Stepbrother Bad Boy's Baby Boxed Set(31)

"Yeah, Terminal 1, there's a Hudson's right before the security gate. They might have what you're looking for. How much time do you have?"

"Half hour. Hey, thanks for the help. You mind another tip?" I asked, taking out my wallet.

The cab driver waved it off. "If I'm still here when your lady friend comes out, you just catch a ride home with me, okay? That'll be tip enough."

I nodded my thanks and ran across from Terminal 2 down the concrete walkways to Terminal 1. I found the Hudson's, which was your basic airport convenience store and gift shop. There wasn't a lot in there, and I didn't think Krystal would need a coffee mug that said "I love Chicago," but near the back there was a tiny little refrigerated section with flowers. I found a white rose that looked perfect, and I picked it out, paying and hurrying back to Terminal 2. I waited right outside the Delta baggage carousels nervously, almost hopping from side to side. I'd dressed up even, wearing a button down shirt and slacks that I'd bought just that morning as soon as the stores were open. I figured picking her up in a t-shirt and jeans wasn't going to work.

With each buzz of the baggage carousel, I felt my nerves increase, until I was almost hopping from foot to foot in a panic. I controlled myself a bit when a couple of airport cops walked by, but I could still feel nervous sweat trickle down the small of my back.

Even with all my nervousness, I didn't see Krystal until she already had her bag and was leaving the area, heading for the doors. She was talking happily with two other people, one of whom I'd seen at Alinea the night I visited. I assumed it was her co-workers. "Krystal!"

She turned, and like a scene from a movie, we ran to each other, embracing and holding each other in the middle of the sea of people. I could feel the thorns from the rose I'd gotten her bite deep into my palm, but I didn't care, as finally she was in my arms, and I didn't feel guilty about it at all. "I missed you," I said, my voice muffled slightly by the curve of her neck.

"I missed you too," she said. I set her down, and let her go. I handed her the rose, only then noticing that I was bleeding from the thorns. "You're hurt."

"It's nothing," I replied. "I just.... I wanted to give you something, but like an idiot I forgot until I was already here."

"It's lovely," she said, taking the rose and smelling it. In that instant, with her dark eyes and slightly tanned skin contrasted by the pure white of the rose, I knew that I wasn't just falling in love with her, I was in love with her. Her long, dark eyelashes framed her face perfectly, and the lush bow of her lips twitched in a smile as she inhaled the flower's scent. "Thank you."

I took her hand and held it, looking into her eyes as we came closer and closer. There was no pause, no hesitation as our lips touched for the first time, and her arms came around my neck. I lifted her up slightly, and we were transported to a place without time, a place where the only thing in the universe was the feeling of her body pressed against me, and her lips against mine. I'd never felt like so much was right with the world before, and knew that it didn't matter what else happened, I wanted her in my life.

"Julian," she said once our kiss broke. "Julian....."

"I know," I whispered back. "Let's go home."

Outside, the cab driver was still waiting for me, a smile on his face. "So this is the lucky lady, big man?"

"Julian, who is this?" Krystal asked, a grin on her face.

"Krystal, this is one of the wisest men in Chicago, and the best cab driver for sure. Unfortunately," I started, before the cab driver interrupted me.

"Frank Burzynski," the cabbie filled in for me. "It's a pleasure."

"Frank, we'd be honored to get a ride home in your cab," I replied, opening the door for Krystal. "And if you can get us home in under a half hour, I'll be even more honored."

"Thirty minutes? My friend, I've done that shot in twenty, just don't tell the cops," Frank said with a laugh as he went around to his door. Krystal got in, and I slid in next to her, our hands coming together to hold one another naturally. I looked over at Krystal, and thought to myself again how much she looked like she should be royalty. Well, if that was the case, then I'd do my best to treat her like a princess.



* * *



Krystal



We didn't say much on the cab ride home. There wasn't much to say, really. We both knew what we wanted, and we both knew what was going to happen. After that, there might be words, but until then, why spoil the moment?

Julian took my bag and slung it over his shoulder when we got back to the apartment, Frank the cab driver not needing directions at all. Julian paid him with a hundred dollar bill, and left without even trying to get change. We held hands like young lovers as we went into the lobby and took the elevator up to the apartment, where Julian unlocked the door and held it open for me. Once inside, he set my bag down next to the coffee table while I took off the light jacket I'd been wearing. Airplanes are invariably cold for me.

When Julian turned around, I leapt into his arms, covering his face in kisses and wrapping my legs around his waist. "Take me to bed," I whispered at him. "If you love me, then show me."

Julian carried me into my bedroom, where I noticed he had changed the sheets and made the bed while I was gone. I chuckled under my breath, considering what we were about to do, but the hint of homeliness touched me deeply. Setting me on the crisply made cover, he lay down next to me, his blue eyes filled with emotion. "Krystal, I....." he began, his voice cracking.