by Brooks, Abby
“I was a naval aviator until an injury earned me an honorable discharge.”
“A naval aviator? Like, you flew planes?”
“I did.”
“So, the Top Gun quote wasn’t just by accident then?”
“Might be one of my favorite movies.” Ian held up his hands. “Might be part of the reason I wanted to fly planes in the first place.”
“What happened?” Juliet picked at her salad. “How did you get hurt?”
Ian tsked and pushed his empty salad bowl away. “By my count, you just asked four, maybe five questions. It’s my turn.”
“But there’s no way I have any answers as interesting as I fly planes.”
“Let me be the judge of that, thank you very much.” Ian paused as the waitress came to clear away their salad plates. “Do you consider yourself a risk taker?”
I signed a contract that gave a man complete and utter power over me. I think that’s a pretty decent sized risk. Juliet took another drink of her wine and Ian reached across the table to top off her glass. “Yes. I’d say I take risks.”
“Name a few.”
She held up her hand. “Nope. It’s my turn. Besides, that’s not a question.”
“Exactly, so, we won’t be skipping your turn if you tell me. Plus, you already owe me like six questions as it is.”
“I thought you said four or five.”
“Interest rates are a bitch.”
“Fine.” She thought back. “I went bridge jumping with my friends once. That was pretty risky.” She told him all about the time they’d gone out to some old railroad tracks and walked out over a bridge that stood about thirty feet above a river. “It was all I could do to climb over that railing, to feel it against my back and know that there was nothing between me and a free fall into the water. I was the last one to jump. But when I did, all I can say is wow! I had enough time to think about how long I fell before I hit the water. And then, I was supposed to keep my arms wrapped tight around me, but at the last second I flung them out to my side. They slapped the water so hard it broke blood vessels all up my arms. Had some nasty bruises.”
“Ouch.” Ian cringed. “Ever jumped out of a plane?”
“Nope. Have you?”
He widened his eyes and looked at her like she’d missed something big. “Naval aviator...?” he said when she didn’t make the connection herself.
“Oh! Right! Was it amazing?”
“Imagine your experience stretched out over many minutes. Well, minus the bruising, I guess.”
Juliet felt her eyes go wide. “Wow. I’ve always considered it. I used to wish I was a bird. They always looked so peaceful and free, up there in the sky. Looking down on us all.”
“Maybe I’ll take you sometime.”
Juliet’s stomach started flip-flopping and she wasn’t sure if it was because of the thought of actually skydiving, or because of the thought of getting to spend more time with Ian. “I’d like that,” she managed to say, lowering her eyes and looking up at him through her lashes.
Ian continued asking questions and answering hers, and it felt like she’d known this man all her life. Like her heart had known he’d existed this whole time and was just waiting for them to finally meet. Like a missing piece of her soul finally fit itself into place. She’d never felt so at ease, so real, so … happy.
Chapter Fifteen
Ian
Watching Juliet talk about herself was like watching a strange version of peekaboo. There were these glimpses of pure exuberance that poked through her practiced exterior, filled with such vivid emotion it was like watching a child. Not because she was childish, oh no. Not like that at all. But because she had these moments of uninhibited joy and delight. Like watching her sing and dance in the car while he led her to the house she was going to call home for a while. But she also had so much sadness. This tense jawed, dark eyed sorrow that she tried to hide behind an easy smile.
Ian wondered how many people had been fooled by that smile. Or worse, how many people had decided not to care. He wasn’t going to be another one who let her get away with hiding behind her practiced answers and perfectly cultivated responses. Whatever had her so disappointed in her life, whatever it was that hurt her, he was going to find it. And when he did, he’d eradicate all traces of it. There was something special in this woman. Something more than just a gorgeous little body and quick mind.
“Oh my God,” she said around her first bite of dinner, one hand covering her mouth. “This is amazing.”
Ian had known she would love it, but not because he was fool enough to think he knew her tastes after a handful of hours spent together. This particular dish was his brother’s specialty and there’s not been one person in Bliss who didn’t crave it. “Was I right?” he asked.
Juliet nodded emphatically. “This might be my new favorite meal of all time.”
Ian smiled and watched her close her eyes and moan over the next few bites. I’ll give you something else to moan about. And suddenly he was picturing her stretched out on that bed he’d brought her, naked and open to him, her wrists captured in his hands…
“What?” she asked, catching him looking at her.
Ian took a breath and shook his head. “Just like watching you is all.”
She dropped her eyes to her plate as a blush flared across her cheeks. Damn, she was so beautiful. “Okay, I’ve got a question for you,” she said, smiling as if she had a wicked little secret. “What did you find when you Googled me?” She shrugged and flared her hands as if to say she wasn’t offended, just curious.
Ian put down his fork. The whole point of the Get to Know You Game was to eventually circle around to Michael Phillips and find out what he could discover. He’d almost talked himself out of going there because he was enjoying himself and didn’t want to alienate her. And yet, here she was, bringing it up herself. This was not a woman to underestimate.
Well, if she wasn’t going to pull any punches, than neither would he. “I found a bunch of pictures with you and that guy on the Tech Lord commercials.”
“You just won major bonus points for not trying to pass it off like you didn’t Google me. I’d have Googled you if I had a phone that could do it.” She winked at him slyly and took another bite of fish, closing her eyes and looking completely nonplussed. “So,” she said, swallowing, “your turn. I’m sure you have questions.”
“Is he the guy you’re running from?”
“He is.” She looked concerned for a fraction of a second and that damned flash of fear darkened her eyes and tightened her jaw again. “Does that bother you?”
“Not at all.” Ian took a long drink of wine, fighting back a surge of protectiveness. Juliet Lane was not his woman to protect. Yet. “Why are you running?”
Now it was her turn to put down her fork and look serious. “I signed a non-disclosure contract.” She studied his face, watching for judgement he was sure, and he did his damndest to make sure his expression stayed open. A non-disclosure? What could have warranted something like that? Corporate espionage?
Ian reached across the table and took her hand. “Juliet, are you in trouble?”
“I think I was. But I don’t think he knows where I am. I went to a lot of trouble to make sure he couldn’t find me. I think I’m finally safe.”
She smiled, clearly uncomfortable and Ian directed the conversation into easier topics, delighted when her smile came back unencumbered. She was safe all right, but not because Michael Phillips wasn’t out looking for her or anything like that. For all Ian knew, Phillips could be waiting on her front porch at this very minute. But that didn’t change the fact that Juliet was safe. Because anything that was going to get to her, was going have to go through him.
Chapter Sixteen
Juliet
Well, at least the Michael Phillips thing was out in the open. Kind of. Ian didn’t know the whole sordid story, but that’s probably for the best. What would he think of her if he knew she was willing to si
gn a BDSM contract? That Michael had whipped her? Tied her up and hurt her while she cried big, ugly tears? That even when she’d begged him to stop, he hadn’t stopped? Not even when she’d used her safe word?
Not much, that’s what. He’d either think she was crazy, a fool, or damaged goods. But, she had known he would have Googled her. Who didn’t in this day and age? She’d done her own tech-less version of it by talking to Ellie in Good Beginnings yesterday.
By bringing it up herself, she could get it out in the open. Well, as in the open as she actually could get it, considering the non-disclosure contract. But it would give him a chance to ask his questions and give her a chance to give him some answers.
She’d been afraid that the whole non-disclosure thing would bring their conversation to an awkward halt, all flirtation screeching to a stop and shattering any hopes of the actual bliss Julz hoped to find in Bliss. But Ian handled it gracefully and turned the conversation in a lighter direction. Outside, the sun had set and the ambience in Moore Good Eats grew more and more intimate. Juliet found herself leaning in towards Ian and Ian leaning in towards her, their voices lowering, fingers grazing skin. Eye contact simmering. Heat growing between them.
He asked her simple things now, her favorite color, her favorite song, her favorite flower. He asked her about her travels and amazed her with all the places he’d been while in the Navy. He spoke some more about his family and the love he felt for them—and more importantly from them—was so clear, so evident in the words he chose and the expressions on his face, that Juliet felt a little twinge of regret that she couldn’t reciprocate with stories of her own family. But she talked about Willow and their time together in college and that was close enough.
It’d been a long day with a lot of physical work out in the sun. A day that had started at four in the morning. Juliet knew she was exhausted, but she either didn’t feel it or didn’t care. She watched the corners of Ian’s eyes crinkle with his smile, studied his lips as they formed his words, appreciated the way he took in everything around them, the way he noticed and remembered even the smallest detail.
After he caught her stifling a yawn for the third or fourth time, he sat back and sighed. “I bet you’re regretting that four o’clock wake up call. Wishing you’d slept in until 6:30 like me, yet?”
“Uh-uh. No way. First of all, I’m having way too much fun to be tired. And second of all, I have this feeling that if I’d gotten up later and not been ready when you showed up, I’d have never lived it down.”
“Well, now, that’s probably true.” Ian had paid the bill long ago, waving away Juliet’s attempt to pick up the tab with a dismissive shake of his head. Now, he sat back in his chair and lifted his hands in a questioning gesture. “Shall we?” he asked, tilting his head towards the door.
“Sure.” Juliet didn’t really mean it. She wasn’t at all ready to let this evening end.
Ian stood and put his hand on Juliet’s lower back and led her towards the front door. She wanted to lean into him, to press her body against his, but she didn’t want to seem too eager, too friendly. Which was silly, she knew, considering the heat in the kiss they’d shared on her back porch this afternoon. The way he’d wrapped his fist into her ponytail and pulled, tilting her head back so he could kiss along her neckline. Good lord, yes please!
She spent the entire car ride back to her house thinking about sliding her hands up his thigh and rubbing him until he got hard, then unzipping his pants and freeing him, unbuckling herself and leaning over, swirling her tongue around the head of his dick, listening to him gasp as he tried to focus on driving.
“Juliet?” Ian was glancing between her and the road, a question on his face. “You weren’t even paying attention to me, were you?”
Oh, I was paying attention to you.
“Sorry, my mind wandered a little.”
“Oh yah, to what?”
Somehow, she got the feeling that he knew just where her mind had been. Oh no! Had she been staring at his crotch? Well, he’d either caught her or he hadn’t, but it didn't really matter. She figured she’d go with the truth. “You. I was thinking about you.”
“But I’m right here.”
“Yep. And I like being right here with you.”
“You do?” Ian smiled without taking his eyes off the road. “Good.”
Way before she was ready, Ian pulled up next to her Hyundai in her new driveway. “Would you like to come in for a drink?” she asked before she realized just how sparse her drink selection was. “I mean, I’ve got water, in your very own glass if you remember, coffee, and, well, that’s about it.”
Ian turned to her. “I’d love to come in.”
It wasn’t lost on Juliet that he hadn’t said anything about wanting something to drink. She undid her seat belt and slid out of the car, suddenly very nervous. What the hell was she doing? Seducing her landlord? What good could possibly come of this?
All kinds of good, her heart told her head.
She fumbled in her purse for her keys and just as she found them, Ian took her face in his hands and kissed her, his tongue darting in and out of her mouth, tasting sweet like wine. Her body responded urgently, a fire building deep in her center. She slid her hands up his hard chest and around his shoulders, the keys jingling lightly with the movement, and pulled herself closer to him, needing more contact. More. Just plain more.
Ian stepped out of the kiss. “I’m not really thirsty,” he said, and took the keys from her hand and let them into her house. No sooner had he closed and locked the door behind him, did he have her in his arms again, his mouth trailing kisses over her mouth and her jaw, nuzzling into her hair and biting lightly on her earlobe, all the while, backing her up until she was pressed between Ian and the door. He gathered both of her wrists in his hands and pinned them over her head. Juliet gasped, and tried to pull them away, but Ian held her tight. She wasn’t supposed to like this, wasn’t supposed to let him restrain her, but her body clenched with need, and a moan escaped her parted lips.
“You like that, don’t you?” he asked against her lips, while his free hand cupped her breast and squeezed. “You like it when I take control.”
“Yes.” She bit her lip against the ‘Sir’ that was almost instinctive at this point.
“And what about this?” he asked as he used his knee to spread her legs and slid a hand under her dress, stopping at the edge of her panties. “Do you like this?”
“Yes. Oh God, yes.”
He slid the edge of her panties aside and traced her crease with one finger. “You’re so wet, Juliet.” And then he plunged his finger inside her, moved it in and out ever so slowly, teasing her. She pressed her hips forward, desperate for more friction, and cried out when he started to move his thumb in slow circles on her clit.
“Please,” she managed between hitching breaths.
“Please what?”
“I need more, Ian.”
He released her wrists and her hands flew to his zipper, desperate to free his hard cock, to run her hands over his length, to get down on her knees and put him in her mouth. “Greedy girl,” he murmured.
“Damn right I’m greedy,” she said as she wrestled with the button on his pants and finally managed to get the zipper down, pulling his boxer briefs down with his pants so they gathered at his feet. She gasped as he sprung free. “So big!”
He growled at her words, a low sound that made her panties even more wet than the already were. “Upstairs,” he said. “Now.”
She didn’t obey his order. Her days of obeying men were long gone. Instead, she dropped to her knees in front of him and ran her tongue over his tip, tasting the bit of clear fluid beading there. Her heart raced when he groaned, exhilarated to feel in control for the first time in a long time. In control of his pleasure, in control over whether she went upstairs like a good girl or got down on her knees and put him in her mouth like she wanted.
“You’re being a very bad girl, Juliet,” Ian said and threw h
is head back as she took him all the way to the back of her throat. “But it feels so good.” He threaded his fingers into her hair, pulling just a little hard, and when she looked up at him, he was watching her, his mouth open, his eyes burning with desire.
“That’s enough,” he said. “I need to see you.” Ian pulled Juliet to her feet and unzipped her little red dress, pulled it down her shoulders and stepped back as it hit the ground at her feet. “Fucking black lace,” he muttered, eyeing her hungrily.
“Your turn,” said Juliet and stepped in close to unbutton his shirt.
“Upstairs,” Ian growled and Juliet obeyed, turning slowly. “Nope,” he said when he saw that her panties were actually a thong. “Changed my mind. Too far away.”
He grabbed her and threw her over a shoulder. Carried her the few steps to the couch while she squealed and laughed and then lowered her down carefully. “So beautiful,” he said. “But so bad.” And with that, he flipped her over and slapped her ass. Not hard, but Juliet yelped. Cringed in anticipation of the next slap, the one that was sure to be harder, and the next one after that, when she’d start to cry. But, instead of pain came pleasure as Ian slid her panties to the side and dipped his fingers into her again. Instead of crying out, she moaned. He knew just how to touch her. She backed her hips up towards his hand, needing more, needing all of him.
He pulled his fingers out and slapped her ass again, and then his fingers were right back inside her, moving so deliciously and she could feel an orgasm building inside her. “Oh, Ian! You’re gonna make me come!”
“Do it. Come for me, baby.” And as if all her body needed was his permission, her muscles clenched around his fingers and she rode wave after wave of pleasure as he continued to move inside her. As her breathing slowed, Ian pulled away and Julz flipped over. Couldn’t help but smile as she got another eyeful of him. But he wasn’t in the mood to show off. Ian stretched out over top of her and pressed just the tip of his dick against her folds, and then didn’t move.