Somewhere I'll Find You (Capital Theatre #1)(93)

“Do you love me?” he asked, smoothing his hand over her stomach, dipping his finger into her navel.

“Yes,” Julia finally gasped, opening her thighs. “Don't make me wait any longer.” She scalded his ears with a litany of love and threats and pleading, until at last he relented and slipped his fingers inside her, sliding them in a rhythmic motion that brought her quickly to release. She arched upward, pressing the thatch of soft curls into his hand, and cl**axed with a groan and an endless shiver.

A long time later her lashes stirred, and she responded to his kiss, her tongue twining with his. He brought his h*ps to hers and fused their bodies in a thrust that made her whimper in pleasure. He pushed inside her, his movements long and unhurried, and she clutched at his back and h*ps to draw him even deeper. Catching her wrists in his hand, he pulled them over her head, pinning her heavily against the mattress.

Julia felt his mouth at her throat, lips moving with unspoken words. His hands slid from her br**sts to the place of their joining, softly tormenting until she could no longer breathe. Just as she thought she would faint, the sensations flowed over her, inundating every nerve. She trembled violently, her h*ps tilting upward to receive him as he released a flood of lust and longing inside her body.

When they could both move, they turned to their sides. Julia smiled drowsily as she felt his long legs tuck up beneath hers, his chest pressed against her back. “I like being abducted,” she murmured, drawing his hand over her waist and up to her breast.

“I didn't know what else to do. I've been insane ever since this morning.” His fingers traced her nipple in gentle circles. “Julia…are you going to marry Scott tomorrow?”

“Are you offering an alternative?”

Damon's hand cupped her breast until he could feel the rapid beating of her heart. He was silent for a long time, until she thought he wasn't going to reply. “Marry me,” he said gruffly. “This time for real.”

Julia closed her eyes and took an unsteady breath. “And your conditions?”

“No conditions. I won't ask you to leave the theater.”

“What if people mock you for marrying a notorious actress?” she asked softly.

“To hell with them.”

So it had finally come to this. He loved her enough to make the greatest concession of all. She had never imagined that Damon, the proudest and most demanding man she had ever met, would put aside his own desires in deference to her own. She knew that she owed him the same unselfish consideration. “I could limit my involvement with the theater,” she said hesitantly. “I'll choose only the roles that interest me most…and I'll stop touring.”

“Will Scott allow that?”

“He'll have to, if he wants me to stay at the Capital.”

“Your career won't ever be the same.”

“That won't matter as long as I have you.”

Carefully he turned her to face him. Although Julia was brimming with hope and happiness, there was no answering smile on Damon's face. “I'll want children, Julia.” His voice was low and scratchy, and she could only guess at the emotions that moved him.

“Yes, so will I.” She shrugged helplessly. “I don't know how we'll manage, but…we'll find a way. It won't be easy.”

“Easier than living apart.”

Julia nodded and kissed him gently.

“What of your feelings for Scott?” Damon asked when their lips had parted.

“There is no love between us. He'll understand why I can't marry him. Besides, I was never meant to be anyone's wife but yours.”

“Good. Because I've been your husband for too long to imagine anything else.”

She smiled and stroked his chest. “How strange that we both wanted to be free of each other for so long…and just when we are, all we want is to be together again.”

“Then you'll take the ring back.”

“The ring, and all that comes with it.”

Damon caught her hand and held it so tightly that she winced from the pressure. Bringing her palm to his mouth, he crushed a kiss within the soft cove. Emotion left him wordless…love and joy that mingled inside him…fear that this was a dream, and that the woman beside him was a fantasy spun from the loneliness and longing he had felt his entire life.

Slipping a hand behind his head, Julia pulled him over her once more, inviting his kiss and returning it without restraint.

As Logan welcomed Julia into his Bath villa early the following morning, there was no expression on his face, save for a slight crease between his auburn brows. His gaze searched her face, taking note of the flush on her cheeks and the gleam of happiness in her eyes.

“Good morning,” she said breathlessly. He nodded, understanding at once that there would be no wedding that day. The plans they had made would never be mentioned again.

Sitting with Julia in the parlor, Logan seemed relaxed as a servant poured coffee into gold china cups arid brought it to them. Logan motioned for the servant to leave, and threw Julia a resigned glance. “You're making a mistake,” he said flatly.

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Perhaps I am. Marrying Damon could prove to be a disaster. But I would never forgive myself if I didn't try.”

“I wish you luck.”