Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
I t was late by the time Jules unlocked the door to her apartment. She'd stopped at the bakery, but Fish hadn't been there. He wasn't at his place either. She still didn't have his phone number and hadn't asked Jacqui for it before she'd left her place. She would call and ask for it now because she would not spend another night without her husband beside her.
She reached for the light switch. The apartment flooded with light, and she saw a figure move in the dark. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth when she saw him sitting on her couch. Relief washed over her, and her heart skipped a beat. Before she could say anything, he rose and strode toward her with a determined look in his eyes.
"Fish," she began.
He didn’t give her a chance to finish. Fish pulled her into his arms, his grip firm yet tender, as if she were the most precious ingredient in his life. His lips found hers, capturing them in a fierce, desperate kiss that tasted like the sweetest indulgence. It was as if he’d been starved for her, and now that he had a taste, he wasn’t letting go.
Jules melted into him, the warmth of his embrace enveloping her like the heat of a well-stoked oven. The only thing real was the way he held her, the way his lips moved against hers, demanding and giving all at once.
His kiss was like a decadent confection, rich and layered, sending a rush of warmth through her that was far more satisfying than any healthy treat she'd ever concocted. There was no substitute for a healthy dose of her husband. She felt the rush of sweetness spread through her, a sensation so powerful it made her toes curl in her shoes.
Fish’s hands slid to her waist, pulling her closer, his thumb rubbing gently over the band of her wedding ring. His touch on her finger was a reminder of the bond they shared, a promise sealed with this kiss and showcased with the bands they both wore.
This kiss was the kind of sweetness that didn’t spike her blood sugar but settled deep into her heart, where it warmed her from the inside out. It was the kind of sweetness she could indulge in over and over without fear of the consequences. And as Fish deepened the kiss, she knew she never wanted to be without this feeling, this intoxicating blend of heat and tenderness. It was as if he was determined to mix the perfect batch of emotions, combining desire, love, and something deep, something that was just starting to rise between them.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless and flushed, Jules looked up into his eyes and saw the same hunger she felt mirrored back at her. This was love, she realized. A love that was rich and satisfying, a love that made her feel more alive than she ever had before. A love that she knew would only grow sweeter with time.
"I love you," she said, her voice breathy, but her husband heard her clearly.
"The guys were right," he muttered under his breath, but she heard him just as clearly.
Without another word, he swept her up into his arms, holding her close as he carried her to the bedroom. Jules clung to him, the strength and warmth of his embrace making her feel safe and cherished.
"The guys?" she asked.
"Noah and Jed."
"About the distribution deal? They thought you were right, too?"
He came to an abrupt halt at the edge of her bed. "Too? You mean you thought I was right about the distribution deal?"
"Yes."
"I thought I was doing the right thing there."
"You were. I should be sharing my healthy baked goods with as many people as possible."
Fish slid her down his body until she was on her feet. Instead of the passion she knew he was feeling, he looked perturbed. "So why are we fighting?"
"Because you should have talked to me first."
"I get that, I do. But I really thought you would agree with me. And you are agreeing with me."
"I am now. But at first I thought you were trying to undermine me."
"When have I ever done anything that wasn't in your best interest?"
"Never."
Fish pursed his lips, looking very much like a fish out of water. It was adorable, and Jules almost laughed. He cupped her cheek and rubbed a thumb over her lower lip. "I just wanted to take some of the burden off your shoulders."
Jules leaned into his touch, the warmth of his hand grounding her. "I know. And I appreciate everything you do for me. But we need to make decisions together, as partners."
Fish nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Absolutely. From now on, we’re a team. No more decisions without talking to each other first."
Jules felt a sense of relief and joy flood through her. "That’s all I’ve ever wanted."
"I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure you have everything you want." He pulled her into his arms again, holding her close.
"I'm going to do the same for you."
"The only thing I want is you."
"You have me." She closed her eyes, savoring the moment. "I am one hundred percent yours."
They sat on the edge of the bed for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, the quiet hum of the apartment creating a cocoon around them. The weight of the past few days lifted, leaving behind a sense of renewed hope and understanding.
Jules pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a mischievous smile. "So what did the guys say, exactly?"
Fish chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Noah suggested I just come over, throw you over my shoulder, and kiss you senseless."
Jules laughed, the sound light and free. "Well, it worked."
"Good to know."
"But it looks like I still have a bit of sense going on in my brain."
"I think I can take care of that."
Fish leaned in and kissed her again. As the kiss deepened and got sweeter, Jules knew they could face anything as long as they were together. The challenges, the misunderstandings, and the obstacles—they could handle it all, because they had each other. And that was more than enough.
Get ready for Jami and Jed’s sizzling romance in
Tactically Tied !
When a playboy chef and a travel food critic collide, their chemistry is a recipe for love!
Jami Chou kissed me once—just to make another guy jealous. All it did was make me want her. But before I could catch my breath, she ran, leaving nothing but the taste of regret and a scathing review of my BBQ chicken in the local paper.
Years later, she’s back in town, needing a husband to access her inheritance so she can continue on her world tour.
Now I’m the one with the upper hand. I need a wife to enter a couples-only food competition—one that could put my restaurant on the map. We could help each other, if we can survive the heat in the kitchen and the sparks between us.
It’s the perfect plan—if we don’t kill each other first.
As we play the perfect couple for the cameras, I steal every kiss I can get, and for a moment, she stops running. But when the competition ends, will I be able to convince her to stay, or will she choose the open road over the life we could have together?
Tactically Tied is a sizzling, sweet romance with no steam. The damsels agree to a marriage of convenience, but the heroes have no intentions of letting them out of the agreement—ever.