Matt and I exit the courtroom and join Alex and his family.
"Nice closing argument," Alex says to Matt, and shakes his hand.
"Thanks, it was an easy wrap-up thanks to Kylie and her…persistence. Now, all that's left is to wait for the jury."
A young woman dressed in a suit with DA credentials on a lanyard around her neck stands behind Matt and whispers something to him. He nods at her, and she walks away. "I have to put out a fire in another case," he says to the group before turning to me. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Get started without me, if you need to, and I'll be in as soon as I can."
I nod, and he walks down the hall, catches up with the young woman and they enter another courtroom.
"Kylie, you were brilliant," Harold says, a big smile brightening his eyes, as he wraps me up in a bear hug.
Francine gives me a tight smile, typical for her, glances at me for a second and then looks away. "Yes, well, I guess we'll see if the jury agrees."
I smile, accept her backhanded compliment, and nod. Alex watches me, but I can tell he is a million miles away, his demons pointing out ominous outcomes if the jury acquits.
Harold releases me, takes Francine's arm and links it through his, and they say their goodbyes. I love Harold, and his ability to read his nephew, and know when to get Francine away before she makes the situation worse.
"Hey," I say to Alex, place my hands on his waist, and pull him out of his head. "What if—after Paul and Ryan's wedding—we take some time for ourselves. You, me, a secluded beach. You can leave all your suits behind, and I'll leave my swimsuits…" I bat my eyes which elicits a chuckle from Alex.
"Intriguing idea, what island do you suggest?" He asks, pulling me in closer.
I pull back, knit my eyebrows, and cock my head to the side. "You don't own a secluded, private island in some far away tropical locale?"
"Not yet, but I will look into it."
"You do that." The bailiff steps out of the courtroom, glances around until he spots me, and waves me over. I put up one finger, he nods, and I turn back to Alex. "I have a meeting with Hamilton and Judge Franklin. You should go home, and I'll call when I get done."
"Are you sure? I don't mind waiting for you," he says, his hands sliding into mine.
"Yeah, I'm sure. I may be here for a while. There's no reason for you to hang out." I step in closer, drop my voice to a seductive tone, and whisper, "Besides, I was hoping you would make a pitcher of margaritas, and we could turn on the patio fireplace, snuggle and get drunk…who knows where it will go from there?"
"Oh, I know," Alex growls, and places his lips to my ear. "I plan on showing you just how much I appreciate you—every inch of you."
"Don't get me all horny before I have to go into the judge's chambers. There's no telling what I will agree to in order to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible."
His hand snakes around my waist, rest on my lower back, and he chuckles. "Do your job, Ms. Tate. Then come home to me."
"Always, Mr. Stone." I give him a quick kiss, walk to the courtroom, and smile before I enter.
Sometimes it's still hard for me to believe that Alex and I have known each other for less than a year. We've been through so much in such a short amount of time. It feels as if I've known him my whole life, which is somewhat true—I didn't ever truly feel alive until he came into my life. He's been challenging and exasperating, and we continue to struggle with his need to protect me and my fierce independence. But we always fit together, from the very start, it was natural for us. Never fake or forced. Being with him is easy. We butt heads, yes, but I have always been comfortable with him, as if I was always meant to be with him.
I used to wonder if we would have found our way to each other if I hadn't been in danger. So much of our relationship involves John and his sadistic threats. Alex has an endless amount of love and devotion that even he didn't realize he had.
People see the persona—the billionaire playboy, ruthless in his business dealings, slated to be a confirmed bachelor for life. He let me see a side of him which contradicts what the public believes. Even I thought I knew him. I saw him as a protector, a man who would do whatever he had to do to keep John away from me, devoted to making me feel safe.
There is so much more to Alex Stone, though. A vulnerability he keeps hidden, the fear of abandonment, riddled with guilt for so much of his life, and the demons who convinced him love didn’t exist. Breaking down his walls led to a discovery of who he really is at heart. Funny, playful, generous, insightful, and—though he still denies it—romantic. He loves with his whole heart. There is not a day where I question his love for me. His devotion to my happiness, the way he cherishes me—it's overwhelming, at times.
He made it safe for me to share my burdens, release my own demons, and divulge my darkest moments. It's so easy to love him—he owns my heart, possesses my soul, and I willingly give every part of myself to him.
He is home, family, and love. He is my life—and I'm his.
I knock on the door, enter Judge Franklin's chambers, and redirect my focus. This is the final step, the last part of the process which involves me. After this, the jury will determine the strengths and weaknesses of each side's arguments and make a decision on James Wells' fate.
During that time, I plan on refocusing Alex's attention, so the outcome of this trial is the farthest thing from his mind.