Chapter 169

Cassie

The stew was delicious, warm and super savory. I made a mental note to ask Scarlett for the recipe so I could try it and the moment I did I felt a wave of sadness. I'd asked another woman for a recipe once. A beautiful kind soul who had cared for me just like Scarlett did and that woman had ended up dying to make sure I remained safe. I missed Cathy.

I didn't want to sentence Scarlett to the same fate as my old house keeper and that's what being my friend seemed to be. A death sentence.

Scarlett was an alpha now, she had people who depended on her. I needed to keep my distance.

"You are sad." Across the island, his bowl of stew completely untouched I met Julian's eyes and forced myself to smile.

"I'm not sad."

Slowly he pushed his way up from his stool and stalked towards me and that's exactly what it looked like. Like he was stalking me. Like he was the predator and I was his prey. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes. One that spoke of claiming and ownership.

"Then you should tell that to your face." He came to a stop to the side of me. But didn't touch me. "Cassie you know you can talk to me right? About anything. I don't want there to be any secrets between us."

The spoon froze in the air between the bowl and my lips and slowly I turned my head to stare up at him. It was crazy to think that we didn't have secrets all couples did but I wasn't hiding a secret from him right now. My grief was private but a secret to be protected.

"I was just thinking about Cathy." I said softly. Instantly his face fell. Twisting with his own grief.

"I miss her too." He said in a whisper. "She was such a huge part of my life growing up. Like a mother figure to me." His voice broke. "Did she -" he stuttered and scrubbed his hands against his face. "Did she? damn why can't I get the words out."

"She died bravely. She was strong and lovely and-"

His eye met mine. "How did she die Cassie? I heard rumours that it was bad and Scarlett said I didn't need to know but I can't help but think,"

I cut him off. "Scarlett is right , you don't need those images. Remember her in happier times. We owe her that." For a second I closed my eyes. "But she was brave. And loyal. She loved you." I opened my eyes again to find him just inches away from me.

"She loved you as well. She was always on at me for the way I treated you. A real ball buster was Cathy." The corners of his mouth twitched.

"Well someone needed to be." I pointed out. "But I think she would be proud of you now. I know-" my mouth fell open as he dropped to his knees in front of me.

"What are you doing?"

Julian didn't answer at first but he did bring his hands up to cover my knees and slide me around so I was facing them.

"I'm making you happy. Doing what Cathy would have wanted me to do." He said slipping his hands up my thighs. Pushing the shirt up my legs and parting them so he could move even closer.

"I don't think this is quite what she meant." I pointed out but my words came out jumbled.

"Eat your food Cassie." Julian ordered.

"How am I meant to eat when-" I moaned softly as he massaged my thighs with his thick fingers.

Shaking myself I stared down at his smiling happy face. "Eat." He repeated the smile, never leaving his face.

"You're not eating." I pointed out.

For a moment his eyes flickered to the island where his untouched food sat and then his grin grew wider and wider.

"When this is all over." He said softly , his face the perfect mixture of heat and tenderness. "Then we are going to have this every night."

My eyebrow arched. "Have what?"

"A family meal. All four of us."

"You haven't had a meal Julian." I pointed out. "You haven't touched it. So are you saying -"

"I'm saying that I want this. Every night for the rest of our lives. A home cooked meal, even if you cook it I'll eat it." He joked and I scowled at him. "A family meal."

Inch by inch his fingers tiptoed upwards. Pushing the shirt out of the way as he went.

"Julian." I stifled the urge to moan and leap on him. That's what I wanted to do. Force him downward with the weight of my body, tear off his clothes and ride him until neither one of us could take anymore.

"Cassie." He countered, a wide grin still playing over his full lips. "Eat." He nodded towards the bowl of rapidly cooling meat and vegetables. "Cathy would want you to eat. She would tell me off for not feeding you. For not looking after you properly."

He had a point there. Super aware that he was still kneeling in front of me I went to retrieve my spoon and froze. Julian's fingers were moving again. Kneading my flesh, parting me ever so slightly more. So I was almost speed legged on the stool. The shirt I had taken from him didn't cover me from the hips down and I was completely bare to him.

"She would also want you to eat." I pointed out. "Do you want me to reheat it for you and-"

I let out a startled breath. A whoosh of air as he slid between my thighs and lowered his face into me.

"I don't need you to reheat anything Cassie." He pointed out. His hot breath blew over my pulsating pussy. "I need you to sit and eat your food."

"And what will you eat?" I asked but I already knew the answer to that. I could see the promise of it in his eyes.

"Oh don't worry about me Cassie." The tip of his tongue appeared to wet his pink bottom lip. "I'm going to eat as well."