Page 52 of Unpredictable
“When that day comes…” he rasped, “there will be no turning back. Youwillbe mine.”
His words, the hooded look in his eyes, his touch—everything made me realize just how much I wanted to be his. How badly I wanted to move forward—with him. And despite my hesitation, despite my fears, I wanted to take that next step.
He went over to the door and opened it, glancing out into the hall.
“What are you doing?” I asked, afraid he’d changed his mind.
“Just making sure my door’s closed.” He crouched down to inspect my door. “And the lock’s broken on your door. I’ll sort it out in the morning.”
“Oh.” He was so incredibly thoughtful, always watching out for me.
He dragged one of the armchairs over to the door, and I watched in awe at his strength. Then we climbed between the sheets, and he turned out the light. I stared at the ceiling, lying as still as possible. When I’d begged him to stay, I hadn’t really considered the consequences. What it would be like to lie in bed next to this man. What it would feel like to have heat radiating off him, while knowing I needed to keep my hands to myself.
“Do you believe in a higher power?” I asked.
He shifted, the sheets rustling beneath him. “I don’t know. But I do believe that everything happens for a reason.”
“Really?” I turned to face him, both of us lying on our sides.
“If I didn’t—” he smoothed his thumb over my cheek “—I might not be here with you. And that’s an outcome I’d rather not imagine.”
I melted beneath his touch, softened at his words. He was incredibly compassionate, and he never made me feel bad about my emotions. And he was right. I could dwell on all that I’d lost, or I could focus on what I’d gained. The past was filled with pain, regret. But I couldn’t say I regretted this weekend with Harrison. Or this intimate moment we shared.
“I’m glad I’m here with you too.”
His hand was whisper-soft on my cheek. “Go to sleep, Jules.”
My eyes fluttered closed, my muscles relaxing at that simple command. At his use of the nickname only those closest to me used. Somehow, Harrison always seemed to know just what I needed. And having him here with me, watching over me, helped me relax. I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my lips, at peace for the first time in months.
Chapter Sixteen
The scent of jasmine filled my nose, and I smiled with my eyes still closed.Juliana.
Our legs were intertwined, her body pressed to mine, my arms wrapped around her as if to prevent her escape. I exhaled through my nose, not wanting to blast her with my morning breath. I snuck a glance. Her eyes were still closed, lips parted in sleep. She was so beautiful. So strong.
Last night, she’d bared herself to me, sharing her innermost secrets and fears. Revealing the tragedies of her past. I finally understood what had happened with Ryan, and I hated that she’d gone through something so horrific. She was too young, too kind, to have experienced such a traumatic event.
I knew I should move, should release her, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I told myself it was because I didn’t want to wake her, but I knew that wasn’t entirely true. I didn’t want this to end. I wanted to bask a little longer in the fantasy that this was real, and she was mine.
I hadn’t meant to say that last night. But when the words left my mouth, I knew they rang true. Because despite what I’d told Reg at Olivia’s engagement party, this thing between us—whatever it was—wasn’t “nothing.” I could feel it in the way Juliana looked at me, in her smile. And I knew, deep down, there was a reason our paths had crossed when they had. At least, I wanted to believe that was true.
I admired the slope of her cheek, the golden color of her hair. Those pillow-soft lips. My fingers ached to reach out and touch her, but I didn’t want to move for fear of waking her and ruining the moment.
She was… God, she was enchanting, and I was completely captivated by her. And it wasn’t just her body. She embodied all the characteristics I’d tried to instill in my daughter. Juliana was kind and smart, caring. Above all else, she was resilient. She had a mental toughness that many of my former teammates would’ve killed for. And though she’d been through her fair share of heartache, she remained optimistic and hopeful.
After what she’d told me, I couldn’t blame her for being unable to move on. She’d been stuck in limbo for two years.Until me.That was the part that stood out in my mind. The fact that I was the first man she’d slept with since Ryan. That had to mean something, right?
“You’re staring,” she said, finally opening her eyes. The blue color was clear, like a perfect, cloudless sky. She looked surprisingly rested considering the events of the past twenty-four hours.
“Hey.” The corner of my mouth tilted into a grin. “How are you feeling?”
She blinked a few times as if to clear the sleep from her eyes. “Pretty good, all things considered. Thanks for staying.”
I released her, forcing myself to put some space between us. Last night, I’d wanted to kiss her—badly. I’d wanted more than that. And the need had only intensified after spending the night in bed together.
“I should—” I rolled away, shifting myself in a futile attempt to hide my hard-on. There was no way she could ignore the steel rod poking her thigh. “I should go before I do something stupid.”
“Wait.” She placed a hand on my arm, and I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the effect such a simple touch had on me. “I—” She swallowed. “Please stay,” she said, echoing her plea from the night before.
