Page 19 of Hate to Crave You
Julianna
Julianna wokewith a yawn and stretch, her body aching in the best way. Memory rolled through her on the heels of that realization and she lay there, smiling for a moment before rolling onto her side to look for Roman.
He lay on his side, facing away from her, one muscled arm flung over his head. He was…absolutely delicious. Morning light gilded his long, muscled frame and her fingers itched to touch.
Slipping closer, she reached out to rest a hand on his belly and his muscles flexed under her touch.
Smiling, she eased away and pressed her lips to his jaw.
He muttered in his sleep.
She slid her mouth to his and whispered, “Wake up.”
“I’m awake.” His arms came around her and before she had time to process it, he’d rolled them over and he was lying between her thighs while she lay sprawled on her back.
“You are indeed,” she said, a throaty sigh escaping her as the heat of his cock settled up against her folds. Sliding a look to the right, she spied the box of condoms on the nightstand.
He followed her gaze with his eyes and reached out.
Before he managed to secure a condom from the box, Julianna heard a familiar ring coming from somewhere in the apartment. She grimaced at him, sliding her hands between them and pushing up. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to answer that,” she said, more than a little regret threading its way into her voice.
“Why?” he asked, pressing his lips to the side of her mouth.
“Because, if I’m being called this early, it’s probably important.” She pushed again and after a sulky look that looked entirely too sexy on his beautiful face, Roman rolled away and she slid from bed. She hurried into the living room, although the phone had already stopped ringing. “Damn it,” she whispered. Pulling her phone from the outside pocket, she peeked into her purse and checked the yellow padded envelope nestled inside.
A look at the screen showed that it was her father who’d called.
Damn it.
She swiped at the screen to call him back and paced over to the far edge of the room, keeping her eye on the hallway that led to Roman’s room with a discreet eye.
“Why didn’t you answer when I first called?” he asked, voice stern.
“I was tired,” she said honestly. He didn’t have to knowwhyshe was tired.
He groused a moment, then said, “I need you at the downtown lab. It’s urgent. Can you be there soon?”
She glanced down at herself. “I’ll need a little bit, but I’ll hurry.”
She disconnected just as Roman appeared in the doorway. “I’m afraid I’ll have to cut our time short, Roman.”
* * *
The trip homewas a quick one. She took a taxi rather than wait for her driver, although she did text him and let him know she’d need him to pick her up from her condo.
Moving into her office, she reached into her purse and withdrew the padded yellow mailer that held the prototype. She tapped it on her hand for a moment, then left it on the desk.
She had no idea what her father wanted, but she assumed it was important so she’d better hurry.
After showering and changing into a sleek, steel-gray pantsuit, she headed back downstairs with a hope that her driver had picked her up a coffee as he often did.
She was gratified by the fragrant scent of life-giving caffeine as she slid through the door he held open for her. Giving him a grateful look, she said, “John, you’re a miracle worker. I needed that caffeine today.”
He just gave her a nod, but there was a smile on his face.
She took the cup from the holder in the middle of the bench seat and sipped it. Perfect. Two creams and a sugar. He didn’t miss a trick, that guy.
“We’re going to the gem treat factory today, John,” she told him as he slid into the driver’s seat.
