Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Patrick gave her a look as if he suspected she was keeping a big secret.
Juliette said, “Louis told me the password before you and your agent showed up.
Patrick’s eyes flickered, not really disputing her claim. Louis had never called any woman his mother before. Juliette was the
first.
It was possible that before he took his agent to the Vaughn family’s backyard, Louis had invited Juliette over and shared the door code with her.
“Im sorry if I offended you. Would you like to change the password?” Juliette asked.
Patrick didn’t reply, but there was a hint of a smile in his eyes. “Louis would be thrilled to know you remembered the password he shared with you. Go ahead.”
He gestured for her to proceed, handing her cell phone back to her.
Once Juliette accepted it, they both entered the room, and the door closed behind them, leaving the house in silence.
A woman in her thirties or forties emerged from the kitchen, smiling warmly and carrying two plates of spaghetti.
She seemed taken aback when she saw Juliette. It was the first time Patrick had brought a girl home, and this one was stunning–like a glowing moon amidst dark mountains.
Quickly regaining her composure, the woman said politely. “Mr. Clarke, the food is ready.”
The plates were placed on the sturdy wooden table. The spaghet was fragrant and inviting.
Patrick and Juliette washed their hands and sat down together. Juliette picked up her fork, but as soon as she took a bite of the spaghetti, she spat them out, feeling embarrassed.
“Too hot?” Patrick put down his fork and leaned closer to check her lips and tongue for burns.
“No.” Juliette turned her head away from his strong, gentle fingers.
The spaghetti wasn’t too hot, but she just couldn’t stomach it. Any warmth made her feel like she was on fire,
Until the fire burned her, Finn had roasted her for a while. She felt the heat creeping up, inch by inch, like her skin was about to crack. The pain and fear coursed through every fiber of her being, but there was no way out.
Juliette shut her eyes, and her mind flooded with chaotic images of hell–she was smack in the middle of it.
“Harper, Patrick said, his icy complexion giving off a chill.
“Sir, before I served the spaghetti, I checked the temperature, and they weren’t too hot, Harper Langston replied, feeling a bit uneasy.
“It’s not my first day working here, so how could I serve this young lady steaming hot spaghetti?” she added. Now, Harper was starting to suspect that Juliette might be making things a bit tricky on purpose,
Patrick’s brows knitted together as he picked up his own fork and reached for Juliette’s spaghetti to taste it.
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Chapter 11
Juliette quickly grabbed his hand. “It’s not Harper’s fault. I just can’t eat anything hot. I’ll just eat it after it cools off.”
Despite her protests, he took her hand away and tasted the spaghetti himself. They weren’t hot. In fact, they were just about perfect.
A flicker of doubt crossed Patrick’s chilly, deep–set eyes. ‘What could have happened to her that made her unable to handle anything warmer?‘ he wondered.
“Harper, please make a fresh batch of room–temperature spaghetti, Patrick instructed as he settled back into his seat.
Juliette quickly reached for some paper towels, ready to tidy up the mess she’d made.
Harper stepped forward with a towel. “T’ll take care of it, miss.”
Juliette exchanged a glance with Patrick, letting Harper handle the cleanup.
“Harper, I’m really sorry for the trouble,” Juliette said sincerely.
“Miss, it’s no trouble at all. You just relax for a moment. I’ll have the spaghetti ready soon.”
“Thank you Ha
“It’s really nothing.”
Patrick interjected, “Why don’t you go upstairs and change first?”
Juliette did want to change out of her clothes, especially since they were soaked with the scent of Golden Breeze and a bit of blood.
But looking at the untouched spaghetti in front of Patrick, she said, “No rush. You should eat first. It won’t be good cold.” Instead, Patrick stood up and gestured for her to follow him. “Come on, let’s go upstairs.”
Juliette bit her lip but followed him.
“There aren’t any other women in the house besides Harper and my grandmother, and as for clothes, nothing fits you right now. So, why not wear mine until then?” he asked.
Juliette glanced at him, just like she had the first time–his striking features and carefully crafted angles, his smooth skin glowing like it was kissed by the moonlight.
Suddenly, Patrick leaned in closer, his hand reaching toward her The space between them felt like it was just a breath apart. She caught a whiff of his undeniably masculine scent mixed with a hint of cedar, and it was intoxicating.
“What is he doing, getting so close all of a sudden?” she wondered
In the stillness of the night, their heartbeats seemed,to sync up, treating a rhythm that hung in the air. For a brief moment, Juliette was torn between shoving him away or playing along.
The atmosphere felt electric.
“Get away!” Juliette snapped, noticing Patrick stiffen for a second
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Chapter 11
She could see the way his lips pressed together, and there was a look in his eyes that spoke volumes.
Just as quickly, he pulled back, but not before grabbing a white shirt.
Juliette was at a loss for words. ‘So, he just leaned in to grab the shirt? she thought.
y, I should’ve talked to you first, Patrick said casually, acting as if he hadn’t just dropped the tension with that moment. “This one’s clean–it’s been washed but hasn’t been worn.”
Thanks,” Juliette replied, taking the shirt and heading into the cubicle to change.
As she slipped it on, she couldn’t help but appreciate how thoughtful Patrick had been, considering she was such a neat
freak.
He really paid attention, sterilizing her tissues, personally wiping her hands, and now offering her a shirt that had never
been worn.
The shirt felt comforting, like wrapping herself in the fresh scent of sunshine.
When she stepped out, she found Patrick waiting outside. “I’m ready,‘ she announced.
He turned to face her, momentarily taken aback.
The shirt hung just right, reaching her thighs and revealing her long, slender legs to the cool air. It was sexy in the simplest
way.
Patrick quickly averted his gaze, clearing his throat as he struggled to maintain his composure.
Without a word, he led Juliette downstairs for spaghetti. Harper had cooled the spaghetti to a low temperature, and Juliette polished off her entire plate without breaking a sweat.
After their late–night snack, Patrick took her to the guest room. “Im just next door. Call if you need anything,” he said.
Juliette nodded. “Sounds good.”
The night was quiet, and the wind settled down.
Around three or four in the morning, not long after she’d fallen asleep, Patrick suddenly heard a loud “plop.”
He quickly made his way to the guest room, only to find it empty
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