Julian brushed past Shelly; his patience threadbare now. ‘Excuse me, Shelly. I need some sleep.’
‘Just walk out, Julian. It’s what you’re best at.’
Julian couldn’t miss Mrs. Cartwright’s face reddening like someone was shoving a chili up her nose. Her reaction warmed his heart. She was used to defending him when he was being an arse; it must really have been killing her not to say anything now when he was in the right.
‘Will I call you if Miss Andrews wakes,’ Mrs. Cartwright asked as Julian walked away.
Julian turned around and smiled. It was a subtle reminder from the elderly lady not to underestimate her.
‘Oh my, have I put my foot in it,’ she said, smirking and tossing her eyebrows.
Julian waited for the familiarity of Melissa’s surname to resonate with Shelly. It was actually quite entertaining to watch her eyes widen and her nostrils twitch as she tried, and failed, to play it cool.
‘Oh, my God. Eva’s sister is the hooker. Have you been…you know…with her?’
Julian looked Shelly up and down. He wasn’t prepared to entertain that question with an answer.
‘Eva’s going to be blown away.’
Julian’s temper was bubbling just below the surface. ‘You can’t tell her.’
‘What. Why?’
‘Because I said so.’
‘That’s not fair. They’re sisters.’ Shelly pressed her hands against her hips. ‘It’s fate, anyway. Of all the tattoo places in New York, where did Eva pick today? The place across the road from Vertigo. And to think her sister was inside at the time, that’s just mad.’
Julian was back in front of Shelly in an instant, his hand on her shoulders cementing her to the floor. ‘Is she still there now?’
‘Eva? Yeah, sure, that’s what I was trying to tell you. She was still there when I left, but I don’t know about now. It might be too late.’
Julian raced into his room and grabbed one of his freshly pressed suits from his wardrobe. ‘Get the car, Anthony,’ he shouted back toward the sitting room as he dressed as quickly as he could.
‘But I thought we were lying low,’ Anthony shouted back.
‘Change of plan. I’m going to dinner,’ Julian said appearing just moments later, slipping his cufflinks into his shirt and pulling on his jacket. ‘Watch her,’ he said to Mrs. Cartwright, casting his eyes toward Melissa’s room. ‘And her,’ he added glancing at Shelly. ‘I won’t be late.’
Chapter 21
Anthony was a capable driver; he’d even served his time as a co-driver on the Irish Rally Circuit. He was the reason Julian’s decision to hire him was so easy; it was a connection to his father. But driving back to Manhattan, Julian felt like Anthony was stuck in reverse.
‘Much longer?’ Julian asked.
‘About two minutes less than the last time you asked, Mr. Harte.’
Julian didn’t appreciate the sarcasm, but he was distracted by the vibration of his phone. He sighed, seeing Eva’s name appear on his screen. He scrolled down to open the attached picture. Fuck me. Evangeline Andrews, you surprise the hell out of me.
‘Change of route, Anthony. Brooklyn, please.’
‘She’s home, then,’ Anthony said, relief pitched in his tone.
Julian stood on the footpath outside Eva’s apartment watching Anthony drive away. It had almost taken an argument to get Anthony to leave. But the last thing Julian wanted was his car parked outside Eva’s block. Unlikely as it was, he didn’t want it seen by the wrong people.
‘It’s open.’ Eva’s voice came over the intercom. ‘Come on up.’
Julian raced up the stairwell, taking two steps at a time. Eva’s apartment door was open and he could see inside as soon as he rounded the top of the stairs. Anyone could have walked in and hurt her. How could she be so stupid, putting herself in danger like that? He stopped in the middle of the corridor and punched the wall hard. He reminded himself that she didn’t know what fucked-up mess was just around the corner from her. She wasn’t putting herself in danger. He’d put her in danger. He straightened his tie, exhaled sharply, and cracked his neck to each side.
He closed the apartment door behind him, loud enough for the slam to drag Eva out of the kitchen to investigate.
‘Hey, you,’ she said smiling.
A simple, loose bun pulled her hair back from her face. Her eyes sparkled, emphasised with minimal make-up, and her sweet white and red striped apron made her look like a candy cane. A delicious treat and Julian was desperate to pick her up and lick her all over. ‘Hey.’
‘Dinner will be ready in half an hour. Can I get you something to drink?’
‘Yeah, sure. What have you got?’
The curtains were open. They were eight stories up, but the exposure was irritating him.
‘Wine. Beer. Some gin, I think.’
‘Wine’s good, thanks.’
Eva reappeared just seconds later with two slender cut glass champagne flutes, two-thirds full with sparkling bubbles.
‘Impressive, Miss Andrews.’
Eva tossed an eyebrow. ‘Thank you, Mr. Harte. Now are you going to cut all this politeness bullshit and kiss me?’
Julian’s lips were on hers without a second thought. Her tiny mumble of pleasure as his tongue brushed against hers drove his cock crazy and his erection grew and bulged against his suit trousers.
‘Happy to see me, Mr. Harte,’ Eva inquired, pressing her belly against his hardness.
‘Very,’ Julian gasped, his hot breath rushing from his open mouth into hers.
‘You liked my photo?’
Julian dragged his teeth along her bottom lip, bit hard for a split second, and pulled away. ‘It was a surprise; I’ll give you that.’
‘It was supposed to be,’ Eva said closing the gap he’d forced between them.
‘You shouldn’t have done it.’
‘Why not? It’s my body. It’s fun to be spontaneous. Now who was it again that told me that I overthink everything?’ Eva tapped her finger against her temple while swishing her lips from side to side, ‘Hmm, trying to remember his name.’
Julian’s ground his back teeth. ‘Don’t tease.’
‘Who’s teasing?’ Eva ran her tongue from his crisp white collar, up his neck—slowly, softly, teasingly—stopping just below his ear and moaning softly as her pussy was aching to feel him.
‘I don’t need your approval, Julian.’
Julian’s eyes pinched and fire burned in his belly. She was pushing his buttons, and she fucking knew it, too. She’d learned exactly what to do to get a reaction from him. Game on.
‘Less spontaneous and more stupid, if you ask me.’
‘But I didn’t ask you.’ Eva stepped back.
‘Well, you fucking should have.’
Eva took another step back. She walked to the bottle of wine resting on the windowsill and gulped a huge mouthful straight from the bottle. ‘I’m not the same person you kicked out of your life six months ago, Julian.’
‘Don’t I fucking know it,’ Julian snorted, taking the bottle from her hands to guzzle some.
‘It’s not funny, Julian.’
‘I’m not laughing, sweetheart,’ Julian said reaching for her again.
She smacked his hand away. ‘Don’t! This…’ Eva pointed from her head to her toes ‘…This belongs to me. You lost all rights to have a say when you sent me back here.’
‘Christ, it’s New York not fucking Mount Joy Goal.’
‘You did me a favour, you know.’
‘You’re welcome, baby. Now how about you repay that favour with your lips around my cock.’
Eva closed her eyes, ran her tongue around her lips, and groaned. Julian’s cock ached like a motherfucker as he watched her.
‘You want this?’ Eva asked, dropping her eyes to the bulge in his pants.
Julian let his salacious grin answer the rhetorical question.
‘Okay. Say you’re sorry?’ Eva said.
‘What?’<
br />
‘Come on, say it. Just apologise.’
‘No. I think what you did was fucking stupid.’
‘Then why are you practically coming in your pants just thinking about it?’
‘Evangeline. I can guarantee you that I have never come in my pants. And as pretty as that little pussy of yours is, it takes a bit more than just thinking about it to get me off.’
Eva slipped her hand between his legs and cupped his balls as she looked into his eyes. He wouldn’t say sorry. She’d have to do better than that.
‘So, you think I’m an idiot?’
Julian smiled but he didn’t speak.
‘The silent treatment…or is Mr. Julian Harte at a loss for words?’ Eva giggled.
Julian slipped his hand around Eva's head and buried his fingers in her hair. He pulled her mouth onto his and kissed her hard. Rough, hungry, aching. Tasting her, drinking her in, making damn sure she wanted him. He pulled back and breathed out hard.
‘You mutilated your body to prove a point. Yes, I think you’re a fucking idiot.’
‘That’s okay,’ Eva said repeating his kiss with the same raw intensity. ‘I think you’re a cocky bastard. But I still want to fuck you. Do you want to fuck me, Julian?’
Eva pressed her perky tits against his chest. There were too many clothes in his way. He wanted everything off. Now. He grabbed her slight hips, lifting her clean off the floor and into his arms. He needed her close; he needed to bury his cock deep inside her and forget that the last twenty-four hours had just happened. Forget the last twenty-four years. For a while, at least.
‘Yes,’ he growled as she wrapped her legs tight around his waist, her calves brushing against his arse cheeks. ‘Let me see. I want to see it?’
‘Tut, tut, Julian. Don’t rush this.’
‘Well played, Miss Andrews,’ Julian smirked hearing an echo of his own words. ‘You’re wearing too much. I need this off. Now.’
Eva began to slowly untie her apron strings. But Julian’s hands were all over hers, he couldn’t wait. He tossed her apron to the side, knocking over the untouched glasses of wine on the coffee table.
‘Leave it,’ Julian said, cupping her face in his hand and pulling her attention away from the spill back to him. ‘More, I need more of you.’
Eva slipped her hands under his jacket and slid it off his shoulders. She groaned deeply as she buried her face in his neck, taking in the smell of his aftershave. He remembered her favourite, and he purposely wore it.
****
His smell was so good that Eva could feel every inch between her legs pulse in response, causing her piercing to bite against her flesh. Julian fell back against the couch with her still in his arms. She slipped one knee on each side of his waist, barely breaking away from his hot, intense kiss. Eva raised her hand over her head as Julian tugged her t-shirt off. Her bun loosened and her hair fell soft around her face. Julian watched her for a moment, and she smiled, letting him.
‘Always so beautiful,’ he said placing a soft kiss on the tip of her nose.
‘I’ve missed you so much,’ she whispered.
Eva kept her eyes locked on his as his fingers slipped around her back and unclasped her bra. Cool air hit her breasts and her nipples puckered in response. It was the perfect contrast to Julian’s hot breath on her chest as he leaned forward, dotting tiny, soft kisses on her skin, his tongue tracing delicate circles around and around. His hands moved to grab her ass so tight a hiss of pleasure and surprise shot between her teeth. She tossed her head back, her back arching like a horseshoe. His head moved gradually lower, his tongue tracing a path to just above her underwear line. His attention was everywhere, and the fine hairs on the back of her neck shot up like his kisses were tiny electric shocks of pleasure. His attention was everywhere except where she desperately wanted it. He bit the elastic of her panties between his teeth and jerked his head back, pulling it away from her body. The elastic snapped against her skin as he let go suddenly.
‘You’re teasing me. I know you want to see it.’
Julian shot up and flipped Eva onto her back on the rug beside the couch. She gasped, looking up at him. Her heart raced. That was rougher than she’d ever experienced with him.
Eva lifted her ass instinctively as Julian kneeled in front of her and slipped her panties off and threw them to the side. He had a hungry determination in his eyes. It was new, and she wasn’t sure if it terrified her or thrilled her. But what she did know was that she wanted his kisses between her legs more than anything else in the world.
Julian lifted her leg, placing her foot on his chest. ‘Lie back,’ he instructed. ‘Close your eyes.’
A satisfied hum vibrated in Eva’s chest as Julian’s thumbs circled her ankle, massaging her gently. ‘Oh God, that’s amazing.’
‘Shh.’
His fingers worked their way up her calves, slowly and with just enough pressure to make her desperate for him. His fingers stroked the soft skin at the back of her knee and she shuddered as a shiver rippled up her spine, exploding at the nape of her neck. His hand slowly moved around to the front, pushing her legs wider apart until her feet fell at each side of his body and he moved to kneel closer between her. His fingers were inside her calves before she had time to think and she knew their next step. She bit her bottom lips and waited.
‘This better be good,’ Julian warned, lifting his head from staring between her to meet her eyes.
Eva swallowed hard. Oh God, she hoped he liked it.
‘Another man touching you there today bothers me, Evangeline. Do you know that?’
Eva nodded. He could be singing, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” right now and it would sound hot and possessive, just the way she liked him.
‘Did he touch your clit,’ Julian said, his voice rushing against her like gritty hail.
‘I…I…can’t remember.’
‘Did you like it? Did you like him touching you there?’
‘It hurt. A lot. I think I screamed.’
‘No pleasure without pain. I’m going to look now. Don’t stop me,’ Julian warned.
Eva felt Julian’s fingers part her and she held her breath waiting for his response. There was no sound. She could feel his breath rush against her in short, hot bursts, but she couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
‘Do you like it?’ she whispered.
‘Evangeline Andrews, I think you just became a tiny bit more perfect.’
Chapter 22
Julian rested his hand on her chest, between her breasts. He knew she hadn’t noticed she was shaking, and he wouldn’t tell her. Her heart thundered against his palm and for a second he was lost in how good her skin felt in his hands. She had no idea how much power she had. How every single thing he did came with a question of how it would affect her. How she made leaving her almost fucking impossible. How he had no other choice because he’d finally found his heart again after all these years and Eva was the only thing that kept it beating. He knew he should leave and put keeping her safe over his own selfish wants. He should have told Anthony to turn around when he got her text just after he left Long Island and knew she was safe at home, but there was no way he could walk away from her now. The soft roundness of her breasts filled his hands. He dropped his head against her silky stomach and lay very still.
Eventually, she eased herself out from under his sleepy weight and flicked off the lights. She dropped to her knees beside him. Her fingers pressed against his chest as she undid each of his shirt buttons, slowly and effortlessly, like they had all the time in the world to just be together. The city lights shone through the window like hundreds of coloured fireflies lighting only for them. No one else could see them because, at that moment, the rest of the world didn’t exist. Eva unbuckled his belt and pulled off his trousers, gasping at the discovery of his absent boxers.
‘You’re not the only one with surprises, Miss Andrews.’ Julian smiled.
Eva’s eyes sparkled and approval glowed in her reddening
cheeks.
Julian had seen her naked often enough to simply close his eyes and savour her portrait in his mind, but something about watching her slide beside him on the soft rug was new and enchanting. He wanted to push inside her and stay there forever. His cock pressed against her hip, begging for her attention. They lay in a tangled mess, their legs and arms wrapping around and overlapping. Like they could become one person by getting close enough.
Eva turned on her side, facing him, her body still splashed against his. She closed her eyes as Julian followed her curves with his fingers, over her hips, to her ribs and up her neck. He watched her tiny shiver as he stroked her just behind her ear. She opened her eyes and the vulnerability in their emerald beauty scared him. Leaving her again could destroy her and staying could be even worse, but all his concerns were pushed aside by the feeling of her fingers tracing a line from his balls to his ass. His cock was in control now and he couldn’t deny her delicious pink flesh any more than he could deny his lungs air. Evangeline Andrews was like pure oxygen for his cock and he needed to breathe.
Once more. Just one more night. Once Julian had made up his mind, he never doubled back. If this was it, it’d had better be the best sex of both their lives. Julian caught her wrist and flipped her onto her back; he was parched for her and desperate to drink her in. He needed her taste in his mouth, he needed her flavour in his body. He dropped his head between her legs, this time not waiting for her to catch her breath. He groaned as his tongue danced across her silky wet, lapping up every drop. Kissing her clit, he enjoyed the coolness of the small metal bar resting just above her bud as it pressed against his lip. He’d slept with other women with clitoral hood piercings before. He always enjoyed the pleasure of the accessory. But he’d never been entranced by the tiny jewel before. Maybe it was the mix of Eva’s beauty and innocence contrasting with a piercing designed purely to heighten sexual pleasure that drove him crazy with smoking hot lust. Or maybe it was because he doubted Eva knew just how mind-blowing her orgasm was about to be.
Turned on as much by her quiet moans as by the feel of her soft bud, he swirled his tongue over her. She arched her back in response, dragging her fingers through his hair and pulling him closer to her. His hands slipped around her back, feeling the bones of her spine, the way they arched and dipped as they offered her body to him. His hands followed her delicious curves around to the front, chasing up her body, cupping her breasts, squeezing hard until her moans changed to deep pants and loud groans. Her hips rocked against his face and he pressed his tongue harder against her, swirling faster, more intense. He rolled her nipples between his fingers. Hearing her gasp of appreciation turned him on as much as feeling them pucker up and stiffen.
Change of Harte (Harte, #2) (Harte Series) Page 11