Page 4 of Stuck with You

The judge sighed deeply like my lack of legal representation was the thing that would ruin his entire day.

“Anyone know whose turn it is to be assigned a public defender case?”

“We’ll have to pull someone, your honor,” the attorney representing the town called back. “It could be a couple of days to find someone who’s available.”

“A couple of days?” I repeated in horror. “I need to go to work!”

I’d just started a plumbing apprentice program, my key to leaving the grind of low paying service jobs. I couldn’t miss a day or they’d kick me out. And there was no way I could afford bail money. I’d just put down a deposit on a new apartment.

Next to me Taylor had a silent conversation with her attorney Brandon, who I’d learned was also her cousin.

“I will represent Miss West, your honor,” the attorney announced. “Whatever we can do to get this wrapped up so my client can be on her way.”

“I don’t have any money to pay you right now,” I whispered, my face flaming with embarrassment.

Taylor sighed deeply.

“I’ll cover it, but you’d better pay me back.” Her expression turned stern and I dropped my gaze to my feet, unable to meet her eyes. “If you stiff me, you won’t like your punishment.”

For some reason the word punishment made my mind go to someplace very, very dirty.

“Thank you,” I mumbled. “I promise I’ll pay you back.”

“Like either of you is going to pay me,” Brandon mumbled under his breath.

Twenty minutes later we were walking out of the courtroom, free women. Since it was a first offense for both of us, we’d accepted a plea deal to do forty hours of community service over the next five Saturdays. Brandon assured us that we were getting a good deal, especially since those bouncers we’d fought off were both off-duty cops. Cops didn’t take broken noses and smashed balls lightly, he reminded us. Neither of us was thrilled to spend five weekends picking up trash, but it sure beat spending more time in jail.

As we exited the building that housed the jail and courtrooms I realized that I had no idea where I was.

“Um, I’m sorry to ask for another favor, but can one of you drop me off near a bus? I took an Uber out here, but I don’t want to spend any more money.”

Brandon and Taylor exchanged a look.

“Where do you live?” she asked.

“Tukwila.”

“I don’t live too far from you, I’ll give you a ride,” Taylor said in a voice that clearly indicated that she was not thrilled about it.

Brandon drove us back to the scene of the crime to pick up Taylor’s car. It was a newer model Honda Accord, dark red with black seats.

We were quiet most of the drive back to Tukwila, but the longer we were in the car, the weirder the vibe became. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was kind of an electric tension buzzing between us. For some reason, I was feeling the strangest urge to crawl into Taylor’s lap and wrap my arms around her waist.

When we finally turned onto my street, I couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

“Thanks for the ride,” I said hurriedly as Taylor pulled into an open spot in front of my building and put the car in park. “And the attorney. And for trying to come to my rescue. And letting me share the cot. And…”

My words trailed off as Taylor grabbed my shoulders and pulled me towards her. When she pressed her lips against mine I gasped, and she used the opportunity to slide her tongue into my mouth.

I’d never kissed a woman before. Never considered kissing a woman before. But this was… nice. Exciting.

Taylor’s kiss started off as a gentle exploration but quickly deepened into something hot and claiming. She dominated my mouth, her fingers digging almost painfully into my shoulders. I slid my hands to her waist to anchor myself, giving myself over to the kiss. I moaned against her lips as I pushed against the console that divided our seats. My heart was pumping so hard I could hear my pulse in my ears – and feel it pounding in my core.

It was crazy, but my body had never felt so alive. This turned on. This desperate.

When Taylor finally pulled away, I was panting for breath. She studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

“Why’d you stop?” I asked before I could think better of it.

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