They had found out at the twenty weeks scan they were having a little girl. At first, Juliette had wanted to leave it as a surprise but Joe had wanted to know. She understood so much more about him in hindsight—his uneasiness at that and the other appointments she’d managed to drag him to. She’d put his lack of enthusiasm down to the fact the pregnancy wasn’t planned, that they weren’t in love with each other, that they were only together because of the baby. But now she could see how difficult those appointments must have been for him. How he would be thinking of his mother and how his mother’s pregnancy with him had ended in his birth and her death. If only she had known, if only he had told her, maybe their relationship wouldn’t have floundered so badly after losing their baby.
Juliette still couldn’t say her name out loud. Emilia. Once she’d been out in London and a young mother had called out to a small child with the same name. Juliette had to leave the store—she didn’t even stay long enough to buy the things she had come for. She couldn’t hear that precious name without going to bits.
How would it feel to walk into her nursery?
Or had Joe redecorated the room since she’d left? Had he stripped his villa of any record of her and the baby? The need to know was unbearable, even though she knew by opening the door she would be tearing open an already raw and seeping wound.
She took a deep breath and turned the handle and pushed the door open, reaching for the light switch on the wall. It was like a time capsule. Nothing had changed. The toys with their soft little bodies and sightless eyes were keeping watch over the empty cot. The hand-embroidered quilt was smoothly tucked in, the sheets neatly folded. The cross-stitched sampler she had made was framed above. Emilia.
Juliette’s throat closed, her heart gave a spasm, her eyes filled. Joe hadn’t changed a thing. Everything was the same. Everything. She walked further into the room and touched the mobile over the cot, sending it on a gentle rotation. She didn’t have the courage to turn on the nursery rhyme music. There was only so much heartache she could stand.
She brushed at her eyes with the back of her hand, stepping away from the cot to pick up one of the soft toys off the shelf. It was a floppy-eared white rabbit with a pink satin bow. She held it to her face, breathing in the still newish smell, wondering if there would ever be a time when she would be able to think of her baby and not have this aching weight pressing down on her chest.
Juliette put the rabbit back on the shelf and went to the chest of drawers next to the change table. She pulled the first one open and looked at the tiny vests and booties and onesies lying there. She picked up a pair of booties—booties she had knitted herself. She swallowed and put them back and closed the drawer, her eyes burning, chest aching, emotions smashing through her like brutal, punishing waves.
She walked back to the door and turned for one last look at the room. Could there be anything more heartbreaking than an empty nursery, never used?
And then, with a sigh, she switched off the light and softly closed the nursery door behind her.
* * *
Juliette went further along the wide corridor to the spare room furthest away from the master bedroom. She opened the door and switched on the light but stopped short when she saw Joe lying face down on the bed. Naked. Gulp. He was soundly asleep, his strongly muscled legs splayed across the mattress, his arms resting either side of his head.
She ran her hungry gaze over his toned back and shoulders, feasted on the taut shape of his buttocks, his hair-roughened legs. She came closer, reaching for the throw rug on the foot of the bed, gently easing it out from under his feet and laying it over him to keep him from being cold, even though it wasn’t a particularly cool night.
Why was he sleeping in one of the spare rooms? Why not in the master bedroom?
Juliette began to step backwards away from the bed to leave the room when he opened his eyes. He turned over onto his back, the throw rug slipping to barely cover his pelvis. Dark masculine hair arrowed down from his muscle-ridged abdomen, disappearing under the throw rug, but her memory filled in the rest of the picture for her. Hot colour rushed to her cheeks and her pulse flew off the starting blocks and raced and raced and raced.
‘I—I’m sorry...’ She backed further away from the bed. ‘I didn’t know you were sleeping in here.’
He sat up and pushed his hand through his sleep-tousled hair. ‘I sleep better in this room.’ He yawned and threw off the throw rug, stood and stretched, and her female hormones jumped for joy.
Juliette turned her back so quickly she became lightheaded. Or maybe that was because the sight of him naked was enough to make her faint. With desire. ‘Could you please cover yourself?’ She sounded like a prim spinster from another century but she couldn’t look at him without wanting him.
Joe came over to her and placed his hands on the tops of her shoulders. Juliette sucked in a ragged breath, her senses reeling at his closeness. She could feel his body heat—his naked body heat—behind her, tempting her to lean back to feel the deliciously hard ridge she was almost certain would be there.
He leaned down to place a kiss just below her left ear and she tilted her head sideways to allow him access, her will to resist evaporating. ‘Haven’t you heard that saying—let sleeping dogs lie?’ The soft movement of his lips against her skin, the waft of his warm breath, the deep rough burr of his voice was enough to make her legs fold beneath her like severed marionette strings.
‘I told you—I didn’t know you were in here. I was looking for somewhere to sleep and—’
He turned her to face him, his eyes sexily hooded and focused on her mouth. His thumb came up and brushed her lower lip, and something deep and low in her belly rolled over. ‘Sleep with me.’
It was a command rather than a request and for some reason she was fine with that. More than fine. She didn’t want to overthink why she was standing in the circle of his arms with her body burning with lust. But somehow, being back in this house with all the memories it contained shifted something in her—especially now she understood more about him. Things about his personality that made her see him in a totally different light. A light that drew her closer and closer like a storm-tossed dinghy towards the strong, steady glow of a lighthouse. Right now, all she wanted was to be in his arms, to feel the potent power of his body within hers, to feel nothing but passion, lust, longing and have those primal needs satisfied. By him.
Juliette placed her hands around his neck, pressing closer to the hard heat of his body, her body responding with humid heat of its own. She could feel the slick preparation of her inner core, the dew of arousal signalling her readiness, her eagerness, her wantonness. ‘Are you telling me or asking me?’ Her voice was just shy of a whisper but still managed to contain a spirited note.
He gave a crooked smile and drew her flush against him. ‘Right now, I’d get on my hands and knees and beg if that’s what you wanted me to do.’
She stepped up on tiptoe and brought her mouth to just a breath away from his. ‘This is what I want you to do.’ And then she closed the distance between their lips.
He made a desperate sound at the back of his throat and his arms tightened around her. His lips moved against hers in a series of hot presses, massages, nudges, teases. She opened to the commanding thrust of his tongue, the blatantly erotic movement sending lightning strikes of electricity straight to her core. Flickers and flames of want leapt through her body and she wondered how she had managed to survive so long without this conflagration of the senses. Her body was alive and wanting, aching with the need to have him deep within her.
Joe lifted his mouth off hers and started working on her clothes. ‘Let’s get rid of these. I want to look at you. All of you.’
Juliette tried to help him but her hands weren’t cooperating. Besides, they were already occupied exploring his muscled chest and toned abdomen on her journey down to his erection. She took him in her
hand and stroked him the way she knew made him wild for her.
Joe groaned and pulled her hand away. ‘Let’s get you naked first.’ He continued to remove her clothes and each time a slip of fabric fell away from her body she shivered as his glittering gaze ran over her. ‘You’re so beautiful. So hot. I’m going crazy here.’ His fingers struggled with the fastening on her top. ‘Damn it. Why do you wear such complicated clothes?’
Juliette laughed and helped him with the fastening, leaving her in nothing but her bra and knickers. His hands cupped her breasts and even through the delicate barrier of lace her flesh leapt at his touch. Her nipples tight, her breasts tingling and sensitive, her inner core aching with need.
Joe placed his hands on her hips, his expression now gravely serious. ‘Are you sure about this, cara? We can’t undo this once it’s done.’
Juliette brushed her lips against his. ‘Totally sure. I want you. Don’t make me wait any longer.’
He brought his mouth down on hers in a firm kiss that spoke of his own escalating need. Their tongues met and tangled, heat flaring between their bodies like an out of control fire. Joe deftly unclipped her bra and it fell to the floor at her feet. His mouth lifted off hers as he slid her knickers down her thighs. She stepped out of them, kicking them aside with one foot, and then moving close to his body again.
He cradled one of her breasts in his hand, his thumb stroking her budded nipple, sending shivers shooting to the core of her being. He brought his mouth down to her breast, his tongue circling her nipple, his teeth gently grazing the sensitive nub and his lips caressing the dark circle of her areola. Tingles coursed through her body, hot tingles and fizzes that sent her senses into a frenzy. Need throbbed and ached between her legs in a pounding rhythm in time with her racing blood.
‘You have no idea how long I’ve ached to do this...’ His voice had a ragged quality as one of his hands cupped her mound.
Juliette gasped with delight when he inserted one thick finger into her wet heat. ‘Oh, God, I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you.’ She shuddered from head to foot as his finger caressed her, his expert strokes sending hot streaks of longing down through her pelvis.
He brought his mouth back to hers in a long drugging kiss that made her forget about everything but the sensations coursing through her body. He tasted of salt and a hint of whisky and danger but she was addicted to all of it. Addicted to all of him. The flickering caress of his fingers sent her catapulting into a dizzying flight, spinning her into an abyss where she was conscious of nothing but the exquisite sensations rippling through her.
Juliette gripped his shoulders with her hands. ‘Don’t let me go. I might not be able to stand upright.’
‘I’m not letting you go. I haven’t finished with you yet.’ His rough tone and strong hands made her insides quiver like an unset jelly.
He walked her to the bed, laying her down and coming down beside her, his dark eyes unashamedly feasting on her body. He trailed a lazy finger from the upper curves of each breast, down her sternum to the tiny shallow cave of her belly button. He spread her thighs and brought his mouth down to the secret heart of her body. She sucked in a breath, heady anticipation for his touch sending another hot shiver down her spine. His tongue tasted her, teased her, tantalised her into another earth-shattering orgasm. It went on and on, sending shudders throughout her flesh until she was breathless and gasping.
Joe placed his hand on her abdomen, his gaze doing a slow appraisal of her body. ‘I want you.’
Take me. Take me. Take me.
Juliette panted it under her breath, her heart still hammering in the aftermath of ecstasy. But her body still craved him, it craved his presence deep inside and she reached for him, cupping him in her hand. ‘What are you waiting for?’ she said.
He eased her hand off his erection. ‘I need to get a condom. Don’t go anywhere.’
‘I won’t.’ Juliette lay back and watched him hunt for a condom but it was taking too long. Her need for him was throbbing like a tribal drum between her legs—deep, pulsing, insistent.
He opened his wallet and swore, tossing it back down again.
Juliette propped herself up on her elbows. ‘What? Don’t you have one? What about in the bathroom?’
Joe came back over and leaned down to press a hot hard kiss on her mouth. ‘I’ll be right back.’
* * *
Joe hoped he still had condoms that weren’t past their use-by date. Using protection was an issue, irrespective of whether they were officially back together or not. The thought of exposing Juliette to another pregnancy, another terrible loss was out of the question. But what was this...this interlude for Juliette? What was it for him? Just a quick scratch-the-itch-and-regret-it-in-the-morning?
Either way, it was a risk he was prepared to take. He wanted her. He wanted her with an ache so hot and hard and tight it was making him crazy. Making him think beyond tonight. Making him hope they might salvage something from the train wreck of their relationship.
Joe rummaged in the bathroom cupboard off the spare bedroom and found a couple of condoms in his toiletries bag he used when travelling. They had been there for months without him even noticing. But why would he have noticed them? He hadn’t been interested in sleeping with anyone since Juliette had left. Not just because he considered he was technically still married, but because he couldn’t stomach touching another woman. Being with any woman other than Juliette was repugnant to him. In the past, he’d had his share of casual flings—more than his share. His wealth and status made it easy to pick up casual dates. He had not even thought about it before he’d met Juliette. It was like following a script: drink and/or dinner, dive into bed with an equally enthusiastic and willing partner.
It had worked until it hadn’t worked.
He’d met Juliette, they had a one-night stand and whoomph. He hadn’t been the same since. He hadn’t slept with anyone else since the night he’d met her. Not even when he had no contact with her for three months until she tracked him down to tell him she was carrying his baby. He’d blamed it on his work schedule—he was too busy, travelled too much, was too tired for the chase. All those things might well have been true but he knew deep down it was because sleeping with Juliette had shifted something inside him and he couldn’t shift it back. But he would have to find a way, because there were no guarantees she would stay if he offered her a reconciliation.
He had to remember: she’d come here to get the divorce papers signed. Her willingness to sleep with him was probably nothing more than a parting gift. A farewell... Insert coarse swear word. That was all it could be, right? Why was he thinking it could be anything else?
Joe went back to the bedroom to find Juliette lying on her stomach with her chin propped up on her hands. He drank in the smooth curves of her spine and bottom, his lower body twitching with impatience to glide between her legs and thrust home.
‘Did you find any?’
He held them up in his fingers. ‘Only two, so if you have any ideas of a marathon you’d better hold that thought.’
Something passed over her features and her eyes momentarily slipped out of reach of his. ‘What are your plans for the rest of the weekend?’ Her tone was casual. Too casual.
Joe came and sat beside her on the bed, placed his hand on her hip and turned her so she was lying on her back. He leaned closer, placing his hands either side of her head, caging her in, his gaze feasting on the sweet globes of her breasts. His groin pounding with feverishly hot blood. ‘Shouldn’t I be asking you that question?’
Her eyes flicked to his mouth. ‘I don’t know what this is...’ She touched her hand to his jaw, grazing her fingers along his stubble. ‘I mean...what we’re doing...’
‘Seems pretty obvious to me, cara.’ Joe leaned on one elbow and traced his finger around one of her nipples in a lazy circle. ‘We’re getting it on.’
Sh
e pulled her lower lip partway into her mouth, releasing it again, her eyes still troubled. ‘Break-up sex? Or...something else?’
It was the million-dollar question Joe didn’t have an answer for. He kept his expression casually indifferent when inside he was mentally holding his breath. ‘What else could it be? You came here wanting a divorce.’
A small frown pulled at her forehead and her finger brushed over his lower lip. ‘I came here determined to get you to sign those papers. It was my goal. My mission...but now...’ She gave a tiny sigh and her hand moved to the back of his neck, bringing his head closer. ‘I want you to make love to me. I know it’s probably wrong or inconsistent of me when I’ve been waving divorce papers in your face, but it’s what I want for now. Just while I’m in Italy.’
A break-up fling with his soon-to-be ex-wife.
But Joe wanted her any way he could have her. ‘I want you to stay until after the Paris fundraiser.’ He knew he was taking a risk using such a commanding tone but did it anyway.
Her eyes flicked to his mouth and her tongue darted out to lick her lower lip, tightening the ache in his groin another unbearable notch. ‘Okay. I’ll go with you to Paris.’
‘Good. But as long as we’re both clear on what this actually is.’
Was he clear? The only clarity he had was that this felt right. Having her here in his arms. The trouble was...how was he going to let her go when it was time for her to leave? Or could he dare to hope she would stay? But that would mean resuming their marriage and look at what a rubbish job he’d done of it the first time around.
‘I want you, Joe.’ Her voice was as soft as her touch.
The Return 0f Her Billionaire Husband (HQR Presents) Page 9
