If I Fall

by Lydia Michaels

  Pride welled in Jeremy’s chest as she pushed through the undeniably difficult statement. It also eased his concern that she wasn’t blindly accepting this guy’s advice.

  “I’m asking you to be my friend, Nathan. Save me the legal fees of asking another lawyer and advise me as a friend, even if you don’t agree with what I’m doing. We have some things in common.”

  Nathan tilted his head and Jeremy didn’t understand what the fucking dilemma was. After a beat, he finally said, “The statute of limitations in the state of Pennsylvania for sexual assault cases is twelve years in your case. However, if I were advising you as my client, I’d advise you to disclose all information from the start. It’ll draw more attention from the department and no one will question the change in your statement later on.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, slowly stretching her arm across the table and clasping his hand.

  Nathan withdrew it. “There’s one favor I like to ask in return.”

  “I know what you’re going to ask and you don’t have to,” Jade said. “I won’t mention any of it. I promise.”

  “Thank you.”

  Jeremy didn’t know what the fuck was going on, but things were getting a little too intimate for his taste. He wasn’t going to relax until the prick was gone and his wife was safely in his—their—house.

  It didn’t matter that Jade trusted the guy and apparently liked him. He didn’t. Something about him just didn’t sit right. Sure, he played the sensitive professional today, but the guy was a lawyer. He knew how to win a crowd. Jeremy was far from convinced.

  “What do you think?” Tyson asked, stepping beside him as Jade walked the sleaze to the door.

  “What would you think? Would you let him around your wife?”

  “The only way a guy like that is getting near my wife is if he can take me out of the equation first. And that, my friend, isn’t happening.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  The following two weeks were surprisingly quiet and therefore nerve-racking. Jade had her interview with the police, an emotionally grueling experience that would likely scar him for life. So many horrid details put into words… It had a way of carving each syllable into his heart. For now, he was content not to broach the subject for a while, finally understanding why Jade always seemed to avoid the topic. Everything she went through… It was simply too much to process in days or weeks. Maybe even years.

  He and Jade, in search of a distraction, went to register. She quickly became preoccupied with invitations, caterers, and paint samples. Giving her cart blanche, as far as decorating the house went, seemed the right move at the time, but now he wasn’t so sure.

  She constantly wanted his opinion on fabric swatches and paint colors, asking him to choose between something called Mountain Dusk and another called Morning Dew. Whatever happened to good old dark blue?

  He couldn’t complain though. All the excitement of their reception party and the redecorating of the house kept her mind off the break-in. She had yet to return to the cottage for any of her personal things and Jeremy doubted she ever would.

  She didn’t like to talk about the things left behind and got defensive whenever he asked about moving some of her furniture to their home. When he made mention of her iPad, she purchased a new one the next day, stating her old one had a cracked screen, which was a lie. Knowing someone had intruded on her personal space and desecrated some of her items, but never knowing which ones, left both of them with an unsettled feeling, so he understood she’d be replacing everything she could.

  Work also kept her positive. Had it not been for the break in, there’d be no reason to complain. But there had been a break in and there still was a threat to his wife, so things were far from perfect.

  She came into the living room carrying the binder where she kept guest lists and menu samples—the binder that scared him. She slid onto the couch, tucking her feet beneath her knees. “What are you smiling about?”

  “You,” he answered honestly, thinking of how incredibly resilient she was.

  “Aw, that’s sweet.” She kissed him on the cheek. “But you still have to help me address invitations.”

  And that was why he hated the binder…

  They sat addressing envelope after envelope to people Jeremy never heard of before. “Who’s Hetish Patel?”

  “Oh, he’s a nuclear tech that works with me.”

  He nodded. “Is this supposed to be Francis with an I? You have it down as Frances and Joan Banning.”

  “No, that’s right. Fran and Joan. They’re both women.”

  “They’re married?”

  She nodded. “I work with work with a lot of lesbians, so don’t be surprised if you see two women dancing together at the reception.”

  He tensed. “We’re having dancing?”

  “Well, not a dance floor, but you never know.”

  Were they inviting the entire hospital? They already had three stacks ready to mail and were only halfway though her list. His attention was snagged on the invitation she was addressing. “What are you doing?”

  Without stopping her pen, she said, “Addressing an invitation.”

  “I see that. Why are you addressing one to him?”

  She exhaled and put down her pen. Facing him, she drew in an irritated breath. “Are we really going to do this again? He’s become my friend, Jeremy.”

  “I don’t want him in our home, Jade.”

  “Fine! Then we’ll just stop wasting our time and cancel everything.”

  “Because I said Nathan can’t come? You’re being ridiculous!”

  “No, you’re being ridiculous. Why do you find him so threatening? Do you think if he had anything to do with what happened to me he would’ve told me to include so much detail in my statement to the cops? This is absurd. He isn’t the guy everyone thinks he is. You’re all wrong about him and I don’t know how to prove it—”

  “Because you don’t know!” Jeremy barked. “You just believe the best in people and then you get hurt.”

  “I know with Nathan!” she shouted. “I’ve seen proof. How many times do I have to say so before you actually believe me? Every time we have this argument, it only amplifies how little you trust my judgment.”

  “What proof?” He raised his own voice. “Proof is finding the person who actually did it. Until you have a different suspect, you can’t say for certain he isn’t lying.”

  “Do you know how twisted that is? Why would Nathan go to such extremes to convince me otherwise? That’s crazy!”

  “Jade, do you think sane people rape women?” He regretted his words the moment they left his mouth.

  They had referred to what happened to her as many things, but only in necessary situations, like when speaking to the police, did they use the word rape. The simple presence of that word destroyed her.

  All visible anger melted into shame. Her shoulders sagged and her eyes lowered. He was an idiot. “I’m sorry.”

  “You’re right,” she whispered, refusing to look at him. “A crazy person would lie. What kind of judge of character am I anyway? I’m the one who got myself into this mess. I’m too trusting.” She stood. “Invite whomever you want. I’m going to bed.”

  He stood. “Jade.”

  She kept walking, not even bothering to slam their bedroom door.

  Easing back on the couch, he sighed. He hadn’t meant to upset her, but every instinct he had told him to keep that man as far away from his wife as possible. She was so sure he could be trusted, but without knowing why, Jeremy was reluctant to trust her judgment in this case. And there was the crux of it all.

  He didn’t fully trust her. He did in thought, but not in action. He trusted her with his daughter, his money, his home, and his heart, but when it came to her safety, he was a control freak. He didn’t trust anyone to look after her the way he could.

  Until they had her attacker, stalker, whatever, behind bars, everyone was suspect. Nathan was a prick who he hated all the more
for causing all this strife between him and his wife.

  He grimaced, unable to get past his initial gut feeling about the man. Based on what Kat told him, he slithered his way to the top social circles, objectifying women. He drove a car that was a testament to his little dick. And he was a sleazy divorce lawyer, making a living off others’ misfortune. What redeeming qualities could he possibly have?

  Staring at the ceiling, knowing they could not continue to have this same tired argument, he went against every good instinct he had and addressed the last invitation to a Mr. Nathan Lithe. He’d mail it tomorrow and, so help him, God, if that guy tried anything out of line in his home, Jeremy would make sure he regretted ever being born.

  He could smell her on the paper, soft linen and a hint of some floral fragrance he now identified with her and her alone. How quaint, a reception to celebrate the newly married couple.

  When he first heard the news, he had to force himself to remain calm and not strangle the life out of her. Others had been present and that meant playing the supportive friend.

  How could she do this? It was too fast. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She was supposed to fall in love with him. Marry him, and have his children!

  He lit another cigarette to calm down. This wasn’t the end. It was supposed to be the end, but Jade was more than a mere conquest. No matter how stupidly she’d been acting, he wanted her forever.

  Now that she was home again things would return to normal. Although she wasn’t living at the cottage anymore, she was back to work and following her usual routine.

  He’d find other excuses to make appearances in her life, ways to drive a wedge between the happy couple. He’d talk to her, comfort her, and in turn, she’d look to him as someone she could trust.

  Women left their husbands every day. Who was to say Jade wouldn’t get tired of this guy and look for someone more successful, someone with more than one degree and some prestige, someone with their name on an office door?

  He held the invitation to his nose and breathed deeply. Progress. Invited into her house.

  Pulling out the response card, he checked off the will attend box and licked the envelope closed. Perhaps he could persuade Jade into a dance at her little soiree. The question was, if he held her in his arms again, would he possess the strength to let her go?

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  The day of the reception started with frightening calm. Fifty-five guests were scheduled to arrive and Jade’s phone had not rung once. Kat really was an asset to her sanity.

  From up in her bedroom Jade could hear the clanking of silverware being set out and the caterer instructing his staff. The scuff of furniture being moved mixed with music samplings as the speakers were installed.

  Another six inches of snow fell the night before, and a voice yelled for someone else to wipe his or her feet. Yet, no one needed her help.

  Around five o’clock Jeremy finally came up to shower. His cheeks were flushed from the cold and he smelled like snow. Jade stood in front of the long mirror in the master bathroom adding the finishing touches to her hair.

  “Well, don’t you look pretty.” He placed a kiss on the back of her neck.

  She jumped as his cold hands pressed against the thin fabric of her gown. “You’re freezing!”

  “Now, I’m not sure what the etiquette books say about such situations—I may need to reference the binder—but I’m pretty sure we get another honeymoon after all this.” He nibbled at her neck and her nipples pressed against the silk of her gown. “Why, Mrs. Larson, are you not wearing a bra?”

  Moaning, she leaned into him. “You can have your second wedding night, but not until the party’s over.”

  “Ah, but you see…” His hands spanned her waist, inching up the material covering her legs. “You’re already my wife. I can have you whenever I want—at least that’s what you promised the other night, all tousled and thoroughly fucked.”

  Exposing her white lace panties, he pressed them aside and slid a chilled finger into her heat. She gasped and her head lolled onto his shoulder.

  “Look how beautiful you are.”

  Swallowed, she peeked through her lashes as he worked his fingers in and out of her. The erotic reflection quickened her breath.

  There she stood, in four-inch satin heels, legs spread and quivering, while her sexy husband pleasured her. Her immaculate gown was an absolute contrast to his black army boots, patterned fatigues, and a fitted charcoal thermal.

  His muscles flexed with each thrust of his wrist, his fingers jabbing deep and hooking close to her G-spot. He kissed her neck, sending jolts of pleasure through her entire body. He played her like a fine instrument.

  “You’ll wrinkle my dress,” she moaned, with little conviction.

  “I would never.” Unclasping the halter, the fabric peeled away, exposing the sharp slopes of her breasts. “All I have to do is move my hand, and the dress is no longer an issue.”

  “We’ll mess up my hair.”

  “Not if I fuck you standing up,” he whispered into her ear, teeth scraping deliciously. “What do you say, Mrs. Larson? Can you spare your husband a few minutes before the guests arrive?”

  As soon as she nodded he withdrew his hand, and her gown fluttered to the floor. He quickly reached down and picked it off the floor, tossing it over a chair.

  “Come with me.” He pulled her into the bathroom and shut the door. “Hands on the counter,” he ordered as he released the catch of his pants and turned her to the mirror over the vanity.

  Placing her palms on the counter, she adjusted her footing and he slid deep. She gasped as he thrust hard, causing her breasts to sway. The room filled with her sensual cries and the echoes of flesh slapping flesh.

  His hand moved over her curves, plucking at her nipples and squeezing her hips. His hand slid to her front and she cried out as he pinched and teased her clit. His hips snapped into her hard enough to loosen some wisps of hair from her twist. His fingers worked over her, driving her to a point where she could no longer stifle her cries.

  “Come with me, Jade,” he said, rubbing faster, a shock of pleasure shooting to her pussy so fast screamed.

  His hand covered her mouth as he kissed her neck. “I love hearing you scream.” He licked over her thrumming pulse. “But there are other men in the house and those screams are for me and me alone.” He thrust hard, underscoring his possession with each emphasized jerk of his hips.

  She moaned against his fingers, sinking into his possessive hold. She loved how he touched her, how demanding he was and how completely he owned her when they made love.

  His fingers slapped over her clit and she jerked. He smiled at her through their reflection in the mirror. “One more. I want you to squeeze my cock so tight I come with you. Come on, baby.”

  He rubbed and drilled into her, her cries muffled against his hand as she came undone. He legs trembled, but he supported her. Her pussy clamped around him as his release pulsed inside of her.

  “God, I love you.” His body trembling as he placed a kiss at the nape of her neck. “My beautiful wife.”

  Chapter Forty

  “Jeremy, I thought that was you.” Jade’s friend Lily approached with a man at her side. “This is Bryan Philips. He also works with us.”

  Jeremy held out a hand. “Nice to see you.” Jade had so many co-workers it was a blur who he’d met before and who he hadn’t.

  The man shook his hand firmly. “I believe we met briefly when Jade was … Well, it’s nice to see you again, during happier times.” He quickly covered, clearly not wanting to bring up the miscarriage in mixed company and Jeremy vaguely placed him from that horrible day. “We’re glad Jade’s back at work. You’re a lucky man.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” Jeremy nodded.

  “What do you say we find the groom a drink, Lily?”

  “I’m only helping if you plan on finding one for me too.”

  There was a tickle at the back of Jeremy’s collar as Brya
n and Lily headed toward the bar. Turning, he found Jade behind him.

  “Wouldn’t they make an adorable couple?” she whispered. “I’ve been trying to convince Lily to go out with him for months.”

  “Are you telling me to keep an eye out for other signs that you’re turning into your mother?”

  Jade opened her mouth and scoffed. “You know what? I’m going to find my mother right now and tell her you said that.”

  “No!” He grabbed for her and she slithered out of reach, sticking out her tongue as she looked back, laughing. He cursed and shouted, “I love your mother!”

  “Ah, I remember those arguments,” a man with a familiar voice, but a face he could not place, said from beside him. He was older, likely in his seventies, and had silver hair and smiling eyes.

  “I’m sorry, you seem familiar, but I can’t recall your name,” Jeremy said, facing the gentleman.

  “Dr. Stevens. Katherine works for me and I own that there cottage your wife rented. We spoke on the phone a few times before you had the alarm installed.”

  “Oh, right. How are you, Dr. Stevens?”

  “I’m well and yourself? Ah, don’t answer that, boy. Anyone married to Jade couldn’t be anything but well.”

  Jade looked stunning—a bit too stunning, as men were watching her from every corner. It was a tossup who was watching her closest, him or her husband. The man never let her stray out of his sight, always turning from conversations to see who she was talking to and who was making her laugh. He was a fool for letting her dress like that in the company of so many men.