Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

A warm body snuggled closer to Julian, and he tightened his hold on Lilith. Their night together had been amazing, and he was inordinately glad that he didn’t have to go into work and could spend the day with Lilith.

“Morning,” she mumbled beside him, her husky, sleep-laden voice going directly to his cock. As much as he wanted to bury himself inside her again, he knew she had to be sore after what they’d done the previous evening.

“Morning to you. Do you have any plans today?”

“Apart from job hunting, no.”

“How about you take a day off from job hunting, and we head down to Santa Monica? Walk the pier. Ride a few of the attractions. Dip our feet into the water. Forget about work and everything else.”

It wasn’t usual for him to spend a day not focusing on work because there were always bad guys popping up, but he was going to make the most of his day off. He wanted to show Lilith how good things could be between them.

Somewhere during the night, his feelings had turned. He’d thought himself in love with her, but when she cried out his name and looked up at him with so much trust, he’d tumbled all the way over.

He didn’t know if Lilith felt the same way, and no way was he going to pressure her by blurting out how he was feeling. He would keep it locked down for a little while longer.

“I like the sound of that a lot.”

“Good.” He leaned over and pressed his lips against hers. “Why don’t you shower while I make us some breakfast?”

“Hmm, we could be economical here and shower together to save time and water.” Her fingers tiptoed down his chest, and his cock stood to attention, anticipating the moment her fingers closed around it. He groaned when she gave him a light squeeze.

“I’m not sure if we will save time and water. Besides, you have to be a little sore from last night.”

“I am, but yeah, you’re right.” The disappointment in her voice wasn’t hard to miss, and he silently cursed himself for being insensitive. Here she was making the first move, and he’d shot her down as if the idea didn’t even merit him thinking about it.

Julian hauled Lilith over him so that her hair fell down around them like a black curtain. “I’m sorry, Lil. Don’t for one second think I don’t like the idea because I really do.” He lifted his hips to show her he was even harder than when she’d had her hands around him.

She still didn’t look convinced, so he cupped the back of her head and brought her lips to his, putting everything he felt for her into the kiss, hoping that she understood it.

Her fingers dug into his shoulder, and her mouth opened to allow him access. She squirmed against his cock, and he gave up trying to do the right thing, especially when he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

He fumbled with protection, but he got it on, all the while keeping his mouth fused to Lilith’s. She sank down on him at the same time as he thrust up, both of them breaking the kiss to groan out loud.

Nothing had ever felt this way for him. This connection between them was deep and real. Everything that had been missing from his past encounters. It didn’t take long for them to reach their peak, both crying out at the same time. Lilith collapsed on top of him, her breath as ragged as his. Julian tightened his hold, kissing her temple. “I think we both need a shower now.”

“I agree, and we’ll be quick about it too.”

There was a gentle breeze wafting around them as they made their way toward the large Ferris wheel on Santa Monica Pier. The day had been relaxed and fun. Julian loved every minute. He especially loved the freedom he had to be able to hold Lilith’s hand and not receive any dark looks.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked as they reached the ticket booth for the ride.

“Yes, why?” Lilith turned to look at him, her head at a slight angle in question. “Do you not want to?”

Julian had discovered he wasn’t afraid of heights, per se, as he was totally fine in a building or in a plane, but the idea of being at the top of the Ferris wheel, swaying in the breeze with the ground however many feet below them, set his nerves on edge. “No, it’s fine. I do. Just checking to make sure. I mean, it’s bigger closer up than from a distance. And I know you’re excited to go on it.”

The second Lilith tugged him to the side to allow the people behind them to get their tickets, he knew he hadn’t been convincing enough.

“What’s going on, and don’t try to fob me off again because I can tell when you’re not being absolutely truthful with me.”

He sighed. “Fine, I’ll tell you.” Julian explained his slight fear.

“It’s okay, we don’t have to go on. I understand, and wouldn’t want you to do something you’re not comfortable doing.”

“No. I don’t want to see you disappointed. Do you promise to hold me tight when I get scared?” he joked.

A serious look entered her eyes. “Always. Just as you said, you’ll keep me safe. I’ll keep you safe too.”

Aware that they were in public, but not caring one iota, Julian captured her lips. Immediately, fire burst to life between them. It was as though, after spending one night together, their bodies couldn’t exist without each other close by. As much as he wanted to continue kissing her, Julian broke their embrace. “Thank you. It means a lot for you to say that to me.”

And it did. Not once in his life had he had anyone to look out for him. For so long he’d mistaken his father’s attentiveness as caring, but now, with hindsight, he could see that it was nothing but him ensuring that Julian did what he wanted and followed Ralph’s rules.

“I think I do, because I know how much everything you say to me is important to me.”

Julian nodded and grabbed her hand again. “Come on, let’s tackle this ride, and then we can go on the rollercoaster.”

“Hmm, we’ll see about that.”

If Lilith didn’t want to go on the rollercoaster, it was fine by him. He wasn’t a fan of them either.

“You know what you have to do?” Micah questioned Stella.

The woman rolled her eyes, angering him, but he ensured she didn’t see how annoying he found her. Soon her purpose would be over, and then he would gladly hand her over to Richard. His second-in-command could do whatever he wanted with Stella, Micah didn’t care. All he cared about was getting her away from him and getting Lilith close to him.

“Yes, Micah, I know what you want me to do,” Stella answered, lifting her chin in defiance, as if she could read his mind and know that her time warming his bed was coming to an end. She’d provided some relief, but Micah knew the moment he had Lilith in his bed, everything would be so much better. Not to mention her blatant disrespect for not addressing him the way he’d commanded her to. Her punishment would come later.

“It’s Favorable Micah, and you well know that. Now, kindly repeat what you’re going to do.”

Stella dutifully recited the plan they’d gone over. The one Micah had painstakingly come up with after watching and following Lilith for days. His soon-to-be wife was beautiful, but clueless about what was going on around her. He could’ve snatched off the streets on many occasions, but when he’d seen how close she was becoming to that asshole, he decided to wait until taking Lilith would cause him pain.

He recognized Julian Bennington. Had known of his involvement with Freedom and Love. Micah hadn’t been at the compound for long before it collapsed. He’d always been suspicious of the way Julian, or his father, hadn’t been around the day of the raid. When he’d heard that Dwayne Bennington had been killed by the Feds, he suspected Dwayne and Julian had been involved, and Dwayne had been caught in the crossfire. In the end, it didn’t matter because he’d found Staunton, and seeing how weak Staunton was—even though the man believed he was untouchable—he’d rapidly worked his way up to being a close confidant for Staunton. It didn’t bother him one bit that he’d betrayed Staunton. Micah had always believed that he would be Staunton’s successor, until he overheard a conversation suggesting otherwise.

From that moment on, Micah had made plans about how he would prove that Staunton wasn’t a good leader, and that Micah would be better. He’d already recruited Richard and Stella. Stella’s hatred for Lilith played into his hands. He didn’t know what the issue was between the two women; he didn’t care because he only needed to use it to get what he wanted.

And now he was close. So close.

The second he’d seen Lilith kiss Julian on the pier the other day, he’d known the time had come to make his move. He already had the new location of his compound. It was a perfect place. A ranch in southern California where no one would blink twice at what was going on. He would slowly build up his followers. He was smarter than Staunton and wouldn’t get caught.

The first thing he would do when Lilith came into his possession was cleanse her. Cleanse that filth’s hands from her body. He would purify her, and when she came to him, she would be a different woman from the one who was with Julian Bennington.

He couldn’t wait.

“Very good, Stella. Two days from now, you will prove your loyalty to me and will be greatly rewarded.”

“Thank you, Favorable Micah,” Stella returned, keeping her eyes downcast.

It was a little too late. Micah couldn’t wait to parade Lilith in front of Stella’s face. Maybe he’d force Stella to watch him and Lilith one time. Show her she hadn’t been as important to him as she’d thought. He would ponder it before deciding what he’d do. He patted Stella on the head. “You may prepare yourself. I’ll be there shortly.”

Stella left and Micah looked out the window of the house Richard had commandeered for them. A place that had served a purpose, but the new house was much better, and once he got there with Lilith, it would be even better.

Everything was coming together. The messages he’d been receiving confirmed he was doing everything correctly. Soon, he would be revered and worshipped.

The way he deserved to be.