Under the Big Top Read online

  Cole reached out and grabbed her hand before she took the few short steps to the door. “First, what do you mean I stay there and you stay here? Second, where the hell do you think you are going with only a robe and slippers on?”

  “Well, I am going to eat in the tent, and my robe covers everything important, and I mean you are going to stay in the hotel while I stay here in my camper.”

  Cole couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Are you kidding me? Why are you staying here? I thought the point was for me to spend a week with you?”

  Juliette sighed. “No, Cole. What happens when we are even in the same vicinity? This happens, and we end up in bed sweaty and hot. While I’m not complaining, there has to be more than good sex . . . well great, amazing, awesome sex.” Juliette put her hands on her hips. “I want you to come pick me up for a date. We talk and eat, laugh, and then you drop me off with a kiss good night.”

  “Are you serious?” Cole asked. Wrong question. He saw fire blaze in her eyes. Juliette’s anger was a thing of legend, especially when she decided to throw the first thing her hands reached for.

  “Why wouldn’t I be serious, Cole, hmmm?” she asked. “Maybe it’s because you think I am only good for a good chase then a roll in the sack. Or maybe I am not worth that check that Poppa Moose gives you for bringing me home?”

  Cole couldn’t help but grin at the nickname given to his boss and her father. He had heard the story of how he’d gotten the name numerous times. Randolph had gone to Alaska to find himself for six months when Juliette had been two years old. When he’d returned, he had come back with a full beard and a large, stuffed moose. Juliette had a love of the Smurfs and had promptly named him Poppa Moose, which stuck even though now she was thirty years old.

  “Do you think this is funny?” Juliette began looking around the small room.

  “Oh no, you don’t!” Cole knew what that meant and pulled her to him so she landed on his lap.

  “Let me up, Cole. You can take your sexy ass back to my father and tell him I’ll be back in my own time. I thought you would take this seriously, but obviously, you aren’t,” Juliette snapped.

  “I am. I just don’t get why you want to act like we are just getting to know each other. Honey, I know every nook and cranny of your body by now,” Cole pointed out. He didn’t get women, but he amended his thought. He didn’t get this one particular woman with the creamy, dark skin that drove him crazy.

  Juliette poked him in the chest. “Yes, my body, but you don’t know me. You don’t know why I do this every year or two. Not anything much about me other than what you assume or have heard. You don’t know if we like the same books or movies or if I cry when it rains, zip! I want that, okay? I want to know if this is more than just good sex!”

  “Juliette, what do you think is going to happen after this week?” Cole asked.

  “I don’t know, and that’s the point, but I want to find out!” Her eyes implored his, and he could feel himself falling into those soft brown depths. “Please, Cole, give me this. I don’t ask for much. Just this.”

  Cole gave her a nod. He wasn’t sure if he could find the words at that time and decided not to try. How could he say no to her? That’s the point. You could never say no to her, he thought. The smell of her skin, the way her full lips trembled when she was about to cry…

  “Are you still hungry?” he asked, surprised at the gruffness in his voice. She always had the power to undo him.

  She nodded meekly and wiped a tear away from her eyes.

  “Aw, Juliette, don’t cry, please. We’ll do it your way.”

  “’Kay…” She moved off his lap. “Ready to go eat? I’ll introduce you to everyone. The show is way over by now.”

  “Uhhh…I don’t know. Maybe we can eat in town?” Cole replied.

  “Don’t worry. Blinky and the others will have their makeup off,” Juliette said with a knowing smile. “What freaks you out about clowns anyway?”

  “They are just plain creepy, Jewels. I mean, didn’t you ever seen that guy John Wayne Gasey or the crazy clown from the movie with the teeth?” Cole shuddered. ”Creepy.”

  Juliette laughed. “You are six one, built like a Mack truck, and carry a gun. I can’t seriously believe you are scared of a guy with a nose that honks.”

  “I didn’t say I was scared. I said they were creepy, and I won’t hesitate to shoot one,” Cole pointed out. “And we are not leaving this tin can until you put some clothes on.”

  Juliette sighed. “We’re like a big family here, Cole. They don’t care if they see a little skin under my robe. Hell, Danika the snake charmer wears less than I do, and no one cares.”

  Sarcasm laced his voice. “Yeah, well, if they knew their family was worth a few billion dollars, this would be a kidnapping case.”

  “Not everyone in the world is bad, Cole.”

  “Most of them are not good, Juliette.”

  Juliette shook her head. She went to the drawers and began to pull out clothes and throw them all over the small camper. Cole ducked a shoe when she went under the bed and began to drag out footwear. He caught a heel that came surprisingly close to his head, once more, and then looked down when a sneaker hit his foot.

  “Prada and payless. You are one strange debutante, Jewels,” Cole commented. “Only you would wear shoes that are worth three months’ rent and then slip into a pair of sneakers that cost less than twenty bucks.”

  She turned and raised one eyebrow at him. “Just goes to show you there’s more to me than meets the eye.”

  Cole watched her dress quickly, appreciating each peek of skin he saw. Juliette’s beauty always captivated him. Her long, black hair always had a streak of some vibrant color along the front. This time, it was red.

  Finally, she pulled up the zipper of her too tight jeans, and he wanted to pull it back down again. Together, they walked out of the camper. The night had cooled down to a dull heat, and the sounds of the circus were long gone. Now, the laughter that came to his ears was from the workers, the performers, and all the people who made up this carnival. Eyes watched them curiously when they made their way across the grass to a white tent. The smell of food came wafting out, and Cole felt his tummy rumble in response.

  Juliette called out when they walked in. “Hey, everybody, this is Cole. He’s my dude, so he is going to be around for a few days.”

  He was greeted with hellos, waves, and a leery look from a guy who Juliette pointed out was Blinky without the makeup when they sat down. Over a big spaghetti dinner, he was introduced to Benjamin, the ringmaster, Lola, the elephant trainer, and Danika, who proved Juliette right by wearing next to nothing. The clowns sat together, and Misty, the fortune teller, offered to read his palm after dinner, to which he refused with polite thanks. By the time he was finished eating, his head was filled with names and stories.

  Later, he drove his car away from the meadow with Juliette sitting next to him. Her hair blew from the open window, and she directed him to the bed and breakfast. After he checked in, she wanted homemade peach ice cream from a local shop. Then, he would return her to the campground of the carnival. She looked over at him and gave him a smile and a wink. That made him instantly hard, and Cole wanted her again.

  He rolled up the window so she could hear his suggestion. “So, how hard would it be for me to convince you to stay with me tonight?”

  “Very hard. I am part of the early show for some school kids tomorrow. Even though you’re here, I still have to work.” Juliette patted his knee. “Sorry, big guy.”

  “You don’t have to work, remember? You’re rich.”

  “Yeah, they don’t know that, and I made a commitment, which I intend to see through. Poppa Moose did teach me work ethic.”

  “If he did that, why do you run away every chance you get from your responsibilities at home?” Cole asked.

  “You should ask yourself why he sends you after me each time.” Juliette stared at him as if daring him to answer the question. “There are way more people he could send. Why you?”

  Cole glanced over at her quickly. “Because he knows I’m the best he has working for him, and I know your tricks. He sends anyone else, he wouldn’t see you for a year.”

  “Um-hmm.” Juliette made a noncommittal sound in her throat.

  They drove in silence until they came to the small hotel. Cole looked up at the white two story building with vines growing up the boughs on one side and a wraparound porch. It had two white swings that creaked gently when the breeze picked up. This was no dusty motel alongside a dirt road meant for sleep and nothing more. It was a quaint, romantic spot meant for lovers to connect and build memories. When he walked inside, it was no better. Loveseats adorned the front room, and in them, at least three couples watched TV while holding hands or cuddling.

  Cole bent close to her ear and whispered, “Why did you pick this place?”

  “It was the only place I could get,” she replied cheerfully while she pressed the little bell that dinged a merry tone. Her words were a little too happy in Cole’s opinion, but he let it go when a petite older woman came bustling from the back room to the desk.

  “Hi, Juliette!” The woman greeted her like she had known her for years. “Is this your guy finally here?”

  “Yes, it is.” Juliette put her arm around his waist and pulled him forward. “Bernadette, this is Cole. Cole, meet Bernadette, owner of Salvation’s bed and breakfast and the town mayor.”

  Cole stuck out his hand, and Bernadette took it with a firm, and surprisingly strong, handshake. “Nice to meet you, Miss…?”

  “No Miss nothing here, Cole. We are one big happy family in Salvation. Call me Bernadette. Call me Bernie and I’ll have to slap you in the face with a garden trowel.” Bernadette beamed, contradicting the threat. Cole didn’t know if he should think she was kidding, or be very afraid. “I told Juliette we were sisters in a past life. That’s why our names are so close. Plus, with her helping us to rebuild our library, a youth center, and daycare for our kids, she is more than definitely family.”

  “Bernadette, no!” But the secret was already out, and Juliette shook her head.

  Cole looked at her in surprise. “You’re helping do what?”

  “Oooh, I’m so sorry, Juliette. I thought, since this was your boyfriend, he knew,” Bernadette apologized. “Don’t worry, Cole. Only I know who she really is, and my lips are sealed.”

  Cole was completely floored that she’d told someone her true identity, let alone was secretly funding projects for the small town. “That’s okay. It seems Juliette is full of surprises.”

  “Well, here is your room key. I am sure you are tired from your trip and you guys want some alone time.” Bernadette handed over the key to Cole.

  “Um, he’s staying here. I’ll be at my camper,” Juliette said.

  “Oh. . . Oh okay!” Bernadette replied and glanced at Juliette. “I thought, well, who cares what I thought.” She gave a small laugh.

  Cole saw the look that passed between the two women. Again, he felt as if there was some sort of secret involved that he knew nothing about.

  “There is a bathroom down the hall from your room. Just flip the little embroidered plaque to ‘occupied’ when you are in there,” Bernadette explained.

  “Will do. I’ll check it out later.” Cole smiled at Bernadette. He pulled Juliette close and smacked her bottom. “Miss full of surprises here wants homemade peach ice cream.”

  Bernadette giggled like a school girl. “You two lovebirds get out of here. Cole, the front door is open until eleven at night. Then you have to ring the bell, but you know what…” She stopped in mid sentence, pulled out a key from her pocket, and put it in his hand. “You’re good people as long as you’re with Juliette. Hold on to it as long as you need it, honey.”

  Cole grabbed the older lady’s hand and kissed it grandly. “Thank you kindly.”

  “Off with the both of you and see you tomorrow at the town meeting, Juliette.” Bernadette waved and headed back to the room she’d come from.

  Outside the door, Juliette took a deep breath of the night air. “We can walk from here to Mama Kate’s. We’ll walk back to the car when it’s time to drop me off at the meadow.”

  As they walked down the steps, Cole asked, “So, aren’t you going to even talk about the charity work you’re doing here?”

  “Why would I?” Juliette said. “They need it. I have the money to help. End of story.”

  “Usually, with a gift like this from a person in your standing to a small town, there would be press and cameras and…”

  Juliette cut him off. “Well not here, okay? This town doesn’t need a press release. It needs help.”

  By the tone of her voice, he could tell she did not want to talk about it, so he let the subject drop. They walked casually through the town where a few people were doing the same thing to enjoy the night. Music spilled out from the doors of a small bar. It was the live beat of bluegrass tunes. Cole felt himself begin to relax and enjoy the atmosphere around him, especially when the music could still be heard from the outside tables of Mama Kate’s Ice Cream Shop. It seemed to be a very popular place because many people stood around eating ice cream, talking, and having fun.

  Juliette ordered them both two scoops of homemade peach ice cream. Cole added on to the order by asking for a foot long chili cheese dog. It was one of the best things he’d ever tasted, and Juliette watched him with an open mouth while he ate the hot dog in about six bites.

  They talked and ate spoonfuls of silky ice cream. Cole could see why she liked Salvation. The friendly mood could make a person relax. It had taken him months to find her. In that time, she had carved a place here in the small town. People passed by and said hey as they sat. Juliette greeted them all with a big smile and a little bit of conversation.

  “So, what if I had taken six months or a year to find you? Would you have stayed?” Cole asked when they were alone again.

  “Look around. It’s not a hardship to stay in this town. It’s gorgeous,” Juliette answered before helping herself to another spoonful of her sweet treat. “I think I might even buy a home so I can visit whenever.”

  “You’re serious?”

  She gave him a look. “Couldn’t you see me living in Salvation, Tennessee?”

  “Jewels, I can say I can’t picture you doing a lot of things like being a high flying girl in a circus, but yet, there you were,” Cole explained. “How the hell did you learn to do that?”

  “When I was sixteen at school in Switzerland I got involved with gymnastics, and my teacher taught me how to do this. It was like riding a horse. When I got into the circus, one of the other girls helped me get caught up.”

  “You were a gymnast at school?” Cole asked slowly.

  “Yeah, what did you think I did, sit in my dorm and paint my toenails?” Juliette asked. “I took part in a lot of sports, lacrosse and gymnastics being my best two.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that. I just have a picture in my head of you dressed in a school girl’s uniform.” He was not lying. Thinking about her in a short, plaid skirt with a tie and tall socks made his temperature raise a few notches.

  “Typical man. Say school girl and your mind goes to late night showers and pillow fights,” Juliette teased.

  “You mean there weren’t?” Cole pretended to be disappointed.

  “Ha ha, very funny.” Juliette got up and tossed her cup into the trash can. “Time to get me home. I have early practice before the show.”

  Cole followed suit and tossed his cup away. As they walked back to the car, he asked, “So, what does the name of the carnival mean?”

  Juliette performed a perfect cartwheel in front of him. “The flying women!” she called and ran the rest of the way to the car.

  Cole grinned as he followed. Her enthusiasm for life was a breath of fresh air. She could always put a smile on his face when most people said he scowled. She was breathless, and happiness lit her eyes when he got in the car. They drove away from the bed and breakfast, heading back to where he’d first found her. He wished she would change her mind and stay at the hotel with him, but this was how she wanted it. It didn’t help his mind from flashing to how hot the passion flared between them and how it felt to take her.

  She looked over at him and smiled. Cole pulled the car off the road into an open clearing and, as soon as he put it in park, pulled her close, taking her lips in a kiss. The heat that was always there when she touched him came to life in a flame as soon as their lips touched. Her hands went to the bulge in his pants and rubbed the hard, thick length that was pressed against the fabric begging for release. Cole moaned when she squeezed gently, and his hips rose against her hand, silently asking her to do it again. She obliged him by opening his zipper and wrapping her hands around his cock, which escaped the prison of fabric that held him.

  “You’re so thick, Cole,” she panted against his lips before nibbling them gently. “When you’re not around, I dream of how it feels to have you inside me, rubbing against the walls of my pussy, filling me up.”

  Her words made him close his eyes with the sheer excitement she elicited in him. The confines of the car made it difficult for him to touch her the way he wanted to. He pulled free from her stroking with a groan of disappointment. But he knew if she kept it up, he would spill his come over her fingers. That was not how he wanted it. He wanted to be buried inside her when he had his release.

  Wrenching the car door open, Cole growled. “We’re getting out of this tin can.”

  He strode around the front of the car with purpose. He could feel Juliette’s eyes on him as he moved briskly toward her. She bit her lip. It was a cute thing she did when she was excited by his dominance. Cole opened the passenger side door, and she was out in a flash. Juliette jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist, fastening her lips to his. Their bodies closed the car door as he backed her up against the cool steel. Her scent filled his senses. Her taste consumed his every thought until he was running on instinct just to possess her once again.