Deception (16 page)

She removed his glasses and the sexy smile he gave her was mirrored in his shimmering eyes. “Your eyes sparkle like emeralds.”

“That’s a cheesy pick up line when you already have me in your bed.” He pulled her shirt with the already unclasped bra over her head.

She giggled. “I’ve never seen anyone with eyes so green.”

“That’s because I’m the genuine article.” Fingertips lightly skimmed her breast, deliberately going around the nipple that tightened under his touch. He smiled and lightly licked the tip of her breast and then blew. She felt herself further tighten.

“Genuine article.” She whispered. “A brilliant example of a man.” He started in on her other breast.

“Brilliant, I like that.” This time he took her into his mouth and gently nuzzled the tip between his teeth. She’d never had a man be so gentle with her before and she liked it—basked in his touch was more like it, as she stretched out and arched herself further into his hot, wet mouth.

Hands slid into her shorts and he chuckled against her lips. “Commando kind of day again?”

“I had on granny panties so I took them off when you went to take off your contacts.”

“Presumptuous of you.” He slid her shorts off and tossed them somewhere behind him.

“Not presumptuous, hopeful.”

“Ah, I see.”

She pushed his shorts down his legs. “Hey, you’re not wearing undies either.”

“I thought I might get lucky or that I could at least tempt you with my state of undress.”

“Hmm, you didn’t have to work very hard. I should have made it more challenging.”

“But I don’t like challenging women.” He kissed her chin.

“You don’t?”

“Nope.” He kissed her lips.

“What kind of women do you like?”

Soft lips caressed her temple. “I like women with long silky legs”—his hand skimmed up her thigh—“bright hazel eyes and large vocabularies.” He kissed her eyes and then his lips went down to her nose, her chin, and lastly her neck where he nuzzled. He rose onto balled fists and went down to the bed to stand, grabbing his shorts in the process. He pulled them up to cover himself.

Green eyes roved her nakedness, causing her to feel more than disoriented and a little awkward. “Where are you going?”

“Condom,” He raspily whispered.

“Get over here.” She pointed to the spot next to her on the bed. Sandy brows furrowed in response. “I have an implant. Now take your shorts off and get over here.”

“Yes ma’am.”

He slid into the bed beside her, caressing her as he rolled her to her side so that her back was to his front. A large hand massaged her hip and thigh, while his arm came around to cradle her head, pulling her to him. He kissed her temple, “God Maura, you’re so beautiful. You fit me so well.”

His hand slid up her torso slowly, marking her with his hot touch as he went. Cupping her breast his whispered words traveled over her shoulder, “feel what you do to me.”

She made a feral sound as his large erection pressed into her ass.

“I could have you in my bed every night and still not get enough of you.” His cock slipped between her legs and slowly pressed and she welcomed him into her body.

“Julian, don’t let me go.” Why was her mouth saying what her brain was thinking?

“Baby, I don’t intend to.”

Then the most horrible thing happened—she began to cry. Not just tears, but her body heaved with grief. “I’m sorry.” She wailed and he pulled her tighter to him.

His hands and lips and skin were everywhere. “Maura, I’m not ever going to let you go. Ever.”

“Ever?” She whispered.

“
Ever
.” He whispered directly into her ear.

He pumped from behind, his need for her had him consuming her on a cellular level. The sensation left her body feeling as if it was half ice and half flame.

“I’m sorry I’m crying. For so long I’ve had to take care of everything and now I have the support of you and your family. I just can’t believe it’s real.
Please let it be real
.”

“Does this feel real?” Keeping them connected, he moved onto his back. She reached up to run her fingers through his thick hair. “Widen your legs.” She opened under his command, bent her legs, and placed her knees on either side of his muscular thighs. His fingers found her pulsing clit and massaged with a feather touch.

With his intensifying touch and his thick cock piercing her in long, full strokes she felt her climax build. His cock rubbed from within right where she needed him and his fingers at her core applied the sweet pressure that had her breathlessly chanting his name.

“How real does it feel now?”

“It’s real, you’re real. Tell me again…tell me—”

“I’m. Never. Leaving. You. Maura.” He said between each thrust that left him gasping from physical effort. “Never Maura, you’re mine. Say you will be true, always.”

“I will, Julian. I’ll be true to you.” Love flowed through her like warm honey.

He grew even larger before he moaned into her neck and emptied inside of her.

“I love to hear you say those words to me.”

The statement he made cut her deep and she realized that he, like her, was broken and in need of repair. Still connected to him, she closed her eyes and timed her breathing with his. Questions regarding their status wanted to take root in her head, but she refused to let them. Instead she concentrated on his breathing and the beat of his heart—strong, masculine, beautiful. It was all over now . . . she’d jumped from the cliff and had dived head first into the raging rapids. She’d lose her heart to him any day now, if she hadn’t already.

“Please don’t break me,” she whispered.

He rolled them onto their sides and she turned so that they were face to face and he kissed her lips sweetly. “I won’t, I promise.”

Fourteen—the number of days it had been since Julian’s promise. It felt longer, probably because of the sheer intensity of their relationship. Although they had only been exclusive for two weeks, they couldn’t be without one another.

“Hey, love bird.”

As Maura rinsed her cereal dish in the sink she smiled at the endearing term. “Morning, Bails. How do you feel today?”

She sensed Bailey behind her before she felt the arms wrap around her waist. Maura turned. “Bails?”

“I feel energized. It’s amazing. Know what else is amazing?”

Maura chuckled at the dancing gleam in Bailey’s eyes. “What’s that?”

Bailey leaned in and whispered in Maura’s ear, “Love.”

“I’m so happy for you, Bailey.”

Bailey dried Maura’s washed bowl and fork. “And I’m happy for you.”

“Why is that?”

Bailey poured Captain Crunch into the dried bowl. “Because you and Julian are also in love.”

Maura inhaled deeply and folded her arms across her chest.
Was he in love with her
?

He hadn’t used those words, and yet Maura felt Julian’s love with every caress of her skin, every kiss from his lips. He was gentle and kind. He’d packed her lunches and sent flowers to her office.

“They found more lead paint in the house. This time in the bathroom. It’s going to be another week before they’re done,” Bailey said.

“What color did you pick for the bedroom?”

“I found this nice gray and the trim is white so the floors and furniture can be dark.”

“Sounds nice. Modern and clean.” Maura recalled the day she was backing her car out of her designated parking slot at work when she’d seen the delicate diamond pendant necklace hanging from her rearview mirror. Julian was always doing little things like that. She couldn’t imagine ever hurting him and wondered about the women who came before her—about the woman who had died. Did Bailey know the story?

Bailey fiercely chomped her cereal. Maura decided she wouldn’t ask Bailey or search the internet for details. She wanted Julian to tell her the story of his dark past. When Maura had told him she hadn’t been back to visit little Audrey’s grave, he’d told her he’d go with her if she desired to make a trip. That had meant more to her than the lilies and the jewelry. She swiped a tear from her cheek. She hoped to offer him as much comfort as he’d given her…whenever he was ready to receive it.

“What’s wrong?” She’d been so caught up in her memories she hadn’t realized Julian stood before her in the kitchen, dressed for work.

“Nothing. Everything is wonderful.”

“Wow, I thought I had it bad.” Bailey rinsed her bowl and spoon and left it in the sink.

Evidence of their molecular connection abounded. It was in the way he’d call her on the phone whenever she was feeling down or he’d bring her a simple bottle of water even though she hadn’t expressed she was thirsty, but she had been. One day Alan had been prowling the LSU campus grounds and Julian had come to her then. She hadn’t called or texted, but he’d known she needed him and he came.

As they leaned against the counter Julian rubbed her back while they waited for the coffee to brew. “Is it true? Have you got it bad then?”

Maura smiled, resting her head on his shoulder, reaching down to finger her necklace. “I think it may be true.”

Julian kissed her temple. “Good, I’d hate to be the only one.”

***

“Your grades on the past two exams have been below fifty and you haven’t turned in any of the homework. I’m afraid the best advice I can give you is to drop the course.”

The young adult sitting on the other side of Maura’s desk wouldn’t make eye contact. She started to sniffle and then the tears fell. Maura pushed the box of facial tissues that she kept on her desk toward Ashley Wilson.

Ashley pulled one from the box and blew her nose. “I’m sorry, it’s just that I got married at the start of the semester and with the wedding plans I sort of lost focus. Can I do extra credit?”

“I don’t offer extra credit. English Composition is a foundational course. The syllabus is set up to cover a bevy of information from grammar and comprehensive reading skills to writing and critiquing. Your performance in this course sets the tone for future college experiences and the skills gained in English Composition will help solidify your academic success. You must complete each benchmark as indicated on the syllabus. Maura had the speech memorized.

“It’s going to mess up my schedule. There are prereqs. I won’t be able to take anything next semester but your class and Walking for Fitness. I’ll lose my student loans.”

“Have you taken Music Appreciation? College Algebra? History?”

“Just Algebra.”

Maura used her computer to log into the university system. “Tell you what. I’ll sign you up for Music, History, and your fitness course. You’ll need one additional course, however. Philosophy works with your schedule.” Maura sighed. “It’s against my better judgment to enroll you in a course with a writing component. Maura placed her elbows on her desk and laced her fingers together. As she contemplated a solution, Julian’s face peered around the open door. When he saw she was with a student he left. “I tell you what, if you agree to complete the modules I have posted online, along with the homework, I’ll go ahead and register you for the courses. Look at me, Ashley.” Ashley meekly held her gaze. “I need you to give me your word that you will apply yourself in my course through the end of the semester. If you turn in one thing late or if you fail to prepare for exams, you’ll be right back in this chair and next time I won’t be accommodating.”

“Yes, Doctor Douglas. I will work hard. Thank you for the second chance.”

“You’re welcome. I believe in you.”

Ashley stood and gathered her things.

“You’ll do well. Module assignments are due on Tuesdays. You’ll need to work through the break to catch up.”

“Yes ma’am. I will.”

As Maura secured the courses for Ashley, Julian entered. “What a wonderful surprise.”

He smiled at her. “Lunch?”

“Sure.”

“I heard you with that student. You’re a great teacher.”

She signed off her computer and straightened papers on her desk. “I hope to help her see her worth. She started with a bang and I had high hopes, but then she just stopped doing the work.”

“Does that happen a lot?”

Maura stood and gathered her purse. “It can. Sometimes students aren’t ready for the rigors of college.”

They walked the beautiful campus with its blooming camellia trees and scurrying squirrels.

Julian was quiet and his demeanor serious. “Dad is taking us to lunch.”

“Great. I love your father.”

Walking across the parking lot arm in arm, a companionable silence accompanied them. At his truck he unlocked her door, but held her close as his lips descended onto hers. He smelled as fresh as he had after his bath. His breath tasted of the mint gum he chewed.

“What was that for?”

His emerald gaze burned with desire. “I love you, Maura.”

“Julian,” she whispered.

“I just didn’t want another moment to pass without telling you.”

“I—”

Julian placed his index finger to her lips. “Shh, don’t say anything.”

H
e loved her.
She melted into the truck seat. Not wanting to jinx it she forced herself to think no more about it. But oh, he
loved
her. Dare she utter the words that mirrored his? She’d said them before…sort of. Okay, she was going to think no more about it.

As he drove he held her hand and they listened to the local campus radio station. More than once she’d marveled at his caution and focus behind the wheel. He never took his eyes from the road. Secretly she loved to watch him drive. The thought of letting go and letting him have control of her life, even for a little while, calmed her.

They parked at Moretti’s—the place he’d taken her on their first date.

He opened her door and offered his hand for assistance. She’d seen Parker do that same thing with Bailey and guessed it was a southern thing.

“I should warn you…Dad has information to share with you regarding Alan.”

Her stomach sank at the mention of his name. “What?”

They walked. “That’s the extent of my knowledge on the subject.” Julian shrugged. “I’m sure it’s important since he’s gathered us all here for lunch.”

In her daze she tripped over the door jamb, but Julian was there to keep her from falling. She hoped that was symbolic. Would he be there to hold her up when she needed him most?