Lawyer Up (6 page)

WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION

The silence dragged on for an hour, and then Beth asked him to please drive her to the Pretty Starlets Diner, saying that it was important and would prove her innocence. Jon agreed but wondered why she was pushing this, since he'd already checked out that alibi. Then he wondered if he'd called the right place. Could there be two restaurants with the same ridiculous name?

In the heavy traffic they needed twenty minutes to get there, but Jon didn't mind the drive. The evening was warm enough to have the top down and he had a beautiful woman sitting next to him. Under different circumstances it would have felt romantic. After parking the car, Jon escorted Beth toward the diner, noting what a complete dive it was, situated between two cheap strip clubs and a grungy multitude loitering around.

When he opened the door, Beth rushed through to charge at the cook. “What do you mean telling my lawyer that you'd never heard of me?” she yelled.

The second he walked inside, Jon realized he'd been utterly mistaken about everything. The
Pretty
Woman
styled waitress currently taking orders, the fact that Beth and the cook clearly knew each other, the broken boot, and the location smack-dab in the middle of the red-light district all gave him sudden clarity. He could easily understand how Beth had been swept up in the police roundup. Jon felt like shit for how he'd treated her and desperately needed to apologize, but right now he had to fix this mess. He followed Beth into the kitchen.

The cook gave Jon a once-over while wiping his greasy hands on his apron. Then he looked at Beth. “I never talked to nobody about you. Don't know what you're talking about, sugah, but I can tell you I was angry as shit when you didn't show up for your shift. Left me high and dry, so I hired a new waitress—Sherilyn over there—to take your place.” The man indicated a young lady laden down with dirty dishes and wearing a new but equally horrendous uniform.

“Look, I was in jail, and you told him I didn't work here. And I want my pay! You owe me for two weeks!”

“Well, I don't know about that,” the cook said, folding his arms across his chest. “You skipped out on me and didn't return the uniform. It cost me plenty to buy Sherilyn a new one… Probably you owe
me
some scratch.”

“How dare you…” cried Beth.

Jon smoothly interjected, “It seems we have a disagreement here. Let's remain calm and deal with the issues one at a time. Mr…ahh… Could you tell me your name?”

“I'm Rob Larson, the owner. Who the hell are you?”

“I'm Jon Bateman, Ms. Sikes's attorney.”

Startled, Larson took a step back and glared at Beth. “What are you bringing a lawyer in here for…a couple hundred dollars of back pay?” he asked incredulously.

Again, Jon interrupted, attempting to lower the tension. “No, nothing like that. Ms. Sikes had a little run-in with the law three nights ago, and we just need proof that she was here working with you until two a.m. That's all. The woman I spoke with when I called said Beth didn't work here. Can you tell me who might have answered the phone?”

“Sherilyn, sugah, come on over here for a minute, would you?” Larson called to the curvy woman, who clearly had been listening in while she worked. She gave her new boss a big, friendly smile before turning that welcoming look on Jon.

“What can I get for you, sir? We offer all sorts of delicious items.” Winking and leaning toward him, Sherilyn placed a friendly hand on his arm, squeezing slightly. “Some things aren't even on the menu.”

Jon tensed at the intrusion but refrained from brushing her hand off him.

Leering at Sherilyn, Larson said, “Now that's what I'm talking about. Treat the customers right, and they'll come back again and again. Sheri's a real winner. I've already seen an increase in customers, and you get nice big tips, don't you?”

“Yes, sir, I do. And I'm so grateful for this job, really.” Then Sherilyn placed her free hand on the owner's arm as well, and Jon saw how the man puffed up at her attentiveness.

“Sherilyn,” said Jon, “I suspect that you answered the phone the other night when I called with questions about Ms. Sikes. Why did you lie about knowing her?”

Looking nervous at the turn of the conversation, she pulled her hand off Jon's arm and responded emphatically. “I didn't lie. I've never met this woman and didn't know who she was.”

“Don't you think you might have asked your boss if Ms. Sikes worked here?”

“Well…I…um…” she stuttered. Sherilyn huffed out her breath. “Look, I didn't know anyone by that name. I was just hired and wanted to keep my job, so I didn't see any point in getting involved in any questions from lawyers. I didn't lie, and that's all I have to say.”

Turning toward the owner, she smiled and batted her thick-mascaraed lashes. “Rob, sweetie, can I get back to work now? I think my customers are calling.”

“Of course, sugah,” replied Larson, still leering down at her tight, sparkly tube top.

Jon addressed the owner again. “Sir, can you verify that Beth worked here three nights ago?”

Jon watched the crafty expressions crossing Larson's face. He would bet his attorney's license that the man was trying to decide how his answer would affect him and what he could get out of it. Finally, the owner replied, “Well, I'm not sure. Bethi-Ann really wasn't that reliable… She may or may not have been working that night. But I do want the uniform back. It cost me plenty.”

“You're such an asshole,” Beth said. “That dang uniform is what got me in trouble in the first place. The boot broke when I was walking home.”

“Well then, you owe me for new boots. I'm not sure your back pay is enough to cover it. I may even go to the police about you stealing my uniform,” the owner blustered.

Turning to Beth, Jon took her hand and said quietly, “Please let me handle this.” She looked like she wanted to argue, but nodded.

Turning back to Larson, Jon began again. “Sir, this can go easy for you…or not. I'm a lawyer with Bentley and Hortsman, a top law firm in LA. All I want to do is clear Ms. Sikes of the charges. But if you want to escalate this, we can also sue for back wages, and by the looks of this place, a call to the health department might be in order too.” Pausing, he gave that a chance to sink in.

“So I'll ask you again. Will you vouch for Ms. Sikes?”

Larson was a bully, but he was smart enough to recognize when he'd been beaten. In a short time, Jon had secured Larson's agreement to sign a deposition and pay Beth back wages once she returned the uniform and repaired boots.

When they were back in the car, silence descended, making the atmosphere as dark as the night sky above the open convertible. Jon was tied up in knots, needing to apologize but at a loss for where to start.
I'm a top lawyer, for shit's sake!
However, addressing a court full of people seemed easier than talking to the woman that he had wronged.

Jon was surprised Beth wasn't lording it over him, since she'd been telling the truth all along. That would make it easier, but she was demonstrating yet again that she was much more than he'd originally thought—smarter, braver, even magnanimous. In the face of such generosity and his own guilt, the boulder-sized chip on his shoulder shrank slightly. It was no longer a heavy weight but something he could almost shrug off. Not all women were Val. But he still didn't know what to say to Beth.

They were back at the Hollywood Tower apartments when Jon suddenly veered away from the parking garage. He glanced at Beth and saw the surprised look on her face. “Do you mind going for a little drive? It's a pleasant evening,” he offered by way of explanation.

“Uh…okay.”

Jon took the freeway north a couple miles and went up twisty Mulholland Drive. Within minutes they arrived at the Hollywood Bowl Overlook, and he parked the car so they could look down at the mesmerizing view. Overhead, the full moon shone down brightly, taking the edge off the dark night and allowing them to see each other's faces.

“This is one of my favorite spots,” Jon said. “I used to come up here to think.” He didn't add that he hadn't been back once since his marriage fell apart.

“It's beautiful,” Beth breathed, leaning forward to see the lights of the Los Angeles basin spread out below them. Far to the right, the lights ended in darkness where the Pacific Ocean took over. It was an intensely romantic spot, and other couples were parked in cars nearby.

“Beth…I need to talk with you, and I don't know where to begin.”

“What is it?” She sat straighter, looking anxious. “You have proof now. Won't that be enough?”

“Yes, of course. I'll return tomorrow and get a signed deposition. That's not…” Jon angled toward her, then grasped her hand resting on her lap. He hoped his touch would convey his profound regret.

He started again. “Beth, I'm deeply sorry for everything. I realize now that I was completely wrong and never really gave your story a fair chance. I totally misjudged you. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I want you to know that I'll do everything in my power to get your case thrown out and your name cleared, and to help you get a fresh start.”

He released her hand and looked away. The couple in the car next to them was making out, and he realized maybe they shouldn't stay here. “Well, I guess we should probably head back.”

Before he could start the car, Beth reached out and put her hand on his. His skin tingled where she touched him, and Jon wanted to fold her small hand in his. Instead, he just left his hand quietly motionless under hers.

“Jon.” She waited till he met her eyes. “I understand why you thought I was lying. Given how I looked and where you met me…and then the diner saying they didn't know me… I'm not sure
I
would have believed such a story. But I had a lot of time to think during those two days in jail, and I made a decision to change my life.”

Jon nodded. “The GED and a new job?”

“Yes. I'm taking charge of my life, but if you hadn't walked into the jail and picked me…I don't know what would have happened. I will always be grateful to you.”

He looked at Beth in the moonlight and could tell she meant it. “That means a lot to me.”

“And just to be clear”—she paused and smiled saucily up at him—“I know how much you like to have everything spelled out.”

Jon chuckled ruefully.

“To be clear, I do forgive you…for everything.” Then Beth quickly rose up and placed a quick peck on his cheek. “I mean that,” she whispered.

In that instant everything changed. Jon felt lighter, the last vestiges of his chip—his bitterness—dissolving and floating away into the star-filled night. Unable to stop himself, he grasped the hand that still rested on his, holding it tightly. Their eyes locked and their unique connection was back, stronger than ever this time. It pulled on them both and they leaned closer, never breaking their gaze.

“Beth,” he breathed, leaning closer still.

Without thought, Jon swept his arm around her shoulders and pulled her the last few inches closer until his lips touched hers. He kissed her, softly at first, just a delicate caress on her sweet lips. Hearing her answering moan, he deepened the kiss. His tongue tentatively explored her mouth, and his arm pulled her tighter against him. Jon's senses were filled with the taste of her, the quiet sounds she murmured, and the heady scent of her. Beth smelled of his shampoo…as if she were actually his. Even the knowledge that she still wore his T-shirt fueled his hunger, his sense of belonging with her. Belonging
in
her.

Then to Jon's great delight, Beth melted into him, her tongue tentatively dancing against his and one hand sliding up his chest to gently hold the back of his neck. Jon was staggered, lost. He desperately needed more. His hand slipped to the bared skin of her thigh, and Beth's responsive moan was an erotic aria filling his head.

Jon couldn't get enough of her. His hand skimmed her inner thighs, sliding provocatively forward, almost to the apex of her legs, and then withdrawing, and all the while he kissed Beth—on the tender skin of her neck, the sensuous curve of her shoulder, and back on her hot mouth. Her mewling cries drove him mad. Jon couldn't think—only feel, only
need
. He slid his hand up inside her loose T-shirt and gently fondled one of her gloriously heavy breasts, squeezing it, and Beth…tensed.

Instantly, he broke away and pulled his arms free.
What
the
fuck
am
I
doing?

They were both breathing hard.

He couldn't bear to look at Beth, wondering what she must think of him.

“Umm…sorry. I think we should head back.” Without waiting for her answer, Jon started the car and pulled out of the parking spot. “I guess I've got yet one more horrible thing to apologize for,” he mumbled.

“No.” She sounded fierce. “Don't say that! It was…beautiful.” Beth stared out the window away from him. “Don't tell me you're sorry about it,” she repeated.

Jon didn't know what to say, so he said nothing.

They drove back down the hill in silence.

DISCOVERY

Riding up the elevator to his apartment, Beth ignored the concerned looks Jon gave her. Swirling, tumultuous emotions consumed her.

Jon
kissed
me!
It
was
amazing!
She had not wanted it to stop.

Beth decried the instinct that had made her startle when Jon put his hand on her breast. In the past she'd always hated the pawing, grubbing hands. Not tonight, but after years of fighting off unwanted advances, her reflexes had kicked in before she could stop them. His kiss had been too brief, leaving her frustrated and achy.

After walking silently down the hall, Jon unlocked the door to his small apartment and they entered. The air around them sparked with potent tension. Regret was part of it, but she suspected it was for vastly different reasons for each of them. Jon had apologized for kissing her. He thought it had been a horrible mistake, and that hurt, especially when her
only
regret was that the kiss had ended all too soon. For the first time in her life, Beth craved the intoxicating, arousing sensations that had flowered when he kissed her.

“Why don't you use the bathroom first?” Jon offered, interrupting her turbulent reflections.

Beth gazed at him for just a moment, but she could think of nothing to say, no way to suggest he start again. Resigned, she nodded and went to change her clothes and brush her teeth.

When she emerged, Jon was in his bedroom, the door shut. She stared at it, willing him to come back to her. When he didn't, she made her nest on the living room couch and turned off the lights. Lying there, trying to fall asleep, Beth wondered why she had denied herself such delicious sensations all these years. But the pawing men of her past had been nothing like Jon, and she sensed that with him, it would be different, that the two of them
together
could be special—wondrous even.

Then she heard his door open, and Jon crept out of his room to the living room. “Beth, are you asleep?” he whispered almost inaudibly.

“No,” she quickly responded, sitting up. “I'm still awake.” The light filtered in from the hallway, and she could see him standing there in pajama bottoms. She'd never seen Jon without a shirt, so the naked expanse of skin drew her eyes. He was athletic and firm, and she wondered how it would feel to place her hands on his chest. To caress his back.

“I want to explain why I stopped kissing you. It occurred to me that maybe you didn't understand why I apologized.”

Beth stood up then. “Why
did
you break it off?” She tried to keep the hurt from her voice.

“It was wrong…unethical. It wasn't about you. I wanted to kiss you…keep kissing you. Please believe me.”

“Why do you say it's unethical? Because you're my lawyer? I don't care about that.” She stepped right up to him, almost touching. “Jon…” she breathed. “Do you still want to kiss me?”

“Yes,” he groaned. He grasped her upper arm as if maybe she wouldn't believe him. “I want to kiss you more than anything in the world. So much that I could almost forget you're my client and risk everything, but it wouldn't be right.” Jon let go of her arm and stepped back.

Looking up at him, she saw his shoulders slump. He looked defeated, unsure what to do, but Beth knew what she wanted and no stupid rule was going to keep her from Jon—not tonight anyway. At the same time, she didn't want him to suffer from her choices.

“Are you saying that you would get in trouble, get…disbarred?” she asked, remembering the term from a TV show.

“Well, not technically, at least not in California, but it would be seen as wrong for me to take advantage of you…in that way.”

“No one needs to know what you and I do behind closed doors. That's our business.” No longer the victim, she would set the rules and make the choices with her own body. Beth embraced this strength, stood straighter, and responded with her best, practiced accent. “I would like you to kiss me and make…” No matter her determination, Beth could not say out loud what she really desired. “I want you to kiss me and not hold back,” she managed. “And to be clear…this is not in exchange for anything. I'm not
repaying
you, and you're not
taking
advantage of me. We are going to do this because it's what I want.”

“Beth, you take my breath away.” He exhaled, staring at her, transfixed. “I don't know what to say, except that I want you too.”

She gazed into Jon's yearning, fiery eyes and let his need course through her. Her body answered him with a sparking ache that left her breathless. Their odd connection was back, stronger than ever. The air was charged with electricity, and it hummed brightly on the link they seemed to share, drawing her closer to him. Beth offered her hand to Jon and he took hold—grasping it like it was his lifeline, his one chance at happiness. Beth smiled. Then she led him into the dark bedroom.

She felt vibrantly alive, a bubbly mix of the new womanly power she held over him and nervous excitement about what they might be about to do. Even before they reached the bed, Jon pulled Beth into his arms and kissed her—urgently, hotly, then gently, sweetly. Sighing with pleasure, Beth surrendered to the wonderful sensations building inside her. The ever-smoldering attraction between them ignited as they moaned and clung to each other.

She tilted her head back and her mouth parted as Jon's lips met hers in a searing kiss that branded her as if she belonged to him. His tongue felt hot and wet, forcefully invading her mouth, and she purred hungrily in response, the overwhelming need flooding her body, her nipples tight, her pussy clenching at the feel of his bulge against her belly. Beth nuzzled closer into his embrace, intuitively rubbing herself against him in a full-body caress that made him groan out loud. Beth's entire being was centered on Jon—his mouth, his hard physique, his hands roaming her body.

Jon groaned again—a low, guttural sound—and seemed to lose the tight hold he held on his desire. Freed at last to touch Beth, he raced around her body like a madman who couldn't explore her fast enough. The feel of his hands and his tongue dancing with hers sent delicious tingles cascading through her body. His hands fondled her bosom, as so many men had tried to in the past, but for the first time that didn't repulse her. He cupped each breast, then slipped a hand under her top to gently squeeze a nipple. Her whole body shuddered in delight, the zinging electricity reaching all the way down to her clenching pelvis.

Still standing by the bed, they both moaned and frantically petted each other. Beth felt the pleasurable sizzling everywhere, but it wasn't nearly enough. Then Jon tugged on her shirt, and she let him pull it off.

“My God, you're beautiful,” he said, staring at her while at the same time pulling his pajama bottoms down.

Beth glowed at this compliment, even as a sudden shyness made her hesitate and look away from his nudity. Consumed with churning hunger, Jon didn't seem to notice at first as he pulled Beth to him for another long, deep kiss. The intoxicating sensations—warm skin-to-skin contact, firm lips on hers, wet tongue plunging in and out—dulled Beth's inhibition, replacing it with desperate need as she moaned into his kiss.

Jon pulled back to gaze searchingly into her eyes, and Beth understood it was time, now or never, so she turned her back to him to remove her sweatpants. To cover, Beth coyly murmured, “Just need a moment to undress for you.”

“Please don't feel self-conscious around me. I couldn't bear it.” Jon kissed her neck while Beth removed her underwear. “I want…need you to feel comfortable with me.”

Then from behind, he pressed his naked hardness against her. With fierce determination, Beth halted her body's habitual tensing, forcing herself to ease against him and let his hard erection push into her back. She was rewarded with the sound of Jon's guttural moan of pleasure.

Distractedly, Beth realized that her complete innocence, all of it, would soon become apparent to Jon, but now was not the time to make such a revelation. She was determined to make this first time special—for both of them. With effort, she tamped down the bashfulness that still dwelled within her and turned to face him, standing naked before a man for the first time in her adult life.

“Ohhh my God,” breathed Jon again, stepping back. She watched as his eyes roved hungrily up and down her body, settling on her breasts for a moment, before returning to her face. “You're so beautiful!”

Beth watched as Jon stepped forward and slowly lowered his face to her bosom.

He breathed her in. “You smell good…fresh.” He delicately laved her areola. “You taste good, and your skin feels like sweet satin.”

The feel of his tongue as he swiped across one nipple, while his other hand cradled the other heavy mound, made her gasp and sag toward him.

“Your breasts…oh my God…your breasts are incredible,” he murmured, burying his face between them before greedily sucking them again. His hands were everywhere, fondling her buttocks, sliding down her thighs, caressing her legs and her arms.

Beth gasped and startled when his hand reached her mons—the gentle touch so shocking and intimate…divine.

“I need you on the bed,” Jon groaned. Walking her backward, he gently pressed her down until she lay on her back.

She continued to avert her eyes from his body and, in particular, his penis.

“Beth, is everything all right? We don't have to do this if you've changed your mind.” Jon stood at the foot of the bed, looking slightly concerned.

“No. I'm fine. I…” Beth wanted this, urgently wished to make love to Jon, but she was unsure what she was supposed to do to please him. “I think I'd like it if you took the lead. Would that be okay?” Beth watched his face closely, afraid of his reaction, but he looked pleased, thrilled even.

“Darling, anything you want is fine.” He slowly spread her legs apart with his hands, his eyes gazing intently at her pussy, and then climbed onto the bed to kneel between her thighs as he lowered his face. Beth was startled, but her innocence didn't keep her from comprehending what he was about to do.

“Jon, ahhh, that's okay, you don't have to…” Beth was self-conscious, not sure she could go through with it. She tried to close her legs.

“Shhh,” he murmured. “I want to do this. I want to make this mind-blowing for you too. Please.” He sank his mouth to her mons.

At the first touch of his probing tongue, Beth jerked wildly, arching her back and crying out. The wet, warm feel of him teasing her labia and clitoris was unlike anything she could have imagined—hot, sizzling, dazzling—making her writhe on the bed. He reached a hand up to caress her nipples that had tightened into aching buds while his tongue continued to flick and nip her clit, edging her forward toward something tantalizingly just out of reach, something that Beth could name but not yet fully understand.

She was lost, floating on a sea of sensation that was both torment and pleasure. She was so close now—just a little farther, a little harder, a little faster! Unaware of what she was doing, Beth put her hands on his head to push his face down onto her pussy. Excited by her demands, Jon groaned loudly and went crazy licking her. His obvious enjoyment so surprised Beth that it hurled her forward toward the edge, the pleasure so intense that her eyes shut and she cried out his name, tossing her head back and forth.

“Jon…Jon…Jon!”

Then her mind went blank as she exploded, her body shuddering and her hands clutching the sheets.

Beth had not understood before that anything could feel that wickedly delightful. As her breathing slowed, she opened her eyes and saw Jon smiling at her from his spot between her legs. As she realized how she had behaved, Beth felt a blush creeping up. Needing to do something to cover her embarrassment, she quickly pulled him up for a kiss. His lips lowered onto hers for a long, meandering caress that was both soothing and arousing, while she marveled at what had just happened. She'd had no idea how wonderful sex could be, but she suspected that being with the right person made all the difference.

When Jon pulled away long enough to get a condom from the nightstand, he stared in surprise. “Beth, you're blushing. Please don't be embarrassed. I love how you came for me, so wildly uninhibited.”

“It's because…” But Beth didn't have the courage to tell him. Anyway, he'd find out soon enough. “Never mind. It doesn't matter.” She looked away, unsure now how to proceed.

Jon dropped the condom on the bed so that he could grasp her hands in his. “Look at me! If you want to stop now… If you've changed your mind, that's okay. I'll understand.”

“I don't want to stop. Please.”

Jon nodded, looking joyfully happy, and picked up the condom. At that moment, Beth finally found the courage to look down at his dick.

My. Oh my!
Anxiety flooded her. Of course Beth had seen photos of naked men, but it was different seeing
that
in real life and knowing where it was about to go. Jon's erection looked enormous, standing proudly away from his body.

Beth wanted to touch it, wondering what it would feel like.

No, she definitely didn't want to.

Yes, she did. Beth reached out a tentative finger but then quickly pulled her hand back. She was grateful that Jon had been concentrating on ripping the package open and rolling the sheath down his thick shaft, so he hadn't noticed her naive motions. Then he climbed back over her, his attention riveted on the twin mounds of her bosom.

Jon lowered his mouth and began suckling her again. One of his hands strayed to her curls below, and she gasped. His finger found the tiny bud of her sex, and he swirled it in the most intoxicating way. Her answering moan seemed to thrill him, and he rubbed his sheathed dick against her clit as his teeth nipped an aching nipple.