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Julian
Brady's a dead man.
He was smart enough to disappear before Piper and I emerged from my bedroom. Of course, we gave him plenty of time. We were both sweaty and sated, so we showered. Piper seemed to be apprehensive about facing him, so as much as I wanted to punch him square in his jaw, I was grateful he wasn't anywhere to be found.
It was mid-afternoon by the time Piper and I made it back to the restaurant. Employees were starting to arrive for their shifts. My lead cook, Chez, pulled into the lot behind us. I felt the air shift in the car. Her nerves radiating off her in waves.
All I wanted to do was pull her in my arms and promise things would be fine. That nothing would change. That no one would care about us seeing each other. I also knew nothing I said would make her feel better.
So instead, I tried to play it cool. Kissed her on her cheek and told her I'd call her later.
It felt wrong.
Not claiming her as mine in front of other people. Chez was parking his truck a few feet away. There was a server smoking outside the back entrance. No one was looking in our direction, but if they did, all it would take is one glance to put the pieces together.
Her car was there overnight.
I stormed out of there with her last night after she burned her hand.
The only person who knows something is going on is Brady. Or, at least, he thinks he knows something.
Who am I kidding?
He knows.
He heard.
I wasn't exactly quiet, and neither was she.
Not the first time in my bed. Or the second in the shower.
I guarantee he'll be waiting for me when I return to the apartment. With a shit-eating, I-told-you-so grin. Because he did. He said if I gave her time, she'd come around. All I had to do was make my presence known. Shower her with affection. Prove to her that I care about her without being overbearing about it. Let my actions speak for themselves because words wouldn't be enough.
Watching her drive away, a sinking feeling in my gut washes over me. She doesn't wave. She doesn't even glance in my direction.
Which is why I follow her back to campus. Park my car behind hers without pulling into a space. And I'm at her driver’s side door opening it before she can, pulling her into my arms.
"What are you doing here? I thought—"
I silence her with a kiss. One that should leave no doubt in her mind how I feel about her. That I don't care who sees us together; I'm not ashamed for people to know.
"Julian." My name is a whisper on her lips as she pulls away.
"God, I love it when you moan my name."
"That was not a moan." Slapping my chest, a soft giggle escapes her lips. "Really, why are you here?"
"Because I didn't kiss you before I said goodbye."
"There were people around."
"There are people around now," I counter, waving my arms at the students walking around campus, some staring in our direction.
"Yes, but you aren't their boss. They don't work for you. Though, I'm sure some of them idolize you, and all of them know who you are."
"I don't care if they know who I am, pretty girl. All I care is that they know you're taken."
Gripping her hips, I pull Piper's body against mine and nip at the delicate spot behind her ear.
