Chapter 170 Sleeping Beauty Reese I was already awake when the clock struck eight. Fully dressed, sitting at the edge of the bed, phone in hand, I scrolled lazily through my messages. Ever so often, my gaze drifted back to Penelope, still tangled in the sheets, half-buried under the covers, hair a blonde spill against the red pillow. Peaceful. Too peaceful. For a minute, I almost thought she’d died in her sleep. She looked that still, that spent. But then her shoulder twitched, and I let out a quiet laugh. Dead or not, she looked like hell. Still beautiful, but wrecked. And I’d made sure of that. The curtains were still drawn, muting the light across the room. Her room smelled like sex, coffee, and a mix of two masculine fragrances. I checked the clock again. 8:05 a.m. The hearing starts at nine. A grin tugged at my mouth as I tossed my phone aside and leaned back, resting my elbows on my knees. I wasn’t the one with a senator’s son to defend this morning. That honor belonged to Penelope—star of the state bar, the woman who built her reputation on flawless wins and ruthless precision. Except today. Today, she’d show up late, unprepared, and running on zero sleep. And all because she couldn’t say no to me. Not that I forced her. I didn’t have to. I just had to walk through her door. I glanced back again, watching her chest rise and fall in steady rhythm. The sheet had slipped off one shoulder, exposing a trail of bruises and red marks along her collarbone. My marks. Last night had been a masterpiece of self-destruction. She'd basically seen me again after so many years and her body just couldn't help betraying her principles. She'd practically thrown herself at me. And I'd pounced on her like a wolf I was. Before she could even finish her sentence, I’d pulled her to the floor and ruined every plan she had for the night. She hadn't even read up on the case today. We’d gone at it on the bed, the floor, the couch, the wall, the damn table. Every surface her fancy apartment had to offer. She kept whispering my name like a prayer she wanted to hate herself for saying.To her, it was passion. Reunion. To me, it was payback and maybe a little fun. Besides, a free fuck's never hurt anybody. Penelope was never innocent, never some fragile victim. She’s a viper, the kind of woman who hides knives behind her smiles. But she was also the reason why my brother had picked up his phone and called me. It's crazy. The one who’d made us speak without threats or hate. And thank goodness my brother still knew I was the only one who could get through to her. I rubbed a hand over my jaw, smirking at the irony. “Guess you’re not showing up bright and early for justice today, sweetheart.” She didn’t move. 8:15. If I were a better man, I might’ve felt guilty. But guilt and I had never been on speaking terms. The thing about Penelope was that she always thought she was in control—outside the bedroom. Always the one calling the shots, always the one orchestrating every move in the courtroom and outside it. But I knew her secret. I knew how easy it was to pull the ground from under her, to watch her perfect composure crack. She’d been so confident last night at the bar. Then she'd kissed me desperately and those confident words stopped. I stood, stretching lazily, and wandered to the window. The city was awake—honking cars, distant chatter, the kind of morning noise that made the world seem alive while she slept through it. 8:30 a.m. Time to wake Sleeping Beauty. I crossed the room, stopping at the edge of the bed. “Rise and shine, counselor,” I murmured, leaning close enough. She stirred faintly, brow furrowing, but didn’t wake. I watched her for another beat, admiring the small twitch in her jaw, the crease between her brows. Even half-asleep, she looked like she was about to argue with someone. And still win the argument. “Penelope,” I said, voice sharper now. “It’s eight-thirty.” That got her.Her eyes shot open. Confusion flickered first, then realization, then pure panic. “What—what time did you say?” “Half past eight,” I said, biting back a grin. “You’ve got, what, thirty minutes till your big moment? The senator’s kid isn’t going to save himself.” She bolted upright, clutching the sheet to her chest. “You—why didn’t you wake me up?” “I tried.” I leaned back, watching the chaos unfold. “But you looked so peaceful. I couldn't bring myself to ruin it. Besides, you passed out from exhaustion this morning, remember? I’m heartless, but I’m not cruel.” “Heartless?” she hissed, scanning for her phone. “You’re unbelievable.” “Correction,” I said, smirking. “I’m irresistible.” She ignored me, stumbling out of bed on shaky legs, grabbing clothes from the closet. A bra, a skirt, her blazer, all while looking like she could still feel me in between her legs. She was all trembling hands and shaky breaths, and her damn phone wouldn’t stop buzzing on the nightstand. “Calm down, Penny. You’ll just sweat through your blouse before you even get there.” “Don’t talk to me.” She snatched her files, scattering papers across the floor. I crouched, picked one up, glanced at the heading. “Cross-examination strategy,” I read aloud. “Huh. Maybe you should’ve been studying that last night instead of begging for more.” She froze. “Reese—” “What?” I asked innocently, standing. “Too soon?” Her glare could’ve cut glass. “This isn’t funny.” “Never said it was.” I pocketed my phone, watching her fumble with her skirt zipper. “You’re too serious, Penny. You used to know how to have fun.” “I have a hearing in less than an hour, and you—” she stopped, visibly trying to control her breathing. “I don’t have time for your games.” “You never do,” I said softly. “That’s your problem.” She turned away, muttering curses under her breath, searching for her keys. I followed her with my eyes, taking in every frantic movement. The perfect lawyer, undone. “Your car’s still parked by the road though,” I casually reminded her. “Don't forget you said you’d send someone.” She froze again. “What? How do I get to the courthouse?” “I’ll drive you,” I said, slipping into my jacket. “I’ll be waiting in the car. Don’t keep me waiting, Penelope.” She hesitated, looking torn between refusing and begging for help. I saw the panic flicker in her eyes—the kind that stripped even the sharpest woman of her armor. And I seized the opportunity. As she brushed past, I smacked her ass hard making her gasp. So hard its sound rang through the room. “Focus.” Her pulse jumped. “You’re insufferable.” “Thank you.” I stopped by the door and turned slightly. “Coffee’s on the table. You’ll need it.” “Reese,” she said, voice trembling with a mix of fear and something else. “Why are you doing this? Why are you even helping me?” I met her eyes, smiling faintly. “Because I want to. You just gave the best sex I've had in years. I ought to show gratitude, no?” She looked at me with confusion in her eyes, but still managed to say, “thank you.” I nodded, then walked out, letting the door click shut behind me.Downstairs, I waited for her in my car. I checked my watch. 8:45. She’d come running out any minute now, heels clacking, hair barely tamed, that defiant fire still burning under her panic. She always bounced back. That’s what made her so addicting to break. And sure enough, two minutes later, the door opened, and there she was—every bit the disaster I’d expected. Shirt half-buttoned, files stuffed into her bag, coffee cup trembling in hand. “Stop looking at me like that,” she snapped, yanking open the car door. “Like what?” I asked, feigning innocence. “Like you won.” I chuckled, starting the engine. “You think this was a game?” “Isn’t it always with you Blackwoods?” she bit out. “Wasn't your sister one by reason of marriage?” I clapped back. She went quiet instantly. Touché. We drove in silence for a few blocks. She kept checking her phone, tapping her foot, muttering under her breath as if that would make time slow down. The clock on the dashboard read 8:52. The edge in her voice, the tension in her shoulders—it was intoxicating. There was something about watching someone so composed lose control that did things to me I didn’t care to name. “Are you enjoying this?” she asked suddenly, turning to me. I smiled faintly. “Shouldn’t I?” “You’re sick.” “Probably,” I admitted. “But you didn’t seem to mind last night.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Last night… wasn’t supposed to happen.” “Funny,” I said. “You didn’t call it that when you begged me to stay.” Silence. Only the hum of the tires against asphalt. “Reese,” she said quietly. “Why are you doing this to me?” The sincerity in her tone almost threw me off. Almost. I glanced at her, one hand on the wheel. “You really want the truth?” “Yes.”“Because you make it too damn easy to fall in love with you again after so many years.” She was instantly tongue-tied. She didn't know what to say. Her eyes just stayed glued on me, trying to get a reaction that'd probably confirm any suspicion she had in her mind. I stayed calm. We pulled up outside the courthouse, and she was already halfway out of the car before I could even put it in park. Papers under one arm, coffee in the other, hair barely pinned up. “Good luck in there,” I called after her. “Try not to fall asleep at the stand.” She slammed the door. “I hope we never see each other again, Reese. This was a disaster.” I leaned against the seat, watching her. “You’ll come looking for me, Penny. I know you will.”