Adored: Book 1 (The Beloved Series)

by MJ Masucci

“You want to help me get adult furniture? We can go this week. How do you like my bed? Should I replace that?”

  “I’ve only slept in your bed once.”

  “And how did you like it?”

  “It’s comfortable but how old is the mattress?”

  “Old, probably fifteen years or so.”

  “Then maybe you should replace that, too.”

  “Are you planning on using the bed?”

  “Julian, what are you implying?”

  He looked skyward, “Nothing at all.”

  “Hmph, if I didn’t know better.”

  He began to laugh until he grabbed his side, which started to hurt.

  “Good for you, you deserve that.” She started to walk to the garage and he followed.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Just follow me.”

  Nina opened the double doors and Julian smiled widely at the sight of his new truck.

  “When did that get here?”

  “Thursday. I had Frankie bring it. Didn’t you wonder where my car was?”

  “I completely forgot about your car.”

  He came in the garage to run his hand over the black Ford F-150. Julian opened the door and inhaled deeply.

  “I love the new car smell. It’s been a long time since I had one. Do you want to go for a ride?”

  “I think you should take it easy. Those ribs are still tender.”

  His cell started to ring and he slipped it out of his pocket to answer it.

  “Moey! How are you?”

  “I heard what happened.”

  ”You did?”

  “Mom called me and said she heard from her neighbor that you were in the hospital.” “Yeah, that fucking asshole Caden Banner jumped me with some of his friends.”

  Julian continued the conversation, telling Maureen the entire story while Nina inspected his truck. The last thing she heard was him saying something about going out to California.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “I was going to tell you. I’ve had this planned forever.”

  “When are you leaving?”

  “September twenty-fifth.” He avoided looking at her.

  “That’s in two weeks.”

  “Look, each year I go out to California because usually Maureen can’t come here. She always has some commercial or a bit part she can’t leave. Her birthday is on the twenty-sixth and mine is the twenty-eighth. We celebrate together.”

  “So I’m going to miss celebrating your birthday with you?”

  “Come with me. Maureen has room for us both.”

  Nina turned her back, “I don’t want to impose.”

  “Don’t be upset. If I had known we would be together, I would’ve planned for you to go with me.”

  “Can you take me home?”

  “Nina!” He called after her as she headed for the cabin.

  Julian had a hard time running, but he caught up to her just before she got to the stairs of the porch.

  “It’s important to me to do this each year. If you knew how important, you wouldn’t be angry with me.”

  “Tell me. How am I supposed to know if you don’t tell me?”

  “My family died on September twelfth. Maureen and to some degree her family were there for me. They were the only ones. I was devastated and even my father’s business partner, whom I knew ever since I was a kid, didn’t care. When our birthdays rolled around, Maureen took me up here and we spent the whole day together. She made me feel again. For weeks after it happened, I couldn’t bear to have anyone touch me. She broke through.”

  “Did…did you sleep with her?”

  “NO! I told you our relationship was never like that,” he said angrily.

  “I’m sorry. I should go.”

  “I don’t want you to go. I want you here with me. I need you here with me.”

  “Then act like it, Julian.”

  “I thought I was.”

  “You have and you haven’t. I told you I want to know about you and you never told me this.”

  “It’s going to take time for me to learn to share things. I just told you something I never told anyone.”

  “Who would you tell,” she mumbled.

  “What? Who would I tell?”

  “Yes? You have no friends. You only have Maureen.”

  “It’s for a reason.”

  “Julian, you need to stop using your family’s death as an excuse. I told you, people die. That’s just the way it is. It might be unexpected, but it happens. Look at my father and brothers. They aren’t in the safest of professions. They can die anytime and in a gruesome way.”

  “Your family chooses to do what they do. My family was just out for a day of shopping and they ended up dead.”

  “And sometimes it happens that way. I could die coming to visit you.”

  “Don’t say that.”

  “But it’s true. I could.”

  “I don’t think I could handle that,” he said quietly with a look of pain on his face .

  “I didn’t say it’s going to happen, but it could.”

  “Come with me.”

  “I can’t. Go. You need Maureen. I’ll miss you, but I’ll find something to do while you’re gone.”

  “I’m going to miss you very much. We still have two weeks before I leave. Let’s make the best of it.”

  “Can we go up to the studio?”

  “Why? It’s a mess up there.”

  “I want to. I think you should start another painting for me.”

  “I have no supplies. I have to get some.”

  “Let’s just go up there.”

  Julian narrowed his eyes at her, “What did you do?”

  “You’ll see.”

  He felt giddy, like a kid on Christmas when he saw what she had done. Several blank stretched canvasses were leaning against the wall; one was placed on the easel. A box of paints and new brushes sat on the shelf near it.

  “How did you do this? Did you go while I was asleep?”

  “No, I would never leave you alone. I had Frankie make a trip to the city. There’s a wonderful art supply warehouse there. I gave him a list.”

  “You didn’t need to do this. Let me at least pay you for all this.”

  Nina’s face clouded, “It’s a gift. I won’t take money.”

  “You spent too much. I know how much these supplies cost.”

  “Julian, I have plenty of my own money. I might not work all the time, but my father pays me well. I don’t have much to spend it on. I wanted to spend it on you.”

  “I wanted to ask you about that. Where did you attend college?”

  “I went to SUNY Purchase for Art. I have a BFA.”

  “In what discipline?”

  “Painting and drawing.”

  He scratched his head, puzzled, “Why were you in my intermediate class then? You’re far more advanced than that if you have a BFA. You probably could have taught the class.”

  “I guess I’ll have to come clean. Don’t be upset.”

  Julian sat on the arm of the couch and crossed his arms waiting for an explanation.

  “I saw you at Sloan’s in July. Madison still had a crush on you and kept going on and on about you. When she saw that you were giving a class at the Annex, she begged me to go with her. I have to admit, she is God awful at painting. So I went and I felt something when I saw you.”

  He smirked, “You felt something? And what was that?”

  “A fluttery feeling in my stomach. I liked you.”

  “I have to admit something, too. I was very attracted to you when I saw you at the high school.”

  “You were? Why didn’t you say something?”

  “Because no matter how long I subbed, I was still your teacher. Besides, you were younger than eighteen. How would that look?”

  “But you’re not my teacher now,” she said as she approached him.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Kiss me.”

  Julian’s kiss started
out soft as Nina’s hands curled into his hair and tugged on it. She felt her womb clench as his tongue ran along her lips, then moved deeper into her mouth. Their breathing picked up as their passion grew. Julian shifted his legs as the bulge in his pants grew uncomfortable. Realizing what she was doing to him, Nina’s hands slipped to his waist, then to his zipper.

  “What are you doing?” he whispered in her mouth.

  “I want you.”

  “Not yet.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “It’s too soon. We’ve only been together for a month.”

  “That’s ridiculous. You said you love me, so what’s the difference?”

  “Because I don’t want to be that kind of guy.”

  “Did you make your other girlfriends wait?”

  Julian inhaled deeply and sat on the couch.

  “I didn’t have girlfriends except for Carly and she was a mistake. I slept with women not looking for a relationship or any other kind of attachment.”

  “That’s horrible. Weren’t you lonely?”

  “I was, even with Carly.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I chose her to try and get over my attachment issues. She was the wrong one. She was demanding and when I couldn’t open up to her fast enough, she left.”

  “Then why me?”

  “There’s something about you. When I saw you in my class that first night, I just knew I couldn’t let you get away. You make me…feel again. That’s why I don’t want to rush with you. You deserve better.”

  “I see.”

  “Maybe after I get back from California.”

  “That’s almost another month,” she exclaimed.

  “And it will be well worth it, I promise. I don’t want to be like Caden.”

  “You could never be like him.” Nina stroked the bruise on his cheek.

  “How do you know? I could be a jerk just like him.”

  “I don’t believe that.”

  “Let’s not talk about this. I want to enjoy the rest of the day. I want to take you for a walk in the woods.”

  Julian took Nina’s hand and they spent the next few hours slowly walking around his property because he was still sore. They walked until the sun started to sink in the sky. She made him dinner and afterwards, they spent some time kissing. When it came to bedtime, Julian asked if she wanted to sleep in bed with him.

  “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

  “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  “We aren’t having sex.”

  “Are you saying you think I can’t control myself?”

  “I should probably just sleep on the futon again.”

  “Sleep in the bed. I’ll sleep on the futon.”

  After a few more minutes of going back and forth, Nina relented and decided to sleep in bed with him. This would be the first time she slept in bed with a man the entire night under the covers. Julian let her use the bathroom first to give her privacy. She wore one of his t-shirts and slipped under the sheets.

  When he came out of the bathroom, she was snuggled in bed with her hair fanned out on the pillow. Thinking she was asleep, he quietly got into bed so as not to wake her and shut out the light. As he was dozing, her hand reached out to touch his chest and he put his over hers.

  “Julian, can you cuddle me?”

  “Uh, yeah. Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I want you close to me.”

  Julian turned on his side and pulled Nina against him, curling his body around her. It was how they woke up. Neither had moved during the night.

  Nina stretched and Julian shifted his body onto his back, yawning loudly.

  “I slept wonderfully last night in your arms.”

  He grinned widely, “I really liked having you in my arms.”

  “I need to go home today. I have no clean underwear.”

  “Yeah, that does pose a problem. I can take you after breakfast. On Saturday mornings, my father would make the whole family pancakes. I’d like to resurrect that tradition if you want to share them with me.”

  “That’s another first. A man making me pancakes.”

  “I hope I can give you a lot of firsts.”

  Julian got out of bed and pulled on a pair of sweatpants he had slung over a chair in the corner. The air in the cabin was a bit chilly since it was getting toward fall time. Some of the leaves had started to change from green to hues of orange and yellow with the coming of the cooler days and chilly nights.

  As he was working in the small kitchen, he heard Nina’s phone start to chime. I wonder who is contacting her so early on a Saturday morning. The chiming stop and minutes later she came out of the bedroom fully dressed.

  “I need to go home.”

  “What, now?”

  “Yes. My father is on his way up and he isn’t happy. He heard about the incident with Caden. He had an argument with my mother. I need to go home to keep the peace.”

  Julian scratched at his stubble, “So, no breakfast?”

  “I’m sorry. I promise to make it up to you.”

  He said nothing and went into the bedroom to dress. When he came out, he remained silent as he walked to the garage with her following. He held the passenger door open for her and slammed it shut, hard. Nina knew he was upset.

  “Julian,” she said as he got into his seat. “Don’t shut me out. I know you’re upset but talk to me.”

  “I’m really in no mood to talk right now. Let me just concentrate on the drive.”

  Nina could tell by the tone of his voice that he was disappointed. She could see the hood of darkness closing over him again as his gray eyes focused on the road. Not sure of what she could say to make it better, she remained quiet until he pulled into her driveway.

  “Don’t be angry.”

  Julian got her bag from the backseat and handed it to her, then reached over to pop the door open. He waited and when she didn’t move, he prodded her.

  “Goodbye, Nina.”

  “Julian, please.”

  “Go. You got family business to handle. Maybe they’ll lock you up in the tower so you can’t see the big bad wolf again.”

  “That’s not fair.”

  “Goodbye.”

  She stepped out of the truck and without looking at her; Julian pulled out of her driveway. It was times like these that he wanted to drink himself into a stupor. He had done it before after his family died. Never one to take illegal drugs, he used alcohol to dull the pain.

  That first week after their deaths, he spent it with Maureen’s family. By the second week, he hid in his house, raiding the liquor cabinet. Maureen had gone looking for him and found him drunk and snoring in his father’s den. She kicked at his shoulder until he woke, swinging at the offending foot. He remembered her words like they were spoken yesterday: sometimes those we love leave us, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone from our lives.

  Maureen sat down next to him and cradled his head in her lap while he cried until he couldn’t cry anymore. She had been the one person to talk him from the darkness. He needed her now. Checking his watch, it was just past eleven, so that meant eight in California.

  As he pulled into his driveway, he stopped at the entrance and dialed her number then continued to his garage.

  “What the fuck, Gennaro! I told you not before nine, my time.”

  “Moey,” his voice breaking, on the edge of crying.

  “Julian, what’s wrong?”

  “Everything.”

  “Tell me; I’m here for you.”

  “It’s Nina; it’s tomorrow, it’s just everything. I need to get out of here.”

  “Jules, why don’t you come out early? You don’t need to be there alone, especially tomorrow. Pack your shit and come to me. I have some news, but I’ll wait until you get here.”

  “I’ll do it. Let me go so I can pack.”

  Julian ran into the house and pulled his duffel bag out of the closet. Quickly, he packed opening and shutting drawers at a furious pace. The pancakes he pre
pared earlier still sat on a plate on the table. He dumped them and took the bag of garbage out of the can before he exited the cabin. Throwing his duffel and the garbage bag in the back of his truck, he deposited the garbage at the end of the driveway then headed for Westchester County Airport.

  His phone pinged on and off as he made the fifty mile trip to the airport. He ignored it, only interested in getting to Maureen. She was home no matter where she was. Fortunately, traffic was light and he got there in a little over an hour. After he parked in the long term parking lot, he went inside with his duffel bag to change his reservation he booked a few weeks ago.

  Before the plane took off, he glanced at his phone. Nina had texted him several times and he deleted them. Julian was no good for her; he would only hurt her in the end. Maybe if he liked California, he would think about staying. He shut the phone off and inserted it in his pocket before falling asleep right after takeoff.

  Chapter 8

  Seven hours later he stepped out into the hot sunshine of California. It was late afternoon, but the heat of the day made him wish he had worn shorts. He hailed a cab, giving the driver Maureen’s address. Turning on his phone he saw several more texts; he deleted them. He didn’t need the distractions of home. This was his vacation and tomorrow would be especially hard as it always was each year.

  Unlike suburban New York, the traffic in Los Angeles was hectic. The short trip to Maureen’s apartment was taking forever and he was thrilled when the cab pulled up to her place. He thanked the driver. She had moved since he last visited. This place was nicer with a large in ground pool in a grass and concrete courtyard. He walked past several scantily clad women in bikinis who waved to him and he nodded back.

  All the apartments looked the same and he thought he was lost until he heard a voice from the terrace above.

  “Hey, Jules.”

  He looked up to see Maureen, as scantily clad as the women at the pool, waving frantically at him. He waved back and ran up the stairs to her apartment. She was waiting for him and they hugged.

  Maureen Miller was perfect for the profession she had chosen. She had a petite body and long blond hair that framed a face of smooth cream colored skin with bright blue eyes. She was beautiful and if she weren't Julian’s best friend, he would have surely dated her.

  “I was wondering when you would get here. I texted you several times. You look like shit, all the colors of the rainbow.”