Melting Away The Ice (THE ICE SERIES)

by Smith, Mary

  I needed more of him and worked through the pain in my jaw, opening my mouth wider and pushing him further into my mouth. I could feel him shaking with lust and pleasure. He was panting so loudly that it was almost echo in the room.

  I felt him tighten up and I knew that he was close, but I kept going. It was in a split second that Lucas pulled me up by my shoulders and had me on my back. He ripped my shorts down. I helped him get the shirt off just before he thrust into me. I wanted so much more of him. I wrapped my legs around him as he was going faster, nearly screaming out in pleasure as my body tightened around him. I couldn’t stop trembling as I came. With two more pushes I felt Lucas explode in me.

  He lay on top of me, with his forehead on mine, as we try to catch our breaths. “I didn’t plan that.” He laughed as he rolled off of me.

  “I didn’t either,” I giggled. “But, I am not sorry.” I curled up into his side.

  “Me either, beautiful.”

  Chapter 32 – Sara

  The week went faster than I wanted it too. Lucas and Max didn’t get into trouble for leaving the benefit, although their coach yelled at them more than usual. Lucas, and even Max, said that it was fine. I focused on my work in hopes that I could settle my nerves, but was still unsettled the night before the trial. Lucas was leaving for the All- Star game and was trying to tell me to be strong.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” He had asked me a thousand times before, but I was adamant for him to go.

  “No, Lucas. Rachel will be with me. You need to work and I can’t keep taking you away from events you are supposed to be at.”

  “I don’t care about the events. I care about you and will come home right now if you say you want me too.” I knew that he would if I asked, but I couldn’t do that.

  “Have fun. I will talk to you tomorrow night when you are done. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  I took a deep breath as I stared at my phone. I really wanted to call him back and have him come wrap his arms around me, but I had to do this on my own. Rachel had called and wanted to go out to dinner, but I told her no. I decided to stay home, order take out and watch my favorite Friends re-runs. I needed some “me” time.

  So, that was what I did.

  The night seemed to fly by and before I knew it, the sun was peeking through my window. My hands were already shaking. Be strong. Lucas told me if I was feeling nervous to say just that: Be Strong.

  I got up and started my day. After showering and getting dressed, I tried, unsuccessfully, to eat breakfast. Rachel called and said that she would be there in a few minutes. I stared out my living room window at the sky. It had snowed last night, but today the sun was shining and there were only a few clouds.

  A typical Chicago morning.

  I heard Rachel come in and my eyes never left the window.

  “Hey, are you ready?” Rachel asked as she came into the living room. I didn’t turn around to look at her.

  “Rachel, I don’t think I can do this.” The tears were streaking down my face and I couldn’t stop them.

  “Yes, you can. Remember what Lucas told you.” Rachel’s voice was firm.

  “Be strong.” I sighed. “I really wish he was here.”

  “Why didn’t you tell him to stay?” Her question made me close my eyes and wish that I had.

  “Because he is going to end up throwing his career away because I am an emotional yo-yo and I will not let that happen.”

  “You are not an emotional yo-yo.” I whipped my head around at Lucas’ voice. I almost screamed in pure shock as I finally saw that Rachel and I weren’t alone in my living room. Next to Rachel was Max dressed in a black suit and a yellow tie. Next to Max were Ava, Victoria, and Elizabeth all professionally dressed. Lastly, Lucas, with his arms crossed. He was wearing his gray tailored suit with a purple tie. “And my career is fine.” My legs had a mind of their own as I ran across the room and leapt into his arms.

  “Why are you here?” I buried my head in his neck and tears kept coming.

  “Because I want to be,” he whispered in my ear. I looked up at him.

  “How much trouble will you be in?” I was so worried that he was really going to damage his career because of me.

  He smiled at me. “I am not in any trouble. Marc went in my place.” He brushed away my tears and I never felt so happy to have him close. Then I remembered the other people in the room. I turned to look at Ava, Victoria and Elizabeth.

  “Why are you all here and when did you get here?”

  “We are family and family is always there for each other.” It was Elizabeth that spoke, nearly rendering me speechless. Family? Am I family?

  “We came in last night, Sara.” Victoria answered.

  “Besides, Lucas owes us a shopping trip and Chicago is a great place to shop.” Ava came up to me and gave me a big hug as everyone laughed.

  “I hate to break this up, but we do need to go.” Rachel said. I took a deep breath and we all headed toward the door.

  We made it to the courthouse with no problems. Rachel and I guided everyone to the courtroom. Since there was a gag order in place, there would be no media for this case. We all walked down the long hallway when I saw the prosecutors that were working my case. Karla Thompson and Faren Moore were two of the top attorneys in the state and I knew that Rachel had been working with them to make sure my case was solid.

  We made introductions to everyone when Karla pulled us into the side room to talk. Of course, everyone followed, which was fine with me. I hadn’t let go of Lucas’ hand since the moment I saw him today.

  “Okay, here is the deal. We have everything in place. All the witnesses’ are prepped, but I am still worried about you.” Karla pointed right at me.

  “You need to be precise in your testimony on the stand,” Faren chimed in. I nodded to them both.

  “I know what I need to do. I am ready.” Lucas squeezed my hand. Jake was not going to hurt me or my family.

  “Then let’s go,” Karla said. As we all headed toward the bench to wait to be called, we saw Jake and his attorney at the end of the hall. Lucas’ body tightened and I could feel the anger coming off of him. It was Max that came to the rescue.

  “Hey, Sharp, don’t do anything crazy. I don’t have much bail money on me.” Max smiled and Lucas nodded. I heard Ava ask Rachel what was going on and Rachel told her that Jake was at the end of the hall. Ava looked at him and I heard her say that Lucas could kill him without a problem. That promoted Victoria to speak to Ava in French. I could only assume that she was telling her to be quiet.

  The courtroom doors opened and the bailiff came out to call our case. We all settled into our seats as the judge was called and then the jury. I looked over at Jake, who had a smug look on his face, not a care in the world. It didn’t even seem to faze him that he was on trial for attempted murder.

  The jury instructions were given and opening statements began. Karla gave a straight and to-the-point speech; that was one thing that I like most about her. There was no beating around the bush. Jake’s attorney painted him to be an outstanding citizen and that the case would prove that he didn’t do what he was accused of.

  The State opened with their first witness. It was the first officer that was on the scene to the house. He was around my age with short hair. He recounted the events of the night and we even heard the 911 call from Rachel. It was the first time I had heard it. My dear best friend sounded frantic and scared, two emotions she rarely showed. Max had tightened his arm around her shoulders as the call continued. Silent tears fell down Rachel’s face as she relived that night through the call. When the officer was done he was dismissed and Jake’s attorney never cross-examined him.

  The State then called the EMS that was first on the scene. She was older than I was and very smart. She gave a quick, detailed summary of my injuries and the treatment that she administered. Again, Karla asked questions that were to the point and the testimony was soon over. Again, Ja
ke’s attorney didn’t cross-examine.

  The State called the ER doctor that treated me when I got there. He was more detailed in my wounds than the EMS worker. He even detailed my rehab and mental status after the accident. I felt like I was in a fish bowl when the jury would peer over at me. When Karla was done, Jake’s attorney still didn’t cross-examine the witness.

  Be strong. Lucas’ words kept repeating in my head. I shifted in my seat and sat taller. Jake is not going to win, this time. I felt Lucas squeeze my hand encouragingly.

  Then the State called the detective to the stand. He was the one that actually found Jake that night. I knew this was going to be the hardest to hear, but I could do it. The detective told how he was called by the hospital because of my extensive injuries. He showed pictures of my injuries and that was when I kept my head down. The courtroom gasped as each pictured appeared. He talked about the statement that Rachel gave and the staff at the hospital. He then recounted the details of Jake’s arrest.

  The one thing that I didn’t know was that they had the knife and clothes that Jake wore that night. I looked up to see Jake’s khaki pants and white shirt stained with my blood. Lucas was grinding his teeth so badly I thought they would all break off. Ava, Victoria, Elizabeth, and even Rachel all had tears streaming down their face. When the detective was finished, Jake’s attorney stood up. I thought that he might actually ask question, but instead he asked for a fifteen-minute recess. The judge granted it. We all stood up and headed out into the hall. Faren shuffled us into the little room.

  All at once, Karla, Faren, Rachel and I began talking. We were trying to figure out what was going on with Jake’s attorney.

  “Okay, hold up,” we all turned to see Victoria looking at us. “Talk to us as humans, not lawyers.”

  “We are trying to figure out why Jake’s attorney is not questioning witnesses’. That is not like an attorney unless they have something up their sleeves.” I explained.

  “I thought that was strange,” Lucas said. I nodded.

  “It is strange.”

  “Okay, you are up next. Are you good?” Faren looked at me dead in the eyes.

  “I am ready.” I really was. It was time for me to get my life back and Jake would not be standing in the way of that.

  “We call Sara Smith to the stand,” Karla said in a clear voice. I stood and held my head high.

  Be strong. Lucas’ words were still echoing in my head as I took the stand and oath. Karla began to fire questions at me and I answered them with truth and determination so the jury knew exactly what Jake did to me. After a dozen or so questions, Karla was done and sat down.

  My stomach dropped as I saw Jake get up and head to the podium.

  “Your Honor-,” Karla jumped up but was cut off by Jake.

  “Your Honor, I am a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois and I have the right to face my accuser.” His voice was smooth and precise. He always knew how to work a jury.

  “Your Honor, he is trying to intimidate the witness,” Karla said.

  “Mr. Black, you may proceed, but be quick and to the point,” the judge said. I looked over to Lucas and Rachel. Lucas looked like he was ready to jump over the rail and kill Jake. Max had his hand on Lucas’ shoulder. Ava had him on the other shoulder and Victoria was whispering something to him. I heard Jake clear his throat and I looked at him. I had to be strong. I had to do this.

  “Ms. Smith, how long did we date?” Jake looked at me with a ghost smile on his face.

  I took a deep breath and looked at Lucas. Be strong. “Two years,” I answered.

  “How did we meet?” He was looking at the jury. I knew that move well. I had watched him a hundred of times in the courtroom.

  “I was your associate,” I answered.

  “So, I was a partner, correct?”

  “Yes.” I was a little confused on what he was doing.

  “So I made more money than you?” he asked formally.

  “Objection,” Karla jumped up but Jake cut her off.

  “I withdraw the question.” I looked at Rachel and her eyes were as wide as mine. Jake was “planting” the jury. “Planting” was what lawyers did to throw off the jury. Even when the lawyer withdrew the question, the jury still remembered.

  “Ms. Smith, before this alleged incident, had I ‘hurt’ you before?” I hated that he air quoted ‘hurt.’

  “There were a few shoving incidents,” I replied.

  “Were there witnesses to these shoving incidents?”

  “No.”

  “You say, previously, that I had lost a case that day this supposedly happened. Had I lost a case before in the time of our relationship?” He was staring at me again. It felt like he was glaring into my soul.

  “Yes,” my voice broke a little.

  “Did I ‘hit’ you then?”

  “No.” The tears were creeping up to my eyes, but I couldn’t let them fall.

  “What did you do the night before?” That was a question that no one had asked me before.

  “Um, my friend and I went to dinner after work.”

  “This friend would be Rachel Silver, correct?” I looked at Rachel as I confirmed. “How long have you two been friends?”

  “Since childhood.”

  “Is Rachel Silver an avid kick boxer?”

  “Objection,” Karla started, but was again cut off by Jake.

  “I withdraw.” Jake slightly smirked because he knew he just planted that Rachel and I may have planned this whole thing.

  “I just have one more question, Ms. Smith. Have you ever known for me to be formally charged with any other crime liked this before?” I could see a smile creep on Rachel’s mouth and I knew that my eyes were huge.

  “Yes, you have been charged with a crime like this before.”

  “What?” Jake stared at me in shock.

  “You were formally charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon three years ago.” He paled and realized he made a mistake.

  “I have no further questions.” Jake hurried to his seat when Karla popped up.

  “Your Honor, may we ask a few more questions.” The judge nodded.

  “Ms. Smith, how do you know about the charges that Mr. Black was charged with?” Karla asked with glee in her voice. We were unable to bring this up initially, but since Jake introduced the subject, we now had the right.

  “I worked at the same firm at the time Mr. Black was formally charged with beating his wife with a baseball bat.”

  “Objection,” Jake yelled out.

  “Mr. Black,” the Judge said sternly. “You opened this line of questioning; therefore you cannot object.” Jake sat down and anger oozed off of him. His eyes were almost black with rage.

  “Was that just office gossip? How did you know that?” I knew that Karla was trying to make sure the jury was clear on the process.

  “I was working with the attorney that was defending Mr. Black.” It was when I first started at the firm and Jake had just been charged.

  “What was the outcome?”

  “Mr. Black’s attorney was able to negotiate down to no contest and community service.” I remembered because I had helped write up the final order.

  “So, the main question is, why did you start dating him?”

  I took a deep breath and answered honestly. “I thought he changed and I thought he really loved me.” One tear escaped and I couldn’t stop it.

  The judge then dismissed me.

  Chapter 33 – Lucas

  I clenched my jaw so tightly throughout Sara’s testimony that I was pretty sure that I cracked all of my back teeth. Max and Ava had to practically tie me down to make sure that I didn’t beat Jake Black to death. I was close to it.

  When Sara finished, Ava moved over so she could sit next to me. Sara was trembling a bit, but Rachel had whispered in my ear that they had done well. The judge asked if Jake’s attorney had any more witnesses’ and they didn’t. Both attorneys did their closing arguments. When they finish
ed the judge gave the jury more instructions and we were all dismissed.

  I grabbed Sara and rushed her out into the hall and into the small room the attorneys had taken us to earlier. In one swift movement I shut the door, pulled her against me, and kissed her. I kissed her because she was so brave on the stand. I kissed her because I loved her. I kissed her because I wanted her to know how much I would protect her. When we finally pulled apart, I just held her.

  “I have a plan,” she finally said.

  “What is it?” She smiled and grabbed my hand. We headed back to into the hallway where my family was standing. Ava wrapped her into a big hug and then my mother did too.

  “Hey, I am okay.” She had a bright smile on her face and she was stunning.

  “Hey, Karla and Faren, come here.” The two prosecutors walked over to Sara. “We are leaving. Will you text me when the verdict comes in?”

  “We are leaving?” Rachel and Ava asked at the same time.

  “Yep, Lucas Sharp is going to take us shopping and out to dinner.” She looked up at me with those big green eyes.

  “That is your plan? Shopping and dinner?” I was a little confused.

  “Yep, I don’t want to stay here and I don’t need to be here when they announce the verdict. I want to be out with my friends and family.” I couldn’t say no to her. If she wanted to go shopping and to dinner then I would go broke doing it.

  “Heck yeah! I need some new shoes, Creep.” Ava laughed and everyone joined in. Karla and Faren agreed to text Sara and then we all headed out.

  The ladies weren’t joking about shopping. We went to four different stores and everyone got something. Max wouldn’t let me buy Rachel anything, which was fine, since Ava was buying everything in sight. I loved every dollar I spent because Sara laughed and had more fun than I had seen in a long time.

  We decided on dinner and headed over to great casual diner. We were hungry and even a little tired from the long, emotional day. The waiter took our drink order and we all ordered something alcoholic. Yeah, it was that kind of day.