Chapter 24

She nods, giving me a pointed look. “Hear him out. That’s my vote. See you later.” And with that, she leaves.

Most of the other foundation employees head out as well, saying goodnight to me before they do so.

It isn’t long until the entire room has basically cleared out. It’s just me, a couple attendees who are pulling on their coats, and Julian and Theo, who are still talking. I’d head out myself if I hadn’t promised Julian I’d speak with him.

I shuffle nervously, biting my lip and staring up at one of my paintings. It’s then that they both notice me. Julian says something to Theo, and after a clap on the back, they part ways, Theo heading for the door.

Julian approaches me. He stands next to me, his hands in his pockets, silent for a moment. “I think the event went well, overall,” he finally says.

I nod. “I think so too.” I glance around, then laugh. “I still can’t believe …” I trail off.

He smiles. “A few people expressed interest in buying some of your pieces. I obviously didn’t want to agree before talking with you.”

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. “Really?”

“Really. And I know they’d pay whatever you ask for them.”

“I—yes, I guess.” I laugh. “Wow. I don’t even know what I’d price them at …”

“You can take time to think it over,” Julian assures me.

We stand in silence for a moment, the weight of the last couple weeks seeming to settle on our shoulders.

“Nora, I’m sorry.” He says it quietly without looking at me. He’s staring down at his shoes, his hands still in his pockets. His eyebrows are drawn together in frustration. “I don’t have an excuse for the text messages you saw. I was a complete ass, and that’s it.”

I’m shocked at his honesty, at his willingness to admit it.

He looks up from the floor, meeting my gaze. “But I have to tell you that that text was sent before I got to know you. Before we spent time together, before the wedding, the dates we went on, before …” He swallows, clenching his fists. “Nora, I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am for how you must have felt after seeing that. It was real to me, I swear it was.”

I’m at a loss for words.

“And if you don’t believe me, or forgive me, I understand. But I needed to tell you. I couldn’t live with myself without telling you.” He runs a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. “I’m in love with you, Nora. I spend every second thinking about you. Your smile, your laugh, the way you tease me, drive me crazy. I was an idiot to think that you were any less than … than the woman of my dreams.”

I stare at him for a long moment, and as the seconds tick by, I can see the hope slowly fading from his face. “You … love me?” I repeat. It’s the only thing I can manage to utter.

“I love you,” he echoes.

Tears spring to my eyes, and I don’t have the willpower to hold them back. I rerun our last night together in my mind—how I’d felt reading that text, how I’d run from his apartment, how I’d cried for days.

But then I think of the art show. How he’d chosen my paintings, lovingly curated them, talked about me in his speech. And now. He loves me.

“I love you too,” I whisper, a tear sliding down my cheek.

A desperate sigh of relief escapes him, and before I have time to say or do anything, he’s closed the distance between us and wrapped me in his arms. He squeezes tightly, nestling his face against my neck. “You mean it?” he murmurs into my ear.

I nod against him. “Yes.”

He squeezes tighter, breathing in deeply. Then he lets go, planting a soft kiss to my cheek before leaning back to look me in the eyes. He puts a hand on either side of my face, gently wiping a tear away with his thumb. “I love you,” he says again, a wide grin breaking out across his face.

Utter joy bubbles up within me, and I laugh, reaching for his face and pulling him to me in a kiss. The kiss is soft and sweet at first, his lips gently moving against mine. Then it becomes harder, faster, desperate, his fingers intertwining in my hair.

I grip his dress shirt in my fingers, pulling him closer. I need him closer. I need him. Now.

Julian briefly breaks the kiss to glance around. I do too. The room is empty. The building is empty. We’re the only two here. He bites his lip, smirking down at me. That smirk that makes my knees go weak.

He reaches down, underneath my skirt, finding my center through my panties and rubbing gently. I moan softly, and he covers my mouth with his, kissing me deeply as he continues gently rubbing me. When he reaches a finger underneath my panties to slide it against my slit, I break our kiss with a gasp of pleasure.

Julian smiles down at me. “You like that?”

I nod.

He slowly slides his finger from my bud, along my slit, stopping at my entrance. Then he slips his finger inside of me. I throw my head back with a deep moan, bucking my hips against him. He kisses my neck, down my collarbone, my chest, to the tops of my breasts.

He pumps his finger in and out of me, and I whimper softly. “Julian,” I whine.

“Yeah, baby?” he asks.

“I want you.” I open my eyes to meet his gaze, my own desire mirrored there. “I want you inside of me.”

His gaze darkens, and his jaw tightens. His hand disappears from under my skirt. He grabs my arm, pulling me across the room to the nearest wall. He pulls out his wallet, fumbling for a condom. Then he unzips his pants, pulling his cock free and sliding it on.

Then he gently guides me until my back is against the wall. He reaches down to grab my thighs, hoisting me up and then pinning me against the wall with his body. I gasp in surprise.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he orders. “And hold onto me.”

I do as he says, wrapping my legs tightly around his torso and wrapping my arms around his neck. He presses his lips to mine in a desperate kiss, a kiss that leaves me breathless. Then he reaches down between us, finding my panties and sliding them aside. He nestles closer to me, and I can feel him against my entrance. He looks back to me, his eyes glued to mine, and then he enters me.

I gasp in pleasure, my nails digging into his back. He sighs deeply, still holding my gaze. “Does that feel good?” he asks.

I nod. Just like last time, there’s a slight twinge of discomfort, but it’s immediately replaced by an overwhelming sensation of pleasure.

Julian slowly pumps in and out of me, almost agonizingly so. I moan, gripping him tighter against me.

“God, you feel so good,” he murmurs in my ear. His hands under my thighs, holding me up, his fingers dig into my flesh, driving me wild.

He picks up speed, thrusting faster and faster. My moans are becoming louder, echoing off the walls of the large room. His hand reaches between us, finding my clit and rubbing. I shriek at the sensation, gripping him tighter.

The pleasure is building and building—I can feel myself getting closer to the edge.

“Julian,” I whimper.

He covers my mouth with his, his tongue dancing with mine, devouring me. The kiss is desperate, taking all of me, leaving nothing.

I whimper into his mouth as the pressure at my core builds.

He breaks the kiss to murmur, “Come for me, Nora. Be my good girl and come for me.”

At that, I crash over the edge, gasping. Julian isn’t far behind, and when he pulls out, he sets me back on my feet. We lean against each other, panting, our hands intertwined. I look up to see that devilish smirk on his face. That stupid smirk that gives me equal parts irritation and desire. Only this time, I see much more behind that smile. I see love.

He reaches out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. “I love you, Nora Bennett,” he says with a smile I can only describe as giddy.

“I love you, Julian Mercer.”