“Julian—”
“Bend over, put your palms flat on the bed, and watch yourself in the mirror,” he orders in a gruff tone.
Silently, I move into position. My stomach flutters at the fact that I’m once more bent over in front of him. And I can’t deny that I’m wet. My center is slick with need. Suddenly, a harsh swat of his hand lands on my ass, causing me to yelp. I watch my reflection, how my face contorts, how my mouth opens into an O-shape when he continues my punishment.
I’ve never been spanked by another man, but with Julian, it turns my blood hot. He rains down six slaps on both cheeks, the burning flesh stinging as he then gently massages me with his big hands.
It’s both pain and pleasure. His fingers dip into my folds, and a low groan vibrates in his throat when he feels my heat. “Fuck, Nea, you’re so wet, so needy for me.” His voice is filled with unbridled lust.
“Julian, fuck me,” I plead, glancing at him from over my shoulder. I want him inside me, filling me, claiming me as he said he would. With two more slaps on my ass, I hear the hiss of his zipper, and seconds later, I’m filled, stretched, and loved by this man who’s come into my life and turned it upside down.
And I couldn’t be happier.
Chapter 26
Nea
I’m happy.
I’ve never felt so at peace.
For years, I’ve been depressed because I felt like I was alone in the world. And I was. Until I found myself in the one place I’d always dreamed of, and here I found someone who cares for me. I check my appearance in the mirror, making sure my hair is sleek before I grab my purse and race for the door.
When it swings open, I see Julian’s handsome face and his stupid smile. It’s been three months since I first laid eyes on him, and he only gets more handsome every day.
“Are you ready?”
I nod. “I am.” Even though my stomach is fluttering with the thought of going to the house today, I know it’s something I need to do. Not necessarily closure, but just to say goodbye to my mom in a way I couldn’t do at the funeral. It was one of the worst days of my life, and I’m sure today will be as emotional as that one. If not more so.
We walk hand-in-hand down to the car. Julian’s quiet when we settle into our seats, and I want to ask him if he’s okay, but there’s a gentle smile on his face, which puts me at ease. I wanted to do this with him. He had promised to take me to the house when I told him about it and having him beside me feels right.
I can’t yet say it’s love I feel for him, but there is definitely something between us, something far stronger than I ever anticipated. I need to catch up with Phee. Hopefully, when I get back tonight, I’ll be able to Skype her. She should be getting ready to come back home, and I can’t wait for her to see the life I’ve made for myself in New Orleans. Even though I haven’t been here all that long, it’s as if I was always here.
Or like I’ve just come back from a long holiday.
“Are you nervous?” Julian asks as we hit the road.
Thinking about it now, I have to say I am. “Yes. I don’t know why. It’s not like she’ll be there, but you know when you’ve had this idea in your mind about something all your life, and then you finally come face-to-face with it . . .” I glance over at him, and he nods, casting a quick glance at me.
“You don’t want to be disappointed.”
“Yes. Exactly that. Not that I can imagine I will be, but I wonder if the place will offer me the calm and solace I’ve been expecting.”
“It’s what you make of it, not what it makes of you.” Julian’s words slowly sink in, and it leaves me with a question I need to know the answer to.
“Where is your mother?”
His expression changes for a moment before he smiles sadly. “She was killed when I was young. Her plane crashed on her way back from China, where she was meeting with her business partners.”
“I’m so sorry, Julian.” Even though Julian said it was when he was a boy, I can’t imagine that pain and heartache ever goes away.
“I think that was the moment my father broke. He was good to me, don’t get me wrong, but I know that he loved her very much. He always had photos of her around the house and spoke about her often.”
“That’s good. Do you have photos of her?”
“In my wallet, just a photo of me on vacation with my folks, and she’s holding me up on the beach. She had one of those wide-brimmed hats on.” His expression is filled with sadness and happiness that seems to meld together, and I want to hold him. Listening to him talk about her makes me happy, and I’m ecstatic that at least he has happy memories of her.
“What about you?”
“Well, my mother was a single parent, and I remember every moment I spent with her. Just how much she loved me, how she would tell me she was proud of me for things I achieved. I know she would be happy that I made it here.”
“I remember you said she wanted to bring you down here.”
I nod. “Yes, she wanted to show me the city that held her heart. But we never got a chance. She was sick before we could plan the trip and then, not long after, she was
