Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“I love you, Eden. You’re not going to lose your job over something as simple as this. Let me make a phone call. Cam Tervis doesn’t have as much pull as she thinks she does.” The Chief Judge at the courthouse owes me a favor or two, and it’s time I cash it in.
“Samuel, I’ve wanted to say those three words and hear you say them. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear them. You’ve shown me you love me, which is more than enough, but those words… I love you too, so much.” The jut of her chin tells me what she wants. My body dips, hands going to her hips, mouth sliding along hers. She playfully drags her teeth along my bottom lip, and that’s all it takes. I walk her back until she’s pressed against the wall, taking over the kiss. My goal right now is to take her mind off anything Cam or work related. Her hands tangle in my hair, one leg hiking up on my hip, completely lost to me and to me alone. Fuck, this woman is everything I had no idea I ever needed, wanted, or dreamed about. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure her job is secure, and with the pull I have, I don’t see her having a problem at all with keeping her position in the same courthouse but with a different judge. It’ll suck at first, not seeing her while behind my desk, but at least this way, we won’t have to hide our relationship.
CHAPTER 17
Eden
I really should have called in sick today. There is nothing quite like losing your sense of bravado. Samuel, the amazing man that he is, told me everything would be okay. That’s hard to believe when your job is at stake. And while I have money in the bank and can afford to take time off until the next job pops up, it’s hard to even fathom. My independence, the need to stand on my own two feet, especially since I’ve never not had a job, and the thought that it could potentially happen, it’ll be a tough pill to swallow. Speaking of Samuel, he was out the door earlier than me this morning. He had a meeting with the Chief Judge before his court hearings today, a later start, which means I was left to sit around and do nothing but play the what-if game for a solid hour. Finally sick of myself, I got up, went to my favorite bookstore with a to-go coffee in hand, and found a new book to read. If anything can get me out of my head, it’ll be a good romance novel.
Thankfully, the line doesn’t take that long, and no one is wanting to chit chat. Small favors sure are nice to come by. I keep my head down, so even if someone wanted to talk, the way my eyes are glued to my phone gives me that allure of being unapproachable. Texting Amelie is much needed right about now. During lunch, I’m going to need her to be awake and listen to this clusterfuck of a situation.
Eden: 911. I’ll be calling the second I’m on lunch. I hope you’re available. I could really use your advice right about now.
If Samuel were anywhere near me right now, I can only imagine the look he’d give me while also threatening to delay my gratification in the orgasm department for letting my emotions eat me up inside.
Amelie: Who do I have to kill? Please don’t say it’s “the judge.” If he’s the reason, I’m doomed in the man depart for sure.
A snort leaves my body before I can control it. Way to keep to myself. Amelie always thinks she’ll end up old and alone. I think that has a lot to do with her parents more than the men around her. No matter how many times I tell her being an old bird lady isn’t in her future, she shrugs me off. What can I say? My best friend is a bird mom—inside, outside, it doesn’t matter, they’re all her friends. And you’d think cats and dogs wouldn’t bother her. They do because they scare her pretty babies away, causing her to cuss up a storm and clap her hands to get them away from where the birds birch on the feeders or play in the bird bath.
Eden: The judge is in the clear. My job, not so much. I’d say you finding Mr. Right is still in your future.
Amelie: That’s the tits. You’ll figure things out. The judge will make sure of it. Call me the second your ass hits lunch. Xoxo!
Eden: Will do, love you!
My best friend is quirky, and I love her dearly. Anytime I can talk to her, whether it’s to catch up on each other, the latest gossip in town, or to calm one another on the drama in our worlds, I will. I’m about to put my phone into my suit jacket pocket when it starts vibrating in my hand. My stomach sinks to the ground. When you know something is wrong, you know. It’s a feeling that takes over your body, fight or flight coming to mind. While I just made it into the concourse, I’m spinning around and walking right back out.