Tug Of Law (Bernadette Mackenna Cases Book 4)

by D. R. Bailey

  “Well,” said Eve, also slipping under the covers and pulling in close, wrapping her arms around Bernadette, “That was loud.”

  “Me or them?” Bernadette giggled.

  “Both,” Eve giggled too.

  “I know Imogen thinks she’s hard done by because I’ve seen her having sex twice, so maybe this will mollify her a little.”

  “Hmm, is that so? Then we should do it again, but we can both be thunderously loud this time,” Eve said mischievously.

  “Let’s have a rest first, and then maybe…” Bernadette said softly.

  “I love you.” Eve kissed her.

  “I love you too.”

  “I love you more.”

  Bernadette smiled, in the dark.

  “It really turned you on, didn’t it?”

  “Yes, yes it did.”

  “You’re such a naughty girl.” Bernadette kissed her again.

  “Do you think badly of me?”

  “No, why should I?”

  “I don’t know,” Eve sighed.

  “Kiss me, darling,” said Bernadette, “Just kiss me.”

  “I thought you wanted a rest.”

  “Well, maybe now I don’t…”

  ✽✽✽

  In the morning, at breakfast, they all appeared in robes or dressing gowns. Given it was Sunday Bernadette and Eve had simply lain in bed snuggling close, enjoying the intimacy of not having to do anything in particular. Bernadette thought back to the previous night and how Eve had become so aroused by the sound of Imogen spanking D’Arcy. There must be triggers there somewhere she felt, although she wasn’t sure she had the courage to ask Eve, and certainly not at D’Arcy’s place. She shelved it until maybe a more propitious time, perhaps the following weekend. It wasn’t that she felt in any way less of Eve, but she wanted to understand, and if there were secrets, she wanted to know what they were. After all, they were to be together for life, there shouldn’t be secrets between them, she reflected. She pushed the thoughts aside, if she carried on then Eve would pick them up like the witch she was.

  “Hello, lovebirds,” said D’Arcy with a smirk on her face. This told Bernadette their efforts to be heard had not gone unnoticed.

  “I hope we didn’t disturb you last night,” Bernadette replied taking a seat.

  “No, quite the contrary, it was very…. enlightening.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Bernadette said smiling apparently unfazed by the innuendos.

  Constantina came in and greeted them effusively. It had been her night off the previous night. She was the live-in housekeeper, who had also been a witness at D’Arcy’s hearing. She was a feisty good-looking woman of around forty years of age.

  “Ah, Bernadette, how are you, how are you, and, Eve, oh so nice for seeing you,” she said as they both gave her a hug.

  After a few minutes catching up, she went off to the kitchen to bring in the breakfast. It consisted of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, fried aubergine, homemade hash browns, toast and coffee.

  “This is delicious,” said Bernadette eyeing it hungrily.

  “I guess a night of rampant sex does wonders for the appetite,” said Imogen.

  “I’m sure you would know,” Bernadette shot back, “Anyway, it’s nothing D’Arcy hasn’t heard or seen before.”

  She was referring to the time D’Arcy turned up unannounced at their place one Saturday when they had just started handling her case. They were in the middle of a Shibari session and Bernadette had left D’Arcy downstairs for a few moments, so she could finish the job. D’Arcy however, found her way upstairs, and observed them in flagrante delicto. This was some time ago. They had been trying to be more circumspect since then, but it appeared when they went to D’Arcy’s house, somehow all bets were off.

  “Well, now I’ve heard it, at least,” Imogen replied her eyes dancing.

  “And that’s as far as you are going to get,” Bernadette told her firmly.

  “She’s no fun, is she, Eve?” Imogen said in a teasing voice.

  “Well… she’s a lot of fun, at least with me,” Eve said teasing her back.

  “Can we get off the subject of sex now?” Bernadette put in.

  “You brought it up,” Imogen laughed.

  “I did not.”

  “Didn’t sound like it, last night.”

  “Oh stop!”

  “Fine, but to be honest it was better than the porn channel,” Imogen giggled.

  “I said stop it!”

  All of them collapsed in a fit of giggles and then for the next few moments devoted themselves to eating the breakfast which was otherwise going to get cold.

  “I’ve never thought of having aubergine, it’s delicious,” said Eve, “Do you like it, honey?”

  “I love it,” said Bernadette.

  “Then I will try to get some for our breakfasts too, sometimes.”

  “See how she looks after me,” said Bernadette to the others.

  “We’ve certainly heard it,” said Imogen at once.

  “I’m not going to hear the end of this am I?”

  “There’s still quite a bit of mileage in it, darling, so…”

  Bernadette shook her head. Neither she nor Eve mentioned the spanking noises, however. They wanted to preserve D’Arcy’s modesty on the subject. Bernadette assumed D’Arcy thought they wouldn’t have heard anything because they were being so loud themselves.

  “So, are we doing some more martial arts?” D’Arcy wanted to know, tiring of sexual banter.

  “Sure, if you like,” said Eve, “And exercises, a swim.”

  “A bit like yesterday then,” said Imogen.

  “Yes, it’s great to be able to relax.”

  “Have we sorted out the hotels and stuff for next week?” Bernadette wanted to know.

  “I’ll finalise it on Monday.”

  “Not work, not today.” D’Arcy made a face.

  “Sorry,” said Imogen contrite.

  “It’s OK, my darling, I love you.” D’Arcy leaned over to kiss her.

  Bernadette observed this with interest. It would seem as if whatever went on in the bedroom brought them closer together. It couldn’t be a bad thing.

  After breakfast, they had a swim. Played croquet on the lawn out the back with a croquet set which D’Arcy had just acquired. This engendered much hilarity and good-natured arguments. Eve led them in an exercise session, and after lunch, they did martial arts again. D’Arcy in particular entered into it with great enthusiasm and said she was going to get a personal martial arts trainer for her and Imogen. They swam and had tea and then finally they had to go.

  “I’ve had a lovely time, darling,” said Bernadette hugging a tearful D’Arcy.

  “Don’t cry, honey, we’ll see you again soon,” Eve told her.

  “I just love having you both around, it was so nice, just like a family, and I’ll miss you when you’re gone,” D’Arcy sniffed.

  “Well, you are part of our family now, all four of us together,” Bernadette found herself saying.

  “Oh, really?” said D’Arcy brightening up.

  “Yes, so cheer up, buttercup, we both love you to bits and Imogen too, we will see you soon I promise.”

  They kissed Imogen and D’Arcy goodbye. Bernadette watched a slightly forlorn D’Arcy with her arm around Imogen waving goodbye as they pulled away.

  “Do you think she’ll ever grow up?” Bernadette wondered as the car picked up speed.

  “Do you want her to? She wouldn’t be D’Arcy if she did,” said Eve.

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  “You love her to bits, admit it,” Eve said smiling.

  “I do, it’s true, she annoyed me so much for a long time but now she’s part of our sisterhood.”

  “Amen to that.”

  ✽✽✽

  Monday arrived all too quickly and once more the alarm, and the light sneaking around the cracks at the edge o
f the blinds woke Bernadette and Eve.

  “Oh God, is it that time already?” Eve said sleepily.

  “Yes, it is, my love.” Bernadette smiled.

  “You were certainly my love last night,” said Eve snuggling close.

  “And you mine.”

  They kissed lightly. They had spent the evening before not doing much at all. Eve had read a book while Bernadette lay on the sofa with her head in Eve’s lap, so that Eve could stroke her hair. She liked this and also the luxury of lying there thinking about nothing much at all. She had dozed off, and then after a light supper, they had gone to bed, with inevitable consequences. The exercise and the sex had tired them both out.

  “I slept like a log.”

  “Me too,” Eve yawned, “Anyway, come on, go and have your shower, I’ll sort out your clothes.”

  “Yes, OK.”

  Bernadette completed her morning ritual She had a shower, washed her hair and let Eve plait it for her. Eve did two pigtail plaits and tied them up. Then Eve did her makeup and Bernadette got dressed. Eve had laid out a light blue skirt, pale yellow blouse and a black jacket, coupled with strappy heels. When Bernadette came downstairs the usual tantalising odour of eggs and bacon assailed her.

  Eve put Bernadette’s plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast down on the breakfast bar, and a mug of coffee. She took a seat herself.

  “Thank you, darling,” said Bernadette digging into her eggs.

  “My pleasure.” Eve smiled.

  “Can you, maybe get some clothes out for us, in case we go tomorrow, I think enough for us until Friday, we’ll probably come back then. I’ll need smart lawyer like stuff, and some casual for evenings. Please, darling, if it’s not too much trouble,” said Bernadette.

  “Of course, and I’ll sort my clothes out too, do you think we’ll fly out tomorrow?”

  “Yes, I think so. Imogen is arranging everything so I’m leaving it to her.”

  “OK, well, I’ll make sure we’ve got our passports and stuff ready.”

  “Yes, good thinking. And also, just think, when we are married, you can get a new one, with your new name in, if… if you want to.”

  “Of course I do.” Eve hesitated and put down her fork. “Are we going to get married? I mean soon.”

  “Yes, we should.”

  “OK, well then, after this week’s over, let’s talk about it properly.”

  “Yes, let’s.”

  “Do you promise?”

  “I promise.”

  Eve pulled her closer and held her against her half naked torso. “Because… you know, if you break that promise I’ll have you standing upstairs with your hands on the wall for an hour in heels,” she whispered.

  “An hour!” Bernadette’s eyes grew wide.

  “Yes, so… don’t break your promises to me lightly.” Eve’s eyes danced.

  She was, of course, referring to a game they played during Bernadette’s diet where Eve had ‘punished’ her by this method for eating biscuits, which Bernadette had done on purpose. It was half an hour that time followed by sex. Bernadette had found it arousing as well as extraordinarily difficult in many ways.

  “You witch,” Bernadette breathed, “And now you are making me so horny.”

  “Eat your breakfast darling,” Eve told her letting her go.

  “OK.” Bernadette almost pouted but she sat down and finished her meal, and then her coffee. Eve did too.

  “I’ve got to go now,” said Bernadette.

  “Mmm, then come here.” Eve stood up, tilting up her face for a kiss.

  As Bernadette kissed her, she felt Eve’s hand move lightly under her skirt and then inside her knickers. Her fingers began to move relentlessly. The suddenness of it turned Bernadette on even more.

  “Oh… fuck… I didn’t expect… oh fuck… oh… shit… oh… fuck… ohh,” she cried out climaxing very quickly. Eve had already aroused her and it didn’t take long to reach the finish line.

  “Is that better?” Eve smiled, removing her hand and smoothing down her fiancée’s skirt.

  “Oh, yes, much.”

  “I’m glad.”

  At the front door, a still flustered Bernadette was once more lost in her fiancée’s kiss before opening the door and getting into her car. She drove it away almost on automatic still on a high. Eve was waving from the doorway barefoot and fancy free, just as she always did, and just as Bernadette always loved her to be. She smiled to herself and turned on the radio.

  ✽✽✽

  Back in her office, it wasn’t long before Imogen arrived with two coffees and an armful of papers. She deposited these on the coffee table by the sofas, and Bernadette took her seat beside her.

  “Well?” she said taking a sip of her drink, “How was the rest of the weekend?”

  “It was good, very good.” Imogen smiled. “Was it good for you? Oh well, I know it was, of course in one way.”

  This was a way for Imogen to get one more dig in about the noise, but Bernadette let it pass. It was going to be one of their little jokes, she could tell.

  “We loved it, all of it,” said Bernadette.

  “I’m glad, it meant so much to D’Arcy, she cried like a baby after you were gone, it took me some time to console her.”

  “She feels things deeply I know.”

  “Perhaps you can come again soon? For D’Arcy, I mean, I loved having you too, of course, I did,” Imogen said softly.

  Bernadette could tell from this speech, how much D’Arcy meant to her friend. This was a deep and true love for certain, and it made her very glad.

  “By the way, you never mentioned it, but did you hear anything, I mean, on Saturday night?” Imogen asked suddenly.

  Bernadette wondered what to say and opted to prevaricate.

  “I never mentioned it no…”

  “So, you did, didn’t you? I can tell,” Imogen said at once.

  There was nothing for it but to come clean, after all.

  “We were sparing D’Arcy’s blushes. And you said she was shy about your, activities, so…”

  “Thank you,” said Imogen gratefully, “So what did you hear exactly?”

  “Erm, well, the distinctive sound of D’Arcy’s bare backside being paddled, and some of the things you were saying...”

  “Oh,” said Imogen, she thought about this for a moment and shrugged. “Well, it can’t be helped, she was due a spanking and it had to be done. She wanted it anyway. I’m sure Constantina knows all about it because we know Juanita does. So, you are not the only ones.”

  “Indeed, but I think they’ve been discreet.”

  “I hope so,” said Imogen ruefully, recalling some of the other sessions she and D’Arcy had indulged in.

  “Yes. There is one thing, and I hope you won’t take this amiss.”

  “I don’t suppose I will at all, what is it?”

  Bernadette explained how Eve had become aroused by the sounds of the spanking and what had ensued.

  “Really? Goodness, she obviously is more into it than you know,” said Imogen surprised but smiling just the same.

  “Well, yes and that’s what worries me.”

  “Why? Why be worried. She hasn’t asked you to do it, has she?”

  “No, she hasn’t, and I don’t really want to go down that route.”

  “Well, you don’t have to. She obviously finds the vicarious pleasures enough. I mean, I can make a recording for her if you want,” Imogen sniggered.

  “Oh no, don’t. Poor D’Arcy, it would be very wrong.”

  “I was only joking, darling, I would never do that to her.”

  “Thank goodness.”

  “Look, your fiancée is turned on by stuff, that’s all you need to know. Does it really matter if it’s between you?”

  “I guess not, I just don’t want to feel there are secrets. She should feel safe to share with me,” Bernadette said sounding a little emotional.

  �
��Has this less to do with Eve than it does to do with Rebecca? Because that is what it sounds like,” Imogen said frankly.

  “I guess,” Bernadette sighed.

  “If you want to ask her about it then you should. When it’s a good time. But be prepared for revelations.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means secrets are sometimes best kept in the past.”

  “Well, now you’ve got me really worried. Is she going out and getting spanked or something? Is that what you are saying?” Bernadette said with great concern on her face.

  “No, silly,” Imogen laughed, “It’s just we all have a past, don’t we? Sometimes we might not like the past of someone for whatever reason, I don’t know? I’m just trying to say don’t go there unless you really feel you must, that’s all. If you must, you must.”

  “Oh… well, I think perhaps I must…” Bernadette replied after some thought.

  “For a hard-nosed bitch lesbian lawyer, you are so sensitive, darling,” said Imogen taking her hand.

  “I know, I’m like a piece of fucking jelly inside,” Bernadette sniffed.

  “Never say so. So, look go on, ask her, I mean, what could possibly go wrong? You love each other, if it ends up somewhere difficult you will get through it.”

  Bernadette knew Imogen was trying to help but everything she was saying almost seemed to make it worse. However, she wasn’t one to shy away from things. She knew she had to face her fears and if this was a fear, then she would need to front up. She resolved to talk to Eve, very gently on the coming weekend, and find out the truth about her past. If indeed there was a truth to be discovered. Having put the thoughts aside for the moment, she turned her attention to the case.

  “We’ve got the papers?” she asked Imogen.

  “Yes, they contain the pleading which we’ve seen. A sworn affidavit from Kevin Clinton accusing Callum of being involved and admitting his own involvement. It also contains a transcript of Kevin’s interview with Met detectives. There are various bits of CCTV footage from the depot where Callum left the truck which proves he was driving it, so there are stills from those. There is a copy of the tachometer for the truck, border control papers and so on,” Imogen told her leafing through it.