The Pretend Boyfriend novel Chapter 101

"Are you aware you were committing a felony?"

"I was aware I was offering myself up to be blackmailed. But I was desperate at that time. I ... I care very much about Ms. Fox and I didn't want to see her charged because she tried to do something for me. Something the police didn't do to dig deeper into the case." Brian falters over this, and he shifts his gaze away from Sam's, as if not daring to meet her eyes anymore.

"During this time, did Ms. Faulkner act frightened of you? After all, she did accuse you of rape."

"No. She wasn't frightened of me. If she was, she wouldn't have asked me up to her apartment."

"Yes. I find that extremely strange as well."

"Objection! Conjecture on the defense counsel's part."

"Sustained. Stick to the facts, Ms. Sandler."

"What did Ms. Faulkner decide?"

"She told me ... that she didn't want any money. But she wanted something else."

"What did she want?" Karen is honing in. Going for the million dollar question.

Brian licks his lower lip. It's a nervous gesture, but on him, it looks sexy. He can't help it, Sam thinks with a tinge of sadness. He oozes sex in whatever he does, and now it's getting him into a shitload of trouble.

Brian turns to the jury. "She said that she wanted to use me ... in the way I use women."

Murmurs run through the crowd. The reporters in the courtroom are tense, poised. This has suddenly become a juicy story and Sam can sense them closing in for tomorrow's headlines.

The Judge picks up his gavel and taps it. "Order, order in the court."

Norma Hennessey is bristling, but there is nothing she can object to. The Judge has already allowed Brian to tell his side. The audience settles down. You can cut the anticipation with a knife.

"What does that mean?" Karen says gently.

"She wanted me to have sex with her. She asked me if I had a wiretap. I said no. She asked me to take off all my clothes to prove it."

"Did you?"

"Yes."

"What happened then?"

"I was very anxious. I wondered if this was her ploy to yell rape again on me. But she assured me she wasn't going to."

"And you believed her?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

He shakes his head. "I don't know. Maybe it's because I have already been charged with the crime. Then she says that she will consider dropping the charges against Ms. Fox if I pleased her."

"Pleased her. As in ... sexually?"

"Yes."

"What did you do then?"

"I had sex with Ms. Faulkner." Brian won't look at either Sam or Delilah.

"Consensually?"

"Yes."

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