered at the sensation of his eyes traveling down her body, pausing at all the wrong places—or maybe they were the right places, given the way her body responded to his intense perusal. She read desire on his face for a moment before it was replaced by something else—disapproval, perhaps.

“You can't go outside this apartment in that. I'm sorry, but it's just not appropriate in this neighborhood.”

Beth was embarrassed to be standing in front of him looking for all the world like the streetwalker that she claimed she wasn't. Having him point out how she would look walking around his fancy complex in broad daylight made Beth feel ten times worse, and she turned bright red.

“I have no other clothing,” she reminded him. “Even though it's over one hundred degrees outside, I guess I could wear my trench coat, but there's nothing I can do about my broken boot.”

She saw a flicker of what could be remorse on his face. “Of course. How stupid of me! Put my T-shirt back on, and I have some flip-flops in the closet,” he offered. “They'll be too big but better than nothing.”

Beth walked to the stove and took out a plate that had been warming in the oven. “Here's your breakfast,” she said, handing it to him.

Taking the food, Jon mumbled thanks, still seeming embarrassed about the clothing discussion. While he ate, Beth went to the bathroom to change clothes. When she emerged in his large T-shirt, Jon noted, “That's better.”

After she joined him at the table, he continued. “I hate to keep putting you off, but we're in the middle of several important cases. I was just told that I'll be needed in court again this afternoon. So, let's see how much you and I can accomplish by lunchtime.”

But the morning did not prove fruitful. Every shelter or public housing facility had a long waiting list. Only one place had space, but Jon took one look at the crowded, deplorable conditions and said it wouldn't do. There had to be someplace else.

He drove them back to the Hollywood Tower and pulled his apartment key from his key ring. Seeming uncharacteristically uncertain, Jon stopped her from getting out of his car, saying, “Beth, we need to talk.”

“Okay.”

“I don't know what else to do but let you stay in my apartment until we can find you something. I'll be back later this afternoon to take you to the diner where you said you work. Until then, I…” He paused, appearing at a loss for words. “I'll leave you a key and just ask that you behave while I'm gone.”

Beth's face flushed red, recalling what Jon thought she was, what he thought she did with strange men. She opened her mouth to proclaim her innocence, but he held up his hand to silence her.

“Let me be perfectly clear so we don't have any misunderstandings. I don't want you bringing anyone into my apartment.” Pausing, clearly thinking, he added, “If I find that you did, then you'll have to find a new lawyer.”

“Just who do you think I'll bring here anyway?”

Jon didn't look at her but just repeated, “Do I have your assurance?”

Beth opened her mouth, but seeing him acting so superior, she snapped it shut.
Well, what did I expect
? she thought.
He's bailed me out of jail, seen me thrown out of my apartment, and been told I don't work at the
diner.

“Well?” he asked.

“I understand and I'll behave,” she said through gritted teeth.

He held out the key to the apartment.

“Thank you,” she replied, getting out of the car.

“I'll call you on your cell just as soon as I can leave court.” Then he was gone.

THE TESTIMONY YOU MAY GIVE SHALL BE THE TRUTH

Jon's court appearance had dragged on for the entire afternoon, but he was finally home. He hadn't planned to leave Beth alone in his apartment that long. Jon had wondered what he'd find when he opened the door, so it was a pleasant surprise to walk in and see the table set for dinner and the apartment looking tidy. Walking in, he said, “I'm sorry I couldn't get back sooner. Court unexpectedly took the entire afternoon.”

Then he saw Beth jump up from the living room chair and shove something behind her. She smiled. “Hi, Jon.”

Perturbed that she was hiding something from him in his own home, he started to ask her about it but then did an about-face, heading toward the kitchen. “What is that
amazing
smell?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her tuck something under the folded blanket in the living room, but he was drawn to the stove.

“It's an old family recipe for chicken and dumplings,” Beth called as she joined him in the kitchen. “On the way back from the thrift store I found near here, I picked up some groceries so that I could cook you a nice dinner. I really appreciate everything you're doing for me, even if it didn't seem like it earlier. Oh, and I gave your kitchen a good cleaning today too.”

“That was thoughtful of you. The kitchen certainly needed it. Actually, the whole place needs it,” he added, glancing around and noticing for the first time how bad he was at housekeeping. Then he lifted the lid on the skillet and inhaled again.

“It should be ready in about twenty minutes.”

“I'm looking forward to it. Now, I think I'll put on something more comfortable.”

When Jon returned, he found Beth pulling a cold beer out of the refrigerator. She opened it and handed it to him.

“Wow!” he said. “A guy could really get used to this.” Taking a sip of the cold beverage, he noticed how pert and cute she looked in his large T-shirt and her tiny waitress skirt.
Her
legs
look
mighty
fine
, he thought, then quickly returned his gaze to her face and took another sip from the bottle.

“I bought a few outfits from the thrift shop today. Stuff that's less…” She gestured toward her micromini, grimacing. “I didn't want to use your washer without your permission, but they could really use a good cleaning.” She indicated the bag sitting on the kitchen floor.

“Of course. Go right ahead.” Then a thought occurred to him as he mentally added up the cost of the groceries. “Beth, did you spend your own money on all this food?”

Again, she smiled at him almost bashfully. “I wanted this to be a surprise thank-you. I know it's not much, given all you are doing for me, but—”

“That's…” Jon interrupted, stepping close to her. He could hardly believe that this near-destitute woman without a stitch of decent clothing had used some of her precious funds to buy him dinner. It humbled him. He didn't know what to say. He rejected the idea of offering to pay her back because something told him she'd be offended. In the end he just said, “Thank you. That was very generous and thoughtful.”

She beamed at him then, and Jon felt the force of her smile in his gut. Beth turned from pretty to beautiful with that smile, and he realized he wanted to see it more often. She didn't have much to smile about, but he still wanted to see it more.

“Dinner will be ready in ten. Why don't you relax for a moment while I finish it up?” she offered.

“Thanks.” Taking his beer with him, Jon settled in his favorite comfy chair. He felt pleasantly pampered in a way he hadn't for a very long time. He was going to savor every minute of it, as rare as it had been in his life recently. Relaxing, he let the stresses of his arduous workday fade away as he scrolled absently through the news on his tablet.

Taking another sip, Jon looked over at Beth, watching her surreptitiously from across the room. He wondered yet again what had come over him to invite a stranger—a client he'd bailed out of jail, no less—to take up residence in his apartment. That was very different from his usual cautious, conservative behavior. He must be losing his mind. Tomorrow, he would take Beth to the diner to check out her story and then try again to help her find somewhere more permanent than his couch to live. Then he remembered that she'd hidden something there and walked over to it. He slid his hand under the blanket and felt a book.
What's
this?

Beth walked in at that moment, and he lifted it up. “This is for GED test prep?” He stated the obvious as if it were a question.

“Umm…I…” Beth mumbled, not meeting his gaze. “I never finished high school, okay? I'm thinking I'll try to get a GED, that's all.”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Jon felt sorry for having embarrassed her. Glancing at her flushed face, he said, “Admitting that must have been difficult. I'm sorry I…” Jon let his words trail off as he handed her the book.

Raising her chin, she tucked it under her arm. “Supper's ready.”

Over dinner, Beth told him that since she had appropriate clothes now, she'd begin looking for a better waitress job as soon as possible. “But even if I got one tomorrow, I won't have any pay for a couple weeks,” she finished anxiously.

“That's okay,” he said around a large mouthful of food.
Wow! This is good!
“You know what…why don't you just stay here for a few days longer. At least until we can find you another roommate to share a place with. No need to go to a shelter.”

Beth looked uncertain, but after a moment she brightened. “How about if I cook and clean for you to help repay my debt and for my room and board while I'm sleeping on your couch? Even after I find a place to live, I could continue to be your housekeeper until I've worked off every cent that I owe you. How does that sound?”

“That's a great idea,” Jon exclaimed enthusiastically. “I hate cooking, and the whole place needs a thorough cleaning.”

Once again, Beth had surprised him. He was beginning to think he'd misjudged her.

She studied him for a moment longer, then nodded her head in agreement. “Deal?”

“Deal,” he affirmed. “I'm really going to enjoy your home cooking. I'm a truly awful cook.”

“Well, I'm from the South, so of course I know my way around a kitchen. No Southern mama would let her daughter out of the house if she couldn't cook a good supper.”

“Well then,” said Jon, spontaneously smiling at her for the first time, “we'd better buy lots of groceries, 'cause I'm looking forward to some wonderful meals. Tonight's was delicious.”

“Thank you,” she replied, offering him a sparkling smile.

Jon felt pretty good—his qualms almost completely forgotten—as he looked at the beautiful woman across the table. She really cleaned up well, he thought, realizing he could easily get used to this. However, his legal training had taught him it was always best to spell everything out carefully and have both parties in complete agreement before entering into any contract, even a verbal one. He clarified what she would be doing—cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning—and what she wouldn't be doing…and that's where Jon got himself into trouble.

“That's all you'll do in exchange for room and board. I don't expect any other
favors
, nor do I want any,” he said, although the last part was not entirely true. The erection he'd fought all evening was material evidence that his body wanted her.

“Good!” she snapped, turning her face away. She looked red-faced again. “You certainly won't get anything else from me.” She began to clear the table, her stiff movements making it clear that she was angry. He rose and silently helped with the dishes.

Beth was an enigma—spunky and determined one minute, then shy and blushing the next. Her desire to improve herself and get a diploma was impressive. He wondered how she had survived so long without one. Jon was also pleased with her exemplary behavior and her spunky offer to become his housekeeper. He sighed, recognizing he'd ruined it all with his controlling nature.
I
should
just
have
kept
my
mouth
shut
for
once!

It didn't help that his unrelenting libido seemed to spring to life every time he saw Beth, whether she was wearing her skimpy uniform or his loose T-shirt. Jon shook his head in exasperation, realizing that his lust was replacing his usual good judgment and calm demeanor.