The Allure of Julian Lefray - R.S. Grey Page 0,104

It was tan, broad, and toned with no remnants of throw-up anywhere. Still, the memory would haunt me for the rest of my life.

“That was admittedly not one of my finest moments.”

He nodded and stayed silent, clearly giving me the stage.

“Okay, also, I’m really sorry that you had to take me back to my parent’s house after Lily ditched you. It’s hard enough to meet someone’s family for the first time, even under the best circumstances.”

His brows perked up as he took a giant bite of donut. Good, let that sugary goodness sink in.

“On the plus side, my mom really likes you. She said that most men wouldn’t have had the balls to bring me back home like that.”

He laughed. “Did your mom actually say ‘balls’?”

I smiled. “No. Not exactly.”

He nodded and finished off his donut.

“Okay, I apologized about the throw-up and my mom,” I said aloud, trying to think of what else I had subjected him to the night before. “Oh, and sorry for almost getting you shot by Mr. Jensen.”

“Is that all?” he asked, tilting his head and watching me.

“All that I have to apologize for?” I asked.

“No,” he said, shaking his head.

He stood from the bed and stepped closer to me. I watched him approach, curious what he was about to do. He leaned forward and dropped his coffee and donuts on the TV stand behind me. His chest brushed against mine as he moved and I pressed my lips together to stay quiet.

He slipped his hand around the back of my forearm and then slowly dragged it up around my bicep.

“All that you have to say.”

I swallowed, recalling the declaration I’d made in the truck the night before. I’d been drunk and exhilarated by the fact that Julian had flown to Texas for me. Could I be blamed for telling him the truth about how I felt?

Julian and I could go back to being friends, just the same as before. We could have amazing sex without the labels and responsibilities.

This didn’t have to end just because I’d accidentally told him I loved him.

I could take it back.

He leaned forward and wrapped both hands around my arms, pulling me against his chest. His mouth found my ear and he whispered the next few words against my skin.

“Tell me what you told me in the truck last night.”

I closed my eyes and pictured two scenarios: one where Julian and I were together and happy, and one where I told him my true feelings and he pulled back, slowly at first, and then all at once. Gone.

“Jo, tell me,” he said kissing the side of my cheek.

I wanted to tell him the truth. I wanted to throw myself at fate and live with the consequences if he decided he didn’t want me anymore.

My voice shook as I spoke. “I think you and I should be more than friends.”

My heart leapt in my chest. There. I said it.

“Mhm,” he hummed.

I smiled.

“And I think you should take me on a date to a restaurant and we’ll order an appetizer and dessert. No, two desserts.”

He laughed. “I agree, but why should we do that?”

I kept my eyes closed, focusing on the feel of his lips against my cheek, the grip of his hands on my arm. I knew what game he was playing. I knew he was calling my bluff and I wasn’t ready to give in just yet.

“Because you’re very funny,” I whispered.

“And?” he asked, peeling away the layers of my resolve.

“And you’re very nice for taking care of me while I was drunk.”

“And?”

“You’ve got a cute butt.”

I could feel his smile against my cheek.

“Jo…”

“And I love you.”

He leaned back and stared into my eyes. A triumphant smile coated his lips and I resisted the urge to kiss it off.

“I love you too,” he said.

Warmth spread through me as I held his gaze.

“Is that why you came to Texas?” I asked.

He glanced to the side, gathering his thoughts before catching my gaze once again.

“It seems silly now, but Dean scared the shit out of me after you left. I thought you were pulling away, and then I got the call from Elizabeth about the Vogue position. I assumed you hadn’t told me about it because you wanted to let me down easy.”

I flinched back. Vogue? He knew about Vogue?

“Elizabeth contacted me for a reference,” he explained.

“She did?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said, leaning back to get a better look at me. “I told her she would have to discuss your recommendation with