Unlike her, he’d kept his attire simple. Herculean shoulders and a chiseled chest fit nicely against his gray buttoned shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He tipped back a shot of amber liquid. She enjoyed the view, but her brain taunted her memories.
Where had she seen his gorgeous face? She wished she could place him.
Then her heart nearly stopped, and insides churned when a voluptuous sultry blonde in a skintight gold dress grabbed Julian’s attention, literally pulling him to her. Soon there was another. One blonde stroked his forearm as the other played with the buttons of his shirt. Her red lips leaned close to his ear. Julian’s mouth turned up in a cocky smile.
Chloe’s mouth suddenly felt filled with cotton. She pulled her eyes away, but the trio remained in her periphery.
Why am I jealous? We aren’t together.
Julian shook his head and appeared to stifle a laugh. It was euphoric. Chloe’s insides jumped for joy, seeing the blondes walk away looking so dejected. Then came Julian’s stare again, animalistic as it captured Chloe like his next meal.
Did he just turn down those women? Was it for me?
Julian’s expression was unnerving. Once again, her brain probed as she tried to recall the faceless man who’d asked, Do you need to be rescued? It echoed over and over in her ears, despite the loud music permeating the club.
She was obsessed with the vision. It gave her a sense of peace and she wanted to go back to that moment in time.
Was this memory a dream or reality?
Was there a connection with Julian and the vision?
It only occurred when he was near.
The alcohol jolted her senses, embattling her heart and mind in a tug-of-war. Their eyes locked as if no one else was in the room.
Chloe exaggerated her sway. The short hem of her dress fell inches from her ass, accentuating her long legs, her best assets. She flipped her chocolate-brown hair over her bare back, shamelessly flirting in hopes Julian would give in to the temptation.
Chloe knew at this point she was losing the bet, but she wouldn’t dare tell her friends.
Then a set of clammy hands traced her bare arms and circled Chloe from behind. She shuddered at the sudden tight grip at her waist and a man began to gyrate against her, his groin forceful against her backside.
Her face burned as she remembered her attacker’s hold. Murderous eyes assaulted her memory, haunting her from that fateful morning. Chloe squeezed her eyes shut, her muscles tensed. She wanted to vomit. She needed to gain control, something she’d learned in her sessions with Doctor Zhang.
Disgusted and suffocated, Chloe shifted, took a deep breath and spun to face the uninvited man. She steadied her pulse, quaked at his repulsive breath that smelled of alcohol and musty cologne.
“C’mon, sweet cheeks,” the man drunkenly slurred in her ear.
“Get your hands off me.” She pressed her hands to his scrawny chest, shoving him hard to separate herself from him. He tightened his grip, almost hurting Chloe. But Mr. Scrawny wouldn’t budge.
Looking over the man’s shoulders, Chloe no longer saw Julian at the bar.
Then—slam—he appeared beside her ready to pulverize Mr. Scrawny.
Julian’s dark eyes narrowed, burning with anger. His strong hands slammed against the man’s lean body, disconnected his dick-dancing hold on Chloe.
“What the fuck!” the man shrieked, faltering back.
“Get your fucking hands off her,” Julian growled. His voice was commanding, eyes filled with rage. “She’s with me, asshole.”
“If she’s with you, why is she dancing with me?”
“I suggest you walk away.” Julian’s jaw tightened, hands clenched in tight fists with a warning glare.
Hot panic surged in Chloe’s chest. The last thing she wanted was a fight to break out in the middle of the club. Stepping back, Mr. Scrawny most likely realized he had no chance. Julian could clearly kick his ass from here to Timbuktu without breaking a sweat.
Despite her feelings against violence, Chloe was relieved Julian showed up when he did. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol, the fear or even the adrenaline that confused her mind. Maybe it was a combination of it all.
“Julian, please” ––Chloe wrapped both her hands around his bicep––“it was innocent. He’s obviously drunk and just being a guy. I was handling it and you don’t need to protect––”
“Chloe, his dick was up your ass…unless you like that sort of thing.”
“And what if I did like it?” Chloe yelled over the loudness of the club, irritated by his sly suggestion.
“You can’t be serious.” Julian’s hand threaded through his dark hair.
“What if I am serious? And what’s it to you? It’s not like you’re my boyfriend.”
“One thing you were serious about was eye-fucking me all night. You moved your hot ass to get my attention…and sweetheart, it did, as well as every other horny bastard here. And every woman that approached me, you stopped and watched what I would do.”
“Conceited much? And here I thought you were different.”
He shot Chloe a cocky smile and took hold of her wrist.
“So…you do think about me.” He placed a finger under her chin, tilting her face up so she was forced to meet his eyes.
“What? Think of you, ha!” she said, irritated by his coolness and aloof manner. “And what about you? You’re not so innocent. You were eye-fucking me, too! So, don’t stand there and act all high and mighty.”
Although she’d sobered somewhat from the almost-fight with the other man, her knees were still weak from the lingering alcohol. One minute she was dancing, her body absorbing the atmosphere. The next, she couldn’t control her babbling mouth arguing with the sexy, dominating man in front of her.
Julian was intoxicating and he clouded her senses. Chloe needed to get control, needed to walk away.
She yanked her wrist from his hold and walked toward the bar. Julian stalked a few steps behind her, and she slid him a hostile glare over her shoulder. She couldn’t focus and sobriety seemed to be overtaking her thoughts.
Now the overcompensating gentleman was beginning to piss her off.
“Will you stop following me? You’re not my bodyguard!” Chloe didn’t know whether to knee him or grab his face and devour his lips.
Strong arms swooped around Chloe’s waist, turning her body to meet his. Her foot staggered and she fell into his arms. His left hand braced her lower back and the other met the nape of her neck. His sweet warm breath lingered near her mouth.
Chloe froze in utter shock as he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her like no one ever had.
Taking her breath away, a soft gasp escaped her at his commanding takeover, claiming her mouth, shivers of desire racing through her. She wanted this, there was no denying him, giving herself freely to the passion of his kiss.
Her hands snaked the back of his neck. She opened her mouth slightly, an invitation. She wanted more. His tongue dipped between her lips. Julian tasted of sweet rum and Coke, more delicious than her fantasies.
The crowd silenced as if they were the only ones in the room, nothing moving. Stillness all around. Her heart slammed her chest. All the pent-up frustration dissipated.
His kiss was strong, yet gentle, igniting every fiber of her being. She wanted more, to explore Julian’s magnificent body, to satiate her fantasies.
She couldn’t control her movements and she didn’t want to.
What is happening to me?
Chloe pressed her hand to his muscular chest, feeling those hard pecks through his shirt. Remembering the glorious display of his naked torso on the boat earlier, the apex of her thighs throbbed and moistened. As if she couldn’t get any closer, his assault continued, pressing her body tighter to his. Feeling his impressive erection against her stomach, she moaned.
Julian’s hands moved up the sides of her body, skimming her arms, sprouting goosebumps. Her muscles relaxed and her body went boneless. How
the hell was she still standing?
As much as she wanted to be reckless and wrap her legs around Julian’s waist, it wasn’t smart. She couldn’t get involved and then have her heart broken all over again. Her common sense regained, she managed to push him away. Licking her bottom lips to savor the last remnants of his mouth, she narrowed her eyes.
A cold chill swept through her, the alcohol finally losing its grip. It gave her some semblance of self-control, as much as she wanted to be reckless. Searching for a plausible explanation, she knew she couldn’t continue.
“Stop…wh-what are we doing?” Her face clouded with unease. Aroused by Julian’s close proximity, hair mussed, his seducing eyes panged desire straight to her sex.
“It’s called kissing, sweetheart. Letting every dick-dancing asshole know you’re mine.”
“Yours? Are you trying to prove that to Mr. Scrawny?”
“You named that asshole?” His brow raised in a questioning look.
“I’ve got a name for you.”
“Devilishly handsome, sexy––” Humor came from his husky voice.
“Arrogant, egotistical, big-headed—” Chloe snapped.
“I’ll show you big-headed.” He chuckled as his knuckles skimmed the line of her jaw. “Come on…you walked into that one.”
Chloe rolled her eyes, disguising her reaction to his charming humor. She enjoyed the banter as much as he did. Seeing the amusement in his eyes, she couldn’t help but laugh as she whirled to the bar. Chloe hopped on an empty barstool, relieved to give her aching feet a break.
Arms on the counter, she waved her hand at the bartender to get his attention.
“What’ll it be, miss?” the bartender asked, wiping the wooden counter with a damp cloth.
“Two shots of the Three Wisemen.”
The bartender nodded, turned and retrieved the three bottles from the back shelf. He poured an even mix in a short glass and placed the rust-colored liquid in front of Chloe.
“No shots for me,” Julian told her.
“They’re for me.” It was a bad idea, but she needed the buzz back to calm her emotions. Heartaches and hangovers.
Sliding himself between her and another woman sitting beside her, Julian leaned in close to Chloe. “Hey, talk to me.” His fingers traced her arm.
She pressed a hand to her temple and mentally counted to ten. She needed to reassemble her thoughts after feeling like putty in Julian’s embrace only moments ago. “Look, I can’t go down this road with you.”
“I’m not going to apologize for kissing you. It’s very arousing to know how you respond to my touch. But I want to respect your wishes and, being the gentleman I am, I won’t cross that line if you don’t want me to.”
She was frustrated at her vulnerability to him. She felt like a presumptuous teenager letting him get every angle on her. “Julian, I can’t.”
“Just tell me one thing—did you feel something?”
“I did. It’s just that some jerk at home hurt me and I’m not about to get involved with a stranger I’ve known for a couple days. It’s not fair to you and especially to me.” She grabbed the glass and tipped her head back then placed it upside down. Gross!
Before Chloe grabbed the other tan cocktail concoction, Julian snaked it and downed the liquid.
“Hey, that was mine!”
“Holy fuck! You like that shit?” He wiped his mouth with his wrist, choking back the last drops.
“They make me feel good… Jack, Jimmy and Johnny are my heartaches and hangovers.”
“I’ll show you what good feels like.”
“Do you always have a comeback? And you owe me a drink.”
“You are so beautiful when you’re angry,” he cut her off.
“I’m beyond angry.” And she was. She was mad at herself for letting her body surrender to his touch and losing the drink that was supposed to escalate her buzz. “You stole my shot.”
“You’re breathtaking.” Julian’s fingers moved to her chin, the pad of his thumb then grazed her heated cheeks. Her anger abated somewhat under the warm glow of his smile.
The trace of his finger rendered her speechless. Pleasure, once again, spiraled in her belly down to the depths of that G-spot longing to be touched.
Even in the dark club, pink and purple spotlights dancing around, she was almost sure he could see her cheeks turn crimson. Chloe’s attempt in preventing a smile were a fail and the corners of her mouth perked up.
Oh. Holy. Hell.
“Another Three Wisemen for you, miss?”
“She will not be having another,” Booker told the bartender, eyes locked on Chloe’s blue ones. The bartender nodded politely and walked away. “No more drinking for you. We have a date tomorrow at six a.m.”
“Date? I never agreed to a date and especially not at the crack of dawn.”
“You did. And if I remember correctly, you said, and I quote, it’s the best time to go running.” Booker tucked an errant strand of hair behind Chloe’s ear. She swiveled in the round leather barstool.
“Running at six a.m. is not a date!” Chloe squared her shoulders.
“I have plans for you.”
“Plans? I hope you’re not one of those Spartan athletes and gonna make me do those god-awful burpees?”
“You’re cute as hell when you’re nervous, you know that?”
A female bartender approached them. Her low-cut tank-top, revealing her engorged jiggling breasts, was unavoidable. “Another rum and Coke for you, sexy?”
“No, just two bottles of water for me and my girl.”
The woman bent down and opened the small refrigerator below the counter and placed the two bottles on top. Julian took out several bills from his back pocket and tossed them on the counter.
Chloe’s eyes brightened, captivating him. Vibrant and looking a bit mischievous, with a glint in the corner of her eye, twisting her mouth.
“For the record, I’m not nervous. But I’d like to do a brisk walk instead. My feet are killing me right now and I predict they will be the same tomorrow.”
“No deal, sweetheart. You’re running tomorrow. I will pick you up at six a.m. sharp. So, dust off your princess running shoes because it’s about to go down.” Booker tapped her nose, enjoyed getting her all riled up.
Her smile, the looks she gave him, her beauty made all the chaos disappear into a foggy haze behind him.
Chloe pouted, slightly jutting out her lower lip. The sight of her delicious mouth he had tasted moments before and the vision of his hand knotted in her hair, skin on skin, and having his way with her sent blood rushing back to his dick.
Being around Chloe confused him.
Too much clutter in his head.
She was everything he wanted, but someone he shouldn’t have.
But Booker couldn’t help himself and he was falling under her spell. The kiss on the dancefloor was fueled by the adrenaline of anger and desire, along with the mission that was fucking with his head.
Chloe bent down at the waist, slipped off her shoe and rubbed her heel. “I hate these shoes. That’s what I get for not breaking them in first.”
Hmmm, sounds familiar.
Images of the first night they met came to mind. He mused how gorgeous she’d looked in the red gown, her hair pulled back and her cream-colored skin tugged his memory.
He laughed inside, remembering the conversation about her feet hurting and not breaking in her shoes. The thought of her heels digging into his shoulders was tattooed in his mind since that night.
“Looks like you need a massage.” Booker quirked a brow, shaking the thought from his head.
Chloe’s eyes closed momentarily, causing her to almost fall from the stool.
Booker caught her and pulled her back up. “Hey, you okay?”
“I’m fine. I–uh…” He slightly shook her. “Have you ever had déjà vu?”
“Hmm. Maybe once or twice. Why?”
“I feel like I’ve had this conversation with you. B
ut that would be stupid because this weekend is the first time I’ve met you. Right?”
He handed her the water bottle. “Here, drink this.”
“Thanks.” Chloe took a sip. “It’s probably the alcohol.”
The night at the gala was crystal clear for Booker. He had a feeling he may have triggered yet another forgotten memory. His mouth curved into an unconscious smile.
How much does she remember?
She hadn’t changed at all, still beautiful. Chloe was like the change in the weather. Even back then, she cleared the clouds that hovered over him. This was the reason he needed to be here, to protect her. His second chance, possibly?
Keeping her at a distance in order to do his job was damn near impossible. Booker couldn’t remember a time he’d lost control. Whatever Chloe was doing to him quickly became undeniable.
He swore he would never go down that route again, having feelings for someone else. Even though the guilt and uncertainties were inevitable, they were slowly disappearing into a haze. His heart had a gaping hole and somehow, being in proximity to Chloe, she was its healer, the cure for his dark soul, making him whole again.
Needing to touch her, he closed the distance between them, stepping closer to the stool she sat in, to test her response. He told her he wouldn’t cross that line, but her pull was magnetic. He pushed another strand of hair behind her ear, then his fingers grazed her temple and down the delicate lines of her face.
Chloe’s breath hitched and she gripped his wrist as he palmed her face. She rested her soft cheeks in his hand. Chloe inclined her head and there was a gentleness in her voice. “What are you doing, Julian?”
His forehead touched hers, breathing her in. Peach scents from Chloe’s hair filled his nose. “Just tell me to back off, Chloe… I need to hear you say it.”
“I can’t,” Booker heard her whisper, even with the bass of the music echoing throughout the club.
Sexual tension and desire percolated between them. The pad of his thumb caressed her cheekbone. He leaned in, her warm breath against his lips.
Till I Found You: The Broken Hero Series—Book One Page 9