“Well, that’s kind of what we need to talk about.”
“Is everything all right? I did retain our own lawyer, just in case, but–”
“Edith called to drop the case, Jack. I’m worried his lawyer got to her, or something happened. I thought things were fine after our meeting, but then she called me a half-hour later, completely changing her mind.”
“That’s impossible. We’ve got the No Contact order, and the plan was for her to give her statement. Maybe it’s because you’ve asked her to testify in court. Is there a way around that?” I’m beyond pissed that Sam has pushed so hard on this issue. No wonder Edith is backing away and running scared.
“Not if you want a conviction of some kind. Look, Jack, do me a favor and talk to her. I won’t do anything until after the holidays, but it’s on the court docket for early January.” Things have been so precarious at home and now this shit. I want all this done and over with, but it’s obvious I’m not going to get what I want and what I really want is for Edith to be okay.
“I’ll do what I can, but she’s been deeply affected by this. I won’t do anything that’s going to jeopardize her health.” Or her sanity, I think to myself. I know Edith is barely hanging on by a thread.
“Thanks, Jack.” After I hang up, I grip my phone so tight, I wish I could snap the offending piece of technology. How did life go so quickly into hell in a handbasket?
My phone buzzes again. It’s a text from Aiden.
TheDoctor: Heads up. Edie is on her way to meet me. Said the meeting with the prosecutor did not go well…
If there’s one thing I can count on, it’s that Edith’s friends love her like I do. We’re all on the same page, protecting her as best we can.
Me: Thanks, doc. Let me know if something comes up. I’m hoping she’ll talk to me when I see her at home later.
TheDoctor: Roger that, math nerd.
Chuckling, I’m not sure how I feel about the nickname, but as long as we have a common goal of getting Edith back to herself, I don’t care what those two call me. I decide to finish what I can in the office, then head home. I want nothing more than to be in the same house as Edith, even if I’m working in my office. Just knowing she’s physically safe lessens my worry.
I beat Edith back to the house and go to my office, then hear the front door open and shut.
“Jack?” Her voice sounds so uncertain, I need to make her feel at ease. The atmosphere of our household is stressful enough.
“In the office, baby.”
She stops in front of my open door and walks inside. Dumping her purse on a chair, she walks over to my desk, pushing papers out of the way before sitting on top. Well, this is a new development I don’t plan on discouraging.
“I missed you today.” Edith sits on the center of the desk, her legging-clad legs open, and I slide my chair closer, boxing her in. Running my hands up and down her legs, I try to coax her to talk to me.
“How was your meeting with Sam today?” I let my hands linger on her upper thighs. The muscles tense under my touch, so I move my hands back down her legs, over her knees, to her ankles.
“It was okay.” I know she’s lying, but I can’t tell her that because then she’ll know Sam called me and told me things that border on confidential. I can’t mention that Aiden texted me, either. I just hope she’ll eventually tell me what really happened today.
“Just okay?” Taking a chance, I let my hands roam back up her body to cup her tiny little ass, pulling her off the desk and into my lap.
Snorting, she tells me, “It’s never just okay. I’m having thoughts about all of it.” Shrugging and frowning, she shuts down. It’s the last thing I want her to do, but we just might be getting somewhere.
“As in?” Silence, uncomfortable and telling. I rub her back and pull her resisting body closer to mine, warming her shivering.
“Can I think about it some more?” She moves in to hug me and I hold her, letting her breathe until she relaxes. “I busted my phone, too.” She slips her hand into her pocket, pulling it out and showing me the cracked screen.
“It’s just a phone, sweetheart. It can be fixed.” I take the phone and drop it on the desk, going back to holding her. I’ll take what I can get right now.
“I wish…” Pausing, she stops. “I wish everything could be fixed.”
I place my forehead on hers, both of us sighing, and Edith tips her faces close to mine. Our eyes wander, looking each other over. I wait for what seems like forever before she lets her lips brush against mine. Gentle puffs of air escape from her as her wet tongue darts out, sliding against mine. I part my lips and let her play, finding her comfort zone. When she presses her lips fully to mine, I let my tongue tentatively meet hers. I nibble her soft and plump bottom lip, enjoying this small concession. Torturing me, my dick presses against my dress pants and into the soft place between her legs. I can’t hide my reaction, nor do I want to, but I won’t pressure her, even if the blue balls threaten to permanently cross my eyes. A part of me mourns that we haven’t kissed properly in weeks, nor have we had any real alone time. Sure, we sleep together, but that’s all it is…sleep.
No matter how much it kills me, I do the cowardly thing, the thing I hope will make her feel safest. I pull back. “Let me finish in here, then we’ll call Aiden and Shelby.” I help her stand up. “I’ll get your phone fixed.” Squeezing her hand, I sit back down in my chair, discreetly adjusting my painfully aroused dick. Going back to my files and spreadsheets, I wonder if I missed an opportunity for something more. Edith quietly leaves the office and I listen to her measured steps walk upstairs, the bedroom door quietly shutting. I wish she had just told me what she had discussed with Sam and Aiden. Our walls had never been higher than they are now.
My phone, which has become Grand Central Station today, buzzes again. I want to go upstairs and crawl under the covers with Edith, forgetting the outside world exists. I look down and see a text from Amanda. I had been ignoring her phone calls since all of this shit happened. I’m sure she heard something through the grapevine, but I am not inclined to be on friendly terms with this particular ex-partner of mine. Amanda has a clear agenda, one I have no desire to be a part of any longer. I probably should have told Edith about her, but it wasn’t exactly on my list of priorities.
Amanda: I hear my sexy professor is in trouble. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be in town later this week.