Love Beyond Words (City Lights, #1)(42)

Marshall’s adoring gaze for Liberty swung around to Natalie. “Whaaaaat? It’s been a whole week and you didn’t tell me! Sir Julian? Really?”

Natalie felt her neck grow hot.

Liberty rolled her eyes. “Look at her. She’s flush, happy, alive…It’s depressing. And infuriating. Your morning-after text was not funny, missy.”

Marshall clapped his hands together. “I’m so proud of you!” He frowned. “Wait. Why does she get a morning-after text? What about me? Oh, who cares! You had sex! Miracles do happen; you’re living proof.”

Natalie brushed aside his hands as he tried to cup her cheeks like a proud father. “Thank you, Marshall, but I’d feel better if you weren’t so surprised.”

“I’m not surprised, I’m shocked to the very core of my being.”

“Tick-tock,” Liberty said. “I don’t have much time and I want details. Lots of them.”

“No details,” Natalie said. She thought of the way Julian’s mouth moved over hers when they kissed…“No…just, no details.”

“Look at her face!” Marshall cried. “She’s glowing like a torch. Don’t torture us like this, darling. Some of us have been going through what you might call a dry spell, and by some strange, insane twist of fate, you are the one enjoying a sexual extravaganza. It’s your duty to let us live vicariously through your exploits.”

Natalie laughed. “No, no. You’ll have to use your imaginations...”

“Honey, I’m an accountant. I have no imagination.”

“And is that your Valentine’s Day present?” Liberty reached over and examined the micro mosaic pendant hanging from Natalie’s neck. “Wow, that’s gorgeous.”

Natalie beamed. “No, that was Christmas.” Julian was my Valentine’s gift.

“Some gift,” Marshall commented. “That thing’s Victorian. Not just the style. As in, from when Queen V’s bony old butt was perched on the throne. Got to be worth six grand, easy.”

“What? No!” Natalie studied the pendant. “I know it’s old, an antique, but surely not…”

“Surely yes,” said Marshall. “Don’t you ever watch Antiques Roadshow? Your man’s got taste. And money.” He heaved a sigh. “So unfair.”

My man, Natalie thought and felt her skin warm again. “Yes, he’s wonderful. And you may be pleased—or shocked—to know that I’m taking time off from work this weekend. I’m going to spend it with him.”

Liberty smirked. “Translation: you’re going to spend the weekend having sex until you can’t see straight.”

“Now she’s just rubbing it in.” Marshall pouted. “Is that why you’re able to grace us with your presence this Thursday eve?”

“Yes,” Natalie said. “I took tonight too. I didn’t want to miss Lib’s show and…there’s something else. Something I had to tell you both before I burst. You won’t believe this…I get shivers just thinking about it, it’s so amazing.”

“Is this about his big bad secret?”

“Yes.” Natalie’s smile split her face. “But you both have to swear you won’t tell another soul. Promise me.”

They exchanged dubious glances, but Natalie was too excited to be annoyed. I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces…

“Okay, we swear,” Marshall said.

Liberty nodded. “Well?”

Natalie heaved a breath. “Julian is a writer. A published one. A very, highly respected and adored one. One whom I’ve read before.”

Marshall wagged his hand. “Lord, girl, that’s nothing. You read everything. I wouldn’t be surprised—”

“He’s Rafael Melendez Mendón.”

Liberty and Marshall stared at her, motionless, and then almost simultaneously burst out laughing.

“Oh, sweets, you had us going there,” Marshall choked.

Natalie felt the blood drain from her face, taking all of her excited joy with it. It rushed back to it to burn her cheeks when her friends ceased laughing and exchanged another pair of looks.

Liberty studied her through narrowed eyes. “Wait, wait, wait. Nat…You don’t really…I mean, did he tell you that?”

“Of course,” Natalie said. “How else—?”

“And then you slept with him,” Liberty continued. “He told you that he was your favorite author…aaaand then you slept with him.”

Another pair of glances went between her friends, and then Natalie could barely see for the blinding humiliation and fury that swept over her.

“It’s not like that. I’ve seen the books…He told me…He…” He warned you this would happen, she thought. And he was right but he couldn’t have known how badly their derision hurt. “I…can’t…I have to go. I’m going…”

She stood on shaking feet and snatched her purse off the back of her chair. They called her back but she ignored them, stumbling to the door and up the stairs. Outside, the icy chill of winter still hadn’t left the air yet and it cooled her burning cheeks. She walked down the street, heedless of direction, clutching her coat around her. Running footsteps followed her and then Marshall caught up, took her by the arm. She tore out of his grasp and faced them.