I kissed her again lightly. “Of course I can.” I hugged her to me and stroked her hair. “Come on. Let’s go to bed.”

When we got to her room, she removed her clothes and pulled on her pyjamas.

“I’m just going to grab a shower. I smell like beer.”

I was desperate to have her in my arms again, so I had a lightning quick shower and returned to her room within minutes, but she was already asleep. I pulled the covers back and quietly joined her. She was facing me, so I could marvel at her beautiful features. I couldn’t resist stroking her face and moving the loose strands of her hair away from her closed eyes. There was something very right about being in her bed, and I surprised myself how content I was just being there with her. For the first time in my life, sex wasn’t the only reason to be in bed with a girl.

Juliette found comfort in my arms. When I was with her, I felt important somehow. I’d never blamed my past for anything. It was weak to use the past to justify your mistakes or shortcomings. I had spent the last five years trying to make peace with what happened in that house and the first snippet of hope I’d felt was with Juliette. Clearly we both had demons, but no one gets a free ride. Everyone has baggage—things they wish they could change—and God knows there’s things I’d have changed, but that was impossible.

Before sleep found me, Juliette started speaking. Initially I thought she had woken up, but her mumblings were incoherent and obviously part of a dream or perhaps a nightmare.

“No. No. No. Mother. No. I can’t. Mother. No. Don’t hurt him. Please.”

There was something really tormenting this beautiful girl, and I was going to be there to help her.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Juliette

I woke up early—hot and disoriented. Then I realised it was because a hot man was lying half across my body and was wrapped around me. The night before came flooding back. I buried my face into his neck and inhaled, willing his incredible scent to somehow push thoughts of my horror night away. I allowed myself a moment to enjoy being with this incredible man who seemed to value my existence.

When Leo stirred, I tried to move away from him as he oriented himself. Strong arms gripped me and soft lips kissed my neck. Desire shot through me as he feathered kisses along my jaw and cheek before finding my lips. The outside world was all but forgotten when he looked in my eyes and smiled.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

“Morning.” I didn’t know much about anything at that point, but I did know I liked waking up with him. “How did you sleep?”

“Best sleep ever. I might have to keep you.”

“Thanks for staying.”

“My pleasure. Anytime.”

Our clothes were quickly discarded. I was becoming accustomed to his body, every rock-hard inch of it, and I was enjoying sex more than ever before. In hindsight, sex with Richard had been more like a chore to tick off the to-do list. If we skipped a week here or there, we barely noticed. With Leo, I couldn’t get enough.

Completely sated, I stretched out my body into star position when he got up to discard the condom in the bathroom. When he came back to bed wearing nothing but his black boxers, he gathered me into his side and put his arm around me protectively; his thumb rubbed my knuckles and squeezed my hand. For the millionth time, he stole my breath.

“Can we talk about last night?”

I sighed, knowing I couldn’t avoid it forever.

“Tell me what happened that upset you so much, Jules.”

“I want to tell you everything, but I’m afraid you’ll run screaming for the hills.”

“Try me. I can guarantee I’m not going anywhere.”

I propped myself up with pillows and Leo did the same.

“Last night my whole life got tipped upside down and shaken up.” I told him all about my conversation with my dad and he listened intently. He was a really good listener, I discovered.

“So the voicemail message you left on my phone. What was that about? You sounded traumatised by something.”

I didn’t really want to tell him, but I wanted to be completely open with him. “I caught Richard and my mother together.”

“Jesus Christ. No wonder you were upset. I’m sorry, Jules.”

“She’s in a bad way, Leo. Breaking up with Richard seems to have triggered a complete meltdown. She had me followed, for God’s sake.” I shook my head at the ludicrous things I was telling him.

“She had you followed?”

“The guy at fight night. I’d seen him at the gym and on the street a couple of times.”

“What?” He sat up and looked murderous suddenly. “You recognised the guy who attacked you? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You were pissed off at me for being there. Remember? It didn’t seem important. Anyway, she’s going to get help now, so it should be the end of it.”

“Take the day off work and spend the today with me.” His eyes reinforced his demand with an intensity I’d only ever witnessed on this man. “I’m worried about you.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. You saw me defend myself and win.” I grinned, remembering the look of shock and pain on his face.

“Fuck, Juliette.” His harsh tone wiped the grin from my face. “This isn’t a joke. He could’ve really hurt you.”

“I’m sorry.” I tried to keep a straight face. “I’m not afraid of danger, and if I’m honest, I get a thrill out of it.”

“It’s one thing to enjoy the rush of adrenaline. It’s another to take on guys twice your size and think you’re invincible. Next time there could be a lethal weapon or backup or a million other scenarios I’d rather not explore.” The crease in his already furrowed brow deepened. “It will catch up with you one day and I don’t want to see that happen.” He cupped my chin so I was forced to look at him. “I won’t see that happen.”

“I guess I’ve never really cared before. I train and study hard, so I’m far from being a sitting duck and adrenaline has always made me feel so alive.”

Leo grimaced. “You’re being too flippant with your safety and that pisses me off.”

“Look. Last night I watched my mother seducing my ex-boyfriend.” I shuddered at the memory. “I’m not really sure I’ll ever get over that, but learning to fight and searching for adrenaline have been the only ways I’ve found to help deal with everything life has thrown at me.” I paused, not sure whether I should tell him about my first competitive fight at Lilydale next weekend. “Sometimes adrenaline feels like an addiction I can’t shake. I love it and I don’t care if I’m putting myself in danger. That’s kind of the point.”

“I get that, Juliette. Trust me. But you need to rein it in a bit and not get yourself in situations you can’t control.”

“I’m going to my first competitive fight next Saturday evening.” I just ripped the Band-Aid off, scrunched up my nose and waited for his reaction.

“What the hell, Juliette?” His whole body went rigid against me. “Why would you want to do that?”

“Fighting is my bliss. I love training with Zac, and he wants to see if I have what it takes in the ring. I want to feel that rush.”

“Where is the fight?”

“Lilydale.”

“Lightning Fight Centre?”

“Yep. The night starts at seven thirty and I’ll be on early as it’s my first fight. I imagine I’ll be done and dusted by eight.”

Leo blew out a long breath and, despite the angst radiating off his body, a look of resignation overshadowed. “Well, if I can’t talk you out of it, I’m coming with you. I know a few people there. If I think it’s getting out of hand, I’ll drag you out, and there’ll be nothing you can do about it.”

“Thank you.” I climbed into his lap and straddled him. “I’d love you to be there.”

Letting out a long breath, Leo responded with a simple command. “Call your boss.”

“If it means that much to you.” I shrugged my shoulders.