AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Can you believe it? I mean, running into you in Paris, how crazy was that? And you, my flesh and blood, with Paul Crane. That’s unreal.”
I lifted my chin.So that’s why he wants to talk to me, because of Paul.“I need to go.”
“Wait. Please, Nadia. I want to say I’m sorry. I was an asshole for what I did. Hell, I was told you were well taken care of….”
I gritted my teeth. Taken care of?Justus never cared to check if it was true. He wanted us gone.
“…Now, I don’t expect you to forgive me. But there’s more to the story, you know? I have a side too. Okay? Call me…when you want to…I’d like to talk to you again.”
I didn’t answer but turned and walked back to Paul. He placed his arms around me, and we walked silently to the car. The meeting was over so fast. And the only thing I got out of it was that Justus didn’t deny I was his biological daughter and wanted to share his story. Still, I wasn’t all that sure I needed it. My mind turned to my wonderful parents that saved me, and my heart ached.I betrayed them.
I sniffled, and Paul squeezed my shoulder. “I’m here if you want to talk.”
“Not right now. Later,” I mumbled.Much later.
Before I climbed into the car, Laurence hugged me, too, and my heart warmed. He’d become my favorite honorary uncle. I loved him, too.
I couldn’t stop myself from staring out the window toward the tour bus. Justus was still standing there watching us. Even when we turned out of the parking lot.
My pulse and breath sped up, and I shifted my legs, unable to get comfortable on the plush seats.Why didn’t I tell Justus what a selfish and cruel man he’d been?How he left me with a child that took his rejection out on me. He didn’t care enough to check on me. Instead, he carried on and lived well. I wasn’t worth knowing. I wasn’t good enough for him.
Paul reached for me and gently pulled me across his lap. “Let me hold you.”I went to his arms and took his warmth, scent, and protection. And just that simple act brought a flutter to my chest and my pulse to rise. My heart swelled with love and emotion for him. Paul came when I most needed him.
He lifted my chin to kiss, and I pressed mine against his hard. Our tongues slid and stroked as we gave over to passion and lust. He tangled his fingers within my hair as he kissed me more with a savage intensity. My breathing staggered as my pulse throbbed in my throat. I could feel my clit pulsating.And I don’t want to think about Justus or Nora anymore.Only Paul.We broke for air, and I whispered. “Paul, I need you. Please fuck me.”Make love to me.
He let out a deep sexy groan.And we couldn’t get back to the Hudson fast enough.
We left the car in a sensual fog that only cleared once we reached the bedroom. There, Paul returned to kissing me. Deep. Slow, sweet kisses that were harder to take than his wild passionate ones. These kisses were a language of love. And I poured my heart into them—every caress filled with the hope he’d love me back, and with every touch I poured love into his skin.
“I’m yours, Paul.”
“You are baby.”
That sweet surrender was all Paul needed.
As it was with Paul, he took over.
The computer screen lit up with the robotic pattern I created for a pleated tent dress. I squinted in contemplation, while Professor Pompei stood behind me. “Think on the pattern repetition and where it lands. It looks like a child’s crayon project.”
“I was thinking of making the broken robot in pieces like this.” I pulled out my sketchbook and showed him my drawings.
He wrinkled his nose. “Still messy. Do a spin around the class. Open a book or go to the gallery. Find inspiration becausethat’snot meeting the brief.”
It did for a contemporary music awards show, which was the project. While Professor Elan lifted me, Professor Pompei didn’t like my recent textile designs. He was also the only professor still giving new assignments before the end of the semester.
I gritted my teeth and took a walk around the room. Most design students had opted for elegant evening wear instead of show-stopping photograph magnets. I went back to the lace and bead ball gown I deleted.Obvious and boring.
Pompei returned and adjusted his spectacles. “Stay on that path.”
Sophie came up behind me. “I think he’s right, but I see why you chose the robot design. It’s eye-catching, but limits who could wear it successfully based on how the pattern lines up. The gown holds the prestige of the event and would make the woman wearing it feel beautiful.”
I pressed my finger to my chin. “I kind of miss the knits.”
“But your art is leading you to gowns.” She touched my designer mini shoulder bag. “This is lovely. May I see it?”
I nodded and gestured for her to take it. She checked the label first, then the pockets. My eyes zeroed in on Justus Black’s card. I hadn’t thrown it away….
Nor had I contacted him since the concert.
