As I passed through the swinging half doors, Kenya looked up from where she sat at her own table. My eyes locked into hers and I gave her a slow smile. She was wearing a tan jacket over a turquoise blouse and a tan skirt. Her dark hair was pulled back into a twist at the nape of her neck and she had a gold comb holding it in place. The only other jewelry she wore were a pretty pair of small gold hoops in her ears. I couldn’t help but look at her exposed neck and remember how good she had tasted…
I took my seat on the stand and while I was sworn in I could feel her eyes still on me. I had to stifle a smile. This was going to be entertaining.
KENYA
I watched the middle McShannon boy be ushered into the courtroom. That was how we talked about them when we had our meetings in the office…the oldest “boy” Patrick, the middle “boy” Shane and the youngest “boy” Colin.
I had seen the other two “boys” her in the courtroom. They attended the proceedings every day, sitting behind their father’s table in the front row, with their sweet little gray haired mother in between them. They looked like the picture of a sweet family…but neither of them looked like “boys.”
These were big, strapping, uncommonly good-looking men…and now that I get a look at Shane, I’m convinced that whatever evil Braden McShannon was guilty of his gene pool was just about perfect.
I got a strange feeling when Shane stopped and intimately looked at me - like I knew him from somewhere. Then he smiled and I saw his dimples. My mind instantly returned to the night before, in the garden…but it couldn’t be….
“Miss Duncan, are you ready?”
I stood up and buttoned my jacket. “Yes your honor.”
“You may proceed.”
“Good morning Mr. McShannon,” I said as I approached the witness stand.
He smiled at me again. His smile was like the one usually reserved for people you knew, and there was a hint of amusement dancing behind his dark eyes. Was this fun for him? “Good morning, Miss Duncan.”
His voice was deep…baritone…just like my mystery man. I winced and focused back on the task at hand.
“Can you state for the record, what your relationship is to the defendant?”
“He’s my father.”
“Do you work with him as well?”
“No.”
What the hell? That isn’t what he said in his deposition. “I’m sorry? You don’t work with him?”
“No. I own my own business.”
I took a deep breath and willed myself not to get flustered. “Did youever work with your father?”
“Yes.”
“And can you tell us what type of business your father is in?”
“Waste management.”
I was trying hard not to roll my eyes. This guy was pissing me off.
“So, he owns garbage trucks?”
“That’s part of it. He owns landfills and manages waste removal from Boston city parks….” His face was unreadable.
“Thank you, Mr. McShannon. So tell us what it was that you did for this company exactly?”
“I managed his finances. I made sure that payroll was done every week. I also did a lot of the hiring and firing of staff.”
“So in the course of managing his finances, did you ever notice any large deposits or withdraws that weren’t for the sanitation business?”
“No.”
“Mr. McShannon... This testimony is not the same testimony you gave my staff when we deposed you.”
He raised an eyebrow. Damn, his eyelashes are long. “It isn’t? I apologize. I can’t imagine why. Perhaps I didn’t understand the questions.”
“Did you or did you not say that you saw copious amounts of cash come in and go out of the business…on a daily basis?”
“I do not recall saying that…” I felt the heat rising to my face.
“Did you or did you not tell my staff that your father paid six figures to a man known as “Striker” right before the bodies of Detective Samuels and Detective Rosa were discovered?”
“Well...I do not recall saying that…”
“Give me a break!” I snapped.
“Objection, your honor!” The defense council was on his feet. “She’s badgering the witness.”
“Are you kidding me, Bill? He’smywitness!”
I took a deep breath and glanced at the judge. “Your honor, I’m just trying to establish why my witness’s testimony is so different now than it was two weeks ago at my office.”
“I’ll sustain the objection. Miss Duncan ask the questions, accept the answers and move on. If you have issues with contempt, you can take that up with me in my chambers.” Judge Casey looked bored out of his mind. How could everyone be so lax at such a pivotal time in my career?
“Yes your honor.” I turned my icy stare back onto Shane McShannon. He looked so cool and calm and still amused…so smug. This guy wasnotgoing to ruin my moment, dammit.
“Alright, Mr. McShannon. I’ll cut right to chase and spare us both. Is your father involved with Cosa Nostra?”
“You would have to ask my father that question I’m afraid. I’m not his keeper, Ms. Duncan. I watched the books, that’s all.”
“I’m sorry? Is that a yes or a no?”
“It’s more of an I can’t be sure.” The cocky bastard winked. He’s sitting on the witness stand, lying through his teeth and he winks at me.
“Mr. McShannon, we’re you threatened in any way before coming here to testify?”
“No ma'am.”
“Are you in fear for your life?”
He smiled. I wanted to slap that gorgeous smile right off his face.
“Not at all,” he said.
“Did you know Detective’s Samuels and Rosa?”
“Not in that capacity. I knew them as Sam and Ray. They worked for my father.”
“In the sanitation business?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know they were murdered?”
“Yes, but only when I read it in the paper.”
“Did you know they were obviously tortured and then dismembered?”
“Yes, but again….”
“Only after you read it in the paper. Right! Your honor, may I approach?” Now we were going somewhere.
“Yes, yes, approach.” The judge was annoyed with me. I wondered if the McShannons were paying him too. The defense attorney came up as I spoke to the judge.
“He’s lying about everything. I have reason to believe...”
“And you know thishow?” Bill asked, obviously smelling blood in the water. Bastard.
“Because like I said, this is completely contrary to the testimony he gave at my office.”
“Miss Duncan, you know that a deposition in your office is not admissible here,” the judge told me with a warning look.
“I know that your honor…but he was… is.. my star witness.”
Judge Casey cocked an eyebrow and said, “Perhaps you should pick your witnesses more wisely next time.”
I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. I felt it all coming unraveled. Everything I’d worked and stressed over for months now…. “Can I have a short recess your honor to recoup?”
He rolled his eyes, but picked up his gavel and called a fifteen minute recess. The jury was ushered out and then Shane was escorted down by the bailiff.
On his way past the table he said, “Can I have a moment alone Miss Duncan?”
I looked up at him sharply. What kind of game was this guy playing? I wanted to say no, but like I’d told the judge, he was my star witness…the only one that had been willing to speak up. I’d saved him for last and now I had nothing else.
“Bailiff, will you show him to conference room one? I’ll be right there.” I watched him go and then turned to my lead investigator.
“Get me everything you can on that man, as fast as you can…and I mean everything.”
“I’ll do my best.”
With a sigh I headed for the conference room. When I stepped into
the mahogany room, the bailiff stepped out. Shane McShannon was sitting back in one of the big leather chairs, looking like he owned the place.
“What is it you want Mr. McShannon?” He stood up gracefully and came towards me. I instinctively took a step back. He stopped about a foot from me.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” His dark eyes were full of...longing?
“What do you want?”
“I want.. to taste you again…like I did last night in the garden.” Oh fucking shit! My head was suddenly spinning. This had to be him, otherwise how would he have known.
“What kind of game is this?” I was proud of myself. My voice didn’t come out sounding shaky at all but my insides were convulsing.
“It’s not a game Kenya…May I call you Kenya?” He smiled slightly. Dimples.
“No! What do you want from me? Are you trying to blackmail me? You sought me out last night, didn’t you?” Oh God, what had I gotten myself into? This case was definitely done for now.
“I did, but only because... I’m so incredibly attracted to you. My hands are actually aching right now to touch you again.”
I felt sweat begin to form on my brow and I took another step back. I let my eye flicker down to his hands and as he flexed them, my body tingled in places that it didn’t have a right to. The room felt much too small now.
“That’s what this is all about? Is your attraction to me why you lied on the stand?”
He smiled. “Testifying against my father is a little more difficult than you might imagine. I want to do what is right, but in the process I’ll be losing out on a lot. I’m not the career criminal that my father is…but I’m used to getting what I want…and I want you.”
“You want to do what with me?” I thought I knew the answer, but I had to hear him say it. That way I could tell him how ridiculous he was being and we could drop it and move on. My body screamed at me. How long had it been?
A small mischievous smile pulled at the corner of his full lips.
“I want one night. You spend one night with me and agree to do everything I…suggest. In exchange for my full testimony against my father.”
“That’s blackmail and it’s illegal.”
“It’s also your word against mine. At this point, we need each other.”
I was shocked that this man would think that I’d exchange sex for his testimony but at the same time, I was oddly aroused by it. His father is guilty…I know that beyond a shadow of a doubt. But, it is unlikely without Shane’s testimony that he would be convicted. The rest of it is all circumstantial. Could I sleep with this guy?
I let my eyes flicker across his body and the answer was a warm rush between my legs.Fuck.
Ethically, morally and personally, this was all wrong…but I'd worked so damn hard crawling my way up through years of red tape as a woman.. an african american woman, that I wasn’t going to let some bad boy businessman ruin it for me now. I’m a Duncan. And a Duncan does whatever it takes. When I opened my mouth I heard myself speak with resolve.
“If you go in there and give the exact same testimony you gave in my office then… fine. But I swear if you lie even a little bit….”
“I won’t.” His eyes sparked.
My body hummed with excitement. What was wrong with me? “Once I give my testimony, how do I know that I can trust you to fulfill your end?”
I cocked my head. “You don’t. You have to trust me or not…I really don’t care.” I was talking a good game but a realization suddenly hit me.
“I need to know one thing.”
“What is that?” The light caught against his dark hair and I was momentarily mesmerized.
“Wh-Why? Why would you give your father up for one night with me? You don’t look like the kind of guy who has trouble getting it the, uhm normal way.”
A grin, that cocky look again. “No, I don’t have trouble there. My father has gotten away with too much for too long. I don’t agree with any of the lines he’s crossed and it’s time for his tyranny over Boston to come to an end. What I want from you… for us... will be the sweetest icing ever on top of that cake.”
He grinned then and took another step towards me. This time I didn’t step back. Damn he smells good.
“How about a kiss to seal it, sweet Kenya?” I leaned in close so our lips were almost touching. He could wait.
“I’m afraid, our time is up. You’ll just have to wait.”
Still smiling he said, “Tonight?”
I was already headed for the door.
“That depends on your testimony.”
SHANE
I had the champagne chilling and I’d had already let the doorman know to send Kenya up when she got here. I haven’t been this excited about being with a woman since…well, since ever. I don’t know what it is about her. She’s beautiful, that’s a given. She exudes sexuality without even knowing it. But there’s more…so much more.
My thoughts are interrupted by the ringing of the bell. I felt my stomach flutter like a teenager as I went over to open the door.
Kenya stood there, looking more beautiful than ever. She had her hair down across her shoulders and she was wearing a pale yellow dress that stopped just below her upper thighs. Those long perfect legs were more exposed than I’d ever seen them…and I already wanted to see more.
“Hi, come in.”
She stepped inside and that damned conscience of mine felt a pang of guilt. She was holding her back straight and her head high…but her eyes looked worried.
“I’m not going to ask you to do anything against your will, Kenya. If you want to back out of this, now is the time.”
I saw her eyes flicker to the door and I instantly regretted giving her the option. I’d never wanted anything as badly as this woman.
“I made a deal. I don’t go back on my word. The jury is deliberating still…but with your testimony I’m sure it will be a slam dunk. I don’t imagine that was easy for you, but without you, he would have walked free.”
I walked over to where the champagne was chilling and poured us each a glass. Handing her one I said, “How about a toast to a job well done?” She raised her glass.
“And to me, the best damned prosecutor that Boston has ever seen.” I clinked my glass to hers and she giggled. Damn, I liked the way that sounded.
“To you, beautiful Kenya.” She drained her glass and sat it down. Then proving once more that she was no wilting flower she looked me straight in the eye. She looked so beautiful standing here in my penthouse, her eyes clouding over with lust as she turned to head towards the staircase.
“Bring the champagne with you Shane…”
I practically choked on my drink as I followed behind her, grabbing the bottle and glasses. All those curves…Fuck.
My cock was ready for her and my heart was racing. I even liked the way she said my name.
I nodded towards my bedroom and when she entered she stopped and looked around.
“It’s big,” she said, going over to the California King sized bed. She sat down on the edge and her eyes met mine.
“We don’t do this without a condom.”
“No problem.”
“And this is a one-time thing…then we’re done.” Her voice sounded small as she eyed me.
“Of course.” I definitely wanted this woman more than one night. Maybe I could convince her to stay?
She stood up again and bunched the bottom of her dress up in her hands. I stood riveted as I watched her pull it up slowly over her head and toss it aside. She was standing before me in a yellow lace bra and a tiny yellow piece of lace that one might say passed as panties.
She was stunning and for a second I could hardly catch my breath. When I could move, my hands went to my belt and it was her turn to watch as I stripped out of my pants and shirt.
I heard a small hitch in her breath as her pink tongue slide across her bottom lip. She may not have chosen to be here on her own, but she damn near wanted what I had to give.
I went to her and put my hands on her waist, savoring the feeling of her soft curves. She sighed in my arms, her dark eyes blazing into me.
I pushed her back against the wall and covered her mouth with mine. Her lips were so sweet. I felt her part them as I plunged my tongue inside and began to devour her. I felt like I was starving and I couldn’t get enough. I was like an addict and she was my drug…I had to have her right this fucking minute.
I felt her sliding her hands along the muscles in my back and she pressed into me and deepened the kiss. We tasted and sucked like we were fucking each other’s mouths and I tugged her hair back so I could bite her lower lip. I heard and felt a little moan escape from her lips.God, she’s so sexy.
My cock throbbed and I ground my erection into her, groaning loudly before finally breaking the kiss. I could hardly catch my breath as I looked into her pretty eyes.
“You know how to drive a man crazy, don’t you?”
She ran her hands across my shoulders and down my arms like she was memorizing my body. It was hot. She lifted up on her toes then and slid that sexy tongue across my bottom lip. I caught it in my mouth and sucked it in and we kissed again.
This time, she broke the kiss. We were both panting now and her voice was thick with lust.
“Let me see you...”
I didn’t hesitate to bend down and push my boxers off. My hard cock sprang out, more excited now to be free. She reached for the elastic of her panties, but I took moved her hands away. I shook my head and she smiled at me.
Hooking my thumbs in the sides of them, I pulled them off her curves slowly, lowering to the floor with them as I did.
Just like I’d wanted, I was on my knees in front of her. She stepped out of the wet panties and I tossed them away, letting my lips find the inside of those smooth golden thighs.
I kissed and sucked, feeling her shiver underneath my lips and move her legs open…just a little bit wider, but not wide enough. I wanted full access.
"Spread your legs for me baby," I told her kneading her ass.
Her eyes were foggy but she did as I asked. I could hardly wait to taste her.Finally.
My fat tongue was suddenly in contact with her sweet, wet pussy lips. I ran it the length of her folds twice, teasing her, before finally stopping to circle and suck on her clit.
BWWM: BEFORE I WAKE: A Bad Boy Billionaire Book Collection (African American Interracial Series) Page 293
