Page 82 of Unpredictable
I nodded, exploring his shoulders with my hands. Anything within reach, I wanted to touch. And there was nothing but smooth, hard granite beneath my skin.
“You think I enjoyed watching other women throw themselves at you?” Cam included, though I didn’t mention her specifically.
He growled, picking me up and tossing me onto the bed. “You’re mine, Juliana.” He crawled on top of me, a crazed look in his eyes. “And I’m yours.”
I nodded, pulling him to me. I needed to touch him, kiss him. Needed reassurance that this wouldn’t end. That nothing and no one would ever come between us.
But he couldn’t give that to me; no one could. So, I tried my best to let go. To surrender to this feeling of vulnerability. To lean in despite my fears.
And with every brush of his lips, every caress, I felt the strength of his love. He proved it to me daily with both his words and actions. And regardless of what the future held, I wanted to be with him, give myself to him.
“Juliana,” he grunted, his body blanketing me with heat.
I snapped my eyes to his, knowing how important it was to him that I was present. That I was focused solely on him.
“Let go.” He thrust again, this time hitting that magical spot that transported me to another place. “Let go of your worries and your fears. Give them to me. And just,” he grunted with another pulse. “Let. Go.”
I was overcome with the sensation of being weightless, as if I were watching us from above. And I let go. I surrendered to this moment and this man.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Istared at my reflection in the mirror, admiring the custom tuxedo Juliana had selected. I’d been hoping to steal a moment with her all day, but she’d been so focused on the wedding. So determined to make it the blissful day my daughter wished for that I couldn’t complain. Juliana had gone above and beyond—completely transforming the venue into Olivia’s dream wedding.
And being back at the historic Ojai inn only brought back memories of the last time we were here. Of the weekend that had changed everything. I smiled at my reflection, eager to see her, when there was a knock at the door.
I smoothed down my tie and called out, “Come in.”
My face fell when Cam strode through the door, her skintight dress leaving little to the imagination. She’d never been one for subtlety. And last night, she’d been hanging all over me. I blamed it on the alcohol and the fact that our daughter was getting married, but with the way she was eyeing me now, I wasn’t so sure.
“Looking good, Harry.” She winked at me. “Your stylist did well.”
My eye twitched. She knew I hated it when she called me Harry. And I resisted the urge to correct her about my “stylist.”
I tugged at my collar, shifting uncomfortably. “Don’t call me Harry.”
“You know I only do it because I enjoy seeing you all riled up.” Her lips curled into her seductive smile, though it did nothing for me.
I clenched and unclenched my fists. “Can you just behave for once? For this one day—can’t we at least pretend to get along?”
“Darling…” She placed her hand on my lapel, smoothing her hand down.
At least until I grabbed her wrist and pulled it away. “What are you doing?”
She peered up at me with blue eyes, though they weren’t the ones I loved. Not anymore. “I’ve missed you.”
I shook my head. “Why are you doing this? Why today? Are you intent on ruining our daughter’s wedding?”
“No.” She pouted and spun away. “I’m just… This wedding has brought back so many memories. What about all the good times we had?”
I shook my head. “Memories are in the past and should stay there. We didn’t work before, and we wouldn’t work now.”
“We were happy though, weren’t we?” Her eyes filled with tears, and for once, I didn’t think she was acting. But with Cam, you could really never know.
“Yes.” I took her hands in mine, wanting to comfort her. I didn’t love her—not anymore. But I would always care about her. Time had mellowed my feelings toward the divorce, toward Cam. I no longer resented her. “We were.”
She started crying, and I hesitated a moment before wrapping my arms around her. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t believe our baby’s getting married.” Her voice was muffled by my chest.
