1Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires, #1)(87)

I chuckle.

“Did you know the Strawberry Festival was first started over a hundred years ago as a way to entice farmers into moving here?”

“That’s great and all, but I want to know if there is anything in there about Gerald and Francesca!”

He makes a face. “After reading Gerald’s backstory and his brothers’ reason for moving to Lake Wisteria, I almost feel bad about tearing down all his houses.”

“See! I told you understanding history is important.”

“I said almost.”

I huff. “What did you find out?”

“His family moved here because his sister was shunned by their old town after she was caught, and I quote, ‘rolling in the hay’ with another man before marriage. So instead of staying within the Upper Peninsula, they moved here after hearing about the beaches.”

“No way.”

He nods. “There were four Baker brothers and their sister, Wisteria, who refused to be called anything but Ria. She’s the scribe who kept a detailed account of everything.”

“They named the town after her?” I squeal. “How come no one talks about this?”

He shrugs. “Probably because she didn’t want people to know her real name. She said the name ‘Wisteria’ was a dainty mouthful that didn’t fit her personality.”

I clutch his arm. “What else did she say?”

“She had a lot of great things to say about her oldest brother, including how much heart and love he poured into every house.”

“Sounds like one of us.”

Julian brushes his fingers over a spot that has me bucking and laughing against him.

Once I calm down, I trace invisible patterns across his chest. “Anything about Francesca?”

“She was from their old town.”

“Oh no.”

“It gets worse. Turns out she was the mayor’s daughter.”

My bottom lip wobbles. “No.”

“It explains why Gerald never got married to her or anyone else.”

“That’s so unfair. Gerald and his family sounded like good people.” My voice shakes with outrage.

“They were, but what can you do? Not everyone was as progressive during that time.”

“It’s a shame you’re tearing down his legacy, one house at a time, especially after learning why he started this town to begin with.”

His scowl makes me shiver. “What else do you expect me to do?”

“Find whatever town shunned his sister and take a wrecking ball to those houses instead.” I smile.

His eyes sweep over me. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course. Lake Wisteria needs to be protected at all costs from people like you.”

“And who will protect you from people like me?” Julian climbs over me, locking my hands above my head as he traps me beneath him.

I lock my legs around his waist and pull him closer. “You’re the one who will need to be protected from someone like me. Mark my words.”

Julian shuts me up by kissing me until I can no longer remember anything about Gerald, the towns, or my own name.





CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN


Dahlia


A doorbell chimes in the distance after another round of unbelievable sex. Julian has more stamina than ten triathlon winners, and although I want to keep up with him, my pussy officially tapped out for the night, and no amount of lube or oral sex will change my mind.

“Expecting someone?” I roll off him so he can get up.

“No.” He reaches for his phone and curses.

“What?”

“It’s my mom.”

I jolt upright. “What is she doing here this late?”

Loud banging against the front door has both of us staring at each other with wide eyes.

“My car is outside.”

He nods.

“Do you think she will suspect something?”

“I’m pretty sure she jumped to conclusions the moment she saw that you were here.”

I throw the comforter over my head. “Don’t mind me. I’m going to stay here forever.”

He chuckles as he pulls the comforter down. “I’ll tell her not to make a big deal of it.”

“This is your mother we’re talking about. I’m pretty sure she is already calling the Wisteria Weekly to announce the news.”

“I’ll swear her to secrecy.”

“It’s cold out here!” The doorbell app echoes her shouting from downstairs.

He presses a button on his phone. “I’m coming now.”

“And Dahlia?”

Good luck getting out of seeing her.

“I heard that,” his mother responds, startling me.

I said that out loud?

Julian muffles his laugh with his fist while I glare at his phone screen.

“Be right there.” My attempt at a cheery voice falls flat.

Julian collects our clothes and helps me get dressed in record time before leading me downstairs. I smooth out a wrinkle running down the center of my dress while he opens the front door.

“Ma. What are you doing here?”

“Dahlia!” Josefina brushes past her son and throws her arms around me. “What a nice surprise.”