Forsaking All Others Read online

  The house, their vacation home, nothing. She claimed she wanted none of it. With him, she’d become used to a certain lifestyle he was sure she would miss when all of this was over.

  A sly grin crossed his face when his lawyer talked about monetary arrangements. Before he could finish, Julianna raised her hand and shook her head.

  “I’m not asking for any money.”

  Devon’s jaw clenched. She then looked him fully in the eye, the first time during the entire meeting.

  “Right. And how else do you plan on supporting yourself, Julianna? I’m sure that money is the root of all of this.”

  He sat back in his chair, waiting for her to deny it. He knew women like her. They came from nothing and wanted everything. It was a damned shame someone like him was paying for that now.

  “I don’t want your money, Devon. I have my business.”

  “That pathetic little thing? You’ll be homeless in no time.”

  “I’m doing well on my own. I want this to be over.”

  Before he could speak again, Julianna’s lawyer leaned forward, deep in thought, her fingers steepled. “Well, then. This is it. Since there are no assets to divide, we can just call it quits and end this.”

  Devon sat back, a determined set to his jaw. His eyes narrowed into slits. Julianna was sitting there neatly dressed in a navy-blue suit, a decorative multi-colored headband around her growing curly hair. Her lips were stained a subtle shade of pink, and she wore a pair of modest pearl earrings. She turned, looked at him, her eyes defiant. Devon’s jaw twitched. He remained silent as he continued to glare, tearing his eyes away only when his lawyer tapped him on the shoulder to whisper about their options.

  “Take this opportunity, Devon. She isn’t asking for anything but if we drag this on, she might. Good riddance to her, anyway.”

  Devon stared at his lawyer, a blank expression on his face. The man just didn’t get it. No one left someone like him. He couldn’t give two shits if his wife had told him she didn’t love him. He also couldn’t care less if the bitch had wanted to fight, demanding money and making deals. What bothered him was that she was leaving, and it looked like he would have to agree.

  For now, anyway.

  And for what? She still hadn’t provided him a good enough reason.

  He leaned forward and massaged his temples. A smug smile crossed his face. Understanding dawned on him. Julianna wanted to feel like she was in control and doing something with her life. For now, he would give her what she wanted, only because he knew it would be only a matter of time before she realized what she had done. What she had given up. Who she had given up. She would come back, begging, and pleading, and she would grovel. He would make sure. Then, and only then, would he even spare her the time of day. She would then have to understand her childish behavior and that what she had put him through had dire consequences.

  She would understand these things. Then, would he consider taking her back.

  Devon barely spared his lawyer a glance as he nodded his approval. She would come to realize her error. Everyone would see her mistake and feel her shame as she clawed her way back to him. And he, the ever-doting husband, would take her back with open arms.

  His mood brightened.

  Julianna didn’t understand what she’d gotten herself into.

  But she would see.

  21

  Evan Karlessen glanced up from his menu, as he sat with his brother at their favorite restaurant, a deep heat forming in the pit of his stomach. The hairs on his arms rose with his heart rate, his body on alert. He slowly placed his menu back down on the table as he glanced around in search of the trigger. Something had set his body off. He didn’t know what.

  Finally, his eyes settled. On her. She was directly across the room from him, sitting quietly at a table, her head down. His eyes immediately raked over her deep brown skin, aglow in the dim lighting. The deep coral of her dress accentuated her complexion as she reached up to toy with a lock of short curly hair, her attention on the papers in front of her. She readjusted in her seat, providing him a brief glimpse of her curvy frame before she glanced up.

  Their eyes locked. She held his gaze for a few beats before she ducked her head. Desire swirled deep in his gut, enlivening his senses. He continued to stare, unable to break his gaze. It was her, the woman from the bar. Although their encounter had been brief, it had etched the image of her into his memory, replaying itself over and over, plaguing him at night. He’d wanted a chance to see her again, and now here she was.

  I’ll be damned if I let her get away.

  Evan silently rose from his seat. Hudson opened his mouth to speak before he followed Evan’s gaze to the woman sitting across from them.

  “Oh.” Hudson heaved a sigh and returned his attention to his menu. “I’ll order without you.”

  Evan barely registered the words as he made his way over to her, fighting the urge to race to her side. Everything about her—her looks, the sound of her voice, her scent—had lingered and tortured him for nights on end.

  It was time for payback.

  He slowly approached her, admiring the planes of her face as she looked up from the papers in front of her. A slow grin spread across his face at the slightly shocked look that crossed hers before she settled on a neutral expression.

  “Hi.”

  Her lips, full and soft and colored a subtle shade of pink, formed the word. His eyes remained fixated as he imagined her mouth curving perfectly around his cock. Then he realized she was expecting a response.

  Evan tore his gaze away from her lips and settled on her face. She was stunning. Effortless. Regal.

  “Hi.” He leaned casually against the wall next to her table. The other side of the table remained untouched, as if she wasn’t expecting anyone else.

  Until now.

  “Expecting someone?”

  Heat surged low in his gut.

  She chuckled and shook her head. “Oh? Nah. Just me tonight.” She paused, glanced up at him. “Care to sit down?”

  She made a sweeping gesture with her hand and lightly bit her lip, nervous as she awaited his reply.

  Evan eased into the seat across the table from her and leaned forward, needing to close the distance between them.

  She hesitated a moment, deep in thought, then cocked her head to the side. “You’re the guy from the bar.”

  Evan leaned back in his seat, pleased that she had remembered him. He wondered if he plagued her mind as she did his. He rubbed his hand against his jaw, and he settled his gaze directly on her.

  “I am.” He extended his hand. “Evan.”

  She nodded and lightly took it. The sensation of her soft flesh brushing against his sent an electric jolt down his spine.

  “Julianna.”

  “I didn’t forget.”

  She toyed with a few strands of hair. “Where’s your brother?”

  He jerked his head over to the other side of the restaurant and watched her follow his eyes to his brother sitting quietly at a table.

  “Oh. Well, is he okay all by himself over there?”

  “He knows I needed to do this.”

  “What?” She leaned forward and the scent of her perfume filled his nostrils. Evan willed his pulse to remain calm before he responded. He allowed himself another moment to admire her features before he responded.

  “Talk to you.”

  A flush crept up her cheeks. “I’m right here. What did you want to talk about?”

  “Everything.”

  She looked away. He caught the glimmer of heat in her eyes. She was shy, yes, but there was something there. Something hidden.

  He would draw it out.

  He fought to control the deep surge of desire that swelled within him. Her voice pulled him away from his thoughts.

  “You, know, I never got to thank you. For that night.”

  Evan nodded. “It’s nothing.”

  He’d stepped in even before he’d noticed her beauty. She and her sister
had just been two women in need of help. Seeing how stunning she was up close had only been a perk.

  “Seriously. It… things could have ended badly.” She allowed her voice to trail off before she furrowed her brow, deep in thought.

  “He still bothering you?”

  A possessive need overwhelmed him. He didn’t fight the sensation.

  She shook her head. “Not recently, no.”

  Evan leaned forward again. The scent of her perfume surrounded them. He inhaled, deep. “Tell me something, Julianna, do you come out to this restaurant often?”

  “Not really. Why?”

  “I want another chance to see you again.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but quickly closed it and shook her head, laughing. “I don’t really get out much, Evan. This was just a little treat to myself. You know, to get out and do more things by myself and for myself.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “Tell me how I can see you again.”

  She fidgeted in her seat. Evan busied himself by lingering on her full lips, waiting for her to respond. She was nervous. It was cute.

  He stood. “I’d like to see you again, but I won’t force it.”

  He started off back to his table.

  “Evan.”

  He turned. Her eyes were closed, like she was working through some inner turmoil.

  Then, her lids lifted. “I would like to see you again, but,” she ducked her head and laughed, the sound dry and hollow, “I literally just got out of something bad.”

  Evan nodded, his shoulders relaxing. He’d just told her he wouldn’t force the situation, but he knew in his heart he wouldn’t leave it alone. She set off something deep within him that made it impossible for him to walk away from his curiosity.

  He sighed and nodded, a glimmer of a smile on his face. He got it. She was afraid of being hurt. The good thing was, he had no intention of hurting her. At least, only a way he was sure she would like. The good kind of hurt that made nipples peak, mouths hungry, and panties moist.

  The thought brought a small smile to his face.

  He leaned against the back of the vacant chair. “Then, I don’t hurt you. It’s just that simple. You say you want to get out more. Let me help you do that. If you don’t like it, we can leave it at that.”

  “And if I do like it?”

  There it was again, that glimmer of passion, hidden deep under the surface and entangled within her shyness. One day, he would draw it out of her and experience it for himself. For now, he’d be content with watching it grow.

  Evan leaned in, far enough for her comfort but still close enough to hear the quick hitch in her breath. “Then we keep doing it.”

  They exchanged numbers, and he maintained eye contact as he walked away. Then, he turned and returned to the table where his brother was waiting.

  “I ordered for you.” Hudson’s voice was soft as he leaned back in his chair. He glanced over at where Julianna was sitting and grunted a laugh. “Got it out your system?”

  Evan laughed and dug into his meal, his eyes straying every so often to where Julianna sat. She had gotten up and was now making her way outside, and his eyes remained glued to her frame as she sashayed past them, her hips composing a seductive symphony with each movement.

  As she passed their table, she glanced over at him, a smile on her lips. His eyes continued to follow even as she left the building, her image etched into his brain.

  He continued to stare off in the general direction of where she’d gone before Hudson cleared his throat, snapping him back to their conversation.

  “I take it you’re going to see her again?” Hudson asked.

  Evan grinned, wide. “Of course.”

  Hudson shook his head and returned to his meal.

  Evan took another bite of his meal and allowed his mind to continue to wander.

  Julianna.

  He would definitely enjoy getting to know this one.

  22

  Julianna forced herself to remain calm watched him out of the corner of her eye as he approached her table; her pulse quickened as he drew closer. They had opted on lunch, and since it had been a beautiful day, she had chosen an outside table at the restaurant to take full advantage of the weather. She wasn’t disappointed; the sky was a clear blue, beautiful, fluffy clouds, dotted the sky, and a gentle breeze rustled the trees in the distance. She refocused her gaze on Evan.

  As he closed the distance between them, a slow grin spread across his face. It was seductive, enchanting. Julianna crossed her legs tightly as a jolt of yearning vibrated in between her legs.

  “Julianna. Hello.”

  Evan had stopped a few feet in front of her, his eyes never leaving hers. She stood and lightly extended her hand, which he took in his. As he did so, his gaze scanned appreciatively over her frame before settling back on her face. She gulped in a breath of air. This was their game. She’d met with him on several occasions, and it was always there. The barely masked desire he kept just under the surface, but never acted on. In fact, he was the epitome of a perfect gentleman with her.

  She was sick of it.

  Julianna forced a smile to her face as he sat down across from her at the table. Although they had only met a handful of times in the past few weeks, there was something about Evan that drew her in and made her feel… safe. It was as if he’d already interwoven himself into her daily routine. She blew out a sigh as he reclined in his seat, his expression unreadable.

  “I’m happy to see you again.”

  His voice, a deep timbre, carried across the table to her and enveloped her, its deep tones unmistakably masculine. Powerful.

  Julianna cleared her throat. She crossed her legs. Tight. He had to know the effect he was having on her. No one was this sexy unintentionally.

  “I’m happy to see you, too, Evan.” She reclined in her seat, doing her best to mimic his relaxed posture. However, inside, her heart was pounding. Although she told herself countless times not to allow for anything more than friendship, she felt as if she were fighting a losing battle. Pitifully, at that. Instead of replying, Evan smirked—the gesture almost imperceptible as he cocked his head to the side. He opened his mouth to say something but opted for silence. He did, however, continue to stare at her even as she looked away. She smiled shyly as she scanned the menu. No matter how much he rattled her, she would have to remember that she was freshly divorced. And she had fallen for a charming man once before.

  But still…

  Julianna shook her head trying to clear her thoughts. Instead, she willed herself to focus on the menu in front of her and not on Evan. Or his piercing blue eyes. Every so often, however, she would glance up to catch him staring at her.

  And he never looks away.

  Julianna scanned the menu once again, her heart pounding. A deep need had taken root inside her—a need she had never known existed, and it always reared its ugly head whenever she was with him. She glanced up and started when her eyes met with the deep blue depths of his. He smirked as he set his menu aside and leaned forward. His dark hair hung around his shoulders and moved slightly in the gentle breeze that blew as he watched her. Although his eyes were piercing, they were unmistakably kind.

  “Why do you stare at me like that?”

  Evan raised a brow before his facial expression returned to neutral. “Like what?”

  “I don’t know. So…intensely.”

  He shrugged. “I’m thinking.”

  “About?”

  His eyes returned to hers. “You.”

  I think about you, too.

  The flicker that started in between her thighs was now a flame. “What about me?”

  Instead of voicing her thoughts, she remained silent as she waited for him to respond. He took his time, mulling over his thoughts before he spoke.

  “Just… you.” He paused as the waiter took their order. “You interest me.”

  Her breathing increased, and a heat crept up her body as the air between them became charg
ed and electric. The desire was there. It was all a matter of whether he wanted to act on it.

  And how I would respond.

  Anticipation ate away at her as she waited, her breath held, for his next move. Instead, he shifted his attention to the meal in front of him. Julianna sighed, the spell broken. She slowly released the breath she’d been holding and fought to maintain a neutral expression as they ate their meal when it arrived, enjoying the steady flow of conversation between them.

  Evan was thoughtful, caring, and had a hell of a memory. Although he was direct and blunt, there was an inherent kindness that exuded from him as he sat there and listened to her chatter on and on about the most mundane of subjects. She hadn’t realized just how lonely she’d been until their encounters. It was as if she couldn’t stop talking.

  Although she apologized every time for being so talkative, Evan had always smiled and urged her to continue. Sometimes, he would respond, but most times, he listened. Really listened. She didn’t realize that she hadn’t known how that felt until now.

  It was after that realization she paused and glanced up at him once again. He was staring at her, again, reclined in his seat, his expression unreadable.

  “You’re not much of a talker, are you, Evan?” she asked.

  He took his time answering. Shrugged. “Not really. Never needed to talk much.”

  Julianna theatrically smacked her palm across her forehead. “So, I’m probably your worst nightmare, huh?”

  He laughed, the sound a deep rumble in his chest. “Not at all. I like listening to you. You have a lot to say, and I get the feeling you’ve never really gotten the chance to share what’s on your mind.”

  Julianna looked away, shame washing over her body. After being told repeatedly by Devon that she talked too much, she’d eventually turned inward, reluctant to share her thoughts.

  I didn’t even realize how much that man had broken me.

  She shrugged.

  Evan reached forward and took her hand in his. “I like that you have lots to say. You don’t need to stop for me. I’m content just listening.” A playful grin crossed his face. “Want to know something? My brother is even worse than I am.”