C'mere (Paul Banks fanfic)

The Indiscretion

Rhi was having a hard time being around her fiancé after the text thing. She had told herself she needed to believe the explanation he had given, but she couldn't just swallow it. She always said she believed in the innocence of her clients and that's why she was so good and passionate about defending them, but she had to admit sometimes she didn't think they weren't guilty, and she still won cases because she liked winning. And that was it. The plain truth.

It had been a week and Lee had tried to show her physical affection more than once, but she would invariably evade him. She lied about having a mild flu again and not wanting to infect him, having her period or being tired. Lee had noticed and felt hurt, so he stopped insisting.

Rhi had a lot on her mind anyway, she had two child custody cases and was taking care of one divorce Harry Bazcowski had given her while he was recovering from a gastric surgery. There was also the fact that she had another audience with The Client in a couple of weeks and she realised she was excited about seeing him again; nervous, even, much to her mortification.

Paul had been oddly shy since that near-mouth peck she had given him during the last audience. He knew she was engaged, he didn't want to get ideas, maybe it had been accidental.

It hadn't. Rhi's original intention was to kiss him fully in the mouth, but she had rejected this thought as she made the move. She thought she might regret it. Now she regretted not having done it. It wasn't just that she felt vindictive towards Lee. She really wanted this man.

Paul had come over to her office to give her the last pieces of evidence he had found, for her to analyse and see if they could be useful. He had just stayed a couple of minutes because he had to take a flight to LA, and also because he didn't know what to do with himself around her. He hated the idea of pinching someone else's bird. It was all so strange. All he ever wanted since he had met this wonderful woman was to take her to bed and make her his. And now that she seemed like she had put down her defences enough for him to make the move, he couldn't make himself do it. He didn't even feel like taking random girls home and imagining they were Rhi anymore. Life is so full of contradictions.

-

On the next hearing, when Paul had a week off touring to promote his solo album, they were up for an unpleasant surprise. Wilson had brought a witness who declared he had seen draught poems featuring some phrases from Gavilan/Cubed - one of the songs in conflict - in Wilson's possession around the time the album was written. Since he had no physical proof, it was just his word against Paul's. Rhi made sure to underline the lack of evidence and presented what notebooks and footage she had. Unfortunately, the jury seemed to believe the witness and things looked like they were tilting Wilson's way.

Rhi had come in a cab to court, but when the audience ended, she still walked wih Paul to the parking lot. She had the face on. She hadn't expected this, but she knew exactly how to react. He offered her a ride, which she tried to refuse, but finally gave in. They needed to talk anyway.

- You don't need to worry. - She assured him as they got into his Bentley. - I have an ace up my sleeve too.

Paul eyed her as he started the car.

- Is that so?

- Yes. You're going to like my ace. - She commented, proudly.

- Could you be any more cryptic? It's not like I'm already losing sleep over this whole mess or anything... - He begged in a tired tone.

- Sorry. I don't want you to get all worked up because of this. It's a little, insignificant inconvenience.

He looked at her, half shutting his eyes as he steered around the Manhattan traffic. She rolled hers after a while.

- Fine. - She finally accepted. - It's a witness too. A powerful one. Someone who doesn't particularly like you, but won't let this rat get his way. That is all I'm going to say.

They were very close to Rhi's office now, that's where she had asked him to drop her. Paul frowned.

- If it is who I think it is, you are the best lawyer in all of the land. - He declared, slowly.

She grinned and leant over him to say her goodbyes. They had stopped at he end of the car lobby, right in front of a big marble wall.

- Straighten that face already. This case is won. - She murmured, approaching her lips towards his.

He could feel the electricity surround them and could not help it. He took her by the nape and kissed her, breathing deeply. Rhi felt her limbs go loose as she inhaled the scent of his mouth going through hers. She ran her fingers through his hair, biting and licking his lips. Something in the back of her mind was screaming to stop, but she couldn't. As he slid his hand down her hair, to her back and leg, she finally pulled away.

- Oh God, I'm sorry. - She said, breathless.

He seemed lost when he opened his eyes and looked around.

- NO, I am sorry. I was the one who... Rhi, I don't know what...

- Me neither. I just...

- It was wonderful. - He interrupted her. - It was all I expected to get from you and it was far better than my every fantasy and hope...

Rhiannon gulped and took her briefcase.

- I'm getting married next Spring. - She declared, cutting him off.

He looked down. He seemed hurt.

- I know that. And I am sorry I can't help feeling this way.

- Don't be. This is not all your fault. You're not the only one who's acted badly here. I have broken all the ethics rules today. You have every right to want another lawyer now...

She stopped talking because he was kissing her again.