Scene of the Crime

by M. J. Williamz

  “That’s fantastic. That’s what I like to hear. Except that you’re exhausted. Are you still not sleeping?”

  “No, but that’s because I’ve been working on the campaign. I’m sure I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

  “Good. I hope so. So, let’s talk about this trial. You mentioned Monday that you may be called on to testify and you were terrified. How are you feeling now?”

  “I don’t know. Not really scared anymore, more determined, I’d say. I don’t relish the idea of spending a day or more in a courthouse. That’s more Julia’s thing, you know? But if that’s what I have to do to put Sara away for good, then so be it.”

  “Excellent attitude,” Leslie said. “That’s what I want to hear. Now, Sara going to prison for the rest of her life. How does that make you feel?”

  “I don’t know, to be honest. Um, I think I’ll be happy, but then it’s almost like it’s a television show I’m watching. Like, I want the bad guy to be put away. I don’t know if I can explain it, but it’s hard to feel like this is my ex we’re talking about. It’s like it’s some stranger who did bad things and should be punished. Does that make any sense?”

  Leslie nodded.

  “I just hope you’re not disassociating yourself to protect yourself. If you’re really not emotionally vested anymore, well, that’s fantastic.”

  “I don’t know what I’m doing really. I just know that I’ll do my part whatever that is.”

  “Good for you, Cullen.”

  “So does this mean I’m healed? Can I sleep with Julia?” She smiled.

  Leslie laughed.

  “I don’t know about that. How much time have you spent together this week?”

  “Like none. I haven’t seen her since Monday, though I’m hoping we can get together tonight for dinner.”

  “That would be nice, but don’t go too far yet, Cullen. I want to make sure you’re out of the woods with Sara.”

  Cullen sighed loudly.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  When her session was over, Cullen sat in her truck and texted Julia.

  Dinner tonight?

  I just ordered a pizza. Come join me?

  I’m on my way.

  She arrived just as the pizza delivery guy was leaving. She knocked on the door and took Julia in her arms when she got in the house.

  “How’s my beautiful girl tonight?” she said.

  “I’m great.” Julia laughed. “How’s my boi and to what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “I finished the campaign. I’ll meet with the client tomorrow, but it’s about as good as I can get it.”

  “That’s fantastic news. Congratulations. Come on in and celebrate with me.”

  “Not so fast, my dear.”

  Cullen kissed Julia with no pretense of chastity. She kissed her hard and ran her tongue along her lips. She ran her tongue along Julia’s and felt her need at her core. Soon. Very soon. She broke the kiss.

  Julia leaned against her.

  “Am I supposed to walk now?”

  Cullen laughed.

  “Come on, I’ll help you.”

  Julia remained leaning against Cullen as they walked to the dining room. She felt amazing and once again, Cullen couldn’t wait to feel their naked bodies pressed together.

  “I’m glad you had a good day,” Julia said. “I had a great day, too.”

  “I know, cheers.” She held her bottle up to Julia’s wineglass. “So when’s the trial?”

  “We don’t know yet, but it’ll be soon. No reason for Sara to take up space at the jail when she belongs in prison.”

  Cullen nodded.

  “That makes sense.”

  After dinner, they sat together on the couch.

  “Will you come over to my place tomorrow night?” Cullen said.

  “I’d love that.”

  “Great. I should probably get going.”

  “As someone very dear to me once said, kiss me like you mean it.”

  Cullen’s blood roared in her ears as she kissed Julia with all the pent up passion flowing through her. She leaned her back and climbed on top of her, not quite losing control, but coming close.

  She finally ended the kiss.

  “Time for me to head home, unfortunately. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “As soon as I can get there.”

  “Excellent.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Cullen’s presentation went well the next morning. The client loved what she’d done with his ideas.

  “I wish you’d been assigned to us from the start,” he said. “I hope you’ll be our main ad contact from here on out.”

  “I’m sure I will be.” Cullen handed him her card. “And you can always request me.”

  “Will do. It’s been a pleasure, Cullen. Really. You’re a genius.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”

  She was walking on air as she went back to her office. She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. Sure, it had been a pain in the ass, but in the end, the client was happy and that made her happy.

  Unfortunately, all the work she’d put into that one client had put her behind on other projects so she settled in and worked through lunch to get caught up. She was so engrossed in one campaign that she jumped when her cell phone rang.

  Thinking it must be Julia, she answered with a smile.

  “Hello?”

  “Cullen?” That was not Julia’s voice. But a man.

  “Yes. Who’s this?”

  “This is Robert Allen. We met a few weeks ago?”

  She felt a cold lead weight settle in the pit of her stomach.

  “Yes, I remember you,” she said coolly. “What can I do for you?”

  “As you may or may not know, Sara was arrested elsewhere and brought back here to stand trial on some trumped up charges.”

  “I’d heard something about that.”

  “Well, I’m going to call you as a witness in the trial.”

  Shit! It was really happening. God, how she’d hoped that Julia had been mistaken.

  “I see.”

  “Look, I’m sure it sounds scary, but I assure you it’ll be easy. I’ll just ask you some questions about your relationship with her. You know, how happy you two were and that kind of thing. I’d like to go over the questions with you. Can you meet me Monday at ten?”

  “I don’t know…”

  “It’s important, Cullen. I’m going to call you whether you’re prepared or not. I suggest you be at my office at ten.”

  She exhaled loudly.

  “Fine, I’ll be there.”

  “Good. I know you want to help Sara. You’re doing the right thing. I’ll see you Monday. Have a great weekend.”

  She slid her phone in her pocket then pulled up the company email. She sent an email to Samantha asking her to call her as soon as she was available. At three o’clock, Samantha called.

  “Can I come to your office?” Cullen said.

  “Is it important?”

  “Very.”

  “Then sure, come on up.”

  Cullen’s stomach was in knots. She had to miss more work. One, to meet with Robert and two, for the fucking trial. Samantha was not going to be amused. She stood when Cullen knocked on her door.

  “Cullen, come in. Have a seat. What’s going on?”

  This time, instead of coming around to sit with Cullen, Samantha sat in her desk chair.

  “I don’t know where to begin,” Cullen said.

  “Are you quitting?”

  “No, nothing like that.”

  Samantha’s face relaxed.

  “Okay, so, what’s up?”

  “I’m not even sure where to start. I guess the best thing I can say is a friend of mine got in trouble.”

  “Friend? Were you involved with her? Never mind. You don’t have to answer that. Hell, I can’t ask that, so just disregard that, okay? And what kind of trouble?”

  “Yes, we were involved, and she’s in trouble with the law.”<
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  Samantha raised an eyebrow.

  “That doesn’t sound like your type.”

  “You have no idea. Anyway, I’ve been called as a witness for her trial.”

  “That doesn’t sound like fun.”

  “No,” Cullen said. “I don’t anticipate it will be. At any rate, I’m meeting with her lawyer Monday at ten. I’ll come in early to make up the time, but I wanted you to know I’m not flaking, and I don’t know about the trial. Like when it’ll be or how long I’ll have to be out for it.”

  “I understand.” Her tone was like ice.

  “Samantha, look, if I could get out of this, I would.”

  “I’m sure you would. Just keep me posted and I’ll try to keep the wolves at bay, okay?”

  Cullen stood.

  “Okay and thank you.”

  She went to her desk, good mood completely gone, and did very little until four thirty. She left her building and stopped by a liquor store on the way home. She bought Malibu rum and Coke. She was going to drink hard that night. She hoped Julia would be okay with it.

  Cullen ordered Italian food for dinner and was just plating the lasagna when Julia arrived.

  “Hey, beautiful.” Cullen took her in her arms. “Man, is it good to see you.”

  “It’s wonderful to be here. What smells so good?”

  “I ordered us dinner. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.” She motioned to her overnight bag. “Just let me put this in the bedroom and we can eat.”

  She was back out in no time and they sat down to dinner.

  “How was your day?” Julia said. “How did your presentation go?”

  “The presentation went very well. The client loved the campaign I put together for him.”

  “That’s fantastic. So, why are you not bouncing off walls in excitement?”

  “Sara’s lawyer called me today,” Cullen said.

  “Oh, babe, I’m so sorry.”

  “Yeah, I’m meeting with him Monday morning.”

  “We knew this was going to happen,” Julia said.

  “I know we talked about it, but I was still hoping it wouldn’t happen. I just hope I don’t say the wrong thing.”

  “What do you mean? I’ve told you, babe, all you have to do is tell the truth. Even if you paint Sara as a fun loving, wonderful girlfriend, we’ll be able to show she’s still a cold-blooded murderer. You just relax, okay?”

  “I’ll try. Ugh. And Samantha wasn’t happy about me missing more work.”

  “Samantha? Oh, the ex that you work with?” Julia said.

  “She’s not my ex. We just dated a few times. Nothing serious.”

  “Okay. Well, let’s focus on your excellent campaign and how well you’re doing with therapy, shall we?” Julia said.

  “Ah, yes, and how close we are to sleeping together.”

  Julia laughed. She had to. If she didn’t she would cry. Her need for Cullen was all-consuming. She was lucky she had the job she did or she’d think of nothing else, she was sure of that. She wanted nothing more than to play pillow princess for hours and experience all the pleasure she was sure Cullen could provide.

  And then, after resting and recuperating, she wanted to meticulously explore Cullen’s body. She longed to learn what really got her motor running, what sent her teetering on the edge of oblivion, and what got her to topple over the edge and soar to new heights.

  But it wasn’t time yet and she knew it. They both knew it, but damn, it was getting harder to wait.

  “Say something.” Cullen brought her back to reality. “Say anything.”

  “Sorry, you sent me off into fantasyland with that last statement.”

  Cullen laughed a deep rumbly laugh that caused a chain reaction of desire rolling through her veins.

  “Sorry to do that, but next time take me along.”

  “Take you along?”

  “To fantasyland. Talk to me, baby. What’s going to happen when we finally split the sheets?”

  “Oh, no,” Julia said. “I’m not about to put that into words. It may take us there sooner than we’re ready. So, for now, you keep your fantasies in your head and I’ll keep mine in mine. And then, when we’re ready, we’ll share those fantasies and make them come true.”

  “That sounds reasonable,” Cullen said. “But will you at least tell me what you’re like in bed?”

  “What do you want me to say?”

  “Are you a tiger or a pussycat?”

  Julia felt the blush start at her chest and work its way up her cheeks until her scalp was even on fire.

  “I can hold my own.”

  “Okay, not sure exactly how to take that, but I guess I’ll let it slide for now,” Cullen said.

  “What about you? Although I’ve no doubt you’re a tiger.”

  “Oh, yeah, aggressive and hungry for more. That’s me.”

  “Aggressive but gentle?” Julia said.

  “If that’s how you want it. I’m versatile and flexible. So whatever you want you get. Now just tell me what you want.”

  Cullen had gotten up and walked around the table. She rested her hands on Julia’s shoulders. She rubbed them lightly before sliding her hands forward and rubbing Julia’s chest, stopping just as her fingertips hit the swells of her breasts.

  “Cullen.” Julia leaned back and closed her eyes.

  “Yes?” Cullen eased her fingertips lower, and Julia felt herself swell at the contact. She needed Cullen’s fingertips lower still. One brush across her nipples would send her soaring, she was sure of it.

  Julia placed her hands over Cullen’s.

  “You need to stop.”

  “If you insist.”

  “I’m afraid I must. Damn, woman, I love the way you touch me.”

  “I love touching you.” Cullen’s voice was husky with need. “It makes me think of touching the rest of you, of how soft and warm you’ll be.”

  Julia twisted in her chair and pulled Cullen down. Their mouths came together and tongues explored. Julia couldn’t fight the thoughts that Cullen’s tongue was strong while soft and she wanted to feel that tongue inside her.

  She broke off the kiss and sat breathing heavily in her chair. Her head spun and blood thumped, and she wanted to cry at the painful frustration of it all. Still, she knew that the anticipation was only building up to what certainly would be fantastic sex. She was sure Cullen wouldn’t disappoint.

  “We should find something to do,” Cullen said. “Want to play poker?”

  “Sure.” Julia finally found her voice. “That would be fun.”

  Again, they were evenly matched in the card game with Cullen having a slight edge. Julia finally looked at her phone. It was one o’clock in the morning.

  “We should go to bed, er, sleep.”

  Cullen laughed.

  “True, it’s late. Come on, babe.”

  Cullen held tight to Julia’s hand as she walked her to the guest room. They stopped at the doorway and Julia slipped her arms around Cullen’s neck. She rested her elbows on her broad shoulders and looked into her eyes, begging Cullen to kiss her.

  Julia’s world tilted off its axis when their lips met. Her knees went weak and she held on to Cullen so she wouldn’t fall. And still the kiss went on. It intensified, it became gentle, it grew persistent again.

  She wantonly pressed her breasts into Cullen’s, knowing full well she was playing with fire, but not giving a damn. She was aroused to the point that she was ready to say fuck it and get naked right then and there.

  She felt Cullen’s hands cup her ass and when Cullen ground into her, she almost lost it. One touch, just one little touch, and she’d feel so much better.

  Julia was surprised when Cullen ended the kiss. She stood dumbfounded. The drumming between her legs drove her to try to pull Cullen in for another kiss, but Cullen stood stiff.

  “That’s enough for tonight,” Cullen said. “You have sweet dreams, baby.”

  She kissed Julia’s forehead, and
Julia watched her walk down the hall to her room. Julia lay in bed with her legs crossed, applying pressure to her red-hot center. Nothing worked to calm her down, and she slid her hand under the waistband of her sweats.

  She was wet, so very wet. Her head still pounded from the blood rushing through her. She dipped a finger inside.

  No, I can’t do that. I’ll wait for Cullen. No matter how long it takes.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Monday morning rolled around, and Cullen woke to an empty house. Julia’s absence was pronounced, and she hated it. She couldn’t stand not waking up to Julia and having coffee together and just being with her. She longed for the time that they’d wake in the same bed and she’d be able to start her day by making love to Julia until she couldn’t take any more.

  She went out to the garage and worked out, then came in, showered, filled a travel mug, and headed in to the office.

  She got there just after seven and had the place to herself. She turned on some music and got started wrapping up one of the two campaigns that were due that week. She was surprised when her music turned off. She looked up to see Samantha standing there.

  Shock and dread warred within her. What was Samantha doing there? And why now when she only had a few minutes before she had to leave to meet Robert?

  “What can I do for you?” Cullen struggled to keep her voice even.

  “I just wanted to thank you for making up the time you’ll be missing. And to check if you know when you’ll be at trial yet.”

  “I don’t know that, and I told you I’d make up the time I’m missing today.”

  “I know you did, but I’m still thankful. I’m your biggest champion, Cullen, as I’m sure you can imagine. And I felt like our last meeting didn’t go very well.”

  She closed the door and sat down. Cullen glanced at the clock. Shit. She needed to go in the next fifteen minutes or so and she didn’t want to be late. She wanted to get there and get it over with.

  “You weren’t happy,” Cullen said. “But as I said, it can’t be helped.”

  “Well, I just want you to know I support what you’re doing. Testifying on behalf of someone takes cojones. If you need some time off to recuperate from the stress, just let me know, okay?”

  Confused but grateful, Cullen sat silently for a moment.