If You Only Knew (And Then Came Love Book 1) Read online

Julian washed his hand across his face. “My twin brother Drew and I were kidnapped from the hospital the night we were born.”

  “What?” She straightened and hit her water glass, sloshing it on the table. Grabbing her napkin, she wiped up the mess.

  “From what I’ve been told, Mom had some sort of bleeding issue after she gave birth to us. It was the middle of the day. Dad had run home for something. The nurses came in – they saw there was a problem, they ran us to the nursery and went about helping Mom. While we were in the nursery, a crazy nurse kidnapped both of us.”

  “That’s awful!”

  “The woman who stole us managed to keep us hidden for twelve years. And it was a total fluke they found us when they did.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We spent those first twelve years moving from place to place. Somehow, we ended up in Indiana, up North in South Bend. My aunt Margaret happened to be the principal of the school. If you ever meet my siblings you’ll see there are some definite similarities. Aunt Margaret saw us the first day of school and called the police. The woman tried to run when she saw the police. It didn’t take much for her to admit who we were or what happened. They brought us home to our real parents and viola.”

  “What an adjustment you two had to be!” Liza shook her head. “I can’t imagine at twelve going to live with a different family.”

  “A complete family – with eight more siblings.” Julian rested his elbows on the table. “Talk about a rough transition for everyone involved.”

  “So another curious question. How did you get involved in the medical marijuana business?”

  “I have a PhD in Botany.”

  “That surprises me.” She covered her mouth and then dropped her hand. “I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sure you’re smart enough to have a PhD, I’m—”

  Julian chuckled. “I get it. In your world drug dealers don’t have PhD’s. I’m a scientist. I genetically mutate various strains of marijuana for specific medicinal needs. Believe me, in this world of medicine my pot is cheaper and less problematic than most other prescriptions.”

  “How can you be so blasé about it? What you’re doing is important.” She was so relieved to find out he wasn’t a dealer.

  “No, my father refers to me as a state sanctioned drug dealer and I tend to go with it.” He winked.

  “You talked about the lady with cancer earlier, do you have other clients?” Liza felt a little more comfortable with the idea he grew marijuana.

  “I do. I’m licensed and follow most of the laws. I also do research for Steele Pharmaceuticals. They pay me to genetically alter plants to make them more effective for pain management patients,” he explained.

  “Do you use it yourself?” She was unsure if she wanted to know the answer. She told herself a long time ago she would never again date someone who did drugs. Even though it was legal in Bryton, she was not sure about its uses. Her parents had used it before it was legal. Her brother had gotten interested in it in Junior High. Trying to avoid it being a problem in the future, her parents had smoked with her brother. But she tended to be the goody two shoes of the family. She had gone outside and cried seeing her entire family as drug users. She dated a man her freshman year in high school who used cocaine and she decided then she would never date a user again.

  “I do, for some health issues.” He rested his arms on the table.

  Liza bent over the table, placing her head on her hands. Their faces were inches from each other. “Such as?” She ran her tongue across her bottom lip, and he groaned dropping back against his seat.

  “So does that mean you want to get to know me better?”

  Liza made a quick and rather impulsive decision. “Maybe.”

  “What can I do to convince you?”

  She shrugged.

  “All right, your turn then, tell me about Liza.”

  She liked the way her name rolled off his tongue. She was about to say something when the waiter appeared with their food.

  Once he departed, she continued. “What do you want to know? You’ve heard about my job and how much I hate it.”

  “What do you do for fun?”

  “Fun? What’s that? I work sixty or more hours a week, depending on my schedule. My last relationship ended four months ago. . . badly. I’ve gone out on three dates since then, all set up and none worth my time.”

  “I’ve been married twice.” Julian’s phone chimed and he fished it out of his pocket. He typed something in reply and then turned his gaze to Liza. “Both women were monogamously challenged.”

  Liza snickered. “I like that term. I dated a guy in college like that. He was dating both me and my roommate at the same time.”

  “Sounds like we’re both aces at relationships.” Julian smiled. Another text came through.

  “If you’ve got something better to do, don’t stop on my account.” She tapped her foot as he read the text message.

  “It was my brother. Remember I said I’d have someone pick up the car?” He pocketed his phone. “Back to the previous conversation though, I’ll be honest, I’m not up for anything serious. But I am enjoying your company.”

  “I’m not looking for a relationship either. I work too much.” Even though she didn’t have the time to commit to a relationship, she was disappointed.

  Julian stood and Liza raised her eyebrow.

  “What are you doing?” She turned toward the door to see two men . . . one who resembled Julian . . . walked toward their table. “You’ve got five minutes then it’s time to move on.”

  The one who looked like Julian chuckled. He held his hand out to Liza. “I’m his sexier, better behaved, and younger twin brother, Drew.”

  “Drew, you’re cute and all, but Julian, well he’s downright sexy.” She shrugged. “Sorry, not interested.” .

  “Shot down.” Julian roared.

  “I think she’s smitten, bro.” Drew smiled.

  Julian puffed his chest out a bit higher, giving Drew a fuck-you-brother grin.

  Drew smacked him in the arm.

  Julian pointed to the other man standing with Drew. “Liza, this is my best friend, Ethan Steele. He’s the CFO of Steele Pharmaceuticals.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Liza.” Ethan shook her hand.

  “You’re the one who pays Julian to grow pot?”

  Ethan raised a lone eyebrow and then looked from her to Julian. “In a roundabout way, yeah – I guess you could say that.” He turned to Julian. “Where’s the car?”

  “It’s over at the Yarrow Center. You two going to be in town long?”

  “Long enough to pick up the car and then we’re heading home.” Drew raised his eyebrow at Julian. “What happened to your forehead?”

  Julian touch his forehead and then glared at his brother. “I’ll tell you later.”

  “Wait, you drove all the way here from Bryton to pick up the car?”

  Drew shrugged. “Of course, I get the whole dating thing.”

  “We’re not dating. In fact, we met for the first time last night.”

  “You’re not?” Ethan gaped at Julian.

  “Nope.” Julian shrugged. “This isn’t even a date.”

  Drew pointed at Liza. “Wait, are you the girl whose car I towed last night?”

  “If it’s the one your mother hit.”

  “You two—” Drew threw his head back and laughed. “That’s priceless.”

  “Stay out of my head, bro.” Julian glared at his brother, who couldn’t get his laughter under control. “I’ll call you later.”

  Drew bent to Julian’s level, but made no effort to lower his voice. “Aunt Laura was right.”

  Julian punched his brother in the arm, hard.

  “Come on, Ethan, let’s leave the lovebirds alone.”

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Ethan walked away from the table.

  “I think I’ve already surpassed that, Ethan, I touched her hand earlier,” Julian called after his friend.

&nbs
p; Ethan flipped him off as he and Drew headed toward the door.

  “What was that about?” Liza found the family dynamics to be entertaining.

  “Nothing. My brother and Ethan can be a riot when they want to be.”

  “I didn’t give them the keys.” Liza tugged the keys from her purse.

  “Drew’s got a key to both my vehicles.”

  “Well let’s hope he takes the right one home.” Liza smiled. “How long do you think it will be before the insurance company has my car fixed?”

  “Your car’s totaled. Drew’s a mechanic. We talked in great detail about your car this morning.”

  “Totaled? What does that mean for me?” She was screwed. Now she’d have to get a new vehicle. Maybe she could call her parents and try to work something out with them.

  “Well, according to industry terms it means it’s going to cost more to fix than the vehicle is worth,” Julian explained. “A normal insurance company would give you about four or five grand.”

  “I could get a decent car for that.” Liza nodded. “Or at least have enough for a good down payment.”

  “You won’t have to worry about it. I’ll make sure everything is handled and you get something reliable.”

  “You mean the insurance company will?”

  “Yeah, that’s what I meant. I’m sure whatever they come up with will be perfect for your needs.”

  “Hell, I’ve driving around in a ten year old car with a missing side mirror. It has been in desperate need of an oil change for the last two months. It needed new tires. I’m going to guess four to five grand will get me something better.”

  “I figured the side mirror was missing from the crash.”

  “I wish. It would make for a much easier explanation.” She shook her head.

  “Okay, you’ve got my curiosity piqued, what happened?”

  “You know the Yarrow Center has a residential campus for juveniles, right?” When he nodded, she continued. “Anyway, I used to work nights on campus and was coming off a twelve or sixteen hour shift at six am. It was dark and foggy. I was driving home when this man, dressed in dark clothing, stepped off the curb. I swerved to miss him, but heard a bang. I stopped, he hands me my mirror, and tells me he swung his bag and hit the mirror. I spent the next three weeks in terror thinking they were going to find a guy hit by a car dead in the alley.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. I would have filed a police report and tried to have him arrested for being an idiot. He should have at least paid for the damage to your car.”

  “My insurance had lapsed the day before. There was no way I was filing a police report.” Liza blushed. “I do have insurance now, and I paid my bill the same day.”

  Their plates empty they pushed them aside to wait for the check. Liza picked up her purse when the waiter appeared at the table.

  “Put that away. I told you, my treat.” Julian pulled out his wallet and handed his card to the waiter. “Besides, you did mention a home cooked meal, remember?”

  “Would tomorrow be okay?”

  “Trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, I’m not in a rush. I have the day off and it’s payday. I can pick up what I need on my way home from the bank.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Favorite type of food?”

  “My last name’s Vitalli. My grandfather arrived by boat – from the Tuscany region.”

  “I’m not sure if it will compare, but I can arrange some Italian food.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do fine. Think we could have lunch on Thursday?”

  “I thought you said tomorrow? I’m working all day.”

  “I meant, let’s have lunch together at a restaurant.”

  “Three meals in three days, people may insinuate we’re dating.”

  “Let them talk. If this were a date, I’d say we broke all the cardinal rules. Talking exes, money, and health issues.” Julian smiled.

  “I kind of liked it. Less formal, no pretending to be someone we’re not.”

  “Maybe we should have non-dates more often. We’ll say we’re becoming fast friends and see how it goes from there.” The waiter arrived with the folder. Julian signed the receipt, put his card in his wallet, and stood to pull Liza’s chair out.

  “You’re a walking talking contradiction.” Liza turned around to face him.

  “How do you mean?”

  She rested a hand on his chest. “One minute you’re looking at me like you want to devour me and the next you’re the perfect gentleman.”

  “I’m far from perfect, babe.” Julian caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “But I may be perfect for you.”

  “Down Casanova.” Liza laughed and they headed out the door.

  *****

  Liza’s lack of sleep caught up with her on the ride to Bryton and she found herself drifting. She was comfortable with Julian. Even after learning of his job and the fact he smoked pot, she was comfortable enough to fall asleep while he was driving.

  When she opened her eyes, they were in his driveway. “I thought you were taking me home?”

  “I thought we’d stop here for a bit before I drove you home. If you’re okay with it?”

  “I suppose I could stay for a bit. I am pretty tired though.”

  Julian led her into the house and then into the kitchen. “Coffee or something stronger?”

  “A little coffee would be best,” she told him. “I don’t drink a lot. A little goes a long way.”

  “I can drink a pot and fall asleep.” He set about making coffee as she sat in the stool she had the night before. “Why don’t you wait in the library? I’ll bring your coffee to you.”

  “Lots of milk and a little sugar.”

  “I’ve got hazelnut creamer if you’re interested.”

  “Even better. Skip the sugar and use creamer instead.” She headed out of the kitchen and around the corner to the library. Rows of bookshelves lined the walls.

  Sitting on the sofa turned out to be a bad idea. She was half-asleep by the time Julian joined her. He sat down next to her, which woke her and handed her a cup of coffee. She took a sip and smiled. “Perfect.” He sat close enough, their legs were touching.

  “Good. I figured you for a more creamer than coffee kind of girl.” He smiled and draped his arm across the couch, his fingers stroking her back. “Movie?”

  “I don’t think I’m awake enough.”

  His fingers brushed her neck and he trailed them under her scarf. “You should take this off.” His lips were close enough to her ear, she could feel his breath.

  “Julian—”

  He tugged the scarf from her neck and his fingers returned to trace the line of her neck up into her hair.

  Even though there was nothing but heat trailing anywhere he caressed her, she shivered at his touch. She inhaled his scent his cologne masculine, but fresh and reminded her of the ocean.

  He traced her jaw line and turned her head so she was facing him. Tilting her head back he brought his lips down to meet hers.

  Her eyes drifted closed. The kiss was everything she expected it to be. Gentle, but firm. His lips soft. Her lips parted and his tongue danced with hers.

  Thoughts of the last twenty-four hours flooded her mind. Was this his way of asking her to repay him? She brought her hands up to his chest and pushed. “I thought neither one of us was ready for the relationship thing?”

  “It doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun.” He flashed that smile.

  The smile almost made Liza melt, but she held to her gut. “Sorry, I can’t. I’m not a friends with benefits kind of girl.” Her voice was quiet.

  Julian brushed a kiss against her neck. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Liza scooted over on the couch and put distance between them. “You’re not used to people telling you no, are you?”

  “I thought . . . when you told Drew about what you thought of me—”

  Liza laughed. “I was trying to help you save face.” />
  “Then I’m not sexy?” He pouted.

  “Sexy’s an understatement.” The words were out before she knew what she was saying.

  He grinned and scooted closer to her again.

  Liza changed her tact. “You are a fine looking man. However, I don’t pay debts with sex.”

  “Whoa.” Julian held up his hands. “None of this had anything to do with payment. You don’t owe me anything, Liza. My kissing you has nothing to do with anything other than my attraction to you.”

  Liza’s cheeks reddened. “I’m sorry, I—”

  “It’s all right. I didn’t realize that was the impression I as giving off. My bad.” There was a rosy glow to his cheeks. “Sex shouldn’t be used as payment for any kind of debt.”

  “I apologize for jumping to conclusions. I feel like an idiot.” She rested her head in her hands.

  “Far from it. From what I’ve seen, you’re intelligent, fun loving, and have one helluva hot body.”

  She felt warm all over.

  “I’m interested to see how far your blush goes.” He ran his finger under her collar.

  Heat raced from her cheeks to her toes. “It’s going to go all the way to my feet if you keep it up. People don’t talk to me like that.”

  “They’re blind if they don’t.”

  “You’re full of it.”

  “You’re beautiful, Liza. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  Liza lowered her head. “Thank you.” She picked up her coffee cup.

  “Why don’t you finish your coffee and I’ll take you home? I think I’ve made an ass out of myself enough this evening.”

  “You’ve been wonderful.”

  “Until I put the moves on you and you thought I wanted you to be a hooker.”

  “That was me making an ass out myself.” She glanced at her watch and saw it was after eleven. “Maybe I should go home.”

  “Come on. We’ll have a do over tomorrow, if you’re up for it?” He stood and pulled her into a standing position. They headed outside into the night.

  *****

  It was after midnight when Julian arrived home. He was in the lab at his computer when he decided to call Mac. He'd be awake — especially if it meant he'd be making money.

  "Don't tell me you need a new car already?" Mac said instead of a greeting.