Page 50 of Their Diamond Ring Ruse

Hadn’t he been wishing for time alone with her? She was giving him exactly what he wanted.

‘We can take my jet.’

He saw relief flood through her and trailed his hand further. The damp fabric between her thighs kissed his fingers and he groaned, eyes burning into hers.

‘You’ve kissed me and touched me and teased me. And I’ve been aching for you all night,’ she told him.

Julian’s lips swooped down on hers in a fiery kiss that had him growing hard in an instant, cursing the fact that they were in this car that would be arriving at his home within minutes.

They broke apart and without a moment’s pause he had his phone to his ear, issuing quick commands.

‘We’re going to have to wait, Sunshine. Give me an hour and I’ll make it up to you.’

* * *

As promised, in an hour they were buckled into plush cream seats on Julian’s jet and taxiing down the runway. Julian sat opposite her, with a table between them, making no move to touch her. Though his face remained neutral, there was a glint in his eye, and Lily knew then that he wasn’t breaking his promise...he was just making her want him even more without laying a finger on her.

Finally he grinned, covering it up with a large hand as he looked out of the window.

San Francisco was a web of golden light as they lifted into the sky. No sign of the steep roads and iconic houses. Up here she could find no reason to be anxious, no anger towards her family. Those were all problems left on the ground.

Lily hadn’t felt this serene in all the years since she had returned from France. But now it was as if a heavy cloak had been cast off and she was free. She wanted to help Julian live, and Paris did just that for her. This way she could take him away from everything that weighed on his shoulders, from that maddening discipline, and help him relax.

In the back of the car she had seen the understanding in his face when she’d invited him on this trip. He appreciated how much it would mean to her, and she wanted to share this part of herself with this man who was not going to be around for much longer, if tonight was anything to go by. Because once Devan and the board voted to sign with IRES, Lincoln would too. He wouldn’t vote against his partner.

The smart thing to do would be to distance herself from Julian. She was already too close. She wanted him so badly. But he had never once said that he was considering any kind of future with her.

Even after he’d told her about his stepfather, he’d said he couldn’t let anyone in. But maybe it was time for him to let go of the fear of what he might turn into. Maybe she could show him who he really was.

Would he let her?

The plane levelled off and drinks were served. A short glass of something red, diffused slowly into clear liquid. The glass, frosted with condensation, sat on a coaster and she reached to stir it with the black straw before taking a sip. She didn’t bother asking what it was. It refreshed her and that was all that mattered.

‘Tired?’ Julian asked.

‘I’m fine,’ she said. But when she leaned her head back she could feel the tendrils of sleep creeping over her.

She felt him undoing her seat belt and carrying her to the back of the plane. She should have protested, but it was comfortable in his arms, warm and safe, so Lily let him carry her to the bed and drape the sheets over her. But she wouldn’t let him leave.

‘Stay.’

She held her breath while he watched her. For a second? A minute? A pause in time. Then he took off his shoes and jacket and slid between the sheets, pulling her to him. She went willingly into his arms.

‘You should sleep. I’ll be right here when you wake.’

‘Kiss me, please.’

He didn’t hesitate. Not for a moment.

This kiss was soft, gentle. Sweet beyond imagining. It didn’t ignite her, like his lips usually did. No... It melted her. Stirred her slowly. His fingers combing through her hair had her sighing into his mouth. But before she was ready to stop his lips were gone, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

His fingertips stroked lazily back and forth on her scalp, lulling Lily to sleep. She thought she heard him speak, but she was too far under a thick cloud of sleep to parse his words.

* * *

Only once they had begun their descent did Julian rouse Lily. After landing there was a blur of activity, and soon the two of them were in an electric sports car that Julian drove through the streets with such ease Lily wondered just how familiar he already was with Paris.

That question was soon answered when they reached a beautiful old building in the Seventh Arrondissement. They went up to the very top floor and she watched Julian pull out a key to unlock a door, which he held open for her.

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