Текст книги "Collision"

Автор книги: K. A. Sterritt

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Juliette

I woke up early—hot and disoriented. Then I realised it was because a hot man was lying half across my body and was wrapped around me. The night before came flooding back. I buried my face into his neck and inhaled, willing his incredible scent to somehow push thoughts of my horror night away. I allowed myself a moment to enjoy being with this incredible man who seemed to value my existence.

When Leo stirred, I tried to move away from him as he oriented himself. Strong arms gripped me and soft lips kissed my neck. Desire shot through me as he feathered kisses along my jaw and cheek before finding my lips. The outside world was all but forgotten when he looked in my eyes and smiled.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

“Morning.” I didn’t know much about anything at that point, but I did know I liked waking up with him. “How did you sleep?”

“Best sleep ever. I might have to keep you.”

“Thanks for staying.”

“My pleasure. Anytime.”

Our clothes were quickly discarded. I was becoming accustomed to his body, every rock-hard inch of it, and I was enjoying sex more than ever before. In hindsight, sex with Richard had been more like a chore to tick off the to-do list. If we skipped a week here or there, we barely noticed. With Leo, I couldn’t get enough.

Completely sated, I stretched out my body into star position when he got up to discard the condom in the bathroom. When he came back to bed wearing nothing but his black boxers, he gathered me into his side and put his arm around me protectively; his thumb rubbed my knuckles and squeezed my hand. For the millionth time, he stole my breath.

“Can we talk about last night?”

I sighed, knowing I couldn’t avoid it forever.

“Tell me what happened that upset you so much, Jules.”

“I want to tell you everything, but I’m afraid you’ll run screaming for the hills.”

“Try me. I can guarantee I’m not going anywhere.”

I propped myself up with pillows and Leo did the same.

“Last night my whole life got tipped upside down and shaken up.” I told him all about my conversation with my dad and he listened intently. He was a really good listener, I discovered.

“So the voicemail message you left on my phone. What was that about? You sounded traumatised by something.”

I didn’t really want to tell him, but I wanted to be completely open with him. “I caught Richard and my mother together.”

“Jesus Christ. No wonder you were upset. I’m sorry, Jules.”

“She’s in a bad way, Leo. Breaking up with Richard seems to have triggered a complete meltdown. She had me followed, for God’s sake.” I shook my head at the ludicrous things I was telling him.

“She had you followed?”

“The guy at fight night. I’d seen him at the gym and on the street a couple of times.”

“What?” He sat up and looked murderous suddenly. “You recognised the guy who attacked you? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You were pissed off at me for being there. Remember? It didn’t seem important. Anyway, she’s going to get help now, so it should be the end of it.”

“Take the day off work and spend the today with me.” His eyes reinforced his demand with an intensity I’d only ever witnessed on this man. “I’m worried about you.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. You saw me defend myself and win.” I grinned, remembering the look of shock and pain on his face.

“Fuck, Juliette.” His harsh tone wiped the grin from my face. “This isn’t a joke. He could’ve really hurt you.”

“I’m sorry.” I tried to keep a straight face. “I’m not afraid of danger, and if I’m honest, I get a thrill out of it.”

“It’s one thing to enjoy the rush of adrenaline. It’s another to take on guys twice your size and think you’re invincible. Next time there could be a lethal weapon or backup or a million other scenarios I’d rather not explore.” The crease in his already furrowed brow deepened. “It will catch up with you one day and I don’t want to see that happen.” He cupped my chin so I was forced to look at him. “I won’t see that happen.”

“I guess I’ve never really cared before. I train and study hard, so I’m far from being a sitting duck and adrenaline has always made me feel so alive.”

Leo grimaced. “You’re being too flippant with your safety and that pisses me off.”

“Look. Last night I watched my mother seducing my ex-boyfriend.” I shuddered at the memory. “I’m not really sure I’ll ever get over that, but learning to fight and searching for adrenaline have been the only ways I’ve found to help deal with everything life has thrown at me.” I paused, not sure whether I should tell him about my first competitive fight at Lilydale next weekend. “Sometimes adrenaline feels like an addiction I can’t shake. I love it and I don’t care if I’m putting myself in danger. That’s kind of the point.”

“I get that, Juliette. Trust me. But you need to rein it in a bit and not get yourself in situations you can’t control.”

“I’m going to my first competitive fight next Saturday evening.” I just ripped the Band-Aid off, scrunched up my nose and waited for his reaction.

“What the hell, Juliette?” His whole body went rigid against me. “Why would you want to do that?”

“Fighting is my bliss. I love training with Zac, and he wants to see if I have what it takes in the ring. I want to feel that rush.”

“Where is the fight?”

“Lilydale.”

“Lightning Fight Centre?”

“Yep. The night starts at seven thirty and I’ll be on early as it’s my first fight. I imagine I’ll be done and dusted by eight.”

Leo blew out a long breath and, despite the angst radiating off his body, a look of resignation overshadowed. “Well, if I can’t talk you out of it, I’m coming with you. I know a few people there. If I think it’s getting out of hand, I’ll drag you out, and there’ll be nothing you can do about it.”

“Thank you.” I climbed into his lap and straddled him. “I’d love you to be there.”

Letting out a long breath, Leo responded with a simple command. “Call your boss.”

“If it means that much to you.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“You mean that much to me.” He held my face with his strong hands and looked me in the eye, smiling. “I thought I was going to have to work a lot harder than that.”

“I’m easy. What can I say?” I raised my eyebrows, eliciting another smile from this outrageously gorgeous man. Even first thing in the morning, he looked amazing. I loved his hair, mussed during sleep. I ran my hand over the rough stubble on his cheek. The man was just flat-out bloody gorgeous, and the more time I spent with him, the more convinced I was of his integrity. My ignorance to Richard’s true nature had really rattled me, but I had my eyes wide open now and they were seeing the man I wanted to give myself to completely.

“You make a phone call, I’ll make coffee.”

He kissed me, and when he pulled back I grabbed his bicep. “Don’t you want to stay in bed a little longer?” I hoped he would understand my implication.

He answered by pushing me onto my back and staying in bed a lot longer.

Later, I shamelessly ogled his incredible body as he walked out of the room.

I spoke to Heath, who wasn’t thrilled with my last-minute request but agreed begrudgingly. I’d taken no annual leave in almost twelve months. No sooner had I hit the red circle on my phone than it started ringing. It was Dad.

“How is she?” I asked.

“Not great. I’m not going to lie.”

I shook my head. “Well, I appreciate your honesty.”

“I’ve put in a few calls and have managed to secure a place for her at Dartmoor West Wellness Centre. It comes highly recommended by Dr McGibbons.”

“That’s really great, Dad. When is she going in?”

“Monday. I’m going to take a few weeks off work so I can spend as much time at the centre as needed. It’s time I got my priorities in order.”

“That makes me really happy, Dad.” I felt a heavy load lift from my shoulders. “Really happy.”

“I’ll keep you updated.”

“Thanks, Dad. Bye.”

Chapter Thirty

Leo

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, standing next to my bike and strapping on her helmet.

“For a start, you haven’t seen where I live. I could do with a change of clothes if that’s okay with you?”

“Course. I’d like to see where you live.”

***

“St Kilda?” she questioned when I pulled up outside my apartment building.

“Why so surprised? Too upmarket for a thug like me?” I pulled her to me and tickled her sides, knowing it would be torture for her, but it would make her laugh.

She laughed, and the sound made me happy. “Not at all. St Kilda has some dodgy parts.”

“Oh, thanks a lot, funny girl.” I tickled her, making her laugh harder.

“I was going to say it’s my favourite suburb in Melbourne before you jumped to conclusions, Mr Chip-on-his-shoulder.” She smirked and I couldn’t resist kissing her, because I could never resist kissing her.

“I was brought up in the country and longed for city life. Once a year, Dad brought me to Melbourne and took me to Luna Park and the beach. We’d fish off the pier and eat ice cream. St Kilda became my favourite place in the world.”

I took her hand and led her up the steps. I lived in a two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor of an interwar building that, quite frankly, had seen better days. “It’s not fancy, but it’s all I need.”

Juliette stood in the middle of the main living room and did a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn. She said nothing as she took it in. An old but extremely comfortable lounge chair was up one end with the TV, and an overflowing bookshelf and a table and chairs were set up by the back window up the other end. The kitchen was through a door on one side, and opposite it, a door led through to the two bedrooms and bathroom. It was a simple design.

“I love it.” She said it like she meant it then took a seat at the table overlooking the shared garden to the rear of the building.

“I’m glad.” I sat down opposite her and waited until she looked at me. “Stay here with me this weekend.”

“I’d like that.” Her cheeks reddened slightly as if I’d just asked her on a first date. Then it occurred to me we’d never had a first date. We’d stumbled from one drama to the next and our time together had been uncertain and fragile.

She sat forward in her chair and rested her elbows on the table. “How long have you lived here?”

I looked to the ceiling and counted in my head. “Eight years. I’ve lived here since I finished high school. Angus was my housemate while we were at uni and then he ditched city life and headed home.”

“You were at uni?” she asked, but her cheeks immediately reddened, embarrassed by her question. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound surprised. That was rude.”

“Not at all. I went to uni for a few years but didn’t finish my degree.” I wasn’t ready to tell her the reason I withdrew. “I’ve been working events and bars ever since. Plus the fights help pay the rent too.”

“I wanted to live on campus, but my mother wouldn’t let me. I lived at home until I graduated and got a job.”

“So why didn’t you get an apartment in St Kilda when you were earning your own money if you like it here so much?”

“My city apartment was a university graduation gift from my parents.”

“Wow. That’s some gift.”

“I know.” She shifted on her chair and fidgeted with the end of her long ponytail hanging over her shoulder. “It was ridiculously extravagant and I didn’t want to accept it, but refusing it would’ve ruffled feathers. My mother didn’t like having her feathers ruffled. It would’ve been viewed as a childish act of defiance if I’d refused it. Mum used it as another example of all they did for me and brought it up if I ever put a foot out of place.”

“So accepting the apartment was a double-edged sword?” I wondered out loud. “Part of you didn’t want to owe them anything that could be used against you, but the little girl in you still yearned to please your mum and dad?”

She nodded. “They were like two opposing forces. Dad wanted me to be independent whilst Mum wanted my absolute obedience.”

“Men are wired differently from women.”

“I get that, but there’s a balance. Neither of them ever really made me feel loved unconditionally.”

“And you think risking your safety fighting and whatever else you probably do to fill the void is the only answer?”

She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Here we go again.”

“I’m just trying to understand you completely, but I’m sorry. Today was meant to be about having some fun.” I stood up and walked around the table, crouching down next to her and taking hold of her hand. “I want to take you on a first date. Where would you like to go?”

She placed her hand behind my head and leaned down to kiss me. “I think we’re past the first date stage.” She smiled against my lips.

I sat back so I could look her in the eye. “We might have muddled things up a bit, but I’m trying to rectify the situation here. You kissing me like that just makes me want to throw you on the bed and steal your virtue.”

Juliette threw her head back and laughed. “Pretty sure that’s long gone.”

“You know what I mean.” I jumped up, kissing her on the way. “I’m going to get changed. Help yourself to anything in the fridge or cupboards. I want a first date with you.” I desperately hoped Google was going to come to my rescue. Romantic dates were a foreign concept for me, but I was willing to give it a crack.

“Hey, Leo,” she called out as I walked towards the bathroom. I turned back. “I’m glad I took the day off.”

“Just so you know, I was going to talk you into it one way or another.”

She stood up and sauntered towards me. Fuck, she was sexy.

She put her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear. “Now I wish I’d said no.”

How was it possible this girl had never felt sexy before? She didn’t take my breath away—I gave it to her willingly. The realisation hit me and warmth spread through my body. I was falling in love with this girl.

I kissed her hard. “I’d prefer you said ‘yes’. Really loud.” I rested my forehead on hers and kissed her nose.

“I’m sure that can be arranged.” She chuckled then kissed me with an urgency I hadn’t felt from her before.

I stumbled over towards the bed and we fell down onto the soft covers together. There was no time for laughing. It was just a blur of clothes and shoes being tossed and flung from our lust-fuelled bodies.

I loved the way her body fit against my much larger frame. She was strong and confident yet soft and responsive to my touch. What started as a crazy desire to take her hard and fast didn’t last the second I had her naked beneath me, staring up into my eyes. I made love to her the way she deserved. All her life, she’d never felt good enough, and I wanted her to know she was so far beyond good enough. She was making me feel things and consider things I had thought were impossible. I wanted to lose myself in her body, in her smile and in her soul, and then maybe I’d find my way home.

Chapter Thirty-One

Juliette

“Studley Park Boathouse? Really? With everything you know about me, is this really what you thought the ideal first date would be?” I asked, somewhere between confusion and amusement.

“Did you think I’d take you to mud wrestling?”

I put my hands on my hips but couldn’t help smiling. I had a strong suspicion this would be the first result in a ‘Romantic dates in Melbourne’ Google search. “Well, that might have been closer to the mark.”

“Settle down, angel.” He grabbed my hand to help me keep my balance as I stepped onto the small row boat. “I’ve got this.”

“Just so you know, if there’s a flock of swans and a thunderstorm on this date, I’m going to throw myself overboard and swim to shore.”

“I have no idea what you mean by that, but I’ll take my chances. Do ducks count?”

“Yes! Ducks count.”

“Guess I shouldn’t have bought the duck food, then?” He laughed, and I couldn’t help laughing too. He was so hot when he was being cute.

When I was safely seated opposite him, he pushed off the side with one oar and then got into a steady rhythm. I questioned why I’d mocked this date. I had a front row seat to the hottest man alive making good use of his muscles. He was wearing dark jeans and a black v-neck sweater over a white t-shirt. I cursed the season, wishing he would ditch the sweater.

“Tell me about Beatrix,” I suggested as Leo rowed effortlessly down river. The serenity was all consuming and lent itself to real conversation, something I realised I had actively avoided with Richard. “Have you known her all your life?”

Leo smiled. “Bea, Angus and I grew up together. We were like the three amigos as kids and the bond just stuck.”

“Were she and Angus childhood sweethearts? Were you the third wheel or did another girl infiltrate the trio?”

“Actually, Bea and I had an on-again off-again relationship through high school.”

“Oh! What happened? She’s lovely and gorgeous.” I felt a mild pang of jealousy.

“We were great friends, but the chemistry wasn’t there. I wanted to go away to uni and then see the world, and she wanted to stay home and run a café.”

“And make the best coffee in the world.”

“That’s it.” Leo adjusted the oars so they were safely inside the boat. We just drifted with the gentle current. “Angus and I were best mates and decided to apply to the same uni.”

“Time for you and Angus to sow your wild oats?” I cringed. Another ridiculous pang of jealousy hit me. The idea of him with another girl made me see red.

Leo laughed. “Are you pissed at me for being with women before I knew you?”

“No!” Yes.

Leo threw his head back and laughed mercilessly. “You are so cute.” He leaned forward and kissed me and I kissed him back, because I could never resist kissing him back. “You do realise it was you with the boyfriend when we met, right?”

“Tell me the rest of the story.” I pushed him lightly on the shoulder.

“Okay, bossy boots. So it was one drunken evening in our first year, Angus confessed his love for Beatrix. I’d had no idea he was so into her, but as it turned out, he had been broken hearted, fearing his chances with her were gone because of me. Over many, many beers and several manly hugs, I insisted we were just friends and he had my blessing to pursue her.”

“Wow. Poor Angus.”

“The next morning, he drove home and declared his love on her doorstep. Apparently, she burst into tears and they never looked back.”

“Happily ever after.”

“Pretty much. He went home to the Yarra Valley every weekend.”

“And what about you? Actually, don’t tell me.” I held up my hand and turned my head to the side. “I don’t want to hear about all your girlfriends.”

“Not much to tell, really.” His expression softened and his eyes blazed with passion. “I didn’t know what I was waiting for until I found a lost soul who belonged to me.”

I gasped. I had no experience with romance, but in my heart, that was the most perfect thing anyone had ever said to anyone.

A noisy flock of what looked like magpies drew my attention to the bushland lining both sides of the river. It was hard to tell if they were fighting or mating. I smiled. Who needed swans?

I turned back to the gorgeous man sitting opposite me and sighed.

“Are you going to say anything?” he asked.

“I think you need to turn the boat around and paddle us back to shore.”

Leo looked worried. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No. You said the most right thing.”

“I don’t think that’s grammatically correct.”

“You’re questioning my grammar when I’m trying to tell you how much I loved what you said?”

Leo chuckled, his beautiful eyes the lightest I’d seen them. “So why do you want to leave?”

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees and cupping my face in my hands. “Because I want to sit on your lap and kiss you, and when that happens in the movies, the couple tip the boat and fall overboard.”

“Well, you were the one who threatened swimming to shore.”

“I wasn’t serious. The water would be bloody freezing.”

“So, you just referred to us as a couple.” Leo raised his eyebrows and his expression was unreadable.

My cheeks immediately flushed. “Um… well, I didn’t exactly. I said couples in movies.”

Leo’s face erupted in laughter. “I’m kidding. You’re mine. I’m yours. It’s a fait accompli, Jules.”

“Seriously.” I shook my head, unable to hide my goofy grin. “You need to stop saying stuff like that while I can’t show my appreciation properly.”

“We have plenty of time for that, beautiful girl.”

He did, however, turn the boat around and start rowing back the way we’d come.

“So a romantic boat ride wasn’t so bad after all?” he asked as he helped me onto the small jetty. “I know it wasn’t exactly an adrenaline junkie’s dream.”

“It was okay,” I taunted, looking back at him over my shoulder as I sauntered away.

Strong arms hugged me from behind and soft lips kissed my neck. “I guess I’ll have to up my game.”

I turned to face him and wrapped my arms around his lean waist. “I guess you will, Mr…” I stared at him. “I don’t know your last name.”

“Ashlar.”

The name rang a bell somewhere in my mind, but I had no idea why.

“We really do things the wrong way around, don’t we? I think I just agreed to be your girlfriend without knowing your last name. Who does that?”

“We do. We’re fucking perfect, Juliette. Don’t question the order of things. Just enjoy the ride.”

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. He was right. We were fucking perfect.

“So what now, Leo Ashlar?”

“Now I want to make out with you at my apartment, and then I have to be at the bar at eight.”

“Work? Really?” I was disappointed. I wasn’t ready to be apart from him.

“Come with me? I’m not ready to be apart from you just yet.”

“Okay. I’ll give Sia a call and see if she wants to meet me there. She can help me fend off your female groupies.” I remembered watching as every girl had ogled him last time I was there. At the time, he hadn’t been mine and I hadn’t known if he ever would be. This time would be different.

Leo took my hand and led me back to his Jeep.