by Nina Lane
Emboldened, Julia got to her knees and sucked him in deeper, tightening her lips around the base. He swelled deliciously in her mouth, the growing thickness of his shaft eliciting a surge of lust. She pressed her thighs together as her own body tingled and dampened in readiness for him. Oh, how she loved their responsiveness to each other, the way their bodies synced as if they knew instinctively what the other wanted and needed.
She licked his shaft, swirled her tongue around the swollen, damp head, and sucked him in again as far as she could. He stroked his hand over her back to her ass, then between her legs. Julia gasped, startling briefly at the sensation of his fingers probing her.
“Keep going.” With his other hand, he gently returned her attention to his cock.
She obeyed—because she liked obeying him—and tried to concentrate on pleasuring him even while he fingered her pussy with expert precision, fondling her labia, slipping his forefinger into her slit. She closed her eyes, opening her mouth to pull in a breath.
“I love that you get so fucking wet so fast.” His voice was rough, his body tense.
“It’s only…” she let out a moan and pushed her hips back to encourage the deeper penetration of his finger, “…only because of you. Oh, that feels good…”
“Your turn. I need to taste you.”
He shifted them so she was lying on her back, her legs open. Even now, she was astonished by the sense of freedom that came from being with him. They knew each other so well that, with them, there was only desire, excitement, love.
He moved between her legs, flicking his tongue over her clit, his breath puffing against her sensitive folds. Her breath caught, her body twitching and aching at the touch of his tongue. His chuckle vibrated through her as he clamped his hands on her thighs to hold her in place.
And then his tongue pressed harder, licking at her like candy, down and up, swirling over the pulsing knot of her arousal. Julia could hardly lie still, her hips thrusting like she wanted to impale herself on his tongue. Excitement flooded her with the force of a storm, filling her with heat and passion and that delicious, aching climb toward shattering release.
He pushed her legs farther apart, his movements increasing as if he sensed the tension wrapping around her like ribbons. Her thighs trembled, her body beginning to shake as her arousal reached an unbearable limit. One more sweeping flick of his tongue, and she splintered into a thousand pieces, a high wail emerging from her throat.
“There.” His voice filled with satisfaction, Warren lifted himself over her and brought his mouth down for a kiss.
The taste of her own body on his lips fired Julia with fresh heat. She wrapped her legs around his hips as his cock rubbed with delicious intent against her cleft. He covered her like a blanket, making her feel both overwhelmed and protected all at once.
His muscles were taut and slick with perspiration, his breath hot. He lowered his head and sucked her nipples, causing her to gasp and arch against him. The ache in her lower body intensified, her nerves stretched to breaking point. He reached down to grasp his cock and position it at the entrance of her body.
Julia clutched his shoulders, her legs spread wide. Anticipation flared through her. He pushed slowly into her, and she let her body relax and accept the exquisite invasion.
“Ah, tight.” Warren groaned as he eased forward, holding himself off her, his muscles straining with the effort of self-control. “Like a fucking glove.”
Julia lifted her hips, pulses of need surging through her. She hooked her legs around his thighs to open herself even wider. He pushed forward until he was seated completely within her, and then he stopped and looked down at her, his eyes burning with a thousand emotions all directed only at her.
His cock throbbed inside her, sending heat to her every nerve ending. She felt stretched, full, deliciously taken. She moaned, shifting underneath him, her body craving more.
Warren pulled back a little, pushed forward again, but gently—too gently, as if he were afraid of hurting her. She tightened her legs around him and gripped his big arms.
“Harder,” she gasped, her breath scorching her lungs. “Do it harder. Oh, please.”
He emitted a low groan, his jaw clenching. He eased out of her almost completely, and then pushed forward with a forceful thrust that made her cry out in pleasure. Before she could absorb the sensation, he surged again, creating a friction that coiled her arousal tighter and tighter.
Her mind fogged with the intensity of all she was experiencing—the thick cock plunging in and out of her, the weight of Warren’s body above hers, the waves of heat spreading from their naked skin. She clutched him to her, rolling her hips upward to accept every hard plunge of his shaft, reveling in the sensations flowing through her body. He grunted with each thrust, his breath heating her bare shoulder, his hands gliding over her skin.
His pace increased, driving her into the mattress, her body trembling and shuddering beneath him. She came again, vibrating around his cock with an intensity that surpassed the first. He gave a rough shout, his muscles stiffening as he swelled inside her, and her sex flooded with the warm, wet current of his seed.
Panting and sweaty, they rolled apart to catch their breath. Julia closed her eyes. Her love for him was an enormous force inside her, like the intangible power that caused the stars to shine and the earth to rotate. Whatever made the oceans flow and the seasons change.
But for the first time, she didn’t turn toward him and tuck herself against his side. He didn’t reach for her either. A cold breeze prickled her skin.
Chapter
EIGHTEEN
Warren woke the next morning with only the haziest realization that it was Christmas Eve. For years, he’d followed the same morning routine, and he did so again, hoping the sameness of brushing his teeth and making coffee would prevent him from thinking too hard.
His phone was overloaded with texts and voicemails. He checked the ones from his children—all asking if Julia was okay, if he was okay, if they needed anything. He texted them with reassurances and promised he would talk to them later.
He couldn’t respond to his daughter. Given her standoffish behavior at the party, he had a sick feeling that last night had had something to do with her.
The rustle of stockinged feet sounded behind him. He turned to see Julia in the kitchen doorway, looking soft and fragile in a pink fleece and black pants, her eyes smudged with dark circles and her skin pale.
“How do you feel?” He poured a cup of coffee for her and approached, reaching out to brush a lock of honey-blonde hair away from her forehead.
“Better.” She lowered her head to sip the coffee, her expression tensing. “Have you talked to the boys? Hailey?”
“Not yet. I texted them that you’re all right.” He took a breath and forced the question past his tight throat. “What happened with Hailey?”
Julia shook her head. Tears shone in her eyes.
“She found the letter. You’d left it on your desk, and she went in to get something… and she found it.”
Warren kept the intellectual part of his brain focused on that revelation, ignoring the emotions bubbling under the surface. His past wasn’t a secret from his children—God knew they’d all made mistakes—but he didn’t like the thought that this would change Hailey’s relationship with Julia.
“She heard you and Becca fighting about it.” Her lips compressed. “Honestly, I always thought you’d told Becca. But Hailey will never look at me the same way again. Not after knowing what I did.”
“I’ll talk to her.” His daughter wasn’t vindictive or one to hold a grudge. But she’d also been close to her mother, especially in a family of boys. Rebecca had occasionally been exasperated by Hailey’s tomboyish ways, but their daughter had been special to both her and Warren, and everyone knew it. Losing her mother had been the most devastating thing that could have happened to Hailey. To any of them.
But if Julia hadn’t stepped in, Hailey never would have recovered
as well as she had. Of that Warren had no doubt.
“I love you.” There was nothing else he could say.
She looked at him, her eyes glittering. She loved him too. He knew it. Felt it down to his bones, the center of his soul. But she had yet to say it.
“Tell me,” he said.
She shook her head, dismay etching her fine features. “I can’t.”
He slid his hand over her smooth hair to the back of her neck. The scent of her filled his blood—lavender soap, Julia. Gypsy girl, fashion stylist, ice queen, kitten.
“You can still tell me everything,” he said.
But she didn’t.
He felt her surrender in the instant before she leaned into him, pressing her face to his shirtfront. A tremble rocked through her. He tightened his arms around her. Breathed her in.
“I have to go,” she mumbled. “Deck the Halls is tonight, and there’s a ton of stuff left to do.”
He forced aside his unease, his frustration with her inability to tell him she loved him. Now was not the time to unpack all the reasons she couldn’t say the words.
“I’m helping you,” he said. “What do you need me to do?”
“Talk to your children.” She pulled away from him. “Because if I tried to talk to them right now, they’d probably tell me to exit stage left.”
The clock on the mantel ticked so loudly it echoed in the silence. The bright Christmas decorations, the glittering tree, all were a stark contrast to the somber mood that hung over the room. Warren stood by the fireplace, studying his children. The boys sprawled on the sofa and chairs, none of them making eye contact with either each other or him.
“Where’s Hailey?” he asked.
“At my place.” Adam rested his elbows on his knees. “She wanted some time alone. Is Aunt Julia okay?”
“She suffers from migraines.” Warren dragged a hand down his face, suddenly feeling older than he had in ages. “Often severe. One hit her last night. She’s all right now, but the headaches can be incapacitating. She hasn’t wanted anyone to know because she… she always wants to be strong.”
“She is,” Luke said. “I mean, she has been.”
“Yes. And I want to remind you all that Julia has been an invaluable part of this family for many years,” Warren said. “After your mother died, she helped us in ways we’ll never be able to measure. So whatever you think of us as a couple, please remember that she gave up her life in London to move here and be with us. Everything that’s happened—good and bad—she’s been there. Not only that, she’s never wavered. So if any of you have any reason to object to us being together, then you direct those objections to me and me alone. I will not stand for anyone confronting Julia.”
The boys shuffled and exchanged glances.
“I don’t actually object,” Luke muttered. “I mean, it’ll take some getting used to, but… I can’t imagine what we would have done if she hadn’t been there.”
“It’s just a surprise,” Evan added.
“Oh, please.” Tyler rolled his eyes and put his feet on the coffee table. “You’re seriously surprised that Dad and Julia have finally gotten busy? I can’t believe they didn’t start banging years ago.”
“Thank you for your incredulity, son,” Warren said dryly.
“But Julia is Mom’s sister,” Carson added.
“Mom’s sister,” Adam said. “Not Dad’s sister, for God’s sake.”
Carson shrugged. “It’s still a little strange.”
“No it’s not,” Tyler argued. “They’ve known each other forever. Objectively speaking, Aunt Julia is incredibly hot. Why wouldn’t Dad want to hook up with her?”
“There’s a lot more to it than a hook-up,” Warren said. “But yes. Julia is indeed incredibly hot.”
“Right?” Tyler gave Carson a pointed look. “And what better way to start a relationship than as friends? That’s exactly what Kate and I did, and look at us. We’re so freaking happy together the bluebirds should start singing whenever we kiss.”
“What bluebirds?” Spencer asked.
“The bluebirds.” Tyler scowled and nudged his brother. “Of happiness or whatever. Are you really such a nerd you don’t know about the bluebirds?”
“Forget the fucking bluebirds.” Luke rubbed his hands over his face. “Dad, this is your business. We want you to be happy.”
“What if it doesn’t work out?” Spencer asked.
The logic of the question quieted everyone for a second.
“Why wouldn’t it work out?” Adam said.
“Well, how long have you been together?” Spencer asked Warren.
“Two weeks.”
“So what if a month from now you decide you made a mistake?” Spencer asked. “Not to be grim, but wouldn’t that be a problem? Isn’t that part of what Hailey is worried about?”
And what Julia had worried about.
“We’ve been romantically involved for two weeks,” Warren said. “But we’ve been together for far longer than that.” He cleared his throat, deciding that now was as good a time as any to tell them the complete truth. “I love her. I hope to marry her one day. Your blessing… all of you… would mean everything to me.”
The boys fell silent again, several of them glancing at Luke.
“I don’t want or need an answer now,” Warren said. “We could all use some time to think. I hope you all still plan to support Julia at Deck the Halls tonight. She needs you.”
They all nodded and muttered that they would be there, carrying out their assigned volunteer duties.
After thanking them, Warren went into his office. His gaze skimmed over the unfinished airplane model he’d left on the worktable. He started toward his desk. The room spun around him, almost knocking him off his feet.
A curse blistered through his head. He grabbed hold of a chair and shut his eyes. A heavy tone resounded in his ears, blocking out sound, pressure filling his head. The attack felt as if it lasted an eternity, though when the sick sensations finally began to fade, only a few minutes had passed.
A few minutes too long. On the mountain, in winter, he needed to be capable of making split-second decisions. He couldn’t even think when a spell hit, much less decide anything.
What if…
He picked up his phone and called the ENT’s office. The specialist was available for emergency appointments until one, and the receptionist promised to fit Warren in.
He sank into his desk chair, his insides churning.
“Dad?”
Warren looked up. Luke stood in the doorway, his hands in his pockets and his expression shadowed.
“Come in, son.” He straightened, gesturing to a nearby chair.
“Just wanted to tell you I’m okay with everything.” Luke sat down, a troubled gleam appearing in his eyes. “I mean, you and Aunt Julia. She drives me crazy, but I know how much she’s done for us. So you have my blessing no matter what. And obviously we all want you and Julia to be happy.”
Warren’s chest tightened. “I appreciate that.”
“Okay.” Luke nodded, tapping his fingers on the chair arm. “I… uh, I also wanted to apologize.”
“For what?”
“For being an asshole about you retiring. I don’t want to be that way about Julia.”
“You haven’t been. You won’t be. I get that my retirement is a rough transition. Have you thought any more about a replacement?”
“Yeah, actually. Can I ask your opinion?”
“Sure.”
“What do you think of Kate Darling as a candidate?” Luke asked. “She’s young, but she’s proven herself in countless ways, she’s excelled at whatever task she’s been given, everyone respects her, and she and I already work really well together. Out of everyone, she might be the best fit.”
“I agree.” Pride rose in Warren, banishing the lingering unease of the dizzy spell. “In fact, I was waiting for you to figure that out.”
“Great.” Luke let out his breath, clearly relieved.
“It’s still going to take a long time to get use to the idea of you retiring. When you first mentioned it, I had this flashback to the months after Mom died, when we were just struggling to keep the company afloat. And with Hailey in the hospital, every night before going to bed I thought we wouldn’t make it.
“Then I’d get up in the morning and go back to work. Because I thought, Well, this is what Dad would do. I’ve made a lot of decisions that way, either asking you or thinking about what you would do. So when I realized you wouldn’t be at Sugar Rush anymore… well, I felt about five years old, walking into kindergarten for the first time and knowing you couldn’t stay there with me.”
A smile tugged at Warren’s mouth. “I didn’t want to leave you at kindergarten. Spent the whole day watching the clock for when I could leave to pick you up.”
“Yeah, well…” Luke looked down, rubbing his hands on his thighs. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m the thirty-five-year-old CEO of the Sugar Rush Candy Company, and I can… probably… handle the transition of the president’s retirement.”
“I know you can.”
“Okay.” Luke rose to his feet. “Good. I’ll see you later, then.”
He started toward the door.
“Luke.”
His son turned to look at him.
“I’ll still always be there to pick you up.”
Chapter
NINETEEN
Christmas Eve in Indigo Bay was bright, cool, sparkly. A marine layer spread across the sky, but thousands of multicolored lights twinkled through the gray fog. The town Christmas tree presided over the square like a king watching his charges, and a lighted banner proclaiming Indigo Bay’s 20th Annual Deck the Halls Show spanned the stage.
Hundreds of seats had been set up around the stage, with the tree at one side and Santa’s Sleigh and village on the other. A line of children waited with varying degrees of patience for their last chance to visit Santa before Christmas Day, and crowds wandered the streets for more last-minute shopping.
“Lady, you have got to get dressed.” Marco wove his way through the chairs to where Julia stood near the stage, going over the final details with the lighting technicians. “We have two hours to go, but people are going to start taking seats in an hour to get the best ones. And the poodles are arriving soon, which means backstage is going to the dogs.”
