My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)

CHAPTER 027: Safety First

A couple of minutes after I hang up the call, I see an Aston Martin pulling into the hotel's driveway at a crazy speed. It sounds a lot like it's heading in my direction. I quickly step aside, not wanting to add 'hit by a car' to my list of today's problems. That is until I see Luke flying out. He doesn't even bother to turn off the car before he's out of the door, his face hard,

"Julie," he says, "what happened? Did that son of a bitch kick you out?"

I open my mouth to answer, but nothing comes out. The words feel caged somewhere deep inside me. How do I explain the mess I'm in? How Ryan has stripped me bare of everything, left me stranded, powerless... humiliated. I try again, but all that comes out is a shaky breath.

Luke's eyes narrow. He's watching me carefully, taking one slow, measured step at a time. He stops right in front of me, close enough that I can feel the warmth of him, close enough that I can smell his faint cologne, something deep and woody that makes me want to pull him closer and take a deeper sniff.

"Julie..." he says, his eyes tracing over the lines of worry on my face.

He reaches up, his fingers gentle as they come to rest beneath my chin. His touch is warm. He lifts my face, forcing me to meet his eyes. I feel as though I've been stripped bare, exposed. But at the same time)

I feel safe.

"Julie..." he calls again. "What did Ryan do to you?"

His face is so close, his jaw set, his eyes sparking like he'd be ready to commit murder if I gave him the word. And, for one insane, fleeting moment, I want to tell him to do exactly that. To march over to Ryan and make him pay for everything he's put me through. But then I catch myself. I'm not the villain here. No amount of sob stories will make the judge not send

me to prison.

Before I know what I'm doing, I throw my arms around Luke's shoulders and bury my face in his chest. I feel him tense, surprised, and I wonder if I've crossed a line. But then his arms come around me, one hand tracing slow circles on my back, the other threading through my hair, pulling me closer.

"It's alright," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. "You're safe. You're with me now. Just let it

out."

And that's all it takes. The dam breaks, and I crumple into him, clinging to his shirt as the tears start to fall.

I can't hold back anymore; it's like every single ounce of tension, fear, and humiliation has been building up all day, and now it's pouring out in waves that won't stop. My mother's betrayal, Ryan freezing the account, leaving me stranded without a penny... every raw nerve and bruised feeling comes rushing out, and all I can do is sob against Luke's chest, letting it all out.

After a while, I realize his shirt is soaked with my tears and I pull back, embarrassed, wiping my face. "I'm sorry... I ruined your shirt."

"Don't worry about it." He glances down. "It's just a shirt."

I give him a weak smile, and he picks up the overnight bag sitting on the floor beside me. He takes my

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CHAPTER 027 Safety First

hand afterwards, guiding me toward the car.

After opening the passenger door and helping me in, he turns around, getting into the driver's seat. But he doesn't start the car. Instead, he's glancing sideways at me.

"Is something wrong?" I say.

He doesn't reply. He leans in close, reaching across me, and my heart pounds so loud I'm certain he can hear it. And before I know it, he's fixing my seatbelt. He fumbles with the belt, pulling it across me, clicking it into place with a snap.

I don't think I remember how to breathe.

After he's done with the seatbelt, he doesn't immediately move away. He's still close-close enough that I can feel his breath on my cheek.

"Safety first," he says. "Who knows? I might crash the car in anger, and I don't want you to bump your head."

I clear my throat, trying to shake the tension, and say, "In that case, should I drive? I'm not really in the mood to meet God tonight."

He pulls back, laughing. The sound is so deep and rich, and I can't help but smile too.

He puts on his own seatbelt, still chuckling, and starts the car, shooting me a sideways glance as he shifts into drive.

"Hell no. I like you very much, Julie. Very, very much. But nobody touches my car except me. Why don't you just sit back, relax like the princess you are, and if I crash, at least we'll be in Hell together."

He eases his grip on the wheel, and the car surges forward, its engine purring like it has a mind of its own.

"You were serious about crashing, weren't you?" I say, half-amused, half-nervous, as he zooms through the streets.

"Told you," he says. "Better say your prayers."

A laugh bubbles out of me. I glance over at him as he drives, watching his profile in the dim light, the way his jaw tenses and relaxes, his hands strong and sure on the wheel. Even at this mad speed, I feel safe with him. Like he's the only solid thing in this mess of a day.

I lean back, letting my shoulders relax. There's something comforting in the silence between us, the kind of quiet that feels shared rather than awkward. He just drives, steady and calm, without asking questions or making demands. Right now, that feels like everything. I find myself turning sideways to watch him again, taking in the way he looks at the road, his focus. He smiles like he knows I'm staring.

"What?" he asks.

I quickly look away. "Nothing."

"That's a lie," he says, laughing a little. "You've been staring at me for at least a full minute."

I glance back at him, feeling a little braver. "I was just thinking," I say, pausing as I find the words. "You're....... nice. Like, genuinely nice. That's rare."

CHAPTER 027: Safety First

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He's quiet for a second, then lets out a low chuckle, almost like he's amused. "Don't let the face fool you," he says. "I'm a terrible person, Julie. You have no idea. "Oh, I know, Lucas," I say, laughing. "I know."

He grins and looks back at the road, but his hand tightens on the wheel, like there's more he's not saying. As we drive, his words echo in my mind, simple but somehow charged.

I like you very much, Julie. Very, very much.

And God help me, I think I like him too.