by K. Langston
She reaches up and trails her fingers across my jaw. “That day when you came by after. That’s what happened to you?”
I nod. “Yeah, but I still kept my cool. But then…” I trail off, grinding my teeth as I think about what happened next. “He said something and it pushed me over the edge.”
“What did he say?” she asks hesitantly, fear razor-sharp in her voice.
I shake my head. “Don’t. Please don’t ask me that, Liv. It’s not something you need to know.”
It’s something she will never know if I can help it.
“It was about me.”
“Yes.”
Thankfully, she doesn’t push for more. “You should have told me. You shouldn’t have kept it from me.”
“I didn’t want you to worry. And maybe…”
“What?” She urges.
“Maybe I didn’t want to see the disappointment in your eyes.”
Her forehead gently presses to mine. “Never,” she whispers. “I could never be disappointed in you. You may have crossed the line, Grayson, but he crossed many too, including assaulting you and another officer.”
Relief swims in my blood. “Once IA investigates what went down, I feel confident they will reinstate me. Especially under the circumstances.”
“Well they better if they want their best deputy back,” she says with a sexy smile that has my dick going hard.
My hands slip under her dress to palm her lush ass. “Best deputy, huh?”
“Mmmhmm.” She wraps her arms around my neck and settles herself over my straining cock. The heat of her satin-covered pussy burning me through my jeans.
With a growl I steal her lips in a deep kiss. All of my pent-up frustration from earlier easing as I take it out on her magnificent fucking mouth. Reaching for the hem of her dress, I pull back only enough to peel it from her body, leaving her in nothing but her bra and panties. Before I can do it myself, she reaches back and confidently unhooks the clasp, allowing the garment to slide from her arms.
“Jesus, you’re so fucking sexy.”
“Thanks. So are you,” she replies breathlessly.
A chuckle erupts, but it’s cut off by her mouth, her lips fevered and desperate. Groaning, I reach for her panties to remove them, but she moves away from my attempt.
“Uh-uh. Not so fast, Deputy.” She tsks with a mischievous smirk before laying the palm of her hand to my chest.
I allow her to push me to my back, because no matter how bad I want to rip her panties from her body and pound into her, I love the confidence she’s showing me right now. I’m eager as fuck to know where she’s going with this.
I have a pretty good idea when her hands and mouth explore my heated skin, trailing down to the waistband of my jeans. She kneels down on the floor between my legs, fumbling slightly with the button before releasing my hard cock. Her brown eyes lift to mine, heavy with pure desire but still a little hesitant. I reach down, my thumb stroking her soft cheek. “What do you want, baby?”
She licks those sweet, plump lips of hers, making my dick jerk in response. “I want to make you feel good, like you do to me.”
Jesus, can this woman be any more perfect than she already is?
“You already do, Liv. Always.”
She gives me a sexy smile. “Good, but now I want to make you feel even better.” Her voice is determined, thick with lust, and blood pumps viciously through my body, all of it heading straight for my dick.
There’s no fucking way I’m going to deny her that, or myself. Wrapping her hand around the base of my cock, she strokes once, twice, before taking me in her hot, hungry mouth, sucking me all the way to the back of her throat.
“Ah, fuck,” I grit, lost in the mind-numbing heat of her mouth.
Her wet lips glide up and down my length, while her hand continues to stroke. I’m trying not to fuck her mouth but it’s a challenge. Her eagerness to please me already has me close to the edge. “Jesus, Liv. You suck me so good. Those pink lips stretched around my dick have got to be the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”
She whimpers around my cock, and I can feel her breathing has picked up by the way it heats my skin with every downslide of her hot little mouth. I know I’m about to lose my shit any second, but I’m not going without her.
Threading my fingers in her hair, I give a slight tug, pulling her back. “Get up here, baby.”
“Why?” she asks, clueless as to what I’m suggesting, which makes me pretty fucking happy.
“I want you to fuck my face while you suck me off. Let me taste that sweet pussy of yours.”
I hear her inhale sharply, her cheeks flushing pink, but I’m not sure if it’s because she’s unsure about it or the thought intrigues her. Whatever it is, it doesn’t stop her from following the command. I quickly get rid of my underwear and jeans, then slide those white lace panties down her thighs before she climbs on the bed. Slowly, she crawls up next to me and twists around. I scoot back enough to grab her hips and swing her over to straddle my face.
“Oh.” She gasps.
“This good, Liv?”
“Yes,” she answers breathlessly.
Pressing my tongue between her wet slit, I find her clit. Her hips begin to move, seeking more. She cries out as I drag my tongue along her pussy, gathering up all her wetness, right up to her tight little…
“Oh God, Grayson.” Her scream is almost enough to send me over the edge.
“Fuck, you taste sweet everywhere, baby.”
With a moan her hand and mouth return to my cock, working me faster than before, grasping and sucking me in a needy way that has me ready to explode. The sounds coming from her as she begins to work her pussy back and forth, fucking my face and taking her pleasure, send me into an animalistic frenzy. I can feel my release clawing up the base of my spine, racing head-on into what is sure to be one hell of an explosion. Her orgasm strikes first, and she cries out around my cock, shuddering and convulsing as she continues to suck.
Knowing I’m not far behind, I give fair warning. “Baby, ease up. I’m close.” She doesn’t, she only sucks harder and faster. I grab her hip with a growl. “Unless you want me to come in that hot fucking mouth, Liv, you better pull off now.”
She takes me deeper, renewing her efforts.
“Fuck.” A loud roar erupts from somewhere deep inside and my mind dives into a hazy pool of need, lifting my hips to enter her mouth in one final thrust.
A few seconds later she eases off me as I try to recover, but before she can get too far I grab her by the waist, bringing her to lie down beside me. Then I take her mouth so she can taste how fucking good we are together.
Moaning, she moves right over me again, her warm, naked body draping mine. She pulls back only enough to take in air, and rests her forehead on mine, giving me a soft smile. “That was fun.”
I grunt. “It was more than fun. It was intense, explosive, and incredible as fuck. Take your pick.”
She giggles. “Mmm. All of the above.”
I grin. “Agreed.”
Wiggling down, she burrows her head against my chest while I trail my fingers up and down her smooth back. “I like being with you like this. If I could I would stay like this forever.”
“Me too, baby.” Little does she know she will have this forever, no way am I ever giving her up.
She’s mine.
A few minutes pass, and I think about what took place earlier, wishing I could lock her away from all this bullshit until it’s over.
“Liv?”
“Mmm.”
“When Henderson calls me to the stand…” I feel her stiffen in my arms, and I hate myself for ruining the easiness we found. “I want you to stay here with Walt. I don’t want you to be there.”
She tilts her head up, finding my eyes. “What are you saying? Of course I’ll be there. Especially now that you’re taking the stand.”
“Jesus. Would you just listen for a minute? You’ve been through enough. You don’t need to
relive that shit.” My chest tightens at the thought. “Don’t do this. Stay here. Let me take care of it.”
Her eyes soften with understanding as her fingers lift to fan my jaw. “I know you want to protect me from this but you can’t. I need to be there. I need to see this through.”
“Why? You have nothing to prove.”
“Yes, I do. For me. I need to prove to myself that I can sit in that courtroom for every second of that trial until I watch him get locked away for what he did to me. I need to take that power back and not let him have it. I know it won’t be easy. But that’s why I have Pap and Tania.” She rises up and presses her lips to mine. “And you.”
With a sigh of defeat, I pull her in closer, knowing full well there’s no way I will be able to talk her out of this.
“Please understand,” she whispers, her eyes pleading.
I nod. “Yeah, baby. I understand.”
But I don’t fucking like it. Not one bit.
CHAPTER 24
Olivia
The following week, sitting in the courtroom, my stomach twists into tight, unforgiving knots. My heart is heavy, burdened by the hatred and chaos coming from the protestors outside. It’s far worse than last time. There are even more people gathered than before, choosing sides and spewing hate and anger onto the streets of our sacred town. The National Guard is posted up outside as well, trying to keep the peace, but their presence only adds to their fury.
Unfortunately, things aren’t much better in here.
Not when I have to sit here and watch the man I love relive the most horrific moment of our lives. Witnessing the haunted look in his eyes, as he recounts what happened that day all over again, has been gut-wrenching. But I’ve kept myself together, not wanting to make it harder on him.
Carol is on one side of me and Pap on the other, offering their strength and comfort. Tania was supposed to be here too, but I haven’t heard from her. I have no idea where she could be, and the thought concerns me.
“Deputy Taylor, can you please tell us what you saw when you arrived at the Wheeler property on April seventeenth?”
Grayson keeps his eyes on Mr. Henderson, his gaze never straying once to me. “Olivia Bradshaw was there as the caller had stated she would be,” he replies.
“And can you describe her condition when you found her?”
“She was tied to a tree, nude, beaten, and unconscious.” Pain washes over Grayson’s face, his voice cold and hard. The sound of it chilling me to the bone.
Tears burn the back of my eyes, my heart breaking as I cling to every dreadful word. I can only imagine how awful it must have been for him to see me the way he did, but watching and listening to him recount it all is almost too much to bear.
It has clearly affected him far more than he let on.
Mr. Henderson turns to the jury. “She’d been tied to a tree, raped, beaten, and left for dead.”
“Objection, Your Honor.” Mr. Jones stands. “Mr. Henderson is making assumptions and putting words into the witness’s mouth. He never said anything about rape, or even being left for dead.”
“Your Honor, the charges against Mr. West are rape and attempted murder. The medical reports have already shown that she was raped. I’m not putting words into anyone’s mouth. This is what happened to Miss Bradshaw. These are facts.”
“Overruled, but move on now, Mr. Henderson. As you said, we know what happened to Miss Bradshaw.”
Mr. Henderson nods. “Just one more question, Deputy. Evidence was found at the scene of the crime, could you tell us what that was?”
Grayson nods. “A gold chain was recovered along with the remainder of Miss Bradshaw’s dress. It had her blood on it and the DNA of the defendant, Reginald West.”
“Thank you. No further questions, Your Honor.” Mr. Henderson takes his seat, looking pleased. By the jury’s pained expressions it’s clear he achieved what he set out to do. I can see it staring back at me on every single face.
Sympathy.
It all makes me sick to my stomach, even though I do understand why he needed to do it.
“Your witness, Mr. Jones,” Judge Carter states.
My heart sinks as Mr. Jones stands, taking his time to button his suit jacket before approaching Grayson. I’m careful not to look past him, knowing I won’t be able to stomach the sight of the man who has caused me so much pain and sadness.
Not today.
Not when I’m already a ball of nerves and worried sick about Grayson.
“Deputy Taylor, you have a personal relationship with the alleged victim, is that correct?”
“Objection, Your Honor.” Mr. Henderson stands. “Miss Bradshaw is not an alleged victim. She is a victim. It is disrespectful for Mr. Jones to say otherwise.”
The judge agrees. “Sustained.”
Mr. Jones nods. “I apologize. Let me rephrase the question. You have a personal relationship with the victim, is that correct?”
“Yes, I do.”
“A romantic relationship?”
“Yes.”
“Were you romantically involved with her during the arrest of my client?”
Mr. Henderson stands once again. “Objection, Your Honor. This is completely irrelevant to the case,” he bites out, his frustration mounting.
“I promise, Your Honor, I’m going somewhere with this.”
The judge considers it for a long moment before finally allowing him to resume. “You better have something relevant here, Mr. Jones.”
“I do.”
“Overruled.”
Mr. Henderson takes his seat, clearly unhappy with the decision. He leans over to whisper something to Clint, and my anxiety skyrockets, wondering where exactly Mr. Jones is going with this.
“Go ahead and answer, Deputy. Taylor,” the judge pushes.
“Not at the time, no. We were just friends.”
“Really?”
Grayson’s eyes narrow. “Yes. Really.”
Mr. Jones paces back and forth in front of Grayson before finally taking a relaxed stance near the jury. “I’m surprised you were allowed to even be on the scene for the arrest when you were so personally involved.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? It was my case.”
“Because it’s a conflict of interest. Being just friends with Miss Bradshaw, is that why you brutally beat my client when—”
Mr. Henderson flies out of his chair. “Objection, Your Honor. The witness is not on trial here. He has no charges against him for what Mr. Jones is accusing him of.”
“Your Honor, an investigation is pending on this deputy for assaulting my client. He should have never been on that scene in the first place. This goes to show the unfairness and prejudice my client has had to deal with, and—”
“Sustained,” Judge Carter bellows angrily. “You’re out of line, Mr. Jones. This trial is about the crime against Miss Bradshaw, not your client. Pull that again and you will be held in contempt.”
“No further questions, Your Honor,” Mr. Jones says, sitting down, looking rather proud of himself.
My blood burns with rage.
Mr. Henderson addresses the judge. “If I may, Your Honor, I do have one more question for my witness.”
“Make it quick, Counselor.”
Mr. Henderson steps out from around the table. “Deputy Taylor, the day of the arrest Mr. West made a comment to you about Miss Bradshaw, would you mind repeating what he said to the jury?”
I watch Grayson tense, a dangerous rage taking over his expression just before Mr. Jones stands. “Objection, Your Honor. You just ruled my client’s arrest was irrelevant.”
“Your Honor, I promise you this has everything to do with what happened to Miss Bradshaw. After Mr. Jones’s line of questioning I feel it is imperative for the jury to hear this.”
He nods. “Overruled.”
“Your Honor,” Mr. Jones injects again. “This is all hearsay. It’s not fair for my client.”
“I said overruled, Counselor. Now take your
seat.”
Mr. Jones sits, the smug look he wore moments ago is long gone.
“Thank you, Your Honor.” Mr. Henderson looks back at Grayson whose body is tense with fury. “Please, Deputy Taylor, tell the jury what Mr. West said to you that day.”
For the first time since we entered the courtroom, Grayson’s eyes find mine, a silent request weighing heavy in his gaze. Shaking my head, I refuse to leave. I want to be here for him.
For myself.
He turns away, disappointed and angry like I knew he would be. I bite my lip, trying to keep my emotions in check.
“Deputy Taylor?” The judge urges when he remains silent.
Grayson swallows thickly. “When I told him what he was being arrested for, he admitted what he did to Olivia,” he replies vaguely.
“Please repeat exactly what he said to you.”
His jaw locks so tight I’m surprised it doesn’t snap, and it takes him a moment to answer. “He said, ‘I’ve never had a bitch scream for me the way she did. She was so fucking tight; I can still feel her.’”
A ripple of gasps echo throughout the courtroom. My eyes fall closed, his words slicing through me like a serrated knife. Carol chokes back a sob, and Pap bristles next to me. Gathering my composure, I open my eyes and find Grayson glaring forward, furious and completely defeated.
“No further questions, Your Honor,” Mr. Henderson says quietly. He takes his seat and glances over his shoulder at me, regret reflecting deep in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Olivia. I had to.”
I nod in understanding, knowing he didn’t have a choice after what Everett Jones did.
“Thank you, Deputy Taylor, you are dismissed,” the judge says.
Grayson stands, his body wound tight. He doesn’t even look in our direction as he storms out, the doors slamming with resounding finality behind him.
I flinch at his loud departure then get up to follow him, ignoring the many sets of eyes upon me.
Exiting into the hall, I find him pacing like a caged animal, his hand gripping his hair in frustration.
“Grayson.” His name falls on a choked whisper.
