by Donna Hill
Then with infinite care, he applied more pressure, stroking her cheek with a gentle caress. He felt her tremble, and he pulled her closer, now demanding that her lips relinquish all resistance and melt the icy wall that had formed between them.
Her mouth slowly opened, hesitantly accepting his probing tongue. So sweet, she thought, the last vestiges of reason blowing away.
He reached up and loosened the towel that held her hair, and it dropped to the floor, as her still-damp hair cascaded through his fingers. A ragged groan eased from her opened mouth, as his hands slid down her back, tingling her spine, caressing her round buttocks, He pulled her closer, his hard masculine body thrust against hers, igniting the passion that throbbed within her.
She felt her knees weaken, her heart slam against her breasts as his agile fingers expertly released the belt that held her robe. His fiery hands eased beneath the fabric, stroking flamed skin that seemed to scorch his fingers. A shudder ran up his back, and he choked out her name, his hands moving along the curves of her perfect breasts. She moaned when he massaged them with the pads of his thumbs. Her own fingers instinctively ran up his back, feeling the taut muscles that rippled up and down his spine. His tongue probed deeply into her mouth, dancing, taunting, arousing, moving in a penetrating, ritualistic rhythm. Her own mouth competed with his, craving the blinding sensations that engulfed her.
This was wrong, she thought dizzily, a moment of rationale struggling for control. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Her thoughts swam in uneven currents. Too much had happened, too many lies.
His hand deftly roamed her body, sliding to the core of her womanhood.
She gasped. I can’t let this happen. I want him. “I love you, Khen,” he whispered roughly against her mouth. “I’ve never stopped loving you.”
I love you, too. Heaven help me, I love you too. He lifted her from the floor, his eyes burning into her with a desire she had never before witnessed, frightening her with its intensity. His mouth closed over hers, stifling any words of uncertainty as he carried her into the bedroom.
Standing above her, he watched her still form, every muscle cord in his body straining. He wanted her so desperately he couldn’t think clearly. He knew that if touched her, at this very moment, it would be over. And he wanted to take his time. He wanted to take forever.
She watched him remove his clothes, dropping them on the floor item by item, his strong chocolate-coated body shouting his virility.
She did not utter a word, but her eyes never left his face, as though searching for some explanation for the ethereal passion that flamed between them.
He lowered himself onto the bed, bracing himself above her on muscled arms. His eyes searched her face, saying all the words that raged within his heart. He lowered his head, his lips touching hers in shivery delight.
She stretched up her arms and pulled his head closer, crushing his mouth against her own. She flicked her tongue across his lips, searing them, gaining easy access to the depths within.
He moaned, as the flames rose within him.
Reason fled as he spread her satiny thighs with a well-placed knee, stroking her curves with unconcealed tenacity. His hot, wet lips wandered across her face, her throat, and down to her jutting breasts. She thrust her breasts against him, forcing them deeper into his heat-filled mouth.
The sensation was explosive as a myriad of brilliant lights danced and erupted before her eyes. Her fingers ran up and down his back, her ankles locking around his narrow hips, urging him downward.
She let her body succumb to the electrifying sensations that ripped throughout her being, forgetting the promises she had made, only wanting him, needing him, loving him at this moment with all of her being.
He wanted to devour her, hold her captive in this wonderland of bliss, make her forget the past, forgive him his indiscretions and love him as he knew he loved her. He drank of her as a child draws on its mother for nourishment, relishing in the exquisite, bittersweet taste of her, relieving himself of all reason other than satisfying her as before. This is how it should be, he thought through the cloud of tempestuous awakening. And it always would.
Slowly he raised his head, looking upward to her face, seeing her enchanting face completely consumed in the throes of passion, which only intensified his own. His mouth spontaneously covered hers, capturing the outcry of his name as he locked them together as one, sweeping them away, demanding her accompaniment, extinguishing all barriers.
She clung to him as one sweet sensation after another rocketed through her supple body. She felt as if she were on a precipice, ready to fall off, the thrill of floating in the air, the danger of falling making her heart race in an uncontrollable rhythm. But she knew he would be there to catch her.
She moved beneath him, stroking him, rocking him within her. She cast aside doubts and misgivings, letting her body and soul guide her upward to the height she knew she would soon reach—she knew, at that moment that she wanted him with her.
Their ragged, whispered voices called each other’s name in syncopated unison, the beat of its sound like an animal cry—savage, thrilling.
He pushed downward, slowly, relentlessly into her realm, seeking and finding the hot, liquid haven that enveloped him in a silken fire. Her fingers trailed down his back, softly, tenderly in places, urgently demanding in others, sending shivers of fierce tramping through his throbbing, swollen loins. Her whispered, erotic words of encouragement spurred him, clouding his sensibilities, blinding him to all but fulfillment for them.
Pure and crystal clear tears of intoxicating joy sprang from the corners of her eyes as his every motion swept her to greater heights. She couldn’t breathe, her heart raced as his thrusts quickened, hurtling them forward to a place they had never been before. A secret, divine place where only true lovers met, a higher ground only known to those whose spirits have joined and united.
He so wanted to be there forever, to linger with her on this pinnacle of tumultuous rapture, but he couldn’t. No longer could his body withstand the torturous heat that was methodically catapulting him through space and time. A shudder of pure surrender raced through him as he relinquished his hold on earth and drew her undulating hips gently against his. His mouth crashed down on hers, as explosion after explosion shot through him, her own contracting reply draining him, freeing him, heightening his release.
She cried out his name over and again, as shock waves of unbound deliverance ripped through her. The burning of life filled her, satiated her, radiated within her, made her complete.
The world ceased to move, the air no longer blew. The only sound was two pounding heartbeats beating as one.
Khendra rolled over and checked the bedside clock. It was nearly two a.m. Turning on her side, she watched Sean’s sleeping form, his breathing slow and regular as though he didn’t have a care in the world. The pastel blue sheet was twisted around his waist, exposing his broad chest and giving a brief hint of what lay beneath, bringing back the memories of the previous hours.
She turned onto her back and pressed her head into the fluffy pillow, staring up at the white ceiling. She hugged herself as a chill of dread scurried up her body. Not only had she compromised her morals, she had compromised her ethics as well. She had slept with a client. If that was ever discovered—
She didn’t want to think about the consequences.
All she knew was that as momentarily beautiful as it was between them, it was wrong. Disastrously wrong. There was no way she could handle a relationship with Sean and be his attorney as well. Deep within her heart, she had forgiven him for being an accomplice to Alex’s treachery. Whatever his reasons might be, there was no explanation. She had let her body distort her judgment.
He had betrayed her. Now his life lay in her hands. The troubling parallel frightened her. Would she reasonably be able to defend him, knowing her innermost feelings, or would she contribute to his downfall? The demons of doubt battled within her. She turned to look once again, and her
heart skipped a beat, the painful reality setting in. This was not the way to find out.
She reached over and shook his shoulder. He stirred, his eyes drifting open.
“What’s wrong?” he mumbled, reaching out to stroke her face.
She pulled away. “I want you to leave—now.”
“What? What’s wrong? I thought—”
“You thought wrong. Sean. This was a mistake. We’re a mistake. And I’m going to correct it. I want you to leave.”
Pain and confusion spread across his dark, handsome face, and his stricken look shot straight to her heart. But she could not back down, even though those incredible black pearl eyes clung to her face.
She got up from the bed and tossed his clothes at him, snatching up her robe in the process.
“Khendra, wait, we need to talk. I know everything happened so fast, but there’s so much I want to tell—”
“I don’t want to find you here when I get back,” she whispered, her heart aching. “I’ll see you in court on Tuesday,” she added with finality.
She strode out of the room and locked herself in the bathroom, afraid that if she stood there a moment longer he would see right through her facade.
Silent, mournful sobs wracked her body as she heard the front door close behind him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The courtroom was packed. Reporters, television cameras and spectators filled the overheated room to capacity. The noise level was deafening, the flurry of activity chaotic.
The media was having a field day with this case.
Every day since its occurrence, Sean’s name had been blasted across the headlines. It was a miracle they were able to select a jury. Khendra felt sure she would have to get a change in venue, when finally, the last juror was selected
She sat silently at the table, Sean’s thigh pressing lightly against hers, making her nerves quake. They hadn’t been in contact with each other since their night together until today, and it was just as well. She would not have to concentrate. Her conscience and her emotions were in such turmoil, she had hardly slept in days. But somehow she had managed to put a case together.
She felt pretty confident they had a chance for an acquittal, given the fact that no fingerprints could be lifted from the scarf, which could substantiate reasonable doubt. Her case hinged on convincing the jury that someone else was there that night, which would raise a reasonable doubt. At the very worst, she would work for a reduction of the charge. If he let her.
She dared to look at him. His hands were folded in front of him, still and unmoving. He looked straight ahead. But tight lines of tension rimmed his eyes, the only visible sign that this whole procedure was anything more than a stroll through the park. Yet, she knew better. They had discussed his chances earlier that morning and the risk he took by not accepting the deal offered to him by the D.A.
There was a surge of activity in the back of the courtroom and light bulbs flashed. Sean and Khendra turned toward the entrance door simultaneously to see Alex Counts moving through the crowd shaking hands with the press as he walked.
Khendra’s chest tightened.
Alex walked up behind them and leaned over the guard rail and clamped Sean on the shoulder. “Michaels, we’re all behind you one hundred percent. You know that.”
Sean looked up into blue eyes and the false smile of encouragement. He felt like wringing Alex’s neck. This blatant show of hypocrisy made his stomach turn. Ironically, Alex had escaped his downfall by the events of Sean’s horrific nightmare. And Sean cringed when he thought how close he had been.
“Thanks, Alex,” he said in a tight voice, turning away.
Alex nodded in Khendra’s direction by way of acknowledgment and took a seat in the back of the courtroom, waving away the eager reporters with a “no comment.” And I’ll be here every day, he thought. Right up until the end, showing my full support. He quickly surveyed the room. The woman was nowhere to be seen. He smiled.
A hush fell over the courtroom as everyone was asked to rise, announcing the arrival of Judge Abramson.
The proceedings began.
Khendra listened to the prosecutor make his opening remarks, jotting down hasty notes and gauging the reaction of the jury. She didn’t like what she saw.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Khendra took a deep breath as the prosecutor wrapped up his opening statement.
“…Therefore, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the state will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this man,” he turned and pointed an accusing finger at Sean, “is guilty of the murder of Carol Gordon-Michaels. Thank you.”
His booming voice reverberated across the high ceilings, clamping the crowded room into absolute silence. He took his seat, his unspoken victory slung from his shoulders like a mantle.
Khendra slowly rose and walked to the jury box.
She knew she had to pace her words and her movements with precision. It was imperative that she capture the jury from the start. She smoothed the lapels of her mauve-colored wool suit and began. Her nut-brown eyes swept across each of the jurors as she spoke in clear, measured tones.
“You’ve heard the eloquent words of Mr. Gamer weave a tale of violence. But the one factor he forgot to mention was motive.” Her eyes scanned the jury. “Motive, ladies and gentlemen. What possible reason could my client have for murdering his ex-wife? Was it a crime of passion? I think not. Was it robbery? No. The police officers found no evidence of robbery. We will prove that someone else was present that night. Someone known to the victim, and that someone was not Sean Michaels.”
By the end of her opening remarks, Khendra felt confident that the jury had been awakened to the possibility that someone else had been present that night. Now all she had to do was prove it.
The first day of testimony was long and arduous. Statements by the officers on the scene and the arresting officers were not as damaging as she thought they would be. However, it did not look good that Sean had a bag packed at the time of his arrest. Paul Gamer also introduced the witness who had found the body.
Tomorrow would be crucial. The prosecution was going to introduce the witness who saw Sean enter and leave the building.
As the court was, mercifully, called to recess until the following morning, Sean held Khendra’s arm as they prepared to leave the courtroom.
“You were fantastic today.” His voice stroked her.
She continued to pack her notes into her briefcase, not daring to look into his eyes. “Thank you. But I didn’t think you hired me to do a lousy job. What you need to concern yourself with is tomorrow. The testimony of the tenant is what we should be worrying about.”
She pulled away from him. “I’ve got some more work to do this evening. I suggest you go home and try to get some rest.”
She turned away from him and walked out of the courtroom, her heart thudding in her chest.
Day 2
“I heard a lot of commotion, things crashing to the floor, and a lot of yelling and shouting,” stated the elderly Mr. Harris.
“And what did you do when you heard all of this commotion?” asked Paul Gamer.
“At first I didn’t do anything. I thought it was a lovers’ spat. Then I heard a loud crash, and then nothing. I waited a few minutes and then I looked through my peephole.”
“Where exactly is your apartment in relation to the victim’s, Mr. Harris?”
“Directly across the hall.”
Paul Gamer brought a diagram up to the witness stand and asked that the witness point out the locations. “Your honor, I ask that this diagram be admitted into evidence as Exhibit A.”
“Duly noted, Mr. Gamer,” intoned Judge Abramson.
Gamer turned back to the witness. “And when you looked out, Mr. Harris, what did you see?”
“I saw a man running out of the apartment and down the stairs.”
“Is that man in the courtroom now?”
“Yes, he is.”
“‘Would you point him out to th
e jury, Mr. Harris?”
He pointed directly to Sean. “That’s him.”
A wave of voices rushed through the courtroom. “Silence!” roared Judge Abramson, banging the gavel. The courtroom quieted in degrees.
“Let the record show,” said Gamer, “that the witness positively identified the defendant, Sean Michaels. I have no further questions.” He smiled.
“Cross examine, counselor?” asked Abramson. Khendra approached the witness, smiling softly “Mr. Harris, you noted your age when you were sworn in. Would you repeat it for the jury, please?”
“Objection, your honor!” shouted Gamer. “This question was asked and answered. What is the purpose of counsel’s question?”
“Your honor, I do have a purpose to this line of questioning. If you’ll allow me some leeway…”
“Overruled. Continue, Ms. Phillips, but don’t stray far. The witness is instructed to answer the question.”
“I’m seventy-five years old, and proud of it.”
A chuckle went up in the courtroom. Khendra gave a patronizing smile. “And well you should be, Mr. Harris. But when was the last time you had a physical examination?”
“I saw my doctor two weeks ago.”
She briefly glanced down at the note pad she held in her hand and then looked up at him, giving him an enchanting smile. “And isn’t it true, Mr. Harris, that your doctor discovered that you have glaucoma and it has severely affected your vision?”
“Yes, but—”
“Just answer the question, Mr. Harris.”
“Yes.” He sighed reluctantly.
“And isn’t it also true that the glasses you have been wearing were not sufficient to compensate for your loss of vision?”
He hung his head. “Yes.”
“Isn’t it possible then, that the man you saw leaving the victim’s apartment on the night in question was not my client?”
“I suppose so,” he answered in a near whisper.
