Mrs R (Mrs R & Mr V #1) (36 page)

CHAPTER 18

The first Genesis trial had begun
and the hearing dragged on for three days due to some more complex nuances of
the case. Rachel’s researchers however, had supplied her with all the
references she needed to make a clear and hopefully convincing argument before
the judge. Every night she went home and religiously reviewed the day’s events
and prepared for any eventualities the following day. Her opponent who was
fighting the case for the local council was a weasely little man whose comb
over was quite startling. By the end of the day it had taken on a life of its
own and Rachel and her colleagues had a good old laugh about it. However, he
was quite devious and fairly intent on winning, so much so that Rachel wondered
if he had been offered a share in the proposed new development if he was
successful in his attack.

It was unusual for such a mundane
case to become so embroiled but Rachel had set out to prove she could win and
was taking no chances. She came prepared and defiant every day and her
confidence was building. She had never felt so alive and even if Joe closed
Genesis down after this, she was grateful to have been given the opportunity to
get back in court and prove to herself she had a future in the legal world.
Fate would have it that she never got the opportunity to speak to Joe before
starting the trial, and now she glad as she felt really good about the way
things were going. It gave her hope that there may be a future for her at Gyles
Bishop after all.

On the last day of the hearing,
unknown to Rachel, Joe had slipped into the courtroom to hear her close. The
judge had been impressed by the passionate arguments from both sides and wanted
to make sure she understood every aspect clearly before making her decision.

Rachel was magnificent. Joe
couldn’t think of any other way of describing her today. She looked like she
should be on the set of The Good Wife, although she could give Alicia Florrick
a run for her money any day. Rachel was dressed in a navy blue suit; the skirt
was to the knee and tight, and the jacket was fitted with a neat peplum
highlighting her curvy arse and small waist. She wore no jewellery other than a
small pair or diamond studs and an expensive looking watch, and on her feet
were a simple pair of navy court shoes. Her hair was restrained into a neat bun
and the overall effect was one of a sophisticated woman out to do business.

Joe loved it – in his
fantasies he could imagine her all prim and proper until he got his hands on
her. He’d tease out her hair first letting it cascade down her back while he
massaged her scalp, then he’d undo the jacket leaving her bra exposed
underneath. For his purposes it had a front clasp which he deftly flicked open
and in one swift movement slid the jacket and bra off her shoulders. Burying
his head in the valley of her ample cleavage Joe breathed in deep and……….”Sweet
Jesus!” he cursed mentally, “you’re in court man!”

Switching his concentration back
to Rachel’s closing argument he was more than impressed with her delivery; her
obvious preparation, and of course her passion for the cause she was fighting
for. The defending solicitor however, was not so slick. He knew his stuff for
sure but his manner was condescending and Joe thought some of his comments were
a little snide and inappropriate with little to do with the case and directed
more at Rachel. He was not happy with this approach and would be taking it up
with the slimy shit’s superiors; no one should be using the courtroom for
anything other than trying their cases.

It was time for the judge to
deliver her verdict. Rachel’s heart was thumping and Joe noticed the tension in
her rigid posture and the hint of blush in her cheeks. He never took his eyes
off her as the judge began to speak.

“Thanks to both sides for
presenting me with exceptionally informed facts on which to base my decision.
However, Mrs Renton has presented a clear cut argument based on precedents
past, that have swayed my judgement to keep the shelter open on it’s current
site. I see absolutely no value in developing an area that already has a
thriving community life, and too often these big corporations come in and
destroy the vibrancy of those communities leaving people scattered and
homeless. It’s not happening on my watch especially with such a vulnerable
sector at stake. Mrs Renton you are to be congratulated on winning this case; I
hope I have the pleasure of presiding over many more of your cases in the
future.”

Rachel thanked the judge profusely
and turned to her client and team where much hugging and congratulating took
place. Joe was struggling to name the emotions he was experiencing and settled
on immense pride and admiration. To be fair, from the moment he had seen Rachel
in action he knew he was never letting her go. She may be good now but she had
masses of hidden potential and he wanted her nurtured and mentored to achieve
greater success for her and Gyles Bishop. He debated whether to make her sweat
a bit more, but remembered he had decided to be nicer to her.

Joe waited until the courtroom
emptied to get her on her own, but she scurried past him without noticing
him.
 
Slimy Shit hastily followed
and as they left he grabbed Rachel by the arm hauling her into the hallway. Joe
was up in an instant flying through the door. Slimy Shit had not released his
grip on Rachel’s arm and was hissing insults at her while she struggled to
break free.

“Think you and your fancy firm can
get one over on me. I had a lot of money riding on this deal and some tarty do
gooder comes along thinking she can save the world. Look at you in your
designer clothes pretending you understand the cause of the little people. I
knew Nate Renton and you are nothing…” Rachel was shaking slightly and a little
bit panicked by being grabbed unexpectedly but was preparing herself to knee
him in the balls or kick him in the shins at least.

“Take your fucking hands off her
now.” Joe barked interrupting the diatribe of crap coming from Slimy Shit’s
mouth. Rachel jumped in shock at seeing Joe there but also at the underlying
threat of his words. It was more what his tone implied rather than what he said
that sounded dangerous.

To his credit, her opponent
stopped talking immediately, but made the grave error of keeping his grip on
her. Joe moved in closer towering over the man looking as menacing as she had
ever seen him. “I said’ Leave. Her. The. Fuck. Alone.” There was no mistaking
the terror in Slimy Shit’s eyes now; Joe was a formidable force placid, but
angry he was definitely not someone to mess with.

“Joe, what are you doing here?”
she asked; her voice a shrill version of her normal tone.

“Stop talking Rachel.”

Slimy Shit smirked until Joe
placed one of his massive hands on the man’s shoulder. To onlookers it would
appear a friendly gesture but judging by the pained expression on Slimy Shit’s
face, she guessed it was anything but. He released his grip on her and she
stumbled backwards out of his reach.

Joe put his face in the other
man’s face.

“Do not ever place your hands on
one of my employees again. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yyyes.”

“Now apologise to Mrs Renton.”

“For what, fucking up my life with
her one woman crusade?” Joe squeezed a little harder.

“Ow, owwww. Ok, for fuck’s sake
get off me.” The man wriggled but honestly Rachel didn’t even think Joe noticed.

“I apologise, I was out of line
and it won’t happen again.” Rachel nodded in acknowledgement of the apology and
Joe let the man free. They both stood and watched as he ran off making rude
hand gestures as he left the building.

Joe made some sort of manly growl
of triumph and Rachel hit him in the stomach with her briefcase.

“What the hell do you think you’re
doing coming over all caveman on me. I would have been perfectly fine thank you
very much. And what were you doing here anyway?” she yelled at him and might
have even stamped her feet once or twice.

Joe was flabbergasted. Clutching
his mid-riff he gasped, “That motherfucker had his hands on you.”

“Why does that concern you Joe? If
you hadn’t been checking up on me you’d never have known. Were you here to
gloat; hoping I’d fail so you could kick me to the curb; happy to see me
stumble at the first hurdle. Wh, what are you doing; why are you so close; Joe
wh..”

Joe’s mouth came crashing down on
hers. His kiss effectively shutting her up and stealing her breath. Pushing her
hand against his chest to stop him was a futile gesture; the man was a
mountain. And oh, god his tongue was in her mouth and his teeth were nipping
her lips and honestly, Joe Mason could kiss. Rachel dropped her briefcase and looped
her arms around his neck. He was so tall he had to bend down to accommodate her
but suddenly she was off the floor against the wall level with his face. His
arms held her steady and she was consumed by his claim on her mouth. His tongue
swept over her teeth and caressed her own tongue causing a mini explosion in
her lower body making her wet and needy for more. She pushed her aching breasts
into his chest and the moan that vibrated from his throat into her mouth did
ridiculous things to her already throbbing clit.

Joe’s hand cupped her bum holding
her close. Rachel could feel his arousal against her tummy and typically Joe,
it was hard and huge. Her senses were reeling with the unexpected onslaught of
his kiss. Joe was certainly skilled with his tongue and his mouth and the added
caress of his soft beard and moustache only enhanced the pleasure. Rachel
couldn’t help wonder how marvellous it would be to feel his mouth on other
parts of her body especially at her core where she needed him the most. But right
now she need to breathe. Tugging at his hair brushing over his collar Rachel
finally got Joe’s attention. He released his lips from hers and rested his
forehead against her forehead. They were both panting from the intensity of
their shared kiss and the mutual lust for more.

“Joe?” Rachel asked, her voice
hoarse from yelling at him.

Joe relaxed his hold on Rachel and
she slid down him to the floor. He didn’t however, move away and she was still
trapped between the wall and his body. He remained silent although the steely
graphite of his eyes spoke volumes of the sexual tension between them.

“Why’d you do that Joe?” she
whispered.

Joe was shaking his head. “I
couldn’t think of any other way to shut you up. That pathetic excuse for a
lawyer was rude and obnoxious and out of line. I know you think I over reacted,
but he needed a kick up the ass.”

“Arse.”

“What?”

“Arse, Joe, not ass – he’s
not a donkey.”

“What the fuck are you talking
about? You’re always saying weird stuff; you never stop. Am I going to have to
kiss you again?”

“I don’t know Joe,” smiled Rachel
coyly, “are you?”

Joe ran his hands through his hair
and contemplated Rachel for several horribly silent seconds.

“Oh god he regrets it already”
thought Rachel, “now this is going to be terribly awkward.” Smoothing down her
skirt and straightening her jacket she gathered up her briefcase. “I’m going
back to the office to finish the paperwork. I’ll, um, see you later.”

“Have lunch with me.” It wasn’t a
question and no answer was required apparently, as Joe took Rachel’s free hand
in his and led her out to his shiny black Range Rover parked outside.

“How the bloody hell do you expect
me to get into that in this skirt?”

Joe raised an eyebrow at her.

“Forget it – I’ll manage”
she warned him as he took a step towards her.

Sighing dramatically, Joe turned
to get into the driver’s seat “I can lower the chassis for you, I suppose.” He
started the engine and the car dropped down a few inches making it easier for
her to get in.

“Thanks,” she smiled politely at
him. “What do you fancy?”

“Pardon me?”

“To eat Joe?”

“You.”

Rachel turned her head to look at
the man in the car next to her just to check it was actually Joe Mason sitting
there. He was concentrating on the road and not looking at all like he’d just
proposed oral sex with her. She watched him as he handled the big car with ease
and confidence – his default disposition. His strong hands gripped the
steering wheel with purpose and his thigh muscles contracted and relaxed as he worked
the pedals.