Marry Me (9 page)

“I’d say one of your own creations. Everyone loves to ask ‘who are you wearing?’ It’ll be wonderful publicity for your designs. And you’ll be the most gorgeous woman there.”

“Are you angling for another round of phone sex?”

He chuckled, “Hadn’t thought of it. ’Til now.”

Chapter Nine

Julia was glad her work schedule kept her so busy because she didn’t want to spend time worrying about the release party. The idea of being in the spotlight terrified her. Not only did she not like the attention, but she wasn’t thrilled with the idea of her picture being splashed around. She preferred to stay behind the scenes. But Ben had seemed so happy about it she’d been unable to say no. The fact that he wanted her there with him made her feel excited in a way she never had before. This was it. They were going totally public with their relationship.

She called Marissa for moral support.

“Relax,” Marissa said. “Enjoy it. Who cares about the stupid gossip magazines anyway? Now, back to the important stuff. How are you doing your hair?”

Julia went over every last detail with her, from makeup to accessories. She had the perfect dress in mind, there was just one thing missing and she knew she could sew it in time. Not only would it complete the outfit but she had a feeling Ben was going to love it.

She got dropped off at her apartment at noon the day of the event. As much as she wanted to call Ben and tell him she was home early she resisted. She needed time to prepare herself and sew the last bit of her wardrobe. By eight o’clock she was completely ready.

Ben knocked on her door right on time. She’d given him a key a few weeks earlier. His nighttime recording schedule made it impossible for him to get to her place before she fell asleep so she’d told him to start letting himself in. He did, late at night, but if he knew she was awake he still knocked first. She found it adorable how considerate he was.

She held her breath as she opened the door, excited to see him again and hoping he was just as happy to see her.

Somehow the week apart managed to make Ben even more handsome. It didn’t hurt that he was wearing a perfectly tailored black suit with a blue-gray shirt that matched his mystical eyes. She could have stared at him for hours but he had other ideas. He swept her into an embrace, his strong arms closing around her waist as his nose nuzzled into her hair.

“I missed you,” he breathed against her neck, kissing the base of her throat then pulling back to look into her eyes. “Do I get to kiss you or will I ruin your lipstick?”

She grinned. “I can reapply.”

Having his lips back on hers was heavenly. His tongue was warm and sweet, melting her more with each passing swirl. He eased away, eyes still half closed.

“You sure you want to go to this release party?” She was seriously hoping he’d say no.

He groaned, tugging her tight against the bulge in his pants. “I have to. But we don’t have to stay all night.” He kissed her again.

“Am I all smeared?”

His eyes twinkled. “You’re perfect. How’d you manage that?”

“Smudge proof.”

“Impressive. You should be their spokesmodel. I’d be glad to help you prove its staying power as many times as you’d like.”

Ben watched her walk across the flat. She looked absolutely fantastic in a formfitting, gunmetal-gray sleeveless gown that tapered and swirled over all her curves. She grabbed a small handbag off her kitchen table then wrapped herself in a long flowing shawl.

He ran his hands over the purple velvet. “Very nice.” He wanted to unwrap her as though she was a Christmas gift and carry her to bed.

“It’s lined with silk.” She rubbed the smooth silver underside along his fingers.

“You’re killing me.” He leaned in for another kiss but she playfully ducked out of the way.

“I hope not, I have plans for you later.” She winked and his stomach flipped. “We’re going to be late. Come on.”

“Are you still staying at the hotel with me tonight?”

“Yes. Good thing you reminded me.” Her heels clicked across the wooden floor and she picked up a small bag from alongside the couch. “Now I’m ready.”

Ben’s cock throbbed in reply.
So am I.

As their limo lined up behind the others, Ben could sense Julia’s tension level rising. She fiddled with the edge of her shawl as she craned her neck to peek out the window.

He slipped his hand under the shawl and rubbed her back. “You’ll be fine, just stick close to me.”

She nodded, still looking terrified.

Cameras were already flashing when Ben stepped out of the car. He straightened his jacket then reached for Julia’s hand. She gripped it tightly as she stepped onto the sidewalk. Her hair glimmered in the bright lights, her eyes nearly matched the violet color of her shawl. He swelled with pride from having her by his side.

They walked the long roped-off walkway heading into the building. Several reporters stopped them along the way. He squeezed Julia’s hand, giving her reassuring smiles. She stammered the first time she was asked about her dress so he helped her out. “It’s a Julia Jones original, designed by the lovely woman wearing it.”

She flushed but he could see the change in her body language—she stood taller, looking confident for the first time this evening. By the time they reached the last cluster of press she was answering the questions with ease.

Ben placed his hand at the base of her spine, loving the feel of her hips swaying as she moved. He held the door as they entered the lobby.

“How’d I do?” she asked.

“You were brilliant. I may have to take you with me to all these things from now on.”

The opulence of the ballroom was overwhelming to Julia, but Ben immediately tracked down Niles and Lizzy. By the time Julia had finished her first sea breeze, Paul and Felicity had arrived. The music was blaring and they all wound up dancing and drinking for hours. Julia couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun.

“What are you grinning about?” Ben asked.

“I should have known you’d be a fantastic dancer.”

“Well, drummers do have to know how to find the beat.”

Julia giggled. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Oh?” His eyebrows arched.

“They say you can judge how good a man will be in bed by how well he dances.”

“Oh they do, do they?” He kissed her, hard, making her think they shouldn’t stay much longer.

Julia excused herself to the ladies’ room and Lizzy and Felicity tagged along. They set their bags on the long marble counter while Felicity ducked into a stall.

Lizzy dabbed around her eyes with a tissue. “I always look like a raccoon by the end of the night, how did you keep your eyeliner from running? It’s like a bloody furnace in that room with everyone dancing.”

“Blot with a tissue then press a tiny bit of powder under each eye. Want me to show you?”

“Sure.” Lizzy looked skeptical but held still while Julia worked on her eyes.

“That’s all. It’s a trick I learned at one of the photo shoots.”

“Good trick.” Lizzy studied herself in the mirror and her expression grew serious. “You know, I really wanted to dislike you. Sheila was my absolute best friend and I didn’t think I’d ever like seeing Ben with anyone else. But you’re really good for him.”

“Really?” Julia felt her chest tighten.

Lizzy gave a small smile. “It’s wonderful to see him happy again. I’d forgotten how contagious his smile can be.”

Julia felt her face get hot. “He has a great smile.”

“Well, it’s nice to see it so often again, and you’re the cause. Thanks for that.”

“You’re welcome.”

Felicity wove slightly as she headed toward them. “What are you two on about?”

“Julia just gave me a fab makeup tip. Here. Looks like you can use a touch-up as well.”

Julia watched as Lizzy applied her technique to Felicity.
She’s actually quite nice when she wants to be.
It felt as if a burden had been lifted to have her approval.

Ben strode toward her as soon as they left the ladies’ room. “I was wondering where you three got off to.” He snaked his arm around her waist, holding her close.

“Just some girl talk.”

“Everything all right?” His eyes searched hers.

“Quite.”

“Good.” He kissed the side of her head, his lips lingering next to her ear. “What do you say we head out now?”

“I say that sounds like a great idea.”

“Excellent.” He guided her through the lobby, his hand rubbing small circles against her hip, a preview of the rest of their night. Julia’s heart fluttered in anticipation.

The throng of reporters still lingering outside startled her, cameras flashing. Several people moved toward them, microphones and cameras everywhere. Julia tensed and felt Ben tighten his grip on her waist. “Just stay close, we don’t have to run the line again.”

She tried to follow Ben but someone grabbed her arm, pulling her away. She froze, unable even to process the question she was being asked. Before she could think, Ben was yanking the man’s hand off her, shoving him back. “Leave the lady alone, chap. No more comments.” He led Julia straight to the limo where the driver quickly closed the door.

Even in the safety of the car she was shaken.

Ben reached out and touched her and she jumped, scooting away from him. His eyes flashed. “Hey, take it easy. You okay?”

She nodded, realizing it was just Ben and she was totally overreacting. “I’m fine, I just want to get to the hotel.”

* * * * *

Julia took her overnight bag and headed straight into Ben’s bathroom, closing and locking the door. She hung her shawl on the hook behind the door and immediately stepped out of her gown. She turned the water on and splashed some on her face, trying to focus on getting her breathing back to normal. By the time she’d finished washing her face and slipping into the silky nightgown, she felt calmer.

Ben was sitting on the small sofa waiting for her. He handed her a glass of ice water. “I’ll be out in two seconds.”

He headed into the bathroom and Julia sipped her water. She hung her dress on a hanger and folded up her shawl. Just as she set it down on the nightstand, he came back into the room. His shirt was unbuttoned but he still wore his trousers. He looked delightfully disheveled.

“Feeling better?” he asked as he neared the bed.

She nodded. “Lie down with me.”

His lopsided smile melted her heart. He stepped out of his trousers, tossing them over the back of the nearby chair, then shrugged out of his shirt. The sight of him still took her breath away.

He sprawled alongside her. She reached out to brush his hair off his forehead but it fell right back into his eyes. He kissed her hand then her wrist, his thumb massaging her inner arm.

She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I freaked out before.”

“It’s okay. All the press stuff is overwhelming, I understand.”

She shook her head and fiddled with the edge of the pillowcase. “It’s not just that.” She paused, not sure how to explain. “You remember my ‘no guys in the apartment’ rule, right?”

“Quite well.” His voice was soft and soothing, his eyes dark and patient.

“That was because I didn’t want to be alone with a man…after what my ex did to me.”

Ben’s face tightened. “Okay…”

She decided it was best to just say it. “He hit me.”

Ben flinched as though he’d been slapped. His fingers kept their soothing rhythm against her arm but she could see the anger on his face. “Often?”

“No. It started with him being more aggressive. Yanking my arm or grabbing me way harder than normal. He was very controlling and the physical stuff just got worse. I tried to pass it off as him not realizing how rough he was being or not knowing his own strength. And he’d just say I was fragile and bruised too easily.”

Ben’s nostrils flared, his eyes were as dark as onyx.

“One night I came home and he’d been going through my emails. He was convinced I was having an affair, which I wasn’t. He slammed me into my desk chair and started clicking open messages on my computer, demanding I explain who every male client was. I got mad and refused to do it, so he hit me.”

Ben exhaled slowly, his neck muscles visibly strained.

“I got away from him and went straight to a friend’s house. I broke up with him the next day.”

“Did he leave you alone after that?”

“No. I had to get a restraining order. He was always lurking outside the building. Once I got the police involved he got the hint. He took a job out in California and moved within a few weeks. That was almost a year ago. I knew I was safe, but I was still afraid to let anyone else get close to me.”

Ben’s gentle fingers curled around her waist. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m thankful for you. You’re the first person I’ve felt safe with in a long time. You always protect me.”

Julia looked so delicate and vulnerable Ben wanted to sweep her into his arms. The thought of anyone hurting her made him crazed. “Of course I protect you. I love you.” The words tumbled out before he even thought about them. His stomach tensed as he realized what he’d said.