“This wildflower meadow is supported by the Wilton Meade Conservatory. It’s the first of six planned for the park.”
“Why do you know this?” Raelyn looked up over her shoulder at Julian.
He shrugged. “I was thinking about making a donation.”
Raelyn blinked, confused. She pulled out of his embrace, turning around to face him.
“But, why? You don’t live around here.”
Julian rubbed the back of his neck, then smiled sheepishly. “The director of the conservatory showed me around the park the other day. When I heard about the project I offered to fund it. My great aunt always loved wildflowers and butterflies. I thought it might be a nice way to honor her memory.”
Raelyn’s heart swelled with awe at the kind act. This man was too good to be true, and right now, he was all hers.
She threw her arms around his neck, pulled him down close, and parted her lips invitingly. Following the motion, his lips covered her own and their tongues met as the kiss deepened. His mouth trailed lazily down to her collarbone and every cell in her body responded.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, slipping his hand underneath her shirt, stopping to palm one of her breasts. When his fingers grazed the sheer lace of her bra, she was happy that she had remembered to wear one of her nicer ones. Her nipples hardened underneath his touch, aching to be kissed. He deftly unhooked the bra in the back and pushed both the shirt and bra up until her breasts were exposed.
“So perky and perfect,” Julian murmured. His darkened eyes sent a shiver through Raelyn. He captured a nipple in his lips and began to suck and lick. His tongue swirled around the hardened tip and she moaned in pleasure. He switched breasts and warmth shot to her core at his thoughtfulness. His hands moved to grip her sides while his mouth trailed a line of kisses from her breast down to her stomach. He knelt down and kissed her wet sex through her jeans.
A tremor passed through Raelyn. She was standing with her breasts exposed, in a public park, in broad daylight. They could be discovered at any moment. The risk of getting caught sent a thrill of excitement through her veins. What was it about this man that released all of her inhibitions?
Julian looked up and desire flashed in his gorgeous gray eyes for just a moment.
“Let’s go over here.” He tugged her a short distance away, where a decline kept them out of plain sight. He lay the blanket on the ground and Raelyn’s sex throbbed in anticipation.
“Lay down,” he whispered hoarsely.
She dutifully followed his command and stared up at him, her body aching for his touch. She kicked off her boots, then unbuttoned and tugged off her jeans. The blanket was soft against her bare skin. Her fingers moved to the waistband of her panties but Julian stopped her. His hand covered hers.
“Let me help you with that,” he said, his fingers curving around her own. He guided her hand downward and the lace fabric slid slowly off her body. The tender act sent a rush of heat to her core. His fingers traced her wetness and she moaned.
“You’re so wet for me,” he whispered, his fingers rubbing against her clit. She squirmed, bucking her hips, feeling a fire start to burn between her legs. His fingers slipped inside of her, and began stretching her, the slow burn intensified. Warmth spread through her and she undulated her hips, wanting more. He began moving his fingers in a stroking rhythm that sent her brain into chaos. She writhed and bucked her hips as waves of pleasure streaked through her.
His heated gaze moved over her body. “Your body is beautiful.” He made the statement quietly.
Raelyn’s heart stuttered at his declaration. She didn’t think she’d ever tire of hearing his words of praise. He leaned over and took her mouth in a passionate kiss, while the pressure of his fingers increased. Her body grew closer to the edge. Rational thought faded away, replaced with a lust-driven haze. She ground her body down on his hand. She needed those strokes. She needed him. His tongue swept across her lips. He nibbled her ear. His thumb moved to rub her clit, while he continued to pump his fingers inside her core.
“Come for me,” he whispered.
The arousal he’d been stoking between her legs unfurled at his whispered words. Heat spread out from her core and she cried out in pleasure when her orgasm hit. He bent over, capturing her mouth with his talented tongue and her inner muscles squeezed, covering his fingers with her sweet liquid. He eased his fingers out and licked the tips, tasting her release.
“Perfect,” he said.
The word vibrated to her core. She could say the same thing about him.
He shifted to lie down next to her and she felt his eyes watching her as she climbed down from her high. She could feel his erection against her thigh. She palmed the bulge through his jeans, then tugged on the waistband, her body aching to be joined with his.
“I want you in me,” she said in a breathy voice. He unbuckled his belt while she wrenched down the zipper of his jeans. She pulled his boxers and jeans down to his ankles and his erection sprang loose. His member was long and thick, with a slight curve to the tip that hit her G-spot perfectly. She wrapped her hand around his cock, stroking the velvety head with her thumb. The tip was dotted with moisture, and she swiped at it with her finger.
He’d already tasted her, now it was her chance to do the same.
She lifted her finger to her mouth, sucking his flavor from her finger with small strokes of her tongue.
Julian watched her intently, his eyes filled with desire.
She slowly moved her hand up and down his shaft, enjoying the feel of his rock-hard erection. She was tempted to wrap her mouth around him, to watch him crumble underneath her ministrations. But then her core pulsed, a reminder that she could do something better.
“Please tell me you’ve got a condom?” she asked, hoping that he’d come prepared.
“When I’m around you, always,” Julian teased, pulling a foil packet from the back pocket of his jeans.
“Allow me.” She scooped the condom out of his hand and rolled it onto his cock. She positioned his cock at her entrance and they groaned in unison when he slid into her moist heat in one swift motion. He was exactly what she wanted, he was exactly what she needed. He began pounding into her, sending her body aflame with the intensity of his powerful thrusts. She gripped his bare ass and tugged, eager to push him impossibly deeper.
“You’re so tight,” he groaned, balancing his weight on his arms as he stroked back out and into her again.
Raelyn moaned, lost in the rhythm of him stroking her walls with his thickened member. Her world tilted as he hammered into her. “Harder,” she urged him, wanting everything that he could give. She watched perspiration build up along his brow as she moved with him. His mouth crashed down over hers and she gave in to her impending climax. Her hands slipped underneath his shirt and her nails bit into the skin of his back as pleasure rippled through her core. His thrusts became quicker, more powerful and then his cock throbbed with his own release as he climaxed. Julian groaned with satisfaction and rested his forehead against her own. She wrapped her arms around him, enjoying the feel of her body connected to his.
Raelyn didn’t know how long they lay together, two half-naked, sweaty bodies near an open meadow. A butterfly landed on Julian’s shoulder, then fluttered away.
He slipped out of her, dragging a long sigh from her throat. She heard him rustle with his clothes, and knew he was removing the condom. She reached for her jeans and panties and slipped them back on. She heard the buckle of his belt while they both made themselves more presentable.
Finished, he reached over and grabbed her chin, pulling her in for a kiss. “You’re amazing,” he whispered. Drawing her close, he moved to lay down on his side, pulling her along with him. She snuggled into his neck, inhaling Julian’s subtle scent of wood and spice mixed with sweat and sex. His fingers traced up and down her spine, comforting her with random patterns along her shirt. He pressed a chaste kiss to the top of her head, tears prickled behind her eyeli
ds at the tender action.
She had to get a grip on her emotions. He was unreal. It was too easy to fall madly, deeply in love with him. But she barely knew anything about him. Plus, there was the fact that he lived in New Jersey, not Tennessee. When he left she would never hear from him again. Raelyn squeezed her eyes shut, trying to turn off her traitorous thoughts.
She thought she was capable of having a casual fling with him.
She wasn’t.
A tear rolled down her face. She nuzzled against his shirt, hoping to hide her face. She was falling for him, and it was going to set her up for an even bigger heartache when he left. A second tear sneaked past her defenses, followed by a third. She sniffled.
“Raelyn?” His voice was a rumble near her ear.
“I’m good,” she said, struggling to keep her voice even. To counteract her stupid reaction, she tightened her arms around him, while praying for some shred of self-control. The last thing she needed right now was for him to think that she was a freak, crying over losing him, when he was still here.
She took in a deep breath, trying to settle her nerves before she soaked his shirt. She had to learn to just enjoy the moment. Because she didn’t know how many more of them she was going to have with him.
Chapter 19 - Raelyn
“Then we laid down together and I cried.” Cold air washed over Raelyn’s skin as Trinity hovered closer, riveted by her friend’s tale.
“Did he realize you were upset?”
“Thankfully, no. When I finally got a grip, I turned my focus onto him and asked about his back tattoo.”
Raelyn had seen plenty of tattoos over the years, but she’d never seen anything like Julian’s. The tattoo covered much of his back. The design reminded her of a magical symbol. Rune letters sat in between two circles. Inside the center of the smaller circle was a design of multiple intersecting lines. She had no idea what it could mean. Then there was the color. All tattoos faded over time, yet Julian’s tattoo looked as black as the day it was inked despite his admission that he’d had it for many years.
“So, what is it?” Trinity asked.
“He said it was an old family design that he got in his early twenties.”
“Learn anything else about him?” Trinity asked.
“Apparently, he’s terrible at cooking. One time he tried to heat up soup and ended up starting a fire instead. The fire department had to come out and everything. He had to rebuild his kitchen.” Raelyn smiled fondly, remembering his entertaining tale, a rarity from Julian. “Now the only time he’s allowed in the kitchen is when it’s time to eat.”
Trinity chuckled.
Raelyn searched her memory for anything else she could tell her friend. She’d quickly learned that Julian was a private person. He never talked about himself on his own, opting to listen to her speak instead. While he always answered her questions she’d noticed that his replies would often be short and direct. He rarely elaborated. The more personal the question, the more he seemed to hold back.
It was almost as if he was hiding something from her. But what?
“He’s a mystery,” Raelyn admitted. “The more time I spend with him, the more mysterious he is.”
“And you like it.”
She blushed at Trinity’s words. She always was a sucker for a good mystery.
Raelyn pulled a bag out of the cabinet. “I’m out of coffee?” She stared into the empty bag, as if the shear act of willpower alone would cause coffee to spontaneously appear.
“That’s not the only thing you’re out of,” Trinity said with a wave of her hand. Raelyn opened the door to her refrigerator and groaned. She was out of almost everything.
“Someone’s falling behind on their weekly chores,” Trinity teased. “You need to do laundry too.” The ghost pointed across the room.
The laundry basket was overflowing.
“Aw, come on,” Raelyn whined.
“That’s the problem with having a small wardrobe,” Trinity said, smugly. “You’ve got to do laundry every week. You know, if you’d just buy more clothes, you wouldn’t have this problem.”
Raelyn rolled her eyes at her friend. “I’m not going clothes shopping,” she grumbled, adding a few more items to the grocery list. Someone knocked on her apartment door. Trinity glided across the floor towards the door.
“Are you expecting someone?”
“No.”
Curious, the ghost passed her head through the door, leaving the lower half of her body in Raelyn’s line of sight.
Raelyn shuddered. She’d gotten used to Trinity’s pale and translucent image. But no matter how many times she’d watched her friend pass through solid walls, floors, and doors, it still disturbed her.
The ghost moved backwards and her head reappeared. She looked at Raelyn with a big smile on her face.
“Oh, you’re going to like this.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.”
Raelyn opened the door. A delivery boy stood outside, holding a large vase filled with flowers.
“Miss Raelyn Bakowski?”
“That’s me.”
“This is for you.” He shifted and held up a touch screen pad. “If you could just sign here for me, please.”
She signed the screen and accepted the flowers.
He waved off her attempt to leave a tip.
“Trust me, this was well paid for. Have a nice day, Miss.”
Raelyn placed the delivery on the kitchen counter. The large display took up almost the entire space. The vase was filled with wildflowers, in shades of yellows, oranges, and pinks. The design on the vase itself was butterflies. This was a wonderful reminder of her time with Julian yesterday.
“What’s the card say?” Cold air brushed over Raelyn. Trinity’s hand passed through the card.
“You’re so impatient,” she chastised the ghost. Removing the card from its holder, she opened it.
I can’t stop thinking about picking wildflowers with you. —Julian
“Aww,” Trinity cooed next to her ear. “That’s so romantic.”
Raelyn blushed at the thoughtful gesture. No one had ever sent her flowers before.
“You’ve got to text him,” Trinity ordered, excited. “Now!”
“Alright,” she chuckled, the ghost’s excitement rubbing off on her.
She quickly typed a message.
RAELYN: The flowers are beautiful. Thank you.
His reply was immediate.
JULIAN: You’re welcome, Country Girl.
She smiled at the nickname. Before she could think of something else to say, her phone pinged again.
JULIAN: Are you working today?
RAELYN: Only in the morning. I’m free all afternoon.
JULIAN: Spend it with me.
It was a statement, not a question.
“Say yes, say yes, say yes!” Trinity encouraged, peering over Raelyn’s shoulder at the screen.
RAELYN: Ok.
RAELYN: What do you want to do?
JULIAN: You.
“Damn,” Trinity whistled. “You walked right into that one. He’s really got the hots for you, doesn’t he?”
Heat shot straight to Raelyn’s core. Her face felt like it was going to burst into flames.
“How am I supposed to respond to that?”
Trinity smirked, a wicked gleam in her eyes.
“You flirt back.”
RAELYN: Only if you’re good.
She bit her bottom lip, her fingers flying over the keys before she lost her nerve.
RAELYN: But first, you’ve got to entertain me, City Boy.
JULIAN: It’s a beautiful fall day.
JULIAN: How about a bike ride?
“He really likes the outdoors, doesn’t he,” Trinity observed.
“I guess so,” Raelyn shrugged.
RAELYN: Sounds like fun. But I don’t own a bicycle.
JULIAN: Do you know how to ride a bicycle?
RAELYN: YES!
JULIAN:
Then don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of the bicycles.
JULIAN: I’ll meet you at Franklin Park at 1:00?
RAELYN: Ok.
JULIAN: See you soon, Country Girl.
“I like this man,” Trinity declared. Warmth returned to the pocket of air over Raelyn’s shoulder as the ghost moved away. “He gets you out of this stuffy old apartment.”
Her friend was right. Since meeting Julian she’s gone to a honky-tonk, the pumpkin festival, and had sex in a park while surrounded by wildflowers and butterflies.
Now, she was going for a bike ride.
“What’s your favorite phrase?” Raelyn asked with a smile, already knowing the ghost’s answer.
“Life’s not worth living, if you ain’t livin.”
Chapter 20 - Julian
Hineker parked the SUV next to Raelyn’s old black Ford pick-up truck. Raelyn jumped out of the driver’s seat and greeted Julian with a warm smile. Her outfit was simple—a pair of old sneakers, a plain t-shirt, and a pair of jeans that hugged her feminine curves. Her wavy dark blonde hair was pulled up into a high ponytail that accentuated her pretty face and neck. If she was wearing make-up, Julian couldn’t tell.
She oozed a girl next door vibe that awakened him in all the right places. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met. She didn’t dress to impress and she wasn’t styled to perfection. It was a refreshing change from the high-maintenance women he’d always dated in the past.
He pulled her in for a kiss. When their lips met, the entire outside world ceased to exist. Lips moved in harmony and tongues glided against each other. Her body melted into his, her hand reached up to rest against his chest. The casual touch ignited his insides and he felt his cock stir, eager to plunge into her wet heat again.
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