Page 114 of Dirty Judge

“It’s still good work.” He reached out and brushed a few stray hairs off my forehead, sending a tingle up and down my spine. “I was impressed at the parts you left out.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“My ties to the case.”

“Oh, that.”

“Yes, that.”

“Well, this judge I used to work for was very adamant about me only including the most important things in dockets and summaries,” I said. “Your parents’ crash with him wasn’t relevant—especially since he went out of his way to erase it like it never happened.”

“Thank you, Olivia.”

“You’re welcome, Judge Ashton.”

“You’re going to have to pick one,” he said, smiling. “I can’t be both to you, especially since you don’t work for me anymore. Unless you’d like to come back?”

“Law school will be torture enough, thank you.”

He slid his hand around my waist, looking deep into my eyes.

“I don’t know anything about dating or relationships,” he said. “But I do know that I fucking miss you, and I need you to come back so we can pick up where we left off…”

“Where we left off doesn’t exist anymore.” My voice was quiet. “We don’t have to share an office space anymore and?—”

“It could be better.” He pressed his fingers against my lips. “I can make it better.”

Before I could ask him how, he pulled me even closer.

“I’ve had two weeks to think about all the things I should’ve said to you, so…First, you’ll let me prevent you from buying another shitty ass car.”

“My car was wonderful.”

“As a memory, sure.” He smirked. “Second, I’ll pick you up in the mornings and take you to campus since you’re going to be tired from all-nighters.”

“That means less sex.”

“Nice try.” He let out a low laugh. “And third, I’ll take you out on dates—in public—as there’s nothing to hide from people in the office anymore.”

“What if I wanted to spend the night at your place sometimes?”

“You’d never have to ask.”

“And if I wanted to ask you hard questions here and there?”

“I never stopped you from asking them, Olivia,” he said. “I had issues answering them.”

“Do you think you’ll have that issue now?”

“Not if you give me a chance, no.”

“And if I tell you that I have real feelings for you, and that I will rage like hell if you break my heart?—”

“I would say I love you, Olivia.” He cut me off. “And I won’t hurt you—ever.”

I blinked a few times, certain I’d misheard the “L” word, but he pulled me close for a long kiss, a kiss that made me remember that last time I was in his place, the very moment I wanted to pick up as best we could.

“I love you,” he whispered against my lips. “I’m sorry it took me so long to figure out I was supposed to come to you first…”