Chapter 8
Romeo
I’m having such an awesome time. My heart is singing.
So is my throat. At the top of my lungs to Beyoncé. Damn, I’m not going to have a voice tomorrow.
But it’ll be worth it.
I don’t think I realized how afraid I was of Isaac’s family blaming me for the whole situation with my parents.
In retrospect, I probably threw myself into so much of the preparation for the wedding partly so I didn’t have to dwell too long on what would actually happen once the day arrived.
I was worried that I’d be a pariah, that I’d be shunned or maybe even openly scorned.
Instead, I’ve been cutting it up of the dance floor for the past couple of hours with a gaggle of older women who don’t know when to quit, a lot of Isaac and Bee’s friends who all seem very cool, and a couple of flower girls who apparently have an infinite tolerance for spinning in their pretty dresses without puking.
This whole day has been kind of magical.
Obviously, the most important part was watching my big sis tie the knot and celebrate with all the most important people in her life.
Yes, I’m aware of who that’s excluding. No, I’m not ashamed of the spiteful glee that inspires in me.
After spending an inordinate amount of time crucifying myself over the way my parents have treated me, I think I might finally done making excuses for them.
That might just be all the vodka and pink lemonade talking, but, whatever. It feels good to revel in some righteous indignation for a change. And it seems Bee isn’t giving them much thought, either, considering how deliriously happy she’s looked all day.
So, yes. My sister’s happiness is my happiness. However, I hope it’s not selfish that I’ve had a wonderful day in my own right, too.
Isaac’s mom told me I was a gem and shared a slow dance with me.
His dad took me aside for a quiet moment and presented me with a pocket watch engraved with my initials.
Apparently, the groomsmen all got one as well.
Those were to show his appreciation for their years of friendship.
Mine was to signify the commitment both he and Isaac’s mom saw in me to their now daughter-in-law, as well as for all the work they knew I’d put into the wedding day.
Ya girl had to disappear into the bathroom after that and have a little cry.
This is what family should be. Heartfelt moments followed by piling up plates of food from the evening buffet and screaming our lungs out to nineties R’n’B tunes. It’s being silly and sincere all in one.
I’m sure a part of me will always grieve not getting that from my own family. But at least I can experience it a little via Beatrice’s new, wonderful in-laws.
Another part of me will probably always yearn to find that for myself as well. But that’s too big and complicated a thought to entertain tonight.
Dancing is much easier. I switched to drinking water a while back, but I’d previously had enough vodka that I’ve still got a pleasant buzz as I shake my hips like Shakira wants me to.
And…it doesn’t hurt that I’m fully aware that a certain fire captain hasn’t been able to take his eyes off me all night.
I glance his way occasionally, keeping us connected, but he probably has no idea that I can’t get him off my mind.
I’m dancing for him as well as myself, hoping he might even be brave enough to come and join me.
Except the next time I look over to where he’s been perched for a while, my sister is sitting with him. Talking. Serious talking.
Shit.
Oh…wait? Now she’s laughing and he’s looking kind of relieved…maybe? Damn it. I wish I could lip read.
Look, I know I shouldn’t really be throwing myself at Captain Daddy, but he’s just been so painfully nice to me all day.
It’s like catnip. Not to mention he finished his speech at dinner by getting everyone to toast to my hard work and I basically bit through my tongue trying not to cry at how lovely it all was.
He made me feel special and important and valued… like, how am I supposed to resist that?
Maybe I don’t have to anymore.
When I glance over again, my sister has gone.
I lock eyes with Julian, and something transpires between us that’s so powerful it feels almost physical.
My feet stumble to a halt as I watch him rise to his feet and walk over to where I’ve found myself at the edge of the dance floor.
All six foot and change of him looks so good still poured into his three-piece suit.
I’m down to just my shirt and pants and probably look like a sweaty mess.
But the way his eyes travel up and down my body doesn’t make me feel like one.
At least not in a bad way.
“Hi,” I say breathlessly once he gets near enough. He’s got his hands in his pockets and is looking at me coyly through his lashes. “Have you come to boogie?” I shimmy at him and laugh, because otherwise I’d have to acknowledge the sexual tension that’s sizzling between us like a live wire.
As much as I want that, it also scares me.
“No, Romeo,” he says smoothly, his lips quirked in half a smile. “A little birdie told me that if I wanted to ask you to come with me somewhere more private, I’d have her blessing. That birdie also assured me you’d have her blessing to say yes.”
I gulp, my mouth dry, before hastily swinging my head around to search for my sister.
I see her sitting with Isaac, putting some garish pink Crocs on her feet.
I’d object to such offensive footwear, except I’m the one who bought and attached all the wedding themed-charms to them especially for this occasion.
When she catches me staring, her eyes flick to Julian, then look back at me as she gives me two enthusiastic thumbs up.
I feel my cheeks flame and hurriedly look away. The last thing I want is my big sister giving me permission to…what? What does Julian what from me right now?
My knees threaten to give way on me and my stomach rolls. I look back up at him imploringly. I know what I want but I’m terrified to ask for it. It would be so much safer to run away and not risk getting hurt.
But then I’d never know…
Perhaps sensing my panic, Julian reaches out and carefully snags my pinky with his. It’s such a simple point of connection, but that tiny little touch sets my whole body on fire. I suck in a gasp and blink at him, suddenly feeling more stable.
“No pressure,” Julian murmurs over the music so only I can hear. “If you want to stay and dance, I’ll wait. Or I can leave now if I’ve got the wrong idea. Or we can talk somewhere quieter over a nightcap. Or…”
“Or I could take you up to my room and keep you there until morning,” I find myself rasping through dry lips.
It seemed extravagant at the time to book myself a few days’ vacation here after the wedding was done when I only live on the other side of town.
Especially when the boutique has the big show coming up that I’ve put so much work into.
But Bee insisted I deserved a proper rest and some pampering at the spa, and my prep for the runway is basically complete.
In this moment, I couldn’t be more grateful for that forward thinking. Taking Julian all the way home would be one thing. But seeing as he’s come over and asked so nicely…
I might as well drag him upstairs and let him have his way with me.
“That last one gets my vote,” he says, then laughs like he can’t quite believe he’s doing this.
In a flash, it becomes clear that we’re on the same page.
He mentioned how he’s had a rough year and hasn’t been socializing much, which I assume means not getting laid either.
And he’s obviously quite aware of the bullshit I’ve had going on.
We’re both nervous and a little rusty. However, I’m pretty confident that we both also desperately want—or need—something to happen between us right now.
A strange feeling envelops me.
I realize I trust him.
Not that I’m jumping in and planning our wedding or anything like that.
I’m not thinking about a relationship or even anything beyond tomorrow morning.
But after all my back and forth today wrestling with the various fears holding me hostage, it dawns on me that none of them are stronger than my desire to share an important and intimate moment with this man.
Even if it’s only once.
Slowing my breathing down, I lick my lips and nod at him. Excitement ripples over my skin as my heart thumps in my chest.
“Let me get my things,” I utter.
He gives my fingers a quick squeeze then lets my hand go, much to my disappointment. But then I reason that walking out of here hand in hand will draw more attention than I want to attract. Not that I’m ashamed. I simply want this to be special and between just the two of us.
“I’ll wait for you in the lobby,” he says, his voice warm like molasses, his words caressing my skin.
That’s not the only thing I want caressing my skin, god damn it.
Now I’ve gotten on board with this little rendezvous, I have zero time for procrastinating. Within seconds, I’ve gathered up my discarded vest and jacket, made sure I’ve still got my phone and wallet as well as my new pocket watch, and downed the last of my final vodka and pink lemonade.
Then I’m walking out of my sister’s wedding without a second glance like this is something I do all the time. After picturing this day a million different ways over the past several months, never once did I imagine it might end like this.
That I might be this lucky.
As the doors close behind me, the jubilant noise from the wedding reception dims, leaving me with the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. I lick my lips and try and steady my breathing as I look around for Julian. It doesn’t take me long to spy him loitering by the elevators.
Nervously, I head over to him, unsure of what to say or do.
“Hi,” he says softly as I stop beside him. I only bothered to shrug my suit jacket back on, so I’m scrunching the pink vest between my hands.
“Hi,” I repeat, then laugh softly, a bit embarrassed. “Sorry, I don’t do this often.”
“Me neither,” he assures me, and my heart flips in my chest.
“So I’m special?” I ask playfully. Because it’s easier to break the tension with a joke rather than even attempt to be seductive. But Julian, damn him, gives me a smoldering look that makes my entire body quiver.
“You’re very special, Romeo.”
I’m tempted to ask why he thinks that when so many people have concluded the opposite.
But this is a hook-up, not a therapy session.
He doesn’t want to hear about my insecurities.
He wants to…well, I’m not entirely sure what he wants to do, not specifically.
But I’m surprised when I realize that I’m excited about the unknown rather than anxious.
As long as Julian Valentine is taking care of me, I’m pretty certain I’ll be okay.
Taking a deep breath, I reach out and press the button for the third floor. I arch my eyebrow questioningly at him, as if to give him a chance to back out. But the doors open immediately, and he indicates that I should enter before he follows me inside the elevator.
As we wait for the doors to close, my nerves return a little, like butterflies in my stomach. “So…” I begin without really knowing what to say next.
“So,” he agrees with a quirk of his lips. When I don’t continue, he laughs. “Have I finally found the magic spell to get you to stop talking?”
“Sorry, I know I can be too much,” I blurt, not wanting him to reason himself out of this before we’ve even started.
However, he winces and gives me an apologetic look. “No, I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant at all. You’re not too much, you’re just right. In fact, you’re…you’re…” He looks as if he’s struggling for words.
So instead, he apparently gives up. Because the next thing I know, he’s sliding his hands along my jaw and pressing his lips against mine.