“But you have to win,” I protested.
“I have to do my best. And I have a plan.”
“Shouldn’t you be working on it?”
“Are you trying to get out of sex?”
“Would I do something stupid like that?”
“You sure you don’t want me to work?”
“Will you kiss me or not?”
“In front of our son?”
I turned to him, my voice barely a whisper. “Is that how you really feel?”
He stroked my cheek. “You already know that.”
“I want that for him, but I don’t want you to feel obligated.”
“Little dude is my buddy.” His gaze was fond as he looked over at Blake.
“That’s different than a child,” I said quietly.
“I’m going to take care of both of you,” he promised. “And you’re going to take care of me.”
“Not until he’s asleep.” I winked, and he kissed my nose.
“Bedtime.” He moved to get up, but I stopped him.
“One day—I’m not ready yet—I want to marry you.”
He dropped back onto his rear and stared at me. “Did you get me a ring?”
I slapped at his chest when he flashed me a mischievous grin. “I will with your money.”
“Fine with me.” He stood and scooped me off the floor. “Can you be ready soon?”
“I don’t know,” I said honestly.
“That thought was already in my head, Wicked. You just gave it wings.”
“I’m in so much trouble.”
“Which is exactly where you want to be.”
Chapter Sixty-Five
Patrick
“How do I look?”
Marlow stepped to the side after smoothing my tie one last time. Instead of looking in the mirror, my eyes followed her.
“I can’t believe you’re so damn superstitious. I like the red tie better.”
“But this is my lucky tie.”
“And suit. And socks. And music. And underwear—”
“I’m not wearing underwear.” But she was right about the rest of it. Besides “Amen (Pre Fight Prayer)” was the perfect song to get my mind focused.
She groaned. “Next you’re going to tell me I have to suck you off before court as part of your ritual.”
I snagged her by the waist and pulled her flush against me. “I like the way you think.”
My mouth found hers. I slipped my tongue between her lips, and she melted. “You’re going to be late,” she mumbled as she fisted the lapels of my jacket.
“Then you’d better get on your knees.”
She shoved at my chest. “That’s not supposed to turn me on.”
I grinned. “But you like that it did.”
“Hurry up and lock this case down so you can get home.”
“Miss me already?” I closed the distance she’d put between us.
“Shut up, and go away.”
“Love you too.” I kissed the tip of her nose. “If you need me, call Gerard. He’ll come to the courtroom with a message.”
“Shouldn’t he be in there with you?”
I shrugged. “Probably.”
“Why aren’t you worried about this case?”
“I don’t think I can win.” It was weird to speak those words aloud, but cathartic at once.
“If he’s guilty, I hope you don’t.”
I smoothed the crease in her forehead with my thumb. “I never have to worry if you’re being honest with me.”
Her nose wrinkled. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Not at all.” I pressed my erection into her stomach.
“You have to go.” She shoved at me again, this time half-heartedly.
“Give me a kiss, and I’ll be out of your hair.” I pointed to my lips.
She brushed mine chastely. “Hurry back and you’ll get a better one.”
“Damn you play hard ball.”
“Dude!”
I snickered at Blake, who crawled toward the edge of the bed. In a panic, I rushed over to stop him.
“Whoa there, little dude.” I placed him back in the center of the mattress. “Can’t have you falling off the bed.” He gave me a goofy grin, and I ruffled his hair. “Love you.”
“Love,” he shouted back, and I lit from the inside.
“Once this trial is over, it’s you and me again.”
“He’s going to work at the garage.” Marlow bumped me with her hip.
“Part-time.”
She straightened my jacket. “We’ll see.” With a wink, she pushed me toward the door. “If you get frustrated today, think about me on my knees, with that beautiful cock of yours in my mouth.”
It pulsed in response. I shook my finger at her. “You’re wicked.”
“So I’ve been told.”
The courtroom was packed. This wasn’t my most high-profile case, but it was close.
“Stop wiggling your foot,” I hissed, nudging Abraham in the arm.
He halted. “You won’t win. You’ve been in jail,” he hissed back.
“I tried to arrange for a cell next to yours so we could talk, but . . .” I shrugged in a whattaya gonna do gesture.
He glared. “You’re out, and I’m not.”
“Just breathe. And be honest.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Are you sure there’s nothing else you want to tell me?”
“All rise,” the bailiff boomed as the judge entered the courtroom, effectively cutting off my question.
I’d never pled a case to her before, and if the way her eyes remained on Abraham were an indication of how this would go, it wasn’t in our favor. Nobody liked people who hurt children. Even if he hadn’t, we’d yet to prove his innocence, and sometimes that was enough to convict.
She’d just begun her soliloquy of the expectations of her courtroom when Gerard slid me a note. That earned a dirty look from the judge, but my pulse kicked up a notch. What if something was wrong with Marlow? Blake? Gummy?
I unfolded the paper.
Where do I deliver the girl?
I recognized the handwriting as Duke’s. I whipped around, but he was nowhere to be seen. He’d found Dara? I fought the urge to fist pump. She wasn’t dead. And I’d won again.
“He’s outside,” Gerard whispered.
“Bring her in,” I whispered back.
“Counselor Whitley, is there something more important than this trial?”
A titter went across the courtroom. I steeled myself before I turned back around.
“No, your honor.” I smoothed a pleasant expression on my face.
She scowled. “Is it all right with you if I continue?”
“By all means, your honor.”
Abraham slumped in the chair when she droned on. In his mind, we’d already lost. Me pissing off the judge hadn’t helped his confidence.
She
