Lawyers In Love: In His Own Defense (22 page)
Now as then, sensations merged. Contrasting textures of soft cotton and featherweight wool chafed her fingers when she rested her hand on his chest. A pleasant aroma of coffee mingled with the clean masculine scent she knew so well.
Kristine had thought Tony was a dream, but he’d proven soon enough that he was very real. She reached up and caressed his cheek. The slight rasp of beard stubble along the contour of his jaw tickled her fingertips.
With each breath she took, she wanted him more. But the courtroom was not the place, and now was not the time. Still she sensed his need. She felt empowered. Sexy, in spite of her advancing pregnancy.
Hank Ehlers coughed when he joined them, as though reluctant to interrupt them in their private world. “Tony, the jury’s coming in now.”
Kristine smiled at Tony, squeezed his hand, then watched him stride to the defense table to hear the jury foreman read the verdict.
Ezra Ruggles would go free. Finally.
“I knew you’d win,” Kristine told Tony later. “Now it’s my turn to see if I can get monetary retribution for him, to help make up for what happened to him in prison.”
“You’re my best cheerleader, sweetheart. I don’t want you working too hard, though.” He frowned at the stack of papers on the corner of the desk they shared in their new home.
“I won’t. You’ll be doing the arguing if Ezra’s civil case has to go to trial. I’m just gathering the ammunition. After all, you’re the one who loves to fight.”
“I’m glad you didn’t make me fight too hard for you.” Tony circled Kristine’s rounded belly with both arms. “You know, before I proposed, I’d prepared the closing argument of my life, to persuade you we belonged together. I was terrified that it wouldn’t be good enough.”
Kristine wove her fingers through his, saw him grin at the flashy diamonds that winked up at them from their place on her left hand. “You didn’t need to argue a whole lot in your own defense. You had me from the moment I saw you smile. I just didn’t know it until I grew up and began to see right and wrong in shades of gray.”
Smiling up at Tony when he swung her into his arms and carried her up the stairs, Kristine said a prayer of thanks. Love had let them help each other to resolve old conflicts and move on to embrace today and tomorrow—together.
About the author:
“In case you haven’t figured out yet, I’m a sucker for happy endings, and they’re what all my books have in common: one man, one woman, in love and committed to go after that elusive Happily Ever After.”
First published in 1996, Ann Jacobs has sold more than twenty-five books and novellas to five publishers: Ellora’s Cave, Red Sage, Berkley, Kensington, and Five Star.
A CPA and former hospital financial manager, she now writes full time except, of course, for the hours she devotes to being a wife and mother to seven kids. A transplanted midwesterner, she’s lived in west-central Florida all her adult life.
Ann loves writing Romantica—to her, it’s the perfect blend of sex, sensuality, and happily-ever-after commitment between one man and one woman. She enjoys hearing from readers.
http:
www.annjacobs.us
Ann welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at P.O. Box 787, Hudson, Ohio 44236-0787.
Also by Ann Jacobs:
Another Love
Awakenings
Bittersweet Homecoming
Captured
Colors of Love
Colors of Magic
Dallas Heat
Dark Side of the Moon
Enchained
Firestorm
Gates of Hell
Gettin’ It On
Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh
He Calls Her Jasmine
Love Magic
Love Slave
A Mutual Favor
Mystic Visions
Storm Warnings
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.