Tis The Season for Secrets (Village of Yule #2)

3. Juliet

A fter an hour or two of much-needed gossiping, Juliet and Margot were joined in the bar by Margot’s new potential clients, who’d been smart enough to leave Hugo’s party early. They were promptly invited to go dancing, which Margot eagerly accepted. It was a little past midnight, and though Juliet didn’t want to go home, she didn’t feel like going to a club. Her personal space had been invaded enough for one evening, and she was far too comfortable with the bar’s oversized armchairs, Christmas tree glittering with red and gold ornaments, limitless snacks, and a cosy fire to be tempted out into the snow.

Left alone, Juliet enjoyed the quiet ambience. Only a few stragglers remained at the long bar behind her, and she couldn’t have been more content with her hot whiskey and the unattainable manuscript. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for her sense of victory to drain away. Settling in, she slipped off her heels and slid them under the low, mirrored coffee table in front of her, since no one was paying her any mind.

“How could he write this crap?” she groaned after struggling through the first twenty pages. Burying her face in the pages, she prayed for it to get better, but after reading two more pages of Hugo prattling on about his many conquests, she couldn’t help but laugh. There’s no way Baum, or anyone, could publish this. “I’m never going to get promoted!”

After going through so much trouble to get the damn book, it wasn’t even worth the effort it would take to burn it. It was so sad, all she could do was chuckle; if she didn’t laugh, she was sure she would cry.

The waiter distracted her from her sorrows by placing a drink next to her already empty glass.

Her brows pulled together in confusion. “Sorry – I didn’t order this?”

The waiter, who was clearly no stranger to self-tanner, smiled at her politely. “It’s from the gentleman at the far end. He said you looked like you needed it,” he said, motioning over his shoulder to the bar.

Slowly, Juliet turned round to find the staggeringly handsome stranger from the earlier collision in the hallway, staring unashamedly at her. Swiftly turning away, she wondered if he would take her acknowledgment as a sign to come over. Clearly, he hadn’t stayed long at Hugo’s party either. Is he at least going to ask for my number? My name? What’s the point in sending over a drink if he’s not going to ask me out? The questions were killing her.

“Thank him for me,” she said quickly, though she had no intention of drinking anything from a stranger, no matter how handsome he was. Maybe this is his way of making up for not saying anything outside the suite? The kind gesture might be his apology.

The waiter nodded in acknowledgment and went back to the bar. Juliet cursed herself for not inviting the guy over – or maybe she should’ve gone over to apologise again for bumping into him. Taking a deep breath, she turned to wave him over, but it was too late. He was gone.

Sinking into her chair, she rationalised her disappointment. He was a stranger. A three-second encounter shouldn’t have melted her brain, but it had.

“You’re welcome.” The stranger’s sudden appearance by her side shocked her from her thoughts. Was this guy some sort of magician? A cute, British magician, judging from his accent.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“You didn’t. I was just distracted,” she finally said, wondering what shade of red she was. She guessed from his pale blue shirt and the tie tucked into his black trousers that he was here on business.Despite her dress riding up her thighs, exposing her smooth, pale skin, his eyes remained fixed on hers. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, she tucked her bare feet under her.

“Then I’m sorry I distracted you. I don’t normally approach beautiful woman in bars in the middle of the night.” He shifted back on his heels, and she wasn’t sure whether he was actually nervous or just acting so. She couldn’t help but stare at his prominent cheekbones and the dark eyebrows that highlighted his dark grey eyes.

“I find that hard to believe.” Juliet couldn’t believe she’d just spoken her thoughts aloud. She gripped the manuscript on her lap tightly, wishing the chair would engulf her. He smiled, and went to reply, but he was cut off by his ringing phone.

“Forgive me,” he said, answering his phone. Much to her disappointment, he left the bar without so much as a second glance. It happened so quickly, she thought she’d imagined the interaction.

How weird was that? Juliet shook off the encounter and decided to punish herself with more of Hugo’s attempt at charm.

“The bar is closing for cleaning,” the bartender called out, and Juliet jumped like she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t.

“I’d better get home,” she muttered to herself, strapping on her heels and grabbing the manuscript and her clutch. It was amazing how fast time flew by when you were reading page after horrendous page.

Walking through the lobby, she saw the doorman was still on duty.

“I need a taxi, please?” Juliet asked him, only to notice that the path outside was coated in a thick layer of snow.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but the snow is coming down something terrible. We haven’t been able to call any taxis.” The white-haired man with the large top hat smiled at her sadly. She winced, not fancying a freezing trek, but she had to get home.

“Do you think I could catch one on Douglas Street? It’s only a five-minute walk up the block.” She’d never considered the snow.

“I wouldn’t risk it.” He shook his head. “They can arrange a car first thing in the morning at Reception. It’s 3am right now, and the earliest we’re expecting to have the road’s clear is seven. There might be a room or two left if you check at Reception.” Given how the information rolled off his tongue, she wasn’t the first person he’d given the spiel to. She wasn’t in any position to argue; she wouldn’t get far in heels.

“Thanks. I’ll ask at the desk.”

It turned out that Juliet wasn’t the only one stranded and in need of a room. She waited in a small queue, surprised when she spotted the stranger from earlier talking to someone by the elevator. He glanced in her direction, and she snapped her gaze forward, wondering why he hadn’t come back to the bar after his phone call. Not that she cared. Okay, maybe she did a little.

Luckily, a receptionist with bright red lipstick waved her over.

She stepped forward, then came to an abrupt halt when the stranger from the bar walked in front of her.

“Excuse me, but I believe I was next,” she protested. Even if he’d bought her a drink, she wasn’t going to let him cut the queue.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise,” he said, glancing at her over his shoulder with an apologetic smile. “I just needed to get a keycard – of course you can go first.” He motioned for her to go ahead. She did so quickly, embarrassed that she’d snapped.

“I’m sorry, Miss Frost, but there are no rooms left,” the receptionist informed her.

Juliet sighed, feeling the stranger’s eyes on her. He was probably amused by her being turned away.

“I can ask one of the other ladies with emergency accommodation if they wouldn’t mind sharing for the night, but I’m afraid it’ll be at their discretion.” The receptionist’s smile didn’t falter as she delivered the rest of the bad news: all the cars in their service were booked until the afternoon.

Juliet really didn’t like the idea of sharing with a stranger. “I’ll wait in the lobby. Hopefully the taxis will start running again soon.” She cursed herself for not leaving earlier with Margot. There was no way to know when the snow was going to stop or when taxi service would resume, and she had to get across the city by 8am to give Ms Baum the manuscript.

The receptionist moved on without a second glance. Juliet moved to the end of the counter as the stranger winked at her. She was beginning to think he was a curse. He seemed to turn up whenever something went wrong.

“Mr Duncan, is there anything I can assist you with?” the receptionist asked him. Juliet guessed he was a regular from the warmth of the greeting.

“Will, please,” he corrected her, and the receptionist blushed. “I’ve stupidly locked myself out of my suite. There’s a party happening beside me, and when I went to ask them to keep it down, I forgot to bring my keycard with me.”

Juliet rolled her eyes. The receptionist had lingered on every word and looked to be about a second away from salivating.

“I’m very sorry for the disruption. Please allow us to comp the night for you.” The receptionist’s wide smile told him she was eager to please.

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. Someone is handling it as we speak.” Will’s eyes drifted to Juliet as she pretended to look at her phone. She assumed the man he’d been speaking to by the elevator worked at the hotel. Looked like Hugo was in for an even rougher night.

“Could we talk for a moment?” Will said from beside her. She hadn’t noticed him approach; she kept trying to text Margot, but her messages weren’t going through.

“I’m not going to apologise for asking you to wait your turn,” she said defensively, putting her phone in her clutch.

To her surprise, he rested his hand on her lower back. Normally she’d have scolded a guy for uninvited physical contact, but he was merely guiding her away from the onlooking guests.

“I heard about your dilemma, and I wanted to ask if you’d like to stay with me?” he asked, placing his hands in his pockets.

Juliet stared at him, confused.

Reading her hesitation, he explained, “I’ve got a suite, and I promise to be a perfect gentleman. You can’t wait in the lobby all night.”

“Thank you, but I can’t impose. We don’t even know each other,” she hedged, searching his eyes for any hidden agenda. All she saw was kindness.

“I’m Will.” He extended his hand, and that cheeky grin threatened to break down her walls. “And if you’re worried about imposing, don’t. Consider it a Christmas miracle that you don’t have to stay in a draughty lobby for hours. At least, consider it my way of apologising for bumping into you earlier, then rudely leaving you in the bar, and then jumping the queue. I believe I’ve made a terrible first impression.”

The thought of staying in his suite made her heart flutter, while her better judgement tried to bypass her desire and remind her that he was a perfect stranger. Perfect being the operative word. However, as a cold breeze cut through the lobby and her bare legs, her desire won.

“Juliet,” she told him, taking his hand.

“A pleasure to meet you. Now, can we get out of this lobby?”

His kindness did something to her. She was far from drunk, but felt utterly intoxicated by his sheer presence. They walked to the elevator, her feet guiding her more than sense. She didn’t know what the hell she was doing, but she didn’t care.

“I was watching you earlier in the bar before I summoned up the courage to come over to you. You seemed like you were struggling. Nothing worse than a bad book,” Will said as the elevator doors closed behind them.

Why is there nothing sexier than a man who reads?

She didn’t think courage was something he was lacking. He had an air of ease about him.

“Watching me? I think serial killers use the same line.” She wanted to see if there was a sense of humour in those dark eyes.

“Watching you might not have been the best way to put it.” His deep laughter radiated low from his chest; the hearty sound only added to his charm. “I should’ve said it was your laugh that caught my attention. I couldn’t help but wonder what had you both so perplexed and entertained.”

Maybe it was the hot whiskeys making him so alluring, but his bashful explanation made her insides giddy. Sense of humour? Check .

“Just a manuscript that should never see the light of day.” Juliet hadn’t meant to draw attention to herself, but she didn’t mind attracting his.

“You work in publishing?” He eyed the manuscript, and she turned over the title page, afraid of bad-mouthing a client. Is he really asking me about work? Was he flirting or not?

“Trying to,” she said, letting out a sigh. “However, this book might kill my chances.”

“Good things come to those who put in the work. I’m sure you’ll get all your heart’s desires.”

“Are you in the business?” she asked, trying not to be distracted by what her heart desired right now as his hand brushed hers.

“No, just a keen reader. I’m in recruitment. Helping people find where they belong.” Given his evident ease with people, that made sense. Please don’t be a serial killer. Stealing subtle glances, Juliet established that there was no ring on his left hand. Not married, then.

“Genre of choice?” she asked, still ignoring the way his fingers were brushing hers playfully. With his easy charm and disarming smile, she wondered how many women he had loved and left haunted.

“True crime.” His gaze didn’t waver, but there was a teasing glint in his eye.

“Very funny.” Juliet nudged him gently, but her heel caught in the carpet as she moved. He caught her as her ankle gave way. “Sorry – carpet and heels aren’t a great combination.” She blushed as he held her flush against him.

She had planned to pull away, but the way his attention settled on her lips made her still. One night of absolute freedom with the most insanely handsome man she’d ever seen might be the best Christmas present she’d got to date. Maybe I should take a page out of Margot’s book and live a little! Taking a chance, she dropped her clutch and the manuscript and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The small smile on the corner of his mouth was all she needed. She rose on her tiptoes and brought her lips to his, gentle, seeking permission. In response, his hand travelled from her waist and into her hair, his lips demanding and possessive as he pinned her against the wall of the elevator.

“Sorry,” he panted, breaking away for a moment. She could feel the heat of his hand through her thin dress. “I promised to be a perfect gentleman.”

“What if I don’t want you to be a perfect gentleman?” she asked before she lost her courage. Being so bold felt rather refreshing and terrifying all at once. She had one or two brief relationships, though her last name tended to get in the way, but a one-night stand? Never.

“If?” Will asked, and she forced herself to meet his heavy gaze.

Her heart pounded. “I. Want. You.”

“Your wish is my command.” He kissed the back of her hand tenderly and brought it to his chest. She blushed as she felt his heart hammering beneath her palm. Seconds later, his lips crushed hers urgently once more.

She didn’t need air any more, only his lips. His hand grazed her thigh as he pressed her against the elevator wall. He took every inch she offered, and it was a heady sensation. No man had ever made her feel so desired in a matter of moments. She moaned into his lips as his fingertips brushed the edge of her short dress – but the bing of the elevator doors opening thrust them apart.

Juliet hurried to collect the manuscript, and when Will crouched to pick up her clutch, they couldn’t help but laugh as their eyes met. He seemed as surprised as she was by how carried away they’d got.

“This is just a one-night thing,” she clarified as they stepped out of the elevator, not wanting him to think she expected more.

“One might not be enough, but if that’s your wish, my night is yours.” It didn’t take them long to reach his suite; outside the door, he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Before we go any further, I want you to know that we can stop at any time. I’ll take the couch, and even give you first dibs on the shower in the morning. You can change your mind at any point, and I’ll happily make sure you get home safe,” he promised, his gaze drifting from her eyes to her lips.

“I should be the one giving you the choice. I practically threw myself at you in the elevator.” Juliet blushed again, her lips already feeling puffy from his kisses.

“I was an idiot for letting you walk away in the first place,” he said, brushing his lips against hers. A taste of what was to come.

He opened the door. She stepped inside, turning on the light by the couch in the centre of the suite and hyperaware of his presence at her back. He slipped his arm around her waist, and butterflies swirled under his touch.

“Sit down,” she rasped, regretting his absence as he did as he was told.

Reaching for the zip at the back of her dress, she hesitated, but his unashamed gaze reminded her of what he’d said: it was her night to do whatever she wanted. No space for embarrassment, shame, or overthinking about her imperfections. Standing between his legs, she unzipped her dress and let it fall down her body until she was completely exposed to him.

“I could spend the rest of my life watching you do just that.” He reached for her, but she rested her hand on his chest and pushed him back gently so that he settled on the cushions.

“I’ve got some other things in mind.” She smiled wickedly as she sank to her knees between his strong legs. He caressed her cheek as she undid his belt and unzipped his trousers. He was already hard, and the size of him startled her for just a moment before lust pooled in her belly and her fear turned to need.

Will groaned as she mercilessly tasted every inch of him. She smiled, proud of herself for bringing him so close to the edge, but she wasn’t done with him yet. His hand dropped from her hair as she stood, and he watched hungrily as she removed her heels and walked to the edge of the bed.

Getting up, he stood over her, his thumb brushing her rosy lips. “This mouth, these lips, could kill a man.”

She gasped in surprise as he lifted her and then stepped backwards so she ended up straddling him on the bed. She pulled the shirt from his shoulders, her tongue trailing over the tattoo that snaked over his shoulder and down his arm. Who the hell was this man? Actually, she didn’t care, too lost in the sensation of his hand on her waist. He tangled his hand into her hair, forcing her to look at him.

His kiss felt like punishment for her teasing as he palmed her breast. Her nipples hardened into sensitive peaks. Taking one in his mouth, he sucked relentlessly as she felt herself dripping down her thighs. The ache at her core begged for him.

“You’re so wet,” he breathed against her ear. She shivered as his fingers teased her clit.

“I’ve been ready for you since the lift,” she said breathlessly as he slipped his finger inside her. Desperate for release, she groaned when he took his hand away. His chuckle as she glared at him made her stomach clench.

Will stripped off his trousers and removed a condom from his wallet. A giggle escaped her, but his fierce gaze told her he was serious. He pinned her wrists above her head, nipping her neck as she wrapped her legs around his waist, desperately trying to pull him closer.

“Keep looking at me like that, and I can’t promise I’ll be gentle.” He ripped the condom free from the foil and slipped it over his length, and she licked her lips, remembering how he tasted.

“I thought I was meant to be in control,” she protested, feeling his impressive length press against her centre.

“I don’t think I can take much more. Let me take it from here?” His kisses grew gentle, which was all the more cruel as her heightened senses amplified every light touch.

She nodded breathlessly.

“Trust me?” he asked – no, demanded, eyes piercing her. She didn’t know how or why, but she did.

“Yes,” she rasped. “My body is yours.” The words escaped her before she could stop them, but he only smiled wickedly.

“That mouth.” He pulled at her lower lip and claimed it once again before easing inside her.

The care he took almost made her tearful; no man had worshipped her body this way. She was afraid he would ruin her for anyone else. Grinding her hips against him, desperate to relieve the pressure building between her legs, she took him deeper. A growl escaped him that nearly shattered her.

“That’s it, take all of me,” he praised as he stretched her to her limit. He rolled his hips, getting her used to his size. She arched her back, half afraid she would die from the sheer ecstasy of the sensation of him buried inside her. He eased out of her agonisingly slowly, and she dragged her nails down his back, begging him to reclaim his place.

“You’re so tight, I want to feel you come,” he panted, circled her clit, bringing her dangerously close to the edge. “I bet you sound so beautiful when you come.”

She moaned as his hips drove into hers, driving her higher towards ecstasy.

“Come for me,” he demanded, and unable to control herself, she splintered around him, her vision hazy as she lost herself to his caress.

She moaned as he eased himself from her, then realised something. “You didn’t?” she asked with a frown, wondering if she had done something wrong.

He looked up at her with a devilish grin, trailing his tongue down her body before nipping her inner thigh. “Let’s clean you up.”

His tongue against her caused her to clutch his hair as he nipped and sucked. This time the wave burst over her before she had a chance to even know what was happening. He didn’t give her time a chance to recover before sliding back inside her. He thrust relentlessly, and she knew nothing but him. She didn’t know if she was moaning or crying as he erupted inside her and she was sent over the edge for the final time.

Her body was utterly boneless as he collapsed onto his elbows. They were both a mess of heavy breathing and sweat dripping onto the sheets. Will eased out of her, and Juliet only realised he’d left the bed when she saw the bathroom light turn on. She waited for her heartbeat to steady, wondering if she should leave, but she couldn’t feel her legs.

Thoroughly fucked, she couldn’t string a sentence together. Watching him return from the bathroom, the sweat glistening on his skin make her want to lick him clean, but she was too exhausted. He kissed her shoulder as he lay down beside her.

“If you keep kissing me like this, I might die,” she mumbled, though it was a death she would happily accept.

“I think you’ve had enough for now.” He chuckled softly and made his way up the bed.

Suddenly his words disappointed her. She didn’t think she’d ever get enough of him, but she was reminded of their agreement: one night.

She didn’t have the energy to think further on it as he pulled the soft white sheets over them, tucking her under his arm. Lost in the scent of his cologne, Juliet drifted off into the best night’s sleep she’d had in months.