hoped maybe she could be his salvation or maybe he could be it for her.
“Who?” Stephanie asked as her hand settled on his shoulder.
Her touch ignited his heart, slowing it down until it beat with an uncomfortable burning sensation. A feeling he had been without for four years. And a feeling he had missed and craved for.
“Rob. He’s taking our father home,” Julian replied as he led her into a slow dance. Julian didn’t take his eyes off her as she kept hers averted. “You know, Stephanie, it wouldn’t be so bad if you looked at me during this dance. After all, you did ask me to dance with you. Not a lovely vault memory if I can’t even memorise your face at this exact moment. You asked and I answered.” Julian tightened his hold of her to ensure their bodies didn’t break contact.
Stephanie slowly turned her head until she faced him. That wariness in her eyes was one he didn’t enjoy.
“You replied in French. I asked you in English not French, Julian.”
He chuckled, and before she could question him, Julian had dipped her. Bringing her back up, he leant in close to her ear and whispered, “French is what we have together, mon cœur.”
My heart.
She had tensed before she pushed off him, dividing them. “I am not your heart, okay. I’m not. We had a week together. That’s it! If you have any respect for yourself, Julian, then you’ll stay away from me,” Stephanie warned, and her hands balled into fists beside her.
“Stephanie, you asked me for a dance together,” he reminded as he closed the distance between them.
She took another step back, shaking her head.
“No,” she said firmly, and Julian steeled at that one word.
“No?”
“I’m drunk, Julian. I don’t know what this dance means.” There was no slur to her words, and no glassiness in her eyes. He knew she was bullshitting, but he wasn’t going to push her.
Instead, Julian placed his hands in his pockets. It was an attempt not to force her to stay. “You sure do know how to break a man’s heart, Stephanie.”
Stephanie winced before him. This time her eyes glazed over. She had looked at the guests around them before she uttered, “C’est pour le mieux, Julian.”
“What does that—” Julian stopped just as she took a step towards the bride. “Don’t do this, Stephanie,” he begged.
“Tu es pur. Je ne suis pas,” she said softly, leaving him on the dance floor.
I need a goddamn translator by my side.
Julian watched as Stephanie whispered to the bride. The bride had nodded once before she glared at him. Then Clara excused herself and made her way towards him.
“Is Steph—” Julian began to say once she reached him.
“You owe me a dance, Julian Moors,” Clara interrupted.
He sighed and pulled his hands out of his pocket. “You’re a fucking frustration, Clara Parker. You’re lucky I like you or I’d kick your ass for interrupting.”
Clara smirked and then tilted her head. “Funny, my husband said the exact same thing.”
“Ugh, gross! All right, let’s get this stupid dance over with,” he said dragging out the annoyed tone in his voice.
“You know,” Clara said, placing her hand on his, “I’d normally be offended by that. But you’re lucky I like you or I’d kick your ass.”
“Please.” He rolled his eyes. “If anyone is gonna kick my ass, then it’s that prison guard of yours. I’d like to see you try, whip!”
Clara’s eyebrows furrowed. “I am not a whip!”
Julian let out a laugh. “Marriage is a form of legal imprisonment that doesn’t involve handcuffs and barbed wire… I mean your marriage can if you’re into that, Clara. I always knew you’d like it dirty.”
She took a step back. “You just earned your out. I can’t dance with you right now.”
Taking a step forward, Julian swept Clara into his arms. She let out a squeal and the material of her dress waved about with her kicks.
“You love me, don’t deny it! After all, I was your first kiss.”
“What?” Noel’s voice had Julian putting Clara down.
“Sorry, man,” Julian said as Clara adjusted her veil. Noel’s face tensed and his nostrils flared. Julian could tell that the revelation bothered him.
“Noel,” Clara said in a worried tone. Then she took his hand.
I don’t think I’m coming out of this shit alive.
“Anything else I need to know, Julian? You gonna tell me you love my wife, too?”
“Nothing I say next will lighten up the atmosphere, will it?” Julian asked.