by Colt, Shyla
“Julian!” She sat up in bed and covered her mouth with her hands. “I am so proud of you.”
“You make me feel like I can do anything, Colette. You’re my muse.”
“What did you say?” Her face seemed to cloud with concern.
What had he done to ruin the mood? “I said you’re my muse...Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She nodded her head. “It’s just, you’re so amazing. I don’t think I have much to do with it.”
Her modesty made him smile. There is something very special about Colette Starvos.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Julian tried not to let his nerves get the best of him as he waited for Colette to finish getting ready. They’d been dating for a while and he knew it was time to move past going Dutch and step out. He adored her for willingness to do what made him comfortable, but knew she needed more. Tonight they were venturing out to a ceramic shop he’d driven by a million times but never had the courage to enter. This idea felt scary and exhilarating. A part of him considered it training for what was to come soon with Rocco. He’d begun taking trips to his home to record.
“I’m ready,” Colette called, making him smile.
She popped out of the bedroom in a pair of dark denim skinny jeans that hugged her long, lean legs and a T-shirt that said Artists Do it Better. She’d tamed her hair into one long braid that hung down her back like a black silk rope. “Sorry, it was the hair that held me up.”
“I figured as much.”
They linked hands and headed out of the room.
“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing?”
“No, that would ruin the surprise. But I will say we’re leaving the house.”
Her eyes grew wide. “We don’t have to if you don’t—”
He held a finger up to her lips to silence her and smiled. “You were right. It’s time I stop letting others dictate what I do and don’t do with my own life. I write about hope, love and strength, but all this time, I wasn’t heeding my own advice.” He sighed. “I’m rectifying that now.”
He opened her door and they headed out into the light blue twilight falling over the city. A spattering of stars twinkled in the sky, accompanied by a brilliant crescent moon. It seemed like a good omen. A short walk to his home led him to his black Jeep and they were on their way.
When they pulled up to Hot Pots, she gasped. “I’ve been dying to come to this place!”
“I was hoping you’d say that. You chose the perfect shirt for tonight.” His gaze took in her T-shirt once more, lingering on the plump breasts that curved the letters. He licked his lips and cleared his throat as he exited the car before his dick came to life. Julian paused and bent down to capture her lips, plying her with a languid exchange of lips and tongue. They pulled up for air and he kissed her forehead. “I can’t wait to get you into my bed.”
“I’ve been waiting a long time to hear you say that.” She caressed his lips with her forefinger and he nipped at the tip.
“Keep that up and the only thing getting painted will be your insides.”
“Damn, I love it when you talk dirty.”
“I know. That’s why I do it. I’m a fast study.” He stepped away from her and took a cleansing inhalation of air. “Inside?”
She nodded her head and they walked from the back parking lot to the front of the building and inside the store. It was a weekday, so there were only a few other groups of people, none of whom paid them any attention when they stepped inside.
The chime of the bell above the door alerted the woman in the blue smock to their new business. “Hi, have you two been here before?”
“Hi,” he said. “We actually haven’t.”
“Well, welcome. Follow me over here and we’ll go over the rules.” She led them over to the wall that housed a sink and shelves full of different colored paints, brushes and sponges. “We offer a lot of things, but our most popular is the ceramic items to paint. You can also make your own pottery, but you have to book a spot in the sessions in advance. That happens every Monday and Wednesday. ”
“We’ll have to keep that in mind for later,” Colette replied, excitement gleaming in the depths of her eyes.
“Wonderful! I’ll get you two pots with water and sponges. After you choose your colors, you’ll pick a table, decide what piece you’d like to decorate and wet it down completely before you begin to paint.”
“Simple enough,” Julian said.
Before too long, they were settled at a table in the back with a coffee mug and a flower vase. There was something almost therapeutic about being in public this time around. There were curious glances, but none were malicious and the whispers that occurred shortly after their arrival died out in the first five minutes. I can handle this. Thoughts of fitting in fell to the wayside.
Julian focused on the sixteen-ounce mug he’d decided to paint black and decorate with a white mustache. Creating with Colette felt natural and familiar, as though it was something he’d been doing his entire life. He’d never been one to believe in love at first sight or people being meant to be, yet he had no doubt this woman was his soul mate. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and the three words that had been etched on his heart resounded in his head.
I love her.
The aha moment hit him like a punch to the chest, stealing his breath. He sucked in air and set down the paintbrush. His hands trembled and he pushed his chair out and stood. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to the bathroom.”
Time seemed to distort as he made his way to the back, opened the door, locked it and turned to peer in the mirror.
When did this happen? His image in the mirror looked pale. I look like I’m entering the early stages of shock. It was one thing to be falling and another to surrender. He’d never been in love. Julian fought back his initial instinct to run. He needed to see this through if it killed him and with the way his heart was trying to burst out of his chest cavity, it just might. He turned on the faucet, splashed his face with the lukewarm water and patted it dry with the paper towels available.
Get it together, Sorrow. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Don’t ruin it. You’ve been doing so well.
He knew the kind of man Colette deserved. He tried to be that person, but it was damned hard. He’d grown bitter over the years, maybe even a little resentful. It wasn’t an easy mode to snap out of. It scared him in a way, how close he’d gotten to giving up on everything but his music and maybe Paul.
You don’t have to tell her right away. Sit on the L word for a while.
Calmed and with a game plan, he felt ready to head back to the table.
* * * *
Colette watched Julian rush to the bathroom, completely bewildered by his sudden exit. She’d been on edge since he called her his Muse and this wasn’t helping one bit. Could he know? Who could’ve told him? The angry flash in Calliope’s eyes popped into her mind. No, her sister wanted to see her happy and right now she was. She wrung her hands, unable to continue painting. The closer she came to saying, “I love you,” the closer she came to telling him the truth. She didn’t take Julian as the type to not mind being lied to.
“Sorry about that, too much water.”
“No worries.”
She forced a smile and returned to her painting, feeling as if she was standing on top of quicksand.
They completed their art between stints of conversation and headed back to the car with a receipt to show when they picked their items up after they were kiln fired.
“We have unfinished business to tend to,” Julian whispered, making her smile.
Little by little, he was coming out of his shell to take the lead.
“Do we? Refresh my memory.”
“A little matter of you in my bed.”
“Oh, that one.” She laughed.
He flashed her a cheeky grin, turned the key in the ignition and pulled out of the parking space.
Desire made her limbs heavy as she massaged hi
s knee, slowly crept up to his inner thigh, then stopped just before she reached the part of him she knew he wanted her touch most.
His breath grew ragged and his body tensed. “Minx.”
“I have to keep things interesting, so you don’t get tired of me.”
“Col, I don’t think you could be boring if you tried.”
She ran her hand over his stiffness and squeezed.
“God!”
She began a gentle massage that had him squirming in his seat. “Do you want me to stop?”
“No,” he rasped.
Her pussy pulsed. She rubbed her thighs together to ease the ache and gasped. The sensation only fanned the flames of want. He pulled into his driveway and she practically ripped the seat belt off in her hurry to escape the car.
They walked to the front door.
He pressed her body against the cool metal door, devouring her with a hunger she echoed. He gripped her thighs, lifting her up and she snaked her legs around him, hooking her ankles at the base of his back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on tight when he hitched her up and dug into his pants for his keys.
He unlocked the door, pushed it open and walked into the house, making her feel as though she weighed no more than a feather despite her six-foot height. He kicked the door shut and rested her body against it.
“I can’t wait, Col.”
“I don’t want you to.”
He fumbled with the top button of her jeans, yanked down her zipper, pushed her jeans and her drenched underwear down around her knees. “Are you ready for me, baby?” He reached down between them, testing the wetness of her pussy. “Yes, you are.”
She whimpered at the husky quality his voice had taken on. There was pride in those three words. It made something warm build in the pit of her stomach.
He pressed a finger deep into her womb, hooking his finger and hitting the spot that made her jerk.
“God, Julian.” Was that her voice, so whisper soft and whiny? This man had branded her as his, body, mind and soul. No one else could ever make her feel like this.
His busy fingers worked her erogenous zone like a thief with a safe. He nudged her pleasure point one last time and she crashed over the edge. Blackness swirled behind her lids as she rode the wave, safe and content in his arms.
He slipped inside, filling her to the brim with one deep thrust that went to her heart. She arched her back, biting her tongue to keep the words, “I love you” at bay as he moved inside her. Sweat ran down her back and beaded on her forehead. Thump, thump. Her body hit the door. The scent of their lovemaking acted as an aphrodisiac. Julian had never felt so hard or thick inside her channel and sex had never been this mind-blowing. “Harder, please.”
He tilted her hips, allowing deeper penetration. The slap of their skin meeting filled the air. “Like that, Col?”
“Yes!”
“I want you to come with me this time.”
Her legs shook, her lungs heaved and the familiar pressure began to build once more. “I’m almost there.”
“Me too,” he said through gritted teeth. “Open your eyes, baby.”
She forced her eyes open. The strength of the emotions visible in his hazel orbs made the air around them sizzle. Her pussy gripped him like a vise, liquid spurted forth and her body shook. In a chain reaction, his body tensed. He emptied inside her and she was transported to a new realm of pleasure. This connection was why she’d made this journey.
“My legs are shaking. I can’t keep us here like this much longer.” He pulled out and her pussy gave a flutter of protest.
Colette lowered her legs to the floor.
“We definitely need a shower,” Julian said.
“Agreed.”
“Come on.” He took her hand in his and they walked to the bathroom. He turned on the shower spray and helped her inside.
“This feels amazing.” The steamy spray hit her skin and she stepped back to make room for Julian. She grabbed the body wash from the shelf, popped the top, spread some on her hands and rubbed it into his chest. The scent she’d come to associate with him filled her nostrils.
“Why haven’t we done this before?” he asked, sighing.
“Not sure.”
He took the soap from her hands, placed it back in the shower shelf. Julian slid his slippery hands over her body. “This may be the most fun I’ve ever had in a shower.”
She giggled. “Ditto.” She let her slick hand move down to his semi hardened member and gripped him tightly. She stroked, pleased when his body jerked and grew stiff.
“What are you doing?”
“Having one last hurrah before bed,” she whispered against his lips.
“God.” He leaned back to rest his head against the wall behind him.
She increased her stroking speed. He looked beautiful wrapped in the throes of passion with his eyes closed and his lips parted. The utter surrender and trust he was showing her warmed her heart, as his grunts set her pussy ablaze.
“Shit, I’m almost there, Col.”
She tightened her grip as she flicked her wrist.
Julian thrust into her hand. His back arched and he spurted onto the tiled floor of the shower. He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. “You got me all clean, just to get me all dirty again.”
“It won’t be the last time.”
He chuckled and they moved back beneath the spray, rinsing one another off, then stepped from the shower to dry off.
Ten minutes later, they were dried and beneath the covers, just on the edge of sleep. Julian drifted off with no problems.
Colette was another story.
Propped up on an elbow, she watched Julian’s chest rise and fall. He always looked so peaceful when he slept. She reached out a hand to sweep back the hair that had fallen over his eye in a boyish manner, making her smile.
Her time was running out.
Seven months had flown by in what seemed like the blink of an eye. She’d been pushing things off for too long.
I haven’t told him I love him, yet I’m supposed to spring my true identity? I’ve waited long enough. Whether he’s ready to hear it or not, I have to tell him I love him. Give him a chance to get used to that before I dump on him about Mount Helicon and the possible loss of his career if he chooses me.
He stirred in his sleep. “What’s wrong? Why are you still up?” he mumbled, eyelids half-mast.
“I don’t want you to freak out or feel obligated, but there’s something I need to say.” She swallowed to moisten her sandpaper-dry throat. “I love you.”
His eyes went wide and he shot up into a sitting position. “What?”
“I—I love you.” Her heart thudded in her chest.
“I’m not ready—”
She covered his mouth with a finger. “Shh…I wasn’t expecting you to say anything, Julian. I just wanted you to know.”
All she’d done was say the words and he’d freaked out. He didn’t feel the same. The time she’d spent here was for nothing. Despair washed over her as she fought back the tears that burned her eyes. Awkwardness filled the room. “I think I should go.” She slid from the bed and began to gather her clothing.
“I don’t want you to leave like this.”
“I think we could both use some time to digest things.” She pulled on her clothes as she spoke.
Julian stood from the bed. The navy blue sheet slid down his body and onto the floor, leaving his lean form bare. “No. I was afraid to change things between us, scared to mess with the dynamics that make us so great. But I know if I let you walk out of here now, things will never be the same.”
He grabbed her wrist and she allowed the T-shirt in her hands to fall onto the floor.
“I didn’t want to say this. Not because I don’t feel it, but because I’ve never said it that I can remember. Not to any foster parent, not to Paul, no one. After what happened with my parents, the idea of loving someone seemed too risky. You never know when they’ll be taken away
and that pain ...” He paused. “…It’s the most gut-wrenching, soul-destroying thing anyone can go through. It took finding you to allow me to truly recover. I love you, Col and it scares the shit out of me.” His chest heaved and his body shuddered. He dropped her wrist and pulled her into his arms. “It hasn’t even been a year and I don’t know what the hell I’d do without you. You’re the sun that brings dawn each day to what was once endless night.”
Those sentences erased all the ugly hurt from the moments before. Maybe they could do this, carve their own happiness out of an impossible situation. She inhaled the familiar scent of his skin, marveling at the way their hearts seemed to beat as one. One hurdle down, one more to go.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Thanks, man, this is really going to make this album,” Rocco said.
“Anytime.”
Excitement glistened in the young man’s eyes as he shook Julian’s hand before he turned to exit out the front door.
After two months of working together, they were wrapping the album. It was a masterpiece, an uplifting album with songs for anyone who’d been through something, was going through a rough spot, or just needed to find a silver lining. The tempos ranged from slow to fast, with a ballad, dance songs and catchy tunes he knew would be on the radio for months, stuck in the eager ears of his fans and others who maybe didn’t think they’d like his style. He felt damn proud. Rocco had come to him with three collaborations and one solo. Then they’d added seven more.
Julian locked the door after Rocco and headed back upstairs to the kitchen. Tonight, he and Colette would celebrate this in style. They’d been planning tonight’s dinner for weeks and he had a special surprise for her.
They’d weathered through every storm they’d been tossed into and he was ready to make things permanent. He patted the velvet case in his pocket. The oval-shaped pink diamond set in an antique round setting littered with diamonds had screamed at him from the window of the jewelry shop he was walking by. He hadn’t even realized he was thinking about marriage until that moment, when the thought of the ring on anyone else’s finger but Col’s made him balk.
