“What are you doing?” I demanded when we paused to breathe.

“Taking your mind off everything while we still have time.”

I laughed. “I’m afraid not even your excellent kissing skills can achieve that.”

He narrowed his eyes, and then slipped a hand under my shirt, cupping me over the silky bra.

“Did you just fondle me?”

“I did. And if you keep this up, I’ll do worse.”

Oh my.... Judging by that delicious glint in his eyes, I had a pretty good idea of what worse meant.

“You are devious, you know that?” I pushed his hand away halfheartedly, then immediately wished I hadn’t, because all my worries slammed back into me. But it was time to put on the big girl panties and face the music.

Carter kept a protective hand on my back all the way to the courtroom. My family was waiting just outside, and I smiled.

“I can’t believe you’re all here,” I muttered, taking in the clan. Landon hugged me particularly tight.

“It’ll work out, munchkin,” he whispered. I pinched him playfully. That had been Dad’s nickname for me.

“I know it will,” I said with as much strength as I could muster. I didn’t want to disappoint my twin.

Again, I went through the motions for the next half hour. Inside the courtroom, I barely glanced at Beauty SkinEssence’s representative and their lawyer.

I sat as straight as possible, holding my chin high. I’d been through so much worse than this. I wasn’t going to let them sense my fear. I wouldn’t be intimidated.

The lawyer for the plaintiff spoke first. As expected, he was ruthless in the presentation of the “evidence” and depiction of my intentions. Then Carter rose from his seat. Clean-shaven, with those sharp eyes surveying the jury and the judge, he effortlessly dominated the courtroom.

While the opposing counsel questioned me, I made a point of looking him straight in the eyes and keeping my voice as neutral as possible.

“As mentioned countless times before, we all follow trends and market demands and strive to meet them. Simultaneous product development is not unusual. This has been a campaign to intimidate me from the very start,” I finished. I caught Carter glancing at me from across the courtroom.

I’d never felt as loved as in that moment. I felt his gaze wrap around me like a soothing hug, and for the first time today, my anxiety felt manageable.

Carter went on to present exhibit after exhibit to showcase the integrity of my company, as well as the timeline of the events. This was the culmination of weeks of work on his part, on top of what my previous lawyer had prepared. After countless case hearings, this was the final act.