Freed by You

by Danielle Fox

  His eyes heated and he released an audible groan before his mouth found mine and his hand cleared the desk of its contents.

  “I need to be at the club tonight, do you wish to work?” Julian whispered as his head pressed heavily against my naked breasts.

  “Yep, count me in.”

  Once showered, I called Sam and Adrian and arranged for them both to stay at home with Maia – just in case. I should probably have warned them about Jay’s presence but I didn’t want to drag anyone else into my mess. I wouldn’t try to hide anymore; I would simply hope and pray that Jay would find me. That way he could take what he wanted from me and no one else had to get hurt, I would give myself to him if it meant protecting the people I loved. There was no way any harm would ever come to Maia with Adrian around, he would fight till his death for her. And, as much as I hoped he would never have to fight for her, I still found comfort in that knowledge.

  Julian accompanied me to collect Maia and I wasn’t surprised when I saw yet another member of Julian’s security team at the nursery entrance. Julian introduced him to me as Mickey, an ex-pro in boxing, which was clearly evident in his severely misshapen nose.

  I turned in the direction of home as we left the nursery but Julian took my hand and led me in the opposite direction.

  “Where are you going? I need to get Maia home if you want me to work.”

  “Samantha and Adrian will be spending the evening at my place with Maia.”

  “Since when? And why?”

  “Since I spoke to them both this afternoon. Security is on the door all night so it’ll be safer there. Plus, Adrian is quite impressed by my television and sound system. He wasn’t complaining,” he grinned. “Although I did wonder when he could possibly have seen those?”

  My pulse quickened as I realised what he was referring to. Great, Adrian had dropped me right in it!

  “Um, he helped me get my things before, you know. You’re lucky you still have the TV!” I mused as I attempted to make light of the slightly awkward situation. “Anyway, thanks for informing me of everyone’s plans,” I huffed.

  Samantha and Adrian arrived shortly before dinner was served. Julian had cooked for us all which was very impressive. He made his signature spaghetti bolognaise – at Maia’s request – which was a success, Adrian even returned for seconds.

  “Sorry, Em, but it’s got to be said, that was better than your lasagne!” Adrian said as he rubbed at his over-full stomach.

  I rolled my eyes at him with a smile and started clearing the plates from the table before Julian’s arm wrapped around my waist from behind.

  “I’ll do that, baby. You go get ready.”

  “No, you cooked, I’ll clean,” I insisted as I reached for a second plate. His hand shot out and stopped my arm, pulling it back towards me and away from the plate.

  “I’ll do it, no arguments. Go!” he ordered as his firm hand slapped my backside gently. I startled at the sudden contact before turning to him and flashing him my rehearsed seductive smile, knowing the effect that it had on him. I saw his broad chest expand slowly as he inhaled deeply in response. I repeated my smile, this time accompanied by a single wink, and spun around to head for the bedroom with a triumphant smile spread widely across my face.

  I closed the door behind me and skipped over to the wardrobe whilst pulling my jumper over my head. I opened the wardrobe door and scanned each item of clothing as I kicked my legs out of my jeans. There was gentle knock on the bedroom door. I hid my nearly naked body behind the wardrobe door and peered around it.

  “Hello?” I called out, my heart pounding. Please don’t let that be Adrian! I silently begged.

  “I’ve got your top out of the drier for you,” Julian’s voice called back before I heard the opening and closing of the heavy door.

  Nice excuse, Mr Scott. I placed my hand at my hip and stepped out from where I was shielding myself.

  “Really?” I asked, my voice full of sarcasm.

  Julian’s chest expanded once more as his intense eyes heated and narrowed.

  “No!” He tossed the top he was holding onto the floor and raced across the room, not stopping when his body pushed against mine until my back slammed against the cold surface of the wardrobe.

  He kissed me hungrily, his hands searching and clutching at every inch of my body. He grabbed at the back of my knee and yanked it up around his waist as his other hand fumbled at his belt. He roughly pushed at the waist of his trousers until his arousal sprang free then he pulled the lace of my thong aside before slamming his erection into me.

  His thrusts came hard and fast, my back slamming into the solid wood with each one. I held on to my lip fiercely with my teeth, desperate to hold back the groans that were threatening to reveal themselves to the people just on the other side of that door. This felt so naughty, so wrong, yet such a thrilling turn on.

  Julian glared into my eyes as his panting grew heavier and his brow became slick with sweat. I pressed my mouth to his to smother my moans as my body tensed around him.

  “Fuck!” he blurted against my mouth as his body convulsed. And, as if obeying some sort of order, my body followed, my legs collapsing as they shook violently and I relied solely on Julian’s strong arms for support.

  “I told you not to look at me like that. You know what it does to me,” he panted, his chest still heaving with every breath.

  “I know,” I breathed, “that’s why I do it.”

  “Ah,” he groaned, “you’re killing me, Emily.”

  I chuckled quietly at his accusation and kissed his hair. “I love you, Mr Scott.”

  “And I love you, Mrs Scott.”

  I pulled my head back, pushing against his shoulders to get a clear view of his face.

  “You see how good that sounds?” he murmured, still breathing heavily as his body slowly recovered. “Who knows, maybe I’ll have the pleasure of calling you that for real one day.”

  “It’s a bit soon for all that, Julian,” I laughed, trying to mask my astonishment at his address.

  “One day, baby.” He planted a chaste kiss on my lips and straightened himself, placing himself back into the privacy of his underwear. “People will be wondering where I’ve got to,” he grinned as he stroked a hand through his fine hair and headed for the door.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  I showered in record time and dressed in my short black skirt and Samantha’s satin black shirt that Julian had retrieved from the drier. Once my hair was tied up in place, high on my head, I joined the others in the living area. Julian was giving Adrian a guided tour of all of his electronics while Samantha watched and listened, her expression one of amusement.

  “Seriously guys, a speaker is a speaker, surely? They all do the same job.”

  Adrian simply gawped at Samantha in response as Julian shook his head beside him.

  “You all done with the tour, boys?” I asked as I slipped my feet into my black stiletto heels.

  Julian’s eyes scanned my clothes as he walked toward me and I noticed their slight narrowing. I had to bite my lip to halt that smile that was threatening my lips. Julian leaned in closely and pressed his lips lightly against my cheek.

  “Is that skirt not a little too short?” he whispered quietly so that only I could hear.

  “No, it’s fine. It could go shorter if you’d prefer.” My voice was laced with sarcasm as I hitched the waistband up higher, revealing a further inch of my naked thigh.

  “No, before was fine, thank you,” he replied as he tugged at the hem of my skirt, effectively lengthening it once more.

  I kissed Maia goodbye and we left Julian’s apartment, leaving the three of them watching a Disney film on the large, welcoming sofa. Julian took my hand in his firm grasp as he led me out of the building to an awaiting car outside. It appeared to be exactly the same as the car he had loaned in France.

  “Did you buy this?” I gasped in horror as I recalled our conversation.

  “I had to buy something
, didn’t I? I don’t think the good old Bentley is quite up for the job anymore.” His eyes lowered to his hand as he opened the back door for me to climb inside.

  “Good evening, Miss Braxton,” Ryan greeted from the driver’s seat.

  “Hey, Ryan. How are you?” I replied as I tugged the hem of my skirt lower to protect my thighs from the coolness of the leather.

  “Very well thank you, Miss. And you?”

  “Yes, I’m good, thank you.”

  This really was a spectacular car. Its almond-coloured leather interior oozed class and sophistication and its sheer size was breath-taking. I could fully outstretch my legs without meeting the chair in front. Julian’s mouth turned up in amusement as he watched me twirling my ankles and stroking the leather before I proceeded to pushing buttons on the arm rest, causing my dark tinted window to open and close.

  “You like it, then?” he mused.

  “I love it!”

  I struggled to keep my eyes off Julian’s extraordinary physique as he sat opposite Ryan in the booth directly opposite to where I stood behind the bar.

  “You really do love him, don’t you?” Natalie asked as she followed my line of sight.

  “I do, Natalie. He’s amazing,” I replied with my eyes still fixated on Julian as he shuffled through a pile of papers in front of him.

  He picked up a pen and began scribbling something on one of them and something about the way his muscular hands moved as his long fingers gripped the pen was extremely arousing.

  “Okay, now you’re totally eye-fucking him. That’s just gross, Emily.”

  My mouth dropped open as Natalie’s words shocked me out of my daydream. Did she seriously just use the words eye-fucking?

  “I was not!” I laughed as I tore my gaze away from him.

  “You totally were,” she chuckled before her dazzling smile faded slightly. “He really loves you, you know. I’ve never seen him like this before. He seems so calm, so relaxed, so...happy. I’ve never seen him get close to a woman before; he’s never let anybody in. But he’s different with you.”

  I smiled widely at her statement. My heart ached and I found myself desperately wanting to go to him.

  “Thank you,” I replied, fighting the urge to leave the bar and cross the floor to where he sat.

  “No problem.” She winked. “I think you and I could become good friends. I like you; you’re not with him because of who he is. That much is obvious.”

  “I’m with him because I love him, Natalie. And I’d really like for us to be friends, that means a lot.”

  I practically skipped over to the far end of the bar when I noticed a tall, grey haired man waiting to be served. He was impeccably dressed in a light grey fitted suit with a pristine white shirt, complete with a peachy coloured satin tie.

  “Good evening, sir. What can I get for you?” I asked as he slid his empty glass across the bar towards me.

  “I’ll have a scotch please, on the rocks. Thanks.” He smiled politely and I turned to prepare his drink. I handed it back to him and accepted his twenty pound note.

  “Get one for yourself,” he offered before sipping at his scotch.

  “Thank you for the offer, sir, but I’ll have to pass.”

  “You’re new here, aren’t you? I haven’t seen you here before.”

  The charming man started up a conversation. As there were no other customers to serve, I politely answered his questions and returned his friendly conversation. I laughed loudly as he replayed an event from his day that had involved an awkward slip on the tube in front of a carriage full of people. A loud cough interrupted us and I glanced across to see Julian sitting on a stool at the bar to my left.

  “Excuse me, sir. Have a pleasant evening.” I bounced over to Julian, unable to erase my smile from my lips at the sight of his perfect face, glowing under the purple lighting. “Good evening, sir. Can I get you something?” I beamed.

  “Just your incredible backside up those stairs, please, Miss Braxton.” His chin pointed in the direction of the staircase leading to The Attic.

  “Julian,” I blushed, “I’m working.”

  “Not anymore you’re not. I’ve had enough of watching every man in this building completely and indiscreetly eye-fuck you all night. Now it’s my turn.”

  A burst of laughter escaped me – as did a very unfeminine snort.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked as the corners of his mouth turned upwards ever-so-slightly but his eyes danced with humour.

  “Nothing, I just didn’t realise grown adults used the phrase eye-fuck these days.”

  “Well, I do.”

  “As does Natalie, apparently,” I grinned.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” I laughed quietly to myself as I noticed a wicked glint in Julian’s narrowed eyes. “Why do you need me up there?”

  “I want to have you to myself for a while, and I’m sure you could do with a drink just as much as I could.”

  I removed my till key from the waistband of my skirt and handed it to Natalie before following Julian up the spiralled staircase and into the privacy of The Attic. Julian went straight to the glassed wall and clicked a small button and I watched the crowded booths of people below disappear as a sheet of frosted ice appeared to sweep across the glass, just as it had in his own apartment.

  “That’s better.”

  He stared heatedly at me as his eyes took on their wicked gleam once more.

  “I thought you wanted a drink?” I teased, recognising exactly what was in his mind.

  “I do. That doesn’t make me want you any less, though.”

  He pushed me gently into a large armchair and towered over me before bending and kissing me passionately. I returned his kiss with everything I had, pouring my heart and soul into him.

  “This is where we first kissed,” I whispered as he pulled away. He smiled his dazzling, heated smile just as Ryan entered the room.

  “Champagne for you,” he announced as he placed the large steel bucket on a table.

  “Thank you, Ryan,” I smiled. This guy did everything for Julian yet he never seemed to show any appreciation towards him.

  “My pleasure, Miss Braxton.” He smiled warmly.

  “Enough with the Miss Braxton. It’s Emily.”

  Ryan nodded in response before turning and exiting the room.

  “What’s all this in aid of?” I asked as I eyed the champagne that stood next to a number of flickering candles that I hadn’t noticed before now.

  “You’ll see.”

  Julian treated me like a princess for the entirety of the night. He poured me more champagne each time was glass was emptied, he danced me around the room each time a song came on that I liked, and he simply adored me. I could see it in his eyes every time he looked me; his gaze was intense, deep and completely mesmerising.

  He took my empty glass from my hand and placed it on the table beside him before taking both of my hands into his grasp. His deep eyes penetrated mine as his mouth twitched slightly. I felt my brows tighten into a frown. He seemed serious all of a sudden and I began to wonder what he was possibly about to say to me.

  “Do you remember how good it sounded earlier when I called you Mrs Scott?”

  My breath hitched in my throat and my stomach dropped as I guessed where he was going with this. I managed a single nod in response.

  “I know it’s early days, Emily, but I also know that I have never felt this way about anyone before, and I never will again. I want to share my life with you, Emily, I love you.” He paused and I interrupted quickly.

  “Where are you going with this, Julian?” My voice was weak through my halted breath that I hadn’t even realised I was holding.

  He smiled lovingly and crouched down in front of where I sat before proceeding to lift a single knee. The air left my lungs rapidly as my chest tightened. Tears pooled in my eyes and I couldn’t control them, they were soon rolling down my flustered cheeks.

  “Emily, I love you now an
d I promise to love you forever. Will you do me the extraordinary honour of agreeing to become my wife?”

  My hand instinctively flew to my mouth as I fought hard against my tears, but to no avail. I cried like a baby, completely humiliating myself…and Julian.

  “I’m not that bad, am I?” Julian teased. I smacked at his shoulder with the back of my hand in a playful manner and my tears quickly turned to laughter.

  “Well? Emily, you’re killing me here!” His raised knee was shaking as his heel drummed nervously against the floor. But I simply stared at him, my brain struggling to order my mouth to speak. “I mean, there’s no rush, we don’t have to get married yet,” he ranted, “we can wait until you’re ready, but I’d really like you to at least accept.”

  “Julian, shut up,” I grinned and placed my hands on either side of his face and pulled him into my deep kiss. “Yes,” I whispered against his lips, “I’ll marry you!”

  His arms flew around my waist as he stood quickly, taking me with him. He pressed his lips against mine, then against my cheek, over and over, before turning to the opposite cheek. I giggled as he ravished me with kisses.

  “Shit!” He stopped, abruptly pulling away from me. “I forgot something.” He fumbled around in his jacket pocket and retrieved a small, red box. “The ring,” he beamed. “And, before you argue, this isn’t a gift for you; it’s for us, to signify our engagement.”

  He opened the box and held it out before me.

  “Wow!” I choked as my hand flew to my mouth once more.

  It was a thin, platinum band that rose up in the middle to support a large, single glistening diamond. The biggest diamond I had ever seen, in fact.

  “You don’t like it,” he assumed, his voice laced with disappointment.

  “Julian... I don’t know what to say.”

  “It’s fine, we can change it, it’s not a problem.”

  “No, no! It’s beautiful, Julian. I mean, it’s stunning, I love it.”

  He smiled his dazzling wide smile and removed the ring from the box. Sliding it onto the appropriate finger, he kissed my knuckles. “It’s a perfect fit,” he stated. “I love you, Emily Braxton.”