Love and Lattes

by Heather Thurmeier

  Julia couldn't believe what she was hearing. First she finds out her friend has also dated Chase in the past, and now Tali was sticking up for the guy who'd used Julia for his own fun and games. "Nice. I can't even count on you to back me up anymore."

  The kettle whistled and Julia poured tea for both of them. "I can't believe you're siding with him after what he did to me."

  Tali snorted. "What, you mean like how he told you how beautiful and amazing you are, or how he told you how much he liked you and how he wished he could take you to Paris one day? Yeah, he's a total bastard."

  "You're not helping." Julia slid a cup of tea to Tali, the hot liquid sloshing over the sides.

  "Actually, I am helping if you just stop being hotheaded long enough to listen to me."

  "Fine. I'm listening." Julia leaned back against the counter and sipped her tea. Whatever Tali had to say better be good, because there wasn't much she could imagine would change her mind about Chase.

  Tali stared at her tea for a moment before looking Julia in the eyes. "Do you think I'm a player?"

  Julia laughed. "No. Why would I?"

  "Because I do the same thing as Chase."

  "No you don't. You date guys because you're trying to find that right person. You're trying to find love. Chase is looking for sex. You even warned me about him in the café."

  "I didn't warn you because he's a player. I just didn't want to see you get your heart broken falling in love with him if he didn't feel the same way for you. I've seen too many girls fall instantly for him, but it's not his fault when he can't return those feelings." Tali shook her head. "I know you don't want to, but if you stop and think about it—really think about it, you'll see Chase and I are exactly alike. If you don't think I'm a player, I'm not so sure it's fair for you to think he is either."

  Julia started to protest but Tali held up her hands for her to wait.

  "I've known Chase since the fourth grade, and he's never been a bad guy. Sure, he's never been a saint, but who has? Before Chase left for college, I could understand if you wanted to call him a player. He was the hottest guy in our high school graduating class and every girl wanted to date him because he was Chase Bloom. But when he came back from college, he was different. He didn't seem interested in going out and partying anymore. He was serious about his business and he was serious about who he dated too."

  "I bet he was."

  Tali clicked her tongue and stood. "You can think what you want about us, but Chase and I are the same. We both date people because we hope they might actually be the one, but when we realize they aren't, it doesn't make sense to keep dating them and leading them on. So we let them go. If that makes us players in your eyes, then that's your problem."

  Julia wanted to say something, but Tali crossed the room and slammed the door on her way out before she had the chance. She didn't think of Tali as a player. Never once had that thought ever crossed her mind. Tali dated with the sole purpose of finding love. Was her friend right about Chase doing the same thing? Had she overreacted?

  Yes. She had jumped to conclusions about Chase. Maybe they weren't fair. Crap.

  The sound of banging on the door rang through the small guesthouse. Julia pulled open the door, annoyed Tali wouldn't leave her alone long enough to figure out her thoughts.

  "What now, Tali?"

  But Tali wasn't who stood at her front door.

  * * * *

  Chase stared at Julia standing in the doorway. She looked more beautiful than he remembered—tear-stained, puffy-eyed, and obviously angry, but amazing. A crumpled tissue peeked out of her front pocket. Behind her, a pillow and fuzzy pink blanket lay in a puddle on the couch. He sighed. He had done this to her and now he had to make things right.

  "You're not Tali."

  "No, but please don't slam the door in my face." He needed a few minutes to get her to understand. "You won't return my calls, you won't accept my flowers… You left me no choice but to show up here."

  "Did it ever occur to you I did those things for a reason?"

  "Yeah. And I'm ignoring them." He took a step toward her. "We need to talk. You need to listen to me so I can explain."

  She leaned against the doorframe. "Okay, I'm listening."

  He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again without saying anything. Finally, he could say everything that had been running through his mind for the last three days and now he couldn't find the words. It was important he got it right the first time since he didn't know if he'd ever get another chance.

  "So yeah, maybe I have been a player in some ways." He shook his head and held up his hands in protest when anger flashed across her face. "But not the ways you think. I dated all those girls because I hoped to find a connection with them, and when I didn't, I moved on. I know my way sounds harsh, but I just don't see a reason to continue dating someone when I know none of them are the one for me. I'm not just looking for a girlfriend who fits me right now. I'm looking for a girlfriend who fits me for always."

  "So you just get to sleep with a lot of women and then use the excuse you don't have a connection with them to get out of having to date them anymore. Nice scam you got going there."

  "It's not like that. Do you usually meet guys at the bar and then sleep with them the same night?"

  She sucked in a breath, her expression turning from anger to something else—embarrassment? Guilt? "Of course I don't. I—you, you were different."

  "Of course you don't and neither do I. That night was different for both of us because we both felt something we hadn't before with other people." He reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand, his fingers gently stroking the tender skin behind her ear. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment before meeting his gaze again. God he wanted to pull her close and kiss her.

  "I found the connection I've been searching for in you, Julia. You're not like those other girls. When I look into your eyes, I know you're seeing me—the real me. I love the fact you're not from the Meadow and you have no preconceived notions of who I am. I can be myself around you, which is exactly what I've always wanted."

  Julia stepped away from the door and rested her hands on his chest. The heat of her touch penetrated his button-up shirt, causing warmth to spark in more places than just his heart. If felt so good to feel her close to him again.

  "I do see the real you. I'm so sorry I listened to everyone else and misjudged you." Tears spilled down her cheeks with her words and he wiped them away. "I can't believe I did that. The whole time I've lived here, I've hated how everyone judges me at a glance. Now here I am doing the same thing to you."

  "I know you judged me because you thought you were protecting yourself, but I don't understand why you wouldn't listen to me and give me a chance to explain."

  Julia sniffled. "I've been afraid that if I gave in and listened to you and actually let myself date you, you would keep me around for a little while and then toss me aside like my last boyfriend did."

  "I wouldn't do that to you."

  "I'm sorry I held my ex-boyfriend's actions against you. I shouldn't have. You're nothing like him. I should judge you for you, not anyone else." Julia wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, smiling weakly at him through heavy lashes.

  "I've been waiting a long time to find the right girl, and I think that girl is you." His mouth found hers, eager and full of renewed hope that maybe this really could work between them.

  She kissed him back, her mouth parting to let him in. His tongue found hers, the taste of tea greeting him. He'd never enjoyed the bitterness of tea—he was a coffee man all the way—but on her, the flavor was sweet, delectable. She wrapped her arms around his waist and he pulled her body flush against his. She felt so right against him, as if her body was the only one he was supposed to fit with. The scent of her shampoo filled the air around them and an image of showering with her grew in his mind. His body stirred with the suggestion.

  Julia stepped back into the house, pulling him with her as she went, not bre
aking their kiss for even a moment. He kicked the door closed and scooped her into his arms. She wrapped her legs around him as he walked to the bedroom. There was no need to ask where to go this time. The memories of their night together were fresh in his mind.

  He stopped beside the bed and lowered her gently to the mattress. She stared up at him, and for a moment, he could do nothing but look back at her. He couldn't believe he was lucky enough to get a second chance with Julia. His mission from now on would be to make her happy.

  "You're an amazing girl, Julia. I can't imagine going back to a life that doesn't include you. I think you might be stuck with me for a while."

  "You sweet-talkin' me again?" He could hear the teasing tone in her voice—just another thing he loved about her.

  "Maybe I am."

  "Good, 'cause I don't plan on going anywhere. Now get over here."

  He wasn't going to deny her request. He slipped a condom from his pocket, tossed it onto the nightstand beside the bed, and then began unbuttoning his shirt.

  "Wait," she said, with hungry eyes. "Let me."

  She knelt on the bed in front of him and he dropped his hands to his sides. She slowly unfastened each button, kissing his chest each time she did. Her kisses were hot and wet on his skin, each one teasing him more than the last until his shirt finally fell open completely.

  Chase slipped the shirt from his body, letting it fall to the floor. He reached for his belt, eager to speed things up, but she batted his hand away. His body grew hard with her touch on his waist as she slowly unlatched the buckle. As she lowered the zipper, her hand brushed against the length of him and it was everything he could do not pounce on her.

  Julia slid his pants over his hips, pausing for a moment to stroke his awakened flesh. Finally, when he could wait no longer, he stepped out of his pants and joined her on the bed. He pulled her shirt over her head and kissed the sensitive flesh between her breasts. She threw her bra to the side and he claimed her breast with his mouth, teasing her nipple with his tongue.

  She groaned, tangling her hands in his hair and arching her back into him. He kissed a trail down her stomach stopping only long enough to unzip her jeans before tossing them to the side. He licked her belly button and she squirmed beneath him. Continuing further south, he reveled in the sounds of her groans of pleasure, arousing him until his body ached with need.

  Julia raked her hands down his back. "I want you."

  He wanted her too. He wanted her now, tomorrow—forever.

  He slipped the condom on and entered her slowly, inching in as she writhed beneath him on the bed. Her hips rocked, matching his thrusts. She clung to his shoulders as she kissed his neck and collarbone. Small gasps escaped her lips as they moved together faster, harder. His breathing grew more ragged with every passing moment.

  He groaned. Her body shook around his as she climaxed, the quivers of her pleasure pushing him over the edge. One final thrust and his body erupted in ecstasy before he collapsed on the bed beside her.

  He took gulps of air as his heart pounded in his chest. Julia snuggled into the crook of his arm, her head resting on his chest. This was where he wanted to be forever—with Julia.

  "I know it's really early to say this, but I can't wait any longer," he said, shifting on the bed so he could look at her. "I think I've fallen in love with you."

  "Really?"

  He nodded, looking down at her, her hair messy and splayed out across the pillow behind her head. "Really."

  "Something else we have in common then, 'cause I think I might just be falling in love with you too." Julia trailed her finger along his jaw and outlined his lips before kissing him softly.

  "Make it official," he said when she pulled her mouth from his. "Agree to be my girlfriend and give me the chance to be the hero you read about in those romance novels you love so much. I promise I won't disappoint you."

  "That's not fair. You know I'm a sucker for a happy ending." Her eyes twinkled with fresh tears, but this time he could tell they were from happiness. His heart swelled with the possibility of being the one to make her this happy for the rest of her life.

  "I'll take that as a yes."

  * * * *

  A few months later, Julia stood at the checkout counter of Bloom's Books and rang through the last customer of the night. The day had been great, but a busy one now school was finished for the summer and everyone was staying out later to enjoy the warm evening air.

  Once Julia had finished school, Chase had hired her back on staff as his marketing manager. That way they could work together as partners, less like employee and boss. The new arrangement seemed to be okay with the other employees too. Once Rebecca had moved on to a new job, none of the employees seemed to mind if Chase and Julia dated.

  As the front door closed for the final time that night, she turned the deadbolt and flipped over the open sign hanging in the window. She would be here for a few more hours working on the new marketing strategy with Chase, but she didn't want anyone wandering in thinking the store was still open while they were out of sight in the back office.

  She jumped as hands covered her eyes from behind.

  "Don't peek," Chase said in his sexy voice. She loved that voice. She loved him.

  "Okay. What am I not peeking at?"

  "If I told you, then you may as well just look. Keep 'em closed."

  His hands dropped from her eyes and she could hear him fumbling with something behind her back. What on earth?

  Cool silk draped across her eyes and the bridge of her nose. Her hands instinctively went to her face to touch the scarf. "I'm being blindfolded? What is this?" she asked. "A kidnapping?"

  His breath was warm in her ear, sending a flash of heat up her spine. Her body still reacted to the sensation of his breath on her delicate skin even after these last few months of practice. "It's a surprise. Now, come with me."

  His hand slipped into hers and a protective arm fit around her waist. She knew the layout of the store well enough to walk through the aisles in the dark without stubbing a single toe, and she was certain he was guiding her toward the stairs and elevator. The elevator chimed, signaling she was correct. She stepped forward through the open door.

  The elevator sprang to life under her feet with a slight bump, causing her knees go weak, but Chase's strong arm held her close. Riding the elevator in complete darkness was a very different sensation, and not one she wanted to repeat anytime soon. She tried to focus on the floor they were heading to. She thought it was the third, but it was difficult to tell.

  Chase led her out of the elevator and down the hall. She didn't bother to try and guess where they were since the layouts of the two upper floors were so similar; only the room content was different on each. There was no way to tell where they were headed simply by feel. A few turns later and they stopped.

  "We're here."

  She held her breath as he removed her blindfold and her eyes readjusted. At first glance, she wasn't sure where she was. There were little twinkle lights strung from the ceiling, creating a starry sky. On one of the bookshelves there was a small silver bucket with a bottle of champagne chilling in ice. Everywhere she looked, there were vases filled with long stem chocolate rose confections.

  "I know you don't like real flowers." Chase handed her a single chocolate flower. "I thought you might like these ones better. I had to buy out three different stores."

  Then she realized where they were—in the travel room beneath the painted Eiffel Tower.

  "What's all this, Chase?"

  He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a long white envelope. He held it in his hands, looking at it for a moment before speaking. "I got you a little something."

  "You didn't have to do that. It's not my birthday or anything."

  "It's not that kind of thing. It's not really a gift."

  "Okay." Her interest piqued at the mysterious envelope. "Then what is it?"

  "I brought you up here because every time I'm in this room, I
think of the day I thought I'd lost you. That was the day my whole world changed."

  "I know. Sometimes I come up here and pinch myself to see if it's real. These last few months have felt like a dream. I'm afraid one of these days I'm going to wake up."

  He ran his thumb over her lips. "These beautiful lips changed everything for me. You changed everything and I can't imagine what I'd be doing without you here with me."

  Tilting her head up to meet his, she urged him to kiss her. As his lips sought hers, she melted into his embrace, relishing the touch and taste of the man she'd given her heart to with their first kiss months ago.

  Chase pulled his lips from hers. "That day, we talked about Paris and how it was the one place you'd like to go most of all. Do you remember?"

  "Of course. How could I forget?"

  "Open it."

  With trembling fingers, she opened the envelope he placed in her hands. She slid out two sets of thick papers, stapled together. An airline logo was stamped across the top.

  "Tickets to—Paris?" she asked, reading the destination. "I can't accept these—"

  Her words stopped short as Chase lowered himself to one knee and took her left hand in his. "It would make me the happiest man in the world if you would accompany me to Paris next spring—for our honeymoon."

  Tears sprang to her eyes and a smile spread across her face. Paris. Honeymoon.

  "Julia, will you marry me?"

  "Yes," she whispered, barely believing this wasn't some dream she'd wake from. "Yes. I will you marry you, Chase."

  Julia quivered as Chase placed a huge oval-shaped diamond and platinum ring on her finger and kissed the back of her hand. She fell to her knees before him and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him so hard they both collapsed on the floor in a tangle of arms and legs.

  They snuggled against the bookshelves sipping champagne for a few hours, imagining all the places they would visit in Paris. When it was finally time to leave, they gathered themselves off the floor and meandered back through the bookstore, enjoying the quiet of the night.