Julian: Taming the Fighter (BWWM) (The Wallflower's Series Book 4) Page 3

  “Well, one thing I’ve learned in my many years of living is sometimes it’s better to run and you’re missing the point. After I got back to the store and got the kittens and Roxy settled, I saw three other gorgeous men out there and they had to be his brothers; they looked so much alike.”

  “So you spied on him after running away?” Bella could hear the smirk in Tara’s voice.

  “Yes, I did. But we both know I was going to do that. I’m a natural observer,” she said without shame.

  “You need help,” Tara said, which Bella ignored. The more a person could learn about someone the better they could understand how they operated. When she’d looked into Julian’s eyes something had kicked in her chest. A thing that had been dormant since she’d lost Claudio. Tara would never understand the fear she felt when that happened. When she’d lost her fiancé, it had nearly destroyed her. She couldn’t go through that again.

  “Some people have mentioned that,” said Bella.“But anyway, you should have seen them, they are all sexy. Julian also seemed a little intense, but nice. Still, he’s going to have a hard time with Russ. I saw a sign on the door it’s going to be a martial arts academy.”

  “Oh, good luck to him. I wonder if he did any market research before deciding on this town. Every athletic style business here has failed so far. It doesn’t say a lot for the city since we have twelve bakeries,” Tara said and they both laughed.

  The people here were old-fashioned, and that was displayed in the thriving small businesses. They liked corner store markets, trailer style diners, and small family-owned establishments. All the gym style businesses that started here were closed within six months or so. Bella really hoped Julian had a good marketing plan because he was going to need it.

  When the call was over, Bella checked her locks once more and went back upstairs. She had to get ready for another round of formula and stimulation with the kittens. Being a good Samaritan wasn’t always fun, she thought wryly as she shook up the small bottle.

  She would have to stay away from Julian. She knew that with every fiber of her being. She’d decided she wanted to start dating again, but she was looking for something a little less explosive for now.

  Two

  You can't hide forever...

  A few weeks later…

  Julian signed the last of his paperwork as the contractor put the finishing touches on his academy. The good thing about having money was that things could move at supersonic speed if you poured enough cash into them. He was lucky that whoever had owned this place before had left it in such pristine condition. It was barely used.

  He moved through the open space and smiled. He had a lot to do here. No one had recognized him yet, which meant that his star power wasn’t going to help him here. He was going to have to go out and visit the surrounding businesses and charm the local people.

  He’d officially opened the doors last week, and no one came. To say that he was disappointed was an understatement. He’d done a lot of advertising but no one in Norton seemed interested in a martial arts academy. He’d overheard someone at the post office mention a guy named Russ as the reason the academy wouldn’t make it. Julian had tried to talk to the man but he scurried away when he approached him.

  When most people saw him they got nervous. His tattoos and height didn’t make things any easier. Alas, he couldn’t change the way he looked.

  He grabbed a broom and got to work. After he finished cleaning the floor, he picked up his bag and headed for the door. Time for his daily visit to Book Lovers Anonymous. So far he had only received about three words from the elusive owner. It was like she could sense him before he arrived. She quickly disappeared whenever he got close. He couldn’t be angry because she always did it so charmingly. But he couldn’t seduce a ghost. He needed to find something for them to talk about.

  When he walked inside he was greeted by the warm smell of Autumn. She had a variety of lit candles around the room. This time it was something cinnamon. He ignored the grumbling of his stomach and made his way to the front of the store where the clerk was helping an elderly lady. The older woman jumped when he came into view but he only smiled and winked.

  The woman batted her lashes before turning a bright shade of pink. She smiled at Cheryl, the cashier, and hurried away. Cheryl rolled her eyes as the woman bumped into a table, causing some books to fall.

  “You’ve got to stop scaring our customers, Julian,” Cheryl said, moving to pick up the books that had fallen to the floor. She was the only one in town who liked him on sight. Apparently, she had a son his age who shared his same love for ink.

  “All I did was exist in the same room as her. I don’t get it, they love me in Vegas,” he said with a grin. He was used to that response from the locals around here and it didn’t bother him anymore. He’d chosen this town because of the community and that meant challenging some of their outdated views.

  As far as he could tell Bella only had one employee—Cheryl Taylor—and she was a knockout at fifty. She was happily married, which she told him often in a dull tone. She was always quick to offer a kind word to anyone who entered the establishment. Bella had good taste when it came to employees.

  “What can I say? This is Norton, population 12… What can I do for you, Julian?” Cheryl asked, moving around to straighten up while she talked.

  “I need to speak to Bella,” he said simply.

  “Not this song and dance again. She’s not that into you…um, no offense,” Cheryl said, smiling to lessen the sting of her words.

  “Well, to be clear that felt offensive,” he said, moving to block her.

  She sighed and put her hands on her hips. “I tried to phrase it nicely, Julian. Why can’t you just go after someone else? You are good looking, filthy rich, and you have a good head on your shoulders that will land you almost any woman.”

  “Are any of these other women as good as Bella?”

  When she remained silent, he smiled.

  “Well, you’ve got good taste. I’ll give you that,” she said.“What do you need to talk to her for?”

  “Can’t you just go get her for me?” he asked, quirking his mouth upward just enough for one of his dimples to show.

  Cheryl laughed in his face.“She really is busy with those two kittens she took in. One has a stomach issue that has given him explosive diarrhea… Its real interesting up in her apartment,” she said with a mock shudder.

  “Just tell her I need her help with this guy named Russ. I’ve heard through multiple sources that he’s bad-mouthing my academy down at the courthouse, the grocery store, and pretty much any place he enters. He’s trying to ruin the school before it even starts and I don’t know what to do about him.”

  “Oh, you’ve met Russ. We had a bet riding on when he would start in on you.” She chuckled.“I’ll talk to her and I’ll tell her to get back to you. Russ is a different kind of animal; you really do need Bella for this. The old fart has a special place in his heart for her. Write your number on this and I’ll let her know you need to speak with her.”

  She slid him a piece of paper and then turned to greet two new customers walking in. Julian watched Cheryl chat it up with a few of her regulars. They laughed together, clearly enjoying the familiarity between them.

  This was what he wanted for himself. A place to call his own…a town to claim.

  * * *

  “He needs your help with Russ,” Cheryl said as she watched Bella meticulously wipe down the kitten named Midnight for the third time.

  Bella was happy the kittens were thriving, but she’d had no idea how much work this would be when she took them in. She sighed as she got them settled and focused on Cheryl, who refused to leave until she agreed to help Julian. He’d really charmed the socks off her clerk. She had a feeling that he reminded her of her son. She grabbed Roxy’s bowl and started to clean it.

  He really did need her help. Russ could be difficult to deal with, especially as a new business owner. She had been blessed when
Cacia from the local bakery had pulled her aside and told her exactly how to handle Russ and his interfering ways. It was only fair that she passed on the same favor to Julian. Unfortunately, the old man did have power in this town. But once he was on your side customers would start to magically appear.

  The children were coming to the charity tonight for after-school help. She would call Julian afterward or text him…yeah, she would text him. That would be easier than hearing his sexy deep voice through the phone. Honestly, her attraction to him was getting out of hand. She’d only ran into him a few times and her instant reaction made it clear that he was someone she needed to stay away from. He was too charming, too sexy. He was trouble dressed in workout gear.

  “I’ll talk to him, Cheryl,” she promised. It was her turn to teach someone about making it in this town.

  * * *

  “This is the fourth time Sarah didn’t show,” Tara said, helping Bella clean up the shop. No matter how much they worked to keep the place clean the children somehow destroyed it. They worked together quietly, picking up and wiping down the study room.

  “I know. What should we do? Do we call and check up on her? I mean, she didn’t actually tell me something was wrong… I just think something was off about the situation.”

  “Let me call one of my friends who works down at the police station and see if she can run a check on the dad. We have his name on file, don’t we?” Tara asked, following Bella into the back office.

  “Yep, I made him update his contact information when he took over dropping her off,” Bella said, opening the file cabinet.

  “Okay, we will start there then. What’s the deal with the new gym owner?”

  Bella sighed. “Cheryl’s been talking again.”

  “You can’t contain Cheryl, we both know she’s as interfering as Russ,” Tara said.

  Bella looked at Tara and was surprised at how happy she looked. Her sister was glowing. She’d asked her repeatedly about the infamous one-night stand but she didn’t want to talk about it.

  Tara looked beautiful in her silk blouse and tailored black slacks. They were built with the same curvy figure, except Tara’s was more toned thanks to vigorous yoga. Looking at her put-together sister and then back at herself, Bella decided it was time for her to get her shit together.

  For the last year or so she’d been in stasis trying to heal from losing Claudio, she’d let a lot of things go. A few months ago she’d started back getting her hair braided and her eyebrows done. Last week she’d bought some new clothes and realized she’d gone up a dress size. So now was the time to focus on her. She would start running again tomorrow.

  Tara kept her thick black hair straight with the help of a perm and a heavy-duty flat iron. Everyone who met her always said she looked like Olivia Pope. Ever since they were little, she’d been the hippie and Tara had been the elegant one. Their opposite styles were actually a good thing, though. They were best friends. It was nice to have someone with a different perspective giving advice. As former military brats, their sisterhood had gotten them through twelve address changes and a variety of ex-boyfriends.

  “Yeah, he’s different,” said Bella.“I texted him tonight. He asked for my help with Russ.”

  “I knew it! And exactly what kind of help are you going to give him?” she said in a sleazy tone, arching one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

  “Stop it. You know it’s not like that. We’re going to meet up in the morning and go over his plan of attack. I have a few business owners he needs to talk to and I want to know more about his school. I think he should go to the annual town charity fundraiser in a few weeks and officially introduce himself to the community. According to Cheryl a lot of kids want to go to his academy, it’s their parents that are stopping them.”

  “Hmm, well I understand why the kids are into him. He has to be the coolest man in town with all of those muscles and tattoos.”

  “You’ve met him?” Bella said, ignoring the slither of jealousy that filtered through her brain. Tara always caused a reaction in men. Ever since they were teenagers she’d always had at least two boys chasing after her.

  “Nope, I saw him bringing some supplies into his building. I see that look in your eye, you really like him. Don’t worry, he’s already off limits in my book.”

  “I don’t like him,” Bella said defensively, slightly upset at how well Tara could read her. She finished locking up and started upstairs, with her sister a step behind her.

  “Yeah, tell that to your face. Do you think Sarah will come to any more meetings?”

  Bella went straightaway to check on the kittens. Incredibly, they were doing okay. She’d named them Midnight and Sable because of their colors. The vet had given her a very detailed list of how to care for them and if she didn’t count Midnight’s bout with diarrhea they were doing very well.

  “I think so. I’ve still seen her around town and her dad knows he has to call to remove her name from the registry if she wants to discontinue classes,” she said, pulling out a metal pan. She’d made taco soup on Sunday as a prep meal. She warmed it up on the stove as Tara poured them two glasses of wine.

  “Okay, I guess all we can do is wait,” Tara said, pulling out her appointment book.

  “How did your case go?” Bella asked, moving to pour them two bowls. They often ate dinner together. It was one of the best things about living so close to each other. The only difference was when they had it at her house it was always a meal-prepped homemade dinner, while when they went to Tara’s it was expensive and exotic take out.

  “The judge reviewed our sessions and found him competent enough to stand trial. The case is going to be crazy but I think that man is going to jail,” Tara said, taking a sip of wine.

  “So it’s back to business as usual at the practice now?” Bella asked.

  “I think so. I don’t know. I’ve been so tired and burnt out from working so much that I think I need a break. One of my friends offered to step in and help me out with my current patients. She filled in before when Grandma died and we had to help Mom take care of the house, and my clients liked her.”

  “What do you mean?” Bella’s eyes widened in surprise. Tara wasn’t a woman who took a break. Ever since they were little, Tara had followed a specific timeline for her life. She was a machine when it came to achieving her goals.

  “I don’t know for sure. But my mind…it feels like I’m at a breaking point. I don’t know if it’s because I need a vacation or something deeper is going on. I knew something was off after that night I spent in Chicago.”

  “The one night with your mystery man? He must’ve been something special to have you questioning stuff,” Bella teased before taking another bite.

  Tara blushed, but she didn’t say anything else about that night.“Let’s just say I think I need a break and I know I need it now.”

  “Well, you know I support you in whatever you want to do. If you need a break, take one girl. Lord knows you’ve earned it.” Bella reached out to squeeze her hand.

  Once they were done eating and Tara was gone, Bella looked back down at her phone and started rereading the text messages. She stopped and put the phone down when she caught herself smiling. She spent the rest of the night tidying up and going through her nightly routine.

  She pulled out her silk scarf and tied up her braids. As she was applying her eye cream, her mind finally drifted back to Julian. She was being ridiculous. He was interested but he hadn’t been pushy. Whatever boundaries she put up he stayed within.

  They would eat breakfast together and go over how he could deal with Russ. She had always wanted to be someone other business owners could turn to for help. She’d started to love this small town even with the interfering busy bodies and old-school gossip. If Julian wanted to make this place his home she would do what she could to help out.

  She walked over to her bedside table to reset her alarm. She jumped when Roxy barked at the window. The old dog seldom wasted her energy on barki
ng. Moving forward quickly, Bella opened the blinds. Her heart sped up when she saw a dark figure at the door of her shop.

  A person was trying to break in.

  She jumped back and started to breathe heavily. She couldn’t panic now. She needed to focus on getting to her phone. Her alarm system was on; anyone who tried to break the glass would set it off. She forced herself to calm down.

  She grabbed her cell phone and started to call the police, but stopped when she heard a yell across the street. Peering back out the window, her eyes widened. She would’ve recognized those tattoos anywhere.

  Julian came running towards the shadowy figure at her door. Before she could blink, whoever was at the door took off and Julian followed.

  Grabbing her mace, Bella ran to the front door. She turned off her alarm and stepped outside. From where she was standing she wasn’t sure what direction they’d gone. She looked back down at her lock. Yep, someone was definitely messing with it. There were scratch marks around the opening. What the hell? There wasn’t a lot of crime in this town.

  “Are you okay?” Julian asked when he ran back up. He was wearing sweatpants, and his six-pack was on full display. A light dusting of sweat trickled down his shoulders and arms and for a second Bella was speechless. He was so handsome. She’d noticed that the first time they’d met, but something about him right now was causing her hormones to go into overdrive.

  She stepped back as his scent hit her nose. He even smelled sexy. She took a deep breath and took control of her mind. She needed to see if he was okay and if he’d seen the face of the person who was trying to break into her shop.

  “Did he—Are you okay?” she asked with a frown.

  “I’m fine. I saw him through my bedroom window. I got down here as fast as I could,” he said, his eyes scanning the area he’d just come from. She could tell he was pissed he hadn’t been able to catch him.