Authors: Suzan Battah
Chapter Thirty-One
When Julia arrived at the house, a real estate agent was plastering a Sold sticker across the sale sign. She paid the cab driver and nearly fell out the door in her rush to stop the agent.
“Excuse me! The auction, is it over?” Julia waved at the agent, crossing the road carefully. “You’re putting the sold sign up now?”
The sky had darkened considerably and a gust of wind was whipping around, hissing and whizzing through the palm trees. The young real estate agent brushed his hair back, irritated. She reached him before he could leave.
Julia followed him to his car. “I’ll pay double for whatever this house sold at!” She was aghast to hear herself promise that, for the house was expensive as it was. Double the price would take only a portion of what Carlos had left her.
But she realized that he would consider that a good use of the money. She could almost hear him saying, ‘If it makes you happy, beautiful girl, go for it.’
The agent looked over at her, shocked. “I’m sorry, miss, but the house has been sold at auction. You’re too late.”
“Has the contract been finalized?” she asked desperately.
“I’m not sure. I didn’t handle the details,” he said, giving her an odd look up and down. “Looks like a storm is coming, better head to safety. You can smell it in the air.”
Julia watched him speed away in his flashy car, but her attention was focused on the house. The large red sticker sent a course of pain, hurt, and passionate fire through her veins. She wasn’t ready to let the curtains fall on her heart just yet.
As she stood there, the hot, humid smell of rain filled the air. Fat, pelting droplets of rain pattered down in quick unison, drenching her straight through. A crack of thunder rolled loudly through the darkening clouds. Rain began to splatter down more forcefully and the roar of the ocean rose nearby as waves grew choppy and rough.
She didn’t hear the car pull up across the road, nor did she hear her name being called. Even with the forthcoming storm, she couldn’t move, hoping that it might not be true. The wind picked up speed within a matter of moments, palm leaves and loose branches falling dangerously from the nearby trees, skidding across the road.
“Julia! Jules, watch out!” Chris called out from his car.
She was too shocked to see him to notice the branch that had cracked and began to fall above her. The low-lying branch, once loose, whipped past her, knocking her over. The sharp edges of the branch scratched with a stinging force against her skin.
She tried in vain to push the branch away from her, but she was tangled and shaky from the fall. Chris towered above her, looking furious as he moved the branch off her with a swift throw. He bent down and scooped her up, carrying her away to his car. She couldn’t protest. Being in his arms was exactly where she wanted to be.
She settled into the seat next to him still disgruntled about losing the house. They were drenched, their clothes soaked and dripping water in his car. “What the hell do you think you were doing? Running out of your own surprise party like that? I could hardly keep up with you!” Chris barked, shaking his head and sending more drops across the car.
Julia gave him an angry look. “Our house, it’s sold! I can’t believe it. It’s gone. I was so close. What are you doing here and where’s Dylan?”
“Don’t worry about Dylan, he’s with his nanny. I’m just… trying… you’re.” Chris muttered something in French. “It’s not gone. If you would just listen to me for a second.”
The air in the car got a little steamy as they suddenly realized they were so close. They were alone together, the storm whirling furiously around them.
“What do you mean it’s not gone? There’s a sold sign! I can’t believe this.”
“Forget about the house for a second and look at me.” His voice melted right into her. “I’ve been trying to tell you how much I love you. I’m not letting you go.”
Julia took a few deep breaths, looking back at Chris, trying to understand what he meant. She didn’t know what possessed her, but she couldn’t resist. She leaned closer, pulling him in for a kiss. Their lips pressed, parted, and mingled in hot recognition. She moaned. They broke apart abruptly, breathing
labored
in the small confines of the car.
“I love you too. I won’t let you go, not ever,” Julia responded breathlessly.
They were both breathing heavily. Chris turned back, switching the ignition on. He didn’t say a word as he drove straight to the Augustine.
The penthouse was exactly as she remembered. The thundering storm still surrounded them, cracking and splintering. Neither paid attention to the flashing lightning enveloping the room as they rekindled their love. He sat her down on the edge of the bed and kneeled in front of her.
She could feel the heat of his body, so close to hers. She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, bending her head forward, she placed a kiss on his jaw. She could feel his arms tighten around her.
The intensity between them was electrifying.
He deepened their kiss, reminding her of what they had. He slipped out of his wet shirt without breaking contact. She reached out to touch him, pulling back for a moment, but he brought her hands back to his body. He shifted closer, embracing her. Then he scooped her up, helping her to shift back onto the bed.
His hands made quick work of the knee brace, gently caressing everywhere. He settled between her legs, touching and exploring her body, slipping his hands beneath her clothing, kissing a trail over any bare skin. He brushed her hair out of the way, finding the sensitive spot at her neck to suckle on, drawing out a satisfied moan.
The buttons of her top popped open, allow his hands to explore, and the fabric was pushed to the sides. She sighed, knowing the pleasure had just begun, and the knowledge of what was to come was lifting her. She forgot her scars and her leg as he kissed her. Careful of anything that might cause her pain, he swiftly pulled the covers back and slowly and easily, he lay her down on the crisp new sheets.
All her clothes disappeared one after the other, falling silently onto the floor. His clothes followed quickly behind.
Her body was still in tune with his caresses, enjoying the long-awaited touches. Julia felt her body awaken from a long-lost sleep. The welcoming heat of passion tingled every inch of skin he touched. His fingers stroked between her legs, making her arch with recognition. Chris, mindful of her injury, lay on his side next to her, kissing the sensitive curve of her neck. He explored every inch of her body, touching everywhere with his hands.
Then he did the same with his lips, only his lips, suckling, tasting; he made a trail of kisses down the
center
of her torso. She gripped the sheets at her side as his tongue found the feminine round mound of her belly, exploring her indented belly button, dipping in and out. The trail continued lower to the valley between her thighs, to kiss and adore, delving gently with hot hunger. He trailed soft kisses back up her body and settled between her legs.
“Are you okay?” He lean
ed
up on his elbows.
Julia nodded, skimming her fingers down his back as he entered her. Each thrust was hot and controlled.
“Am I hurting you?”
“No, it feels just right.”
She trembled as desire so long ago forgotten began to ripple over her. Wrapped around each other, they melted into hot liquid passion.
Afterward, he tried to lean away, but she held him tight.
“I’ve never stopped loving you,” he declared.
“I’ve always been in love with you,” she murmured, needing him to hear her say the words.
“The note you left for me, what did it say?” he asked, feathering soft kisses over her neck.
“Always in my heart,” she whispered as her eyes closed.
***
Julia woke the next morning feeling invigorated. The covers were tucked around her tight. Now she recalled the last words he had said against her neck as they drifted off to sleep.
You’ll always be mine.
Something was different. The storm had disappeared just as quickly as it had come. The sun was shining brightly through the sliding doors. She rolled over, stretching, running a hand through her messed up hair. One of her fingers got caught in her hair. She pulled back with a yawn, her eyes widening.
A ring was on her finger. The shivers of delight rippled all over her body.
He came back to me. Damn, where are my clothes.
She loved him and he loved her; it was so simple, not complicated at all.
She struggled to sit up, looking around for her clothes, but stopped suddenly at the sight of Chris standing in the doorway. His arms were folded across his chest. He was not looking happy at all.
“I know, I know. You don’t have to say it. It was stupid to go out there in the storm, but they sold our house at auction.” She needed to get into her clothes and see if she could make a ridiculous offer. “I want to go to the agent. Where are my clothes? I’m sure if...”
He shook his head, staring at her. “The new owner won’t sell, Julia.”
“What! I’m going to try. That house is ours.” She pulled the sheet around her, rolling to his side of the bed to see if her clothes were on his side.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m looking for my clothes! I need to get that house, for us. For you and me.”
“I bought the house. It’s already ours.”
“What?” She felt giddy, smiling at the news.
Then his frown came back and her smile faded. “We need to talk,” he said, all too serious now.
That sounded too ominous. She bit her lip, not wanting to have an argument while she was naked. Of course, making up was the best thing.
“My clothes, I’ll just get dressed.” She tried to get up to search for her clothes.
Chris strode over to her, sitting down on the sheet she had wrapped around her. He lifted her chin so she could meet his eyes.
“No, forget your clothes. I’ve already seen you naked, and I assure you, even when you’ve got clothes on, I can still see you naked, right here.” He tapped his temple.
She sat back against the cushion of pillows at the head of the bed. He looked like he was waiting for her to say something.
“Are we going to fight? Because if we’re going to fight, can I at least put on underwear?”
Julia saw him struggle to remain serious before he burst into laughter, releasing the tension that was there before. “You make me feel like the luckiest man alive.” He caressed her cheek and brushed back her tousled hair. “You also drive me beyond insanity, but that’s why I love you so much. I want no one else, just you.”
She pressed his hand to her heart. “I’m sorry for everything. I’m sorry that I wasn’t ready and that I couldn’t tell you. I’m sorry for the way I hurt you...”
“Don’t say sorry. Never apologize for what you feel. You were honest. All I want to know is what you feel now. Right now.”
“You are the only one in my heart. I want only you, Chris... Let me finish,” she rushed on, slipping the ring off her finger as he tried to stop her.
“Jules?”
Julia took her moment to tell Chris how she felt, despite the sudden pain and fear in his eyes. She took his large hand in hers, slipping the ring on his finger, it stopped at his knuckle.
“I’m sorry.” She kissed his hand. “I’m sorry for all the times I made you feel like I didn’t love you. But you should know that isn’t true. I still am, for all you are worth to me, passionately and crazy in love with you, Christophe Augustine.”
He couldn’t say anything. Moving closer, he took her hand in his, waiting, rubbing her slender fingers between his large palm.
“Julia?” he prompted gently.
“Sometimes, I have nightmares that can keep me awake all night. I’m scarred on my body from the accident and have a terrible limp. I may never be able to walk the way I used to again. And I might not ever dance again. There’s a chance I may not be able to have children. But I know that with all my heart, I’ll be faithful, and
honor
, cherish, and adore you for the rest of our lives. So knowing all that, do you still want to be my husband? Please be mine.”
“Yes!”
Tracing her temple with a finger, he lean
ed
over to press his lips to hers. In unison, they hummed their appreciation,
savoring
the sweet taste of making-up.
Julia closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of him. Chris’ hot breath warmed her ear and down her neck. He nibbled on her ear, moving down the hollow of her neck to her shoulder blade. It was so familiar and so exotic. Julia had feared she would never feel the warm tingling of his hot kisses again.
They held each other close for a few minutes, continuing to caress each other. “Let’s go to Vegas,” she said with a laugh.
“All right, let’s go.”
She sat back a little bit to look at him properly, determining whether he was serious. “You’re serious?”