Page 49 of Unpredictable
How much of that was thanks to my continued badgering to get a prenup?
“I like him,” I said, hoping to get out of it. It wasn’t that I didn’t like him. I just didn’t feel the need to make both of us suffer through a weekly meal together.
“Please,” she begged. I was grateful we weren’t on FaceTime. Judging by her tone, I would’ve already caved by now.
I let out a deep sigh. “Isn’t it enough that I’m planning your wedding?” I was only half teasing. I’d secretly been hoping that alone was worth a lifetime of “get out of jail free” cards.
“Dad,” she chided. “It would mean a lot to me. And Connor. He’s going to be part of this family soon. I really want the two most important men in my life to get along.”
“Fine,” I huffed dramatically. “Anything else you’d like? A new car? A million dollars.”
“I think I’m good.” She laughed, likely knowing I would gladly give her anything she wanted. “Crap. It’s getting late. I gotta go, Dad. Let’s catch up soon.”
“Sounds good. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I disconnected the call and flopped back on the bed in my boxer briefs, tucking my arm behind my head. I knew she was right about getting to know Connor, but I still dreaded the prospect. If I didn’t get to know him, then I wouldn’t have to like him. I opened my Kindle and started reading, not wanting to think about it.
I must have fallen asleep at some point because I awoke to a woman’s scream.Juliana.I bolted upright. The lamp was still on, and the bedside clock indicated it was nearly two in the morning. I stilled, wondering if I’d imagined it, but then I heard it again.
I threw open my door and sprinted across the hall, knocking on her door. “Juliana?”
No answer, but then sounds of a struggle. A moan.
“Juliana!” I called out again. “I’m coming in.”
I backed up a little then rammed my shoulder into the door. It flew open, light from the hallway streaming into the room. I glanced around, looking for signs of an intruder, but there were none. The window remained closed, and nothing was out of place save for the bedsheets, which were twisted in a mass around Juliana. I stepped closer, the door shutting behind me.
“Juliana,” I called, not wanting to startle her. But considering her distress—and the fact that she didn’t respond, not even after I’d barged in—I assumed she was in a very deep sleep.
Her eyes were closed, but she kept mumbling something, throwing her head from side to side. The sheets were wound about her, providing me with tantalizing glimpses of bare skin. The top of her thigh. A sliver of her flat stomach. She was breathtaking. I switched on the bedside lamp, not wanting her to mistake me for an intruder in the dark.
“Juliana. Hey.” I shook her gently. “Juliana. Wake up.”
Chapter Fifteen
Water swirling. Pulling. Drowning.
I couldn’t breathe.
“Juliana.” Harrison’s voice called as if from a distance. “Juliana.” He shook me. “Wake up.”
My eyes popped open, and I jolted upright.
“It’s okay.” He placed a hand on my back. His touch was calming, and it grounded me. “You’re safe.”
My breath came in short pants. And I didn’t realize I was crying until he wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“Hey.” He lifted my chin to meet his gaze. “You’re okay. It was just a bad dream.”
I shook my head and scooted back. I wrapped my arms around myself, keeping my eyes focused on the shadows the moon cast on the floor across the room.
“How—” I swallowed, glancing toward the closed door. “How did you get in here?”
“I heard you crying out, so I broke through the door. Must have been some dream.”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t.”
