Julian (Trinity Academy 4)

“You could wear pants,” he shoots back as he goes to throw the paper towels in the trash can.

Climbing to my feet, I yank my oversized shirt up and say, “I’m wearing pants.”

Julian’s eyes drop down to my pelvic area, and then his eyebrow lifts. “You call those pants?”

“Yeah.” I glance down at my shorts. Sure, they’re a little tight, but they’re one of my comfy pairs.

A sexy smirk begins to form around Julian’s mouth, which instantly has me frowning. “What’s the grin for?”

He slowly moves closer to me, then says, “You choked when you saw me. I’m just wondering why.”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” I taunt him. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

“Yeah, and if memory serves me right, you really liked the view the first time around.”

And what a view it was, seeing him in all his naked glory.

I begin to feel flushed from the memory of our night together and having him standing so close to me.

Clearing my throat again, I do my best to keep my eyes on his face because one more look at his chest might have me drooling.

Julian tilts his head and takes another step closer, which has our bodies almost touching. It’s close enough for me to feel the heat of his skin.

My eyes jump to his chest before bringing them back to his face. When I see his irises darkening with the same desire that’s spreading through me like a fire, I forget that we’re standing in the kitchen.

“This is a bad idea,” he murmurs as he lifts a hand to the back of my neck.

“Yeah,” I agree, my breaths already speeding up with anticipation.

His other hand clamps down on my hip, and as he pulls me closer, he lowers his head to mine. The moment our lips touch, I bring up my hands to frame his jaw.

I’m overwhelmed by his scent, something citrusy, which is probably from the body wash he uses. Feeling his chest press against mine, my body shudders, and I move my hands to his hair.

Julian nips at my bottom lip, and it makes my heart rate spike. I part my lips, and his tongue immediately sweeps into my mouth, drawing a needy moan from me.

When Julian slips a hand up the back of my shirt, and his fingers brush over my sensitive skin, I push my body hard against his, wanting so much more.

“Oh shit,” I hear Della’s surprised voice.

Julian instantly breaks the kiss, and we both glance at the entrance to the kitchen, but Della’s nowhere to be found, probably having rushed away to give us privacy.

Julian lets out a chuckle and dropping his head, he presses a kiss to my neck, then whispers, “Busted.”

“Yep. I better go after her and explain.” Reluctantly, I pull away from Julian.

“What are you going to say to her?” Julian asks, his eyes still resting on me filled with intense desire.

“The truth.” I drop my eyes only for them to land on his golden skin.

“And that is?” he asks as he lifts a hand to my jaw, and then rubs his thumb softly over my bottom lip.

Holy cow, if he doesn’t stop, I’m going to forget about wanting to talk with Della and drag him back to my room.

“We… ah… spent a night together,” I stumble over my words because all brain activity is solely focused on Julian, and how he’s making me feel. “That the kiss just happened… and I’m not sure… what it means.”

Julian moves his hand down to the side of my neck, and then he leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips. Pulling back, his eyes find mine. “Hopefully, it means there’s still a mutual attraction, and we’d both like to see where it will lead?”

I begin to nod and agree, “I’ll tell Della that. It’s less complicated.”

The corner of Julian’s mouth lifts. “When you’re done talking with your sister, and you can’t sleep, come to my room.”

My eyebrow pops up, not having expected the offer even after we just shared a hot kiss.

My reaction has Julian saying, “To sleep, Jamie. Just to sleep. Let’s take it slow this time.”

I smile, appreciating that he’s willing to move slow. Walking toward the entrance of the kitchen, I warn him, “You might regret the invitation because I’m a restless sleeper.”Chapter 22JulianStaring out of my window at the dark night, I replay what just happened over in my mind.

For a moment, I doubt myself, wondering if I made a mistake kissing Jamie.

It felt right, though.

Why hold off until the perpetrator is caught? It might take months.

I’m done fighting the attraction I feel for Jamie. Yes, she’s much younger than me, but she’s like no other woman I’ve ever met. She challenges me, never backing away from an argument.

There’s a soft knock at my door, and when I glance over my shoulder, Jamie pushes the door open.