Page 48 of Impending Consent

I slid a plate in front of her with eggs, turkey sausage, and fresh berries before I filled the spot next to hers. "So, what's this new evidence they've found?"

She chewed and swallowed before answering. "They're not saying, which usually means it's either bullshit or they're fishing."

"Your client's innocent?"

"Hot head but innocent," she said with absolute certainty. "Fredrick is an idiot with anger issues, but he didn't burn down that restaurant."

"Strong opinion for a lawyer."

"I'm a good lawyer because I can tell when someone's lying to me." She pointed her fork at me. "It's a gift."

"Is that why you're so confident that I'm after your money?" I challenged.

Her fork paused midway to her mouth. "I never said I was confident about that."

"Then what are you confident about when it comes to me?"

She set her fork down and turned to face me fully. "That you're stubborn as hell and have a savior complex."

I grinned. "A savior complex? That's what you think this is about?"

"Why else would you insist on making this fake marriage real? You think I need saving from myself."

"Maybe I just know what I want when I see it."

"You barely know me."

“The time I spent at your place gave me all the insight I needed. I was in and out of there and hanging around without you stressed about being guarded. You showed me who you are.”

“That still doesn’t mean you know me,” she argued.

"I know enough. You put up walls to keep people from seeing who you really are. I know you use sex as a weapon and a shield. And I know there's a woman behind all that armor who's worth getting to know."

For a moment she just stared at me, not speaking, and I could almost see the wheels turning behind those beautiful eyes. Then she stood, grabbed her plate, and the wall was back up. "We should get going. I need to shower and change."

"Sailor." I caught her wrist before she moved past me and felt her pulse quicken beneath my thumb. "Running doesn't make the truth any less true."

She pulled her hand free but didn't move. "Truth is subjective. It's all about perspective."

"And from my perspective, you're running scared."

Her eyes flashed with uncertainty. "I'm not scared of anything."

"You sure?" I stood, closing the distance between us until my body met hers. "Then why are you breathing so fast?"

"Because you're in my space."

"Or because I see you and that terrifies the fuck out of you."

I expected her to lash out and deny it but she changed the subject. "I need to get ready."

She disappeared upstairs, leaving me alone with our half-eaten breakfast and the frustration of feeling I'd pushed too far, but with Sailor, pushing was sometimes the only way to get through those walls.

I cleaned up while she showered, running through what I had to get done today. After I was done, I threw on something comfortable and pulled up my schedule while waiting on Sail. Thankfully there wasn’t anything pressing. I had the luxury of setting my own schedule and right now my priority was making this marriage feel real enough that she wouldn’t bail the minute we crossed the one-year mark.

When she came back downstairs Sailor was transformed into Attorney Addison, wearing a fitted pantsuit, makeup, and hair pulled back off her face. Her armor was back in place.

"Ready?" Her tone was stiff and businesslike but I expected this.

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