This time, Red and Larry’s job was to snatch Chloe and take her to the docks. The Judge gave them enough chloroform to render her unconscious once they got a hold of her. Once Chloe was captured, she wanted to make sure Chloe knew everything wrong about her not-so-perfect parents.
Sweet revenge was the Judge’s reward, wanting to see Chloe break after revealing all the family secrets before killing her.
This kill, the Judge was looking forward to and would most definitely paralyze Frank for the rest of his life.
She took pride in how easily she could have any man at her beck and call. Russell Kollsson was an easy target. He met with the Judge at the St. Regis Hotel for lunch on the notion he was meeting with a client to discuss business. One thing led to another and her flirtatious skills paid off. Russell couldn’t resist her pussy and had their many rendezvous at the very same hotel during his lunch and after work before going home to his wife and kids.
Cheating bastard. All men are cheaters.
The Judge blackmailed Russell to gain access to Sarah Channing’s bank accounts to later find out Chloe was the new account holder. The evidence was in the banking information and Chloe being another account holder, it was just a matter of time Chloe would figure out where the money was going.
Chloe was a loose end. Sarah paid off the Judge for a couple of years to keep Frank’s reputation above reproach. But that wasn’t enough.
The Judge wanted more.
Frank Channing. He ruined our lives. Mom, this drink is for you. Frank will feel the pain he deserves.
The Judge took a deep breath and held up the glass, swirled the ice before imbibing another sip. It was not a drink to toss back in one gulp even though the temptation was there. Scotch was a drink to appreciate, slow sips to savor the smooth flavor. Just like the perfect revengeful plan against Sarah, that was where she wanted Frank and Chloe—in a casket, six feet under, covered by dirt as they were meant to be.
“Another scotch, ma’am?” The bartender smiled with his warm hazel eyes. “And are you staying at The Atlantis so I can charge it to your room?”
“Yes. The Presidential Suite. Room 8920.”
Freshly brewed coffee and the aroma of bacon welcomed Chloe’s senses and the break of waves that could be heard through the opened window slowly roused her from her sleep. It took her a moment to gather her bearings as she rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hand. She blinked, adjusting to the sunlight sneaking into the room between the slats of the blinds and gray curtains.
She suddenly remembered she wasn’t in her room, her own bed.
Drunk on last night’s betrayal and revealed truths, she was completely drained. Chloe had cried herself to sleep and passed out after the hot shower. She only wanted to lie down and rest her eyes for a little while, but the kidnappers played a helluva day on her.
The comfort of the bed, soft sheets and plush pillows tempted her to ball up and stay in bed all day. Although the grueling emotions wore her down, she needed to find the strength to pull herself out of bed.
This was her second time waking up in this bed. Without panic or anxiety, her patient eyes roamed the plain room. One large framed artwork of the beach decorated the stale tan walls. No other pictures, no décor.
Then it dawned on her, this isn’t Julian’s home. It was a safe house, his temporary home.
If this isn’t Julian’s home, where does he live?
A book on the nightstand caught her eye. Chloe picked it up to read the title, then turned to the page where the bookmark peeked. A set of one-inch black-and-white pictures from a photobooth.
They were of Julian and a beautiful woman with gentle eyes and curls of ash-brown hair tumbling down her shoulders.
The first image, her enduring smile looking up at Julian.
The next, him looking at the woman.
The third, both of them making funny faces.
And the last, they kissed each other.
Chloe flipped over the photo strip and read the inscription on the back. It warmed her heart and tears stung the back of her throat.
‘Jules, you’re the reason I smile… I love you. -Ambs’
She gazed at each image and her fingers traced Julian’s face. He looked the same, yet different.
He looked so happy. His smile revealed his straight white teeth and those dimples that Chloe adored so much.
Questions filled Chloe’s mind. What was Amber like? How was their life together before she died? Could Chloe ever be enough for him?
She slipped the photo back within the pages and returned the book back on the nightstand.
Was there any truth to what was stirring between her and Julian? Or was that all an act and part of his assignment? Just the thought of it broke her heart because Julian was truly a great guy and Chloe had fallen for him.
She took in a deep breath and looked to the door. Julian was on the other side and sooner or later she had to face him. Tension still knotted in her belly remembering she’d left him on a sour note. Chloe couldn’t stay mad at him forever. He was only doing his job and she’d have to come to terms with that.
There was one other person who knew about her being in danger and she needed to get in touch with him. Dad.
How much did he know?
What else was that man hiding?
She was sick and tired of being forced to look through rose-tinted glasses. His fatherly duties of protecting his only child were understandable, his right. But to completely hide the fact her life was at risk for the last several months was completely unacceptable. Dad still wanted to slay the monsters in her closet as if she were a little girl. But this monster he couldn’t slay alone.
All this time, she had an eerie feeling of someone watching her. There were warning signs. Paranoia had taken hold.
The notecards and the picture of me and Mom. Chloe felt so stupid—she should’ve paid more attention. Trusted her gut.
How could she have been so naïve not to realize a threat lurking beyond the shadows? Now, the truth lay out in front of her, validated all of it.
Chloe pushed off the covers and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her bare feet touched the wood floor. She walked into the bathroom, looked at her reflection in the mirror and gasped at the puffiness under her eyes from crying herself to sleep.
She turned on the faucet and splashed water over her face. The coldness soothed her aching eyes. After she brushed her teeth, Chloe piled her hair in a messy bun atop her head.
She shrugged, took a deep breath in. It’s now or never. Can’t stay cooped up in this room forever.
Chloe moved quietly through the hall. The rise of Julian’s voice could be heard, her interest piqued, curious who he was talking to. She stopped at the end and peeked around the corner to the open living room which led to the kitchen.
He was talking on his cell phone. Chloe drew back and leaned against the wall to listen in.
“I’m not playing, Linc…this is serious…yeah, I know, I know… I fucked up… Man, I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. There’s something about her… Enchanted, what? You’re sick, dude. And I’d appreciate if you don’t talk about Chloe like that… Yes, I do, I really do care for her. But you know my rule… Besides, I would never kiss and tell, especially not to you. Eh, I think she’s still pissed… After I showed her the file, she didn’t want to talk anymore…probably lost my chance with her. I don’t blame her… She’s been sleeping ever since and hasn’t come out. Hey, any word from Tyco… Mm-hm… He needs to work on those fucking magic fingers of his and pull a damn rabbit out of his hat…this bastard is on this island and I’m going to keep her here for a couple of days until I hear from Tyco. And what’s the news on your douche-canoe you’re shadowing? Lying by the pool? Any word on the female companion? Okay… Mm-hm…alright, keep me posted…yeah, I’ll let you know… Later, man.”
It was strange how the floodgates opened, and all became clear to Chloe of when they first met. All it took was Lincoln to blurt his
name, Booker, and it rushed back to her with force. Their conversation outside the ballroom. How he made her feel with just a handshake and simple flirting.
Chloe laughed to herself, thinking he was a super-secret agent coming to her rescue after all.
Did he feel the same sparks she did? And if so, why didn’t he pursue her back then?
Chloe peered around the corner again now that he was done talking on the phone. Standing in front of the stove, spatula in hand, Julian flipped a pancake on the skillet.
There was something so sexy about him cooking.
The dominating package of the man moving around the kitchen was hot as hell. It was like watching a cooking show. A very sexy cooking show and she couldn’t wait to try out the recipe. She pressed her lips together as she watched Julian take a sip from a coffee mug.
She studied the lines of his naked torso, the peaks and valleys and bronzed skin. When she got a glimpse of his front, a sweet sensation tingled in her panties, spying his corded abs and oh-so-sexy ‘V’ that disappeared beneath loosely fitted jeans.
How was he able to make her feel like this just by looking at him? She was definitely aroused and in a frenzy as her gaze continued at the statuesque figure.
She sucked in her bottom lip, stood silently, watching him. Her libido awakened; an aching throbbed between her legs. A bottomless craving overwhelmed her.
Was it lust?
Desire? Curiosity?
Or was she falling deeper and deeper in love with him?
She took a deep breath and analyzed everything Julian had said to her since she’d landed.
“I would never hurt you… I want you, Chloe Channing… You’re all I think about… We will go at your pace…”
Cupid’s timing was less than impeccable and made this situation complicated. But her smile grew as butterflies took flight in her belly. Chloe had fallen for him and she let the emotion wash over her like a tide.
This had to be a sign from heaven…Nana or maybe from Mom. Those two women were her guardian angels, protected and led her to the man across the room, flipping pancakes.
Chloe let out a soft cough to get his attention. “Good morning.”
“Hey, how’d you sleep?” he asked, putting down the spatula. He pulled out a chair. “Come sit… I hope you’re hungry. I made scrambled eggs, bacon and more pancakes than I should’ve.”
“I’m starving.” Chloe sat in the chair and Julian scooted her in. “Thanks.”
“Coffee?”
“Yes, please.”
Julian poured hot coffee and vanilla creamer in the mug and slid it to her.
She took several sips.
“How’s your hand?”
Chloe opened and closed her hand, fanning her fingers. “No broken bones. How’s your jaw?”
“All good…see?” Julian smiled, wiggling his chin.
A giggle escaped, almost choking on her coffee. “Sorry I punched you.”
“I deserved it. I should’ve been upfront with you. It’s just that—”
“I get it. You had orders.” Chloe skimmed her finger over the rim of her coffee mug.
“You were right though…I did have a choice.” Julian sipped his coffee, leaning back against the counter. “I truly am sorry.”
Chloe could see the hurt in his eyes, as if he were asking for forgiveness. And the brief smile that lifted the corners of his mouth, telling her he cared for her.
“I just hope you don’t think different of me now,” he said.
Think different of you? Are you kidding? You’re the man keeping me safe and trying to find out who’s after me. You are my real-life secret agent, the one I’ve truly fallen for. This thing we have…only exists in the movies. Every time you look at me, it rattles desire within me I didn’t know I had. What’s different is this chaotic pace has me running in circles, dizzying me. I thought of you so many times since I met you the night at the gala. Wondered if you would ever try to find me after, come look for me. I wanted to hate you for being a chicken-shit, for not seeking me out two years ago, now I want to love you for finding me again.
Tears welled in her eyes and tripped down her face. Chloe knew what she needed to say. But the words stuck in her throat.
“Doc?” Julian set his mug on the counter, then knelt down so he was eye level with her. His thumb wiped her cheek to catch the fallen tears. “What’s the matter?”
“I want to tell you something. So, please give me this time.” She looked down at her interlaced fingers.
He pulled the other chair and brought it closer to her. “I’m listening.”
All she could think of was how perfect this man was in every way. She smiled as her eyes grazed over the food he cooked. And how he managed to get all her necessities from her bedroom to make her feel at home at the safe house. This man thought of everything, making her stay as comfortable as he could manage, knowing this situation was such a clusterfuck.
She lost all train of thought, feeling winded at the sight of this beautiful man in front of her. And she knew he would protect her no matter what. His ratted spiky hair was so adorable, she wanted to comb her fingers through the ends. His clean-shaven jawline showed off the dimples on his cheeks, calling for her to kiss them.
She craved the feel of his lips on hers. She leaned in; her mouth met his. It felt silly to be so forward, but this was the only way she could express how she felt without saying another word. She kissed him with a hunger that bellied her outward desire.
He hooked his hand behind her neck and gently pulled her close. Her hands grasped his shoulders, fingernails pressing into his skin. She parted her lips and he took the invitation. His tongue sent spirals of ecstasy, igniting a yearning desire within her.
The warmth of his breath made her dizzy with emotion and the throbbing between her thighs grew stronger. The intoxicating mixture of lust and love thundered her heart, so loudly she swore she could hear it in her eardrum.
A moaned escaped when she inhaled the combination of soap and his crisp-clean cologne. He was intoxicatingly delicious. All her rationality flew out the window and an oddly primitive courage awakened all her senses that had been bottled up.
Confidence seized her legs as she rose from her chair and straddled over him, never disconnecting their lips. His erection was imminent as she grinded her hips over his lap. She tilted her head to taste his mouth from another angle, their tongues dancing in a passionate frenzy. He groaned as her fingers laced through his hair.
Julian’s warm hands snuck under her t-shirt, touching the small of her back, sending heated sparks up her spine. The feelings soaring through her were unfamiliar, yet her body called for him.
She was so turned on, she could barely fathom her own body which she no longer had power over. The need to have him was unbearable as their kisses intensified.
She needed to feel him.
Skin on skin.
Disconnecting their lips for a mere second, Chloe pulled her shirt over her head, tossed it on the floor. Her lace bra met his chest. A ball of emotion formed at the back of her throat, knowing she was in uncharted territory.
It didn’t matter.
She wanted this, wanted him.
“Chloe.” His silky voice held a question she knew he would ask. “Are you sure?”
“Julian, I have never been so sure in my life,” she replied, panting.
His assessing eyes took her hostage as the silence broke with their ragged breaths. The unspoken words made her feel more intimately connected to him than she ever did before.
Then confusion and rejection flickered in her mind. Was he about to deny her?
Holy shit. What am I thinking? I shouldn’t be doing this… He still loves Amber. He carries her picture with him. How can I compete with his dead wife?
Feeling vulnerable, she slowly edged herself off his lap. But his grip tightened at the small of her lower back, imprisoning her.
“Uh-uh… You can’t start something and try to get away.” He pushed a lo
ck of hair behind her ear and his thumb caressed her cheek. “What happens after this, there’s no turning back… You will be mine and I will never let you go.”
“You promise?”
His lips crashed onto hers, claiming what she’d been wanting him to since they’d met at the gala.
The beach’s distant-sounding surf echoed through the open window above the kitchen sink, only faintly heard beyond their heavy breaths. Being near Chloe tempted him to sink his concentration and self-control to the bottom of the ocean, breaking his last, and most primal, rule.
He needed to stay focused on the mission, figure out who those bastards were and why they wanted to hurt Chloe. His orders were to keep her at the safe house for the next several days. But even he knew this was the test of all wills.
The peachy scent of her hair invaded his senses; those soft curls tickled his shoulders. He held her close, pressing her softness against his chest. Damn, he couldn’t get enough of her, needing and wanting to touch and taste her in every possible way.
He was no longer Booker, the hired bodyguard, the protector.
He wanted to be what she wanted him to be, Julian Cruz.
A hum escaped the back of his throat when he tasted coffee and vanilla on her tongue.
Fucking delicious.
Chloe’s innocent eyes and soft lips taunted him, and he was not about to deny her again. They were secure in the safe house, away from reality for a while. The only thing that was no longer protected was the fortification that once surrounded Julian’s heart.
This woman decimated those walls and took hostage of every thought, every fiber and every part of his soul.
Initially, he’d tried to resist her and should receive a medal for holding off this long. But there was no denying it any longer. The chemistry between them was undeniable and her magnetism pulled him to her.
He’d wanted this woman since day one and on so many levels. Then realization hit and invaded his thoughts, a sting in his past pricked his mind. As much as he loved Amber, the guilt was finally dissipating. Amber was no longer pulling at his heart strings, remorse and shame no longer holding him back and choking his soul. The only logical reason Julian could think of why Amber was disappearing into the haze was that he loved Chloe. He wanted her in his life. Had to have her.
Till I Found You: The Broken Hero Series—Book One Page 19
