“What happened? How did you stop him?”
“I didn’t,” Julian said and continued eating his omelet.
She was quiet, waiting for him to continue, and he finally did.
“My father didn’t believe that a son he’d sired didn’t have an athletic bone in his body. So he put me in lacrosse and soccer next.”
“How did you fare in those?”
“I was terrible at lacrosse and a joke at a soccer. I had two left feet, but ask me to go out dancing and I’ll show you some moves.”
Elyse grinned as she pushed her now empty plate aside. “I can’t wait for you to take me out dancing, but I suppose your father didn’t like that very much.”
“Not at all, and I was glad because finally he left me alone to be me. An academic with a penchant for cooking and a love of art, music and Broadway shows.”
“A Renaissance man.”
Julian bowed. “I suppose I am.”
“And your relationship with your father now?”
Julian shrugged, grabbed both their plates and rose. “We’re fine.”
Elyse stood and followed him. “Fine isn’t an answer.”
Julian put the plates in the sink and turned to face her. “Why does it matter? We all have drama in our family. Let’s take you for example. You’ve told me nothing about your father or your mother for that matter. So don’t push.”
He spun around, turned on the taps and began rinsing the dishes and placing them in the dishwasher.
He was right.
She hadn’t shared her family history and Elyse wasn’t sure she could without revealing too much about her father and their parents’ shared past. But she could talk to him about her mother. That much she could give.
“Julian,” Elyse said, walking up behind him and touching his arm, “I’m sorry I haven’t been open about my family.”
He turned to face her, his eyes soft and sympathetic, and Elyse knew she could tell him anything. “I lost my mom when I was very young.”
“Elyse, that’s terrible. I don’t know how you managed at such a young age.”
“It was awful.” Elyse leaned back against the counter. “She wasn’t there to tell me the things a little girl needs to know about the birds and the bees, to help when I got my first period, or to show me how to use makeup. I had to figure that out all on my own.”
“What about your father?”
“Losing my mother broke him.” Elyse could at least admit that much. “He never truly recovered from her death and, when I needed guidance, he would tell me to go talk to the school nurse.”
“You didn’t have a grandma? Aunts? Family? Friends?”
Elyse shook her head. “No one. Can you imagine how lonely it was? I was already an introvert.”
“No.” He shook his head. “Not you.”
“Oh yes.” Elyse nodded. “I was terribly shy and it wasn’t easy to make friends because, after Mama died, we were always moving around because Daddy was constantly looking for work.”
“How did she die, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Breast cancer. She was only thirty-five.”
“Jesus!” Julian ran a hand over his curly fade. “So young, and to leave a daughter behind who needed her. And your father?”
“He’s alive, but not well,” Elyse said. “Throughout the chemo, which back then was quite expensive, he developed a drinking habit, a bad one.”
“Which made it difficult for him to find steady work?”
She pointed a finger at him. “You guessed it. I was left to pick up the pieces.” She pointed to her chest. “I was a kid myself, helping to keep the two of us afloat.”
“What a burden to bear,” Julian stated. “Sounds like we both had some struggles, though yours trump mine.”
“It isn’t about who has the saddest sob story,” Elyse said, cupping his cheek. “Because look at who we are now and what we’ve become despite our past.”
Julian smiled and tapped her nose with his index finger. “You, my dear, are absolutely right. So let’s leave our pasts right here in this kitchen. And instead, let’s go out and have some fun. What do you say?”
“I’m all in.”
And she was. Even though Julian had pushed her away last night and she’d felt rejected, he’d opened up to her today and revealed things she doubted he’d ever told another soul. It felt intimate and Elyse felt closer to Julian than she would have if they’d gone to bed together. Elyse was finding herself becoming smitten with Julian Lockett.
* * *
“Are you ready for your first adventure in Saint Lucia?” Julian asked.
“Absolutely. What are you thinking?” Elyse asked.
“How are your riding skills?”
“On what?”
Julian grinned mischievously. “On horses.”
“I haven’t ridden in years, but let’s do it!”
After changing and putting on a bikini underneath her clothes, Elyse joined Julian for an hour trip to a ranch where they were placed on two beautiful horses. A palomino for her and a saddlebred for him. Their guide took them on a tour in the Roseau Valley where they stopped at a local banana plantation to rest and to indulge in the delicious fruit. Elyse had no idea the island had over a hundred different varieties. Eventually, their trip led to one of Saint Lucia’s sandy beaches and they took the horses in for a swim in the sea.
“That was fantastic,” Elyse said when they returned from their trek and decided to take a dip in the villa’s pool. It was so hot, Elyse quickly whipped off her tank and shorts, eager to get in. She’d forgotten the bikini was itty-bitty until she turned and noticed Julian was staring at her openmouthed.
Her mouth suddenly became dry. Nervous over the naked hunger in his eyes, she dived into the pool.
When she came back up for air, she found Julian had joined her. His chest was bare and he wore swim shorts as he headed toward her. She quickly dived underneath the water, swimming in circles around him. She thought she’d been quite good at evading him, but when she came up again, Julian was waiting for her.
“Are you running from me, Elyse?”
She shook her head. “Why would I run?” Other than he’d made a fool out of her last night and she wasn’t interested in a repeat.
He pushed back her wet slick hair. “I don’t know, why would you?” And then he was kissing her with a savage intensity that took her breath away. She felt her knees weaken, but she needn’t worry because Julian kept her upright while he lingered, taking his time to coax a response from her. Every part of her mouth burned with fire and need, so when his hands explored the soft lines of her back, her waist and her hips, Elyse instinctively arched into him. When his palm brushed her breasts, she quivered.
Her eyes flickered open and she saw Julian watching her. She gasped when he pushed the flimsy material of her bikini top aside and his lips brushed her nipples, first one and then the other. “Julian...”
“Yes?” Her chest heaved as he traced and licked the brown peaks, causing them to pebble.
Elyse wanted more. She wanted him to suck them into his mouth, but she didn’t want to go down this path and have him reject her again despite the evidence of his arousal brushing against her thigh. Besides, their physical relationship confused her. She’d met Julian with a purpose, which had all but been forgotten with the mounting attraction between them. She needed breathing room.
Slowly, she stepped away from him. “I’m... I’m going to get showered.” When Julian stepped toward her, she added, “Alone. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Once in the shower, Elyse stripped and let the water cool her fevered flesh. She was playing a dangerous game with a man for whom seduction came easily. Was she fighting a losing battle?
* * *
Julian was surprised when Elyse pulled away. She’d seemed to like h
is ministrations, to like his mouth on her. At times she wanted him and at others she ran. Didn’t she know they were on a precipice and there was no denying how it was going to end? He and Elyse would become lovers, of that there was no doubt, but he would go slowly.
And so he showered and dressed and, after some recommendations from their housekeeper, who’d come to tidy up the villa, Julian took Elyse out to a restaurant. They sampled several local delicacies that erupted with exotic flavor, washing it all down with a bottle of white wine. The place wasn’t upscale or five-star, but then again, he preferred to take the road less traveled. Elyse, for one, was certainly different from the other more sophisticated and worldly women he usually dated. She had a certain innocence and mystery, and Julian was curious to find out more.
And so, as they sat at their small table for two overlooking the Pitons, Julian was enraptured. She was a sexy bombshell in a bold print halter dress with a deep side slit showing off her incredible legs. She had on turquoise heeled sandals that her polished toes peeked out of. Julian was going to have do everything in his power to rein in his attraction and take things slow.
“Julian?”
“Hmm...”
“The waitress is asking if you want dessert.”
Dessert.
He eyed Elyse. If he had his choice, she would definitely be on the menu, but he settled for the mango mousse while Elyse went with the white chocolate parfait.
“Dinner was incredible,” Elyse commented. “That passion-fruit glazed shrimp was to die for.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Saint Lucia is a hidden gem not many people know about, but there’s lots to see if you’re up for it.”
“Like what?”
Julian smirked. She’d taken the bait. “The Sulphur Springs for one.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s the only drive-in volcano in the world.”
At her awed shock, Julian continued. “It hasn’t erupted in over two hundred years, but the best part of the volcano is the ability to dive into the mud baths. It’s known to detoxify the body of impurities and has been known to heal certain ailments.”
“Is that so? Well, I’m willing to give it a try.”
“Really?”
Julian was surprised. Not many of the women he dated would ever be caught dead in a mud bath, ruining their hair and makeup.
He must have voiced his thoughts aloud because Elyse commented, “Then you’ve clearly been dating the wrong women.”
“You might be right on that score,” Julian said, lifting his wineglass to his lips. “You just might be right.”
* * *
After dessert, they retired to the lounge where they cuddled together on a plush love seat to listen to one of the island’s foremost jazz musicians. The mood was light and fun. Julian even convinced Elyse to take to the floor, but it was merely an excuse so he could once again wrap his arms around her as he’d done last night. Except this time, he wouldn’t ravage her on the dance floor.
At least, not yet.
He swayed with Elyse in his arms and when she looked up at him, his entire body lit up like a sunrise at dawn. Sexual awareness flooded through him and he pulled her closer, a bit harder than he intended, but Elyse didn’t seem to mind. So Julian splayed his hands even wider across her hips just above her behind. There was desire in her eyes when she looked at him and she didn’t look away.
He lifted a hand, allowing his fingers to play with her stylish short hair, before tipping her head back and lifting her face to meet his, crushing that deliciously pink mouth under his. And just like dry kindling to a match, he went up in flames. He loved how open and responsive Elyse was to his kiss, how she moved closer, seeking contact as he explored the very depths of her.
The deeper the kiss got, the hungrier Julian became. Elyse ignited his senses like no other woman had. He could feel her breasts become fuller against his chest and he ached to explore every inch of her. He would have to stop this now or once again he’d lose his head. His hands still in her hair as he tugged her back from him. She opened her eyes and it took a second for those dark brown orbs to focus on him.
“We should go.”
She looked serious, but nodded.
Julian didn’t glance around to see if anyone had noticed their spectacle. Instead, he took her hand and led her off the dance floor.
Elyse was like a drug and when they’d been dancing, he’d found her increasingly hard to ignore. When his mouth had moved over hers, heat and madness had entered his head, his body. Need. It was all he could think about with her cleaved so tightly to him. He been about to combust.
The time had come to put them both out of their misery.
Nine
Elyse could hardly breathe as she walked with Julian out of the restaurant. The dark fire of his gaze had worked its way through her and she knew that tonight there was no turning back. She would be daring and go forward with whatever wicked plans Julian had in store for her. She’d tried unsuccessfully to steel herself against Julian’s charms but the truth of the matter was that she was helpless when it came to him. The closer they got to the car, the more Elyse felt the deep pulse between her legs.
She was hot and needy.
And only Julian could assuage the ache.
The ride was thankfully short because the aching hunger inside her was growing more and more intense with each passing second. She couldn’t stop from imagining him cupping her breasts and gripping her bottom as he pulled her beneath him and made her his, so much so, that several times she shifted in her seat. Could he sense her discomfort? Elyse was relieved when they both quickly disembarked at the villa, forgoing formalities.
That’s how eager they were for one another. The house was dimly lit by the moonlight and Julian matched her quick stride as she made for the master bedroom.
Once there, Julian lit several candles, filling the room with a soft hazel glow. But then Julian stepped out of the shadows and she was able to see his face fully in the candlelight. Raw, unadulterated lust etched his beautiful features. “I want you, Elyse.”
He clearly felt the same crashing hunger she did and, for the first time, Elyse wasn’t afraid of what came next. She wanted him to touch her. “I want you, too. Make love to me, Julian.”
He reached for her, sinking his fingers into her hair and pulling her closer. Then his mouth fastened onto hers, tongue searching. He left no doubt as to what it was he wanted and what he was going to have. He caught her against him and walked her back until he brought them down onto the bed together. They kissed and touched like they were starved. And Elyse was starved. She hadn’t wanted anyone as badly as she wanted Julian.
“I want to touch you all over.” His tone had a sexy rough edge that made her quiver.
“Please...” was the only word she could manage to say, and Julian did what she couldn’t verbalize. He skimmed his wicked hands along the length of her body, moving his way down until he wrenched the skirt of her dress up to her waist. Then his fingers sought her out.
He lifted his head and his eyes were glazed with desire. “You’re wet for me.”
Elyse nodded and shifted restlessly underneath him, rocking her hips up to him. He bent down and kissed her, again and again. Her nipples became tight, begging to be taken into his mouth. As if she voiced her words out loud, Julian reached behind her and untied the halter of her dress, baring her breasts to his avid gaze.
He broke their kiss to pay homage to her breasts. He teased them first between his thumbs before taking one aching nipple into his mouth. Elyse arched up to meet him. His mouth was both a torture and a treat, and she thrilled to every last sensation that his wicked mouth brought her, but he didn’t stop there.
He continued tantalizing her by moving south and kissing her belly. He tasted the tender flesh of her inner thigh and Elyse heard herself moan because she could only
feel. She was diving full-speed into the ocean with no safety net. Was she ready for this?
Julian glanced up at her and she realized she was gripping his shoulders. “I can’t wait to taste you,” he said in that sexy voice of his. Those were the last words she heard because he was snatching her panties down her legs and licking deep into the center of her need.
Elyse bucked against him as his scalding mouth sucked deep. She thought she would die from pleasure, but instead he made her scream. His clever tongue teased, swirled and stroked that particularly sensitive spot. Julian used his shoulders to stretch her thighs wide and then replaced his mouth with a finger, using it to make her even wetter.
She cried out for deliverance because he was eating her alive and she was letting him. It was too much. She tried to close her legs, but he didn’t let her; instead his supple finger seemed to find the very depths of her body. The ache inside her intensified tenfold.
Her breathing became choppy, especially when he used his tongue and fingers together to torment her. It was so intense. And when Julian added a second finger to the first and began to stroke deep inside her, all Elyse could do was move. Move to the rhythm of his hand until she was thrusting wildly against him. She arched, pulsed and shook, her head falling backward against the bed. The entire experience was so intoxicating. She’d never met a man like Julian that she’d wanted to be this intimate with and she suspected she never would.
He had ruined her for any other man.
* * *
Julian couldn’t believe how incredibly responsive Elyse was. She’d come on his hands and mouth. He just knew he wanted more. He lifted the fingers he’d had inside her and slowly licked them clean.
Elyse gasped and turned bright red.
“Look at me,” he ordered. Slowly, she opened her eyes and held his gaze while breathing heavily. “I want you desperately, Elyse, and that was just the appetizer. An amuse-bouche, if you will. It will be even better when I’m inside you.” He stood and began shrugging out of his clothes.
Blind Date with the Spare Heir Page 8