Page 129 of Embracing Juliette
Jenna finally looked at Liam and I had to blink away tears. I felt like a voyeur, unable to look away from the moment they were sharing.
Ryan broke the tension. “You girls should come to one of my self-defense classes. We’ve been trying to get you to go for months. It’s time for you to do it now.”
We agreed and made plans to go to his next class, then luckily, we were able to move on to easier conversations as we ate, even though it all felt a little forced and Jenna stayed quieter than usual.
As soon as we finished eating, Dylan tried to hand some money to Ryan, but he refused to take it. “Excuse us,” Dylan said, “but we only have fourteen hours until I need to go to work, and I have big plans to show Juliette how much I love her for every minute of that time.”
I giggled and blushed and hugged everyone goodbye, squeezing Jenna extra tight and promising to talk to her later. Dylan hugged Jenna and Nicky and gave man hugs to Liam andRyan, then he took my hand and led me around the restaurant, eloquently and effortlessly saying goodbye to everyone. Within minutes we were in his car, heading home for a celebration of our own.
“I could never do that. I get stuck in conversations trying to leave all the time.”
“Good thing you’ll have me by your side. I’ll be your voice anytime you need.”
“I fully accept that now. I’m sorry I fought it earlier, but now I get it. I do feel stronger with you by my side, and the stronger I feel, the better I am. And part of that is knowing I have you there for backup.”
Dylan lifted our intertwined hands and sweetly kissed my knuckles. “You are incredible and strong as fuck all on your own, baby. But together, we’re both better and stronger than either of us alone.”
He brushed his lips over the back of my hand, then drew my finger into his mouth and sucked hard. I gasped as my entire body lit on fire. I felt that pull down to my core. “I can’t wait to get you home to show you exactly how much I love you.”
Home. Love.
My entire body shivered with excitement.
He chuckled sexily. “Excited, baby?”
“I’m so happy. So in love. So excited to see exactly what you have planned for the next fourteen hours. So happy to have everything with you.”
“Everything, Juls. You’re my everything, and always will be.”
*** The End ***
