chapter 41
Jaxon
THERE IS NO CAMERA footage showing my client making inappropriate advances,” I tell the judge. “It’s Mr. Dyson’s word against hers. I don’t see why we’re wasting any more of the court’s time when it’s clear the prosecution doesn’t have any hard evidence of his claims, Your Honor.”
“Ms. Beetle is known for making unwanted advanced on her coworkers,” the prosecutor argues. “This is not the first time she’s been accused, it’s just the first time someone has taken such claims to criminal court.”
“Again,” I say, putting my hands in front of me. “I’d like to see the evidence of these claims.”
I hate the fact that Sharon probably did make untoward advances on this poor man. Sometimes my job fucking sucks.
“Your Honor, due to the prosecution’s lack of evidence, I’d like to motion the court to dismiss all charges against Ms. Beetle.”
I WALK OUT OF the courtroom, thrill filling me as my client walks away with the charges dropped. With no real evidence, it was a he said–she said case. And not only that, now I’ll never have to see Ms. Sharon Beetle ever again.
Thank fuck for that.
Tonight is cause for celebration.
I walk Sharon to her car. “Good luck, Ms. Beetle,” I tell her, nodding at her, then making a clean exit to my own car.
She’s not happy.
The judge agreed to drop the charges, but he mandated that she has to attend a sexual harassment in the workplace class. And she doesn’t want to do it. Still, she should be happy we didn’t go to trial. It’s clear she has a problem with thinking any man is available to her. If she were a man, she wouldn’t be getting off so lightly.
“Mr. Bentley, wait,” she calls out, running to me and grabbing my arm. “Are you sure you can’t get me out of the classes?”
I gently push her hands off me. “I’m sure. This was the best outcome.”
“Well, the best outcome would be that I walk out of here with the issue over and done with, not having to attend some stupid class. You could’ve tried harder, especially after that kiss we shared,” she says, clearly trying to push me to the point of needing my own criminal lawyer when I kill her myself.
“You kissed me,” I tell her. “And it was unreciprocated, and very unprofessional on your behalf, Ms. Beetle, especially considering the fact that you needed me to defend you because of a sexual assault claim.”
She puts on a sad face. “I’m sorry, it just seems that I’ve stumbled across some feelings for you. I know it was unprofessional, but I’m not your client anymore. So maybe—”
I cut her off. “I’m taken, Ms. Beetle. And very much in love with my girlfriend. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of men interested, but I’m afraid I’m not one of them.”
I say good-bye once more and get into my car, grabbing on to the steering wheel in a tight grip, knuckles going white. I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a woman so much in my life. She’s nothing but a spoiled woman who has been told she’s much more special than she actually is.
When I walk back into my office, Hunter sticks his head in and asks, “Can we make the strip-club trip a weekly event? I had a great time. I stayed after you left, and it was such a good night.”
“No,” I reply instantly.
“A monthly event?” he barters, looking hopeful.
“You can go as much as you like, Hunter, but I won’t be joining you,” I tell him, smirking. “It was a one-off event.”
Although you never know with Scarlett. I’m sure if Gwen dances again, we’ll be back.
“Is Gwen single?” he asks, flashing his teeth as he grins. “I should ask her out.”
“You can try,” I reply, laughing. “Good luck, man.”
“Whatever, women love me,” he states with confidence. “Gwen will too.”
I laugh harder.
“Fine,” he scowls. “Well, I’m off to win the hot mom her husband’s money.”
I chuckle to myself as he leaves, then close my briefcase. Scarlett is off today, and I’m going to leave early to spend some time with my woman.
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate getting rid of the hag.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING home so early?” Scarlett asks, running and jumping into my arms with a huge smile on her face. She’s dressed in all blue and looks ethereal, like an angel running to me.
“Won the case,” I tell her in between kisses. “I came home after that, no point hanging around the office.”
“Congratulations,” she says, placing her hand on my chest. “I knew you would. And now you don’t have to deal with her anymore, right?”
“Nope. And if she needs a lawyer again, I’m not going to do it. She can find someone else. No amount of money is worth putting up with that for,” I say, cringing. “I’m so happy it’s over with.”
“Me too,” she admits. “You worked so hard on that case, too. I hope you can take a little break or something; you work too much. Which reminds me,” she adds. “I forgot to tell you that my leave was approved,” she says, excitement bubbling in her gaze. “So I guess we’re officially heading overseas.”
We share a grin. “That’s perfect. I’ll call the travel agent and get everything organized. We need to look at accommodation and everything too. We’re going to have such a good time.”
“I know,” she breathes, “I cannot wait. Is it too early to start packing now?”
“A month early?” I tease, then consider it. “Depends, are you a light packer or a heavy one?”
“I guess you’ll have to wait and find out.” She smirks, taking my hand and leading me to the couch. I sit down and she straddles me, her hands on my cheeks. “I was just about to head back to my house to do some gardening and bake something, but now that you’re here what do you want to do?”
I kiss her lips, then say against them. “I was kind of hoping we could go out and celebrate.”
“Of course we can. What would you like to do? You name it, and we’ll do it,” she says, always wanting to make me happy. Fuck, I’m so lucky. I’ve found a truly warm, supportive woman. She never nags me, or makes my day more stressful. And I make sure to do the same back to her, to be there for her in any way she needs me. A relationship is definitely a two-way street, and one that requires effort on both sides. I know it’s not always going to be easy, but she’s just so easy to love that everything comes naturally. Nothing about us is forced, and nothing about how I feel for her was rushed. We happened because we’re meant to be together. Because no one can love her like I can, and no one can be to me what she is.
“How about a day at the beach?” I suggest. “It’s been a while since I’ve surfed, or gone swimming.”
“That sounds perfect,” she replies, sliding off me. “I’ll get ready. Should I pack some food? Like a picnic or something?”
“That sounds nice, but we can get something if you don’t want to,” I tell her.
She waves her hand in the air. “It’s no problem, it’ll only take me a few minutes to sort out. I’ll make us a fruit platter, cheese, crackers, cold cuts, and wine.”
She gives me a smile, then rushes off to get everything done.
I shake my head, then head to my room to get changed.
A day in the water is just what the doctor ordered.
My mouth drops open when Scarlett walks out in a rustic orange triangle bikini. “That’s what you’re wearing?” I ask, completely distracted by the sight before me.
“Yeah, why?” she asks, looking down at herself. She runs her hand down her stomach. “Does it look okay?”
She spins around, and I see that while the bottom isn’t a G-string, it also shows a lot of cheek.
“Are you bringing something to wrap around yourself?” I probe, wondering if she’s trying to get me into a fight today.
“Yeah, of course,” she says, sounding like I’m being silly. I then watch as she slides on a see-through cover-up thing that doesn’t actually cover anything, and still shows off the round globes of her ass.
“Ummmm,” I murmur, not knowing how to approach this exactly.
“I’m ready,” she says, carrying the picnic basket. She slides her feet into a pair of flip-flops, and places a wide-brim hat on her head. So everything is covered, except her ass, apparently.
“Scarlett,” I say slowly, clearing my throat.
“Yeah?” she asks, distracted, grabbing her towel. I step to her and take the basket and towel from her, so she doesn’t have to carry anything. “I can see your ass. I mean, it’s a very nice one—don’t get me wrong. In fact, it’s making me want to skip the beach and drag you into the bedroom, but I’d kind of like to not have to share that ass with the beach’s male population.”
She points to my bare chest. “So you get to flash your six-pack to all the women but I can’t show a little curve of booty?”
“Women aren’t going to be looking at me,” I try to defend.
Her expression remains unimpressed, like she doesn’t believe that one bit. “No one is going to look at me either.”
“Fine.” I sigh, placing my hand on the small of her back. “You walk in front.”
“Why?” she asks, looking suspicious.
“Because I hate to see you go, but I like to watch you leave,” I tease, giving her ass a little, playful slap.
“Jaxon.” She laughs, stepping in front of me, and exaggeratedly swinging her hips.
I grit my teeth as her ass jiggles, kind of wishing we weren’t going anywhere now. We could have done a different type of celebrating at home, but I think that’s going to have to wait a few hours now.
Lucky her company is just as incredible as the sex.