Page 75 of Only If You Dare

Chapter Twenty Four

Desiree

Every bone in my body seemed to go limp when my head dropped down on Julian’s shoulder. The heat that penetrated between us was a fire hazard; so much so, that any moment now we were sure to burn down the very room we stood in. I panted, and tried to gather my senses and pull it together. Julian had rattled my very core with all of his confessions. His affirmation gave me the strength I needed to rid myself of my own secrets. I was in love with him, too. I would cry if it weren’t so poetic. I loved this man as if I’d known him my entire life, with every fiber of my being. Why so strong? Why right now and how was this even possible in the short time we’d known each other? Truth of the matter was, I was still a broken woman. It wouldn’t be fair to him to knowingly enter a relationship when I could never trust him because of those past offenses. My emotions were high, and for a moment I thought my heart would beat right out of my chest.

“Julian,” I said.

“Yes, Bella,” his lips nibbled at my forehead and skipped down my face to my ears. His touch sent a tingle so strong my toes curled, and it stretched through my neck straight down to where we were still connected.

“Baby, the kids…”

Julian groaned then cursed sitting me on my feet. His withdrawal made me weaker, and I felt less than without him.

“I’ll take Lacey and Antonio back to Forward Kitchen. I want you to go to your room and wait for me.”

I shook my head. “I can’t do that. I need to take them back myself.”

“Listen to me,” Julian put my chin in his hand to make sure I was looking at him head on. “I’m not taking no for an answer, and if you don’t answer the door, this time, I’ll use a key.”

Another tremor fled through me at his vile threat. I didn’t have the energy to fight him, so I acquiesced. We reappeared in the eatery just in time to see Antonio and Lacey tilted to the side in their chairs.

“Do you think you had enough?” I asked.

They both looked at us and could barely form a smile with their belly stretched to the maximum.

“Come on guys, I’m taking you back to Forward Kitchen. Say goodbye to Ms. Stevens,” Julian said.

“Bye Ms. Steven’s,” they chimed.

I pulled them both in for hugs. “I enjoyed spending time with you today. I know it’s early, but we’ll get together tomorrow, okay?”

“It’s no problem, Ms. Steven’s,” Lacey said. Surprisingly, Antonio agreed.

“We’re going to walk Ms. Steven’s to her car,” Julian informed them.

They moved to their feet, albeit slowly, and we made our way outside where we hugged and repeated our goodbyes. Inside the backseat of Julian’s limo, I rested my head against the back of it. I needed a time out. Shifting gears was necessary, and it was time for me to head back to Houston.

My phone beeped, with an incoming text message from Santana.

Call me when you get a minute.

I didn’t respond, deciding I would call her later. Instead, I sent a text to Julian.

I need to get back to Houston.

When my phone beeped I swiped my screen and checked the message.

Pack your bags. We’ll leave before dawn.

I thought about fighting him on that. I knew he had business here for a few more days and I didn’t want to be a distraction.

I need to stay; I have an obligation to Antonio.

I closed the phone, but it beeped seconds later.

Listen to what I’m saying, Desiree. Pack your bags.

He was so adamant. I sighed and made my way inside. In a daze, I gathered my items and packed them in the rollaway suitcase I’d purchased with Fredrick’s company credit card. Fredrick would fuss about the price later, but I’d be long gone by then. In the bathroom, I ran warm soapy water in the tub and removed my clothes to get in. There was a brief moment when I thought about catching a red eye and leaving for Houston on my own. But I needed to say goodbye to Antonio. The long goodbye.

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