Page 50 of Impossible Rapids
“I wish you’d let that be enough.” Hays raised an eyebrow. “I noticed the deposit.”
Shawn chuckled at that. “Mercedes would’ve paid you more.”
“No, she wouldn’t have.” Hays clasped him in a brief hug, then released him and gave Julie a hug. “I’ll come say goodbye tomorrow.” Then he walked down the hall and he and Theo walked down the stairs.
Julie and Shawn were alone.
Well, except for security cameras and the set of guards who would be walking by within the next ninety seconds.
“How’s everything going?” she asked, meeting his blue gaze and feeling faint. Maybe she should’ve eaten dinner.
“Well. Thank you.” He eased closer and rested his hand against the wall. “I have great news. Wallace has everything set to meet with the judge tomorrow. He thinks he’ll sign off on all the endowment transfers.”
“And that means the Belle legacy and inheritances will be in the Holister name?”
He nodded. “And unless Lucas and Arianna find a way to stop it, they won’t have any reason to kill me. Even if I die without an heir, all the money, property, foundations, businesses, and jewelry would go to the charities I’ve designated, not revert to the Belle family as they’ve done for generations.”
“Wow. I’ll pray for all to go well tomorrow, then. I really want you safe without a target on your back.”
“Thank you.” He lifted his other hand and cupped her waist. “Jules. Once that is in place, you’ll be safe as well, and I’ll be free to …” He swallowed and studied her.
To kiss her? To love her? Mercedes had only been gone six weeks. Surely he wasn’t ready to move on. Had his worries only been about securing his fortune? That didn’t seem like the Shawn she knew.
Jerome and Blaine appeared at the top of the stairs. Shawn straightened away from her, nodding to both of them. They both tilted their chins up to them and walked on, descending the back staircase.
Shawn focused back on her, but his gaze was full of frustration. “I’ve been waiting so long,” he murmured.
“So long for what?”
His gaze traced slowly over her and then he said, “You.”
Julie’s entire body lit up. Her heart raced out of control. He eased in and pinned her against the wall. She couldn’t breathe, but she could smell his mind-altering bergamot and citrus scent and feel his strength and the delicious tingles his touch created throughout her body.
“Unnasti,” he murmured.
Julie gasped at the beautiful significance of that word.
He bowed his head and fused their lips together. His kiss was strong and brave and true, the kiss of a true Viking warrior come to claim his lady. He kissed her so beautifully she could only lean into the wall for support and cling to his muscular back and return the kiss with all the longing she had stored inside her.
Footsteps approached, and they broke apart.
Shawn glanced over at Hays and Theo coming to do another round.
He straightened away from her, looked up at the camera on the wall and then muttered to Hays and Theo, “Please, don’t share anything about … this. I have to keep her safe.”
They both nodded, but Hays grinned and gave her a conspiratorial wink.
“We’ll be moving on.” Hays saluted them and the pair hurried off down the hall.
Shawn focused back on Julie. “Tomorrow, Jules. I want to tell you everything and …” The joy in his eyes disappeared, and she wondered if she’d imagined it. He clenched a fist. “I … shouldn’t have.”
“Shouldn’t have?” she repeated, putting a hand to her lips. His gaze went smoky hot, and she thought he’d kiss her again.
Shawn reached for her hand, clasped it in both of his, and lifted it to his lips. His warm lips and breath on the back of her hand shot fire through her.
Then he released her hand, opened her door, and gently ushered her inside. “I’m sorry. I can’t. Not yet. When Franz and I get through with the judge, can we talk?”
Julie leaned against the doorframe. She was exhausted. She wanted him to hold her and kiss her, but the timing wasn’t right. Would the meeting with the judge somehow fix that?