Chapter 8
Five long days later,it was finally Saturday, and my body had been buzzing since Julia and I last spoke. Throughout the week, I had sent her little texts occasionally. Still, I didn’t want to get into too heavy of a conversation. I was saving that for later. I planned to act like the perfect gentleman and not put any pressure on her. That was my main goal: Julia’s comfort.
I thought I’d have enough time to change from work into jeans and a T-shirt, but that didn’t go to plan. Julia’s warning of how nothing goes to plan hit me as I watched the clock race to five o’clock. Several new wholesale accounts met us at our market, and I was the person who usually reeled new business in. That had become the pattern ever since my father’s health problems started to take a toll on his stamina. And even though Pop was going to be okay, just seeing how he wasn’t the ox he used to be sent an ache to my chest. Now, Pop came into the store most days but only made it a few hours until he headed home to push back-office paperwork just to keep him busy. I had to play the part of Manhattan’s elite restaurant owners, so I dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie, resembling a secret service agent, rather than a guy needing to leave so I could impress the sexiest woman I had ever laid eyes on.
There was no way I would have time to change without being late, so I accepted that I would show up at Julia’s house looking like a waiter once I tossed the suit jacket. I grabbed a pack of freshly ground burger patties and bolted from the market. As I got into my car, my mind raced with thoughts of Julia and the evening ahead. While my nerves rattled driving to her house, my body thrummed excitedly. The sun was just setting, casting a golden glow over the city, a reminder of the days growing shorter.
When I arrived at Julia”s house, I took a deep breath and grabbed the bag of burgers before getting out of the car. The house was a huge craftsman, and I wasn’t expecting this large structure. I wondered what her husband did and how she could keep her home in the divorce. I didn’t know much about divorce except for Bridgette’s; her story was wild. She had to build herself back from nothing, and if the timing wasn’t on Bridge’s side, I wondered where she would be.
The lawn was perfectly manicured, with a red brick path leading up to the blue-gray frame. Daisies lined the quaint front porch with a lone rocking chair in the corner. A bird feeder hosted a Hummingbird, and the tiny animal flapped its wings furiously to stay afloat.
I walked to the front door, my nerves thrashing. I loosened my tie and took a deep breath before ringing the bell. The door swung open, and Julia stood before me, looking stunning in a white T-shirt and blue skinny jeans that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her hair was styled in loose waves cascading down her shoulders, and her makeup was minimal, highlighting her natural beauty.
”Hi,” she said with a smile, stepping aside to let me in.
”Hi, you look beautiful.” My eyes feasted on the sight of her once more.
”Thank you,” she said softly. ”Come on in.”
“I brought burgers.” I held up the bag with a goofy grin.
Julia laughed. “Perfect. I’m starving. Come on in.” She motioned us inside.
I followed her into the living room, feeling slightly intimidated by the grandeur of everything around me. There were expensive-looking paintings on the walls, intricate rugs covering the floors, and even a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
“Wow.” I pointed to one of the paintings. “Are these originals?”
“I wish. They’re just prints. It’s the frames that make them look expensive.” Julia shrugged. “Everything in this house isn’t what it seems.” Her light laugh ignited something in my chest. A spark.
“You like to decorate?” I smacked my hands together, absorbing the bountiful decor. Still, somehow, Julia managed to tie in the space to make this place a home. It wasn’t tacky or distasteful, but each figurine, knickknack, had a purpose. On the other side of the room sat a snow globe collection on a wooden table under a bay window. The globes were like a magnet and drew me in. Julia watched a few feet away as I tested each piece, and the fake snow settled.
“I started the collection after my ex and I split.” Julia leaned against the denim-wallpapered wall and crossed her arms. “The girls love them. Each month, I try to add at least one more.”
I placed a cityscape globe gently back onto the table, smiling. “It sounds very special.”
“It is.” Julia pushed off the wall, taking a few steps closer. “Would you like anything to drink?”
“Um, sure. I’ll take a water.” I ran my hand through my hair, messing it up a tad.
“Just water? That’s boring.” Julia scrunched her face.
I studied her complexion, wondering how could someone look so perfect. Clearly, everyone had imperfections. I wanted to learn what they were because something in my gut told me whatever faults I may find would only push Julia higher in my mind. “Fine. How about a water with lemon?”
“I don’t have any lemons,” Julia smirked.
“Oh. How boring.” I raised an eyebrow. “I’ll just take an iced water then.”
“Here, make yourself at home. I’ll put those burgers in the kitchen.” She took the hamburgers, leaving me. “I’ll be right back with your water on the rocks.”
I collapsed onto the plush couch, sinking into cushion heaven. It was like sitting on a cloud. My eyes followed Julia as she walked out of the room. Her hips swayed with every step, throttling my pulse into overdrive.
I tried to shake off the rush and took a deep breath to calm down. Just then, Julia reemerged, holding two iced glasses of water, the cubes clinking together. She handed me the glass and sat next to me, her thigh touching mine, making my cock twitch. The spark was on fire.
”So, how was your day?” she asked, taking a sip of her own drink, a simple iced tea.
”It was good.” I downed half the glass. ”Busy at work as usual.”
”I can tell.” Julia chuckled, gesturing to my suit. ”You look like you just came from a fancy gala.”
“A gala? You sound like my grandma.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m so old.” Julia rolled her eyes.
I considered what I was about to ask, but I figured I’d address it for Julia’s sake. To me, it was just a detail and nothing more. “How old are you?”
Julia nearly choked on her drink. “Wow. Haven’t you ever been warned to never ask a woman her age?” She wiped a droplet of iced tea from her lip, and disappointment shot through me, wishing it had been my tongue to lick it away.
“I don’t listen to warnings.” My eyes locked with her dark orbs. “Do you want to know my age?”
Julia glanced at me for a split second, almost too quickly. “I don’t know. Do you want to tell me?”
“I’m twenty-seven. I just turned it a month ago.”
“Oh.” The word fell from Julia’s lips.
“Is that a bad thing?” I shifted, suddenly fighting a wall of discomfort.
“No.” She paused, and her eyes dropped to her open palms. “I’m thirty-seven. It was my birthday three weeks ago.”
“Get out. We’re both August birthdays and the same zodiac signs.”
“Yup. We’re Leos.” Julia nodded, smiling, and caught me staring. How could I fucking not? She was walking sex.
“How did you celebrate your birthday?” I casually laced my fingers through hers, bringing her hand to my mouth.
At first, she watched what I was doing before nervous giggles escaped through her lips. “Nothing, really. I had dinner with my best friend, Amelia, and my daughters.”
I listened intently, my fingers playing with Julia”s, and my eyes locked on hers. The energy between us was electric, and I couldn”t resist the urge to inch closer. Our faces were inches apart, and her warm breath tickled my chin. Julia”s eyes seemed to be searching mine for something, and I couldn”t help but feel vulnerable under her gaze.
“What about you?” Julia asked, her breath hitching. “What did you do for your birthday?”
I winced because I wouldn’t lie about this. Rubbing the back of my neck, I braced myself. “Ah, you’re not going to like this.” I sank into the couch, the cool fabric stinging my hot skin. “My friends took me to a strip club.”
Julia dropped her chin and served me a set of sexy chocolate eyes. “You’re kidding me.”
“Nope.” I shook my head. “I know you won’t believe me when I say this, but strip clubs are not my thing.”
Julia straightened, ready to challenge. “There’s nothing wrong if you wanted to go to a strip club.”
I swallowed hard, the atmosphere suddenly thick and heavy. “It’s just not my scene anymore.”
“Anymore?” Julia repeated, quirking an eyebrow as she leaned back into the sofa.
“Yeah, I mean… I used to go a lot when I was younger.” The nervous leg shake had officially commenced.
Julia studied me for a moment before a sly smile crossed her lips. “You’re still very young.” And then her eyes dropped to my chest, reaching out to play with my tie. “You look good dressed up.”
I swallowed, my throat clicking, and a flutter rippled. “Then I’ll make it a point to dress up more often.”
“Oh yeah? Why is that?” Julia cradled her face and dropped my tie.
“Well, I’d really like to get to know you. And I don’t think tonight will be enough time.” I was careful with my next move and placed our intertwined hands on her knee. Instantly, her body stiffened, but I didn’t pull away. “How long have you been divorced?”
“Um, let me think.” Julia tipped her head toward the ceiling, feigning thinking about the timeline. “I have officially been divorced, according to the state of New York, for three years. But I’ve been apart from my ex for five years.” Her eyes darted about the quiet room, landing everywhere but me. “Five glorious years.” We both laughed, cooling the slight tension over her past.
I saw how her past still held a tight grip on her, but I wanted to free her from those chains. So, I leaned in closer, breaking the uncomfortable silence. ”What about relationships? Dating anyone else after your divorce?”
Julia inhaled, releasing it slowly. ”No, not really. It”s been hard to trust again after that experience.” The wariness in her voice only made me want to prove myself to her even more.
”I understand that,” I said softly, running my thumb over the back of her hand.
“What about you? Any relationships?” Julia lifted her eyes to lock on mine.
“No, not really.” I reconsidered. “I mean, there was kind of one years ago. But when I think about it now, it really wasn’t anything serious.” I swallowed.
“Why didn’t it work out?” Julia reclined on the cushions, finally relaxing.
And why didn’t Libby and I work out? I considered my answer, knowing this kind of response had one shot only. I wouldn’t lie either, but it was how I articulated the reason that mattered most. “We weren’t the right fit.” I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to downplay the breakup”s impact on me. “But honestly, it was probably for the best. I wasn’t happy.” I popped my shoulders.
Julia’s eyes softened as she looked at me. “Okay, so you’ve never been in a serious relationship.”
Without thinking, I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers softly. It was as if everything else faded into the background, and all that mattered was the fire burning between us. Her lips parted slightly, allowing me to deepen the kiss, and before I knew it, we were wrapped up in each other’s arms.
As we pulled apart to catch our breath, Julia’s voice came out in a soft whisper. “I don’t know where this is going between us, but right now…it feels good.”
I nodded in agreement, my heart thudding so loudly I was sure she could hear it. “It does feel good.”
Suddenly, her piercing ringtone erupted from the coffee table, and she jumped up to answer it. “Hold on.” Julia picked up the phone. “Hello?”
I watched her face morph from relaxed to tense in a second. Something was off as Julia slapped a hand over her eyes, throwing her head back into the cushions. “Okay, sure.” She hung up, tossing her phone beside me on the vacant cushion.
“Everything okay?” I stared at Julia, knowing everything was not fucking okay.
“It’s my ex-husband. He’s coming over with the girls.” Her shoulders slumped, and it wasn’t about her kids. It was over him.
“Now?” I popped my eyebrows.
“Yes. Now.”