Page 3 of A Tempting Motion
Theo pulls his collar and loosens his tie. “I guess I assumed you’d take yourself off the case. You know… because of our… conflict of interest?”
His plan dawns on me and fury pounds in my head like a migraine. “Is that why you slept with me? To get me off this case?”
Theo looks shocked, but recovers with a sneer. “No offense, but—” He gestures to my diplomas. “You’ve been a prosecutor for, what? Half a minute?” His dry laugh burns my ears, already hot with embarrassment. “You’re not important enough to sabotage.”
I try not to let the truth in his words wound me into submission. Instead, I point my finger at him, imagining I’m digging it into his evil, empty chest. “Whatever. I’m not going anywhere, Chamberlain. I’m as professional as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. What happened this past weekend stays between us, got it? I won’t let a stupid mistake compromise my career.”
Theo steps back, as if my manicured nail met its mark. Although his mouth opens and shuts, nothing comes out until he expels a deep breath. I’m so boiling mad, his warm exhale is cool on my heated skin. He rubs the back of his neck before finally speaking. “Fine. Let’s talk about the case.”
I retrieve the case file to give my hands something to do. “Good. What’ll she plead to?”
“Plead? Come on, you know my client didn’t kill that guy. She has no record and nearly has a heart attack every time she comes to court. There’s no way she’s a murderer.”
I sigh and toss the file aside. “Look, there aren’t any witnesses.” I raise a finger and lift another after each point. “Serena Donahue shot her ex-boyfriend… after fighting with him… behind the strip club where she works… and never denies it.” I wiggle my five points. “What’s the State supposed to do, hmm? Believe herdefense attorneyon, what? A good-faith basis?” I scoff. “Please.”
I risk a calming inhale and immediately regret it. Theo soaks up the air in this already tiny space. His cologne was my oxygen this past weekend and I’ve been attempting shallow breaths, but my body craves his scent.
“Lack of denial isn’t a confession. There’s more to this, I’ve just gotta get her to talk.” He pauses with his face scrunched and I notice his bottom lip seems swollen. “Are you certain you’ve given me all the discovery? That alley has to be in somebody’s security video.”
It takes every ounce of professionalism I possess not to scream at him. “Of course, you’re still asking about the damn evidence, even though less than ten minutes ago, Judge Powell agreed I’ve turned everything over. How many times do I have to tell you?” I wave my arms for emphasis. “Take a look around, but you won’t find anything. I’ve given you everything I have.”
The bastardsmirks. “And then some, I’d say.”
My mouth falls open. His eyes widen, as if he even surprised himself.
“Get out.”
He curses and closes the gap between us. “Britta, I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.” He reaches for me and why Ilean into him, is a mystery. But I do. “I don’t know why I said that. I’m an asshole.” The quick stroke of his thumb over my forearm leaves a trail of goose bumps. His touch on my skin reminds me of silk sheets whispering underneath us, wrapped in our rhythm. “For the record, this past weekend was no mistake for me... I don’t make mistakes.”
I ignore how cocky his words sounded and give in to the longing underlying his tone. “Theo…”
He tugs me against him. His scent invades my nose and flows through me, warming my lungs until the heat rests heavy in my lower belly. My hand gravitates to his heart and its rapid beats make mine flutter.
Does he feel it, too? This pull we have toward one another?
“Please, Britta…” He groans, and my gaze darts to his, dark with desire. I’m not sure what he’s begging for, but his prayer brings his lips close enough to caress mine and my tongue slips out to get a taste—
Knock-Knock-Knock.“Britta? You there?”
We’re suddenly on opposite sides of the hundred square foot room, but still inches away from tearing each other apart.
“One minute!” I scramble to compose myself. My outward appearance is still impeccable and only my insides are savaged. I find Theo doing the same. His suit is finely pressed and his posture is laid back, but his eyes have that hunger my core is desperate to satisfy.
The door opens and a colleague pokes his head in. He sees me and smiles before entering. “Hey, Britta, wanted to check on the newbie—Oh, hello.” He straightens after noticing Theo leaning against the guest chair in the corner. “I don’t think we’ve met. ADA Marco Aguilar and federal liaison for Ashland County. You a defense attorney?”
“Guilty as charged. Theo Chamberlain.” He smiles as he introduces himself before awkwardly reaching to shake Marco’s hand. “I represent Serena Donahue.”
It takes me a moment to realize Theo’s hiding his erection behind the tall chair, but when I do, a thrill of feminine pride and flustered panic shock through me. If Marco found out what I was about to let Theo do to me in this government building, I’d be fired faster than the slam of a gavel.
While I’m trying to come up with ways to escape career suicide, Marco and Theo shoot the shit about God knows what. The air in the room is heavy with sexual tension, and I don’t know how the two men aren’t suffocating since I can’t catch a breath.
Don’t mind me. Just on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
“…how long have you practiced criminal law?”
“I just moved here, but I was at another firm outside of Ashland. Still, only a few years now.”
“Ah, I haven’t prosecuted much longer than that. Those first few years, though… whew. I hardly had a life. Took a while to understand what we do matters, but who we go home to matters the most. I’ve learned the hard way.”
