26
11 March
Austin Manor
As much as she hated to admit it, gruff, dominant, cranky Rowan Beckwith was sexy as hell. She could appreciate his good looks and acknowledge the effect he had on women in general, herself included. But loopy, flighty Rowan Beckwith was so adorable that she had a hard time reconciling him with man who had ordered her to come to him in the elevator.
Juliana had been surprised to get the phone call from Nico earlier in the day. He had to leave town a day earlier than expected, and he was hoping she could come stay with Rowan. She was expected at a charity dinner but promised to get there as soon as possible. With a few quick adjustments, she’d amended her schedule.
She wouldn’t say she rushed through her obligation, but she was gripped by impatience throughout the affair. She was self-aware enough to admit she was eager to check on Rowan. She slid behind the wheel of her Aston Martin V8 Vantage. She didn’t get many opportunities to drive her car, but it was the first purchase she’d made with her own money, and she loved it. It was no hardship to drive, and the fifty kilometers to Nico’s country estate stretched fabulously out in front of her. The power of the car vibrated underneath her, and her mood skyrocketed. It was interesting, the things that made her feel confident and formidable. Driving her car, taking Noah to the ground during a training session, holding her own in a room full of career politicians, and facing off with Rowan. She wrinkled her nose as the thought crystallized. Matching wits with him was one strange litmus test for her confidence.
She pulled up to Nico’s estate, and instead of the awe she’d experienced at Xavier Hall, she was warmed by the sense of comfort. She could tell a family lived here. Leaning against one of the stone pillars was a pink bike, and a skateboard rested on its back, wheels up, on the drive.
Stepping from the car, she heard a chorus of dogs barking. The noise was so great it seemed as if they stood next to her rather than behind the stone walls. She slung her bag over her shoulder and followed Nico’s detailed instructions to enter the house. As she opened the door, the barking grew louder, and she paused.
“Sitz!”
She automatically translated the command “sit” and wasn’t surprised when the barking immediately stopped. She stepped into the house and was greeted by three large German shepherds sitting a couple of meters in front of her. In the exact same position, ears pricked, heads cocked, eyes fixated on her. They were beautiful animals in shades of brown, black, and tan. The dog in the middle was a bit smaller than the other two, and as Juliana watched, it cocked its head at her and whined.
“Leia, bleib!”
Juliana inched forward and held her hand out. The middle dog whined again and shuffled forward one infinitesimal movement. Placing her bag down behind her, Juliana dropped to her knees and stuck her hand in front of the animal. The dog dropped her head and pushed up, so Juliana’s hand landed on top of its massive noggin.
“Hier!” Rowan snapped, and the three dogs took off in his direction with the middle one casting longing looks over its shoulder at Juliana.
She grinned. Then, she retrieved her bag and followed in their wake.
They trotted down a long, wide corridor until it ended in a massive den. Juliana’s gaze locked on Rowan, and she forgot to take in the rest of the place. The dogs stood sentinel by the couch, overseeing their master. And Rowan, resplendent even post-surgery, was propped up in the corner. He was wearing sweatpants, his leg immobilized by a large steel brace. A tank top adorned his chest, leaving his defined biceps bare. She smiled at him.
“Why don’t you introduce me to your friends?” she said.
But he didn’t say anything. He simply stared. Then, a huge shit-eating grin split his face. “Jules,” he drawled, his voice low and rumbling. “I missed you,” he said before his head lolled back against the pillow. His eyes closed, but the big smile remained.
“Oh,” she said, “you’re high.”
One eye popped open, and he giggled. Juliana bit her lip to hold in her laughter.
“I just took my medicine,” he informed her with a slight slur.
She looked around and saw a medicine bottle next to a small cooler and a basket filled with snacks. She knew Nico had left a couple of hours ago, and she was strangely touched by the care he was taking with Rowan. She moved closer to the table and picked up the bottle. Some legit pain medication. Replacing it, she turned back to the couch.
Without any thought, she ran her hand over Rowan’s head. “Do you need anything?”
He nuzzled into her touch, much like his dog. Another whine came from the animal and then a scratching as she pawed at the floor. She shimmied in her spot, her tail thumping against the floor.
He groaned, and his head turned, dislodging her hand. “Fuss, Leia.”
The dog immediately turned to stone.
“German commands,” Juliana commented.
“German shepherds,” he deadpanned before cracking up.
Juliana’s teeth dug into her top lip, but it quivered with the need to laugh. Who the fuck is this dude right here?
“Were you princessing?” he asked as his gaze took a slow, long lick down her body.
She shifted in place, feeling like the dog begging for attention.
She cleared her throat. “I had to attend a charity dinner tonight.”
“I know you are ‘the most beautiful woman in the world,’” he remarked, complete with air quotes, “but you look pretty right now. Like really pretty.”
She blushed before she tried to redirect him again. He was cute and everything, but she didn’t want all these flowery declarations to be made under the influence.
Turning to face the three dogs, she asked again, “Do you want to introduce us?”
“The big guy is Pelé.”
The dog stood and took a couple of steps to Rowan. Rowan gently ran his hand over the dog’s head.
“Very original for a footballer,” she teased.
“Then, there’s Leo.” He pointed to the last dog in the line. “And the dog shaking so much because she wants you to pet her”—he mumbled something that might have been like me—“is Leia.” He rolled his head and said, “In ordnung.”
Leia beelined for Juliana so quickly that she thought the dog might bowl her over. But right before Leia reached her, she sat abruptly at Juliana’s feet and whined. Juliana squatted as elegantly as she could and reached out to the dog. Leia cut her eyes to Rowan, who nodded, and then she scooted as close to Juliana as she could get.