He leaned in, and the cold press of Julian’s lips met hers, sending warm goosebumps up her spine. “Mm. Maybe you’re the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted.” His charm was irresistible as he turned up a cocky smile.
Butterflies fluttered in her belly as their lips grazed one another.
A slight cough from Izzy broke their connection. “So, Chloe, Julian tells me you are a doctor?” Izzy asked, putting the aluminum container back in the freezer.
“Yes, a pediatrician.”
“You don’t say. Being a doctor takes a lot of your time.”
As they finished their ice cream, Chloe told them how much she loved children and asked Izzy about Julian’s childhood. Izzy was able to conjure up a photo album and pointed to sepia-colored photographs.
Julian as a little boy then a teenager. The dark-haired, brown-eyed boy, with a smile so enduring it deepened his adorable dimples, warmed Chloe’s heart and swallowed her whole.
To glimpse his past, Chloe was utterly head-over-heels in love with Julian Cruz.
“I wonder what kind of teenager you were like.” Chloe turned to Izzy. “Can you enlighten me, Izzy?”
“Julian had his moments, but he was a good boy. Helped Bella from cooking in the kitchen to sewing.”
“You can sew?” Chloe raised a brow.
“Yep. Mom made me sit there with her. I was a quick study. She wanted me to be part of the business.”
“That’s why the ladies loved him. So many girlfriends—”
“Okay.” Julian’s hands hovered over Chloe’s ears. “It’s time we get going and say our goodbyes to Izzy.”
“Aww, I was excited to hear about the girlfriends,” Chloe chided, hopping off the barstool. And she loved the sheepish look on Julian’s face, redness in his cheeks as he seemed embarrassed of the stories that may have followed.
“My mom kicked my ass when she heard I was dating more than one girl. Made me imagine a man doing that to her or Fabi. Then I became a one-woman man.”
“Oh yes… Julian’s a gentleman. A one-woman man once he met Amber…” Izzy tapered, pressing her lips together and sliding an apologetic look to Julian. “I’m sorry, I’ve said too much.”
Chloe caught a glimpse of Julian as he narrowed his eyes to his mother’s childhood friend. It was a slip of the tongue and Chloe knew Izzy didn’t mean to cause any miff or bring up any bad memories.
Julian put his arm around Izzy as she whispered in his ear. He nodded and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m okay,” he whispered back.
Izzy moved closer to Chloe and wrapped her arms around her. “Take care of our Julian. He’s got scars and I know you can heal him.” Izzy pulled back and framed Chloe’s face. “I see it in your eyes, my dear.”
“I will and I know,” Chloe returned with a sincere smile.
Back in the Jeep, Julian drove in silence. She gazed at his profile while the moon illuminated his face.
What was he thinking?
The ‘Wall of Amber’ was a strong fortress and something he did not want to talk about. Every time Chloe brought it up, he deterred the conversation to the psychopath and made Chloe go through her mental rolodex of potential suspects.
Chloe picked up on the hints and saw a few pictures of Amber and Julian in Izzy’s photo album. One picture resonated with Chloe, a prom picture. They shared a lifetime together and Chloe wondered, were those blissful memories coming back to Julian? Was it the reason for his silence?
“Are you okay?” Chloe broke the reticence over a Bob Marley steel-drum melody softly playing on the radio.
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“The moment Izzy mentioned Amber...”
“Like I said, she’s not someone I want to talk about.”
“Why not, Julian? I’m okay with you talking to me about her. She was your high school sweetheart. You shared a life together and I think it’s healthy to talk about it.”
Julian put the Jeep in park and Chloe looked out the side window. She recognized the hilltop where they’d had their picnic.
“Stop psychoanalyzing me, Doc.” His fingers raked his hair back. “She’s dead, okay? And that’s all you need to know.”
Taken aback from his snap, she decided this was something that needed to be talked about especially if there was a future for them. “Bullshit. There’s more and I hate to pry—”
“Then don’t.” Julian cut her off. “The more you pry, the more you’ll see what a failure I was. I fucked up and I don’t want you to see that side of me.”
And there it was. Julian’s confession.
“You think I would see you as a failure? Are you kidding me? I could never. Please, Julian… I want to know that side of you too. I want to see not just your strength but your vulnerabilities. I also need to know what makes you so riled up at the mention of her name so I can be sensitive to that too. Please, talk to me.”
Julian took in a breath as if trying to clear his head. Chloe could see the hurt in his eyes, trying to put the words together before speaking.
“Talking about Amber is tough for me. It hurts too much to remember. Every year I visit her in San Diego, where we grew up. This was the first year I missed it.”
“Why didn’t you go?”
“Two reasons. One, the pain gets worse every year I’m there with her parents. No parent should ever have to bury their child. I was the reason for that. And the day we buried Amber, I too buried my child. Amber was three months pregnant.”
Chloe reached out and touched Julian’s arm. “Oh God, Julian. I’m so sorry.” Chloe’s eyes wide, her lips trembled as a tear fell down her cheek. “But, what do you mean you were the reason?”
Eyes blurred and there was a lump in the back of Chloe’s throat as Julian told her about the day Amber was shot, the shooter being the brother of his fallen teammate and how he got his revenge against Julian by killing his wife and unborn child.
“So, you see how fucked-up this whole situation is. I should’ve seen it coming. I wish he just killed me. Amber didn’t deserve to be in that lunatic’s crosshairs. I’m the one who deserved that bullet. I’m the one who let the Shelton family down.”
“How can you say that? None of this is your fault. The only person to blame for Amber’s death is the guy who pulled the trigger.”
“You, Linc, and everyone else have told me that time and time again. But it doesn’t register. I’ve talked to shrinks about it and nothing helps.”
Chloe looked into Julian’s eyes, agony still residing there. The haunting pain seared so deep even Chloe was afraid these demons were only his to fight and face alone. Chloe opened her mouth, but Julian spoke first.
“And the second reason is because I’m here with you...” He softly grazed the back of his hand over Chloe’s cheek. “…moving on.”
“Julian, moving on is good, but as long as this pain is still there, you can never truly move on.”
“I love you, Chloe. Please give me time to figure this out. The only other person who knows about this is Lincoln. He’s been my six since the beginning.”
“Your six?”
“Sorry, Doc… Navy term meaning he’s had my back.” Julian nodded after a beat and a smile turned up the corners of his mouth. “Let’s not talk about this anymore. This evening is about us.”
Julian hopped out of the Jeep and collected a blanket from the back seat. He rounded the car and opened Chloe’s door, extending his hand.
“Last stop.” With his free hand, Julian tugged Chloe’s hand as she hopped out of the passenger seat. Overwhelmed with emotion, she watched as he laid a blanket on the grassy hillside.
He’d thought of everything. The secluded walk in the garden, pizza and ice cream, and now their little paradise on the hill.
Julian put a finger under Chloe’s chin. He kissed her forehead, her nose, then her mouth.
“Ready to stargaze?” he asked, releasing his finger from her chin and extending his arm for her to take a seat on the blanket. Julian scooted
himself behind Chloe, arm curved behind his head like a pillow, and lay down so Chloe’s head could rest in the crook of his arm.
“Thanks for everything, Julian,” Chloe whispered, looking up at the stars.
“I wanted to give you tonight. I know it’s gotta be hard being stuck in that house for the last several days.” His finger grazed Chloe’s arm, leaving goosebumps in its path.
“It’s definitely a memory I will never forget and will cherish forever.” Chloe let a slight giggle.
“What’s so funny, Doc?”
She took a breath as her memories flooded back. She was wrapped in his arms like a silken cocoon of euphoria, remembering the last several days. Making love to Julian at the safe house, sharing and exploring their smoldering passion. Recalling their conversations when they met at the gala and now to this very moment, being in each other’s arms.
It was as if they’d shared a lifetime together, but it had only been a couple weeks.
“It’s ironic how life takes us here to this very moment,” Chloe said, playing with the button on his shirt.
“How so?”
“Well, bad things had to happen to both of us in order to find each other. I was trying to remember and all the while you’re trying to forget.”
Julian cleared his throat. “The irony of it all is that we both needed to be rescued, don’t you think, Doc?”
Their hands linked together; a content silence overlaid them for a few minutes. Crickets chirped in the tall grass surrounding them. The ocean’s surf ebbed and crashed tranquilly, and the bristle of the palm leaves danced in the salty breeze.
“I have something for you,” came Julian’s silky voice. He stood and reached for something in his pocket and pulled out a small black box. He sat back down. His legs stretched across the blanket as he handed her the box.
Chloe tucked her feet beneath her. “What’s this?”
“An early birthday gift. Open it.”
Chloe slid the top off, revealing the necklace she’d eyed at the jewelry store. “Julian. You shouldn’t have.”
“Here, let me put it on you.”
Chloe lifted her hair and turned her body so Julian could clasp the necklace around her neck. Julian kissed the back of her neck. Chloe sucked in a breath, lost in the feeling as the rough pad of his fingers traced her shoulders.
This was surreal and happening so fast. His touch was a tangible reminder, Julian was real, this moment was real.
Chloe snuggled against him, closed her eyes as they lay there in a quiet comfort. No need for words, their fingers linked together, their bodies connected with the warm feel of one another.
Julian’s fingers danced up and down her arm as Chloe hummed Just a Kiss wishing she could stop time and remain in this fairytale bubble forever. But sooner or later, the glass slipper was going to fall off and with every fairytale, there in the shadows lurked the evil stepmother, but in this case an unknown villain.
“Julian,” she whispered.
“Chloe,” he said.
“What if I put myself out there? Like Cinderella?”
“Cinderella?” Julian’s fingers stopped caressing her skin. “I’m not following.”
“Hear me out.” Chloe sat up and tucked her legs under her body. “Cinderella was locked up in her room by the evil stepmother until the fairy godmother and those cute mice helped get her to the ball to meet her Prince Charming.”
“Okay… And?”
“Well, when midnight struck, the prince chased after Cinderella and hunted her down to match her tiny foot to the glass slipper.”
“Doc, you’re rambling again.” Julian propped himself up on his elbow.
“I’m getting to the point… When the stepmother figured out it was Cinderella who attended the ball, the woman’s evil ways were exposed. Cinderella was brave to go to the ball and come out of her locked room. So, I was thinking—”
“No. Absolutely not. Are you crazy?” Julian sprouted from the blanket, paced in the dark, and roughly tugged his hair back. “Are you saying to come out of hiding and be bait for a goddamn maniac?”
“Julian. It’s the only option.” Chloe rose to meet him eye to eye and stop his frantic pace.
“There’s no way I’m going to let you do that.”
“Let me? I believe this is my decision, not yours.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Doc. I am responsible for your life. And the fuck if I’m going to let you be bait—”
“Are you Booker the bodyguard talking, or Julian who just told me he loved me?”
“Christ, Channing.” Julian rubbed his face. “I’m both. This is what and who I am. Don’t you see that? I love you so much it hurts. And I’d be stupid to agree with you.”
“It’s the only way we can move on.” Chloe cupped his jaw, pulled his face to hers giving him a chaste kiss. “Julian, please. I think it’s something to consider. At least discuss it with Dylan.”
“You are persistent, you know that?”
“Yes, but you still love me?”
“More than you’ll ever know.”
Julian’s mouth was on Chloe’s again. The taste of his kiss had calmed the chaos that roared through her mind. Being bait and exposing herself to whomever was out there was still a good idea and she needed to convince Julian and Dylan it was the only choice.
Chloe was so wrapped up in Julian’s addicting lips, rendering her helpless and weak in the knees as they ignored raindrops falling from the sky. The intimacy of their prolonged kiss was no match for the tropical downpour.
Julian’s mouth branded and claimed Chloe’s lips.
One hand curled around Julian’s neck as Chloe played with the ends of his hair. The other hand fisted Julian’s black shirt as his hands glided down her hips. He slowly hiked her skirt up and fingers brushed the backs of her legs. They stumbled back to the blanket on the ground.
Chloe unbuttoned Julian’s jeans, pushed them down along with his boxers, over his waist and down his legs, exposing his dick already rock hard. Chloe slid out of her panties and straddled Julian’s hips. Her skirt gathered at her waist and his pants just at his shins.
There was something erotic to making love in the rain on their paradise hilltop.
Julian pushed his pelvis up as Chloe pressed down, riding him. The pressure of his fingers on her hips guided her rhythmic motion. Her body melted as he filled her sensitive velvet walls, stroked every nerve, sending shockwaves through her body.
Liquid heat ignited her skin as the flush of desire hypnotized her. Chloe was under Julian’s spell. It felt like forever since she’d had him, though it had only been earlier that day since their last passionate encounter.
The pleasure was pure and explosive. Chloe’s head titled back, and her broken cries drowned out his moans as the rain continued to pelt their skin and drench their clothes. Julian pulled down the strap of her dress, exposing her breast. He palmed her breasts, his grip possessive, sending a tingle down to her pussy, heightening her arousal for him.
In unison they reached their climax, shuddering in exquisite harmony.
“Chloe,” he murmured. The sound of her name from his mouth turned her on.
“Julian,” she whispered, the buzz of Chloe’s orgasm still lingering, letting out a deep soul-drenching sigh. She savored the emotion as she framed his face with her hand and pressed her lips to his.
Chloe eased herself off of him and slid her panties back on. Julian zipped his jeans. The tropical rain dissipated. Both laughed as they folded the drenched blanket. “Sex in the rain… That was kind of hot,” Chloe said, wringing out her hair.
“Talk about having soaking-wet sex on another level.” Julian threw his head back laughing.
Darkness in Julian’s eyes. The buzz of white noise in his ears. His head throbbing. Aware, yet unaware, unable to move.
The fogginess hummed throughout his body, paralyzing all of his senses.
His narrowed eyes were on the prowl, instincts on full alert, but the co
nstant banging of chaotic percussions echoing in the distance began to annoy Julian’s last nerve, breaking his concentration.
What the hell is that banging noise?
Julian heard soft breathing. Goosebumps rose on his arms; he felt a presence. With his Glock readied, he quickly turned and aimed. The fog cleared. He slowed his steps and his heart accelerated at the sight that rendered him speechless. Confusion seized his thoughts.
“Amber?”
“Hey, Sailor.” Amber’s outstretched hand reached for Julian’s. He holstered his weapon and reached for her delicate hand, pulling Amber in his embrace.
“God, I’ve missed you.”
Julian leaned back to look into golden-hazel eyes and take in her porcelain face as he fingered a familiar wayward curl behind her ear. He circled his arms around his wife again, kissed the top of her head, and breathed in her jasmine scent.
“Am I dreaming again?”
“Possibly.”
“Possibly?” Julian asked. “Am I dead?”
Amber giggled into his chest. “You’re not dead, Jules.” She looked up at him. “Take a walk with me.” With hands linked, they walked through the haze.
More bangs echoed and Julian looked around. “What the hell is that noise?”
“Jules, forget the banging for a moment… I need to talk to you. What’s the last thing you remember?”
“Ambs, I’m not sure. I-uh… I’m confused. My head hurts like a bitch… Last thing I remember I was with…”
Amber framed Julian’s face and met his eyes. “Yes, you were with Chloe.”
“I’m sorry.” Julian squeezed his eyes shut, bowed his head. He hooked his hand around his neck, felt wetness and wiped it from his skin.
Blood.
“What the hell?”
“Hey, look at me.” Amber’s fingers pulled his chin up. “You’re okay. Do you remember what your commander told you during BUDs about pain?”
“If you feel pain, that means you’re still alive.”
More loud bangs boomed in the background. “What the hell is that banging?”
“I’m glad you can hear the banging.” Amber smiled. “But I need you to ignore the noise for a moment…and listen to me. I don’t have much time. This will be my last visit.”
Till I Found You: The Broken Hero Series—Book One Page 22
