Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Julian
After getting home from work and changing into my swim trunks, I grabbed a beer from the refrigerator, set it on the patio table, and dove into the pool—the refreshing water enveloping my body and relieving the day's stress.
“Hey,” I heard Parker’s voice.
Turning around, he stood at the pool's edge with his hands tucked tightly into his pants pockets.
“You have a date?” I asked.
“Yeah. I’m heading out now.”
“Have fun. Don’t forget golf tomorrow morning at eight a.m.”
“I haven’t.” He smirked. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Don’t forget to wrap it up tight tonight,” I shouted as he walked away.
“I always do.”
After finishing a few laps, I climbed out of the pool and dried off. Sitting in the lounge chair, drinking my beer, my phone rang .
“Good evening, Liza. To what do I owe the pleasure on this beautiful Friday night.”
“Good evening, Julian. I just wanted to inform you that some charges were found on Georgina Bennett’s credit card.”
“What charges?”
“A charge for two hotel rooms the night her husband was murdered. We also found an offshore account for ten million dollars in her name. Things are looking bleaker for your client, Julian. I’m ready to offer a deal.”
“She didn’t do it, Liza. There will be no deal. We’re going to trial.”
“Suit yourself, Julian. Enjoy the rest of your night.”
“Yeah. You too.”
I ended the call. “Shit!” I shouted. Dialing Laurel, it went straight to voicemail.
I went inside, flew up the stairs, and changed into some clothes. Grabbing my keys, I climbed into my car and tried to call Laurel again. It went straight to voicemail again. I knew her girls were back, and she’d be home. I pulled into her driveway, next to her car, walked up to the porch, and heard music and singing from inside. Ringing the doorbell, I stood and waited. There was no answer, so I knocked. Again, no answer. Placing my hand on the handle, I slowly turned it, and the door opened. Stepping inside, Laurel and the girls were singing and dancing to Cry to Me by Solomon Burke in the living room. Stella saw me and covered her mouth. I brought my finger to my lips, gesturing for her not to alert Laurel that I was there as I stood and watched the four of them having fun.
Laurel turned, saw me, and placed her hand on her heart.
“Julian? What are you doing here?” She grabbed the remote from the coffee table and turned the music off. “You scared the hell out of me!”
“Sorry about that. I rang the doorbell and knocked. You didn’t hear me, and the door was unlocked. You four can dance.” I grinned.
“So, you just walk into people’s homes unannounced? Why didn’t you call me first?”
“I tried several times, but your phone keeps going straight to voicemail.”
“It’s dead, Mom.” Sophie picked up Laurel’s phone and handed it to her.
“Oh. I guess it is,” Laurel said. “Girls, say hello to Julian and then go upstairs.”
“Hi, Julian,” all three spoke together.
“Hello, girls.”
“Why is your hair wet?” Laurel asked.
“I was swimming in the pool before I came over.”
“You have a pool?” Stella’s eyes widened.
“I do.”
“Can we come over and swim in it?” Sara asked.
“Uh—”
“Girls, go upstairs while Julian and I talk.”
The pitter-patter of their feet hitting the stairs could be heard throughout the neighborhood.
“Now, tell me why you’re here,” Laurel said, walking into the kitchen.
She opened the refrigerator and grabbed two bottles of beer.
“Thanks.” I smiled. “Liza called me.”
“About what?” Her brows furrowed. “Let’s go sit on the patio.”
“First, there was a charge for two hotel rooms the night of Derek’s murder on Georgina’s credit card. Second, they found an offshore account with ten million dollars in her name.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“That’s what Liza said.” I sighed, tipping the bottle to my lips.
“Fuck. This just keeps getting worse,” Laurel spoke.
“After my golf game tomorrow, I’m heading over to her house to talk to her.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“Nah, it’s fine. I can handle it.”
“We’re going over to Roman’s anyway. I can ask Morgan if she can keep an eye on the girls, and we can go together,” she said.
“Why are you going to Roman’s tomorrow?” The crease between my eyes deepened.
“He and Morgan invited the girls and me for a barbecue. I told Roman about how I was taking the girls to the beach tomorrow, and he told me there’s plenty of beach and great food at his house.”
“Oh.” I stared at her.
“Is that a problem for you?” she asked.
“No. Why would it be? The girls will have fun there.” I leaned over, reached up, and took a piece of lint from her hair. “You had something in your hair.” I smiled.
“Thanks.” The pink in her cheeks heightened.
The sliding door opened, and the three girls stepped onto the patio.
“Will you dance with us, Julian?” Stella asked, pressing play on the remote.
When the song “Cry to Me” started playing, all three girls grabbed my hands and pulled me from my chair.
“I don’t dance, girls.”
“Oh, come on,” Sophie said. “Everyone dances. ”
“Only if your mom dances with us.” I looked at Laurel and winked.
“Why not.” She grinned, standing from her chair.
The five of us moved to the rhythm of the music. Grabbing Laurel’s hand, I spun her around and pulled her into me. Our eyes locked on each other, and I felt this uncontrollable need to kiss her, but I didn’t—not in front of her daughters.
When the song ended, Laurel instructed the girls to get up to bed.
“I’ll be up to tuck you in soon,” she told them.
“Good night, Julian.” All three girls giggled.
“Night, girls. Sweet dreams.”
I picked up my beer from the table, finished the last of it, and took it inside.
“It’s late, and I have to be up early,” I said.
“Okay. Thanks for dropping by.” She opened the front door and walked me out.
I turned and gripped her hips. “You’re welcome. It was fun.” I smiled, placing my forehead on hers. “I really want to kiss you.”
“Julian,” she whispered.
“I know.” I backed away.
After I opened the car door, she grabbed my arm. Turning around, her mouth smashed against mine for a passionate kiss.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Never apologize for kissing me.” The corners of my mouth curved upward. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Enjoy your golf game,” she said.
“Thanks. I will.” I climbed into my car and backed out of the driveway.
My cock was throbbing to be inside her, and tomorrow I’d wake up with a bad case of blue balls.