Page 10 of Quiet Protector
Although neither of us are virgins, we like the idea of making our wedding night special, so we somewhat agreed to save that side of our relationship for the night we become husband and wife.
I know what you’re thinking. I’ve panicked about the exact same thing multiple times the past two-plus years, but I truly don’t believe Julian is cheating on me. For one, he isn’t that sort of guy. He’s sweet and kind and truly loves me enough to wait an eternity for me to reciprocate his love with intimacy as well as words.
He’s good to me. Really,reallygood.
Riddled with guilt about my deceit, I return Brandon’s email, thanking him for his assistance and assuring him I’ll update him on anything Julian’s security team finds out before forwarding Brandon’s email onto Julian.
My computer has barely whooshed when my work phone commences ringing. I’m not surprised to see my incoming call is from Julian. He doesn’t scour the wastelands of society to find hearing-impaired people anymore. He does a majority of his work from a huge skyscraper not too far from here, meaning he has plenty of time to plot a move into politics.
My lips curl into a smile when he issues the greeting he usually does when I get a head start on my day. “Good morning. I missed your snuggles this morning.”
“Good morning, and I’m sorry. I was a little eager to get to work.”
Julian is gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t also smart. “To download Brandon’s email?”
Even though he can’t see me, I nod. “Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the photo and for contacting BJ behind your back.”
His sigh makes me even more disappointed in myself. He only ever sighs when he’s upset. “I’m not angry you reached out to Brandon. I just wish you would have kept me in the loop. I have men very capable of finding outanyinformation you want, Mel. All you need to do is ask.”
“I know, this is just different…” I pause to consider how I can explain that to Julian without hurting his feelings.
Mercifully, Julian knows me better than I give him credit for. “He’s your past, so you can’t help but run to him when it’s a matter concerning your past.”
He can’t see me, but I nod my head, nonetheless.
My belief he has superpowers doubles when he adds, “But I’m your future, Mel, and anything happening to you right now is my responsibility.”
“I know…” When he sighs, I add on more convincingly, “I do. I just didn’t want you caught up in this mess.”
“Your mess is my mess. I thought you understood that when you agreed to become my wife?”
“I did, and I still do.” I almost roll my eyes at the dimness of my voice. I don’t sound like a woman who graduated at the top of her class. No one feels smart when they’re bringing up subjects that make them want to sob. “But these people killed my parents, Julian. They destroyed my life. I don’t want to share how much that affected me with men who don’t have the faintest clue what I’ve been through.”
Julian’s reply is both gut-wrenching and honest at the same time. “If that’s the reason you sought Brandon’s help, I still believe you reached out to the wrong person. I knowallyour secrets, Mel. Brandon doesn’t.” I wipe away the tears careening down my cheek from his statement when the high pitch of his personal assistant squawks down the line. “I have to go, but I’d like to talk more about this tonight.”
“Okay.”
“Mel…” He sounds truly devastated like he can hear the sob sitting in the back of my throat, begging to be released. “I’m not upset. I swear to you, I’m not. I just want to make sure you know I’m here for you, too. I’ve always been here for you.”
I suck in a big breath. “I know. I’m just being silly. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. I can hear how upset you are in your voice.” Julian cups his phone to tell his receptionist he’s leaving for the day before focusing his attention back to me. “Go tell Leo you’re not feeling well and that you need to go home.”
I scoff like he’s being ridiculous. “I can’t leave, Julian. I just got here.”
“You either tell Leo you aren’t feeling well, or I’ll demand he fire you.”
I’d laugh if he didn’t sound so serious. You don’t realize the immense amount of pull money has until you’re engaged to someone with a lot of it. Doors that were previously locked up like a vault have been swinging open for me lately—including my placement in this very office.
“If you get me fired, I’ll eat ice cream until my ass becomes the size of a fridge.”
I half-hiccup half-laugh when Julian replies, “Maybe then I’ll finally have the chance to catch you.” That there summed up our relationship with ten little words. Julian is forever chasing me. “Meet me outside your office in fifteen. I’m thinking it’s a field trip kind of day.”
The tears in my eyes burn away for happiness. Julian’s adventurous day trips have taken us many places the past three years, they’ve just not landed us in the bedroom. I could see that changing today. His understanding has me opening up even more than his substantial wealth can. I just need to get the image of Brandon’s matured yet still boyishly handsome face out of my head first.
5
Brandon
