by Caine, Candy
“I think I can speak for the both of us, Uncle Frank…” Scott stopped to glance at Marnie who nodded. “We both admire you and regard your advice highly.”
“Good. Now listen up. This trial is going to get hot and heavy—perhaps dirty. Things will be said and done, especially by the media. And while I’m on the topic of the glorious third estate, don’t get cut by its double-edged sword. Keep your mouth shut in front of the rolling cameras unless you’re absolutely certain the media has taken up your cause, which is dicey because of its inherently fickle nature. Keeping all of the above in mind, despite your feelings for each other, you’ll end up sparring. My advice is to keep it in court. Do not take it home or you will destroy whatever relationship you have. Trust me on this.”
Marnie knew Frank was right. She’d already mentioned her fears to Scott. Perhaps now
Scott would view it differently. As for the media, she whole-heartedly agreed with Frank and knew he was speaking from experience. She’d been there.
During her third week at the firm, she’d accompanied him to court and sat in the second chair. It had been a murder case based on circumstantial evidence. All the prosecution had was the testimony from an eyewitness. One of the reporters only had Pulitzers in her eyes and wrote inflammatory articles that tried and convicted the poor guy in her newspaper. She did a great deal of damage. When Frank began to question the eyewitness to the crime, a pleasant-looking middle-aged woman, he noticed she was squinting at him. As he neared her, he noticed there were red pinch marks on either side of the bridge of her nose. He knew she was probably being vain and left her glasses off. Perhaps she hadn’t been wearing them at 3:00 a.m. when she got out of bed to look out her window and allegedly saw his client. He incorporated this hunch into his subsequent line of questioning and ended up blowing the prosecution’s entire case to smithereens. Things might have ended differently had he not picked up on the woman’s nearsightedness.
Lunch sped by much too quickly and they returned to the courthouse. Marnie had enjoyed the lunch and was glad Frank had been able to second chair that day. She never felt him watching over her shoulder second-guessing her. Instead, she felt he had her back, giving her the extra boost and support she needed.
The afternoon session in court went just as quickly. Even though they had added only one new alternate juror, the pleasantness of the lunch carried over into the courtroom. Marnie felt more relaxed than she had been in days and noticed an easing of the lines around Scott’s mouth, as well. If only this mellowing could continue. Being the realist that she was, she knew it wasn’t possible no matter how she played her cards, but she’d enjoy it as long as it lasted.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
As a kid Marnie loved going to the movies. She’d make believe that she was the heroine of the film in an attempt to forget her own unhappy life. When she got older and realized that many of the actresses were just as miserable in their private lives as she, the movies lost much of their therapeutic value for her. However, she still enjoyed the diversion of a good movie every now and then. She selected one she thought Scott would like. Before taking their seats, even though they’d just eaten steak dinners, Scott insisted on purchasing a large bucket of buttered popcorn and two large drinks.
“Scott, who’s going to eat all of this popcorn?”
“Just hold it a moment while I carry the drinks.”
Marnie made the mistake of popping a few popcorn kernels into her mouth. Before long, she was absentmindedly eating handfuls from the bucket.
“I thought you weren’t going to have any.”
“I didn’t even realize I was eating it. It’s so damn addictive.”
“A likely story if I ever heard one.”
“It’s true,” she bleated out.
“Well, it does beat ‘the-Devil-made-me-do-it’ scenario.”
Marnie rolled her eyes and Scott laughed. She loved his hearty laugh. By the time the coming attractions ended and the movie began, they’d nearly finished the entire bucket. After it was empty, they sat holding hands—wiping them on paper napkins first, of course—and Marnie felt as giddy as a teenager on a first date.
They sat in the last row of the darkened theater. Marnie had her hand on Scott’s thigh. Remembering his suggestive comment about the darkened theater, she rubbed his sex, which was nestled on the right side of his jeans. Stealing a glimpse at his face, she noticed he was enjoying it. It wasn’t long before his erection was straining against the denim. Scott unzipped his jeans and she stuck her hands inside, and fondled him until he came into a wad of napkins left over from the popcorn. She was practically creaming in her panties as she wondered when she became so daring.
* * *
Following the movie Scott took Marnie to a Starbucks located not too far from the movie theater for some coffee.
“Would you like a piece of pie with your coffee?”
“Scott, if I keep eating everything in sight, I’m going to be a blimp and as far as I know, Goodyear already has a backup.”
He cupped his chin and struck a thoughtful pose. “I don’t know…I think you’d look just terrific.”
“Really, Scott?”
He sighed. “Okay. I’ll eat the pie for you. And because I’m such a super guy, I’ll even put some vanilla ice cream on top.”
“What a guy!” Marnie said.
“I guess Frank will be having the entire family over tomorrow.”
“It should be fun. He has a wonderful family.”
“That he does.” Scott closed his eyes for a moment and visualized the kind of family he would want. A boy to follow in his footsteps and a girl who looked exactly like Marnie.
“What are you smiling at?”
“Nothing, really. Just feeling the contentment of the moment.”
“Ah, a full belly. In babies, it’s usually gas,” she said and began to laugh at her observation.
“Marnie, you’re terrible,” he said, unable to contain his laughter.
Scott loved the way Marnie’s entire face became animated when she laughed. Her laughter was infectious as well and broke down his control. Another interesting thought hit him. They were both thinking of children at the same time.
It was late when Scott drove Marnie back to her apartment. Since they were both going to Frank’s the next day, he’d brought a change of clothes.
When they reached her door, Scott took Marnie into his arms and gave her a kiss that scorched the paint off the shingles.
“That was a preview of things to come. Excited?”
“No…,” Marnie said, pulling him inside the apartment.
Scott made a dejected face.
“I’m horny as hell!” she said, and kissed him. Laughing, they took off their coats and headed to the bedroom.
Standing at the foot of her bed, they kissed hungrily as they undressed each other. Marnie knelt before Scott and unbuckled his belt. The bulge that had begun to form moments ago was now stretching the denim. She rubbed it as she unfastened his jeans and let them fall. Scott kicked them off. She ran her hands over his erection through his briefs. Scott closed his eyes and made a low guttural sound. Marnie stopped her exquisite torture and pulled his briefs down over his muscled thighs. Scott stepped out of them and she took him in her mouth, slowly taking as much of the shaft as she could. As she sucked, she rubbed his balls causing him to groan. Marnie smiled as she thought about the pleasure she was giving him.
Several minutes later, Scott lightly touched her shoulder. “Let’s get on the bed so I can pleasure you, too.”
They situated themselves head to foot on the bed. Marnie found it hard to concentrate on sucking Scott’s cock while he was reducing her to a pile of quivering jelly with his tongue. When he pushed a finger into her ass, she cried out, gasping in sweet agony as one wave of ecstasy after another rolled over her body. Just as the last wave ebbed, Scott pulled her backward down onto his rock-hard cock and pumped into her from behind as he gripped her hips. It didn’t take long befo
re they both climaxed.
Marnie rolled over and kissed him. Opening his eyes, Scott smiled. “I love you, Marnie.”
“And I love you, too, Langley.”
* * *
The sun streaked in through her bedroom windows waking her. Scott was still asleep and had an arm draped across her chest. She studied his tousled black hair, the long silky lashes and his soft, kissable lips. How she loved to kiss those lips. Just watching him sleep stirred her juices. That had to be love. Never before could a man stir up such extreme emotions in her. Even when she was furious with him, her reaction was intense. I love you, Scott Langley and just about everything about you. You make me whole.
Then she thought about the DeMarco trial. Somehow, it never seemed to be far from her thoughts. Though she wanted to win the case, she couldn’t stop worrying about the fallout. There was also the possibility of his winning the case. She had no idea how she’d react. She didn’t think she’d stop loving him and hopefully his win wouldn’t go to his head…What would happen if she walked away from the trial before anyone got hurt? No. That would definitely kill her career.
Scott stirred and brought her back to the present. He opened his eyes and smiled. It warmed her more than the sun.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, as he pulled her face closer to his.
As their lips met, Marnie made a silent prayer. Please, God, don’t let me lose him.
Scott rolled on top of her. As his kisses intensified, all her negative thoughts were chased away. She could kiss those warm sexy lips of his for hours, but moments later, he began to slowly descend her body, first stopping to nuzzle her neck. Marnie closed her eyes as the pleasure flowed through her. She anticipated where he was heading, just as he began to tease her breasts using that sensual mouth of his. Her arousal was growing in intensity.
He didn’t disappoint. His hands slid down the curves of her hips and he raised her long legs over his wide shoulders. Scott teased her by running his tongue around the soft flesh of her pussy and the outer folds without touching the most sensitive spots within. By avoiding contact with her clit, he nearly drove her to distraction. She grabbed his head in a bold attempt to direct him.
Finally, Scott ended his exquisite torture and slid his tongue between the lips, which were now heavily lubricated by Marnie’s arousal. He licked her pussy from top to bottom, tugged and nipped at her clit until she moaned with pleasure.
Marnie let her legs drop to either side of Scott and whispered, “I want to feel you inside me.”
She reached for his cock as he rose and guided it into her wet pussy. Throwing her arms around his neck, she found his mouth and kissed him as he began to move rhythmically in and out of her, careful to rub against her swollen clit. Arching her back, his mouth latched onto a nipple and he swathed and tugged at it she began to buck beneath him.
“Faster,” she whispered between her ragged breaths.
Scott obliged and moments later, they both climaxed nearly simultaneously. He kissed her and then cuddled behind her. Five minutes later, they both had fallen asleep.
* * *
After a steamy shower in more ways than one, Scott playfully propelled Marnie into the kitchen. “I need coffee, woman. You make some while I see about vittles.”
“You cook?” she inquired, as she filled the carafe with water.
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you being sexist?”
Noticing his eyes were still smiling, she decided to play along. “Little ole me?”
“See anybody else in the room?”
Marnie looked around her. “Nope.”
“Then—”
“Some of my gay friends are chefs.” Marnie added from out of left field.
Scott smacked his forehead. “I give up.”
“Let’s see what we have to work with,” Marnie said, pulling him over to the refrigerator.
“There’s a half-dozen eggs and I have some wheat bread—”
“Wheat bread?”
“Eating something healthy won’t kill you,” Marnie said, primly.
“But the shock of having eaten it will.”
“Ooh,” she replied, and playfully punched his arm.
“Watch the rough stuff, lady,” he said, and pulled her into his arms for a kiss.
“Hey, if that’s what I get for a punch, I’m dragging out the major artillery, big boy.”
“Okay, time-out. This boy’s starving and is going to rustle up some grub.”
Marnie finished making the coffee and watched Scott whip up two cheese omelets. Then, right before they were done, she toasted what was left of the wheat bread and placed it on the table along with the milk, butter and jar of grape jelly.
Scott watched as Marnie took her first bite of the omelet. Then she used the side of her fork to slice off another and ate that bite, as well. When she went for her third, Scott interrupted her with a loud, “Well?”
“What?” she asked trying to act innocent.
“You know what. How does it taste?”
“It’s better than the diner’s fare.”
He broke into a big grin.
“You can eat yours now. It must be cold,” she said.
It was nice to share breakfast with something other than a file or the newspaper. Marnie realized how easy it would be to have him permanently in her life. And it was a snug fit.
* * *
“Isn’t the weather just gorgeous today?” Marnie said as they got into Scott’s car.
“I guess the weather finally got the memo that it’s spring.”
“Now let’s just hope there isn’t much traffic,” Marnie added.
Frank and Louise lived in upscale Glen Head, on the north shore of Long Island. One thing Marnie did know about Frank and that was he enjoyed the finer things in life. He once had mentioned to her, “You only go around this life once. If you haven’t lived by then, it’s too late.”
The house, an imposing Tudor, which could have housed the likes of several lords and ladies, was erected on two acres of well-manicured land. It had a long circular drive that was already looking more like a parking lot by the time Scott and Marnie arrived.
Frank greeted them both at the front door. After they’d given Josie, Frank’s long-time housekeeper their jackets, they walked into the living room, already half-filled with adults and active children of all ages. Marnie and Scott said hello before going over to Louise who was holding her newest grandson, Jarrett.
“He’s getting so big, Louise.” Turning to Allison, his proud mother, Marnie said, “And he’s just beautiful.”
“I wish the same on you.”
“Whoa, just a sec. I think I should get married first.”
More than one set of eyes traveled to Scott when she said that. It was hard to miss, but there had been a smile on his face…
Changing the subject, Scott asked if she’d heard from the baby’s dad, Thomas, who was now overseas.
“He tries to email or text every day. I don’t have to tell you how I walk around on eggshells…”
“We all pray he comes home safely,” Marnie assured her. What that poor girl must be going through, she thought. The world has become such a dangerous place.
“How are you doing, Marnie?” Louise asked.
“Just fine, thank you.”
“I’m glad. Tell Frank what he should throw on the grill for you.”
“You, too, Scott.”
“Yes, Ma’am!” he said, clicking his heels and snapping to attention.
That earned an eye roll from Louise whose attention moved away quickly as a blur of yellow streaked across the lawn. “Gregory! What have you done to the poor cat?”
As everyone in earshot turned to see what her grandson was up to, a large cat rolled back and forth in the grass trying to remove from its coat something that looked like mustard. When she tried to spray the animal with the hose, it dashed off into the bushes.
“Don’t let that cat in the house,” Louise shouted to Frank.
Despite the laughter of the adults, Gregory wasn’t allowed to bask in his glory. Instead he was promptly placed into a chair and read the riot act by his mother.
Marnie was enjoying herself until Jay, the husband of Stephanie, Frank’s eldest daughter, asked his father-in-law one how the DeMarco case was going. Marnie had tried her best to avoid discussing it with Scott in order to keep things peaceful between them. She didn’t need anybody to bring the subject up.
“I hate when the media builds something up and then you don’t hear much of anything about it,” Jay said.
Frank clapped his son-in-law on the shoulder. “That’s because a jury had to be selected. The actual trial begins tomorrow.”
“It must be real cool for the both of you—I mean being on opposite sides in the same trial.”
“Okay. That’s enough shop talk, guys,” Louise said. “Let’s all enjoy the glorious weather and all the food. And speaking of food, if you all don’t eat some more, Frank and I will be eating this stuff for a month.”
Bless you, Louise. Marnie could have gone over and hugged her. She knew law was like politics, everyone had a different opinion. And that usually led to arguments. The trial wasn’t mentioned again and the rest of the visit went well.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Monday morning came much too quickly. The weekend had been special. Marnie had had a nice time at the movies and a wonderful day at Frank’s with Scott. Things couldn’t have been more terrific between them. Today they’d begin the actual trial. Now as the pleasant memories of her delightful weekend with Scott were fading, Marnie feared all the pleasantries would disappear with the bang of the judge’s gavel.
She’d had a restless night and instead of meeting Frank at the courthouse as planned, she’d driven to the office knowing he’d be stopping there first. She needed to speak with him, though she couldn’t precisely state the actual reason. Her nerves were jangling and her stomach was in tight knots. Whether it was reassurance or guidance she seeking, what did it matter? She’d often begun a case feeling this way, but this one had so much more riding on its outcome.
