Julian nodded. That nod from him was enough for her. Stevie gave him a small smile before she peeled the shirt off his back and threw it on the ground. The light that seeped through the curtains made it possible for her to take in his tattoo. Slowly and cautiously, Stevie inched her index finger closer to his pec. The moment she made physical contact, Julian inhaled sharply. Stevie peeked up at him through her lashes and the softness in his eyes caused her to swallow hard. Then she concentrated on the way her finger traced the curves of his ‘S’ tattoo.
When she reached the flick of the ‘S,’ Julian quickly wrapped his arms around her and held her tight against his body. He took a deep breath before one of his hands cupped the back of her head.
“I’ll believe in anything and everything for you. I’ll do what it takes. I’ll lie for you, Stephanie. I’ll lie if it meant I’d be yours,” he mumbled into her neck.
A tear ran down her cheek before she pulled her arms from between their chests and wrapped them around him.
Lies are easy.
The secrets are what willingly and unwillingly kill the soul.
Mine and his.
Two.
Never just one.
Even though we share this secret.
Mine will always be worse.
“Stephanie,” Julian said softly. He peered down to see that she hadn’t woken at his call of her name.
The way her body draped over him was a reminder of the mornings he had woken up on the hammock of his Thai villa. The way her blonde hair shimmered in the morning sun; she was as beautiful as ever, if not more. Julian’s thumb circled her arm, and she snuggled into his chest.
Definitely more.
As much as he wanted to stay in her arms, he had to leave. If he didn’t, Clara would discover him in Stephanie’s bed. Not that he didn’t love the idea of being caught. He wanted it. Craved and hoped for it. But Stephanie was reluctant and he’d agreed that he’d keep them a secret for her sake. Once he had slipped out of bed, Julian began to dress himself. As articles of clothing covered him, he continued to watch Stephanie sleep peacefully. Julian searched the floor until he picked up his tie and tiptoed out of her bedroom.
He held his breath as he closed the door behind him. Once he heard the click, he exhaled. He was acting as if he were trying to put a two-year-old to sleep. But in reality he just wanted Stephanie to have as much sleep as possible. They had spent last night in each other’s arms. No words exchanged. Just their breaths filling the room. When he felt her snuggle into his chest and let out a sigh, Julian knew she had all but fallen asleep. With her in his arms, he knew she would fight for him and them. Whatever it was she had been through, she had fought and she had survived. But he couldn’t help but think if only just. Just able to fight. Just able to survive.
Just able to love me.
“Morning,” Noel greeted as he stumbled out of his wife’s room—shirtless.
Julian knew that sometime in the night Noel and his wife had had sex. He heard it. How Stephanie didn’t wake up to it, he didn’t know. So Julian grinned at Noel and then wagged his brows at him.
“I guess you heard us last night?” Noel asked as he rubbed his palms over his face and then made his way over to the kitchen.
Julian followed and stood by the barstools. “Does ‘Oh shit, baby. Yeah, ride me harder. Oh, fuck, I’m close’ sound familiar?” he teased.
“You didn’t get off on us having sex, did you?”
“Nah. But I am impressed.”
Noel opened the fridge and took out a carton of milk. “On?”
“You lasting as long as you did,” Julian stated with a shrug.
“Ha. You are so funny. I thought you were asleep. I shouldn’t have answered your call so late. You know my wife is pissed at you for being at work instead of our goodbye dinner. She definitely won’t approve of your booty call to Stevie that late,” Noel warned and put the milk down on the bench.
It wasn’t a booty call.
I had to see her.
I had to catch her off guard.
“So who instigated your late night romp? You or your wife?” he asked, changing the subject.
Noel rolled his eyes. “I can’t say no to Clara. We lost too much time together. And