Freed by You

by Danielle Fox

  I dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, complete with flat, sensible snow boots and searched in my case for a warm top. I came across a thick, cream-coloured woollen jumper that I didn’t recognise and certainly hadn’t packed. I looked at the inside label – it was size 8, my size, but I was sure it wasn’t mine. I was still studying the jumper when Julian walked into the room.

  “Yes, that’s for you. I hope you don’t mind me choosing clothes for you but I knew you’d need something warm and I didn’t want to spoil the surprise by asking you.”

  “Oh, thanks,” I replied, lowering my head to hide my blushing cheeks. Accepting gifts was yet another thing that I wasn’t very good at!

  “I just need to get Maia’s clothes,” he said as he unzipped his own case.

  “Then you’re looking in the wrong place, Mr Scott,” I teased.

  “No I’m not, Miss Braxton.” His tone was sure and slightly cocky as he pulled out a small pile of items from his case. “These were the warmest things I could find at such short notice. I’ll dress Maia, if you don’t mind?”

  “No, of course I don’t mind, thanks.”

  Julian left the room and I hurriedly shrugged my jumper over my head. Pulling it down over my breasts I noticed it was a perfect fit and very warm too.

  Julian had cooked bacon and eggs with toast accompanied by a hot cup of tea. As I finished my tea, Julian disappeared into the bedroom before returning with a large rucksack.

  “What’s all that for?” I asked, examining him through curious eyes.

  “Nothing,” he grinned as he removed three coats from the tall, antique-looking coat stand. “Ready to go?”

  “Where we going, Mummy?” Maia asked as she rubbed at her tired eyes with the back of her hand.

  “I don’t know, darling. It’s a surprise.”

  The roads were dark and very isolated. We had been driving for about thirty-five minutes now and I don’t think I had noticed a single other car yet. I watched Julian as he drove again, finding his every movement extremely sensual.

  The sky had lightened now and a thin layer of white cloud hung above us. By now there were long rows of cars driving slowly in front of one another, seemingly all heading in the same direction. We passed a long queue of traffic and then slowed. Julian put on his indicator before slipping straight into the front of the jam.

  “You can’t do that!” I gasped, unable to hide my shock at his rudeness.

  “Well, I just did.”

  When I took my attention away from Julian, ready to gaze out of my window in the hunt for any clues as to where we were going, I gasped aloud. “Julian! Are you kidding me?”

  In front of us was a long row of turnstiles, above which were five large blue peaks with flags high on top. Across the peaks, in huge red letters, read Disneyland.

  I gawped at Julian, my mouth hanging open and my eyes wide. He simply returned my astonishment with a triumphant smile.

  “You’re seriously taking us to Disneyland?” I stammered.

  “I am seriously taking you to Disneyland.”

  “Julian, I can’t accept all this from you.”

  How could I? How could I allow this man to spend so much money on me? I couldn’t, this wasn’t a concept that I was comfortable with.

  “You don’t have much choice; I’ve already paid for the tickets.”

  “Can’t you get a refund?”

  Julian’s expression switched within a second as he heard my question and I could see that I had upset him. His familiar furrow appeared between his brows and his eyes dropped to his lap as he patiently waited behind a second queue of cars.

  “You don’t like the surprise?” He sounded defeated, his voice was weak, almost a whisper.

  “Of course I like it, Julian. I love it and I’m touched that you would even think to bring us here, but I dread to think how much this weekend has cost you already, without all this on top.”

  “Money isn’t an issue, Emily.”

  “It is to me. I’m not with you for your money; I don’t want you spending it on me.”

  “Well, it’s a good job I’m not spending it on you then. Well, technically speaking. I told you there was somewhere I had always wanted to visit; this is it, so really you’re doing me a favour.” He looked at me through desperate pleading eyes and I recognised the child-like vulnerability behind them. “And, if I’m being honest, your father wasn’t the only person I wanted to impress this weekend. I want Maia to accept me into her life. I’ve seen the way she looks at Adrian, you know, and I’d really like to see her look at me like that one day, too.”

  My heart ached for him. How could I refuse this man?

  “I’d better wake Maia then,” I smiled, defeated.

  Julian’s answering smile caused a hitch in my breath and I was shocked to realise how good it felt to me to see him happy.

  The entire day was perfect. More than perfect. Maia was almost beside herself with excitement. To see her perfect little face glowing with sheer joy as she had lunch with a real princess absolutely melted me. I wasn’t sure whether that was usual protocol at Disneyland or whether Julian had pulled a lot of strings, but in that very moment, I didn’t care. My baby was in her element and to witness her so deliriously happy was overwhelming. Tears had moistened my cheeks on a couple of occasions before Julian had wiped them away with a gentle fingertip, smiling adoringly at me.

  “Thank you, so much,” I had whispered to him as my gaze penetrated his. And that was the moment that I realised just how deeply in love with this man I was. I loved Julian with the most intense passion and adoration possible.

  When the daylight had long gone and the sky was almost black the fireworks over the castle began. They truly were breath-taking. I cradled Maia at my hip while she squealed in delight at the brilliant explosions of colour illuminating the dark sky. Julian’s powerful arm wrapped firmly around my waist as my head rested lightly against his chest. I had never felt as cherished as I did at that moment as he kissed my hair, over and over whilst Maia clung to my side.

  I felt Julian’s deep inhalation as he pressed his lips against my forehead and raised my head to meet his passionate gaze.

  “I love you, Julian,” I breathed.

  I felt my cheeks heat as he simply stared straight back at me without saying a word. Although, once more, I felt his chest expand with his deep intake of air before he lifted my chin with a single finger and kissed my mouth with intense, deliciously slow movements.

  And he had no need for any words; I could feel the intensity of his emotions in these very movements.

  Maia was sleeping within minutes of our car’s departure. She was utterly spent. I spent the following hour watching Julian, again. But this time the overwhelming surge of love I felt for him overtook the earlier thoughts of how arousing I had found it watching him control the vehicle. I examined every inch of his face, every movement in every muscle, and every hair on his beautiful head. He glanced back at me regularly and I was sure if it hadn’t have been dark I would have witnessed his cheeks blushing.

  As I closed Maia’s bedroom door, Julian startled and placed his phone on the coffee table.

  “I’ve poured you a glass of wine,” he stated as a warm smile spread across his face.

  “Thank you,” I sat down next to him, taking the glass from his hand. “Julian, I really can’t thank you enough for today. I’ve never seen Maia so happy. And I’ve never been so happy. I really appreciate what you’ve done for us this weekend.”

  “You’re very welcome, Emily. But you don’t need to thank me; I want to share everything with you, and Maia. I want to share new experiences with you both and I want to spoil you both. So, thank you for letting me do that.”

  “Less of the spoiling,” I grinned. “I meant what I said; I like to pay my own way.”

  “I warned you that you would have to learn to accept my generosity. I have more money than I know what to do with, Emily, and I enjoy spending it on you, so please just let me and stop
arguing.”

  “I will never let you, Julian. You’ve worked hard for every penny of it, I’m sure, and I don’t want or need it.”

  “Okay, okay. Let’s agree on this, then. I won’t buy you gifts but I can spend however much I see fit on things for us. Such as holidays, days out, etcetera.”

  “The buying gifts part, agreed. The rest I’ll think about.” I rolled my eyes at him before flashing him my best attempt at a seductive smile.

  “I also warned you not to look at me like that, didn’t I, Miss Braxton?”

  “I believe you did, Mr Scott.”

  I giggled as he grabbed my hips and lifted me astride his lap. His hands held my head firmly as he pressed his mouth to mine. Again, his kiss was slow and delicate, with every movement defined and deliberate as his tongue stroked at mine. He encouraged my legs around his waist before standing and carrying me to the bedroom, his lips never leaving mine.

  Laying me across the bed, he unbuttoned my jeans and began peeling them off my legs, following their path with feather light kisses and gentle sucks. My cheeks heated as he removed my socks and nipped gently at the instep of my foot, my inner muscles clenched in anticipation. He lifted my shoulders off the mattress and pulled at my jumper as I stretched my arms above my head to assist him then, before releasing me, he unclipped my bra and slowly slipped each strap down each arm, his fingertips trailing across my heated skin whilst his scorching gaze held mine. Then his mouth was against mine, moving slowly, his tongue massaging deeply. I kissed him back hungrily, my fingers clutching at his hair and pulling gently. My body bowed as my hips thrust up towards his. The fly of his jeans pressed against me through the thin lace of my underwear and I kissed him harder, my body craving his.

  His mouth left mine abruptly and made contact first with my throat, then again between my breasts before his tongue circled my hardened nipple. A groan sounded from my chest as his mouth trailed kisses down the centre of my belly and continued to the top of my pubic bone. He placed his hands on the inside of either thigh and gently coaxed my legs apart. I tensed as I flushed with embarrassment. I hadn’t showered since this morning, plus he had never been there with his mouth before, no one had!

  “Relax, baby,” he breathed.

  I inhaled deeply and let the air out slowly through my pouted lips. Then his mouth was on me. I gasped at the warm feeling as his tongue flicked at my clitoris before it pressed more firmly and began circling, around and around. His finger entered me and I moaned loudly as it pressed against a single delicious spot inside me. The sensation of both his circling tongue and motionless fingertip was almost overwhelming. My fists clutched at the sheet beneath me. I sucked in short, sharp breaths as I struggled to concentrate on anything other than the immense pleasure that radiated through my body. And then I exploded as my body convulsed beneath him.

  Within seconds his face was above mine and he pushed his erection slowly into me as he held my gaze with a heated intensity. As his pace quickened, my body tensed once more and I could feel the familiar sensation building inside of me. I wanted to close my eyes, to roll my head back, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his. The way he was looking me with such passion as his thrusts grew more urgent, I couldn’t look away.

  “I love you, Emily,” he whispered between panted breaths, and I fell apart.

  My body shattered and I shuddered beneath him as tears rolled into my hair. Tears of ecstasy. He slumped heavily onto my chest as he reached his climax and pressed a gentle kiss against my breast.

  “Julian?” I whispered against his hair.

  “Hmm?”

  “Weren’t we supposed to going home today?”

  “We’ll leave in the morning.” he murmured. “Let’s just lay here for a while.”

  I wrapped my arms across his back and held him tightly against me, suddenly aware of the fact that I was never going to let him go. Never.

  Chapter Twenty One

  We arrived home the following afternoon to a blissful Samantha. As soon as I opened the front door I could hear her voice belting out from the kitchen. I peeked around the door to find her singing along to her iPod whilst skipping around the small kitchen as she collected dirtied dishes from the counter-top and placed them in the sink.

  “Hey, Sam!”

  She startled and whipped her headphones out of her ears as she spun around to face me. I glanced at Julian; the corners of his mouth were turned up in amusement and I could tell he was desperately trying to hold back his laughter.

  “You scared the bloody life out of me! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

  “I wasn’t sneaking,” I laughed, “you were just clearly too occupied to notice my entrance.”

  I heard a quiet snort that came from Julian’s direction and couldn’t suppress my own laughter.

  “Alright, it’s not that funny!” Samantha huffed as her cheeks blushed. “You’re home early; I thought you weren’t coming home until tonight?”

  I glanced at Julian, then back at Samantha and realised that she was in fact addressing Julian, not me.

  “Business called me back early, unfortunately,” he smiled politely. “Speaking of business, I’d better go. Ryan’s waiting in the car,” Julian stated as he headed into the hallway. “I’ll see you later, Miss Braxton,” he smiled before leaning in and planting a deep kiss against my lips. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice loud enough for only me to hear him.

  “And I love you,” I murmured against his warm lips. “Thank you so much for this weekend.”

  “Thank you. And I’m sorry I had to bring you home early, I had planned to spend today with you father but he had to work and I’ve got a few matters I need to deal with here.”

  “I’ll see you later then?”

  “You most certainly will.” He kissed me once more and then he left, leaving me wanting more.

  His last statement sounded in my head. My father had to work. How would he know if my dad had to work? I hadn’t spoken to him since our dinner, other than a quick call to say goodbye, but he hadn’t mentioned work. Clearly Samantha wasn’t the only person he had been secretly conferring with this weekend.

  I went back into the kitchen to find Samantha gawping at me, looking completely flabbergasted, her mouth hanging wide open. “Did he just say I love you?” she stammered.

  A glorious smile spread across my face as I felt my cheeks reddening. “He did.”

  “Oh my goodness! Tell me everything!”

  “Ah,” I moaned. This could take a while.

  After over an hour of gossiping, I was saved for a brief moment by my message tone ringing from inside my bag. I unlocked the screen to see a message form Julian. My stomach leapt up to my throat at the sight of his name.

  ‘Emily, I apologise but I need to be at the club tonight. I was hoping you might be willing to join me there as you insist on working for a living. 8pm? I’ll pick you up. Let me know. Julian. X’

  I instantly pressed reply.

  ‘I will see you at 8pm. Thank you. And no need for the car, I can walk. Emily. X’

  My phone burst to life within seconds of me pressing send.

  ‘I insist. I will be there at 7.45pm, no arguments. Julian. X’

  Why he insisted on escorting me everywhere I had no idea. It was quicker to walk than to try and navigate through the rows of angry drivers in the centre of London. Oh well!

  After dinner, I showered and dressed in yet another of Samantha’s outfits. I wore a tight fitted, black satin shirt with a pair of skinny black trousers, complete with her high heeled boots. I promised myself I would go shopping when my next pay day rolled around, I could do with a sophisticated wardrobe of my own that consisted of more than casual jeans and jumpers.

  I applied my usual foundation and blusher and added a thick layer of mascara to my long lashes. My long, chestnut hair hung in loose waves around my slender shoulders. Studying my reflection, I felt boring, ordinary and certainly not deserving of someone as immaculate as Julian. Dig
ging into my make-up bag, I pulled out a duo of brown and beige eye shadows and began sweeping the beige across my eyelids, followed by the brown. I was surprised at how blue my eyes now looked. The brown of the shadow worked magnificently and now my eyes glowed like large, round marbles. Why had I never used these before?

  I kissed Maia goodnight and made my way to the front room where Samantha was curled up on the sofa next to Michael. So, he was the reason behind her ecstatic mood earlier today.

  “Enjoy your evening,” I grinned as I peeked out of the window in search of Julian’s Bentley.

  I glanced at my phone screen, it was 7:56pm and there was still no sight of Julian. It wasn’t like him to be late, maybe he had forgotten, or had been held up at work.

  “I’m going to walk or I’ll be late, if he turns up tell him I’ll see him there.”

  “I’m sure when you’re dating the boss it won’t hurt to be late, Emily. Wait for him, it’s cold out.”

  “I’m not going to take advantage, Sam. Just let him know I’ve gone. Call me if you need me,” I urged as I disappeared into the hallway and reached for my scarf. “Don’t wait up!”

  I closed the door quietly behind me and paused to listen to the clicking sound that meant Samantha had locked the door behind me and then made my way down the steps leading to the quiet street. Samantha hadn’t been wrong, it was freezing. The crisp wind was fierce against my cheeks. I snuggled my chin lower into the protection of my scarf and shoved my hands into my pockets.

  As I got to the end of my road I was surprised to see the number of cars that were still queuing heavily on the next street. It wasn’t usually this busy at this time. Car horns sounded loudly as the traffic was at a complete standstill. My eyes rapidly scanned each car as I walked, hoping to see the Bentley. Surely Julian had been held up in the traffic, but wouldn’t he have called?

  A wave of unease washed over my body and a wracking shiver coursed down my spine as I noticed the blue flashes in the distance. I always did this, each time I saw flashing lights or heard their deafening sirens, I automatically thought the worst. I imagined all the possibilities of where that emergency vehicle could be headed, and who for. I shook my head with a frown but quickened my pace anyway.