Tess nodded. “The Commission can remove the judges from their jobs. And Helene…well, oversight of her position falls to the presiding judge.”
“That’s you.”
Tess nodded again. “The FBI is stepping in. This is way beyond the Commission’s or my oversight. The FBI investigates public corruption and will pick up the criminal investigation and prosecution. Job loss and possibly prison time are in the futurefor the three of them.”
“I’d guess it was Alan who voted against you becoming presiding judge, but that would mean that Vera voted for you, even though she’s involved. And that Helene didn’t lie about the vote results,” Bree said.
“Apparently Huffington wanted an assignment shift—to take over more cases in the traffic department,” Tess replied. “Vera didn’t want to lose them to him, so she chose to try to limit his power as presiding judge by voting for me. Alan wanted an inattentive presiding judge, Huffington. There was division in the ranks.”
“And Helene had an ounce of integrity when reporting the vote?” Bree didn’t sound convinced.
“We could have compared notes on how we voted—falsifying the results would not have been so easy. I think Helene was caught off guard and didn’t have much time to plan,” Tess replied. “Heck, I was completely caught off guard that day.”
“I’m blown away. And now we’ll have to weather the bad press. Front page headlines, undoubtedly.”
“I predict we’ll all end up with some collateral damage,” Tess replied.
“But you took a bullet and a knife attack for the good guys. You’ll be a hero.”
“And you’ll be the hero’s girlfriend. So stick by me, darlin’.” Tess loved everything about that declaration.
“I will. But at this moment, I’m here for other perks.” Bree waggled her eyebrows.
“Dessert?” Tess injected as much innocence into her voice as she could manage, but the husk leaked in. “We can share if you want.”
“The apple pie can wait. But not me. I want you, Tess.”
“Well, it’s about time.” Tess led the way down the hallway to her bedroom.
The memory of their last night in Tahoe hadn’t diminished for Tess. It had been a night of passion she’d shared with someone she’d only known as Bree, and Bree had been a woman she hadn’t been able to forget. But tonight was so much more.
The pale warm skin beneath Tess’s mouth offered her an aromatic bouquet—a mix of fragrant florals and Bree’s unique scent. It was all Tess needed for the full force of her hunger to reignite, a craving that had already been sated multiple times in their coupling tonight but had also proven to be so easily rekindled from ember to blaze with minimal provocation from Bree.
Coaxing Bree to the edge of the precipice, holding her there until she begged for final release, then finally watching her lose control—this was going to be one of her favorite pastimes. Right up there with her own climb to completion. The rise, the soaring, the slow fall back to earth, and with the recognition that it was so much more than sex. It was lovemaking…and yes, it felt like flying.
“Uh-uh. It’s your turn for some more attention.” Bree rolled out from under Tess and faced her.
“Oh God. You actually believe I have anything left?”
“I have no doubt, babe.”
Tess arched an eyebrow and smiled. “I would have bet against that even a decade ago. You must have a very high opinion of your…talents.”
Bree trailed her mouth along the pulse Tess could feel pounding in her neck. Bree slowly moved downward until she could place her mouth on Tess’s breasts.
“Oh, I do.” Bree’s tongue traced lazy circles around Tess’saroused nipples, one and then the other. She sucked and teased each peak until Tess only wanted her to satisfy the deep need she felt for Bree that throbbed between her legs again. “But number three just might take a different approach.” Bree backed off and rolled Tess onto her front, then pulled her up on all fours. Tess grasped the pillow as her elevated and completely exposed center throbbed once again for Bree’s touch.
“Here you are, your glorious ass mooning me.” Bree’s tone was lighthearted, her accompanying laugh melodious. Tess had missed her so much.
“And now when you hear that phraseLove you to the moon and back, you won’t be able to keep a straight face.”
Bree gave her a playful swat. “Nobody in that courtroom of yours has a clue.”
“A clue that Judge Theresa Fairchild has a lover? Has met the love of her life?” Tess made sure her throaty drawl was followed by a chuckle. “My secret identity.”
“You want my fingers wandering the smooth, rounded alabaster landscape that’s facing me? Exploring these well-toned gluteal hemispheres?” She lightly brushed her hand across Tess’s backside. “Or maybe I should focus down there between those upper thighs, probing that valley of hot and bothered? Fess up, Judge Fairchild. You want to be thoroughly fucked?”
Bree was feeding Tess’s desire, escalating the need for Bree to take action. So blessed hot and bothered. Primal, carnal hot and bothered. Tess let out another sensuous moan into her pillow.
