Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“We’ll see about that.”
The rear passenger door opened, and a man held his hand out to me. Instead of taking it, I climbed out on my own—only to be met by a familiar smirk.
“I was only offering my hand, sweetheart. Not my dick.”
My mouth dropped open. “Wes? What are you doing here?”
“Your mother hired me as your security.”
CHAPTER 34
* * *
Wes
“I don’t have to take the gig if you don’t want me to,” I assured her. “Just say the word, and I’ll leave.” My heart pounded as I waited for her response.
Please don’t tell me to leave.
Please don’t tell me to leave.
It felt like years that I stood there anticipating her answer while people rolled their luggage by us.
“Okay. Yeah.” Her expression softened. “Better than a stranger.”
Juliette’s smile seemed genuine. It included her eyes, which was always my gauge. God, I love her.
As we checked in and went through security, Juliette and I stole glances at each other. When she smiled at me again, relief settled in my gut. The smile thing was becoming a trend. For the first time in a long time, I felt hope that this situation was turning around. Maybe she could forgive me.
On the flight to New York, I looked out at the clouds from my window seat, which was fitting, since at the moment I felt on top of the world. Juliette said she preferred the aisle, which I didn’t really understand. Tommy sat behind us, so I got the seat next to Juliette. Pretty sure by now Tommy knew what was up between her and me. I kept noticing the way he watched us, and I wondered if Juliette had spoken to him. At the very least, he’d watched me plant that freaking garden exhibition outside her house in LA. That had to have given my feelings away.
It was later in the day, yet I’d opted for a coffee when the beverage cart came around, and the caffeine had made me totally buzzed. Juliette had opted for a glass of wine, and I wondered about its effect on her.
At one point, she and I placed our hands on the armrest at the same moment, brushing against one another. To my shock, she took my hand and intertwined our fingers. I turned to her, and her expression held a calm I hadn’t witnessed before. Was it that little bit of wine, or had she finally come to terms with her doubts about me? My gut was even more certain that everything was going to be okay.
I felt more peace now than I had in all the time we’d known each other. I hated to say it, but this had to be at least partly because Vince was locked away. Maybe that was the entirety of the reason. All I knew was it felt like a brand-new day, and I was here for it.
“I never acknowledged the letter you sent me right after I kicked you out,” Juliette finally said.
I nodded. “It wasn’t meant to garner a response. I just needed to make sure you knew where I stood. I was feeling really hopeless when I wrote it, even if I was still determined not to lose you forever. Driving out of California after dropping it off was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” I smiled. “Even if I didn’t end up being gone for very long.”
“I’m glad you came back, Wes.”
“I had to tell my mother everything. She helped convince me I needed to lay it all on the line with you.”
“I’m so happy she didn’t hold the fact that we lied to her about our relationship against me.”
I shook my head. “She loves you.” I smiled. “She’s not the only one.”
“You promised to never give up on me.” Her eyes glistened. “You’ve really proven that.”
“I’ll never give up on you, Juliette.”
She squeezed my hand. “What now?”
I thought about how I wanted to answer that. “Back when I was hiding my real job from you, I used to discourage your suggestion that we could run away together. I couldn’t make promises when I didn’t know how you were going to react to finding out the truth.” I sighed. “But nothing is off the table now. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy and safe. I’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth.”
Juliette stared at me for several seconds. I’d expected her to say something in return, but not, “I’ll be right back.” Yet that’s what she told me before she got up and went down the aisle to the bathroom.
Had I upset her? I practically counted the seconds until she’d return. Then a text came in.
Juliette: My zipper is stuck. Can you come help me?
I stood from my seat and rushed down the aisle.
The moment I slipped inside the lavatory, Juliette wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close. I realized quickly that this had nothing to do with a zipper. My dick hardened, a reminder of just how long it had been since I’d buried myself inside her.