Novel - Drama Book One: Chapter 14
Book One: Chapter 14
Katherine tossed money at the cab driver before sliding out. Straightening her cocktail dress she pulled
it down from where it rode up while she sat in the taxi. Satisfied she sauntered inside passed security
without a care. They didn’t attempt to stop her as she was a familiar figure with this particular crowd.
“Katherine! Here you are!” Frederick greeted. He hugged her pinching her ass cheek as he usually did.
If there was one thing that was always consistent it was his complete lack of decorum and boundaries.
“How are you?”
“Fine,” she smiled before dropping her voice, “where is he?”
“I’m not sure. I lost track of him.”
“Some help you are.”
“Hey, I called you, didn’t I?” Frederick said in mock hurt. “Is there something going on with you two?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know…he just seemed different tonight.”
Katherine scowled. She didn’t want to admit things between her and Julius were not going well or that
he seemed to be losing interest in her. He had a lot to answer for once she found him. If she managed
to guilt him enough she could finally secure his agreement on the wedding date. Once they were
married it didn’t matter if he was distant to her. It didn’t even matter if he decided to take on a mistress.
She would be set for life.
Ignoring Frederick’s inquiry she wandered through the crowd but though she soon spotted Augustus
she did not see Julius. Avoiding the DaLair patriarch Katherine continued her search. There would be
time enough to confront him once she had Julius by her side. As difficult as Augustus was for others to
handle it was widely known he never went against his sons. When she didn’t find him her frustration
only grew. Stomping a foot she headed to the bathroom to freshen up and straighten her dress that
kept riding up. Turning the corner she came to a dead stop.
In front of her Julius stood with his arms wrapped around a woman in an evening gown. Their lips were
locked in a passionate kiss. His hand fondled her butt pulling her close so their bodies pressed together
leaving no space between.
Katherine’s face flushed as red as her rival’s hair. Julius never touched her let alone held her like that.
The last time he kissed her was two years ago. Back then he was too drunk to even know what he was
doing. Their make-out was sloppy and smelled heavily of whiskey. It had been her intention to drag him
to her room and secure her place at his side until his brother intervened.
March was nowhere to be seen tonight and the smell of alcohol was noticeably absent. There was
nothing obstructing Julius from his desires and it was clear he wanted the redhead in his arms.
* * *
Julius and Macey parted slowly, breathless as they stood together. Macey felt her face warm as she
blushed, embarrassed by how her body responded to his. They had been a part six years and yet it felt
as if none had passed. Macey tried to date once or twice after she left him but it always ended
awkwardly. She never responded to any man the way she responded to him.
Seeing her embarrassment Julius smiled gently stroking her cheek. Having her in his arms felt right
and she had to feel it too. It couldn’t just be him. He wanted to ask her but he couldn’t form the words.
What if she said no?
Macey averted her gaze suddenly feeling more and more awkward the longer they lingered and said,
“I…should get back to dad. He’s probably wondering where I’ve gone.”
“He’s a big boy,” Julius whispered leaning close before she pulled away. “Stay…with me.”
“Julius…”
“Stay, Macey. I’ll beg if that’s what you want.”
“That’s not necessary,” Macey shook her head.
“Stay.”
Macey hesitated. She felt safe in his arms. His caresses sent tingles down her spine. After six years of
abstinence her body longed for his touch, wanted his arms to hold her. But she couldn’t make decisions
based on carnal desires. She had to remember her babies. They were her life. Their happiness came
first. What would they think once she told them about their father?
“I…should go. March and Rose have the kids right now. I should get them home to sleep.”
Julius was reluctant to let her go but he knew better than to hold her against her will. He didn’t want to
push her too far not when she was still so close. There was still time to make it all up to her. He would
start tonight.
“All right. I’ll drive.”
“No…dad…”
“It’s fine,” Julius took out his phone sending his father a quick text: I’ll take Macey home. Stay as long
as you want. “Let’s go.”
Julius kissed her temple before leading her away. He kept his arm around her waist as he escorted her
outside handing his ticket to the valet. She shivered in the night chill. Without a word he removed his
coat and set it over her shoulders. Macey gave him a smile of gratitude even as his arm returned to her
waist and he continued to hold her. He kissed the nape of her neck reveling in her proximity. If he had
his way he would never let her go.
The valet returned all too soon with his BMW but he was glad to open the passenger door for her so
she could escape the night air. Tipping the valet with a hundred dollar bill Julius circled to the driver’s
side and quickly joined her. Gripping her hand he kissed it before driving off, leaving the party behind
without a backward glance.
* * * novelbin
As they drove off Katherine stepped out of her hiding place. She panicked when Julius turned to escort
the woman in his arms past her but he hadn’t even noticed her. Katherine trailed behind watching as he
led her rival outside. She shivered unconsciously when he removed his coat to keep the redhead
warm. He never showed Katherine that level of concern or care.
She stood fuming as he drove off. Who was that woman? Why did he care so much about her? What
did she have to do to get him to treat her the same way?
While Katherine stood fighting her frustrated tears Augustus walked past. He didn’t even look in her
direction. Despite the fact he was leaving alone he was satisfied. As he reached the sidewalk Stephen
pulled up and hurried to open the door.
“Did everything go as planned?” Stephen asked as he took his place behind the wheel.
“Indeed. Perhaps I should give my son more credit. He’s not as hopeless as I feared.”
“Then it is safe to say Phase Three was a success,” Stephen smiled pulling away from the curb.
Augustus nodded with a smile. He was still struggling to understand his grandchildren’s plan but he
wouldn’t go against it. After successfully spending time with their absentee father the twins decided to
support him in his pursuit of their mother. With them on his side Julius had a good chance as long as
he didn’t anything stupid.
Finally he said, “Makes me wonder what they have planned for Phase Four.” Katherine watched the
DaLair patriarch leave without trying to detain him. Without Julius to support her she would find no help
from Augustus. The future she so carefully planned was unraveling quicker than she thought possible.
If only she could have gotten Julius into her bed two years ago. She had been taking fertility treatments
to help ensure a quick pregnancy. But that plan fell through and Julius hadn’t so much as touched her
since.
Now she caught him in the passionate embrace of another. She had to think of a way to get him back
to her side quickly before it all fell apart. With new determination she flagged down a taxi. As she rode
away she was unaware of the man quietly snapping photos of the entire encounter.