“You too,” I tell him before I turn and leave, unable to face him anymore as I feel my cheeks heat.
Apparently, I’m not immune to the hot bad boys the way I’d thought I’d be. I guess some lessons we never really learn after just one go.
Julian hasn’t shut up about Wren since she came in the door two days ago. Even now, as he yaps, he’s still on top of his game as the sound of our sabers clashing over and over rings around the room.
Fencing isn’t my thing, but I’ve been training with Julian for a while now. The team had an odd number of people, and I have no issue giving up my little bit of downtime to be here.
I’d never admit it out loud, but I’d do almost anything he asked of me, something he’s all too aware of. I didn’t hate spending time with him, though. Watching him in his element, so confident and in control…
Well, it’s hot as fuck.
Julian is the best of the team, effortlessly.
We all have our things, but Julian is the only one who never worries he’ll be outdone; it’s yet to happen. Most don’t even come close.
If only he could say the same about his actual assignments and grades.
He gets by well enough now, enough to pass, but for a little while, we weren’t sure if they would let him in.
It was a close call.
“And that’s five,” Julian says as he reaches up to pull off his mask, and I hear the smirk on his face even before I see it. “Are you even trying, Snookums?”
With a huff, I pull off my own mask and glare at him.
“Your little girlfriend might let you call her whatever the hell you want, but save that for her.”
His smile turns impossibly wider as he advances toward me, and I see the flash of excitement in his eyes.
“Aw, baby, you sound a little…” He stops before me, hooking his finger under my chin and forcing my head up so that our eyes meet. He’s not much taller than me, just a few inches, but in times like these, it feels like a lot more.
“Green,” he all but purrs.
His eyes search mine, and I’m not sure what he’s looking for or if I want him to find it.
I never know with Julian; he’s such a wild card, always leaving me guessing.
“I’m not green.” I bat his hand away but fail to keep the husk from my voice, not that it matters; he knows what he’s doing. That’s why he’s doing it. “I just think that nickname is stupid.”
He barks a laugh, taking my mask and saber, walking them back to the bench before he tosses me my water and gulps down his own.
I watch, unable to look away, as he chugs it so quickly that some escapes the sides of his mouth, running down his neck and soaking the top of his shirt.
His smile doesn’t waver as he wipes his mouth with his arm, and I see the heat in his eyes.
“Keep looking at me like that, and we can head into the closet.” He wiggles his brows at me as he stalks back toward me. I’m stuck, frozen, and at his mercy just like always.
“I can bend you over and remind you who owns that ass, baby,” he breathes the words hot and heavy in my ear, and if anyone has a gift for better hearing, there’s no way they missed it, but I couldn’t care less.
I’ve never been ashamed of who I am, only afraid he wouldn’t like me the same way. That fear went out the window years ago, though, and I’ve never looked back.
Julian likes girls, too, and that’s never been a problem—until Wren.
I said I wasn’t green, and I really don’t give a shit about the stupid nickname, but something about them together does grate at me. I thought it had just been all the time they were spending together, but even now, with just the two of us, the thought of her irks me.
Julian walks around the gym, observing everyone's form and offering pointers where he can. He’s not in charge of the class, but again, he’s the best, so they listen, sometimes too good. Even though most of them know or suspect our relationship, they still flirt and throw themselves at him.
“Alright, everyone is looking good. Jessica, you and Tylor pair up next week to work on those blind spots, but other than that, I think we’re looking good for next month's first tournament.”
