Embracing Juliette (Texas Heroes: Station 9 #1)

Chapter 17

17

Dylan

“ F avorite taco?”

“Fish tacos,” I said. “But I’d do anything for a good breakfast burrito too.”

“Good choices,” Juliette said, gesturing with her overstuffed fish taco and dropping half the filling onto her plate. “Oh man, that’s the best part,” she said with a chuckle as she scooped it back up.

I smiled, soaking her in. Juliette’s warmth and beauty rivaled the sun when she laughed like that.

“Is there anywhere in particular you’d like to go?” I asked as she finished her last bite.

“I really like the art village, La Villita. But I’d be happy to do anything you want.”

“That sounds good. And it’s right near the Alamo, where I’d love to take you.”

“Perfect,” she said with a grin. So easy to please.

“It’s a bit of a hike if you’re up for it. Or would you rather drive?”

“Let’s walk. It’s a beautiful day, and I love walking along the river. It’s like an oasis in an urban jungle.”

“An oasis crowded with tourists?”

“Well, yeah, but I still love it.”

“I’m kidding. I like it too, and it’ll be even better with you.”

We chatted easily on our way down the Riverwalk, comparing our favorite restaurants and shops. Juliette pointed out flowers and views of the water and architecture that she liked, and she waved back to the people on a passing boat, while I paid careful attention to keep pace with her. Her enthusiasm was adorable, but anytime she looked at anything, she stopped walking for a moment. She wasn’t kidding when she said she had to focus on what she was doing, even walking.

Juliette suddenly jumped and sidestepped, nearly falling as a jogger passed by her. I grabbed her arm and pulled her up, throwing a glare back at the jerk who’d startled her, but it was more my fault than his. I’d seen him coming towards us, of course, but I didn’t say or do anything. There was more than enough space for him to pass, and I hadn’t realized that Juliette wasn’t aware of him.

“Are you okay?” I quickly scanned her for any injuries. “Did I hurt your arm?”

“I’m fine. Thanks for catching me. You didn’t hurt me. It would’ve been worse if I fell.”

“Still, I’m sorry if I hurt you,” I said as I gently rubbed her arm.

“I’m okay, really.”

I slid my hand down her arm to hold her hand. “Are you okay to keep walking?”

“Yeah, I’m good. That was nothing.”

“Okay then, let’s go.” I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and we continued to walk hand in hand.

I felt like a teenager holding a girl’s hand for the first time. How could my dick be stirring just from this simple touch?

With our hands clasped, Juliette walked with a renewed energy to her step, looking around more to take in the sights without stopping. She was relaxed. Enjoying herself. And I was too. I don’t know if it was just because I was there with Juliette, her hand in mine, or if was because of her deep appreciation of the river with its surrounding buildings, a mix of modern and historic, just like the city itself, casting their reflections over the murky water, but I saw the beauty of it all in a way I never had before.

I wanted to hold her hand forever. I wanted to pound my chest like a caveman and bellow for the world to hear. Me man! You my woman! Me make you safe!

I pulled Juliette towards me to navigate around a kid who’d stopped suddenly to toss coins into the river.

She looked confused for a moment before smiling up at me. “Thanks for saving me again.”

“Baby, I’m happy to hold your hand and keep you safe from any danger.”

“Even if the biggest danger is myself?”

I stopped walking and turned to face Juliette.

“Yes, Juls. I can see the difference in you when you feel comfortable and confident, and I love that you feel that way with me. If ordering for you at the restaurant and keeping an eye out for zigzagging toddlers helps, then I’m happy to do it. And getting to hold your hand is just a bonus for me.”

Juliette smiled. “Your hand is the only one that makes me feel so safe.”

Simple honesty. I knew she felt like she didn’t say enough, but I loved her directness. She didn’t beat around the bush or use her words to manipulate.

I gave her hand a little tug and kept walking. The art village was just ahead.

I steered Juliette carefully out of the way as a couple of teenagers on bikes weaved through the crowd and asked her if she’d be interested in going for a bike ride with me.

“I’d go on a trail in one of the less crowded parks. A wide, paved trail, for a nice, easy ride.”

“Would you go kayaking?”

“Um, I would go in a double kayak with you. I wouldn’t go alone—I’d probably end up overboard or stuck—but if I was with you, I’d be free to just enjoy it.”

I pulled her to a stop to give her a quick, hard kiss. “You have no idea what it does to me to hear you say that.”

We continued walking and Juliette pulled my hand to go faster as we approached the colorful sea of tents and umbrellas that made up the arts village.

“These are amazing!” She was like a kid in a candy shop. She admired each piece of jewelry and praised the artists who were beaming back at her. I understood the look they were giving her; I felt the same way. Her fingers traced over an intricate gold and green design.

“That necklace would look beautiful on you,” I said. “Try it on.”

“Can you help me?”

Fuck yeah. She didn’t even hesitate to ask. “Of course.”

She turned around and pulled her curls up on top of her head. I couldn’t resist kissing her neck first, loving the way she melted into me. I clasped the stained-glass necklace and turned her around to look.

“It was made for you. The colors bring out the gold in your eyes.” I held her face and traced her eyebrows with my thumbs, gazing into those beautiful eyes.

“Dylan,” she whispered.

I cupped her cheeks and wished we were alone instead of in the middle of a crowded market.

I broke away and turned to the artist. “How much for the necklace?”

“Twenty.”

I gave him the money and Juliette grabbed my arm, beaming at me. “Thank you!”

“My pleasure, Juls.”

We walked around for a few more minutes looking at the artists’ wares, with Juliette practically skipping at my side. She was amazing. My ex wasn’t this happy when I gave her a diamond necklace.

A drawing caught my eye, and I tugged her towards the tent. She followed my gaze to the picture that drew me in. “Oh, Dylan, I love it.”

It was a beautiful drawing of a couple on the Riverwalk. I had to have it as a reminder of this perfect day, and I didn’t care how sappy that made me.

As the artist wrapped and bagged it for us, Juliette wrapped her arms around me and said, “Looking at that picture will always make me feel happy.”

“Me too, baby.”

“Ready to go to the Alamo?”

“No rush. We can stay here as long as you want.”

“I’m ready. I’ve been here before. I haven’t been to the Alamo since I went on a field trip in third grade. Let’s go explore.”

“Let’s go, then.”

Juliette enthusiastically led the way, turning left as we left La Villita.

“This way,” I said, steering her towards the right.

A few minutes later, we walked into the grounds of the Alamo, and declining any tours or audio guides, we headed to the church.

“If you want the most interesting tour, we’ll come back one day with Liam and the other military guys. They make the story of Davy Crockett and how Texas fought for its freedom seem as important today as it was back in 1836.”

“Wow, I’d love to do that.”

“I’ll plan it. Do you know how the siege of the Alamo ended?”

“Just that we lost.”

“The Mexican army snuck in during the night and woke the Texans up by suddenly launching an attack from so close they couldn’t defend themselves in time. I can’t imagine that happening to our soldiers now. We all wake up ready to run when the tones go off, but not like the military guys. They go from asleep to ready to fight in an instant. It’s crazy.”

We spent a few more minutes in the church, then headed outside to watch the reenactments. Juliette was enthralled by it all. I’d never enjoyed it as much as I did with her and her contagious enthusiasm.

“Ready to go?” I eventually asked.

“Sure, if you are,” Juliette agreed, but I could tell it was reluctant.

I leaned in close, kissed her neck, and whispered, “Yes, I’m more than ready to take you home.”

“In that case, let’s go now,” Juliette said with a giant smile.

Holding hands, we walked back up the river towards my car, reveling in the joy of the day we’d shared and anticipation of the evening to come.

Juliette stopped suddenly, pulling me to a halt beside her. “Look,” she said, pointing to a bridge up ahead. “It’s like the drawing you bought. Let’s get a picture of us there.”

We made our way to the edge of the river to a nook beside the picturesque bridge, but apparently we weren’t the only ones interested in the spot. A young couple was there, looking like they’d stopped to share a snack.

“Come on,” I said. “We can try the next bridge.”

“No.” Juliette grabbed both my hands and backed up, pulling me with her.

Curious at her insistence, I followed her lead, giving her control while still making sure she didn’t trip over anything behind her. She continued until she was all the way into their space, then she shocked me further by releasing my hands to run her hands up my arms, over my shoulders, and into my hair. Her back arched and her chest pressed against mine, then she kissed me with a deep, open-mouthed kiss and a loud moan.

I complied with her demand, kissing her back thoroughly before I broke away to nuzzle her neck with a whisper. “Whatcha doing, baby?”

She pulled my head down and nipped my earlobe, then whispered back, “I’m not leaving just so they can keep sitting here, feeding crackers to the fish. It’s bad for the fish.”

Fuck, she was funny. I held Juliette tight and threw my head back in a laugh, loving the way she laughed with me, her body shaking against mine.

“What the hell,” the girl muttered as she threw another cracker into the water and got to her feet, the boy right behind her.

Juliette and I laughed harder as they glared at us and stormed away. Our eyes caught and we dissolved into hysterics. Juliette dropped her head against me, and when she pulled it up, her honey gold eyes landed on mine again. My laughter died in my chest. A thousand feelings rushed into its place, flooding me with warmth.

“Juls,” I breathed, cradling her head in my hands and bringing her mouth to mine.

“You don’t think that was crazy?” Juliette asked in between kisses.

“Crazy in the best way. I like seeing that side of you.”

Juliette smiled at me with pure joy radiating out from her, and my chest ached with the amount of happiness and love that filled it. I couldn’t contain it any longer. “I like every side of you, baby. Actually, I more than like you, Juls. I think I’m falling for you.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open then quickly closed again like she was trying to say something but couldn’t get the words out.

I slid my hand along her jaw and held her while my lips gently captured hers. I tried to show her just how much I loved her, and I felt her give the same back to me.

She broke the kiss but didn’t pull away. “Me too,” she whispered against my lips.