by Sienna Parks
“Juliet!” My name falls from his lips like poetry—more beautiful than a Shakespearian sonnet. As I give myself to him body and soul, I get lost in the intoxicating grind of his hips. He hammers into me chasing his own release. “God, I’m going to come!”
I let go.
A primal roar escapes him as I scream his name in ecstasy. My orgasm rips through me and sends him spiraling into his own release. His cock pulses, warm cum spilling inside me… filling me… all-consuming. We ride out the aftershocks together, my body limp and sated as he pulls out, leaving me bereft.
Travis rains soft kisses down the length of me savoring this sacred moment.
“I love you, Jules.”
“I love you, too.” He scoops me into his arms holding me close.
“Let’s get you inside. It’s freezing out here.” I nestle my head against his chest, our clothes left behind as he strides toward the house, naked, masculine, and animalistic. By the time we get to the house, I’m already aroused and greedy for more.
“Make love to me, Travis.” I don’t have to ask twice. We head straight to the bedroom, but this time is different. He’s in no rush, enjoying the slow seduction, making me ache for him before sinking into me over and over again. We finally collapse in a heap of tangled limbs, the covers pulled over us, wrapping us in our own little cocoon.
I close my eyes and listen to his heartbeat, happy in the warmth of his embrace.
Travis is still asleep, his arm pinning me to the bed. I’m thankful for a moment alone with my thoughts, overwhelmed by what happened earlier. I’ve been waiting so long for this, but a part of me… a big part… is afraid Travis had a kneejerk reaction to last night. Adrenaline can cloud a person’s judgment. If he wakes up and realizes this was a mistake and that what he felt was more gratitude than love, my heart will be obliterated—broken beyond repair.
His hair is sex-mussed and hot as hell. The last time I saw him sleep, it was still long, and his beard was thicker. He looks like a different person now, but still the same. I see the public persona, the athlete who dominated his sport. When I first found out who he was, I saw the resemblance to the star he used to be. Staring at him now, he’s evolved from the mountain man who saved my life—every bit as rugged and untamed, but with a strength of mind and refinement that makes him even more attractive.
I love him with everything I am, and I hope he feels the same when he wakes up. I stroke my fingers down the soft skin of his cheek, over the bristles of his beard, and onto his chest. His muscles are taut even in slumber with a smattering of hair that covers his pecs. His abs are like rock, but his skin feels soft against mine. He’s… perfect.
The sheets wrap loosely around his waist, his happy trail disappearing beneath the covers, teasing me with what lies beneath.
“Are you horny again, wildcat?” The rasp in his voice has me pressing my legs together.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. Sorry.” His eyelids struggle to open as he sleepily rakes his gaze over my naked torso.
“I’m awake now. You are so damn sexy. I look forward to waking up to this every morning.” I flinch as his hand caresses my breast, my nipple tightly budding under his ministrations. “What’s wrong? Why are you pulling away?”
“I just…”
“Fuck!” He jumps from the bed, wringing his hands through his hair, not concerned with covering his body.
“You said every morning, and I’m just worried…”
“You’ve had second thoughts?” He starts pacing the floor like he does when he’s nervous. “I finally let my guard down with you. I thought you had changed, that I could trust you.”
“You can. I haven’t changed my mind. I want you and Eli, and everything I told you this morning. I’m worried that you’ll change your mind. Last night was emotional, to say the least. We literally stared death in the face. I helped with Eli…”
“You didn’t help, Jules, you saved his life. You risked dying for him. Who does that?”
I move to the edge of the bed grabbing his hands in mine. Holding his gaze, I take a deep breath and open my heart.
“A woman who wants to be a mother to him. A woman who wants to be your wife one day. And, a woman who loves you more than anything else in this world.”
His gaze snaps up to meet mine, astonishment clear in his eyes.
“Don’t say stuff like that if you don’t mean it.”
“When have I seemed unsure? I made a mistake. One big mistake. But, I’ve been trying to make it up to you and prove I’m trustworthy. If you don’t trust me, why am I still here?”
“Because, I’m madly in love with you, Juliet. Always have been. I trust you now. I’m scared of having my heart broken. It’s more fragile than I’d care to admit.” My insides melt at his words.
“You have nothing to fear, Travis. You’re my soulmate. I’m the one who should be scared. You’ve already loved and lost your soulmate. I’m always going to be a less-than- perfect substitute. I could never live up to what you had with her, and I… it terrifies me. You are my one great love, Travis Thorburn.” I lunge at him claiming his lips with mine, my heart thundering in my chest. As his arms envelop me in a tight embrace, I let myself love him without fear or trepidation.
“Juliet… I don’t compare you to Angela. She was my wife and the mother of my child. I’m not going to lie and play down how deeply I loved her, or how broken I felt when I lost her. Until I met you, I thought we only got one shot in this life. One great love… one soulmate. Then, you came along and turned my world upside down. From the moment I lifted you into my arms out on the mountain, I wanted you. It was as if I’d found a piece of myself I’d been missing for so long.”
“Travis…”
“Let me finish. Jules, you’re not a substitute, and you won’t ever be second-best. What we have is different… new. You’ve taught me that life isn’t as clear-cut or cruel as I’d come to believe. Everything changed when Angela died. I changed. I’m not the same man I was, and the man I am now is head over heels in love with you. You’re my soulmate, Jules. I realized last night that I’ve been fighting the wrong battle all this time. Fighting my feelings for you instead of fighting tooth and nail to hold onto what we have. Life is short, and tomorrow is never a guarantee, but I want all of the tomorrows that God sees fit to give me to be with you.”
“Really?” My eyes well with tears. I am so overwhelmed with love and joy.
“I lost my North Star, and it broke me. I was adrift up in those mountains until I found you, Juliet. You’re my True North… the compass that’s shown me the way back to life, love, and the endless possibilities our future holds. I want you to stay here with me, not to make up for a mistake, but to build a life together. You, Eli, and me.”
He renders me speechless. There are no words to express the love I feel for this man, and as his eyes find mine, he understands. We’ve said everything we need to. Taking me by the hand, he leads me out into the living room wrapping a warm blanket around my shoulders as he puts logs in the fireplace. I watch, transfixed as sparks turn to flames, and flames become a roaring fire.
We make love by the warmth of the hearth, exploring, enjoying, and healing each other’s wounds. And, as I scream out his name, he reciprocates time and time again with a single word. Guttural, raw and true in every sense.
“Mine.”
My phone rings persistently in the distance, and I can’t ignore it any longer.
“Don’t answer it. The rest of the world can wait a day.” Travis presses a gentle kiss to my lips as the water cascades over us. He distracts me by dropping to his knees, running his hands up my thighs, kissing the trail as he goes. When he reaches the apex, he flicks his tongue out, lapping at my folds. I can’t think straight.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
I pull his hair forcing him back. “It could be important.”
Ring! Ring! Ring!
“As important as this?” He ravishes me with his tongue, unrelenting as my legs begin to
shake. I can barely hold myself up as he takes what he wants, ripping an intense orgasm from my core and eradicating anything else around us.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!
“Fuck! Answer it already.” His frustration is compounded, both mentally and physically. His erection strains against me as he stands to help me out of the shower, but I close the glass door sealing us in our oasis.
“I’ll call them back.” I’m rewarded with a sensual, knowing grin.
I drop to my knees and repay his… affections.
22
TRAVIS
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Her goddamn phone has been incessant for hours, but she’s intent on showing her commitment to us. It’s sweet, but I don’t need her reassurances anymore. I know this is it. Now, we enjoy living our lives together.
I go in search of her phone, but it stops ringing before I get to it. She has twenty-four missed calls, and they’re all from her dad.
“Jules. You better call your dad.” She emerges from the bathroom in nothing but a towel, and I can already feel myself hardening for her again. It’s like now that the dam is open, I can’t control the flood. I want more—my thirst for her is insatiable.
“Why? I told you I can call back later.”
“You have a ton of missed calls from him. Maybe it’s important.”
“How many?” Her color drains as fear wraps her in its cold tendrils.
“Twenty-four.” Panicked, she grabs the phone out of my hand. “There’s something I need to tell you before you talk to him.”
“Whatever it is can wait. I need to check they’re okay.” She disappears from the room with the phone to her ear.
“Daddy… what’s wrong? Slow down.”
I quickly dress and find some clothes for Jules. From the sound of her voice, I’m assuming the worst which is confirmed when she reappears five minutes later with tears streaming down her face.
“It’s my mom. She took a bad turn… tried to make breakfast for my dad… there was a fire.”
“Oh my God. Are they okay?”
“Yes. My dad got her out, but she got some pretty bad burns on her arms. They’ve taken her to the hospital. I have to go. I know the timing with us is… but she’s my mom.” I pull her into my arms, her body shaking against mine.
“I’ll go with you. You shouldn’t have to do this alone.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. What about Eli?”
“I’ll bring him with me. He can stay with his grandparents. It’s not up for debate. I’m coming.”
I make her sit and have coffee. She forces herself to eat, but it’s not a lot. I book the next flight to LA and set about packing a bag for the three of us. I’d let him stay here with my parents, but I don’t feel right about leaving him after the bear attack. It’ll be good for him to have a change of scenery for a few days, and I can be by Juliet’s side for whatever comes next with her mom.
We pick up Eli on our way to the airport and just like that, everything changes… again. Life changes on a dime, and if I’ve learned anything recently, it’s to roll with the punches. We can get through this together.
The smell of hospitals makes my stomach churn. Nothing but bad memories and death linger in these hallways. Juliet’s father was here to meet us when we arrived, his face pale and gaunt, the ravages of worry taking their toll.
I lace my fingers with hers trying to offer her strength as she steels herself for what she’s about to see. The room is quiet, the gentle hum of monitors and medication lines the only sound. Her mom is asleep, but the damage is clear. Her arms are wrapped in thick bandages from her wrists to her biceps.
Jules turns her face into my chest, a silent sob racking her body at the sight of her mom, vulnerable and injured. The realities of this disease are lost on most people. I did some research after she told me, and it’s alarming. It’s also a possibility that Juliet has the same gene. A life with her could mean her forgetting the life we build and needing round-the-clock care. But, none of that matters to me. I’d walk to the ends of the Earth for her. I’d slay the dragon. I’ll care for her if this is her fate.
“She looks so frail, Daddy. And, you look exhausted.”
“It’s been hard, muffin. I’ve been trying to cope by myself, but she needs better care than I can give her. They are saying she needs full-time home help, or she’ll need to move to a facility for round-the-clock care.” He breaks down, unable to face the future that lies ahead. Juliet goes to him wrapping her arms around him, rocking him like a child.
“It’s okay, Daddy. I’m here now. You don’t have to do this alone. We’ll figure it out.”
I step outside giving them a few moments together. I take the time to make a few calls, setting the wheels in motion for an earlier plan of mine. I was holding off to gauge Juliet’s reaction, but it’s too late for that. This requires action—now.
The hours tick by slowly as we watch and wait for her mom to come around. We’ve spoken with the doctors who are concerned she may need skin grafts, but it’s too early to tell. Jules formally introduces me to her dad, and it lightens the mood somewhat.
“Travis, this is my father, Matthew.”
“Nice to meet you, sir.” I hold out my hand, his shake firm and strong.
“Likewise. I wish it was under better circumstances. But, I’m glad to see you two got your act together.” He rests his hands over his wife’s. “There’s no time for nonsense and indecision.”
Mrs. Abrams eyes flutter at the sound of her husband’s voice and the touch of his hand. Her voice is barely a whisper.
“Is that you, sweetheart?”
“Yes, love. I’m here.” She opens her eyes and looks around the room, taking it all in.
“Where are we?”
“The hospital. You had an accident. The doctors are taking real good care of you.”
Her eyes find mine, and I think I see a hint of a smile on her lips.
“And who is this fine-looking young man?”
“Travis Thorburn, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m praying for a speedy recovery for you.”
“What a sweet boy. Thank you. I’m Margot. And who is this pretty lady you brought with you?” My heart sinks as she looks to her daughter with a vacant stare. She has no idea who Jules is.
“It’s me, Mom… Juliet.”
“Mom?” Margot becomes agitated. “I’m not a mother.”
“It’s okay. Sometimes you forget things. Don’t get upset, Mom.” The tears drip from Jules’s eyes and onto the harsh hospital sheets.
“Stop calling me that. I don’t know you. I don’t have kids. I’d remember. What kind of mother forgets her own kids. You’re lying. Get out of here. Get out!”
“I… I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry.”
“Get out!” I rest my hand on her shoulder offering whatever comfort I can.
“Why don’t we go and get some coffee? We’ll bring your dad back something to eat.” Her father looks at us with desolate eyes, a silent plea for help and the strength to carry on. I have to lift Jules to her feet and support her as we make our way to the door, her legs struggling to hold her up.
“Are you okay? I know that’s a stupid question right now. What can I do for you? Tell me, and it’s done.” She stares blankly into the distance—her fight is gone.
“I need to go up to the finance department and figure out a payment plan.”
“You don’t have to worry about any of that. Focus on your mom and dad.”
“She doesn’t know who I am.” Saying it out loud hits her like a ton of bricks. Her breath quickens. “My mom doesn’t remember me.” Her eyes roll back in her head, and she goes limp sending her crashing toward the floor. I manage to scoop her into my arms before she gets hurt, but my attempts to rouse her are ineffective.
“Jules, wake up. Open your eyes.” She remains unresponsive, so I carry her to the closest nursing station.
“I need help. My girlfriend just passed
out, and I can’t seem to wake her.” They rush us to a room and doctors go to work on her, the nurses trying to push me out the door.
“Sir, you need to wait outside. Let the doctors work.”
“I’m not leaving her. What’s wrong? One minute she was talking to me and the next she was gone.” My heart feels like it’s about to explode. I can’t go through this again. I need her to be okay.
“We don’t know yet. The doctor will run tests, and we’ll figure out what’s wrong. Please just go to the waiting room. I’ll come and get you as soon as I know anything. You can’t do anything for her right now.” I know… and that’s what’s killing me. I can’t do anything to help her.
The waiting room is cold and dark, and I’m the only person in here. I’ve been here before—the night Eli was born. It makes me sick to my stomach to think of Jules lying on a gurney, helpless and alone. The cheap clock on the wall gets louder with every minute that ticks by. I should go and tell her dad what’s going on, but until I know something, I don’t want to add more stress. He’s already frantic with worry for his wife. Add his daughter to the mix, and I’m scared he’ll have a heart attack.
An hour goes by before the nurse comes to get me.
“She’s asking for you, Mr. Thorburn.” I catapult myself from the chair and out the door, desperate to get to her.
“What happened? What’s wrong with her?”
“I can’t tell you that, sir. You’re not a family member. She’ll be able to explain everything. The doctor has already spoken with her.”
“She is family no matter what a piece of paper says.” She shows me back to the room where Juliet sits smiling back at me. Her eyes are sunken, exhaustion clear in the lines of her face.
“I’m so sorry about this, Trav.”
“Don’t ever apologize. I’m worried about you. What happened?”
“I’ve just been so sick with worry, I haven’t eaten today and was overwhelmed with what happened with my mom.” I search her eyes, looking for the answers she’s not telling me.