Stay With Me (24 page)

“What’s that?”  My stare stays locked on him, unable to look anywhere else except into those baby blues.

“Will you promise to listen to me before you believe everything you hear?  Frankie told you mostly truths, but he didn’t tell you everything.  And if you have any kind of trust in me, you will come to me first before you run off.”  His voice is strained and quiet.  

I take his soapy hand into mine and run my wet fingertips across his knuckles.  “I swear.  I won’t run again, regardless of what I hear or what you tell me.  I’m in this for the long haul, baby.”  

Suddenly, his hands fly out of the water and into my hair, pulling my mouth to his.  His tongue demands my lips to part, and I gladly accept.  Our bodies almost slam together in a frenzy of unbridled need and want for each other.  Soap and water get everywhere, but I really don’t much attention.  I practically drag him back to my room by his shirt collar, never once letting his lips leave mine.  I nudge him in and shut the door with my foot, then clumsily locking it.  

“Clothes off. Now,” I demand as my hands run over his hard abs.  

“Yes ma’am,” he says as he makes quick work of taking off his shirt, exposing his chest.  I just want to run my tongue across those pecs.

“Since you’re not moving fast enough, I’ll get rid of these,” I growl, yanking his shorts down, taking his boxers briefs with them.  He groans loudly, his erection already apparent by the time I stand back up.  With the exact same intensity, he pulls off my shirt and unhooks my bra in one swift movement.  I shimmy out of my shorts and panties, with Donovan’s help.

Finally, we standing in front of each other, naked, and I can’t take it anymore.  I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist, feeling his dick rub the outside of my folds and it makes me moan.  His lips are back on mine in a heartbeat, grazing his teeth over my bottom lip.  I grind my hips against him, begging him to make love to me.  I feel him turn around, then lays me on the bed.  I pull him down to me and feel his flesh against mine, and it’s still not close enough for me.

“I love you,” I whisper in his ear, then I lightly kiss his neck, causing him to quiver.  I feel goosebumps rise on his skin, and I’m not sure if it’s from my actions or my words right now.

“I love you, too, Allie.  You have no idea just how much,” he whispers back, just as he slowly enters me.  I don’t think I could ever get my feel of this man.  My head rolls back and my eyes close.  “Look at me, baby,”  I open my eyes and his gaze is zoned in on me, making feel even more exposed than I already am.  But with him, that’s not a bad thing.  I want him to be able to do that to me.  This is as real as it gets.

Our eyes don’t leave each other as he starts to build his speed, until he starts pounding into me.  We started by making love, but now it’s just hard core at this point.  He grabs my hips, then suddenly flips onto his back, with me on top.  I don’t even know how he did that, but he did.

“I love watching you.”  He bucks his pelvis up and fills me even more.  I steady myself by holding onto his thighs and I slide all the way down on him, then pull back.  He tries to bring me down all the way with him, but I hold back, trying to tease him.

He sits up and places his hands on my shoulders, pressing me all the way down, filling me with the entire length of his dick and I have to bite my lip to keep quiet.  He holds me there for a few seconds, then I pull back up.  In return, I slam back on to him and make him cry out.  My rhythm picks up and I ride him until I’m on the brink of orgasm.  He feels my body start to convulse, so he pushes me down again and I tighten my muscles around him as my body lets go of all the pent up pressure.  Just as I finish riding out the tidal wave of pleasure, he releases as well.  Once he finishes throbbing, we both fall back on the bed, while he’s still inside me.

“Why do you have to make sex so good?  You make me addicted to you.” He smiles, then kisses the side of my head.  I lean into his kiss.

“I learned from the best.”  My heart is still trying to slow its rate.  I rest my head against his neck.

“Well, you are the best I’ve ever had.  Best girlfriend, best lover, best friend.  I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

“You certainly have a way with words.”

“Only the truth, babe. Only the truth,” he whispers.  I turn my head towards him and I plant a loud, wet kiss on his lips.

“I think I’ll keep you.”  I lift myself up and roll over to lay beside him.  “Come on, love.  We should get dressed.  We have to go back home today, and I want to spend as much time as I can with Jackson.”

“Good idea.  I think the little guy likes me.” He has that same smile on his face from lunch. He starts looking for his shirt and pants.  

“I think you’re right.  He doesn’t pray for just anyone at the table.” I wink at my man as I slip on my clothes.  “I threw your pants over there in a fit of passion.”  I giggle as he almost trips over the rug on my hardwood floor.

He laughs, too.  “Think you’re funny, huh?” He regains his balance and sweeps me up into his arms.  I shriek, then burst into laughter.

“You dick!”

“I thought you liked that part about me.” He winks, then kisses the tip of my nose.

“Oh, baby.  You have no idea.  Now, come on.  Let’s go outside and play tug of war with Jackson.”

I almost forgot.  “I need to tell you and your sister something.  Adam hit on me at the wedding.”

Donovan shakes his head.  “They broke up because he hit on our cousin.  I told her he was a douchebag.  Now that just validates it.”

I believe a sigh of relief.  Well, thank God that was easy.  I’ll have to call Megan about this later, but right now, I just want to enjoy this day with my two favorite guys.

We walk hand in hand out to the front yard, where Mom still has my son pulling weeds, and he seems to be enjoying himself.  Donovan runs over to him and starts helping.  As I stand here and watch those two, my heart increases in size and my love just doubled for both those boys.  I know deep down that Donovan and I will be just fine, that we will make it through the toughest of times.  He stole my heart like a thief in the night and I don’t ever want it back.  

“I got to grab my sunglasses out of the car, Mom.”  I trot over to Mom’s Maxima and open the passenger door.  When I look down, I see my diamond pendant that I left on Donovan’s dresser back in Savannah.  I scoop it up and put it on.  I run my fingertips over the tiny diamond, and I’m reminded again how much that man loves me.  I also grab my glasses, shut the door and walk over to the boys.

“Hey, you guys needs some help?”  I smile probably the biggest smile I’ve ever had on my face and plop down in between them.  

“I see you found my little surprise.” Donovan grins as he kisses me on the cheek.

I think to myself,
“This couldn’t be anymore perfect than it is right now.”
 

Chapter 33

Claire

“Mr. Grady, are you telling me and this jury that you quote, “mistaken Mrs. Dubois” for another woman?” Judge Hawthorne glares directly at the quivering mess that is Russell Grady.  I have to try to hide my shit eating grin.  

“Yes, your honor.  I must have mistaken her for someone else.  The lady that bought the arsenic from me looked a lot like her, but it wasn’t Claire Dubois.  That I am absolutely sure of.” He twists his hands in his lap and his cheeks are as red as his hair.  All I can picture is that face he was making in the “blackmail” photo with Mr. Leather Chaps and himself.

“But you had the video from your store. Didn’t you state in the last case that you were sure it was the defendant?” My lawyer was staring him down.

“It’s impossible to tell.  Looking back on the clip, the woman that came in was wearing dark sunglasses and a wig.  I know it looks like Mrs. Dubois, but I am positive now that it is not her.  And it didn’t help that I was a big fan of Atlanta Society, so maybe I just thought it was her.”  

Well played, Grady.  Well played.

“
No further questions, your honor.”  

“Does the prosecution have any more questions?” the judge asks the tall, skinny idiot, standing to the right of me.

“No, your honor.”  He looks defeated.  
Good.
 

“Mr. Grady, you may step down.” The closet freak timidly stands and finds his way over to his portly wife, who immediately takes his hand.

Stupid bitch.  You have no idea how your man really likes it.

“Will the defense please make their closing argument?” The judge glances our way.

“Since the video has only has picture and no sound, there is no way to see if the voice belongs to Claire Dubois.  The lady on the screen is obviously disguised, so there is no way of telling who it is.  So, my client’s conviction
must
be overturned.”  David, my overweight, “heart attack waiting to happen” lawyer paces in front of the jury.  “Beyond a reasonable doubt, ladies and gentlemen.  Remember that when you are making your decision on my client’s fate.”  He turns on his heel and walks back to our table.

I give the most innocent face I can possibly give, looking each and every one of the jurors in the eye, knowing my fate is in their hands.  I don’t even hear what the prosecutor says for his closing argument. I just know that this case has only taken a couple of days, but still too long for me. I just make sure I have tears in my eyes.  I play the part to a tee, and I can even see one of the female jurors tearing up.

Jackpot.

The judge dismisses the jurors to deliberate and we all stand as they leave the room.  I wipe my eyes, very obviously, as to make sure they get a good look at me and notice the distress I’m in.  The guard comes to handcuff me and take me back to my cell until a decision has been made.  

I look over to David and smile.  “I sure hope you’re worth the money I’m paying you for.  Because if you get me off, I will reward you handsomely.”

His eyes shoot up.  “Well, Claire, then I hope I do you the justice you so richly deserve.”

“You better hope so.”  I leave that hanging in the air for him and I see his Adam’s apple move up, then down.  Yep, he’s scared of me.  As he should be, because if I don’t have my verdict overturned, Fatty McFatback will never be heard from again.

The guard leads me back to the court’s holding cell as I await the jurors decision.  “Good luck, Claire.” he says as he uncuffs me.  I rub my wrists and look at him.  “Make sure you look me up when you’re out.”  He winks one of his brown eyes at me, so I flirt right back.  
Why not?
 

“Sure thing,” I read his name badge. “Richard.  I’ll be sure to do just that.  Maybe I can show you a good time then.”  I have no intentions of doing so, but it’s fun to screw with his head.  His shiny, bald head turns as red as his face and I grin.  “Well, see you then, Richard.”  I go to lay down on my rock hard bed.  I hope I don’t have to wait too long.  I hate waiting.

When I wake up, my cell door is opening.  David is sitting there.  “Claire, it’s time.  They’ve come to a decision.”

“Wow, already?”  That was really fast.  I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.  I slowly stand and crack my back.  Damn, I miss my king size, goose down bed.  The first time I screwed Donovan’s brains out was in that bed.  I smile to myself.  “Let’s get this show on the road.”

I’m escorted back to the courtroom.  I’m still angry the judge said no cameras or reporters.  I love attention, good or bad.  The people either love to hate me or hate to love me.  I remain standing while the judge and jurors file in.  I turn on the waterworks again, but this time, it’s real.  I am so nervous right now, I feel like the crappy bologna sandwich they fed me at lunch might come up.

At least the judge gets on with it.  “What decision has the jurors come to?”

One of the men stands, visibly shaking and unfolds a piece of paper.  That piece of paper contains my fate.

“We, the jury, find the defendant, Claire Marissa Berkley Dubois, not guilty of first degree murder.”

I wanted to scream out loud!  I can’t believe it, it’s been overturned!  The funny thing is, it’s true.  That woman wasn’t me in the store, buying that poison.  Not saying I didn’t play a hand in killing my husband, but it wasn’t me.  I didn’t ever hear the rest of the statement from the jury.  I just know I want to kiss each and everyone of them.  

“Mrs. Dubois, you are free to go.  You can collect your items, a fresh change of clothes and make a phone call at the front desk.  

“Yes, thank you, your honor.”  Tears are spilling out of my eyes.  I’m free, after four years of being locked up like a caged animal.  Finally, I can go back to and live the way that I deserve.

I am driven over to the jail by a state trooper so I can grab what little belongings I have there.  There’s not much; a couple of drawings I did, a book or two, and my picture of Donovan that I kept on my wall for all those years.  I take my things and head up to the front to make my phone call.

I dial the number and it only takes one ring.

“So, are you a free woman?”

“Yes, I am!” I practically scream into the phone.  “Can you come get me?”

“Of course, hold tight.  I was in the area, waiting for your phone call.”