5. Julia
Chapter Five
JULIA
Valentine’s Day.
For a romantic like me, it should be a dream.
Except it’s more like a nightmare.
I’m working my butt off selling bunches of roses to every lovebird in Snowflake Falls.
And my Dad is mad at me because apparently Roman had some kind of fight with Ty last night.
I know what Ty is like, particularly after a few beers, so it doesn’t surprise me.
But I have to say I’m a bit worried to hear Ty has a black eye.
I didn’t put Roman down as the violent type.
My Dad’s got me to agree to have dinner with Mr. Paris tonight in the town’s fanciest restaurant, Silver.
I’m not sure how I’ve been talked into it; maybe hope that Mr. Paris will invest in Snowflake, and also a hefty dollop of guilt about Ty’s black eye and my involvement with Roman against my family’s wishes.
Still, I can’t stop thinking about Roman.
It’s so busy in the shop that I can’t go for our usual balcony meet-up and I feel the loss of seeing Roman like an ache all day long.
It’s like something is missing, an essential part of me, and it sets my defenses down.
The more I try to concentrate on what I’m doing, the more I’m thinking about him.
His lips, his eyes, his broad shoulders.
The way his rock hard cock pressed against me as we kissed.
I stare into a haze of red roses, imagining being in bed with him, seeing him without his clothes on as we languorously twine our limbs together, kissing down his firm, muscular belly until I reach...
“Julia!” My mom is on high alert.
Valentine’s Day is stressful at the best of times and she’s been snappy all day. “Fill up the space in the window with some more roses - it looks bare now we’ve sold so many.”
Staring outside the window as I replace the empty vases with more flowers, I see Montag’s delivery has three trucks running back and forth.
They’ve clearly taken on extra workers to cope with the demand.
Since Mr. Montag and my Dad fell out, we use another firm to do our floral deliveries, but they can be unreliable, which adds to my Mom’s stress.
The other flower shop in Snowflake, The Carnation, is clearly doing a roaring trade.
No sign of Roman. Maybe he’s too busy to meet today too? I wish I had been thinking clearly enough to get his number. I was distracted by kissing him.
By the end of the working day I’m tired, covered in little scratches from rose thorns and not feeling romantic in any way whatsoever.
I can’t believe I’ve agreed to have dinner with some guy who I don’t find attractive in the least - on Valentine’s Day.
I guess I’ve been secretly hoping that Roman would show up at the door with some chocolates - I’m so over flowers now - and sweep me off my feet.
But that’s not going to happen.
First, my Mom would go ape at him if he even walked through the door. And second, he’s probably been scared off by my feral cousin and doesn’t want anything to do with a Caputo - ever.
I take a quick shower, put on some mascara and lipstick in a nod to presentability, and stick on my nice black dress since Silver is a fancy place.
I’m having serious second thoughts once I arrive at the restaurant.
The usual understated - understated for Snowflake Falls at least - decor has been replaced with a helium heart-shaped balloon arch over the door, thousands of pink twinkle lights and I’ll Make Love To You by Boyz II Men is blaring out.
As the waiter leads me over to where Mr. Paris is sitting, the tired feeling is replaced by a creeping sense of wrongness. What am I doing here, with a guy who I don’t know, on Valentine’s Day? Even if it’s helpful to my Dad and to the town, why does the responsibility have to fall on me?
Too late to back out now. Mr. Paris stands up as I approach. He may not be my type but at least he has old-fashioned manners.
“Julia, how lovely. Champagne?” He’s wearing a navy suit this time which is a hell of a lot better than that electric blue monstrosity he had on at the party.
“Thanks.” I sit. The restaurant is full of couples staring into each other’s eyes and trying to make conversation over the loud music.
“How was your day?” He pours the champagne into my glass from an already opened bottle which is sat chilling on ice. The waiter, who had been on his way to perform that maneuver, catches my eye and then slinks away to another table.
“Very busy. Valentine’s Day is always crazy. We fulfilled more than 200 orders, I think. How about you?” It seems weird to be sipping champagne in a fancy place with some guy I barely know, when my head is filled with Roman.
“Excellent. I’ll let you into a little secret. I’m very close to completing a deal to buy up the Blitzen Street houses and convert it into a shopping mall.” Mr. Paris looks pleased with himself.
“Blitzen Street? But they have families there who have been there all their lives! And those houses are so cute.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
I thought Mr. Paris was here to invest in Snowflake and help improve it, not tear beautiful things down and replace them with generic malls you could find anywhere.
“Cute or not, they’re a great investment. Don’t you think Snowflake needs to move forward, become modern?” He’s looking expectantly at me. He wants me to agree.
Hell, no.
“Part of Snowflake’s charm is that it’s the polar opposite of a big, flashy city.
It’s not trying to keep up with the modern world.
There are enough places like that, places that started from scratch and didn’t build all over something well-loved.
We get people coming from miles around, not just at Christmas time.
You’re seriously going to build a big mall right in the middle of a quaint little town famous for its ice sculptures and Christmas trees?
” I stare back at him and take a big chug of my champagne.
He looks a little shocked but he has a smug smile.
“You see Julia, that’s what I like about you. You’re a diamond in the rough.” He tops up my glass again.
“Does my Dad know about this?” I can’t believe he would be okay with knocking down the houses on Blitzen Street.
“Well, we’ve mainly talked about regeneration. He’s the mayor, he’ll understand what’s good for the town. I have to say I’m surprised, I was trying to impress you with my business acumen but you don’t look too pleased.” Mr. Paris shifts in his seat slightly.
“I’m not. There are lots of ways you could invest in Snowflake without knocking down houses. It’s a great place, but how would you know that if you’ve just arrived?” I raise my eyebrows at him.
“Well Julia, I’d like to have a reason to stick around.” He looks away as the restaurant’s front door opens and what looks for a moment like a walking basket of lilies enters. The waiter talks to whoever’s behind the lilies and - oh dear - they start to approach the table.
The lilies are lowered and I’m staring into Roman’s surprised eyes. I look at him, he looks at me and everyone in the restaurant stares at the massive basket of lilies.
Roman clears his throat. “Delivery for Mr. Paris.” He’s still gazing at me. He doesn’t look happy.
“Ah yes, better late than never.” Mr. Paris stands up and grabs the top of the basket. “These are for you, beautiful lady.”
Oh no. The beginnings of a sneeze start to brew.
Roman snaps his attention to Mr. Paris. “Can you sign here please?” He holds out a pen. Even in his delivery jacket, he outshines every guy in this room with his huge frame and gorgeous face.
“Busy day?” Mr. Paris asks, reaching for the pen. “I started out as a delivery driver before I worked my way up. Hard work.”
“Yes. This is my last job.” Roman’s usually animated voice is flat. He’s avoiding looking at me. I want to explain why I’m here but I can’t.
“Thanks.” Mr. Paris hands the pen back. Roman stands there for a second and then turns quickly and marches out the door.
I sneeze five times in quick succession. I’m not sure if it’s the lilies or shock. A waiter arrives with some oysters arranged in a heart shape and waits for me to stop sneezing before he puts them down on the table.
“Excuse me. I need the ladies’ room,” I stand up quickly, sneezing again for emphasis.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror. My mascara is smudged under my eyes and my nose is slightly red.
How has my Valentine’s Day gone so badly? I’m in a fancy restaurant with a man who wants to tear down parts of the town I love and who’s bought me lilies which I’m allergic to. The guy next door who I should be with today now thinks I’m some sort of flighty, gold-digging type.
I have to make things right.
There’s a door leading from the ladies’ room to the back entrance onto the street, so I step outside to get some air.
Except my legs keep moving relentlessly, towards Fircroft street, towards Roman.
Have you ever started doing something with no idea of the outcome?
That’s how I feel, and it feels good. I’m being true to what I want - not what my parents want, not what Mr. Paris wants, but what my heart, mind and body longs for.
I have a momentary mental flash of poor Mr. Paris sitting in the restaurant with his plate of heart-shaped oysters and the basket of lilies but I put it out of my mind.
It’s freezing cold but I’m warm as I make my way up to my apartment. I can see Roman’s home, because the light is shining out of his window onto the yard below. He’s either going to think I’m crazy or… I don’t know.
I swing my legs over the iron divider between the balconies and knock on his window. He looks up and - thank goodness - he smiles.
I’m shivering as he carefully opens the door.
“Bad date?” he says with a grin.
“Beyond bad. Can I come in?” I can’t help staring into his eyes. He’s wearing sweats and his hair is damp from the shower. He smells like pine and musk, it’s intoxicating.
“Of course.” He takes my hand and helps me inside. His place is warm and cozy, and I settle down next to him on the sofa.
“Look Roman. I have some explaining to do.” I can’t look directly at him. I couldn’t bear it if he hates me now. My breath catches slightly in my chest.
“Okay.” He sounds neutral.
“My Dad made me go out for dinner with Mr. Paris. He’s trying to get investment in the town, I guess I was meant to be friendly to him.
But I’m not attracted to him in any way.
In fact, now that I've got to know him I think he’s a bit of a dick.
I thought he was here to help Snowflake but it turns out he just wants to rip up Blitzen Street and make money.
” I sigh and sneak a peek at Roman’s handsome profile.
He’s looking directly at me. “Well, you seemed a bit surprised by those lilies.”
I turn towards him. “I’m actually allergic. Couldn’t have got any worse. I left him in the restaurant and came to see you. Am I an awful person?”
He grins at me. “Awful. Just the way I like ‘em. Anyway, I wanted to talk about Ty. He came for me all guns blazing and I pushed him away, he bashed his eye on a car. I wasn’t going to fight a drunk guy, especially not your crazy cousin. I might kill him by mistake.”
I think he’s joking.
“Are you serious?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Don’t do that. It’s crazy sexy.” He strokes my arm lightly, sending tingles of pleasure up and down my body.
I can’t resist any longer and reach forward to run my hand over the back of his neck, stroking the back of his hair.
I gaze into his warm brown eyes as his pupils dilate.
It’s like falling into a wonderful dream, looking into the depths of his eyes as he looks back at me.
He leans forward and lifts me into his lap so I’m straddling him.
I close my eyes and gently kiss his warm lips.
A fire ignites in the pit of my belly as he presses his lips onto mine, his hands stroking my back, thighs and waist. My nipples harden as his lips push my mouth open and he explores it with his tongue.
My hands roam under his T-shirt, feeling the heat of his body and the smooth contours of his muscles.
His cock is hard beneath me as I grind down, making him groan.
My breath hitches in my throat as he runs his hands up my thighs, pushing up my little black dress, so he can feel my ass.
I’m wet already in anticipation as he trails his fingers under the lace of my panties, brushing my pussy with his fingertips.
He unzips the back of my dress and I pull it over my head.
He groans again as he takes in my stockings and semi-sheer bra.
His hands are running over my curves again as I grind down harder, feeling his huge cock get even harder underneath me.
His fingers brush against my hardened nipples, softly at first and then more firmly, kneading them between his fingers as I gasp.
He unhooks my bra, lowering his head to trail over each of my nipples with his tongue, rolling in circles and then sucking them until I’m shamelessly panting and tugging on his belt to get his clothes off. All I want is him inside me right now.
He picks me up again and carries me to the bedroom, still kissing me as I wrap my legs around his slim waist. He tugs his T-shirt off and his abs ripple, revealing his perfect torso.
I’m almost dizzy as I lay back on his bed.
He peels off my panties, his fingers trailing up my thighs, which are shivering in delighted anticipation.
I arch my back as he circles my clit with his thumb in slow, gentle strokes, building a warm glow inside my belly that starts to grow into a raging fire.
“You’re perfect, Julia.” He’s sucking my nipples as he carries on stroking my clit, building a rhythm of stroking and sucking that’s almost unbearably pleasurable.
“I’m going to come.” I pant, looking up at him. “I need you inside me now.”
He reaches over to his bedside table and extracts a foil packet, which I take and roll out the condom over his enormous cock.
My thighs are shaking from the intense need to have him inside me and I scrabble at his pants, pulling them down.
He spreads my thighs, returning his thumb to my clit, almost pushing me over the edge.
My pussy is dripping wet as he guides his cock slowly, inch by delicious inch, inside me.
I’ve never felt so full in my life as he holds himself over me, rocking slowly in and out, filling me up completely.
His eyes are hot as he gazes down at me and I moan shamelessly as he quickens his pace.
My hips rise to meet his as he thrusts harder and faster, and I call his name as I come in an explosion of pure pleasure.
His lips are against my neck as he comes and I hear him call my name, too.
Our breathing slows as we lay there, hot and happy, together.
He raises his head to look down at me.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, beautiful.”