Courtship Read online

  Table of Contents

  Synopsis

  What Reviewers Say About Carsen Taite’s Work

  By the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  About the Author

  Books Available from Bold Strokes Books

  Synopsis

  In a stunning twist of events, Addison Riley is launched from the halls of academia to the spotlight of Supreme Court nomination. She’s not entirely sure she wants the job, but the opportunity to make history ultimately trumps the trouble of having every aspect of her life examined by friends and enemies alike. Committed to the process, she’s determined not to let her attraction to a beautiful woman or the threats on her life deter her from becoming the first female Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

  Campaign advisor Julia Scott has spent her entire life working to make other people successful, and her pinnacle achievement was the recent presidential election. Now she’s in charge of making sure the president’s first Supreme Court appointment sails through the Senate. She’s faced tough challenges before, but nothing like those posed by the infuriatingly focused Addison Riley, a woman who challenges her mind and awakens her heart.

  What Reviewers Say About Carsen Taite’s Work

  It Should be a Crime

  “Taite also practices criminal law and she weaves her insider knowledge of the criminal justice system into the love story seamlessly and with excellent timing.”—Curve Magazine

  “This [It Should be a Crime] is just Taite’s second novel…, but it’s as if she has bookshelves full of bestsellers under her belt.”—Gay List Daily

  Do Not Disturb

  “Taite’s tale of sexual tension is entertaining in itself, but a number of secondary characters…add substantial color to romantic inevitability”—Richard Labonte, Book Marks

  Nothing but the Truth

  Author Taite is really a Dallas defense attorney herself, and it’s obvious her viewpoint adds considerable realism to her story, making it especially riveting as a mystery. I give it four stars out of five.”—Bob Lind, Echo Magazine

  “As a criminal defense attorney in Dallas, Texas, Carsen Taite knows her way around the court house. …Nothing But the Truth is an enjoyable mystery with some hot romance thrown in.”—Just About Write

  “Taite has written an excellent courtroom drama with two interesting women leading the cast of characters. Taite herself is a practicing defense attorney, and her courtroom scenes are clearly based on real knowledge. This should be another winner for Taite.”—Lambda Literary

  The Best Defense

  “Real Life defense attorney Carsen Taite polishes her fifth work of lesbian fiction, The Best Defense, with the realism she daily encounters in the office and in the courts. And that polish is something that makes The Best Defense shine as an excellent read.”—Out & About Newspaper

  Slingshot

  “The mean streets of lesbian literature finally have the hard boiled bounty hunter they deserve. It’s a slingshot of a ride, bad guys and hot women rolled into one page turning package. I’m looking forward to Luca Bennett’s next adventure.”—J. M. Redmann, author of the Micky Knight mystery series

  Battle Axe

  “This second book is satisfying, substantial, and slick. Plus, it has heart and love coupled with Luca’s array of weapons and a bad-ass verbal repertoire…I cannot imagine anyone not having a great time riding shotgun through all of Luca’s escapades. I recommend hopping on Luca’s band wagon and having a blast.”—Rainbow Book Reviews

  Beyond Innocence

  “Taite keeps you guessing with delicious delay until the very last minute…Taite’s time in the courtroom lends Beyond Innocence, a terrific verisimilitude someone not in the profession couldn’t impart. And damned if she doesn’t make practicing law interesting.”—Out in Print

  “As you would expect, sparks and legal writs fly. What I liked about this book were the shades of grey (no, not the smutty Shades of Grey)—both in the relationship as well as the cases.”—C-spot Reviews

  Rush

  “A simply beautiful interplay of police procedural magic, murder, FBI presence, misguided protective cover-ups, and a superheated love affair…a Gold Star from me and major encouragement for all readers to dive right in and consume this story with gusto!”—Rainbow Book Reviews

  Switchblade

  “I enjoyed the book and it was a fun read—mystery, action, humour, and a bit of romance. Who could ask for more? If you’ve read and enjoyed Taite’s legal novels, you’ll like this. If you’ve read and enjoyed the two other books in this series, this one will definitely satisfy your Luca fix and I highly recommend picking it up. Highly recommended.”—C Spot Reviews

  Courtship

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  Courtship

  © 2014 By Carsen Taite. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-62639-267-0

  This Electronic Book is published by

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, New York 12185

  First Edition: November 2014

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Cindy Cresap

  Production Design: Susan Ramundo

  Cover Design By Sheri ([email protected])

  By the Author

  Truelesbianlove.com

  It Should be a Crime

  Do Not Disturb

  Nothing but the Truth

  The Best Defense

  Beyond Innocence

  Rush

  Courtship

  The Luca Bennett Mystery Series:

  Slingshot

  Battle Axe

  Switchblade

  Acknowledgments

  I owe big thanks to the usual suspects. Len Barot aka Radclyffe—you continue to raise the bar when it comes to expanding the horizons of GLBTQ publishing, and I count myself lucky to be along for the ride. My editor, Cindy Cresap—this is our tenth book together! I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, always delivered with a touch of humor. To my author pa
ls, Ashley Bartlett and VK Powell, thanks for your insights, your critiques, and your support—the finished product is always better because of your help. Ruth Sternglantz—thanks for the perfect title. And to Sandy Lowe and all the associates at BSB who make the process seamless—you’re the best!

  The nomination process for a Supreme Court justice is a careful and deliberate process, and I’ll be the first to admit I’ve taken a great deal of liberties in order to condense the details into what I hope is a compelling story. I did, however, read several volumes of nonfiction as part of my research, and I owe thanks to Jeffrey Toobin, The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court; Edward Lazarus, Closed Chambers; and Todd C. Peppers and Artemus Ward, editors of In Chambers, for their frank tales about the inner workings of the court.

  Thanks to my best friend, Tony Vedda, who helped me with a last-minute trip to D.C. so that I could get a feel for the location and lend some extra authenticity to this story.

  My wife, Lainey, makes it possible for me to write. She takes on extra tasks around the house, tiptoes around when she knows that quiet fuels my inspiration, and cheers me on like no one else. Thanks, L., I love you.

  To all the readers—I write these stories because you keep reading them and asking for more. Every e-mail, every tweet, every Facebook post, keeps me motivated. Thank you!

  Dedication

  To Lainey and the best courtship ever.

  Chapter One

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re too hot to be a dean?”

  “Can’t say that’s ever been a topic of conversation.” Addison Riley ushered Eva Monroe into her apartment and took her coat. “Maybe I should start the next regents meeting by posing the question: Dean Riley, hot or not?”

  “Just don’t tell anyone I started the poll.”

  They were joking, but the comment still stung. She and Eva had engaged in an on and off relationship ever since Eva had taken over the Rondel Fellowship at Jefferson University’s law school, but even their on had been a bit off since Eva insisted on keeping their relationship private. Eva said it would cause problems with the rest of the faculty if everyone knew she was sleeping with the dean. And she was probably right. The law school was a tight-knit community, and the faculty lounge was a den of gossip. Addison didn’t care who knew she was seeing Eva, but she had agreed to be circumspect even when she didn’t agree with the need for so much privacy.

  Safest maneuver was to change the subject. She pointed to the TV remote on the coffee table. “I put several movies in the queue. Your choice. Glass of wine?”

  “Wine would be perfect.”

  Addison poured two glasses of red and settled onto the couch, unable to stop pondering Eva’s opening salvo. She knew she was attractive, but hot? Eva was one to talk about off the charts good looks. When she’d transferred in, students scrambled to sign up for her class, and Addison suspected it wasn’t just for her keen insights into women and gender in the law. Her flawless dark skin and deep brown bedroom eyes definitely keep the law from being dry. She imagined the Socratic method wasn’t as punishing when administered from her gorgeous lips. Eva may think she was hot, but next to her, Addison felt plain. Fair skin, brown eyes, and brunette hair in a nondescript style. No, she was nothing like the woman nestled next to her.

  Eva flipped through the movie selections and then set the remote back on the coffee table. “You know, I’ve seen these. Should we check cable and see if there’s anything we both haven’t seen?”

  “Sure.” If this night went like most others, they’d wind up in bed before they finished the movie anyway. Their dates tended to consist of one glass of wine, an hour of film, and enough nice sex to leave them both satisfied.

  Most people would probably think they had the perfect arrangement, but Addison craved more. More companionship, more conversation, more than a series of one-night stands. Not for the first time, she pondered how two smart women in their late thirties had settled for so little. Since becoming dean, her teaching load had decreased, which meant she spent most of her time doing monotonous paperwork. When she and Eva talked, they usually agreed on the issues, so no debate there. Their sex was reliable, but definitely not spark-inducing. Was her life really this boring? Was she?

  Rather than dwell on it, Addison picked up the remote and slipped into the ease of the usual. As she flipped her way to the movie channels, she couldn’t help but stall as she went through the major news outlets.

  Eva nudged her. “Are you trying to cheat on me with Rachel Maddow?”

  “Celebrity pass?”

  “Deal.”

  They’d discussed the good-looking brainiac who hosted a news show on MSNBC many times before, and they’d both agreed there was nothing more attractive than beauty and brains in the same package. Addison put the remote down and stared at the object of affection. Rachel was in the middle of one of her well-written, excellently delivered diatribes about the antics of the Republican party. Because it was an election year, the prose was even more pointed than usual and her monologue enthralling. When it was over, Addison reached for the remote again, but Eva stopped her.

  “Wait, something’s happening.”

  Addison looked at the screen and watched while Maddow read from a tablet someone off screen had handed to her. Her face became drawn and pale and, when she started to speak, her speech was stiff and she fumbled for words. Addison turned up the volume and leaned forward to hear the news.

  “I’ve just been informed that Chief Justice Weir was involved in a car accident. Details are still coming in, but our sources say the accident was extremely serious. He was pulled from his burning car and is in an ambulance en route to the George Washington University Hospital. He wasn’t conscious, and he had severe burns over a good portion of his body. We have a reporter in the field and we’re going to them now for more details.”

  Addison started to stand, but a wave of nausea swept her and she sat back down.

  “Are you okay? Can I get you anything?”

  Eva’s voice sounded faint, like she was very far away, but Addison managed to reply, “Water. Please.”

  When Eva returned, she took a few small swallows, scared she wouldn’t keep it down as she focused on the television. Rachel was firing questions at some other woman, a local affiliate reporter who happened to be in the area where Judge Weir’s car crashed.

  “Rachel, we’re still getting details from witnesses to the accident. It appears he just lost control of his car and careened into that dividing wall over there.” The reporter pointed toward a tall cement divider with chunks missing. “The car flipped and rolled and then caught fire.” She turned to interview the Good Samaritan who pulled the judge from the car, but Rachel stopped her before they could proceed.

  “Hold on, Shelia. We’re getting some additional information now.”

  Rachel consulted the screen in front of her. Addison watched, completely focused, as she waited for the update. When Rachel touched the corner of her eye, Addison saw the tear, and she braced for the news.

  “We’ve just received word that Chief Justice Harrison Weir has died. To confirm, the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Harrison Weir, has died.” Rachel started to say more, but wound up shaking her head instead, appearing to struggle with the emotion of the news.

  Addison didn’t even try to hold her feelings in check. She clutched her sides as she sobbed with uncontrollable grief. Eva held her, stroked her back, murmured words of comfort, but none of it mattered. Addison hadn’t felt a greater loss since her mother lost her battle with cancer, and she didn’t think the pain would ever go away.

  *

  “If you interrupt me one more time, I swear…” Julia didn’t bother finishing the sentence. Her authoritative tone was usually enough to scare most of the junior staffers into doing her bidding. But this one stuck around. John or Joe, she couldn’t remember all their names. If things kept going like they had been, she wouldn’t have to. Election day would come and go and the
y’d be looking for new jobs.

  She looked up from the crappy poll results, but whatever his name was still stood in the doorway. “It had better be important.”

  He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here as he tentatively handed her a folded sheet of paper. “Brad asked me to give this to you. Said you’d need it right away.”

  Julia took the paper from him, and he scurried off while she unfolded the note and skimmed the contents. Holy shit. Chief Justice Weir was dead. In a fluke car accident no less. No judge had been more influential on the court than he had in the past ten years, and he had been a colorful personality to boot. A legend, gone in an instant. What an incredible waste.

  Julia shook her head as the implications sunk in. There were several justices on the court that everyone figured would retire in the next couple of years, but Weir wasn’t one of them. A liberal giant, he’d been expected to stick around for a number of years, especially if, as expected, their opposing candidate won the upcoming election. Well, it looked like the Republicans were going to get a double win in a few weeks: president-elect and the opportunity to appoint a new chief justice of the United States, right out of the gate. She had no doubt they’d appoint the youngest, most conservative man they could find.

  Looks like I’m going to be delivering two pieces of bad news tonight. Julia tucked the bad poll results under her arm along with the news she’d just received, and headed down the hall. The president’s room was only two doors down, but she lingered during the walk, wishing her news could wait until morning, but knowing it couldn’t. Any moment now, the press would be calling her wanting to know whether President Garrett had any comment on the news of Weir’s death. She had to have a statement ready. Her only comfort was that the death of a Supreme Court justice would steal the news cycle away from the latest poll results. For a few hours anyway.