Freed

by Phillips, Carly

  “I’m proud of you, city girl.” He winked at her, giving her his full support and approval, not that she needed it. But the fact that she’d come by to share the news told him without words where they stood.

  “Can we go out for dinner to celebrate?” she asked, sounding hopeful.

  And he was about to disappoint her. “I have to get home to my father. His late afternoons have been difficult and I don’t like to leave him alone. He has someone watching him, but I’m the most familiar face he sees, you know?”

  Her expression softened. “I understand.” She bit down on her bottom lip, then asked, “Would you want to bring food in and eat at your place? I mean I understand if you don’t want to introduce me to your dad, if new people will upset him, but I thought maybe it would be a good alternative.” She lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug as she made the offer.

  He sat down on the corner of his desk, arguing with himself about the idea. Don’t drag her into his shit. Don’t introduce her to his father and allow her that deep into his life if he was eventually going to have to let her go. But she seemed to sincerely not mind the fact that he couldn’t go out for dinner, unlike Emily, who’d lose her mind if he had to put his father first. She hadn’t liked having to share a meal with his dad if it meant sacrificing date night, as she’d called it.

  But Juliette wasn’t Emily. And maybe seeing Jonathan in person would hasten the process of her realizing she was finished with a caretaking role and wanted to live her own life.

  Better sooner than later, he thought with a pang in his chest. “Sure. You can follow me to my house,” he said, making the decision and refusing to second-guess himself.

  She blinked in surprise, eyes wide as a smile lit her pretty face. “Do you want me to pick up dinner? Something for me to cook if you’d prefer?” She paused, then said, “I’m not the best chef in the world but I can manage some basics.”

  He chuckled, touched by the gesture. “No, thanks. If Mrs. Mulligan didn’t leave a casserole for me and Dad, I don’t mind ordering in.”

  “Mrs. Mulligan?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

  “His… nurse, for lack of a better word.” He hated to use the term babysitter but that’s essentially what she was. “Sometimes she cooks and leaves us dinner.”

  “Got it. Okay, I’ll follow you.” She pulled her car keys out of her purse, and next thing he knew, he was driving toward home, Juliette in her sporty convertible following behind him.

  * * *

  Juliette hadn’t expected Braden to agree to dinner at his house, but as she followed him inside, she held her breath, uncertain of what she’d find. His father was sitting on the sofa in the living area, doing a jigsaw puzzle on the table in front of him.

  Lucy Mulligan, who she met when she walked in, was an attractive woman with a long, dark braid and kind brown eyes. She looked to be in her mid sixties. She asked to talk to Braden alone.

  He introduced Juliette to his father first. “Dad, this is Juliette Collins. Juliette, this is my dad, Jonathan Clark.”

  “Hi, Mr. Clark. It’s nice to meet you.”

  A good-looking man glanced up at her. With the brown hair and hazel eyes that he’d passed on to his son, she knew where Braden got his looks.

  “Call me Jonathan,” he said. “I don’t want pretty girls treating me like an old man.” He rose to his feet to greet her.

  She smiled at him. “Jonathan, then. What kind of puzzle are you doing?”

  He held up the box cover, showing a seascape.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful. Can I help you?” she asked.

  “I’d love it,” he said with a smile.

  She sat down so they could work putting the puzzle together, which was slow going given the small pieces.

  Braden walked out to talk to his father’s nurse/caregiver. During her time with him, Juliette never noticed his father slip or have any issues, but when Braden returned, he looked more somber and concerned than he had before.

  Lucy had left a lasagna in the oven with broccoli on the side. Juliette helped Braden serve the three of them, and they sat down to dinner around a table off the kitchen, a nice-sized room with stainless steel appliances and what looked like cream-colored quartz on the countertop. The house, from what she’d seen so far, was relaxed and comfortable, with framed photographs set around the family room, making the place a real home.

  They’d just sat down to eat when Juliette picked up the bowl with broccoli to serve them all.

  “I don’t want vegetables,” Jonathan said, just as she put a large spoonful on his plate.

  Braden glanced at his father. “That’s okay, Dad. Then don’t eat it.”

  Jonathan glanced down at the food with a frown, then he glared at Juliette. “Mom, I told you I won’t eat vegetables,” he said, pointing at the offending greenery on his dish.

  She glanced at Braden, uncertain of what to do now.

  “Answer him,” he mouthed to her. “Please.”

  She swallowed hard. “You don’t have to eat it,” she said to Jonathan.

  He folded his arms across his chest like a recalcitrant child. “Then take it off my plate.” He spoke defiantly now, as if expecting an argument and letting her know he was perfectly okay having one.

  “Umm, okay. I’ll remove it.” She reached out, but before she could pick up his plate, Braden did it himself and scraped off the vegetables, placing the dish in front of his father again.

  “Here you go,” Braden said.

  Jonathan examined the plate in front of him and, seemingly satisfied, picked up his fork and began to eat the lasagna in silence.

  Braden expelled a long breath he’d obviously been holding in, then shot her an apologetic look, but she waved it off, completely understanding the situation. He hadn’t wanted to upset his father, so she’d played along. No harm done.

  They finished dinner and his father retired upstairs to go to sleep early.

  Juliette rose to clean up but Braden shook his head. “Let’s go into the other room. I’ll take care of this later.”

  They settled onto the couch by the puzzle and Braden ran an exasperated hand through his hair.

  “What’s going on?” she asked him. “Other than the obvious.”

  He worked his jaw a bit before speaking. “Lucy said Dad left the gas stove on today. She was throwing in laundry. She can’t be with him twenty-four seven and she left him doing the puzzle. Eventually, she walked into the kitchen and the flame was still burning. Thank God it hadn’t been that long. And he didn’t burn himself. But it’s dangerous. Then tonight at dinner I held my breath, hoping he wouldn’t throw the plate at you across the table,” he said, voice shaking. “I don’t know how much longer I can avoid putting him in a home.”

  She reached out and covered his hand with hers, her heart going out to him. “I’m sorry. I know that can’t be an easy decision to make.”

  He shook his head, eyes sad. “It’s the worst. And not having any brothers or sisters to share the burden is hard. It’s all on me. I don’t want him to resent me for doing it, but I don’t want to wait until he does something to hurt himself, either.”

  She wound their fingers together, looking down at their intertwined hands, her smaller, paler flesh against his. “Listen, I don’t have any experience with something like this, but I can tell you, since you love him, any decision in his best interest is the right one. Don’t beat yourself up over it.” Though she knew he would. He loved his father deeply and was losing him day by day.

  “Thank you for understanding.” His expression grew serious. “I’m juggling a lot,” he said, eyes on her the entire time, and her body shivered under the caress of his gaze. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to make time for you in my life. I do. Eventually, I want you in my bed. Or your bed. Hell, any bed will do.”

  She sucked in a shallow breath, her body swaying toward his at the admission. “I want you, too,” she said.

  “But I’m always going to be pulled in t
wo directions, and I know from experience it isn’t easy to put up with.”

  She pursed her lips and decided this was as good a time as any to push him for more answers. “Tell me about her.”

  Their hands were still wound around each other and he didn’t break contact as he explained. “I was engaged.”

  The admission surprised her and Juliette’s breath caught in her throat. “Oh.”

  He nodded. “Emily and I knew each other back in high school. I left town, joined the police force in New York City, and I came home a little over a year ago when Dad started showing serious signs of dementia. She and I reconnected and it got serious.”

  He paused and she waited for him to gather his thoughts; meanwhile, she was processing the fact that he’d loved someone enough to propose to them.

  The notion bothered her. A lot.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  He shrugged, leaning back against the sofa, their hands no longer clasped together as he delved into his past. “In hindsight, I didn’t know her as well as I should have before I decided she was right for me and my future. I think I liked the idea of the family we could have and didn’t look deeply enough into who she was.”

  “How so?” Juliette was curious about this woman who’d captured his heart.

  “Emily was an only child and much more spoiled than I realized. She was used to undivided attention from her parents and getting what she wanted when she wanted it. Dad’s illness progressed pretty quickly from the time of diagnosis, and as you can see, he demands a lot of my time.”

  “And she didn’t understand that?” Juliette asked, shocked that anyone could be that selfish. This was Braden’s father. He was an only child, too, and his dad was all he had.

  He shook his head. “Not when it came to missing dinner dates and other things she scheduled for us. Eventually it became too much and she ended us.”

  “I’m sorry,” Juliette murmured, thinking he deserved much better than he’d gotten from his fiancée.

  He shrugged. “It was for the best. I could never have met her emotional needs and I just wish I’d seen that sooner. She met someone else and is engaged again and I wish her well.”

  Wow, Juliette thought. She’d gotten more insight into the man than she’d anticipated tonight, and she was glad he’d confided in her. “I’m sorry you were hurt but I’m glad you discovered she wasn’t right for you before you got married. And selfishly I’m glad you’re available now.”

  His lips twitched as they lifted in a smile. He reached out and brushed her hair, which she’d pulled out of the twist before visiting him earlier, off her shoulder, his fingers grazing her collarbone.

  She shivered at the light touch, her nipples hardening at the sensual caress. Sliding his fingers through her hair at the nape of her neck, he pulled her closer until he was able to brush her lips with his. His tongue slid over her mouth and she parted, letting him inside.

  Their tongues brushed and tangled together, the kiss becoming harder, more demanding. She loved the feel of him taking her over, his strong hand holding her neck in place as his mouth devoured hers.

  She inched closer, crushing her breasts into his chest, and she practically purred at the sensation of her nipples rubbing against him.

  He slid a hand up her back and he was playing with the hook on her bra when a loud slam sounded, followed by, “Where’s the damned ice cream?”

  She jumped back at the sound of his father’s voice.

  Braden groaned. “We’re all out, Dad,” he called out. “And that’s what we get for making out like teenagers,” he muttered, a grin on his face. “But trust me when I tell you, I’m going to get you alone, and when I do, all bets are off. I will have you, city girl.”

  She grinned. “I’m yours for the taking,” she promised him.

  Chapter Seven

  Juliette spent the week beginning to organize the cleanup at the house Phoebe assigned her. She contacted the declutter company and spoke to the sellers, who wanted her there to oversee things. Realizing how busy this job would keep her, she gave notice at the coffee shop, which Grace took well, probably because Juliette wasn’t exactly her fastest, best employee. She had another week left of work there and that was fine with her.

  She hadn’t seen Braden this week, giving him space to deal with his dad, but they’d made plans to get together at the beach when she was dog sitting for her sister this weekend. Lucy was watching Jonathan, and Braden felt comfortable taking time for himself with her around for his father.

  Juliette slipped into a bikini and strode out onto the deck of Halley’s house, where Braden waited for her. Monty was a good dog who behaved off leash and just needed TLC, feedings, and attention. He pitter-pattered, trailing along, always underfoot in a good way. She liked the company and she really loved her sister’s home.

  Braden stood leaning against the railing, looking over the ocean. His broad back and muscles tapered into his leaner waist, tempting her. Drawing a breath, she stepped toward him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her body against his warm skin.

  He groaned as she aligned herself with him, wrapping his arms around hers. “It’s beautiful here.”

  She nodded into his back, inhaling his masculine scent, her body tightening as she hugged him. “I like my view more.” She nuzzled her nose into his skin.

  He laughed and turned, lifting her into his arms. She wrapped her legs around him for purchase, arms winding around his neck.

  “Check you out in that sexy bikini.” He skimmed his hands along her sides, her nipples puckering at the sensual touch, and she brushed her lips over his.

  He delved into her mouth, tongue dueling with hers, kissing her under the hot morning sun. Their mouths melded as they lazily made out, learning each other’s touch and taste, the soft ocean breeze blowing around them.

  Without warning, he broke the kiss and released her, lowering her to her feet, and she felt every inch of his muscles and hard erection against her stomach until her feet touched the ground.

  Swallowing a groan, she looked up at him. “Why stop?”

  “Because you had a list of things you wanted to do and dipping your toes in the water was one of them. Skinny-dipping is going to have to wait until nighttime, when no one can sneak a peek,” he muttered possessively. “But right now we’re going down to the beach. Right, Monty?” he asked the dog who’d been sleeping at their feet.

  “Woof!” The pup jumped up at the sound of his name.

  “Come on.” Braden grasped her hand, and the three of them walked down the stairs of the deck barefoot, stepping into the warm sand leading toward the ocean.

  At the water’s edge, she sat down so the water only came up as far as her feet, the warm waves cascading over her bare toes, just as she’d wanted. She’d asked her father to take vacations when she was younger, like her friends at school did with their families, but he’d had no interest in leaving New York.

  “Mmm. This is so relaxing.” She glanced over at Braden, who watched her, an indulgent grin on his face.

  “And that’s why I wanted you to experience it. Sometimes it’s the little things that we need in life.” He gestured toward the bay.

  “Well, this is heaven. And it takes me away from my problems.”

  He glanced at her. “What problems?”

  She wriggled her toes before the next wave overtook them. “It’s nothing. My issues are miniscule compared to yours.”

  “Doesn’t make them less real. So what’s up?” He nudged her with his shoulder.

  She glanced at Monty, who darted into the water with two paws, then out again.

  “My father.”

  He seemed to stiffen at the mention of her parent.

  “I called him because I felt guilty letting so much time go by.”

  “And?” he asked.

  She sighed. “He’s blatantly distrustful of my sisters, though they’ve given neither him nor me any reason to feel that way. And he refused to tell
me how he’s feeling physically. I worry about his heart but he said I’d know if I came home.”

  Braden clenched his jaw, obviously displeased with her father’s actions. “He’s manipulating you.”

  “It’s amazing. I lived with this same behavior for my whole life. If I wanted to go out with my friends, he suddenly didn’t feel well. The end result was me losing people because I was never available to hang out with them. But it’s only now that I’m away, I can see it clearly.” And she hurt, knowing how much her father had deprived her of as a child.

  “Which means you need to be strong and do your own thing. Stand up for yourself.”

  “How?” she asked, wrinkling her nose in thought.

  “By living your own life.”

  She curled her fingers into the sand, the grit going beneath her fingernails. “I’m doing that. I want to keep doing it.”

  “I know. And I’m here to watch you accomplish your goal.” He ran a hand down her hair and she liked the comfort of the gesture.

  But she also experienced that ripple of awareness she always felt around Braden. The one where her sex tingled and softened with need. And where her nipples pebbled into hardened peaks, begging for his touch, lick, bite.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Monty had lain down and was dozing on the sand. Certain her charge was in no danger of wandering off, she focused on Braden, pushing herself up and, without warning, straddling him where he sat on the beach.

  “Hey,” he said, his hands cupping her waist. “What’s this?”

  “Letting you have me,” she said, grinding herself down onto the thick erection in his pants.

  He groaned as she rocked against him, waves like the one crashing against the shore behind her sweeping through her body.

  “You know, Halley said this is a private stretch of beach. Nobody is going to come by and bother us,” she said.

  “Good to know.” Reaching up, he cupped her breast in his hand, palming her flesh and tweaking her nipple with his thumb and forefinger until she arched her hips and rubbed herself against him, aware of the sensual arousal alighting her body.