Forsaking All Others Read online

  “I want you to be mine, too.”

  “Then you have me.”

  At that moment, Evan directed his gaze on hers, and Julianna held it, unwilling to be the one to look away. For once in her life, she would do what felt right instead of what was expected of her. She wanted Evan, and he wanted her. She still ducked her head shyly and smiled.

  “I’m going to be honest and say I don’t really understand what all of this means.”

  Evan leaned closer to her and tilted her face up to his, his eyes searching hers.

  “It means,” he dipped his head for a kiss before continuing, “that you’re mine.”

  He finished with another smoldering kiss and a coy grin before he withdrew a few inches.

  Julianna’s eyes fluttered open, her heart pounding. “And you’re mine?”

  “Mhm.” Evan’s voice was nothing more than a rumble as he placed his forehead against hers.

  “But wait.” Julianna moved away and scratched her head. “Does that mean that you’ll binge watch shows with me and occasionally cook unhealthy dinners with me?”

  Evan wrinkled his nose, and a laugh rumbled from his lips. “I’m a terrible cook.”

  “What?! I’m not sure this will work.”

  “Wait…wait. I can’t cook, but I make a hell of an assistant. My knife skills are on point.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  Julianna ended with a kiss, emboldened because Evan seemed to enjoy her sense of humor. Devon always hated it and rarely joked with her. He said it made her look immature. She forced the thought out of her mind as she exited his car.

  “Hey, you want to come over for dinner sometime?” She wanted to take things slowly with Evan, especially after how things had gone south with Devon. But she was too drawn to him to stop herself. She already felt a level of comfort with him that, if she were being honest, she had never achieved with anyone else in the past.

  She inwardly relaxed when he grinned.

  “As long as I don’t have to cook it. Just tell me when and I’ll be there.”

  27

  Devon tossed his phone across the bedroom. A pang of short-lived satisfaction coursed through him as he watched it come into contact with the wall and break into pieces before clattering to the floor. His family had given up on calling him and had just shown up at his front door, unannounced. Rage engulfed him as he recalled the look of pity on their faces. Pity. Him? That was the last thing he would allow. He was the one who pitied others, not the other way around. And then Derek had the nerve to offer him advice as if that fucking delinquent knew anything about proper life choices. His mother had been crying, and had begged him to open up to them, which had enraged him even more.

  When in life had she ever had to worry about him? He had always made solid life decisions and had always been aware of his social status, which he had perfectly groomed. People loved him. As far as he was concerned, she was wasting her tears. She needed to save them for someone else. Devon stormed past a mirror, decorated tastefully in chrome trim and stopped briefly to adjust his shirt, which was perfectly ironed. Didn’t they realize that this was all Julianna’s ploy to embarrass him? The weak little bitch didn’t even know how to support herself without him. He was the reason she had anything in life. Thinking about Julianna brought a fresh wave of rage within Devon’s body. She still hadn’t contacted him after the divorce. He had to give it to her—he never thought she would have lasted this long. It was probably because of that damned fool she was hanging around.

  He never pegged Julianna to be the whoring type, but with that sister of hers, he couldn’t put it past her. She probably spread her legs for this man and barely even knew him. She would definitely have to pay for that whenever he got her back home. How did she expect him to respect her as a wife if she did such things? Devon chuckled and clenched his fist. Once again, he was stressing over nothing. Julianna didn’t know what to do with a dick even if it was dangled in front of her face. Surely, she was only going around that fool just to piss him off…to make him “jealous”. Devon scoffed. He had to teach her that her childish ways were not things to be rewarded. She was a woman, and she needed to act as such.

  He set his jaw in a determined line as he strode through his house and into his garage. He started his car, his irritation still intact.

  Devon’s anger remained even as he drove to his lunch meeting, but quickly disappeared as he rounded the corner to meet his associates. Although he had lunch with his work associates often, this time was different. There was a new person they were inviting to the group. And she’d caught his attention. He plastered a winning smile on his face and eased into one of the empty chairs at the half-filled table, locking eyes with a pretty, curly-haired woman. Adela was her name. She was new to area, and the company but she came from a powerful family with a lot of influence. She was the woman he needed to know right now. He ignored the heated look from Michelle as he scooted closer to Adela, complimented her perfume and reveled in the shy blush that crept up her cheeks. She was…impressionable and conquering her would be just the distraction he needed from this whole mess with Julianna. He grinned once again and casually offered to show her around town. Once again, he ignored the heated look that Michelle sent his way. Lately, she had begun to bore him. She was now demanding more from him, and since he had already secured his place in the company without as much help from her as he’d anticipated, he wasn’t at liberty to oblige. She was now only there to keep his dick warm since Julianna wasn’t there. This was all business. Feelings had no place here. He was the only one who understood this, and the sacrifice success took to achieve.

  Evan stood in front of Julianna’s kitchen counter, quietly assembling a simple green salad. Julianna had invited him over for dinner and, frankly, a salad had been the only thing he was confident enough to make. It didn’t have anything that he needed to cook that might end her life. He expressed as much to her, and she had doubled over in laughter. Evan remained traumatized from cooking ever since he’d put Hudson in the hospital with food poisoning when Hudson was nineteen and him sixteen. “Chicken surprise”, he’d called the sad dish—a mixture of chicken breasts and vegetables, but the only surprise of the meal was just how quickly his brother had lost his trust in his cooking skills.

  Hudson had been angry after he had returned from the hospital, still weak from dehydration, when he’d forced Evan to promise to never cook again. He’d complied, believing it to be safer for everyone. He’d made crappy dishes before but putting Hudson in the hospital had been the last straw. He didn’t want Julianna to fall victim to the same fate. He hid a grin and shook his head. He stole a glance over at her from her spot in front of the oven. Her short curly hair was pinned up, and she wore a casual dress that stopped modestly at the knee. What it didn’t hide, unfortunately, was her perfectly round ass, which he was now getting a full view of as she stood with her back to him.

  Evan forced himself to focus on the salad he was assembling once again. These past few weeks with Julianna had brought him a happiness he never knew could exist. A happiness he had forced himself to believe didn’t exist. For the first time in a long time, he could just be completely and totally himself, which he enjoyed very much. Save for his brother, he usually had to be on guard with everyone else around him, not that he allowed anyone close enough to get to really know him. Somehow, though, Julianna had slipped through the cracks and was slowly chipping away at the walls he had constructed around himself to shut out the world. Hell, who was he kidding? Julianna didn’t have to slip through the cracks; he had opened the door for her. He was drawn to her and couldn’t stop himself. It was as if every neuron in his brain was being completely rewired to only involve themselves with thoughts of her. Her smell. Her laugh. Her eyes.

  That ass.

  He grinned. At first, he’d told himself that it was purely her beauty, but deep down he knew it was much more than that. He stole another glance at her. This time, she was peering down into a
pot on the stove, her finger on her chin.

  “Hey, Ev.”

  He tore his attention away from chopping the cucumbers, which were taking far too much of his concentration for his liking, forcing what he hoped was a neutral expression onto his face.

  “Taste this. What do you think?”

  She was already holding a spoon up to his lips as she asked, and he readily sampled the contents. It was some sort of pasta salad covered in a cream sauce. The bright colors of peppers and broccoli added interest to the small morsel. The flavor of the light pasta with the creamy sauce coated his tongue, contrasted by the fresh and bright taste of the vegetables. It tasted heavenly.

  “Delicious.” He held on to her retreating hand and licked the particles off the spoon which made Julianna beam and giggle.

  Julianna also took a bite and thoughtfully chewed. Evan’s eyes soaked in Julianna’s full lips curving around the spoon. His imagined his hardened dick in place of the spoon, driving himself deeper and deeper into her mouth as she pleasured him before he exploded into her mouth. He shifted, doing his best to ward off the tightness in his groin. He’d promised himself to move slowly with Julianna, and he intended to see that through. No matter how hard his dick got at the thought of her. Despite his inner turmoil, he drew her close and inhaled the flowery scent of her hair.

  “I didn’t make dessert.”

  Can you be dessert?

  Evan’s brain screamed as she molded her body against him. He forced himself to remain calm as she continued to press her body to his.

  “That’s fine. We’ll improvise.”

  “Like ice cream?”

  Like your wet pussy spread wide for me.

  Evan leaned down to press a kiss against her temple.

  “Whatever you’d like, sweetheart.”

  Julianna beamed, and Evan welled up with pleasure. She remained standing directly in front of him, dangerously close. Coy, she shifted past him and went to the cupboard to get the dinner plates. She stood on her toes and jumped for a plate before she finally sighed and turned around.

  “Um, Mr. Tall Man? Can you help a lady out over here? You see me struggling.”

  Evan’s eyes immediately went to the yellow step stool in the corner by the fridge, and he mischievously grinned as he watched Julianna’s eyes follow his.

  “What’s that, short lady? Isn’t that for little people like you?”

  “Hey!”

  “I mean, it would cut down on you short people harassing tall people like myself. We have feelings, too.”

  The laughter that bubbled up from Julianna tickled Eva; it wrapped him in warmth. Julianna brought out the softer, more playful side of him he thought had been long killed off by life and disappointments. Even if it were just for her, he was enjoying becoming reacquainted with this side of himself. He eventually removed two plates from the cupboard and handed them over to her, feigning annoyance.

  “There. You know, I’m beginning to think that you only want me for my height.”

  Julianna rolled her eyes and snatched the plates from his hands, her face full of mischief.

  “Whatever. You know you like this shorty.”

  Evan’s eyes raked over Julianna’s petite frame. He loved everything Julianna had to offer. He thought he had kept his thoughts to himself when he caught Julianna staring up at him. Her dark eyes, their depths boundless, studied his face and smiled. Julianna clutched the plates in front of her chest. Her chest heaved. She bit her bottom lip, then let it uncurl back into its fullness. She was aroused. His body received the signal, his dick fighting against the fabric of his jeans as he stepped closer. He could feel her heat. She placed the plates on the counter and went to him as he shoved bowls aside to make space for her on the countertop. She sat there, her eyes nearly level with his. He took a moment to drink her in, then hungrily captured her mouth.

  Slowly, Evan, slowly, his mind screamed, but this time he wasn’t sure if he could or wanted to listen.

  He stilled to slow his pace before he stepped between her thighs, cupping her face in both of his hands. Needing more, he allowed his hand to trail to her thighs and pushed her dress up out of the way, exposing her bare skin. He cursed softly as Julianna widened her legs, beckoning him to move closer.

  This still isn’t enough.

  Evan reached down and kneaded Julianna’s breasts through the material, reveling in her loud moan before he allowed his mouth to trail downward. He flicked her nipple through the fabric of her dress and grinned as he watched it harden. He briefly returned his attention to Julianna’s face as his hand went to her panties, which he slowly eased down her thighs as he kneeled. She whimpered and widened her thighs, eager to feel his mouth on her clit. He was happy to oblige.

  He dipped his head. Anticipation pounded in his chest as he closed his mouth over her engorged clit. He growled a laugh when Julianna cried out, her eyes closed. He teased his tongue along the sensitive flesh, draping Julianna’s leg over his shoulder as he braced himself for more. His tongue glided along her wet folds and her legs shook.

  He closed his mouth over her clit once again. Julianna screamed this time, her hips bucking, another stream of wetness flowing from her center. Evan took his time, drinking the sweet nectar of her as he licked, teased, and sucked on the nub, his mouth effortlessly gliding over the sensitive flesh. Her moans became louder and more strangled as he held her in place. She writhed against his face, but he held still, teasing her clit with his tongue until Julianna erupted into orgasm, her body trembling from the effort.

  Chest heaving, he looked up from between her thighs to admire the result of his work. Her eyes remained closed, her back was arched, and she bit her lip as her body shook and her core contracted. He needed her. His dick throbbed, but he closed his eyes and drew in a calming breath. He needed her. He had every intention of fucking her, revealing to her how much frustration he had built up in this irrational need that his mind and body had created for the feeling of his dick driven deep inside her. And he was going to—just not now.

  Reluctantly, he eased her panties back up her thighs, and pressed a kiss to her mouth. As much as he wanted to stay, he wasn’t sure if this was such a good idea. He was already imagining his dick in places where it shouldn’t be. He needed space to regroup if he wanted to tread lightly. He needed to take his time with her. As if to remind him of its presence, his hardened member throbbed in response.

  Never had he ever wanted someone as badly as he wanted Julianna.

  “I should go.”

  Julianna’s eyes snapped open. “What? Why?”

  Evan smoothed a few tendrils of loose hair back from her face as he shook his head. “Don’t worry. It’s not you.”

  He didn’t say more.

  “But…”

  “I’m imagining you in positions and my dick in places I don’t need to be thinking about right now, Julianna. I really should leave.”

  “Well, your dick says otherwise.”

  Evan chuckled.

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Then stay.”

  “Julianna.”

  “What if I’m wanting those things, too?”

  “Julianna.”

  “I want you inside me, Evan. Stay.”

  Julianna kept her gaze on Evan, her eyes challenging his as he stood there, obviously going through some internal battle. Her pulse quickened as she thought about what she had just told him. She wanted him. She had already spent too many tortured nights awake, her body aching for Evan’s touch. Nothing had quelled the need, not even her efforts as she had touched herself to the image of his mouth on her body at night. The need had always returned, seemingly worse than before. She was never this blunt, not this bold, but she wanted to make herself clear. She wanted him. She visibly relaxed as Evan closed the distance between them and placed his forehead against hers. He lifted her, and her legs instinctively tightened around his torso as he maneuvered his way to her bedroom.

  Once inside, he placed her on the b
ed and tugged her dress over her head. Evan’s eyes drank in every detail as she lay there in nothing but her lace lingerie. Thank God she had worn one of her new matching sets this evening. Her bra was off in a flash and she welcomed the cool air on her bare nipples as he hovered over her. He flicked her nipple with his tongue, reveling in the way it tightened in response. He then slowly pulled it into his mouth, sucking and nibbling until she arched her back and cried out. He caressed the other one, tenderly and slowly, causing moisture to build between her thighs.

  When he was satisfied, he once again eased her panties down; she raised her hips so he could slip them off. He tossed them across the room, not sparing them another glance. She was finally naked in front of him as she stared down at him at the foot of her bed. Evan stood back, his gaze moving from the bottom of her feet up to her face as he slowly shook his head.

  “Goddamn, Julianna.”

  He removed his shirt, his powerful muscles contracting and relaxing as he did so, then unbuckled his jeans. Julianna’s clit throbbed in anticipation as he removed them, exposing his thick, engorged dick. A moan escaped her throat as she propped herself up on her elbow, admiring the view. Evan’s body was solid and powerful, his muscles taut and defined as he stood in front of her. Once again, her eyes drifted down his chest, past his trim waist and defined abs down to his engorged dick. A deep ache rippled through Julianna’s body as she expected its thick length sliding into her.

  This man is too good to be real.

  Evan slowly advanced on her, a slow grin crossing his face as he climbed onto the bed. Julianna reached for him, running her hands over his shoulders, chest, and back as she pulled him close. He claimed her mouth, nudging her thighs wider as he settled between them. His hands were possessive as he roughly ran them over her body as if branding her with his touch. Julianna released a breathy moan as Evan accompanied his touch with his tongue as he familiarized himself with the taste of her skin. He trailed his tongue across her nipples and down her abdomen, stopping just before her clit. Julianna gave a strangled moan as he widened her thighs and lightly teased his tongue along her clit before returning to her mouth.