Page 6 of Innocent Salvation

Taking a sip of water, he went to wash his hands and had just straightened his robes when a knock sounded on the door. “Enter.”

The click of heels indicated exactly who it was, and he sighed impatiently. He didn’t have the time or inclination to deal with this right now, although he was surprised it took this long for her to seek him out.

“Judge Alexander.”

His name was a purr on her red lips as he stepped out into his office drying his hands and saw Julianne Talbot standing by his desk. Julianne was beautiful, tall, with long dark hair which was currently secured in a neat bun at the back of her head. A slim yet curvy figure and dark chestnut-coloured eyes. She was the prosecution lawyer for this case and someone he’d fucked a few times.

A mistake he wouldn’t be making again. She was ambitious and cunning, sucked cock like it was her job, and until recently had been happy to keep things simple and uncomplicated by unnecessary emotions, but the last time he’d left her bed, she’d complained about him leaving to go home to Fleur and whined about his lack of attention. Little did she know that had sealed her fate, and whatever arrangement they’d had was now over.

“Julianne, what can I do for you?”

She stalked closer and he wondered if she made other men feel like prey. Her hand skimmed down his arm and he took a subtle step back so she was no longer touching him. Her pout, so attractive before, merely aggravated him now and made her look ridiculous.

“I’ve missed you these last few weeks. I thought maybe we could catch up this weekend and spend some time getting reacquainted.”

“No, I’m busy this weekend with Fleur.”

He caught the way her eyes tightened in annoyance and knew he’d done the right thing. While he wasn’t looking for a wife or girlfriend, any woman he spent time with had to at least understand that Fleur came first and would always come first. This woman was a great lawyer, but she had all the maternal instincts of a snake.

“What about next weekend?”

“No, let me make this clear for you, Julianne. We had fun but now that it’s over, none of my free time will be available to you. Is that clear?”

He saw her pale before going bright red, not with upset, but from anger and humiliation. Perhaps he should have been kinder, but he’d learned that with a woman like this it was best to be clear.

“So, we fucked and now you want to throw me away like trash?”

“We fucked and had fun and now it’s over.”

“So, you used me?”

Her breathing was coming faster the angrier she got and, once upon a time, he would’ve found her heaving tits a turn on but now he found it an irritation. He had no desire to be there with her. “I think we used each other.”

“Oh no, Judge, you used me. You’re the one in the position of power here.”

His body went still, his jaw clenching as anger infused his body that she was daring to threaten him that way when she’d been the instigator in their affair.

He moved a step closer but kept his hands by his sides and, with his voice low and deep, spoke words he’d hoped to never utter. “Julianne, if you ever threaten me again, I’ll end you. We both know very well that you made the first move in this very office, and if you remember you signed an NDA and it’s stated in it that you made the first move. Now, you’re a good lawyer with a great career in front of you. I suggest you concentrate on that and stay the hell away from me because if we have to have this conversation again, it won’t be a friendly warning.”

Sebastian stepped back behind his desk putting space between them so he didn’t wring her scrawny neck and busied himself with his papers. He heard a huff before she turned on her heel and strode out of the room. Lifting his phone, he dialled Margaret.

“Yes, Judge?”

“Don’t let that woman into my office again without an appointment or checking with me first.”

“Yes, Judge.”

Sebastian hung up and placed the wig he wore into court back on his head. It itched like hell in the summer, but it was all part of the performance, and he’d play his part to perfection.

Ten minutes later he was about to walk into court when the clerk informed him that the prosecuting counsel had gone home sick and could they postpone until tomorrow. Relieved his day was over he agreed and was soon driving his green jaguar through the London traffic towards Mayfair where he lived.

Grabbing his jacket and briefcase, he took the steps two at a time and pushed through the door. He placed his suit jacket on the entry table and loosened his tie as the sound of shouting and a crying child hit his ears.

Prowling quickly through the hallway, he made his way toward the sound and stopped in shock and outrage at the scene before him. Ms Moss, the nanny, had hold of Fleur and was dragging her towards the small desk he’d set up for her to use in the nursery room that had been converted from the conservatory.

“You little brat, you’ll learn some manners.”

Before he knew what he was doing, he was across the room, flinging the shocked woman’s hand away from a crying Fleur and gathering the child into his arms.