Chapter 14
Romeo
The past few days have been so surreal that I can barely keep it straight in my mind what the hell is going on.
At least I remembered to call the wedding venue and tell them I checked out of my suite.
They didn’t give me a refund for the wasted night, naturally.
But at least the lady I spoke to sounded genuinely sympathetic about the whole earthquake thing.
Julian insisted on leaving his team with his lieutenant in charge so he could drive with me to his place. He said it was a perk of being the boss that he could go run a personal errand if he wanted to, and by that point I was too worn down to argue with his kindness.
I’m kind of embarrassed by all this fuss. But then I get moments where it feels kind of nice, then I immediately feel guilty. Julian barely knows me. I don’t deserve this Herculean effort he’s making for me.
However, I’d be an idiot to throw such an amazing offer back in his face.
From what he’s described, he’s offering me a whole damn one-bedroom apartment.
I thought I’d be lucky to get a sofa. But the relationship I have with my colleagues isn’t really that intimate, because of course I wouldn’t allow that to happen.
I ensured that while we’re good friends, they never really got too close.
The idea of asking one of them for such a huge favor made me feel sick, not to mention what it would be like to sleep in a space where they or their family, roommates, whatever could walk in at any point.
I’d hope no one would mess with me, but you really don’t know how fucked up people are. I’d never be able to relax.
The One-Thirteen firefighters didn’t seem like that, though.
Even though I only got to watch them interacting for a little while, they seemed really close.
The way they spoke to Julian—their boss—shocked me initially.
It was all so…familiar. But I quickly realized that while they were teasing him, they also clearly respected him.
My experience of family is both limited and toxic, other than Bee of course. But these guys give me an idea of what it might be like to have lots of siblings with different personalities, all getting along despite their differences. That seems like what family should be to me.
Julian is lucky. I can see why his team is his priority while he’s working his way through the grief of losing his dad. That’s why the plan was to play it cool between us and maybe reconnect down the road.
Now I’m pulling into his driveway.
My palms are sweaty against the steering wheel. This is a terrible idea. But I’d be a fool to turn down the chance to stay in my own place for free while my own home is in limbo.
In that moment, I promise to myself that if I’m going to make this work, I have to have super strict boundaries. No more fun, flirty Ro-Ro. Julian said he wasn’t ready to even think about dating yet, and I’m going to respect the hell out of that.
Even if it kills me.
Because as I park in front of the closed garage doors and switch off the car’s ignition, we turn and look at one another, and it hits me like a freight train just how fucking gorgeous he is.
Don’t get me wrong, he was extremely attractive at the wedding. But it occurs to me right then and there that I might have a kindness kink. Is that a thing? Because it very much feels like a thing right now.
Captain Valentine putting his foot down and insisting on coming to my rescue is just about the sexiest thing any man has ever done for me. By a long shot.
“We can rearrange the cars when I get home tomorrow morning,” he tells me with a warm smile as he unbuckles. “Right now, let’s get you settled.”
“Thanks,” I say softly.
The temptation to add ‘Daddy’ after is strong, but I resist.
I’m still slightly mortified I called him that in a moment of weakness when I first saw him outside my building.
It’s one thing to joke about it and get him grumpy in a hot and bothered sort of way.
It’s another thing entirely to call him that seriously in public where people he knows might overhear.
Well, you know, except for when I did exactly that about ten minutes later. But that was because he was being uncomfortably nice, so of course I tried to break the sincerity of the moment by teasing him and switching the focus of the conversation to something trivial.
Damn, I really am allergic to vulnerability, aren’t I?
I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts that by the time I finally get my ass out of the car, I realize Julian has already fetched my suitcase from the trunk. I try not to melt too much and make a clown of myself. But hot damn, he’s just so unfairly chivalrous.
He left his helmet and jacket in the fire truck, but he still looks every bit like the heroic firefighter as he carries my bag around the side of the house. It’s not as if my suitcase is heavy, but I can still appreciate his arm muscles bulging against the T-shirt that seems painted onto his skin.
Apparently, being in emotional turmoil isn’t going to stop me from being horny. So long as I look and don’t touch, I guess there’s no harm in that.
He stops at a door near the back yard. Judging by the slightly different colored brickwork, I’d say this and the second floor above the garage are the extension he was talking about. He places my suitcase down and pulls a bunch of keys from his pocket, starting to remove one.
“Here you go,” he says, handing it to me. “That’s yours now. I’ve got one in the main house as well for emergencies, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, I’m happy to let you have that, too.”
I glance down at the silver metal and turn it over in my hands, then look back up and shake my head. “No, I think that’s sensible for you to keep the spare.” Maybe I shouldn’t, but I trust that he won’t be a creep and let himself in while I’m staying here.
“Great,” he says with that smile that always manages to put me at ease if only for a second, no matter how terrible I’m feeling. “Let’s go in so I can show you around. It’s not very big, but—”
“I’m sure it’s amazing,” I interrupt with a slightly incredulous laugh as I use the key he’s just given me. “It’s a free roof over my head. Anything more than that is honestly a bonus.”
Julian shakes his head, but he’s smiling as he indicates that I should lead the way up the stairs.
I kind of expected the place to look like somewhere an older man has been living.
But Julian’s colleague did say something about how he’d gotten it ready to rent out, so I’m pleasantly surprised to find myself in a relatively neutral sort of living room.
It’s cozy with a large rug on the wooden floor and a soft-looking sage-green and cream sofa that has plenty of throw pillows scattered across it.
The TV is a very decent size and a couple of artificial potted plants add some nice texture to the space.
There isn’t anything personal left here from what I can tell.
There are some bookcases in the same shade of wood as the floor, but I get the impression that whatever collection was there before has been replaced with a few generic coffee table type books and small decorative pieces, all with a vague beachy, California vibe.
However, there are still some NFL team knickknacks left that give me an insight into Mr. Valentine Senior’s personality, and maybe Julian’s as well.
Obviously, I know less than nothing about any sports, so it’s not to my taste.
But I can appreciate that these little football nods to America’s favorite pastime probably mean a lot to my host.
He gives me a quick tour. The bathroom is spotlessly clean and the bed looks new. There’s even a Juliet balcony which I can imagine would be a good place to get some fresh air and think about life.
There’s a possibility that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of the whole day, I have so much to think about. But we’ll see.
“Unfortunately, there’s absolutely nothing to eat in here,” he tells me with an apologetic laugh as he shows me the kitchen.
“We can fix that tomorrow, or feel free to go grocery shopping or order something in, whatever you want. But if you want to just crash, my place is freshly stocked up, so let me show you what I’ve got. ”
“Oh, no,” I protest earnestly. “I couldn’t…I’m not going riffle through your refrigerator like some kind of mouse, Julian.”
He just gives me a knowing smile and heads for the stairs. “Yeah, but I bet you’d make an adorable mouse, Romeo.”
As it seems he’s not going to take no for an answer, I give myself a second to get unflustered before following him reluctantly.
This is too much. He’s already given me so much and been so generous. He can’t possibly expect me to help myself to his food as well?
Scratch that, he can’t really expect me to use the second key he gives me as soon as we get through his front door. It has a Rams keychain on it and is obviously his spare. He probably gives this to one of his friends when he goes away so they can water his plants or whatever.
Not to guys half his age who he’s known for little more than forty-eight hours and who were supposed to just be a hook-up.
“I’m sure you’ll want to get settled in your own space,” he’s saying as he leads me through his house toward the kitchen.
“But you’re more than welcome here as well, especially today.
I mean it, please help yourself to anything you find in the cupboards or the fridge.
I went grocery shopping yesterday, so I’m well stocked up.
There’s nothing I’m precious about.” He pauses with his hand on the refrigerator door.
“Except…maybe don’t drink all my fancy whiskey, please and thank you. ”
I laugh weakly. As if I’m going to be eating or drinking anything in here. “I’m a vodka queen, remember?”
He shrugs. “I might have some of that if you want to take a look. The liquor cabinet’s in the dining room.”