Santa's Pet by Rachelle Ayala Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t intend any of it. In fact, I asked Brittney to sit on my lap to cover any possible exposure through my boxer shorts.”
    “Oh, yes, those boxers are Exhibit A. I need you to remove them and let me photograph them.”
    “Right now?” Ben’s blood pressure dropped. If he pulled down the sweatpants the police lent him, he could be charged again.
    “Not right now.” Delaine chuckled, rolling her eyes. “Is it true you wear boxers that are so ripped they might as well not be there?”
    “Uh, well, sure, I haven’t done the laundry. Yes, I guess.” Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “I figure as long as the elastic waistband is good and I can put my legs through them …”
    “In that case, if it’s your usual habit to wear torn and holey boxers, then I can prove that your exposing your genitals was accidental and unintentional.”
    “That’s correct,” Ben agreed. “Besides, it wouldn’t have been exposed if that woman hadn’t sat on it and wiggled to tease me.”
    “She did?” Dominique’s jaw dropped. “You mean she’s at fault?”
    “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.” Ben opened his hands palms up. “Kids were laughing and saying my pants were down. I realized I had only my holey candy-cane boxers on, so I asked Brittney to sit on my crotch to hide it while I took off my Santa jacket to cover myself.”
    “So, you’re saying she deliberately moved in a sexual manner to cause you to expose yourself?” Delaine clarified.
    “Absolutely. I couldn’t help what happened next. It’s impossible for a man not to react.”
    “For some men,” Delaine said, huffing. “Okay, now what about the touching of her breasts that happened earlier? The police are charging you with lewd misconduct, too.”
    “How’s that defined?”
    “Willfully touching a female breast counts,” Delaine said, pursing her lips. “You’re guilty if you did it with the intention of sexually arousing or gratifying yourself or another person, and at the time you did the act, you were in public or in a place open to the public, and someone was offended by viewing your act, and finally that you reasonably knew that person would be offended.”
    “Everything’s true except for the intention.” Ben closed his fist. “I touched her breast to push it back into her skimpy elf costume. I have absolutely no interest in arousing or gratifying Brittney Reed, and it certainly didn't give me the jollies.”
    “Oh, really?” Dominique raised an eyebrow. “What if a witness said you became aroused?”
    “It doesn’t matter. My intent was not to be aroused. Is that clear?” Ben narrowed his eyes at Delaine. “Can you get both charges dropped?”
    “The state has a higher hurdle for the indecent exposure. They’ll probably come back with an offer for you to plead guilty to the lewd conduct in exchange for dropping indecent exposure which carries with it the stigma of being a registered sex offender.” Delaine leaned back and steepled her fingers as if she had won a point. She turned to her sister. “Is that good enough to get him drafted?”
    “I think we should also fight the lewd conduct charge, too.” Dominique’s eyebrows creased and her nostrils flared. “It’ll be bad for my reputation to represent him.”
    “I’m not pleading guilty to anything,” Ben said. “If you two can’t help me, then I’m hiring someone else.”
    “He is a hot prospect for a first round draft pick,” Delaine said, nudging her sister.
    “Except for this lewd conduct thing,” Dominique replied, eyeing Ben as if he were a giant cockroach. “Can you get all the charges dropped?”
    “That’s what I’m here for.” Delaine rolled up her sleeves. “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll get you out on bail. You’re not pleading guilty to anything. Meanwhile, we dump the blame on Brittney. Only problem, her lawyer’s a real trickster.”
    “That chubby chump with the fast food wrapper sticking out of his suit