“I’m afraid I don’t have much time for a king.”
I ended the sentence with a halfhearted chuckle. Julian’s expression however, was still fixed on mine. He wasn’t having any of it.
“There’s always time,” he said flatly, tipping his latest bottle against his beautiful lips. “Otherwise…” he gestured grandly with one arm. “What’s this all for?”
There was a measure of silence as Noah returned. I heard the popping sound of him pulling the cork on a new bottle, and pouring three glasses. But my eyes never left Julian’s.
“I should probably thank you guys again,” I said genuinely, “for helping me out of this mess. If it weren’t for you, I’d already be back in the States.”
Noah slid a new glass of Merlot into my hand. As he did, his fingers lingered on mine.
“In any case,” I said, raising my arm in a toast. “you’re saving my ass.”
“Well it’s too cute an ass not to save,” offered Noah.
“I’ll second that,” Chase said.
I blushed as the guys all raised their own drinks, toasting me back. We sipped in silence for a few seconds, then I let out a long, contented sigh.
“Leave it to me to come all the way to Scotland,” I laughed, “only to hire an entire crew of Americans.”
“Technically your uncle hired us,” Noah pointed out.
“Yeah, but I kept you on because you reminded me of home.”
The guys laughed and we toasted again. It was Julian who got up first. He set down his latest empty and crossed back to the fridge.
“Sorry there’s no dessert,” I said in a half-hearted apology. “I guess we should’ve figured out who was bringing it. I could make coffee though. Or—”
“I see dessert.”
I glanced back at Julian, wondering what he could’ve possibly found in the fridge that would qualify. But the fridge was closed. And he was looking directly at me.
Our eyes met, and I could see a rising fire and passion behind those stormy grey orbs. It was the same look I saw every night, wrapped in his arms. The look of purpose he always gave me, just before he left.
Only now… he was crossing the kitchen. Moving in my direction.
Oh wow…
I wanted to say something. Had to say something! But I was lost in those eyes. Completely immersed in the intensity of his gaze, helpless to do anything but—
In a flash of power and movement, Julian pulled me straight to my feet. He lifted me effortlessly with his two big arms, and set me down on the table.
“Oh!”
In the same fluid movement, he pushed forward, grabbing my face. Both hands went to my cheeks. They gripped me firmly, yet somehow tenderly…
Oh my God…
And then he was kissing me.
Eight
MADISON
Holy fucking shit…
Julian stood at the edge of the table, kissing me hard and fast. Kissing me with every bit as much passion as he always had, while nudging my thighs apart and pushing forward until our bodies were finally touching.