Foolish Games(53)

“Jesus!” he whispered as he pulled her into his arms.

Julianne tried to pull away, but he was stronger.

“Julianne,” he breathed into her hair. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

His big hand rubbed her back, and her body involuntarily relaxed. There was something about being in Will’s arms that called to her. All these years after the accident and she still craved the gentle hugs only her mother had ever bothered to give her. Julianne’s father blamed her for the death of her mother, sending her off to boarding school weeks after the accident. Stephen, twelve years older, was a stranger and provided little comfort. Nicky had been the only constant in her life. But his was an emotional comfort, not physical. Until Will, she hadn’t known how big that hole was in her life.

“Your mother. Was she driving the car?”

Nodding, she gulped back another sob as she nestled in further against Will’s chest.

“I’m sorry, Princess. I’m an ass.” He brushed his lips against her forehead. “I didn’t mean it.”

He leaned down to peer into her eyes. “None of this is your fault,” he whispered.

“Except it is,” she sobbed. “All of it.”

Will lifted her in his arms and carried her to the family room, sitting down in the bulky armchair, tucking Julianne in his lap.

“No, Julianne, it’s not. Whatever happened, happened when you were a child. You’re not to blame.”

He stroked her hair and she snuggled into the haven of his arms. They sat quietly for a few moments with only the sound of the ocean butting up against the seawall and Owen’s steady breathing over the baby monitor.

“We were at my mother’s studio in San Vincenzo. I wanted to go back to Rome to see my dad. I don’t know why, but I was angry at my mom. I’ve tried for years to remember what provoked me, but I can’t. It’s weird because I loved my mom. She was my best friend. We never fought, but that day I desperately wanted my dad.”

Will said nothing, simply stroking her hair.

“There was a terrible storm. I was in the backseat of the car sleeping, but the thunder woke me. My mom was in the front seat with Nicky.”

She felt Will’s body stiffen. Julianne sat up and looked into his eyes. “Nicky and I have been friends since we were kids. Our fathers were in the diplomatic corps together. He’s like family.”

Will slowly nodded. She wasn’t sure if he was accepting her defense of Nicky or he just wanted her to go on.

“It’s weird, though; my mother and Nicky were arguing, too. I can’t remember what about, though. And when I’ve asked him, he always says it was nothing.” She sighed. “Anyway, my mother went to take a sharp turn and the wheels slipped off the road. The next thing I remember, we were in the water, the car submerging. My mom wouldn’t move. There was a lot of blood on her forehead.” She paused to catch her breath. “Nicky pulled me out of the backseat and pushed me out of the car before it sank all the way. We couldn’t get Mama. The car was gone before we could reach her.”

“Shh.” Will pulled her back against him as tears streamed down her face, his hand once again rubbing her back. “It’s okay, Princess. You’re safe now. You’re with me.”

And for the first time in many years, Julianne did feel safe. Safe in the arms of the man who was, but wasn’t, her husband.

“No wonder you were such a wreck that night of Chase’s wedding.” His lips found her forehead again. “I’m sorry. I took advantage of you.”

She turned to face him, her finger tracing his jaw. “No. I needed someone to take care of me that night. And for the first time, someone was there for me . . . you.”

He toyed with a strand of her hair. “None of this is your fault. The accident. Your mother’s death. Owen. None of it, Julianne.”

His face begged her to believe him. Staring into his sparkling green eyes, she felt lighter than she had in many years. More hopeful. She moved her finger to trace his lips, and his eyes clouded with hunger. It would be so easy to lean in and kiss him. To start fresh. The corners of his mouth turned up as if he could read her mind.

“Ahem.”

Annabeth stood in the doorway, the baby monitor in her hand. Owen was whining softly.

Julianne jumped from Will’s lap. “Annabeth! Hi.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt.”

“You’re not interrupting.” Julianne nudged Will, but he didn’t get up, a pained expression crossed his face.

“I thought I’d spend a little time with my grandson.” Annabeth waved the monitor. “It sounds like he’s awake.”