Page 70 of Relentless Pursuit

“You too.” She ended the call, feeling like a crappy friend. Connie had an obvious problem when it came to Julian. Kayla chalked it up to her finding a good guy when Connie had been going to Sapphire for a while and still hadn’t met the right man. Connie’s time would come. She just needed to avoid Tim.

Chapter 16

Kayla and Julian sat at a table for two by the window that overlooked the park. The busy hotel boasted one of the best brunches in the city. He had been talking about the stuffed blueberry French toast all weekend. They had an eventful weekend. When she arrived at Julian’s house on Friday, he’d already ordered in. They snuggled by the fire, talked about her new job, and kept their intimate time low-key. Just some light bondage and a blindfold.

Saturday they had gone for a run together and taken a drive to the suburbs, hitting a few antique shops along the way. They visited the most adorable bed-and-breakfast for an early dinner and made reservations to spend New Year’s Eve there. It was a spontaneous decision, but it offered Kayla encouragement. They were going to be together through the holidays. They were starting to mimic a real couple more and more. The weekend only proved they could do normal things together and enjoy time out of the bedroom.

Not that Saturday night lacked anything. He brought out the nipple clamps and the massage oils. The man could have been a massage therapist with those talented hands. Kayla didn’t realize it was possible to climax from nipple stimulation and a well-placed hand, but he proved her wrong. She squeezed her legs together just thinking about it.

“The French toast?” he asked. “Is that what has you so preoccupied?”

If only.“You were right. It’s delicious. We’re going to have to go for another run this afternoon.”

“Oh, I could think of a few ways to burn those calories.”

“I’m sure you can.” Her cheeks burned, but not from embarrassment. The heat covered her skin when she thought about last night’s massage.

“I’ve turned you into a sex addict.” He drank his juice. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“I had fun this weekend,” she said. “Not that I don’t always have fun with you, but this weekend was different.”

“How so?”

“It was like a turning point.”

“I know what you mean.”

“You do?” She worried she would sound silly, but she couldn’t help herself. She was giddy with feelings and she wanted him to know.

“Yes, something has shifted. I’ve been feeling it for a while.”

“Me too.” She couldn’t stop the smile on her lips if she tried. “We’re finally on the same page.”

“I’ve been on your page longer than you think, sweetheart.” When he winked her stomach did a little flip. “I wanted to kiss you that night on the terrace all those years ago, but I wasn’t right for you back then. I could have fought harder to keep you out of the club. I didn’t have to pursue you as ruthlessly as I did. I knew there was something between us, but I was trying to do the right thing.”

“Now you know I can keep up with you.”

“It’s me who had a hard time keeping up with you.” He stroked her hair. “Once I realized I was only preventing the two of us from reaching our full potential—and I’m not talking about just in the bedroom—I decided I had to let fate play out.”

“That’s what I believe brought us together.” How else could the universe have put them right in front of one another? At a dating service of all places?

“I’ve never given destiny much thought, but with you, I’m seeing things in a whole new light.”

“Do you like that light?”

“It’s shiny, spectacular, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.”

She leaned in and kissed him.

“You’re perfect.” He took her hand in his and pressed it to his lips as he gazed into her eyes. “There’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a few days. I just haven’t found the right time, but—”

“What are you doing?” An angry voice broke their moment. “I can’t believe this.”

She looked up, feeling just as annoyed as the person directing his displeasure at the two of them.

Oh, crap. This isn’t good.

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