He gave her a heated look, heavy with desire. “Julianne, I am a man. If I were to tell you what lingerie I prefer, it would be no lingerie.” He lifted her chin so that he could see her eyes. “You’re very beautiful. When I think of being with you, I think of taking my time to admire your beauty—your face, your shoulders, your breasts, every part of you. Cream and pink and soft curves for my body to worship.”
He pushed her gently so that she was on her back and he was kneeling on either side of her hips. “I want you to wear something that would make you feel comfortable and beautiful, because that’s how I want you to feel when we’re together.” He captured her mouth and kissed her intently.
When he pulled back she eyed him impishly. “As comfortable as a Lululemon yoga outfit?”
He seemed puzzled. “I don’t know what lou lemons are, but provided they make you comfortable, I’m sure I wouldn’t object.”
She arched her neck so that she could rub the tips of their noses together. “You’re lovely, you know that? But I was serious when I asked you. I want to choose something you’ll like.”
“I’ll like anything provided you are the one wearing it.”
He kissed her again, and this time he allowed himself the luxury of lowering his naked chest so that it was close to but not touching hers. Heat and electricity jumped between their skin, and soon Julia was breathless.
“Color?” She gasped. “Style preference?”
Now he was chuckling, and stroking her cheek as it flushed beneath his fingers. “Well, not black or red.”
“I thought those were the standard colors. They’re supposed to be seductive.”
He moved to the side so he could whisper in her ear. “You have already seduced me. I am enticed and tantalized and very, very excited.”
Now the room grew warm, and she forgot what her next question was supposed to be. Finally, she remembered. “So no black or red. Any favorite colors?”
“You’re stubborn, aren’t you? I think you would look nice in light colors—white, pink, blue. I suppose I could say I envisioned you in something classic, with your hair cascading down your shoulders. But this isn’t about me, this is about you. And I think you should choose.” He grinned. “Of course, I might decide to purchase an item or two for you while we’re there. But for our first time, it’s all about what you want. What makes you feel special and sexy and cherished. That’s what I want because I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She smiled up at him, and he thought his heart would melt. She took his face in her hand, running a thumb across his angular jaw, and he closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. When he opened his eyes, they were clear, bright, and very hungry.
She had to look away. “I need to get ready. What time do we have to leave for Philadelphia?”
He began to kiss across her collarbone from one shoulder to another. “After—kiss—breakfast—kiss. Our flight is around dinnertime—kiss—and we have to be at the airport early.” Double kiss.
She kissed him once more and disappeared on her crutches into the hallway.
Downstairs, Richard was a whirling dervish of activity, making and serving Sunday breakfast for his hungry family. Scott was eating everything that wasn’t nailed down or claimed by anyone else, and Rachel and Aaron were poring over pictures of Philadelphia wedding reception venues on Aaron’s Blackberry.
“There they are.” Rachel greeted her brother and her best friend when they entered the kitchen.
“I need to give this back to you,” Julia whispered as she began to undo the scarf she had knotted around her neck.
“Keep it. Mom would have wanted you to have it.”
Julia pressed her friend into a grateful hug. Once again she was thankful for her generosity, and also for Grace, whose generous presence never seemed far away.
“You look happy this morning.” Scott poured Julia a glass of orange juice as she sat down.
“I am. I really am.”
“Make sure he treats you right,” he whispered, his expression serious.
“He has changed, Scott. He…loves me.” She spoke in a low voice so no one else could hear.
Scott gazed at her in surprise. “I’ll be damned,” he muttered. He shifted his weight uncomfortably, changing the subject.
“Simon was supposed to have a bail hearing yesterday. His lawyer was trying to have him released.” He looked at Julia cautiously. “I haven’t been able to find out what happened.”
It took a moment for his words to register, but when they did, she was seized with anxiety. She knocked her orange juice over accidentally, turning her breakfast into a sticky, juice soaked disaster.
She blinked rapidly as she tried to regain her composure, trying to mop up her latest mess, cursing herself for being such a bundle of nerves.
Gabriel has to be tired of watching me drop things. I am such an idiot.
Before she could stand to her feet, a hand appeared in front of her face. Julia looked up into a pair of concerned sapphire eyes. Gabriel moved his hand slightly, encouraging her to take it. He pulled her into his side and seated her on a different bar stool, kissing her forehead quickly.
“You’re safe now,” he whispered. “I won’t let him near you.” For good measure, Gabriel rubbed her arms up and down comfortingly.