Chapter Fifty One

"Are you OK?"

Aaron slipped back into his seat and stared at Julia nursing her glass of wine like a comfort blanket. It was a long moment before she nodded.

"My mother...." she dipped her head towards her phone. "Perfect timing to ruin my day."

He sighed, his news that he was disappearing would be a double whammy. He bit his tongue over that for a moment, "what she want?"

Julia rolled her eyes, "for me to accept the money...'for the family'."

"Ouch."

That made her smile, "ouch indeed. Needless to say I hung up."

"You thought about what you want to do with it, for definite?"

She took a long slug of wine before replying. "I thought of what you said, setting up a charity...but I'll never be free of him, of it...and I hate that."

"I get that. But you can use it for the greater good, to help others. That might make you feel at least you are sticking your finger up at him."

"But someone would have to run it, manage whatever I set up...and that would be torture...every single day."

It was a no win conversation, that was for sure, he had hoped that she'd get more clarity over things, but the damage caused to her psyche by that bastard of a man was deep rooted.

"He can't hurt you any more, and you are growing everyday. That's enough for now, hey?"

She nodded, and the conversation ended with the arrival of their tapas, he could only smile as Julia dived in head first.

The sun was setting in the distance, people strolled along the wooden promenade, and they had a perfect view from their table outside the bar to watch the world go by. He'd not spent time like the last few months with her in forever. And he was enjoying it. Once this disaster in Seattle was managed, he was determined to step back. He had grafted for far too long, he needed to delegate, step back and start to enjoy life.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Her quiet voice dragged him from the depths of his thoughts.

"Not worth a penny, just thinking about how perfect this is, relaxing....not working..."

"Luke said you're a workaholic."

That made him smile, "what do you think?"

She pondered rather too deliberately, and far too long before she offered, "well, you are married to your office....you put in ridiculously long days...but you take time to visit an ill octogenarian, you care for two cute puppies....and you have a well stocked fridge in your roof top garden. I'd say the boy knows how to play....he just don't do it often enough."

He laughed at her attempt at a gangster voice, "you have helped me, made me see what I'm missing."

Again she rolled her eyes, "me? I am the least adventurous and exciting person in the world."

"You know that's not true."

The waiter appeared and took their plates, he took that chance to ask for the bill, "let's walk."

He tossed enough cash to cover the meal, then held out a hand to her. For a moment he thought she'd decline, but her small hand slid into his and they started the stroll.

Julia was struggling to get past the conversation with her mother, Aaron was a welcome distraction, but the nausea was there in her throat, the anxiety raising it's head. She had thought that dealing with her sex hang ups would see her over it all, it was so much more complex than that. The thought of using her Uncle's money made her feel sick. But would creating a charity make him ever present in her life again?

Aaron's warm hand, squeezing her own pulled her out of that nightmare as he pointed out a boat pitched out at sea. He was the perfect tonic to her fears and anxieties.

Families, groups of youngsters, the whole place was filled with people embracing a beautiful summer's night. When she leaned against Aaron, he slipped his arm around her shoulders, and it felt right, natural. She was getting used to him touching her, she wanted him to touch her. That was something she never thought she'd say.

"Shall we go back? Even if I wasn't bordering on sunburnt and tired, there are two dogs I am sure are desperate to have a piss..."

Julia looked up at Aaron and laughed, "I guess you're right on all three counts."

They weren't far from the apartment, and they could see the dogs jumping around on the balcony, "see!" He offered, pointing at them.

Julia was on the large whicker armchair, legs curled up under her, when the dogs preceded Aaron into the apartment, Coco ran and threw herself up onto her legs, then rolled around her lap looking for a scratch.

Aaron watched from the doorway, "that bloody animal is becoming a full on Thespian. Talk about dramatic."

Julia leaned forward and nuzzled her head, "she's my little angel, aren't you, darling?"

Rolling his eyes, he moved back into the apartment, before emerging with two beers, "one for the road?"

Soft music, sleeping dogs, and light conversation, could an evening get any better? Aaron appreciated all that he had as he sat across the lounge from Julia, the fresh sea breeze blowing in through the open balcony doors, but he was on edge as Tom had messaged him when he was walking the dogs to say they were booked on a midday flight the following day. He knew he couldn't fight this, but it didn't make him happy.

"You're quiet...since that phone call."

He groaned, he shouldn't be surprised that Julia had picked up on his mood. "Work....intruding on my life."

"Mr Workaholic?" She referenced his own earlier comments.

That made him laugh, "very true. I've got to go back to Seattle."

"I know that."

With a hefty sigh, he added, "tomorrow. Got to be in JFK by ten thirty."

Without responding, she stood and offered him a hand, when he raised an eyebrow in question, she merely said, "we don't have much time."

And just like that, before he had chance to process the lack of drama in her reaction to that revelation, his libido was on fire.

She was skittish, he was so aware of that, but Julia was also fiery, and with every day her courage seemed to bloom. They'd barely reached the bedroom door and she'd pushed him up against the wall, hands all over him as she pressed her mouth to his. Aaron gave himself a minute to enjoy that, especially when her hand ran over the front of his shorts, cupping him briefly. But he also recognised this for what it was, her attempts at control, not enjoyment. One day she'd learn that her pleasure was her power, because it was. With a groan, he pulled back, dragged himself off her, and then tossed her down to the bed with ease.

As he moved over her, kissed her nose, he gave a little 'tut', "I've told you we are not rushing this, and you are going to come, several times before we even get close to that, you got it?"

She blushed, and that made him smile, and in absence of any protest, he started to pull at her clothes. He knew she wanted to fight him, but this was happening the right way, with her being worshipped as she deserved.

For Julia, the anxieties of the evening, the fears, the insecurities, all dissolved as Aaron's mouth ran over her body, licking her collar bone, sucking gently at her nipple, biting the sensitive flesh below her belly button...then lower as he dived between her legs to devour her. She didn't remember much after that, she just had feelings, and they were all fucking amazing.

It wasn't long before they both collapsed onto the mattress, spent, exhausted and sweaty.

"I should shower," she offered as he kissed her neck. But his response was a shake of the head.

"I love you tasting of sweat, and me."

And that melted her all over again.

"I wish I didn't have to go." It was the tenth time he'd said that since the alarm had woken them far too soon. They'd repeated the activities that preceded sleep several times through the night, and now that they had a time agenda, the lack of sleep was catching up with them.

"It's what pays the bills," Julia reassured him. Not for the first time. She'd also insisted that she would be there when he called, and waiting for him to come home. That seemed to help. "And there was no other way you'd let me drive your car!"

His eyes widened as he looked at her, trying to hide the truth in that comment, they'd agreed that she'd drop him at the airport then drive the car home, but that had involved a call to his insurance company to cover that.

Now, the dogs were in their car seats, and the bags were loaded. Reluctantly, Aaron opened the passenger door, and waved her in, but he reached for her wrist as she made to step into the car, and planted his lips on hers, a sweet, passion filled moment.

"What was that for?" She asked breathlessly,when he finally released her.

"Won't get much chance at the airport, but really, just because...."

That made her blush again, and she didn't miss the smile that created on his face.

The apartment without him was quiet, empty...lonely even. Julia hadn't felt lonely as much as she had the last few months living in the US. Aaron messaged regularly, but the time difference and their work schedules meant that actual conversation was at a minimum. Work was busy, the Taylor-Jerome debacle continued, and Julia was a worthy observer. Most nights she Skyped with Abi, the wedding was progressing. Late August gave them less then five months, but for her friend, it seemed like tomorrow. She was panicking, and it took all of Julia's negotiation skills to talk her down...every night.

Communication with Aaron was limited to text messages, and she knew they both hated that.

Aaron hadn't slept in days, forensic analysis of the company accounts had thrown up some random IP addresses that no one seemed to recognise, and whilst it took days, hour after hour, as he had and Tom finally made it back to their hotel on Thursday night, they were optimistic that the end was in sight.

"Night cap?"

Aaron could barely keep his eyes open, but he turned to Tom and nodded, "they do high grade whisky in the first floor bar. On me."

He drained the first shot, sat beside his friend on adjacent bar stools, but the second one he nursed.

"We've almost got this."

He could only raise an eyebrow at Tom's enthusiasm, "I like your optimism."

Tom clapped him on the back, "we are narrowed things down to just a few possibilities. We're off the hook ourselves, this is a good thing."

Aaron nodded, "I know. You're right. But this is tiring, I'm not sure I can do this much longer."

"Travel?" Tom asked with a laugh.

Sipping at the expensive amber nectar, he paused for a moment, "and the rest. This chaos."

Tom laughed loudly, "you are the King Workaholic. I don't believe a word!"

Rolling his eyes, Aaron checked his pocket for his phone. Julia had text him before she went to bed. His watch informed him it was five am back in Brooklyn, too early to call her back. But suddenly he needed to hear her voice, they'd barely spoken all week and it was tearing him in two.

Gambling on the fact that she'd be getting up for work in an hour or so, he thumbed a quick message.

Finally getting back to hotel, feel free to call and wake me, I need to hear your voice.

Sliding the phone back into his pocket, it was a long moment before he realised that Tom was staring at him.

"What?"

Tom shook his head, "never thought I'd see the day!" His puzzled expression obviously spurred more from his friend and colleague, "Aaron Harding, talking about easing back on work, absorbed in text messages...is this the lodger that you've fallen in love with?"

Aaron guffawed loudly, "I am not in love with anyone, and she is NOT a lodger, OK?"

Tom kept laughing, "wait until I tell Adele, she is ALWAYS speculating about your elusive love life....or lack of."

Aaron rolled his eyes again, "your wife is obviously not busy enough, maybe it's time for baby number two?"

That made Tom laugh equally as he had, "touché, amigo. But seriously, not seen you like this before."

Aaron drained his drink, "it's nothing too much, we're just spending time together, that's all."

"Well if we get back for the weekend, then you HAVE to bring her to ours, I'll grill a few steaks...."

"...whilst Adele grills her? Not sure."

They parted a little later, and headed to their rooms, Aaron could barely keep his eyes open as he slid between the sheets. But as he settled, he managed to check his phone, and he was disappointed to see Julia hadn't replied as he closed his eyes, hated that he needed her so badly.