AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Slowly unwrapping my legs from Julian's waist, I press my palm against his bare chest, but he doesn't move.
"Don't run away from me." His words are filled with angst and fear.
"I'm not running away," I state, pressing against his chest again. This time he rolls off of me and stares straight up at the ceiling.
"Why do I get the feeling you're going to push me away then? That Monday morning, when I see you in class, you'll barely speak to me. And Tuesday at work, you'll avoid asking me for help, even when you need it."
Because that’s what I normally do. That's the side of me I've always shown him.
For years I’ve secretly crushed on Julian. For three months I've dreamed about him. And the last few weeks, I've avoided admitting my feelings for him, to myself and to him.
I was scared. Plain and simple.
He has the power to hurt me. To break my heart. If I don't give him a chance, I take away that power. I'm in control.
I'm also miserable. He's miserable. We're both lusting after each other, and I'm the only person standing in the way.
Julian may not be my happily ever after, but he could be my happy for now. And as long as I keep that mentality, I should be okay. Right? It's not like I can get any more attached to him than I already am. I can't want him more. I might as well have what we both want and see where it leads us.
"No expectations." His head turns in my direction, his brow lifted in question. "I can't promise you I won't freak out, get scared, and try to push you away. Let's go into this without expectations. Call it having fun, screwing around, whatever. Just, no labels. Not right now."
"So I can't introduce you as my girlfriend, or you'll run away from me?"
"Basically."
"Are we exclusive?"
"I don't plan on sleeping with anyone else. Do you?"
I watch in fascination as a grin slowly begins to spread across his gorgeous face. The more it grows, the more my insides twist, my core heating with desire. By the time it reaches full wattage, I'm breathing heavily, staring at his lips, and wishing Brady wasn't down the hall.
Because every naughty thing Julian has done to me in my dreams, I want them to become a reality.
Holding out his hand, I place my palm against his, and he pulls me on top of him. "You plan on sleeping with me? I'm going to need you to elaborate on that statement. Clarify if you will. Because my mind is running wild right now."
"Let it," I state, taking the opportunity to press my lips against him.
If the move surprised him, he doesn't let it show. He takes control of the kiss, flipping me over again, but this time letting his entire body cover mine. When Julian lifts the hem of my shirt, I break our kiss and help him remove it. It gets caught on my bandaged hand for a second before falling to the floor. My jeans are next. Once he's shimmied those down past my hips, I lift my ass, and Julian moves to stand at the edge of the bed.
Slowly, he removes my jeans, watching in fascination as more and more skin is revealed.
"You are so gorgeous, Piper."
"Pretty girl." I've never told him, but I love it when he calls me that. And right now, I want to hear him say it.
"Oh, you like your nickname?"
"Maybe."
"Well, you got it wrong."
"How so?"
Stepping between my legs, Julian tugs until my ass is at the edge of the bed, my core pressed against the tent in his shorts. Propping myself up on my elbows, I stare at my black cotton underwear. Obviously, I wasn't planning on anyone seeing them, or I would have put on a nicer pair. Maybe something lacy or silk. Anything but boring faded black cotton.
Julian's fingers lift my chin until we're nose to nose, staring into each other’s eyes.
"My pretty girl."
