Tainted (Julia, #5)

By Bree Dahlia

Tainted is book #5 in the Julia Series

Ian’s greatest need is to fulfill Julia’s.

His greatest desire is to keep her happy.

His greatest fear is to lose her.

Julia deserves everything―the sun, the moon, the stars, every deep, submissive need granted and served up on a jewel-encrusted platter.

Ian does a damn good job of taking care of his wife, despite what others may think. But it’s not until he starts doubting himself… that’s when his world starts to unravel.

And Jonathan? Jon is the bastard ex-friend who is just waiting for him to screw up, waiting for Ian’s perfect world to collapse so he can be there to pick up all the precious remains.

Series order:

Teaching Miss Julia  #1

Training Julia  #2

Taming Julia  #3

Temptation #4

Tainted #5

Torn #6

Treasured #7 - coming Jan 2016

Novellas #1-3 are also available in one volume as The Julia Series: Teaching, Training, Taming.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bree Dahlia
• Release date: Sep 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516330355

Bree Dahlia

Bree Dahlia is an unconventional romance junkie. Her stories range from lighthearted to sizzling with that satisfying happily-ever-after ending and a touch of the unexpected. She favors themes of friendship, forgiveness, and unconditional love with alpha characters and eccentric tastes. She holds degrees that look pretty in a frame and has sampled a long string of jobs that have left a lot to be desired. Only as an author has she found her passion. When not crafting stories in her small Wisconsin town, she hikes unbeaten trails, watches hockey games, and wishes she didn't detest cooking so much. Dahlia is her middle name. Her last name is more suitable for a horror writer. You can sign up for her new release newsletter at http://eepurl.com/PeU-r

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About this book

Ian’s greatest need is to fulfill Julia’s.

His greatest desire is to keep her happy.

His greatest fear is to lose her.

Julia deserves everything – the sun, the moon, the stars, every deep, submissive need granted and served up on a jewel-encrusted platter.

Ian does a damn good job of taking care of his wife, despite what others may think. But it’s not until he starts doubting himself… that’s when his world starts to unravel.

And Jonathan? Jon is the bastard ex-friend who is just waiting for him to screw up, waiting for Ian’s perfect world to collapse so he can be there to pick up all the precious remains.

For a list of other books please visit www.breedahlia.com

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Chapter 1

You want me to do what?

Julia stared at him wide-eyed and open-mouthed. He cupped his hand between her legs, the heat flooding his palm.

You heard me, love, but I will say it again. I like to see those pretty lips parted wide. I want you to go into the restroom, remove your panties, and bring them back to me.

But– Ian placed a finger over her lips and ground his palm against her. Her arousal was already thick through the delicate fabric. He brushed a whisper kiss over her soft, warm neck, and she shivered against him. Ian…

Go, Julia. I’ll be waiting right here when you return.

Her brows pulled together, then relaxed. She nodded, acquiescing, then slipped off the high, wooden chair and disappeared into the bathroom. As soon as Julia made it through the door, Jacque was at his side.

Good evening, Ian. Enjoying your night out with your lovely wife?

He gave her a once-over. She looked impeccable, as always. I am. Ian gestured for her to sit. You could have stopped over earlier, he said. He’d noticed Jacque come into the piano bar shortly after he and Julia arrived, accompanied by a dark-haired woman he didn’t recognize.

I didn’t want to disturb you two. I’m sure you have lots of reconnecting to do.

Jacque’s eyes zeroed in on his, the subtext obvious. It was no secret that she and Jon were confidants, and there was no doubt she knew more than she should regarding Julia and what had occurred during his time away.

Jacque touched his hand. Everything good, darling? You left the conference early, just like you left my soiree – abruptly and without saying goodbye.

Things are better than good, Jacque, but I appreciate the concern. She removed her hand and leaned back, swiveling her head to glance at her companion. Jacque raised her index finger and mouthed, ‘One more minute.’

When she turned back to look at him, her jaw was set. She was in serious mode. I don’t know what happened between you and Julia when you left my house that night, Jacque said, moving in closer, her voice lowering, but I’ve been thinking about this for several days now, and I have a theory.

Is that so? Ian raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly, clamping his lips together. He was curious what her theory was.

"Yes, Ian. I’ve known you a long time, and I know how you tick. I have to wonder… did you send Julia off to be with Jon so she could figure things out or did you really do it to punish yourself?"

His stomach hardened. That had been unexpected. Ian opened his mouth to speak but snapped it shut before commenting. He’d deal with this later. Julia was back.

Jacqueline? She cocked her head upon seeing Jacque at their table, but otherwise looked at ease. It was a welcome surprise after watching Julia’s body tense up repeatedly over the mere mention of her name; seeing Jacque in the flesh would have paralyzed her once upon a time.

He and Jacque both stood up. Hi, sweetie. I was just leaving. I only stopped by for a quick hello. And please start calling me Jacque – all my friends do. She swished her hand. Jacqueline is much too formal. Jacque smiled warmly. I have no intention intruding on your date. Besides, I’m here with my own tonight, and I’ve kept her waiting long enough. She gave the woman a little wave and Julia scrunched up her face.

Instead of Jacque’s customary hug, she patted the table and winked. Have a wonderful evening, you two. I’ll send over some drinks to make up for the interruption.

That’s not necessary, Jacque.

Oh, I insist. We’ll be in touch now. Jacque headed back to her girlfriend, and he waited out Julia’s reaction. To his delight, he didn’t detect any physical awkwardness over her brief presence. Perhaps Julia’s insecurity over his ex-lover was a thing of the past.

Hmm… Julia said as she watched Jacque grasp onto the woman’s arm and steer her into the adjoining room.

What’s that, love?

Is it odd that she’s here tonight?

Not at all. This is a popular place. It’s just your first time here. Ian nuzzled her neck. Fortunately, it wasn’t too populated tonight. And combined with them securing a corner table in the dimly-lit bar, it was practically like having the place to themselves. It was time to focus on his beautiful bride.

I believe you have something for me. He held out his hand, and Julia stole a look around before handing him the silky panties that were crumpled up in her hand. Ian smiled, putting them in his jacket pocket. He took a fresh napkin off the table and spread it over her chair. Have a seat, Julia, and lift your skirt over the chair before you do.

She gave him a quick glance before sitting down, her mid-length skirt billowing over the stool. Ian pulled up a seat and scooted close to her. He placed his hand on her bare thigh. Maybe you should have worn something shorter.

At that moment, a server came around with their drinks and Julia’s face reddened. He kissed her cheek but did not remove his hand. One Tanqueray and Tonic. One sparkling water with lime. He set them on the table. Compliments of Jacque.

Thank you. I believe we’ll be set for a while, Ian said, handing him a banknote. I’ll let you know if we need anything else. The young man nodded and turned away, leaving them to their sequestered spot.

Ian placed his other hand on Julia’s long locks, fingering the golden strands. In the soft glow of the candlelight, they took on a rosy hue but Ian was pleased to know it was just a trick of the flame. Julia had gone back to her natural blonde color. So beautiful, angel. He stroked both her hair and her thigh, listening as her breath grew heavy.

Five days.

It had been five days of no sex, longer than that if he factored in the time when he was away at the conference. But five days of being close to her body without being inside it.

There’d been lots of touching and holding, talking and comfortable silence, the two of them inseparable. The anniversary of when they first met had also fallen into those five days, and as fulfilling as it’d been to spend that time reestablishing their bond, it had also been damned difficult. He’d felt it necessary to work on getting their emotional connection back on track first, but that didn’t mean it’d been easy. Abstaining had been frustrating as hell, and he knew she felt the same.

Today had been their first day out of the house since he’d come home. He’d gone to the gym, and she went to the hair salon, telling him she was more than ready for another change. They spent a few hours apart before meeting back for their quiet night out. Ian’s fingers crept higher – he knew what else she’d accomplished during her free time today.

You’ve been busier than I thought, love. She sucked in a deep breath when he grazed over her velvety folds, his fingertips dampening.

I… I like it this way. Do you?

Oh, yes, angel. His teeth teased her earlobe. You were gone quite a while just now when all I asked you to do was remove your panties. Ian tugged on her smooth labia, slipping a finger inside while she squirmed around him. Did you touch yourself? When she didn’t answer, he removed his finger from her warm cunt, rubbing the moisture up her cleft. "Did you feel