Insufferable Proximity (30 page)

“Oh hell no, I draw the line! I am going to use your computer, end of discussion!”

“No you’re not, I told you next time you changed anything on my desk you would never use it again. What made you think I would appreciate flowers on my desk, Heaven?” he said leading her to his office.

“Because they smell good, and you don’t have a choice you have to let me use your computer, you know I have to finish that-” she abruptly stopped her words with a gasp, when he opened the office door. She saw the new computer setting on top of a desk that was a smaller version of his, her mouth opened in awe as she walked over to it.

“As I was saying, you are not allowed to use my computer again, no more changing my system up.” She was smiling ear to ear as she sat down at her new desk, going through the drawers. Her smile widened as she realized he had bought her every office supply ever invented, she had more supplies at this desk then she did at home. This was amazing, the desk was huge and obviously a one of kind design, not to mention the top of the line computer, the one she had at home was ancient compared to this one.

“I can use it whenever I want?”

“Of course you can, it’s yours.”

“You bought this is for me?” she asked in suspended disbelief.

“Yes.” he answered before she jumped up and ran over to him, swinging her arms around his neck as he bent down to her, she proceeded to kiss every inch of his face. He captured her lips with his as he picked her up and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Thank you so much!”

“I was going to wait and surprise after you won the case, but you started hounding me to use my computer again, and I can‘t take it anymore.” his smile was slightly lopsided.

“Thank you.” she kissed his lips, “but we don’t even know if I will win the case.”

“You will.” he said with enough confidence to make her believe it too. Normally he used that confidence against her, and vice versa, but it felt good to have that confidence working for her now. “I have all faith in you Princess.”

***

Early Thursday morning, Heaven heard her alarming ringing but refused to open her eyes, it was a brand new day, but she wasn‘t ready for it. Instead she hit the snooze button and snuggled closer to Julian, who was dead asleep and snoring as loud as usual. By the third time her snooze alarm rang she knew she had to get up, so she opened her eyes then slowly stretched her cramped body before finally sitting up. She felt strange albeit exhilarated, she could not decipher between the overwhelming invasion of privacy that Julian represented and the euphoric feelings he created in her. But on the other hand, she really liked waking up next to him, it felt natural like they had been waking up together for years.

“No,” Julian mumbled as he grabbed her by the waist, “we still have another ten minutes.”

“If I lay back down, I won’t get back up.” she grinned, but he pulled her back down regardless.

“So let’s just skip work all together today.” he said running his hand over the back of her body as he held her tightly.

“You know I have court, and I’m hoping the jury doesn’t take too long to decide.”

“You have nothing to worry about, we both know you’re going to win this case.” he spoke so confidently she smiled ear to ear then kissed his lips.

“I’m actually not too worried.” she said suddenly feeling on top of the world. It was strange, normally she would be a nervous wreck, worrying unnecessarily even though she knew she would win, but today when she should be worrying, she was more relaxed than ever. “I’m really excited to give my closing argument.”

“I know you are.” he smiled, he had always respected her verbal battles in court, she was a natural born debater.

***

Heaven stood in the middle of the packed court room, with an audience who sat silently while being hypnotized by her words. The jury members, trying to keep their emotions hidden behind their expressionless masks, were unable to prevent the tears running from their eyes. Heaven has given an impressive closing statement that had rocked the jury and even swayed their critical judge. The jury had not been gone more than three hours before they returned with their decision.

“Not guilty.” the older juror with the warm smile read the verdict to the courtroom. At which point, Heaven’s client stood up and then grabbed her in a big bear hug before putting her down.

“Thank you so much, I will never be able to thank you enough.” he cried before rushing over to his family.

Heaven was grinning on the ride back to the office, she loved being a lawyer, there was nothing more fulfilling. To make sure an innocent man is proven innocent by a court of law and a jury of his peers then free to go home to his family, was a rewarding accomplishment indeed. She walked into the office and was congratulated by Gavin Grant and Sampson Gold.

“I knew you’d be able to get him off.” Gavin said after Sampson walked away, “If anyone could, I knew it would be you, your client was innocent and you proved it.”

“Thank you Mr. Grant.” she smiled slightly, keeping her cool, not letting anyone see how excited she really was despite the fact she felt like a giddy child in a candy store with a hundred dollars and no parental supervision. She waited until she thought no one was looking then went straight to Julian’s office.

His secretary just smiled as she walked past her then into his office. He looked up from his desk, watching her magnificent form as she walked over to stand on the other side of his desk.

“I won the case.” she said and could not stop the huge smile spreading across her face. Julian stood up from his chair and started walking over to her as she flew around the desk and without thinking, she hugged him tightly.

“Congratulations Princess.” he held her close to him, bending his head to smell her hair, and then picking her up with his hands under her bottom. She was so unique in everything she did, from the shampoo she used to the way she had just won such a tricky case. She pulled back and he could not help but smile at the excitement in her eyes, he had never seen her happy like this before.

“I got that guy off, he’s free to go home to his children, you should have seen the look on his kids faces when the juror said not guilty.” her smile was full of utter joy and was intoxicating to him.

“I couldn’t be more proud then if I had won it myself.” he kissed her lips lightly, “this calls for a celebration.”

“I agree.” she smiled

“Anywhere you want to go, anything you want to do.”

“Really?” she asked and a sudden excitement flashed across her face.

“Really.” he answered and she thought for a moment.

“I want to go for a small cruise on your boat.” she nodded.

“My yacht?” he grinned.

“Yes.”

“Good choice.” he answered, impressed with her request. “How did you know about it?” he asked and she pointed to the small framed photo on the coffee table.

“I noticed that picture the first time I came into your office, years ago.”

“Really?” he asked in amazement.

“Yes, it’s hands down one of the coolest boats I‘ve ever seen, it’s kind of shaped like a shark.”

“I had it designed that way.” he said with pride, happy that she noticed the shape that the structure formed, it was so subliminal no one had ever made the comparison before. He loved his yacht, it was his favorite toy, his grandfather had bought it for his sixteenth birthday after the two of them had designed it together. Julian refused to buy a new one, opting instead to upgrade to keep it up to date and top of the line. He had been sailing his entire life, the open water was one of the only things besides sex that relaxed him.

“But, I don’t want to go out very far.”

“You don’t want to take a nice long cruise?”

“Actually, I don’t want to go too far away from the dock.”

***

They went to his place after work to grab a few things before they headed out to the boat docks. Heaven was excited but nervous at the same time, she had never been on any form of boat before and had made it a point to never submerge herself in water unless that water was encased in cement. Large bodies of water were her only fear as well as her biggest fascination, she studied all forms of aquatic life and their behaviors as well as the oceans effect on the earth. But she had never taken her studies off dry land, preferring to study them from a safe distance instead.

She had no more then walked into the room when she stripped off her suit and went straight to her closet. Julian had never watched her willingly strip before and could not prevent the smile from dominating his face, he followed behind, watching her in fascination.

“What should I wear?” she asked her eyes wide as she looked through all of the different outfits he had purchased for her. For the first time she was actually excited to dress up.

“Nothing.” he suggested and to his surprise, she actually grinned “I told you, covering up that body is an offense.”

“This one.” her words erupting with excitement as she pulled the light grey dress out, “but then again, if something happens and I end up in the water, a grey dress would make me look like a seal or some other tasty fish snack that a shark would love to eat.” 

“You are not going to fall off the boat.” he shook his head.

“You never mentioned you had ESP as well as asshole syndrome.” she retorted with a grin.

“I don’t need ESP to know there is no way in hell I would allow you to fall off that boat.” he said with enough confidence to reassure her.

“So that just means we’d both fall into the water then.” she smiled then took another look at the grey dress she had been excited to wear. “Then I guess it’s safe to wear the fish-toned dress if I stay close to you.”

“Very close,” he grinned as he grabbed her and lifted her up in the air, “or the sharks will get you.” he playfully bit at her belly and her breasts as she squealed with laughter. Without another thought, she grabbed his face and kissed him for a second before pulling back.

“Now put me down,” she said, confused by what she had just done “I should get dressed.” he planted another kiss on her lips before setting her back down. Heaven turned her back to him and stripped off her bra before sliding the dress on. She grabbed her silver heeled stilettos and slid them on before grabbing her new platinum bracelets off the jewelry shelf. She looked at herself in the mirror, turning from side to side before turning back to him.

“I’m ready.”

“You look beautiful.” his words filled her with the warmth of comfort.

***

After stopping to get food on the way, they finally arrived at the boat docks Heaven walked down the deck, her arm linked through Julian’s as he led her to the yacht. She stopped at the edge, looking at the strip of dark water between the dock and the boat and felt her stomach flutter. Then she looked up at the large yacht and the name written in black on the side.

“The name of your boat is Megladon?” she smiled from ear to ear.

“Of course, what else would I name it?”

“I love sharks, I did a book report on them in the third grade.” she could not stop smiling. “I had no idea you liked sharks.”

“They’re apex predators, what’s not to love.” he grinned, “Come on.”

“Hold on.” she said standing very still, but Julian lifted her into his arms and carried her on board, ignoring her hesitation. It was obvious to him that despite her eagerness to be on the water, she was still a little reluctant. Heaven felt shivers in her stomach until he set her down and her feet were firmly planted on the deck.

“Hello.” a light voice with an intense French accent suddenly appeared before them. Heaven raised her brow as Julian extended his hand.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice.” Julian said.

“As you know old friend, I live on the water, nothing is ever short notice,” he grinned, “especially for you King.”

Captain Jacques, who rarely slept, was more than happy to take the luxury yacht out for a spin in the night’s dark water. He was a captain for rent, offering his services any time of the day or night. He was used to taking small trips in the middle of the night, so the couple hiring him could spend time together without worrying about controlling their yacht as well.

“This is Jacques, he will be our captain for the night.” he said and Heaven nodded. Julian picked Jacques for their escapades due to the trust he had in the man, Jacques was a hardworking, honest man who kept his nose where it belonged and his mouth closed.

“It is always a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman.” Jacques said, his accent making the average girl melt, but he quickly realized that the pretty woman was not affected in the least by his charm. Julian smiled to himself at the devastation written all over the captain’s face, Jacques picked the wrong girl to appreciate his appeal. “Well, I will go tend the ship now.” he nodded then went towards the front of the large yacht. The moment he was gone Heaven turned to Julian.

“Why do we need a captain? I said a small cruise, I meant it when I said I don’t want to go too far from the docks.”

“Tell me that you’re not scared of the water.”

“I didn’t say I was scared of the water, I just don’t think that cruising around large bodies of water in a boat, which could possibly sink, is such a clever idea.”