Page 10 of Attorney Privilege
“Emerson.”
“I love the way you say my name. Usually my name makes me feel old, but when you say it, it’s kind of—” I trail off.
“It’s what?” He tugs on my wrist, bringing it to his chest. The motion makes me step closer to him. So much so I can feel the warmth of his body, and I want to curl into him. “Tell me,” he encourages, his tone soft.
“It sounds kinda sexy when you say it.”
“Is that so?” A smirk plays on his lips, making me smile with him.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” he says without hesitation.
“Careful there,” I laugh.
“I’m not joking, Emerson. You can ask me anything.”
“I’m going to ask for something from you,” I say, clarifying.
“Anything,” he repeats, again without hesitation.
“A kiss.” His eyes drop to my mouth as heat climbs up my body. “I don’t want him to be my first and only kiss. Would you?—”
That’s all I manage to get out before his mouth comes down onto mine. This time when I can’t breathe, I don’t feel trapped. In fact, I’ve never felt freer.
Chapter Six
GIDEON
When I was twelve years old, I played baseball at my middle school. My family didn’t have much money, but my mom worked at the post office and fudged our address so I could go to school in the rich part of town. The baseball team was one of the best in the state, and I had a lot of natural talent.
The coach wanted me to play, but I didn’t have money for the equipment. So like any poor kid, I hustled. I stole cleats from the school’s lost and found, did my friends' homework in exchange for an old uniform, and collected soda cans when I needed money for away games.
We were so good during my last year of middle school that we made it all the way to a national championship. I took the field at the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded, and our team was down by two. I’ll never forget striding up to the plate and staring down the pitcher. He’d hit the two batters before me, and my coach gave me the advice to crowd the plate and catch one too.
I remember every detail of gripping the bat while the pitcher released the ball, and the sound it made when I connected with it. I could feel my heart stop as I watched the ball sail into the air and then go over the fence.
My grand slam earned our team a national championship, and for the rest of my life, I compared all of my achievements against it. The high, the feeling of hard work paying off and knowing that I did something great. All other moments have had to compete with that night, but right now, I couldn’t tell you the name of that team.
Kissing Emerson is better than a grand slam. It’s better than graduating law school, or retiring my mom, or winning an Iron Man. Kissing Emerson tops everything I’ve ever accomplished or will ever attempt to do.
Her soft lips part, and I’m so, so gentle as I slide my tongue along her bottom lip. My grip is firm as I hold her against me, and then I realize I’m not holding her at all. I’m pinning her against the wall, and her legs have parted to make space for me.
“Gideon,” she whispers before tasting my tongue and making the sweetest moan.
“I want all your firsts.” My mouth moves down her neck and then back up. “Let me have them, Emerson.”
“Everything okay in there?” the sales clerk says on the other side of the curtain, and Emerson goes stiff.
“Just a second,” Emerson calls out before she lowers her voice. “You have to get out of here before someone walks in.”
“So what?” It’s reckless for me to act like this, and it’s completely out of character. I’m always the one that is careful and calculated. I keep people at arm's length so I don’t lose control.
She tries to push at my chest, but I don’t budge. “Gideon, if my mother or future mother-in-law find you in here, they’ll tell you to get out. I’ll be the one that will have to control the fallout.”
Her words sober me, and I’m thankful something is getting through my lust-filled brain. “You’re right.” It’s an admission I don’t want to make, but I could fuck up her future. Fuck it up, my mind taunts, and I let out a frustrated grunt. “I want to see you again.”
“That’s a very bad idea.” Her words don’t match her actions because she’s gripping my shirt and pulling me down for another kiss.
