Secret Fantasy(35)
Author: Carly Phillips

Another journalist was his first thought. Not likely. If the person had managed to get the story, he was talented enough to remain out of sight and hearing. And besides he’d be watching Juliette more than Doug.

It could be Congressman Haywood if Stuart had blabbed to his business partner about what Juliette had seen and heard in the church. Not a likely candidate either. He’d send Barnes, Juliette’s ex, to exert influence if she was wavering.

Which led him to Stuart Barnes checking up on his errant ex-fiancée. More likely. And as a squeaky clean senator-to-be, one dumb enough to get involved with the Mob, he wouldn’t be smart enough to let other people do his dirty work. And once he put the pieces together he’d be more interested in Juliette than Doug.

The Mob. Damn. Doug hadn’t any idea if they knew about Juliette or not but he wasn’t taking chances and took off at a run. He had to get to Juliette and make sure she was safe. Then he had to reveal his own truths—not just because he loved her but because she needed the knowledge to protect herself from all converging outside forces.

Including Doug. But with the word Mob echoing in his brain, at this moment he’d settle for just seeing she was safe.

CHAPTER NINE

JULIETTE LET the room service waiter out of the room and set the table on the terrace for two. He’d delivered the setting and promised he’d return with her breakfast order, fresh mimosas included, as soon as she called. As soon as Doug arrived.

She inhaled deeply. Orange bird-of-paradise surrounded the patio and she’d accented the table with fresh hibiscus. Their fragrant, aromatic scent lingered in the air. She was filled with more hope and optimism than ever before and she had Doug to thank. In her sleep last night, she dreamed she’d heard him say those three magic words.

And if she was lucky she’d hear the phrase again, but this time she’d be awake and Doug would be looking into her eyes and meaning every word.

In the meantime, her feelings floated out there, changing her perspective. Juliette saw things more clearly now—she had from the minute she’d told her story to Doug. Clarity came from talking out loud to a neutral third party, far away from Chicago and her problems. And she’d realized she didn’t need to hide the story, she needed to inform her father. The man had an uncanny knack of understanding and sorting out problems. He’d be disappointed in Stuart and his choices, but he would never put a criminal in the Senate.

She shook her head, amazed she hadn’t seen the solution sooner. Confide in the man who’d instilled her with values and let things sort themselves out from there. She wondered if she was deluding herself about the simplicity of it all. Wondered if love was just making her view of the world rosy, or if she’d truly found some sort of realistic resolution.

Another thing to discuss with Doug, along with her newfound feelings. She smoothed out a wrinkle in the tablecloth, excitement building at the thought of seeing him again. But she had no desire to have him find her still rumpled and messed from last night’s activities.

Heading inside, she selected her outfit for the day and, after laying it out on the bed, stripped off her clothes and stepped into the steam-filled bathroom, then shower. Hot droplets pelted her skin and she reluctantly let the water rinse away any remnants of last night’s lovemaking. But knowing last night was just the beginning allowed the tingling anticipation to build all over again.

“Juliette.”

She thought she heard her name being called and grabbed for the shower curtain to cover herself.

“Juliette.” The voice sounded again, only this time she recognized it as Doug’s.

“In here.” Knowing he was her visitor relaxed her. Until the bathroom door slammed open and she realized she’d given him permission to join her. In the shower.

“You’re okay?” he called into the bathroom.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” She slipped open the curtain, poking her head out but still keeping herself behind the opaque barrier.

He leaned against the doorframe, disheveled and out of breath. “You’re alone.” His relief was tangible.

She shook her head, damp strands touching her shoulders. “Who would be with me? What’s wrong with you?”

“You shouldn’t leave your door open,” he muttered, moving closer.

She inhaled the potent scent of sweat and man. “Been running a marathon?” she asked jokingly.

He kicked off his shoes and stripped off his shirt. Ripping the shower curtain open wide, he stepped inside, heedless of the running water, unconcerned about his remaining clothes.

His strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. “I thought…never mind what I thought,” he said as he covered her mouth with his.

Juliette sighed and molded into him, letting him take control. He devoured her with his kiss and his hands roamed her body as if he didn’t quite believe she was okay. She didn’t know the reasons behind his obvious fear and concern but she had to admit she liked his possessiveness when directed her way. “I’m okay.”

He stepped back. “We need to talk.”

He had to be joking. He’d invaded her shower, treated her to one of his mind-blowing kisses, aroused her body and now he wanted to talk? She reached for the snap on his shorts. “Talking’s overrated.”

“Juliette.”

“Did I ever tell you what that low growl does to me?” She popped the snap and undid his zipper, pushed his shorts and briefs down. “It’s a sexy sound.”

One he made again as she wrapped her palm around his already hard erection. “There are things you need to be aware of,” he said.

“Later.” She pressed a kiss against his bare chest. “The hot water only lasts so long and I want to take advantage.”

More like she wanted to take advantage of him, Doug thought, helpless against her tender yet arousing touch. He kicked off the clothes encircling his ankles. Though he did need to level with her, now that they were alone and he knew she was safe, the news could wait a bit longer. Her lips traveled a steady line downward from the center of his chest past his abdomen and lingered so she could tease and torment him with her tongue.

He leaned his head back and groaned. As long as they were together, she would be safe, he told himself, and waiting another hour to tell her the truth wouldn’t matter. Then nothing mattered at all. She gripped his waist with her hands and she circled his erection with her mouth, using her lips and tongue with full, loving strokes to bring him to the brink of insanity.