Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Poppy

"This stupid phone!" I hiss, giving it a few frustrated smacks. Whenever I mistreat technology, Harper usually snaps at me.

I know Julian had a call with the General, so I didn't want to interrupt, but it should have ended fifteen minutes ago. He's got to sign off on these papers so I can get them to accounting before they leave for the day. I was trying to text him before I barged in, but my stupid phone kept undoing the text message I was trying to send.

I scratch my head, unsure if that's even what's happening. I press send, and it looks like it sent, but then after a few minutes, the text just poofs away and disappears from the chat history. It's as if I never sent the text.

"Ok, seriously, what the heck," I mumble to myself as I watch the message to Harper send and remain in the chat.

I think my phone has a conspiracy against men. This has happened before. It only ever happens when I message a guy. It's a coin toss whether the text message will be sent.

I grin and reply,

Julian's office door opens, and he comes striding out. I shamelessly drink him in, from his long, strong legs in navy blue dress pants to his wide, hard chest wrapped up in a grey shirt. He's stopped wearing his sling since his injury is getting better every day. His face is clean-shaven today, showing off his squared jawline.

If I were inappropriate, I'd whistle at him walking.

He's smiling, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

I stand and grab the papers on my desk, "I need you to sign these so I can bring them to HR." I place a pen on top. He nods and signs his name.

"Did the meeting not go well?" I ask. He's too quiet.

"No, it went fine," he replies as he sets the pen down. "Can you come to my office?" he asks in a serious tone.

Jesus, have mercy on me. Why do I feel like he's going to dump me? What did I do wrong?

I follow him, keeping my eyes on the floor as he closes his office door. He touches my shoulder, turning me.

Here it comes…

Instead, his lips crash down on mine, knocking the breath out of my lungs. I'm forced to grab him to stay upright. My lips part as our tongues collide in pure ecstasy.

"I thought you were going to dump me," I mutter between kisses.

He pulls back, shocked. "What?" He stares his eyes searching and finding my fear.

My hands rest on his chest, my index finger rubbing one of the buttons. "You looked so serious. I thought you wanted to end things."

"Why would you think that?"

I shrug, "I just thought I did something wrong."

His index finger tilts my chin up. "I'm not going to blindside you, Poppy." His hand drifts up and pushes my hair behind my ear. Jesus, Pumpkin," he breathes out. I don't know who made you think that you were always in the wrong, but I need you not to bring those ideals into our relationship. If there is an issue, we talk about it like adults—like we always have done."

I nod, "I'm sorry."

"Stop saying you're sorry. You did nothing wrong, Pumpkin." He kisses me again, kisses me so passionately that if you asked me my name and date of birth, I couldn't comply.

I feel a wetness begin to coat my new lace panties.

"Julian," I whisper breathlessly.

He rests his forehead against mine. "I know," he sounds out of breath, too. "We're at work."

We stay glued to each other until our breath settles. "Let's sit down," he suggests as he leads us to the seating area in his office.

"Harper called me," he begins, then glances at his watch. My uncle is going to be here in fifteen minutes, so let me explain." He begins, and then he explains everything.

Harper… how can I thank her? She did what the director of the CI-Fucking-A couldn't do. Amazing doesn't begin to fit her title.

"So what does this mean?" My feet bounce as I wait for his response. Please say it's over and that you, your family, and the company are safe.

"It means my surprise will have to wait," he replies, leaning forward as he watches me from across the small coffee table.

My feet pause mid-bounce. "What surprise?"

"I wanted to go to Lake Tahoe for the weekend with you. I should still keep it a secret, but I'm excited, and knowing most women, you probably like a heads up so you can preplan for a trip."

"What!" I gasp, "You wanted to go away together, like on a trip?" OMG! OMG... I've never gone away with a man before. A list begins to compile in my head. Julian is right. This requires a lot of preplanning.

"Yes," he nods as he laughs. "But we will have to push it off a few weeks."

"I don't care, as long as I get to be with you," I exhale, the warmth spreading through every part of me, lighting up the once-darkened corners of my heart.

I feel a deep joy growing in me. "We can celebrate when we go. Celebrate that I have the most amazing friend in the world and that the threat over your head is gone!" I add.

The seriousness of what Harper has managed to do hits me. "Julian," I shake my head, my gaze drifting over his shoulder, out the wide window where the clouds drift lazily in the sky.

Silent thanks flow from my heart to the heavens. Thank you, God. Thank you for intertwining my path with Julian's.

I can almost picture my parents smiling down at us.

If I had never met Julian, then this crazy Russian could have killed him!

Tears start to well up, spilling over before I can stop them. Julian is in front of me instantly, kneeling with a tenderness that wraps around me like a warm blanket.

"Hey," he coos, his voice soft and reassuring as he gently brushes away each tear. "It's ok. It's all going to be ok now." He swipes another tear away.

I sniffle, "You're like a built-in windshield wiper." I joke, trying to stop the tears from flowing.

He laughs gently, "I'll add that to my resume. CEO of Sterling Defense and Pumpkin's designated windshield wiper."

I managed to laugh, too, my arms encircling him in a hug that speaks volumes. It really is going to be okay. My ex has moved on, the looming threat over Julian is lifting, and here I am, embarking on a new chapter with a man who embraces me despite me being an overly emotional and inappropriate mess most of the time.

"I'm just happy," I admit the words barely a whisper among my drying tears.

His smile is audible in his response, "So you cry when you're happy. Some might say that's a red flag, neighbor," his teasing tone lightens the air.

"Just promise me you'll only allow yourself to cry when I'm here," he says, a playful seriousness in his eyes.

"Why?" My voice is a mix of a laugh and a sniffle as I struggle to regain my composure.

He holds my chin gently, his gaze intense and filled with admiration. "Because you look so goddamn beautiful when you cry when you smile, blush, seethe, and when you obsess over pumpkin spice. I want to be there to witness every shade of your beauty, Pumpkin."