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Chapter 17
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Legally Charming Chapter 18
Felicity snuggled into her couch, an Egyptian history book propped on her slightly bent legs. She held a highlighter between her index and middle finger, flicking it back and forth as she perused the chapter on the upper and lower kingdoms. Survey of Egyptian History was one of the most interesting classes she was taking this semester. Lust, power struggles, betrayals, rising and falling empiresit was a history major's dream.She uncapped her highlighter and marked a passage that explained how the Nile flowed from south to north. Flipping to the next page in her textbook, she found a picture of Elizabeth Taylor from the classic movie Cleopatra. She was lying on a thin purple couch, one hand raised in a seductive come hither gesture. The queen of Egypt certainly had confidence in spades. Felicity envied her for that.Felicity shut her eyes. It wasn't Elizabeth Taylor on the couch, but her. Eyes darkened by kohl, almost catlike in her steady gaze, she gestured for Marc Antony to come t
Legally Charming Chapter 19
Jared read through the purchase and sale agreement for the fifth time that evening. There were still a few clauses he needed to tinker with a bit before he sent it off to the seller's counsel. It was crucial that he covered the due diligence and inspection periods and other areas of the contract that would protect Thad's company. Every good real estate lawyer knew that when you represented the buyer, you had to stay on top of the seller and their counsel, and hold their feet to the fire on the contract they signed in order to make sure everything was done.More times than he could count, Jared had seen ill-drafted purchase agreements dissolve into litigation when sellers abandoned their duties after they'd been paid by the buyers and no longer considered themselves responsible for the property, even though the deal hadn't been fully closed.The entire afternoon, Jared had worked undisturbed on the agreement. He saved the document on his computer and then shut it down. He spun in his
Legally Charming Chapter 20
Club Amazon was packed with writhing bodies. Electronic dance music boomed loudly enough that it reverberated inside Felicity's own body. The heady scent of expensive perfumes and the flashing strobe lights were overwhelming. Silver chandeliers hung from the ceiling, with beads glinting from the flashing lights, and surrounding the dance floor were areas with satin couches and bartenders offering drinks in crystal glasses. Everywhere around her was decadence and luxury.Felicity swallowed hard and took an instinctive step back into Jared's body. His arms wrapped around her from behind as she turned, pressing against him. Startled at her own actions, she tried to recover her control and put distance between them again, but he didn't release her right away. She had to tug herself from his embrace."You okay?" His voice reached her ears, even through the shouting of the crowds. She knew that no matter how loud it got, she'd always be able to pick out the sound of his voice in a crowd, a
Legally Charming Chapter 21
"Sowho is she?" Shana asked as Jared continued to pace in the small suite. He didn't want to go outside and see Thad putting his hands on Felicity. It would be too much. He'd lose it."What?" He was barely paying attention to anything around him."The girl. The one you brought here." Shana's accusatory tone was laced with hurt. That, and nothing else, got his attention. He stopped pacing. His feet were rooted to the expensive white carpet. He was hurting Shana, his ex-girlfriend, his friend. This was not who he was. He didn't hurt people."Shana, she'sFelicity," he said. There weren't words to describe what she was, and as a lawyer if he was at a loss for words, it meant something.Shana smoothed her red satin dress and looked away as she eased into one of the chairs by the door. For a long moment, her gaze was distant, seeing things he could not. A rueful smile finally played with the corners of her mouth."You're with her?""NoyesI don't know." He flung himself into the chai
Legally Charming Chapter 22
Jared reached over and caught her by the waist. "Easy," he murmured softly in her ear.She didn't seem to hear him. "No hospitals. I'm fine. Really. I just need to eat something and rest in a quiet place. I'm sorry, I just hate hospitals," she added.The medical team exchanged looks, but when Thad coughed politely, they looked his way. "I'm sure she'll be fine. I promise we'll watch over her the rest of the night, and if we think she needs medical help, we'll bring her in to the hospital immediately."Jared could see that the two medical personnel were reluctant to agree, but all it took was a glance at Felicity's terrified face and they didn't press her to go with them.They packed up their gear and let Thad escort them out. When Jared was alone with her, he came around to the front of the couch and pulled her down to sit beside him. He wrapped his right arm around her body and cupped her face with his other hand."Are you really okay? You scared the shit out me, princess."A we
Legally Charming Chapter 23
Felicity sighed and dropped her clutch on her bed. What an awful, embarrassing night. She was going to kill Layla for this.But I was dumb enough to think I could go to a dance club where I knew I'd get stuck in crowds. She had to own up to her own idiocy. She just wished Jared hadn't seen her pass out like that.She covered her face with her hands. Her fingers were icy from being gloveless in the cold, but they felt good on her flushed face.Large masculine hands settled on her shoulders, then slid under her collar as they removed her coat."Let's get you into bed," Jared murmured, his warm breath fanned over her left cheek. How could he do that? Make her feel so safe and warm and yet desperate for more of what his hot gazes promised? Maybe it was time to stop fighting her desires and just surrender to them?"Bed?" A little shiver rippled through her, but it wasn't from the cold.He chuckled. "So you can rest."Something wild and completely unlike her took over. "No reason you
Legally Charming Chapter 24
He kissed her throat, then worked his way down her chest with gentle kisses before he explored the tip of one breast. She gasped and arched her back, shoving her breast more firmly against his lips. He bit the tip, then sucked on it hard. The tug at her breast made sharp, stinging arousal burst to life in her womb and between her thighs. He scraped his jaw over her sensitive nipple. The slight night beard coming in rasped against the nub, and she whimpered in pleasure. By the time he turned his attention to her second breast, she was writhing and panting and clawing at his back.Jared only smiled. "Just feel me, feel every touch," he murmured. He stroked his hands up and down her body, his fingertips tapping a light melody only he seemed to hear. The touches and teasing taps reached the back of her knees, her inner thighs, moving higher and higher. She felt like the white and black keys of an old piano, being tickled to life with a musician's touch. Right before he reached her sex, he
Legally Charming Chapter 25
For the first time in years, Jared slept deeply and without dreams. He was warm and comfortable and happy. Work stress didn't intrude on the sweet nothingness. He simply rested. The world could have ended in fiery sonic boom explosions and he wouldn't have stirred. That was what it was like to share a bed with Felicity after making love to her. He was content. Truly, blissfully content.When he came out of his sleep at last, it was to see the late-morning sun filtering through the blinds on the small window in the bedroom. Everything he'd said the night before, everything he felt came flooding back, and he closed his eyes again. Part of him, a deep part that responded with anxiety to any signs of change, wanted him to bolt from the room and pretend he'd never revealed his weakness, his feelings for the girl in bed next to him. He hadn't held back from her, not a damn thing. It scared him shitless, like he was freefalling without a parachute. But the rush, the adrenaline-spiking, blood
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Legally Charming Chapter 51: Epilogue
Felicity stood in the nursery of her and Jared's apartment, putting away the naptime books and collecting the recently washed onesies to put away in the dresser. The crib was empty which meant Jared had taken the baby for her breakfast. The morning sun made the walls glow with light. It was a fine Saturday morning, and she had all day to spend just as she wished. After a long but enjoyable week at the Art Institute, she was glad it was the weekend. She smiled as she let her gaze drift from wall to wall. She'd painted stories that had made her childhood happy.There was a rotund yellow bear snoozing beneath a tree, a hive full of honey far out of his reach. The next wall showed a young girl perched on a window seat, white curtains billowing into her room. A distant star above a London skyline shimmered, and the silhouette of a boy who could fly covered part of the window, a tiny fairy above his shoulder. The next wall showed a boy wizard riding in a boat toward a distant castle, a dist
Legally Charming Chapter 50
A tall, well-dressed man with his back to her. Just beyond him stood Thad, who met her gaze and said something to the man, who turned. It was Jared. His eyes fixed on her, his hands in his pockets. He looked dangerous with a heavy shadow of stubble, and his full lips were set in a determined line. The man had that brooding, sexy expression down to perfection.Jared. My Jared. Her heart was bleeding, but her soul was shaking off its dust and starting to sing.Don't go to him, don'tHer feet moved at the same time his did. When they were only a few feet apart, Felicity held her breath. Jared slid one hand out of his trouser pockets and reached for her, but he stopped short of her cheek. His eyes burned as he stared at her."Felicity." Her name escaped his lips like a prayer whispered fervently at midnight. "How are youand the baby?" His eyes stayed locked with hers."I'm okay. We're okay." She touched her abdomen. I miss you. "You?"A rueful smile crossed his lips. "Awful." He gl
Legally Charming Chapter 49
Two weeks. Somehow Felicity had survived fourteen long days without Jared. She timed her work at the gallery to avoid any meetings with the Worthingtons in case Jared was there. She'd not gone back to her old apartment, either. Thad had sent men to pack her things up and put most of them in a storage facility until she found a permanent place to live for the rest of the semester. Since then, she'd hidden from the world except to go to classes. At first she'd expected Jared to be there, waiting to see her. It was something she feared and hoped for at the same time. But he was never there.Part of her knew logically that she should be grateful he'd accepted the breakup and that he was leaving her alone so she could adjust. But her heart protested. It wanted him to fight for her, to seek her out, and it demanded that she give in, not push him away.The door chime on the hotel suite broke her loose from her dark thoughts. She rushed to the door, knowing who would be there.Layla stood i
Legally Charming Chapter 48
"I can do this," Felicity whispered as she stood at the foot of the steps leading up to the Art Institute of Chicago. The bronze lion, now tinted green, stood a few feet from her, staring stoically out at the street before it. She climbed the steps, her heart pounding.She couldn't believe she was herewell, at least here as a worker of sorts and not a visitor here to admire the pieces. Sabine had called her early this morning, asking if she wanted to spend a few hours giving tours to exclusive art patrons who were interested in private viewings of some of the currently closed European galleries. Felicity had jumped at the chance. It was huge to get asked to provide tours to these upper-end donors who gave money to the major museums. It would part of her duties if she ever became a curator. Donors liked to have face time with the top staff at museums and institutes and get special treatment, since they donated a lot of money to keep the exhibits open. And it was a joy for the staff to
Legally Charming Chapter 47
Felicity stood at the foot of the large bed in the hotel suite, a towel wrapped around her body and hair wet. Her skin was warm from the shower, but it hadn't erased the chill from within. She opened her bag on the bed and sifted through her clothes until she found underwear and slipped them on. Her hands paused as they touched the black T-shirt of Jared's. She lifted it to her face, burying her nose in the soft cotton again. It carried a hint of him, just enough to make her heart shudder. She slipped the shirt over her body and let the towel drop to the floor.A small flashing green dot on her cell phone caught her eye from where it lay a few inches away from her bag on the bed. She flipped it open and saw three missed calls from Layla and one from Jaredand a voicemail.I shouldn'tShe pressed the Play button and lifted it to her ear.Jared's voice, rough with pain that came through as he spoke and ripped her heart into even tinier pieces. "Princess, you need to come home to me,
Legally Charming Chapter 46
Jared was on top of the world. The executed release of the lease sat on Pimms's desk, and the older attorney had conceded that his reaction that morning to Jared's news had been overly harsh."You are a damned sight better at your job than most people, and I don't want to lose you." His words had been music to Jared's ears.It was almost nine o'clock by the time Jared rode the elevator up to his apartment. He was going to order pizza, and he and Felicity were going to cuddle together on the couch and watch a movie, even a sappy one if she wanted to. There was still a tightness in his chest at the thought that he'd missed the doctor's appointment, but he vowed he wouldn't miss the next one. Felicity and the baby were his worldhe wasn't going to let either of them down.Humming softly, he unlocked his door and walked inside. The apartment was quiet. His briefcase slid off his shoulder, and he let it drop quietly onto the kitchen table. She must be asleep, the poor darling. He was goin
Legally Charming Chapter 45
Felicity stared at the screen of her cell phone long after it went dark. Jared was going to get fired because of her relationship with him.It's my fault.Tears stung her eyes, but she held them at bay. She'd been a fool to think she and Jared were ready to become something more permanent. His career needed his full-time commitment, and a pregnant girlfriend was an unnecessary burden. She loved him with all of her heart, and she knew how much he cared about his job at the firm. It wasn't fair to destroy his future by staying here and complicating his life.She touched her belly, her heart shattering as she faced the only real option left. She needed to stay away from him long enough to let things cool between them. He could and would be a part of the baby's life, but he couldn't be a part of hers, not in the way she'd dreamed about."I have to fix this," she told the baby, even knowing it couldn't hear her, not yet.She texted Thad telling him she needed his help. He called her a
Legally Charming Chapter 44
I'm going to be a father.Jared stared at the stack of papers in front of him, not really focusing on his work. He'd come into the office early since he hadn't returned last night. The whole baby-bomb-dropping had been a huge distraction. He couldn't stop thinking about the ultrasound video he'd seen last night. The little shape that vaguely looked like a gummy bear and the fluttering heart, that rapid sound. It had changed everything. Just like the night he'd walked into his room and seen Felicity asleep in his bed.I'm having a kid.Sure, it was years before he'd planned to be a dad, but now he couldn't stop smiling. The woman he loved like crazy was having a babywith him. He couldn't wait to tell his parents and Tanner."Jared."He glanced up from the Worthington closing documents and found his boss staring at him."Mr. Pimms. I was just reviewing""Jared, I need to see you in my office." Pimms's no-nonsense tone knocked the breath out of him.Whatever it was, he didn't thi
Legally Charming Chapter 43
"I'm keeping it, Jared. I don't expect anything from you if you don't want to""What?" He froze and stared at her, mouth agape. "Of course I want to be a part of this. I just need a minute to adjust." He stopped pacing and faced her, his eyes heavy with concern and shock. "You've known for days," he muttered.She flinched at his tone and backed up, giving him space if he needed to pace again."I wanted to tell you at the hospital, but it was all too much, and then I didn't want to ruin the holiday. And then it all made sensethe throwing up because of morning sickness, not bad plane food or altitude. And I just needed to process and think and figure things out" God, she was rambling. Felicity wrung her hands together.Jared slowly walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of scotch from the cabinet. He poured one glass and glanced her way. "Sorry, princess, but I really need this." He downed the glass and rubbed his closed eyes with his thumb and forefinger. She collapsed on the
