Page 61 of Forbidden Fruit

My gaze travels south to her breast hanging out of her tank top. “Are you trying to make us late?”

“No.” She gives a dramatic sigh. “Let’s get this over with.”

The courtroom is the same as yesterday. Icy stares, questions, and anxiety linger in the air. An unexpected feeling of shame washes over me. If I hadn’t been so stubborn, I could have let it go. Who was to say he would have stopped at harassing Olivia, though? Fear dances through my veins as I consider the real possibility that Nathan may not go to jail and even if he does, he may not be there very long. What happens once he’s out? Will he have forgotten this vendetta?

Nathan’s lawyers call me to the stand and basically have me recount the semester and my relationship with Olivia. She sits unmoving, fear etched into her face. James’ fists are balled so tight that his knuckles are white. Nathan’s father sits with a smug look on his face. They cross-examine Nathan a final time. Afterwards, we’re dismissed, and at the mercy of the jury, who are set to reach a decision by two-thirty pm.

Olivia and I find our way to a local cafe and sit, staring at one another through our coffees.

“Are you scared?”

I hesitate before answering. “A little bit. I don’t want him fucking with you.”

“I don’t want him trying to stab you or worse.” She grinds her teeth.

“No more of that. We’ll be fine, Olivia.”

When two pm rolls around, we trudge our way back to the courtroom. Nathan’s father leers at us and my blood runs cold. The smirk feels like an unspoken promise to avenge his son, regardless of the outcome. I glance back to Olivia and she looks as pale as a ghost. Mia and the entire group sit tense. The juror finally stands to read the verdict and I wait with bated breath. I loosen it when they find Nathan guilty on all counts. What I was not expecting was for him to be sentenced to three years of house arrest. What a fucking joke.

My blood boils when the fucker turns around and winks at Olivia. She’s already crying. James looks murderous and Nathan’s father looks gleeful. James catches my eye across the room and shakes his head in disbelief. I nod somberly. This was an unexpected turn of events.

Hours later, Olivia crawls into bed next to me. Her hands wrap around my neck and I feel some tension from the day melt away.

“What do you think is going to happen with tenure? That vote is coming up soon.” She bites her lip anxiously.

I shrug. “I don’t know. I can’t really count on a vote from Bryne, can I?”

“No, I suppose not. Dad said you could rely on the votes of others, though.”

“I’m not really that worried about it, Olivia. I ended up getting what matters the most without even knowing what I was looking for.”

Olivia’s emerald eyes are shining in the faint light. “I feel the same way. I wasn’t expecting this. I’m scared, Tomas. I’m scared about us and about Nathan and so much, but I’m so happy I have you. Whatever happens with the vote, you have me.”

Pulling her towards me, I kiss her. Our tongues mingle as I roll onto my back and she straddles my lap. Despite our heated embrace, she yawns. She looks at me, mortified.

“I’m sorry.” She follows up her apology with another yawn.

I chuckle against her neck. “Sleep, but you’ll wish you were bored by the time I’m done with you tomorrow.”

She adjusts herself onto the pillow next to me. Within minutes, she’s out cold and snoring softly. I don’t know how soon she plans to go back, but I ache over the thought of her empty pillow already. I still have another three weeks on my suspension. Maybe she’ll stay with me until it’s over. We’ll be going away together in two weeks, but part of me wants to whisk her away now. Her and that perfect fucking cabin are the last conscious thought I have before I drift to sleep right along with her.

***

The gloomy morning filters in through the window, but the hand cupping my balls and the tongue running along the length of my shaft is what really wakes me up. Olivia straddles my leg, moaning against me as she alternates agonizing licks and sucks.

“Christ, Olivia. That mouth.” I fist her hair as she gags. Her eyes gaze up at me and she smiles when she meets mine. This wake up call isn’t doing anything to soothe me after her leaving has been on the forefront of my mind.

“I’d slow down if you want that pretty pussy fucked.” Wordlessly, she crawls up my body. She has a mischievous glint in her eye as she continues crawling past my dick and up to my mouth. Before I can comment, she flips, adjusting her mouth against my cock.

“Well, this is forward of you, Miss Hamilton.” She hums and shutters the second my tongue makes contact with her clit. I pin her against my mouth and she sinks further down, lost in the pleasure. Olivia grinds against my mouth inhibited as my fingernails dig into her outer thighs. Her pace increases as she nears her orgasm. It isn’t long before I spill down her throat and her orgasm follows suit. She collapses, her breathing shallow.

“Good morning.” She rolls over next to me.

“Sleep well?” She nods. I kiss her forehead and head to the kitchen to make our coffee. Olivia trudges out and sits at the kitchen island.

“So, I was thinking I’d stay at the apartment tonight. I want to talk to Mia.” All I can do is nod. Some time apart would be good. Just as I knew it would, this relationship of ours has turned all-consuming. I barely want her to leave the room, let alone the house.

“I can drive you over after breakfast if you want.” Her eyes follow me across the room as I toast our bagels and fry our eggs. I try to school my expression. I know I’m as gloomy as the sky at the prospect of going back to an empty house, but I don’t want her to feel like she’s responsible for my emotions. She’s nineteen. She should be with her friends more often than with me. The whole Nathan bullshit flipped that upside down.

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