by Grady, D. R.
“You do.” Lila and Giselle were lovely, graceful creatures. She couldn’t comprehend being classified in their league.
“Even Sebastian can’t take his eyes off you. We’re your slaves,” he intoned in that same strangled voice.
“Right.” Her lips twitched.
He pried his eyes off her long enough to spare a glance to Sebastian. “She’s laughing at us, beast.”
“My slaves?” She cocked her head to the side. “Hhmmm, that does merit some thought, oh slaves of mine.” She realized she very much enjoyed flirting with this man.
“She’s not taking us seriously,” Mallen commented, before, without any thought to their finery, he tackled her.
He made certain to twist so he landed on the bed and she on top of him. Her parts fit his parts exactly and she couldn’t stop her moan when a certain hard part of his anatomy he couldn’t hide lodged where she needed it most. Mallen groaned with her, and her breath suspended when his eyes darkened with desire. His eyes alone left her panting with want.
She stopped fighting her needs. Instead, she cupped his head and fastened his lips to hers. His hands framed her face and he deepened their kiss. Passion, fire hot and ice cold whipped through her at that first touch of their lips. But there was no urgency in either of them. Instead, more of a meeting of emotions, a gentle exploration. A man telling a woman he desired her and a woman reassuring the man she shared his needs.
She wiggled and again felt his hardness press against her. There was no denying that he found her attractive. That wonderful part of him could not lie.
Mallen Saltaire desired her.
Julia blinked back tears as she kissed him with everything she had. Thankfulness, lust, trust, longing, astonishment, and truth all intermingled to form the foundation of her need.
He returned her emotions, with a few of his own added for spice. His fervor was tempered by a gentleness she had never experienced, never thought possible. She admired how he kept himself in check even while she felt like she had lost control. This time, the feeling was pleasant, comfortable, safe. All because she had him to anchor her.
Eventually, they had to break off the kiss to breathe. Both panted and as Julia gazed into Mallen’s desire-swept eyes, she wanted more. She wanted to give this man everything, anything. Remorse plunged through her as she realized this wasn’t the time, and couldn’t be the place.
“Thank you.”
A furrow developed between his eyebrows. “For what?”
“For making me feel beautiful.”
“You are beautiful.” The emphatic note in his voice warmed her.
“I haven’t felt that way in a long time. You’ve given me back some of the confidence I lacked.” She realized she was completely comfortable, lounging atop him, talking to him, sharing with him.
“I’m sorry that assurance was stolen in the first place.” He eased a curl from her face. His finger looped around it and he tugged experimentally. A grin split his face as the spiral of hair bounced back. “I love your hair. These curls tease me into giving them a tug.”
“You don’t think it’s a bit unruly, my hair?” She bit her lip, not certain she wanted this answer.
“Of course I don’t think your hair is unruly,” he said firmly. “Now you, on the other hand...”
Being on top, she had easy access to his ribs, and she utilized the opportunity to the fullest.
Mallen, laughing and squirming away from her quick fingers finally settled the matter by turning and placed her on the bottom. The movement set his groin into alignment with hers again. She bucked against him, unable to stop the spiral of pleasure. She gasped out, “Oh, don’t do that.”
“What?” he asked too innocently and rolled his hips.
“Mallen.” Her gasp was faint, but firm. Sensational pleasure rippled through her. She feared she might have to change her panties.
Even his very masculine chuckle, evil the sound was, sent a thrill through her.
“I’m going to...” She never uttered her threat, as his lips closed over hers again and her arms wrapped around his neck, lest he should try to escape.
“You know,” she commented, a smile quivering around her lips when they both needed to breathe again, “I think you’re wearing more of my peach gloss than I am.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Is your lip stuff glittery?”
She laughed. “Yep,” she told him with a smirk before swiping a finger, which he tried to nip, across his bottom lip and trailing her glittered and glossy finger down his nose.
“Why do women have to wear that stuff?”
Julia turned wide eyes on him. “To keep our lips kissably soft, of course.”
He rolled his. “Of course.”
“You don’t look so bad with glittery lips, you know.” She tapped a finger against her cheek, desperately trying to check her mirth.
Mallen offered a beleaguered sigh before heaving to his feet. He dragged her with him, and kissed her again, before reluctantly letting her go. “I’ll be back.”
“I’ll renew my kissably soft lips for your return,” she offered brattily, wiggling her brows at him. He swatted her bottom before exiting the room.
Since he returned about two seconds later, she didn’t have much opportunity to miss him.
Sporting a dark bathroom towel, he rubbed industriously at his lips and nose. “I do have an announcement to make tonight. I’ll receive no end of teasing if I glitter.”
“I see.” This time she had selected a clear lip-gloss, just in case.
She shook out her dress, and satisfied when the garment returned to a wrinkle-free state, turned to Mallen. His tie was crooked. Julia straightened the bow and smoothed his shirt. “Perfect,” she quipped as she stepped back to survey him. Desire spiraled through her again, which he must have caught.
He groaned. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” she tormented, rolling her hips and chest against him.
“Okay, I promise not to do that again,” he vowed. “Tonight,” he qualified.
She laughed, happy to be alive, happy to be with this gorgeous, wonderful man.
“Shall we go?” Mallen offered his arm.
“Absolutely.” That tight, uncertain feeling she had fought earlier was completely relegated to the past. She had the most handsome, amazing man in the world at her side. And he not only thought she was beautiful but he also desired her.
“Darling, you look gorgeous,” Lila exclaimed upon seeing her.
Mallen prodded her in the ribs. “I told you.”
His very masculine grin caused her heart to flip. This man spelled trouble. Thank goodness.
“Darling, you’re gorgeous, too,” Lila interrupted their play with a comment as her second born glided into the room. Giselle no longer walked. Lately she seemed to hover a few inches off the ground and she wore a perpetual smile these days. Julia would severely dislike her if she didn’t like the woman so much.
“You are beautiful,” she added her own comment, as she ambled to her friend. Attired in a long dress of a green-amber color that perfectly matched her eyes, Giselle’s incredible body showcased the gorgeous gown.
“You’re beautiful yourself.”
“Mother, you look amazing, too,” Mallen informed his parent as he leaned down to kiss her.
“Thank you, dear.” She patted his cheek. “Who fixed your tie?”
“Julia.”
“Is that a smiley faced one?” Giselle floated over for a quick inspection.
“Of course. I think he threw all the others away.” Lila sent him a reproving look.
“I like this bowtie,” he inserted with a happy smile.
“At least he’s wearing the black one tonight.” His mother sounded resigned.
“It’s a happy occasion,” Mallen defended himself. “Giselle doesn’t get betrothed every day, you know.”
Giselle took her brother’s arm. “Can we go now?”
Julia hauled her black velvet cape closer aft
er they left the palace, but it didn’t help much in the warmth department. When another gust of wind tried to snatch the garment from her, she finally stepped to the other side of Mallen, where he quite effectively blocked the playful wind.
When they piled into the limo, she noticed the spacious car was already occupied. Actually, to the extent that there was barely enough room for their little party. Giselle took a seat between two older ladies, Lila beside a fierce looking soldier and Mallen settled between a matronly woman with a kind smile and a blustery old fellow.
Looking around, she didn’t see any other seats available. Mallen reached for her and with no other options or qualms, she settled on his lap. She liked how well she fit into the niche his lap formed. And she probably had the warmest seat in the place. Julia didn’t argue.
The lady beside her said hello. “You must be the Julia we’ve heard so much about? I’m Leona St. James.” They shook hands.
“I am Julia. It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. St. James.” She smiled at the lady, charmed by the easy air inside the vehicle.
She turned to her other side and the blustery man offered a puffy hand. “I’m Rojer von Daubert,” he said in an even tenor. His big mustache quivered. Her lips curled up.
“Julia McNeal.”
After that, the introductions circled round the crowded space and she learned they were neighbors, all who had cars but preferred the camaraderie of riding squished together, apparently. She suspected they’d already enjoyed a few too many swigs from the champagne carafe she noticed Mr. von Daubert pass around with pride.
“Grandson made this fine brew.”
“Rojer’s family owns Sandovia’s premiere vineyards. His grandson has recently taken the reins of running the business, so Rojer can retire and spend more time on his hobbies,” Mallen explained.
The older ladies twittered and Julia couldn’t figure out if the cause was the grandson or the grandfather. She didn’t think it would be polite to ask Mallen in their presence, so she refrained. She and Mallen both declined the beverage.
Before she realized, they pulled up to an exquisite manor home. Stately double doors swung open and a liveried man bowed them into Stefen Bannette’s home. Their host greeted them just inside the door. His eyes were as bright with happiness as Giselle’s and she smiled at the way they tried to hide how in love they were. She noticed Giselle had turned her ring around so that the jeweled part faced the inside of her finger. Undoubtedly, she would spin the jewel once Mallen made the official announcement.
Julia caught the impression of understated grace and a home-like atmosphere in the Bannette residence before she noticed the woman standing beside Stefen. Tiny, with Stefen’s startling green eyes, her salt and pepper hair was pulled back into an elegant coiffure. Her dress was simple, green to match her eyes, and suited to her elegant frame. She smiled, and the emotion reached her stunning eyes. The lady enfolded Lila into a heartfelt hug, which Lila returned with the same fervor. The two women studied one another in deep friendship before Mallen nudged his mother aside and he swept the petite woman off her feet. She batted at him, but hugged him anyway, apparently used to him.
“Mallen Saltaire, do you ever stop teasing?”
“No,” Julia said before she realized the lady hadn’t expected an answer.
The woman in Mallen’s arms threw back her head and laughed as Mallen set her back on her feet. “Oh, here is a match for you, Mallen Hugh.” Julia caught the look she darted at Lila. Without a doubt it was a matchmaking look.
Then the woman turned to her and said, “You must be Julia, we’ve heard so much about you. I am Stefen’s mother, Sophia Bannette.” She opened her arms and it seemed natural to walk into that welcoming embrace. Julia returned the hug, smiling at the tiny woman.
“You gave birth to Stefen?”
Sophia laughed. “I did. He was quite a lot smaller when I birthed him though.”
“I should hope so,” Julia said faintly. “With Mallen around it probably feels like you’re amidst giants.”
Stefen snorted. “Please, don’t be fooled by her size. Mallen and I both know not to cross her.”
Mallen shuddered.
Sophia smiled.
Julia shook her head at the two. “They were terrors growing up, weren’t they?” she whispered to Sophia.
“Nothing’s changed, love,” she whispered back.
“Stef, do you still have that pool?” Mallen took Julia’s hand.
“It’s in the same place.” Stefen grinned at Julia.
She returned his gesture, but managed to stick her tongue out at Mallen. Who got sidetracked by her lips. Julia nearly tripped. She edged into him and hissed, “Quit that.”
“Are you still wearing that shiny stuff?”
“No,” she replied and started looking for a hideyhole where she could pounce.
Unfortunately, they got separated quickly when a party of what looked like a million men cornered Mallen. She let him see her pout, before winking at him.
Giselle glided up to her, two glasses in hand, one of which she handed to Julia.
“Mineral water,” she said in answer to Julia’s raised brow.
She nodded. “You’re not having champagne?”
“No, alcohol affects me oddly at times, and I want nothing to ruin this evening.”
“I’m happy things worked out so well for you.”
“So am I.”
She gurgled with laughter at Giselle’s happy, hearty tones. “I’m sure. Stefen seems like a wonderful man.”
“He is,” Giselle replied. “I thought I’d lost him, but I suppose our circumstance simply goes to show that nothing will stand in the way of true love.”
Julia smiled a sad smile. “Yes, for those fortunate to find such a love.” She thought not only of Giselle and Stefen, but also of Jared and Annie.
“Julia, your time is approaching.”
“What?”
“You’re only in the early stages, but your time is nearing. And you’ve found a good man, too.”
Before she could question her more on some important details, like who was this man, they were split up. She found herself in a group of totally unfamiliar faces, every one of them beaming at her. While they all seemed to know her name, she obviously knew none of theirs. Each member of the group quickly rectified this and before long she didn’t mind in the least being separated from her newfound friends because the next group welcomed her as much as the last.
She ultimately began mingling in groups with at least one face she’d already met, so then it became a guessing game of whose name she remembered.
So, when she met up with a small cluster of women who didn’t wear smiles, she was shocked.
“You must be this Julia we’ve been hearing about.” The catty tone came from the oldest of the trio.
Julia sighed. Women like these gave all other women a bad name. Everyone had been so pleasant and welcoming thus far. The cluster consisted of an older woman with two younger ones who looked remarkably like her, so she figured they were probably a mother and her two daughters.
“Yes, I’m Julia McNeal.”
“We’ve heard all about you.” The plump bleached blonde sniffed after she spoke in a screechy voice. She figured her to be the elder daughter.
“Oh, what have you heard?” Julia kept her inquiry polite, determined not to stoop to their level. After the Saltaires’ kindness she would not start a fight. Besides, these cats seemed especially unworthy of her efforts.
“You’re living with the Saltaires.” The younger woman, wearing far too much make-up and sporting elaborate brunette hair, sneered. It took several astonished blinks before she could even figure out how to respond to such overt maliciousness. She wondered if one of the daughters had set her sights on Mallen. That would constitute the less than warm welcome she currently received.
“I am. They’ve been very kind.”
“Why would Mallen fly across the ocean for you? You’re nothing special,” the
emaciated, dyed redheaded mother interjected. This family reminded Julia of hyenas for some reason.
“He thought I was, apparently,” she sparred with a true smile, unable to forget exactly how special he made her feel tonight.
“What do you do for a living?”
Julia didn’t make the mistake in thinking the plump one actually cared.
“We assume you have to work for a living, Miss McNeal.”
“Of course she works, Mother, look at her.” The skinny one used a manicured hand to encompass Julia.
“I’ve a Ph.D. in neuro-biology, so yes, I do work for a living.” She enjoyed the stunned looks on their faces. “And, by the way, it’s Doctor McNeal.”
With that she turned on her heel to leave the spiteful group and collided with Mallen. He nodded to the women, but she noticed his expression wasn’t friendly.
“I came to save you, but you seemed to be doing fairly well on your own, Doctor McNeal.”
She poked him. “If Your Majesty is finished—”
“You made your point, brat.” He sounded only mildly repentant.
“Those women reminded me of hyenas. Why would such nice people like the Bannetts invite them?”
“Unfortunately, they’re family. You know how sometimes you get that family member you’d rather not discuss, but sometimes you have to acknowledge?”
She nodded. “We have The Codgers.”
He blinked and one eyebrow rose.
“They’re not really an embarrassment, more like a test.” She pursed her lips. It was hard to explain their role.
“A test?”
Julia sent him a secret smile. “I’m not telling you more.”
“Why?” He sounded suspicious, and rightfully so.
“The very fact you know about the Codgers could give you an advantage. Most unfair, really.”
He blinked a few times, nodded, and took her hand. “On to the next subject. I have to make this announcement, Giselle is about to burst.”
