Page 56 of Dimitri
"Just wondering how much slower you're going to go."
"I am observing the rules of your roads," he pointed out and eased into traffic.
"The light was just turning amber," she snapped.
"Which means it's time to slow down. We're not in a big hurry."
"You might not be, considering you get to go to the farm and start to do whatever it is you do there. I'm on the clock and the judge usually frowns on us being tardy."
"Replanting."
Her gaze snapped up to meet his in the mirror. "What?"
"You said, whatever I do at the farm and I'm telling you. We're replanting some herbs—"
"I don't give a damn! The bloody light is green. It means go."
"You're upset. Such negative emotion is certainly not good for the babe you're carrying."
Her expression turned murderous, and he considered it was fortunate that he was now turning into the parking lot of the courthouse.
"I'll tell you what's not good for the babe." She shoved open her door before he could get out and do it for her. "It's having his mother murder his father in the parking lot with officers in full view."
"You think it's a boy?"
She did scream then and would have flounced off, if he had not caught her by the arm. Easily avoiding her flailing hands, he clamped his arms around her waist and hauled her up against him before seizing her lips in a kiss that left her weak and had her anger draining.
"Give them hell," he whispered against her mouth, before letting her slide down the length of his body. It took her a minute to gather her composure and be able to feel her legs.
Taking a deep breath, she eased back and shook her head.
"I'll be waiting for you when it is time to leave. I love you endlessly."
Her lips parted, searching for words but finding none. The intensity of his gaze lingered, settling the turbulence in her chest. For a moment, the world outside—the courthouse, the waiting judge, the ticking clock—faded into the background, leaving only the silent promise between them.
Her fingers gripped the lapel of his cashmere jacket as she tried to steady herself. "Damn you for making it so difficult to stay mad at you."
He smiled at her. "That's the plan. Go baby and watch your step."
"Are you going to stay here and watch me enter the building?"
"There are too many steps to count, so yes."
Shaking her head, she leaned up and kissed him lightly. "See you later."
He watched her hurrying away, holding his breath when she reached the steps. As he had promised, he waited until she was at the top. Turning around, she gave him a wave, before entering the building.
If he hadn't been so caught up in her, he would have noticed the woman watching her as well.
*****
She was exhausted. The session in court had lasted longer than she anticipated. Her throat was parched from the long summation and arguments, and her feet were killing her. She was going to have to cut back on wearing heels for the time being and wasn't looking forward to it.
Stepping out of the courtroom, she took several deep breaths of the clean icy air and was about to pull out her phone to call an Uber when she decided against it. Dimitri did not need to know that she would be walking a few blocks to her office.
It was cold, but not unbearably so and even though her feet were aching, she wanted to stretch her legs.
Tugging her jacket around her, she descended the steps carefully, her briefcase and tote slung over her left shoulder.This was something she was going to have to rethink as well. A briefcase and a tote bag was beginning to be too much.
