Chapter 24 #3
She whines as I empty her, and I completely share the sentiment. “I know, baby,” I tell her as she collapses onto the bed on her tummy. After cleaning up the mess between her legs, I take a place on the mattress next to her, tugging until her head is resting on my chest.
Comfortable, easy silence fills the space between us. Juliette lifts her head, wisps of blonde hair sticking to her face and my chest, sweat acting as glue. “That was so intense. When you just… keep me on the edge that way,” she shakes her head, cheeks flushing. “It’s so hot.”
“Trust me–” my words fall short when, from the other room, my phone rings. Normally, under any other circumstance, I’d let it go to voicemail.
But San Francisco Fashion Week.
I’ve pressed everyone in my contacts with power, and to ask the world of them in a quick timeframe, then leave them hanging on phone calls–I can’t do it.
I can’t risk the fashion show not happening.
This is one of the ways in which I will show Juliette that I am the man for her.
I’m more than her fantasies, I’m more than the man she’s loved from afar who makes her come.
I want her to see that I fully intend on taking care of her and making all of her dreams come true.
Pressing a kiss to her temple, I jump up and move around the bed.
“I’m actually waiting for a call from the contractor, the backsplash wasn’t right and we’re trying to get it redone before opening,” I explain, lying through my teeth while the truth–the first big event of her career–looms invisibly on the horizon.
I drag my hand over my mouth to cover the temporary grin of excitement that flashes across my face at merely the idea of her reaction.
“Oh,” she says, a little shocked as she sits up on one elbow, covering her breasts with the sheet.
Fuck. Taking this call has made her feel supremely insecure, it’s evident in her body language.
The phone continues to ring, and my anxiety spikes.
A few steps back to the bed, another kiss–this time on her lips, and a few reassuring words.
“I’m so sorry sweetheart. Two minutes and I’ll be back.
And don’t get used to this. Really. If I didn’t have to take this call, I wouldn’t. ”
Somehow, I manage to answer on the last ring. “Hey,” I answer, keeping my voice low. I even adjust the volume on the phone, making sure that Juliette can’t hear a word that Elle speaks.
“Hi, okay, so it looks like I’ve found twelve designers, and I got the model list from Geo, and everything works. The caveat is, the designers want to try pieces on the models ahead of time so alterations can be done now, since the show is just two weeks out.”
“Okay,” I hedge, pacing the strip of tile between the kitchen and foyer.
“So we’ll need to have the designers and models to your place tomorrow night–that’s the only time that works so before you start–”
“No, no, I realize we’re under the wire here.
I’m fine with tomorrow. Tell me the time.
” I glance down the hall, to the bottom of the stairs, but find them empty.
I’m sure Juliette is asleep by now, but still, a nagging feeling eats at my gut.
Maybe it’s just the lie making me uneasy.
I don’t make a habit out of lying, even if it is to cover up a huge surprise.
“Six. Your place tomorrow.”
I scratch the side of my head, realizing that tomorrow was the night we’d planned to start officially moving the rest of Juliette’s items over. The big items, the ones that symbolize her presence permanently shifting to my life.
And I’m going to have to cancel.
“Fuck.”
“You said you can make it work. Ford, honestly, if this little detail is impossible then how do you expect it all to go in two weeks? Hm?” Elle chastises, as if I need to hear it. I know I have to make tomorrow happen for the show to happen, I just don’t know what I’m going to tell Juliette.
“No, no, that works. Tomorrow,” I agree. “I’ll see you tomorrow, around six.”
“Tomorrow. Six. And hey, Ford?”
I glance back to the sitars again, but nothing. “What?”
She sighs. “You’re welcome.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Fuck. Thank you, thank you, Elle, for everything.”
We end the call, and I set my phone on the counter, eager to get back to bed. When I reach the top of the stairs, I don’t hear anything, but when I push the bedroom door open, Juliette isn’t in bed.
“Hey,” she yawns, stepping out of the attached en suite bathroom. “Is the contractor all squared away?”
“Yeah,” I reply, lifting the comforter for her to tuck her legs inside as she climbs into the bed. My bed. Our bed. “But the only time he can come see the work that needs to be taken out, and see the space, is tomorrow evening.”
She snuggles into my side, peering up at me with wide blue eyes that only make it harder to lie to her. “We can move me another night,” she yawns, exhausted from the thorough fucking. I stroke my fingers through her hair. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. We can do it the very next day.”
One last yawn. “Don’t be sorry, Ford. It’s work. I completely understand.” Her breathing levels out, and soon she’s softly sleeping next to me.
The lie will be worth the surprise.
I know it.