Broken Juliet(94)

“When?”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Whenever my anger used to get the better of me, I’d go to this bar in the city. It was pretty rough.”

For a moment, I think about what this means. “You went to deliberately get in to fights?”

“Well, I went to beat the crap out of someone, but occasionally, they got the better of me.”

“Oh, God. Is that why your knuckles were always a mess?”

“Pretty much.”

“Ethan…”

“I know. Stupid, right?”

“Not stupid. Sad.”

“I haven’t done that in years.”

“Do you still get the urge to?”

He pauses. “Sometimes. When I’m tense.”

“When was the last time?”

“Three months ago. The night before we started rehearsals. I was nervous about seeing you and was praying like hell I had the strength to not fall in a heap if you told me to go f*ck myself.”

“I did tell you to go f*ck yourself.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t mean it.”

“Yeah, I did.”

He frowns. “Really? Wow. I totally misread that moment. Just as well. I probably would have fallen in a heap. Just like I did last night when the stunt man clocked me.”

“Did it hurt?”

“Not compared to being away from you.”

I sigh. “I want to kiss you so badly right now.”

“Yeah?” He leans forward.

“Kissing you is the first on a very long list of things I want to do to you right now. I’d start with your mouth, and finish with … well, if I had my way, I wouldn’t finish. I’d have all of you, all the time.”

He stares at me and sets all my insides ablaze.

That look has always brought me undone. A lot of men have desired me over the years, but not a single one has ever looked at me like that. Like he belonged to me just as much as I belonged to him.

Someone knocks on his door, and he looks over his shoulder. “Damn, they’re ready for me.”

“Hey, I’m ready for you, too.”

He turns back to the screen and leans forward. “I’m going to need you to hold that thought for two more days. Can you do that?”

“Fine. Go. Be all tough and whatever.”

“Talk to you tomorrow?”

“Okay. Love you.” It just comes out. I cover my mouth. When the hell did I become so comfortable saying that to him? We’ve been back together for a matter of days.

“Cassie?” he says as he fights the world’s smuggest smile.

“Don’t blame yourself. I’m irresistible. I love you, too.”




I don’t sleep well while he’s away. My thoughts are too loud. My body too cold. All the ways I’ve forgotten how to miss him come rushing back at an alarming speed.




The day he’s due to come home, I’m so nervous, I feel sick. I shave my legs. Wash and blow dry my hair. Take extra care with my makeup. Smear myself in body lotion that makes me smell good enough to eat.

And I do it all with trembling hands.

Anticipation? Yep. I have it. In spades.

In the cab on the way to the airport, I close my eyes and breathe deeply. I can’t believe how uptight I am. It’s like I’m about to go onstage and haven’t rehearsed.

But I have. He has. We’ve prepared for this scene before but never got to perform it. The happy ending. We’ve tried tragedy. It didn’t work for either of us. What we’re doing now is new. I make my way to the arrivals area. There’s a buzz in the air. People of all ages are milling around, thrumming with excitement like I am as they wait for their loved ones.

Wow.

Ethan is my loved one.

It feels weird to admit that.

People trickle out of the doors, and I lock my knees to stop juddering my legs. Two little kids beside me are bouncing. I’m jealous. Bouncing would feel pretty awesome right about now.

An anxious-looking man emerges from the doors, and the kids scream, “Daddy!” before they run and engulf him in tiny-armed hugs. It makes me smile.

More people walk through as friends and family surge forward to greet them. I stand on my toes to see over heads and crane my neck. I understand they’re all happy to be reunited, but they need to get the hell out of the way so I can see the doors.

I catch a flash of messy hair. After pushing between two large men, I see Ethan standing there, tall and gorgeous, frowning as he scans the crowd.

I yell his name. Well, more like scream it. The men beside me turn and stare. My care factor is in negative digits.

Ethan sees me, and for a moment, he freezes. His expression makes my lungs tighten.

Then he pushes through the crowd, apologizing as he all but throws people out of his way to get to me. I’m also too rough.

When he’s a yard away, I launch myself at him. He catches me and buries his head in my neck. I’m dangling off the floor. Holding on for dear life.

He’s here. Home. With me.

I finally breathe.

“Thank God you’re here,” he says, lips against my throat. Fuck, I’ve missed you.”

He lowers me to the floor and cups my face. His focus drops to the heart pendant nestled between my breasts. “Oh … wow. That…” He smiles and shakes his head. “I always knew it would look amazing on you, but that’s just … perfect. You’re perfect.”