by Laura Marie
“I just don’t know what to do. Where do I go? You know my parents are always traveling. I don’t have anyone, Jules.”
Julianna felt terrible for Kate as her eyes filled up with tears. She had felt the same way and wondered what to do next, where to head to escape Lawrence, so she empathized with her.
Julianna felt Johnny’s hand on her own. She glanced up, and he shook his head in warning. Any thoughts of telling Kate where she was or inviting her to come to Claire County were out of the question. What the heck was Julianna thinking?
“Jules? Are you still there?”
“Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking that you should do what I did. Figure out what’s best for you. Pick a place you’ve never been to before and just go there. Find a job, a place to stay. You have money saved—you can live pretty nicely on your own.”
“How are your aunt and uncle? I bet they were happy to know that you left the city life?”
“What?” Julianna was shocked. Where the hell did that question come from? She looked at Johnny, and her heart began to pick up pace. Shit, shit, shit.
“What makes you ask about my aunt and uncle, Kate? You know I haven’t seen them in years.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. You could never go back to being a farm girl after how Lawrence pampered you and set you up in the penthouse. That would be crazy.”
Julianna was angry, and she knew that Kate was still under Lawrence’s control. She just prayed they didn’t figure out she was in Claire and go after her aunt and uncle to get to her.
Johnny made a sign indicating to cut the phone call. He was communicating with the detectives back in New York and the FBI agents. They must think this call is a waste of time or had gotten what they needed.
“I have to go, Kate. Good luck.”
“Wait, can’t we talk longer? Do you have a number I can reach you at?”
Julianna cringed at the thought that Kate was trying to trick her. The request for her phone number was laced with desperation. Her gut was right, and Kate was up to something. More than likely it involved Lawrence, and thoughts of him made her sick. Lawrence’s ability to manipulate Kate frightened her as she held her belly and the tears stung her eyes. She would protect this baby with her life. Kate and Lawrence weren’t going to ruin her happiness.
“You know what, Kate, I don’t own a phone, but let me tell you this, I hope for your sake that you’re telling the truth about leaving Lawrence and testifying against him in court. I hope you’ve come to your senses and realized what a manipulative piece of crap Lawrence really is before it’s too late. One day he’ll replace you with another, and you’ll be left, used up and all alone. So don’t do his dirty work. For once in your life, do the right thing.”
Before Kate could answer, Julianna reached over and disconnected the call.
She stood up and walked out of the room. Immediately, she headed down the hall to the ladies room as the tears rolled down her cheeks, her body shook, and she attempted to recover from the realization that Lawrence was still after her.
* * * *
“Sheriff Black, that’s one special woman you’ve got there. I don’t know how she kept her composure knowing that the Kate woman was trying to trick her into giving out her location,” Deputy Troy stated as he stood up and stretched.
Johnny exhaled as he absorbed what Troy said. He had filled his deputies in on what happened to Julianna back in New York. Everyone knew that their baby was a miracle and that the danger was far from over.
“I just want Julianna and the baby to be safe and for her to be able to move on with her life. Now that we heard from Kate, I’m not so sure Julianna is safe from Lawrence. As a matter of fact, I fear he may come after her someday.”
“We can take the necessary precautions. Maybe the feds can keep someone on Lawrence in case he leaves New York?”
“That’s the job for the feds. Julianna is here in Claire County, and it’s my job to protect her,” he stated sternly as he walked toward the door. He needed to see Julianna and to hold her in his arms. That conversation with Kate was laced with suspicion and lies. He sensed it immediately, and something told him, despite Julianna’s tears, that she sensed it too.
“We’re here to protect her, too, Sheriff, especially since she’s your woman. She needs to know that she’s part of this town and we protect what is ours.”
“Thanks,” Johnny stated, feeling proud to have such moral and good men on his force.
They made him think of his military buddies. It was times like this that he missed them.
He walked down the hall, and Mary Lou pointed toward the bathroom. He nodded and headed right in there.
* * * *
“You all about ready to come on out and discuss what happened?” he asked as Julianna jumped, obviously not hearing him enter the ladies’ room.
Her eyes were red, and her face looked flush from crying.
“Julianna?” He didn’t want to push the issue. He just wanted to hold her. A second later she practically threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight.
Johnny released a long breath. It was as if he were holding it in until he could touch her.
He rubbed her back and pulled her as tight as he could without hurting her.
“Oh God, Johnny,” she cried, hardly able to catch a breath. She was scared, which told him she hadn’t fallen for Kate’s attempts at getting information from her.
“You’re safe here, baby. You’re safe with me, and you did a great job.”
He inhaled the scent of her shampoo, caressed his fingers through her hair before tilting her chin up toward him. Johnny pressed his lips to her quivering ones in an attempt to calm her down.
He loved the feel of her in his arms and knowing she belonged to him, but more importantly that she was safe because she was here with him.
He released her lips, and they locked gazes.
“You did great, honey, and it’s all over now,” he stated then began to lead her out of the bathroom.
Julianna stopped him, and he paused to look at her.
Julianna shook her head as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
“It’s not over, Johnny. Lawrence wants me back.” She covered her belly, looked down as if concerned over the baby’s well being, before she covered her mouth and cried.
Chapter 18
Crown Plaza Hotel, New York City
Lawrence held the champagne flute in his hand as he conversed with Antonio Sinserri. The holiday party had gone on despite the feds’ investigation into the Sinserri import and exporting business. No one knew who the snitch was, but someone leaked information to the feds on the drug cartel. Now Sinserri was juggling between lawyers and deliveries with the hopes of not getting caught. The heat was on, and even with Lawrence’s own inquiry into the snitch, he came up empty.
“I have an update for you, my friend. Even though this is supposed to be a party, it seems some rather important information has come to my attention. Because I consider you a friend and have trusted you when it came to business, I wanted to offer you the opportunity to handle this situation personally,” Antonio Sinserri whispered then took a sip from his own champagne flute.
Lawrence got that uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. When Antonio Sinserri asked a favor of someone, they had no choice but to oblige.
“I’m listening,” Lawrence replied.
“It seems that our snitch is someone very close to one of us.”
Lawrence raised his eyebrows in wonder. He had been trying for weeks to identify the rat.
Just then, Lawrence noticed the crowd begin to move aside as someone made an entrance from the main hall to the ballroom.
He took a sip from the crystal glass as Kate emerged, looking like some runway model in her satin mocha Louis Vuitton dress that over-displayed the set of implants she insisted on getting in an attempt to be like Julianna. No one compared to Julianna. Even Antonio had questioned Lawrence’s behavior toward Julianna and nearly having her kille
d. He realized now that it wasn’t one of his brighter ideas and it only made him crave Julianna more.
Watching Kate enter the room and make her way to them only intensified his desire to rid himself of the trash. Kate could never be like Julianna. It was a waste of time, and soon enough, he would be collecting his little angel.
“Well, speak of the devil. There’s our little snitch now,” Antonio whispered, and Lawrence was shocked at the revelation. He eyed Antonio only for a split second before he refocused on Kate.
So it was Kate who told the feds about Sinserri Corp.
“I’ll take care of it, Antonio.”
Antonio nodded then took a final slug from his glass of champagne.
“Lawrence, there you are. I’ve been looking for you all evening,” she stated then smiled wide at Antonio before greeting Lawrence with a kiss.
He played the game and so did Antonio as they spoke about the party and her glamorous dress.
Lawrence leaned against her and whispered in her ear.
“I’m jealous of all these men watching you…wanting you. Come with me, darling, I need you now,” he demanded in a whisper then politely excused himself and Kate before quickly exiting the ballroom.
A quick nod to Paul was all it took for his guard to understand what to do. Lawrence held Kate by the hand and headed in the direction of the lobby.
He knew there were cameras everywhere, so he improvised.
“Darling, I want you to meet me in a special little spot I know. The sight of you in that dress is going to make me hard and keep me hard all night,” he whispered and smiled at her as she ate up his every word. The slut was dead, and the thought of being rid of her for good was what really turned him on.
“Sir.” Paul walked by and discreetly handed an employee card to Lawrence. Not even the cameras would catch that move.
“Take this. Go through that door and meet me in the second stairwell on the right.”
Kate rolled her tongue over her bottom lip then smiled as she took the card and placed it under the material over her left breast.
He watched her wiggle her way toward the door before closing it behind her as he spoke with Paul, pretending he hadn’t seen a thing.
“Would you like me to take care of that, sir?”
Lawrence exhaled. “I’ve got this one, Paul. It will be my pleasure to finally be rid of her.”
* * * *
Julianna had been uneasy the past two days, and every time Johnny had planned on meeting her for dinner or to stay over, something came up with work. With news of the bed-and-breakfast, as well as the hominess of Claire County, tourists seemed to be coming out of the woodwork. The nearest hotel was a town over, but people didn’t mind trekking through snow to get a look at Claire County and visit the small shops.
Many of the store owners were profiting as Julianna received call after call of thanks.
She felt on edge. Julianna walked to the stables, brushed Lightning, then got too cold and headed back to her place.
The wind was picking up as she held her jacket tighter against her body. She paused the moment she heard the engine rev and knew immediately that it was Johnny in the sheriff’s truck. He parked by her house, never seeing her walking in that direction.
He looked handsome, as usual, and that little tingling of desire began to flicker inside. For a moment she wondered if he would be able to stay long. He had been so busy lately, and they never had the chance to talk about the call with Kate or what the feds said.
Part of her didn’t want to know. Julianna knew for certain that she was in love with Johnny, she was having their baby, and that she wanted to marry him. They just hadn’t had time to talk about it.
She took advantage of the fact he hadn’t seen her approaching and absorbed his attire. Black, snug-fitting jeans that accentuated his firm, round butt and trim waist, decorated with a black belt and one of his many rodeo buckles. The chocolate-colored, insulated corduroy jacket, lined with sheep’s wool, clung to his massive chest. He reached up to hold his black Stetson on his head as a gust of wind pushed her forward, nearly causing her to trip.
“Hey, Sheriff!” she called to him just as he turned to lock gazes with her. A look of annoyance, almost anger, froze her in place, but in a flash it disappeared as he smiled wide. To Julianna, Johnny appeared relieved to see her.
She placed her hand over her belly and paused to take a breath. Was he angry with her for something? Did he want her to wait around in one place until he called her? She shook her head at the thoughts that stemmed from a relationship with Lawrence but not one with Johnny. Johnny was nothing like Lawrence, and he would never demand control or dominance, except maybe in the bedroom. The thought warmed her cheeks and excited her as she picked up her pace and ran to him.
* * * *
“Hey, baby, I was worried about you. I tried calling and then came by and there was no answer. Where have you been?” he asked as he pulled her into an embrace and held her close.
Julianna held onto him tight as the wind continued to blow. Johnny was concerned. They hadn’t gotten to discuss the call from Kate, and he knew how upset Julianna was about it. He couldn’t stop thinking about her.
“I missed you,” he whispered against her hair.
“I missed you, too,” she sighed, squeezing him tighter.
“Let’s get you inside. It’s cold out here.”
They opened the front door and the warmth from the fire instantly warmed them. They removed their jackets, and Julianna headed straight to the fire to add more wood.
“Can I get you something to drink, or do you have to go back into town?” she asked, and she sounded as if she was angry about him not being with her the past few days. He couldn’t blame her. It had been an unexpected series of events. The town had never had so many tourists before, and business was booming. Thanks to Julianna and her business sense. He walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and whispered above her head.
“I should be able to stay for a couple of hours. Any ideas about how you’d like to spend those couple of hours?”
Julianna turned in his arms and held his forearms as she looked up at him.
“I love you,” she whispered as her eyes filled up with tears.
“I love you, too, darlin’, and all I could think about all day was making love to my woman.”
Before she could answer, Johnny covered her mouth, silencing her from any further chatter.
* * * *
She was in heaven. She had to be, because never in her life had Julianna felt so loved and so complete—only with Sheriff Johnny Black and only in her sheriff’s arms.
His lips were warm and powerful, his cheeks still held the winter cold from outside, but with each caress of his tongue and pant from his lips, she grew increasingly aroused and hot.
Suddenly the fire was too warm, his touch sinfully erotic as each caress under her sweater seemed to singe her skin.
She felt Johnny undo the buttons to her sweater, pull it down her arms, before reaching for her thermal shirt. They parted lips only a second while he pulled the garment over her head and onto the floor.
His eyes took on the look of a man on a mission, and instantly she thought about his years as a soldier. They never really talked about it in detail, but she knew the scars on his body were remnants of both the war and bull riding. Both were such macho, take-no-crap type of professions, and thoughts of what each one entailed made her desire him even more.
He was her protector and not just because of his uniform, but because of whom he was.
The feel of his large hands cupping her breasts caused her to moan. His scent, his hold on her, and his presence alone made her whole.
She ran her fingers through his hair as he lowered his body to his knees while kissing her skin from neck to breast to belly.
“How’s my little one doing?” he whispered then placed a gentle kiss along her skin.
She shivered inside and nearly exploded in happiness a
t his show of affection towards their unborn child.
Masculine fingers undid the button and zipper of her blue jeans, pulling them down her legs and out of the way.
Standing before him and noting Johnny’s reaction to her wearing nothing but a black lace bra and panties made her feel enticing and exotic. As he caressed her body from ankles to thighs then hips to in between, she melted against him.
“To the bedroom now.”
He was firm, and before she could walk, he lifted her up and over his shoulder then carried her across the threshold.
* * * *
Johnny’s heart was pounding in his chest. Julianna was the sexiest woman he had ever laid eyes on, and she belonged to him.
He gently placed her on the bed and wedged his jean-covered thigh between her soft, toned, sexy thighs. She locked gazes with him as he pulled off his shirt, tossing it onto the rug, then undid his gun, badge, and holster, placing them on top of his shirt before looming above her on his hands.
He eyed her from her face to what his body desired most.
“I love these here lacy panties and bra, baby, but they have to go.”
He leaned down to kiss her again, unable to get enough of her taste, her skin, and the feel of her beneath him. When she touched his arms and played with his nipples, he nearly lost it right there in his pants.
“Shit, darlin’. I can’t hold back. I need to be inside of you.
He stood up and removed his jeans, all while his little brown-eyed vixen watched his every move.
He hoped she liked his body, scars and all. It was something he was kind of embarrassed about. She deserved a perfect man with a perfect body. He felt self-conscious until he looked at Julianna licking her lips and reaching her arms out to him.
“I need you now,” she whispered.
Johnny pressed her thighs apart and moved into position, covering her body with his own.
He pressed forward, and they closed their eyes and relished in the feeling of being one before lust took total control.