Secret Fantasy(30)
Author: Carly Phillips

Had he been blindsided? Definitely, but he could list the reasons he’d fallen with ease. She was everything he’d never experienced in a woman and everything he desired. Fresh, unjaded, despite past hurt, and as open and honest as she could be under the circumstances. She knew how to reach out to him when he was in pain and just being around her eased his distress.

He remembered the time his father had attempted to encapsulate his relationship with Doug’s mother. Always a man good with language, sensible words had failed him. “Your mother has the screws that fit the holes in my head,” Ted Houston had said. Doug had merely stared at his father, baffled by the description he’d thought was crazy when he heard it. One he’d never truly understood, not even after going through several unsuccessful affairs of his own.

More snippets of that father-son conversation came back to him now. “She listens to me, son, and that’s rare in a woman, believe me. So if you find one that listens and understands, that’s more than half the battle.” Ted had laughed. “The other half doesn’t need mentioning. Your hormones’ll make their opinions known but your head and your heart will lead you in the right direction.”

His father was right. Doug’s hormones didn’t need mentioning. But he’d been following his heart from the minute he’d laid eyes on Juliette in the lobby, letting her set the pace, allowing her to ask the thought-provoking questions, putting her needs before his own. His head had taken over last night, forcing him out of her cottage and away from her bed before he did something they both might regret later.

He thought of his father’s words and how they related to Juliette. As he’d told her this morning, she’d listened to everything he said. Without passing judgment, she’d been there and she’d cared. He exhaled a slow groan. The tables had turned. Though he still needed information, still wanted to be able to look himself in the mirror, he already knew with certainty he could and would put Juliette first.

Because he loved her.

He extended his hand and led her inside. “Welcome. It’s not as big as the cottages, but it’ll do.”

She glanced around, taking in the dark wood furniture, hardwood floors, beige decor and smiled. “It’s so masculine. So you. Makes you wonder if Merrilee matches people with rooms as well as with their fantasies.”

He laughed, though he felt anything but light with his secrets, lies and omissions standing between himself and what he was coming to realize was his true fantasy—Juliette herself.

He didn’t ask himself where that put his story and professional future. He already knew he had no answers. “So what brings you to my end of the world?” he asked her instead.

She caught her lower lip between her teeth. “I need to talk to you.”

“Sounds ominous.”

“It isn’t really, but you need to bear with me.” She paced the room and he remained silent, giving her the time she seemed to need. Finally, she settled herself on his bed, knees curled beneath her. “I’d planned to do this the seductive way, but I’m finding I can’t.”

Her simple button-down shirt was opened to reveal a mere hint of lace, and yet it was supremely seductive to him. This woman could be covered from head to toe and he’d still get hot and bothered just looking at her. But she obviously had more on her mind than tempting him right now. “What is it?”

“What’s more intimate than sex?” she asked.

Hearing her say the word, he nearly choked right there. “I’m not sure. You tell me.”

“Truths. Secrets. Private revelations. Once two people reveal those, they’ve shared something deeper and more meaningful than a physical joining. You’ve already given me that intimate gift by sharing your past.”

He nodded, unable to speak. He’d told her a lot, but he hadn’t revealed all. Doug inhaled deep. “Go on.”

“I intend to reciprocate.” Her wide eyes bore into his. “And once I do, we’ll be on more even footing. I’ll have let you inside me, so to speak.” An incredible flush stained her cheeks a bright shade of red. “And you’ll know for certain you’ve put me first.”

How could he believe he’d completely put her first considering the lies and omissions that stood between them? That and his guilt. Neither of which he’d figured a way out of yet. And neither of which she knew anything about.

So, he resisted the urge to touch her. If he didn’t exercise restraint now, he’d take her right now on this bed and satisfy both of their fantasies at their personal expense. He needed to hear what she had to say first. Needed this intimate, emotional bonding she wanted to give him. And not for his story or career. What he’d do with those truths, he’d have to deal with later.

She inclined her head and a red curl eased over one shoulder, as she inched closer on the bed until she sat next to him, until her heady scent surrounded him and set his already raw nerves on fire. “And once you believe you’ve gotten your fantasy, then we can make love.”

“Juliette.” What he meant as a warning came out resembling a low growl.

She merely smiled. That sexy, I-know-it-all smile. Only she didn’t.

Sleeping with Juliette would be the answer to a dream, his and obviously hers, too. She wet her lips with her tongue and he followed the movement, recalling doing the same thing this morning, tasting her in excruciatingly slow detail.

And that’s how he’d make love to her, Doug decided. Excruciatingly slow, exquisitely tender. He wanted nothing more. But he curled his hands into tight fists, knowing he’d never be that free. Not until he’d admitted all. And he hadn’t figured out how to do that without losing her forever.

“I’ve got secrets that no one knows. Not another living, breathing soul except my sister, because there’s been no one I trust. Until now. I trust you. Because you’ve put me first. You’ve made me feel cherished and special.”

“That’s because you are.” Doug swallowed a curse. He was in purgatory, that awful place between heaven and hell.

“Thanks to you, I believe that. But in case you’re wondering why this sudden revelation, it’s not just about getting closer to you. I need your advice. Because what I’m about to tell you can affect so many people’s lives.”

He cleared his throat. “I have to admit you’ve piqued my curiosity.” Little did she realize the people whose lives would be most affected by her revelation sat together in this very room.