CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
J ULIAN
A few days later...
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T HE HOUSE WAS TOO DAMN quiet without Stefanie there. She’d only been gone a few days, and already I felt like I was losing my mind. At first, I tried to ignore it. I told myself to enjoy the space. The silence. The stillness.
Hell, I had a dozen things I could’ve been doing: emails, construction site reviews, following up on shipments, checking in with my team. I could’ve even gotten ahead of next week’s contracts.
Instead, I sat on her couch, staring at the blank TV screen, missing the sound of her voice calling out to me from the kitchen or laughing to herself while editing one of the funny scenes in her book.
With her gone, my world was quieter. Colder. Empty. I didn’t like this shit at all. I could’ve gone home. But I didn’t. I stayed at Stefanie’s place, surrounded by her scent, her things, her energy.
My place didn’t feel like home anymore. It hadn’t felt that way for a while now. Not since the first night after Stefanie invited me over to be her research partner. Since then, I hadn’t spent one night in my place.
Neither had she. She hadn’t even visited it yet, too afraid that someone from my family would pop up and catch us together. I was fine with being at her place. It was cozy. It felt like home.
Even with her gone, this was where I wanted to be because this was where her things were. Her slippers were still by the door, neatly lined up next to mine. Her favorite mug was still in the drying rack, next to mine.
The throw blanket she always curled under when she wrote was tossed across the couch that we’d fucked on so many times I’d lost count. When I watched television in the living room, I pulled the blanket over me so I could inhale her scent.
Fuck! I had it bad for this woman. I dragged a hand through my hair. I missed her. It was ridiculous how much I missed her. She’d only been gone for a few days, and I was spiraling like she’d left me entirely.
If she truly left me, I’d probably lose my fucking mind. I needed to find something to take my mind off missing her. I considered going to visit my parents or my cousins, Bryce and Cas. But lately, I was trying to stay away from the Cattaneo drama.
My cousins, the don and his fucking brother, were up to their usual bullshit. My father was busy trying to play peacekeeper. That was like trying to keep two pit bulls from fighting over a bone.
And the title of Don Cattaneo was the bone they’d been fighting over for years. I wasn’t concerned about the family drama. In fact, I tried to avoid it as much as possible. I loved my fucking family.
All they had to do was call, and I was there. But I wasn’t for the bullshit and the schemes. I wasn’t for choosing sides. And I didn’t blindly follow the don because he’d proven time and time again that he wasn’t the right leader for the family.
Now my cousin Raz, I’d follow him into a burning building because I’d know he had a plan to get us all out. That’s how much trust I had in him. As for his father and Patrick Cattaneo, I wouldn’t follow those two into a restaurant because they’d probably get it shot up and allow me to be kidnapped in the process, just to start a war.
I still couldn’t believe Bryceson’s father had done that to him years ago. My family was fucked up in many ways and I planned to keep the fucked-up parts away from Stefanie and her daughter. However, we did have one redeeming quality.
We were protective as fuck. Stefanie had witnessed that firsthand during her encounter with my mother years ago at the hospital. She didn’t have to tell me that my mother was the one who’d helped her get rid of the woman who’d manipulated her.
I’d once overheard my mom discussing something about that situation with my father. My father had told her that her kindness would end up getting her in trouble one day. And mom said if she had to do it again, she’d do it all over again.
Then, after Aubrey and India became roommates, my mother and my dad brought the issue up again when they thought I wasn’t in the other room listening. My mom said that maybe it was fate that led her to that room that night to help that young woman out, and she felt things had come full circle.
I was ready to tell my parents about Stefanie and my love for her. I’d been ready. It was Stefanie who wasn’t ready. Summer was almost over. School was starting again soon. Stefanie had completed her rough draft of her book, though she’d told me that it needed a lot of work before she began rereading it.
Our contract would expire soon. But I knew it wasn’t the contract keeping us together. Never had been. I’d only come up with that to keep Stefanie from overthinking things. With it in writing, she’d have a sense of comfort, a sense of security.
But that was no longer needed. I’d done everything I could to make her feel secure about us. The ball was now in her corner. It was up to her whether this worked out or not. I was hoping that during her week with her daughter, she’d work up the courage to tell her about us.
I was hoping that when she returned to my side, she’d be ready to officially start our life together. Unofficially, we’d started months ago. She was mine. I just needed her to be confident enough in us to go public with it.
Later that night, I relaxed in Stefanie’s bed, a whiskey in one hand and the remote in the other, hating the empty space in the bed next to me. I was staring at the television, but I wasn’t really seeing it. My phone rang. I grabbed it from the nightstand and answered.
“Hello.”
“I’ve got some information on Hudson,” Rashad told me. “But it’s nothing that’s helpful.”
I took a deep breath and released it slowly to keep from saying, so why the fuck did you call me.
“What about him?”
“The reason we can’t catch up with him is because he’s taken a leave of absence from work.”
I sat up straighter in bed, jaw clenched. “What? When?”
“Yeah. Started last week. He didn’t tell anyone where he was going, just that he needed some time off. Coworkers think he’s sick. HR says it’s a personal leave.”
“Was that his car outside Stefanie’s house that night?”
“It was a rental car. But yeah, it was registered to him.”
Gripping my glass tighter, I moved to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Have you been able to locate that car?” I asked, needing to know where that motherfucker was right now.
“That car has been turned in, and he hasn’t rented another one.”
“What about his house? Has he been home?” Because now was the perfect time for me to end this motherfucker. Stefanie was gone. I was bored. Why not kill the man who liked her and deserved to fucking die?
“He hasn’t been home in days.”
“Shit!” I slammed my glass down on the nightstand, causing some of the brown liquor to slosh over the rim.
“Neither has he used his credit or debit cards. I was able to get a record of his bank accounts. He started the process of removing large sums of cash from his account about a week ago. All this makes me believe he’s gone off grid.”
“How much money did he take out of the bank?”
“Twenty-five-thousand-dollar withdrawals from three different accounts. So, he’s got seventy-five thousand dollars in cash on him. Either he’s gone off grid, or he’s hired a hitman.”
Fuck! My chest tightened with a violent surge of fury. Stefanie wasn’t even in the same city as me, and now I had to worry about this sick bastard making a move while she was gone? I had someone watching her and India, someone I trusted. But it wasn’t me. And if it wasn’t me, it wasn’t enough. I’d feel better if I were there doing it myself.
“I told you what I had wouldn’t be helpful,” Rashad told me.
“No. It was helpful.”
“I’ll keep monitoring his credit and debit cards. And if his cell phone pings anywhere and if his license plate is pinged on any cameras, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, Rashad.”
“No problem.”
Ending the call, I tossed the phone onto the bed and sighed. What the hell was Hudson up to? I knew it couldn’t be good, and I knew it had to involve Stefanie. Instead of warning him to stay away from her, I should’ve just killed the bastard.
This was on me. I hadn’t done what I was supposed to do. But I was going to fix it. I wanted to pack up and drive to Hattiesburg to be near Stefanie. However, I knew she wouldn’t want that.
She’d be happy to see me. But my presence would make her feel crowded, nervous, and pressured. I wasn’t going to do that to her. Instead, I made a quick call to the guy I had tailing her and India to let him know to be extra alert.
I also asked if he’d noticed anyone suspicious around them. So far, nothing suspicious had happened. I ended the call still feeling anxious. I was trying my best not to bother her during her time with her daughter, but if I didn’t hear her voice soon, I’d do something fucked up.
Like drive down to where she was, snatch her ass up and bring her home where I could keep my eyes on her. Sighing, I grabbed the phone again, needing to hear her voice. I pressed call and waited. She answered on the second ring.
STEFANIE : I miss you.
Her sweet voice filled the line and I closed my eyes, so damn happy to hear her. I never fucking thought I could love someone outside my family this damn much. Then she showed up and showed me that a man doesn’t truly begin to love until he meets the woman who was made for him.
I love my family because we’re blood. I was born into their lives. We love each other by default. But when you find the right woman, the woman that’s made for you, ain’t no default setting for that. That love is on an entirely different level.
STEFANIE : Hello. You there?
JULIAN : Yeah, yeah. I’m here, baby.
STEFANIE : I thought we’d gotten disconnected.
JULIAN : No. I’m here. Just savoring the sound of your voice.
Her sweet laughter filled the line, and my chest ached. I missed that sound in the house.
JULIAN : How’s things going there?
STEFANIE: Good. I’m still worn out from India’s birthday party. Today, we played board games and hung out. Tomorrow, Ronnie is barbecuing and we’re going to spend the day in the pool. Right now, India’s knocked out in her room. And I’m lying in bed, watching Asian Dramas on my phone.
JULIAN : Did I interrupt your Drama?
STEFANIE : Of course, not. What about you? What are you doing?
JULIAN: Missing you. It’s too damn quiet here. The bed feels cold. My cock feels lonely.
She chuckled.
STEFANIE: Poor thing. Maybe you should let me say goodnight to him.
I burst out laughing as I lay back down on the bed, feeling like I was back in high school, talking on the phone with a girl I had a crush on.
STEFANIE : Why are you laughing? I’m serious. Put him on the phone.
JULIAN : You want me to put my dick on the phone?
STEFANIE : Yes, I want to say goodnight to him.
I laughed again. She was silly as hell. I loved that about her. I slid my hand into the slit in my boxers and freed my semi-hard cock. I put the phone on speaker phone, then tapped my cock against it.
JULIAN : You hear that?
STEFANIE : Yeah. I heard it. Do it again.
This woman! I couldn’t believe I was doing this. But I was. I slapped my cock against the phone again and for some strange reason, the sound was arousing as fuck.
STEFANIE : There he is. Hey, Big Guy. I know you miss me. I’ll be home in a few days. And when I get back, I’m going to make up for the time we were apart.
JULIAN : Oh, really? How are you going to do that?
STEFANIE : You’ll have to wait and see. Are you still holding him?
JULIAN : Yeah.
STEFANIE : Good. What are you wearing right now, Mr. Cattaneo?
JULIAN : Some black boxers.
Gripping my cock, I laid the phone down on the pillow, next to my head, just in case she was taking this where I thought she was.
STEFANIE: Hmmm. I wish I were there to see you in just your boxers.
JULIAN: I wish you were here also. What are you wearing?
STEFANIE: Just one of your t-shirts I brought with me. No bra. No panties.
I groaned, picturing her in one of my shirts, pussy bare, nipples hard.
STEFANIE : I’m spreading my legs open because it’s getting a little hot in here.
JULIAN: Touch yourself.
STEFANIE: Where?
JULIAN: You know where.
STEFANIE : I want to hear you say it.
I smiled. Apparently, I was rubbing off on her.
JULIAN : Touch that pretty pussy for me, Ms. Adams.
STEFANIE : Yes, sir.
I nearly groaned at her breathy reply.
STEFANIE : Are you gripping that big cock?
JULIAN : I am.
STEFANIE : Is it leaking for me?
I rubbed my cock, stroking it from base to tip, already leaking at the head.
JULIAN : Fuck, yeah!
STEFANIE : Tell me what you’re doing right now, Julian Cattaneo.
JULIAN : My hand is wrapped around my dick right now. I’m thinking about your mouth. The way you look up at me when you take it deep.
STEFANIE : Do you like it when I take it deep, when I gag on it?
My cock jerked as if nodding its head yes.
JULIAN : I fucking love it. I love the way your lips stretch around it while you moan.
She released a little moan right then and I fisted my cock tighter, pumping it harder.
STEFANIE: I’m wet now.
JULIAN: How wet?
STEFANIE: I’m soaking my fingers. I miss the feel of you on top of me. The way you grind just right before you thrust slow and deep. You always know exactly what to do to send me over the edge and make me cum all over that big cock.
I slid my thumb over the crown of my cock and groaned low in my throat.
JULIAN: You riding your fingers or just teasing that pretty clit like a good girl?
STEFANIE: I’m being bad for you. I’ve got two fingers inside. My thumb on my clit. Just like you do me.
JULIAN: Fuck. You better not stop. Don’t stop until your legs shake and your fingers are slick with your pearly cum.
STEFANIE: I won’t stop. And don’t you stop until your cum is coating your hand and stomach. Picture me on my knees in front of you. You’re fucking my throat as you grip my hair, holding my head in place. Saliva is dripping down my chin, splashing onto my breasts. Fill my throat with your cum, Julian. I need it.
Fuck , this woman was going to make me come so fucking hard! I tightened my grip and pumped faster, chest rising and falling hard.
JULIAN: You want me in you, baby? You want this dick dragging against that sweet spot until you scream my name into that pillow?
STEFANIE: Yes. I want it now. I’m so close, Julian. Say something filthy. Make me come.
I licked my lips, imagined her lying there in my shirt, drenched, desperate.
JULIAN: If I were there with you, I’d spread you wide, and tongue your clit while you begged for more, then fuck you slow with just the tip. Once I had you riled up enough, I’d fill your pussy slowly, making you swallow me inch by inch until you were stuffed full of this cock. Then I’d pound that pussy until your entire body was trembling. Once you were close to coming undone, I’d flip you over onto your stomach, and drill you into the fucking mattress, not stopping until that pussy gripped me tightly and your juices rained down on my hard cock.
STEFANIE : I’m coming, Julian.
I gripped myself tighter, matching the rhythm of her moans.
JULIAN : Fuck, baby. I can hear how wet that pussy is through the phone. That’s it. Let it out. Let me hear how wet you are.
She whimpered, moaned into the phone, breath hitching. It was that sound that sent me over the edge. My orgasm hit hard, my body jerking as I came with a groan, her name ripping from my throat as my cum spurted all over me.
I lay there, breathing hard, the phone resting on the pillow beside me. She was quiet on the other end, her breaths soft now. We both remained silent for a moment. It was I who broke that silence.
“I love you,” I whispered, still staring at the ceiling, still missing her like crazy. Even more so, now.
Silence followed my words. But when she did speak, it made me so fucking happy.
“You’ll hear those words from me the next time I see you,” she whispered.
“What?” I asked, sitting up in bed. “What did you say?”
“I’ll say those three words back to you when I get home. I want to tell them to you face-to-face. Okay?”
Me, a grown ass man, nearly cried right fucking then.
“Okay, baby,” I whispered, smiling, completely undone. “Get some rest. Goodnight, baby.”
“Goodnight, my heart,” she whispered, before ending the call.
My smile widened as I sat there, staring at the wall. She’d called me her heart. I laughed. Stefanie Adams had called me her heart. I don’t think I’d ever been that fucking happy in my life. I didn’t even care that I had nut everywhere. I was floating. The woman I loved, loved me back.
I couldn’t wait to hear those three words from her lips.