Lawyer Up (9 page)

“Oh,” Beth breathed, relieved. Then she threw herself back into his arms. Jon held her tightly as if he would never let her go. She nestled closer, the soothing circles Jon caressed her back, releasing some of the tight tension.

That night, Jon made no attempt to make love to her. He just held her tenderly, crooning sweet, little calming words and praise. While they slept, Jon clasped her so tightly that Beth had to loosen his grip several times as the night wore on, but she felt utterly safe in Jon's arms. It almost seemed as if he loved her, and she let herself hope, just a little, that maybe he did.

NONDISCLOSURE

After that awful night, neither of them talked about what had happened, but it had moved them both. Jon was extremely cautious with her, checking on her during the day and offering nothing but tender affection at night. Beth almost wished he were a little less considerate and a little more aggressive. The sex was still good, better since she had visited a county health clinic for birth control pills.

Jon had gone with her and they'd both been given a clean bill of health, so there was nothing, not even a condom, coming between them now, but still he remained just a bit too careful with her in bed. Beth missed feeling so desirable that Jon was unable to control himself. That overwhelming lust just for her had been thrilling, arousing. Beth wondered how to bring that back to their intimate nights.

However their days were so busy as they waited for her court date that she couldn't give it much further thought. She continued to waitress as well as study for the GED test. Whenever she had a difficult subject, Jon was happy to help her study. She also continued to do all the cooking and cleaning—her pride insisting that she contribute in some way since Jon refused to let her pay anything from her waitress earnings toward rent, telling her to instead save for college. Jon no longer wanted Beth to be his only pro bono case, so he started putting in volunteer hours at a local family aid clinic, in addition to handling his ongoing clients.

On weekends they often went out, but Beth was happiest snuggled up on the couch with him watching television or reading a book. One evening, she told him a secret she'd harbored for a while. Remembering the comments she'd overheard weeks before, Beth said, “On the night Tony and Randy came over, I have to admit I listened to you guys a little. At first your friends were saying how nice the place looked, and…”

At Jon's horrified look, Beth quickly added, “I'm sorry for eavesdropping. I won't do it again. I shut the door as soon as you started talking about your ex-wife.”

“No, Beth. I'm not angry about that. I'm just sorry you overheard that asshole talking about you like that. He's no friend of mine after that night, and I promise you won't ever have to see him again.”

“That's not why I brought it up. I'm curious…something Randy said about your ex…that I could do things for you that your wife wouldn't, something regarding fantasies about me.”

“
Please
forget about it. I was being stupid…that's all.”

“Come on, just tell me. I really want to know. Anyway, I think I have the right, after everything. Pleeease?” she wheedled.

“Umm…” Jon hesitated, looking sheepish. “Okay, but don't get angry. It's just every guy's fantasy to have sex with a woman who will do anything he wants,
anything
at all…like a prostitute would for a price. We know it's not real, and I'd never ask you to do anything like that in real life.”

“All right, but what exactly did you fantasize me doing for you?” Beth asked in a throaty whisper. The idea that he might want something slightly naughty aroused her.

“Oh no, I'm not going to tell you,” he said, smiling ruefully. “Anyway, the real deal is way better than any fantasy.”

“I'm glad to hear it, but I still want to know,” she urged again.

“Why? Are you offering to do whatever I want in there?” he joked, nodding toward the bedroom.

Beth laughed. “Like you could be that lucky! But, I'll admit that the idea of you fantasizing about me is a bit of a turn-on. So, Jon, what were those fantasies?”

He just gave her a small smile and again shook his head. “Nope,” he said, “I'll never spill those beans.”

Returning his smile, Beth had a different idea.

Someday, I'll find a way to make you tell me, and then we'll really have some
fun.

CASE DISMISSED

Finally, her delayed court hearing arrived. Beth was nervous about going before a judge, but Jon assured her that it was an open-and-shut case—especially with the signed deposition from her former boss. Even so, Jon told her that he wanted her to feel that she looked her best and insisted on buying her a nice suit from a department store. Beth had gasped when she saw the price tag, arguing that she didn't need something that expensive, but Jon bought it anyway.

“The slate-blue color looks perfect with your gray-blue eyes,” he had said.

Watching him in court that morning, Beth marveled at how intelligent and self-assured Jon appeared, talking to the judge. She tried to rise to the occasion, answering the judge's questions clearly without a hint of her old accent. It all went very quickly, and within an hour they were leaving the courthouse, her record expunged as if she had never been arrested at all. Outside on the steps, Beth gave Jon a great, big kiss, thanking him over and over for his help. She felt free, light as air, and more confident about the future than she had been in a long time.

Jon seemed almost as happy as she was and wanted to take her out to lunch to celebrate. But once they were seated in the restaurant, he became subdued, quiet, and serious—the opposite of the confident man she'd watched in court only a short while ago. He seemed preoccupied about something. Beth wondered what was wrong and decided to ask about it after they'd ordered.

However, Jon beat her to it. Reaching across the table, he took her hands in his and said, “I'm so proud of you and everything you're doing to change your life. Now that your case is resolved, I was thinking we should talk about your living situation.”

He paused then, looking almost nervous, and Beth's stomach clenched painfully.
Of
course!
she thought.
Now
that
I'm free, he wants me to move out… It was just supposed to be a temporary arrangement.
She felt sick inside, miserable. She had never planned to get so comfortable in his place and now felt…

“Beth! Did you hear me?”

She sucked in a breath and focused on Jon. “I'll start packing—”

“Beth, listen to me! All I was saying is that we never really spelled out what would happen next. I was wondering if…now that you're a free woman with a decent job and money saved, maybe…maybe you would want to move into your own place.” He squeezed her hands gently. “Will you consider living with me? I mean, we're practically doing that already, but why not make it more official, formal? It would become
our
apartment.”

Beth was deeply moved—she wanted that more than anything, but…

“I…umm…there are issues. I don't—”

“Beth, please stay with me. I don't want to lose you.”

“I don't want to lose you either. It's just that if we're sharing the apartment, then I should pay half the expenses. But I know without even asking that I can't afford half the rent on your place, not on my wages.”

Beth paused and Jon looked happy. “It doesn't matter,” he responded ebulliently. “I wasn't planning to ask you to pay any of the rent. I don't need your money. I just want you to be my girlfriend and stay with me.”

She held up her hand to stop him from saying anything more. “That's generous, and I'd like to be your girlfriend…
very
much
! But I don't want to feel like your charity case…not anymore. I want to be an equal partner in our relationship. This matters to me.”

“I understand. Maybe we could each pay an amount proportionate to our income. Or…oh, I don't know, we'll think of something.” Jon looked eager, hopeful, and Beth wanted what he was offering so very much.

“Well…if you'll let me at least pay some rent, proportional as you said, and also continue to do most of the cooking and cleaning as the other half of my contribution, then I think I would like that.”

“It
really
isn't necessary. I would rather you save as much money for college as you can.”

“This is the only way I'll agree to stay. My newfound self-worth demands it.”

“Okay, but I have one caveat. I get to help out a little with the chores. Wash dishes after you make one of your fabulous meals. Certainly take back doing my laundry. I want a girlfriend, not a household slave.”

“I think that sounds fair. So, do we have a deal?”

Jon nodded enthusiastically.

Beth could hardly believe she'd won a round of negotiations…with a lawyer! “Then yes! I would love to stay with you!”

Jon grinned at her. “You drive a hard bargain.”

Beth grinned back, then stuck her hand out and gave him an extra-firm handshake. She would hold him to their agreement.

While they finished their lunch, Jon told her how impressed he was that she had stood her ground. “It's like you're changing right before my eyes into a woman who's motivated, confident, and self-reliant.”

“I owe it all to you,” she said.

“No, you don't. You've done all the hard work.” He smiled at her tenderly. “But I like to think that maybe I played a tiny part in helping with your transformation. Now that you're going to be a bona fide college student, do you have any idea what you'd like to study?”

“I have to take a lot of basic classes, but I think I might like to eventually transfer to a university for film studies, maybe marketing movies. I'm twenty-seven years old, but I feel like my life is just beginning. It's so exciting!”

So began several months of bliss for the new couple. Days filled with work and studying, and nights with passionate sex. The day for her GED came and went. Beth felt confident that she had passed, but waiting for the online results was nerve-racking. Jon helped distract her with a long walk and sex…lots of sex!

MOTION BY DEFENDANT

“That was incredible.” Jon kissed Beth's shoulder before pulling back a little. They lay snuggled together on the bed. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“After that amazing sex…you could ask me anything,” Beth purred. She rolled over to face him, smiling.

“It's nothing really, but a few weeks ago, when I took you out to Geoffrey's restaurant for your belated birthday, well…I went to kiss you and you pulled away. I was just wondering about that.”

“It was stupid, really. Not anything that matters now.”

“I've wondered if I did something wrong that night.”

“No. You were wonderful. I felt like Cinderella at the ball at that fancy restaurant, and I love the present you gave me.”

“Well then?”

Beth hesitated but finally replied, “It's just me. Not you. I know that now, but I was liking it too much that night. I didn't think it could last. Don't get me wrong. I love living with you, but you're so far above me and I'm just a hick from the sticks. I mean, how many long-term girlfriends really come from a jail cell?”

“No, you're wrong. I don't think any less of you for where you came from or the fact that I met you in a jail. I care about you, just
you
, not your background.”

“I feel like I've managed to climb out of a hole, a dirt-poor hole. That feels really good, but I'll always be playing catch-up with you. You're so educated and—”

“Beth! There's no catching up. We're equals already. At the same time, I'm deeply impressed with how hard you're working to improve your life, and I'm thrilled that you're in mine.” Jon pulled her closer to nestle in the crook of his arm, watching her expression carefully. “Do you believe me?”

“Yes, I think I do,” she said quietly. She raised her hand to his face and gently traced one finger along his jawline. It felt wonderful, as it always did, when she touched him. “I'm glad you like seeing me climb, 'cause I'm going to keep climbing until we're truly eye to eye. So you'd better get used to the new, improved me.”

“Thank you for telling me your concerns, Beth, but really it's a nonissue.” Jon squeezed her tighter to him, loving the warm feel of her body aligned with his. “You're perfect already.”

Sounding utterly upbeat now, Beth announced, “Okay, since I told you my deepest darkest secret, now it's time for you to share yours.”

“Sure. I'm an open book.”

“Uh-huh.” Beth kissed him on the cheek. “I've seen you in court, remember. I know you can twist words with the best of 'em.”

“No, really. Ask me anything.”

“Well, I still want to know about your fantasy…the one you wouldn't tell me about before.”

“Oh, that. It's not important.”

“No way!” Beth laughed, punching him playfully in the shoulder. “You didn't let me off the hook, so…”

Jon studied Beth, trying to see if she really wanted all the gory details, trying to guess if she'd be offended. “I already told you that all guys fantasize about a woman willing to do anything they want in bed. It's just how we're wired.”

“Yes. But I want specifics.”

“In truth, it's all that warden's fault…the one from the Hollywood jail. He's to blame for my salacious, libidinous fantasies about you.”

Beth laughed. “How exactly is it the warden's fault?”

“I already felt that connection of ours, was drawn to you almost the minute our eyes met. You felt it too?”

Beth nodded. “But what—”

“When he said that thing about you paying for the legal fees with in-kind services, well…I just couldn't help it. Suddenly it was all I could think…” Jon broke off, hoping she'd let it go. “You really don't want to hear this.”

“But I do. You may not believe it, but hearing about your fantasies turns me on. And if you tell me all about them, I'll let you play with my body and you'll see how excited they make me.”

“I like the sound of that.” Jon leaned down and kissed Beth on her nose, just a little peck, while the back of his hand grazed across her naked breast, watching her nipple pucker. “Why don't we just skip to the playing-with-your-body part?”

“No you don't!” Beth bounced up in the bed and wiggled away from him.

“You really want to hear this stuff?” He wished Beth would just let it go, but she nodded again.

“So, after the idea was planted in my head it was very hard to dislodge, and on occasion—not anymore, of course, but back then—I sometimes imagined what it would be like if you were my high-class escort for a night.”

“Mmm.” Beth wiggled back, rubbing a breast against his arm and emboldening him.

“You would look amazing as you always do, maybe meet me at a hotel, and then be at my beck and call to do anything I asked.”

“So…I'd be your ‘beck and call' girl?” They both chuckled at that. Beth ran her hand playfully along his arm and on down until it landed on his dick.

“Tell me more. Be specific,” she purred.

“Well, I pictured you doing a lap dance, since I've never had one before, and you'd go down on me, of course.”

“Of course. What else?”

“You know, the specifics don't really matter. We do most of that already. It's more the idea that I could tell you what I wanted you to do, and you'd be obliged to perform those services for me. It's also the idea… This is going to sound so lame…”

“Please tell me.” Beth was moving her whole body against him now, and it felt so good, distracting him with erotic sensation. Her hand on his dick squeezed slightly, and Jon moaned.

“The other part of the hooker fantasy is that the woman does all the work while the guy just gets to lie there and enjoy it. That's the real kick that men find hot. It's not something I'd want all the time, but…”

“But it's something you'd like from me once in a while?” Beth whispered, and Jon nodded. “Okay then, tell me how you want me to start.”

“Pleasure me. All over my body. You can start by kissing me,” Jon replied with smug, pleased anticipation.

And Beth did, just not where he expected it.

Shutting his eyes, Jon let himself enjoy the delicious sensation of her warm, wet mouth sliding onto his hardening cock.

Then, after a few moments, he popped a single eye open and teased. “So! Are you turned on now? 'Cause I'm expecting you to show me just how excited my secret made you.”

With a surprised look on her face, Beth popped up and his dick fell from her mouth. Then her expression altered slightly. Jon couldn't tell for sure what it was, except somehow Beth managed to look seductive and mischievous at the same time.

Then she murmured, “I am quite excited, actually, but, Jon, you never asked me about
my
dirty, naughty fantasies.”

“Oh yes. Tell me all about them.” His interest spiked as Jon admired the poised, sexy woman before him.

“No, I don't think I will. I'd rather show you.”

Beth rapidly climbed up on top of Jon, straddling him, and, before he realized what she was planning, she started tickling him. She already knew his most sensitive places, and her fingers teased mercilessly until Jon bucked and laughed, crying out, “Stop, stop! You win.”

“Mmmm. I don't think so.” Beth's hands continued to play about his body. Jon twitched and jerked, laughing, out of control, but he held his arms down firmly at his sides.

“This is
not
what I meant,” he managed between chortles, “when I asked you to pleasure my whole body.”

“I know, but it's so much more fun!”

Jon knew without a doubt that he could roll Beth off him and end the torture instantly, but he adored the happy, confident look on her face. It was sexier than any playacting, but he wondered how long he could last. Her tormenting fingers were making him pant. His physical restraint in letting Beth have her way with him was making his body shudder even as his heart warmed with pleasure for the woman sitting on him and laughing so delightedly.

Beth really did know all his secrets, Jon thought, chucking silently, but he knew hers too. With that last thought, he prepared to flip her and start some torture of his own.