It gave him pleasure to know that he could do that for her, and that she cared enough about him to forget a phobia that obviously dominated her on many different levels. Unexpectedly, he felt an overwhelming urge to embrace her once more. This was the very reason why he refrained from reaching out for her. Because of his life, they had nowhere else to go save to bed. Period. The final wordThe fact that the dampness on his stomach required attention served as a wake-up call for him, prompting him to exclaim, "Holy sh*t." They had not employed any methods of birth control. He never went somewhere without a condom. Always. Even carried one with him in his wallet, which he had every intention of using. Because of the way Anna had gotten on top of him and dominated him, he'd completely lost track of who he was. After giving his jaw a good scrub, he made up his mind to have the talk that needed to take place.Before coming to Anna's side, he reached inside a box that was sitting next to th
He covered her with a sheet as if to provide her protection or a place to rest her head. His hands remained on her shoulders the entire time. "Everyone has aspects of themselves that they wish they could alter in some way."She rotated her body so that she was facing him. “Yeah?” She did not wait for an answer before continuing. "What would you like to see different?""Not having the strength to murder Pedro when I had the opportunity to do so." Jerome maneuvered himself to the edge of the mattress and sat there.“That wasn’t weakness,” she assured him. “Doing what is right is tougher than doing what you desire.” She had personal experience with this. She was aware of it due to the fact that she had led a life in which money and excitement, including sex, were the primary motivators for her actions. Where getting forward meant putting victory ahead of doing what was right. It was all about the benefits that it may bring to her.Because he didn't say anything, she assumed that for some
Anna gave a slight shrug. "I've come to terms with the fact that I'm an outsider." She tinkered with the paper wrapping that was encircling her granola bar. Even her own mother acted as if she had sinned against the family by doing this."Is it true that your sister is going to start working for them right away?""Don't you think my file contains a little bit of everything?" She did not wait for an answer before continuing. "I've tried to stop her, but she just won't listen to me. She dreams of becoming the defense attorney that no one can defeat, and having a paycheck that reflects her success. She turned the topic back to him and continued talking. "Do you have any brothers or sisters?"He responded with a curt "No," as if she had asked him a question that was in poor taste. A possible indication that he had finished the conversation about himself.Regardless of the outcome, all of the talk about the shadowy parts of his past, as well as her own background, brought to mind something
After a few moments, Jerome hid her totally from Agent Jack's line of sight by moving her behind a trailer. She murmured in an agitated tone, "Why aren't we with Jack?" as she watched Jerome bend down and pull a piece of underpinning from the trailer. "Why aren't we with Jack?"They did not come across us on their own initiative. He beckoned for her to follow him into the shadowy area underneath the trailer. “Go.”She would have argued, but the sounds of gunfire that filled the air, followed by the sound of a motorcycle engine getting closer, prevented her from doing so. She did not dither any longer and immediately made her way beneath the house with Jerome following close behind. She suppressed a yelp when she was hit in the face with cobwebs. When a motorcycle sped immediately by their spot, Jerome rapidly installed the siding, and he didn't miss a single second of opportunity to do so. As soon as Anna realized how close they'd been to being found, any anxiety she'd been feeling ab
"I'm sorry, honey, but I have to tell you the truth, and I wasn't referring to you. I meant in general. Tell me. How does it make you feel to consider the idea of allowing someone like Pedro or Randy walk free on the basis of a damn technicality? Is it OK to let them go even if it will endanger the lives of more people? You're able to accept it, right?""No one claims that they are going to walk. However, what would you like for me to do? Fabricate evidence to ensure convictions?""How can you let them get away with it if you know that person is guilty, and you know that person will kill innocent people?"Her voice had a slight wheezing quality to it. "I am unable to fathom what transpired between the two of you when you were with Pedro; but, whatever it was, it obliterated your point of view." Her voice became more resolute and assertive as she spoke. "It is impossible for you to contribute to a system that you do not believe in. You can't put criminals behind bars if you're willing
She said to her boss that she hoped he understood, and this brought him back into the conversation after he had almost completely lost track of it. "I mean, what's the point in putting yet another D. A. in jeopardy. I am already complicit in this, and I have no problem remaining undercover until the trial is over.Anna had bombarded him with questions about the best places to hide and the strategies they would use to return to the courthouse in time for the trial. He had deduced that whenever she was uncomfortable, whether in or out of bed, she attempted to exert control over the situation. It made no difference to him at all. In point of fact, it gave him a certain amount of satisfaction to know that he had overcome the obstacle in bed.However, he did not understand why the concept of doing so outside of it appealed to him in the first place. Not that it made any difference any longer. It was inappropriate for him to be so close to her. At this moment, he was faced with the unenviab
Anna was shaken wake as her tumultuous argument with Jerome, in addition to her concern for her family, tormented her thoughts as she attempted to fall back asleep.As they drew into the parking garage of the hotel, she sat up straight. "Why are we coming to a halt?" "I need to get some sleep and eat a proper dinner." As he stepped out of the vehicle after pushing open the door, he did not look in her direction. She gave it a moment of thought before deciding how to respond to him, taking note of the fact that he had used the first person singular. The dispute that they had continued to cause tension between them, which was suffocating and ready to suffocate whatever remaining friendly feelings that they had for one another. And it made her uncomfortable. It caused her a great deal of annoyance.She had spent a large amount of time throughout the fight pretending to sleep while she was anxiously thinking about it. Trying to understand why the disagreement between them mattered so much
Anna's jaw was locked tightly. She hadn't planned on being this sour, yet here she was. And she was indeed under the impression that she had those previous emotions under control. She pushed her demons away and offered the desk clerk a pleasant smile.After a few minutes had passed, she joined Jerome in waiting nearby while he inserted a room key into a door handle. The atmosphere was charged with awareness, which defied the iciness of his demeanor. They were both aware that they might have different opinions regarding the legal system, but there was one subject on which they were both fully in agreement: sexual activity. Something that was going to be very difficult to ignore in their studio apartment with one bed.When Jerome pushed open the door to the hotel room, he was as conscious of Anna's proximity as he was of the next breath he would take. Actually more conscious of things. The act of breathing occurred automatically. Every moment that he was in close proximity to Anna, he y
Three days later In the courtroom, Anna was standing. As soon as she learned that Pedro had been found guilty on all charges, she felt nothing but joy and happiness. The time spent deliberating had only been for a total of four hours. Anna wanted to celebrate this victory on so many fronts and on so many levels that she wanted to dance. The next person in line would be Jack, but her supervisor was taking care of that one.As soon as she was able to escape the pandemonium that ensued when the court was adjourned, her eyes immediately found Jerome's, and she and he exchanged a wordless glance of happiness with one other. It was a done deal. Never again would Pedro inflict pain on another person.When it came to Randy, the FBI had located him with the help of a confidential source and had carried out the arrest flawlessly.On the steps leading up to the courtroom, there was a group of reporters with flashing cameras waiting for them, and Anna made a brief remark. It was over much too qu
It was then that she tore the bracelet off of her arm. "I don't require the bracelet at this time. I can no longer avoid dealing with the past. I'm done letting it define me. I'm resigning from my job. I'm going to begin from scratch. It's time for me to start over. And I want to accomplish it alongside you.His expression suddenly changed to one of surprise. A glimmer of optimism. After that, it was gone, and the chill returned. "Until such time as I do something that causes you to have doubts about yourself or possibly my motives. Something that has you seeing myself as a negative influence despite the fact that I am not." “No.” How was it possible for her to communicate with him? At this point, it would be pointless to declare her love because no one would listen. He was under the impression that she did not have a favorable opinion of him and that she did not trust him on some level. She recalled a chat the two of them had back in Houston; therefore, she was aware of what steps t
He gave her one of those smiles as he passed her by. "It's great to have you back, Anna." The phrases carried an undercurrent of flirtatious intent, which he seemed incapable of avoiding when speaking to a woman.She did not extend an invitation for him to have a seat. She addressed her question to him in a chilly manner, saying, "What can I do for you, Frank?" The intention behind her icy demeanor was to drive him away. He never stopped regarding her as his property, and he made an effort to stake his claim to her at every opportunity that presented itself. Her greatest protection was to maintain some distance between them.Frank's eyes drifted over her shoulder to the table where the two agents were playing cards, and then they settled there. Jerome stood there, a fleeting expression of unease appearing on his face; most people wouldn't notice, but she knew Frank better than she wanted to. She smiled to herself privately, relishing the look of bewilderment on his face.Frank switch
"No," he responded. "That is not going to happen. You are not being used by anyone as a bait. I was the one who got you into this mess, and I'll be the one to get you out of it.They were staring at one another, her lips were apart, and it seemed as though the world was somehow pulling them apart, despite the fact that just a few days earlier it had brought them together.In the end, she admitted, "I got myself into this by taking on this case." "I'll find a way to get out of this."She avoided him, and this time he turned around to watch her depart after she had already left the room. "Anna," he called out to her as she moved toward the entrance to the room. When she looked back over her shoulder, her gaze traveled to his with a questioning expression on her face.Jerome declared, "This is not going to end here."The atmosphere became tense as the seconds ticked by until she turned and walked out of the room, the door closing behind her.Jerome made himself comfortable on the mattres
She took a deep breath and realized that her feelings were, at best, erratic, and that this was not entirely due to the fact that she was dating Jerome. The fact that her father was there in the courtroom that day caused her to experience mental confusion. He'd been sitting there with an accusatory expression on his face the whole time. But no matter how flawed he would want to find her performance, he wouldn't be able to, and the only reason he wanted to find it problematic was because she was performing work that he didn't approve of. She was at the pinnacle of her abilities and giving her absolute best performance. She wanted Pedro to be locked up, and she was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen. Her one and only regret was that she couldn't genuinely share the improvement with Jerome, because for the sake of appearances, they were required to pretend as though they were strangers. However, they had already accomplished too much to let an affair ruin their credi
"This house has a total of three bedrooms. I sat you on the seat that is to the left of the door. It's also prettier and more spacious. The papers you need to review were sent to you by your boss. They are on the dresser, where you can find them."Okay," she said. “Thanks.”Phil continued, "We will want you to be in a controlled setting as much as possible, so only your immediate family and those associated to the case will be allowed to visit on a limited basis." I need a list of everyone who has a chance of being let in so that we may conduct background checks on them. They are not permitted entry if their name does not appear on that list. You'll always have three agents at your disposal, including Agent Sandro and the other two." His attention briefly shifted to Jerome. "After everything that went down with Jack, I don't blame him for being wary of everyone," she said. After that, he had a direct conversation with Jerome. We placed him under custody late last night. He has be
She came to a halt when he held out his hand in a stopping gesture. He said, "You're going to go back to your perfectly planned life, free of evil influences like myself." I am the one who got you involved in this mess with Randy, and I am the one who will get you out of it. I'll get you your life back. I give you my word that..."He grabbed the bags and then reached for the door, yanking it open before she could answer and tell him that what she truly wanted was...him. He opened the door before she could tell him that she wanted him.The majority of the trip to Austin was spent with Jerome in a sour mood, acutely conscious of her every action and every sound. He was driven completely insane by her yearning, his rage, and his frustration. with...an additional component. Something that he did not wish to contemplate further. However, he was unable to reject the fact that he had feelings for Anna, nor was he able to deny how inappropriate he was for her.He was not the kind of man who
After several hours, Anna awoke while she was resting on her stomach. Because they had been sleeping through the night, the room was pitch black. She gave a sly grin to herself. The hand of Jerome was resting on her exposed butt. Certainly an example of a butt guy.She let out a soft sigh as she reflected on the many enjoyable hours of sexual activity that they had spent together. Lovemaking. His word, not hers. What had transpired between them, on the other hand, had been significantly more satisfying and potent than any other sexual encounter she had had before he came into her life. Indeed, lovemaking. She had nothing except sexual encounters with her former partner. This… This experience I had with Jerome was about more than just the simple pleasures the body can provide. Because of this, she found herself in a state of mind in which the rest of the world began to disappear into a place that she shared with only one other person—with Jerome.Her thoughts immediately went to hi
They pumped, together, for long moments, and then they stilled, staring at one another, and he saw in her what he felt in himself. They were both bewildered by the plethora of feelings and pleasures that were surging through them at the same time.Her unkempt hair framed her heart-shaped face, and she waited with her lips parted for him to approach. "Damn, you're beautiful," he murmured as he lowered his mouth to take hers, and his hands reached beneath her backside to pull her closer to him. "Damn, you're beautiful," he murmured again. While he continued to pump, he angled her hips, and she continued to take it... she begged for more. She was tense for a few seconds before her body jerked into release, which came too soon or not soon enough. Until finally, she shattered.He continued to ride her while looking at her and being mesmerized by the sight of her approaching. He restrained himself and waited until he was certain that she had reached her full level of contentment. When her