Chapter 25
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
HARPER
Who I’m dealing with indeed. Maybe Julian bailed, or maybe he saw me and got scared. Either way, he’s not ready to disclose his secret identity. That’s fine with me. I’m okay with him doing this at his pace, but it doesn’t mean I have to make it easy for him. I require trust in a relationship. Yes, it goes both ways. I’m ready to strip down our identities and our bodies. It’s obvious Julian is used to being in charge, calling the shots. I’ll let him have this one. For now.
Kat greets us and whisks us away to find the best hot chocolate in New York. Julian types away on his phone, supposedly making more arrangements for our afternoon. Kat and I chatter about the latest season of The Bachelor , both admitting it’s our guilty pleasure. While Julian’s attention is on his phone, mine is on him. His lips curve into a small smile and I can’t resist the urge to kiss him. I lean over, and he quickly hides his phone. I’d normally call him on his red flag behavior, but his smile only grows.
“Quit being nosy. You’ll spoil the surprise.” He bops me on my nose. I sit back with a playful pout. He shakes his head and leans in for a sweet kiss, and I quickly take it up a notch. I remember where I am and pull away, not feeling comfortable getting hot and heavy while Kat pretends not to notice.
“What surprise? You said we’re going for hot chocolate and…. what are we doing here?” Kat brings the car to a stop next to a heliport, where several large, sleek, black helicopters sit. A man in a pilot uniform opens my door.
“Good afternoon, Miss Cartwright, Mr. Decker. Everything is ready and on schedule.” He extends his hand to help me out of the car, but I turn and look at Julian.
“I thought we were getting hot chocolate?”
His grin is bright enough to light up the night sky. “We are. I promised you the best hot chocolate in New York, and that’s what you’re going to get.” He puts his finger below my chin and closes my mouth before giving me a light kiss. “I’ll never tire of surprising you.” He says that more to himself, but I shake my head. I can’t believe this man.
We walk to the enormous helicopter, and I pause. The wind comes off the river and blows my hair everywhere, adding to the chaos and my growing fear. “I’ve never been in one of these, and it’s a little terrifying.”
“Wes has clocked thousands of hours flying. It’s safe, I promise. Do you trust me?” That’s the thing. I trust him. More than I probably should. But that trust doesn’t stop my stomach fluttering with nerves.
“I thought the hot chocolate would be in Brooklyn or ….”
“Something like that. Come on, this will be fun.” His eyes dare me to take the risk. Truth or dare. Doesn’t matter. I’ll give in every time.
We get in the helicopter, and it’s nice. The soft, buttery leather seats make it easier to relax. When the door slides shut, it’s quieter than I expected. “Do we need headsets? I always see headsets.” Through my aimless rambling, the tension in my voice becomes noticeable.
“Not unless you need them for the full experience.” He puts his arm around me and pulls me in tight to his side. “Wes will give us a tour if you want.”
“That would be fantastic. But, um, where are we going?”
“I promised you the best hot chocolate in New York, and that’s where we’re going. You’ll be home in time to take Noodle for his evening walk. Promise.”
Spending time with Julian is unpredictable and overwhelming. Julian is larger than life, and that’s his normal setting. His current setting is off the charts. Happiness fills his face, and his excitement fills the cabin. All his contagious energy washes over me, and I let my nerves disappear and enjoy the moment. Enjoy Julian.
As we fly over the city, Wes points out landmarks while Julian adds his own commentary, which includes places he wants to take me and all of his favorite spots. I wish I had a recording of this because I’ll never remember it all. I take a quick video, and Julian snatches my phone and takes several selfies of us and texts them to himself.
“For my eyes only. You choose what you want to post and when, if ever. I caution you about the attention, though. It can be a lot and spiral out of control. But you’re in control of what you want to share.” He gives me a quick kiss, and the phone clicks with another picture. “I can’t help myself.”
We fly along the coast and almost an hour later land in the backyard of a massive house on the coast. “Where are we, and whose house is this? Are we still in New York?”
“We’re in Sag Harbor, and this house belongs to Devlin Millbanks. Honestly, I probably spend more time here than he does. Now that I think about it, it’s the best kind of beach house. Full access and someone else pays for it.” His laugh fills the cabin, and I can’t stop myself from joining him.
“Devlin Millbanks? Why do I know that name?”
“He owns the New York Liberties and a few other things. He’s my dad’s best friend and my mentor. I’ll introduce you when we’re back in the city.”
“He’s not here? Are you sure we won’t get arrested for trespassing?”
“Well, the evening’s young, so who knows.” When he wiggles his eyebrows, that little mischievous glint in his eyes confirms he's joking. I think. “Wait here.”
Julian enters a code into the garage door keypad and moments later, drives out in a cherry red vintage mustang. “Get in, gorgeous.”
“I hope we’re not adding grand theft auto to our crime spree tonight.”
Julian responds with a laugh. He puts his arm across the back of the seat and squeezes my shoulder. “Trust me.” Trust. It’s such a powerful word. His earnest desire to make me happy makes it impossible not to trust this man.
He takes me to a small cafe and introduces me to the owner and his wife. We sit at a table overlooking the ocean and order our hot chocolates. “You won’t need to change these at all, I promise. Pure heaven in a cup.”
The thick, sweet chocolate has the perfect ratio of whipped cream and caramel. The toasted marshmallow on the side is the ultimate garnish. Julian’s right. Heaven in a cup.
“This place is amazing. Thank you for sharing it with me.” The warm, sweet chocolate has my taste buds celebrating this decision.
“Anytime, gorgeous. We’ll take our dinner to-go. Noodle awaits.” Julian gets several sandwiches bagged up, and we eat them on the flight back to the city. When we land, Kat is waiting for us.
This isn’t how I thought my afternoon would go, but I’m not complaining. As promised, we’re home in time before there’s a Noodle problem. And now the awkward good night. While my body really wants to invite him up and jump his bones, my heart tells me to wait. We can’t have secrets between us before I take that next step. What I feel for Julian is more than lust, although currently, that’s pretty freaking strong. My vibrator and I will have quality time tonight, that’s for sure.
“Can I see you tomorrow?” His eyes are drinking me in, signaling a yes is all it will take to make him happy.
Scuffing my feet on the sidewalk, I can’t look him in the eye when I tell him no. “I’m sorry. I’m going to Zac’s hockey game tomorrow.”
When he perks up at my rejection, I’m surprised, which only enhances his grin. What’s he up to? I’m clearly missing something here. “Got it. Well, goodnight gorgeous.” He gives me a way too brief and unsatisfying kiss and goes back to the waiting car.
Yeah, I’m gonna need fresh batteries tonight.