Love Beyond Words (City Lights, #1)(44)
She burst into tears. “And now that I’m here, I know it’s all true. And I’m so ashamed…”
His arms went around her, his voice rumbled against her ear. “Don’t be ashamed. I understand. It’s precisely why it was so hard to tell you. It would be different if you didn’t love the writing so much. But you do, so there’s much more at stake.”
“Even so. I feel terrible.”
He said nothing but took her hand and led her into his bedroom, to the walk-in closet that was the size of her entire kitchen. It smelled of fine clothing and his cologne she loved so much. He crouched on his heels and pushed aside a hanging row of slacks to reveal a wall safe.
“Not even David has the combination,” he said.
Natalie knelt beside him as he turned the dial of numbers and opened the safe. He withdrew a leather portfolio and handed it to her.
“These are my contracts with Underhill Press,” he said. “The first, for Above, is on the bottom.”
Natalie opened the portfolio, shame burning her cheeks even as a thrill shivered over her skin. It’s like buried treasure, she thought, and that notion felt even truer as Julian held two golden medals out to her.
“National Book Awards for Above and The Common Thief,” he said.
She took them and held them in her lap. So heavy…She let her fingers trace the engravings.
“I have other papers…the certificates for the Awards, galley prints, early drafts of the Starshine poems…Whatever you want.”
Natalie looked up at him. “I’m so sorry.”
He smiled and cupped her cheek. “Don’t be. The certainty feels better than any shred of lingering doubt, sí?”
She nodded. "Thank you for understanding. My friends…they make me feel like I’m a stupid, silly child sometimes.” He frowned darkly but she leaned forward and kissed him. “Maybe they’re right. I’ve missed out on so much. I want to experience all of it. Everything I’ve missed. I want it with you.”
“Okay.” He held her face, his impossible blue eyes taking her in, his thumb stroking her cheek. “I’m here.”
He kissed her then and she felt his love for her, as real as the gold in her lap and a thousand times more precious.
Chapter Twenty
The following morning, Natalie sighed and watched the sunlight stream through Julian’s bedroom window. It fell over his dusky skin, played over the long lines of him, as he lay naked on the bed beside her.
“At the risk of sounding like a bastard, I need to send you home,” he said. “I have more to plan before our weekend starts.”
“You do?” Natalie frowned. “I thought we agreed on nothing fancy.”
“How about a little bit of everything? I have you until Monday morning. We’ve got a lot of time to make up for. Six months’ worth of dates I should have been taking you on…”
She silenced his regret with a kiss. “Will you call me a cab? I said I wanted to experience all of it, but a walk of shame isn’t what I had in mind.”
#
Julian didn’t call her a taxi, but a car from the service he favored, and stood with her as it pulled into the circular drive.
“Bring at least one pretty dress. I want to take you out on a proper date. Like the one we had on Christmas, but with a better ending.”
“Okay. But nothing too fancy, seriously, Julian. You don’t have to spend money on me.”
He pulled her close. “I want to. I’m going to. I love you, Natalie,” he said when she started to protest, “and I’m dying to lavish you. I won’t go overboard, I promise.”
He kissed her long and languidly, oblivious to the driver holding open the back door of the Mercedes sedan for her.
“I’ll see you soon.”
#
In her apartment, Natalie showered, then packed a small bag of clothes and sundries for the weekend. She laid her one “good” dress over it. It was her best vintage find, and not something she’d bought at a consignment shop. The black velvet dress had a gathered waist, ruched sleeves, and flowed to just above her knees. Faded lace trim at the neck and sleeves revealed its age. She had purchased it on a whim, from an online retailer, for $110, which was far more than her budget allowed. But she’d fallen in love with it and had to have it. It fit her petite frame to a T, but she’d never had a real opportunity to wear it until now. The pendant Julian gave her would compliment it beautifully she thought, and then bit her lip.
Marshall thought the pendant cost $6000. And now Julian wanted to spend even more money on her. Part of her thrilled at the notion; not for want of any gifts, but for the experience of venturing out into San Francisco on his arm. Perhaps a fine dinner and delicious wine. Maybe a swanky club, cocktails, and dancing. The thought made her giddy. As for gifts… He promised not to go overboard.
The sedan returned at 6 p.m and the first thing she found when she climbed inside was the small-ish rectangular box sitting on the seat beside her. Natalie shook her head and read the card on top.
Don’t shake your head at me. Just open.
Love, J
Natalie burst out laughing and opened the wrapping. The gift was an iPhone, the latest model, white and sleek. The box had already been opened and the phone set up for her. The only number in it, so far, was his.