A disarmingly cute grin graced his lips. “Damn right I’d rather spend my nights with you. I barely hear from him. He just sends me a text every night saying he won’t be home. Can I stay tonight, Blondie?”
The sweetness and the child-like way he asked had her chuckling. “If you’re lucky,” she teased.
“Hmmm, I think I’m the luckiest bastard there is. Stephanie Appleton is in love with me,” he stated with such wonder that she grasped his shirt in her hands and collided her lips to his.
The rightness of him and his love made their kiss all the more intense. The way his lips glided over hers and made her heart clench only made her realise how much substance there really was between them. The magic hadn’t disappeared. It only became more powerful and more certain. Julian’s hands were in her hair, deepening the already passionate kiss. Moans and sighs echoed but she didn’t care. She loved the man whose insanely talented tongue danced against hers. Loved the way he touched her and made her feel right. Made her feel better.
“Olive you, Stephanie,” he breathed against her lips.
Her hands rested on his chest before she pushed him off her and laughed. “Seriously? I’m reconsidering my offer of spending the weekend together.”
The smile on his face quickly vanished. “The hell you are. Come into Max’s place and sit while I pack a few things.” Julian let her go and went to the door. When he reached it, he paused and peered at her from over his shoulder. “Don’t knock the fruit puns, Blondie. You love them.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “You’re such an idiot.”
“Yeah. And you’re in love with me,” he said as he opened the door and entered the apartment.
“That I am,” she whispered to herself as she smiled and followed him into Max’s.
“Stephanie, your phone is ringing!” Julian yelled from the kitchen.
Stevie quickly ran from her bedroom and towards the kitchen. She was lucky she hadn’t tripped over the small weekend bag Julian had stolen from Max. When she reached the island bench, she had just managed to pick up the call.
“Hello,” she said breathlessly into the speaker.
“Hey, how are things?” Clara asked with a lot more cheeriness than this morning at the airport.
Stevie climbed onto the barstool and let out a heavy sigh. “Good. Are you and Noel doing okay?”
There was silence for a moment then Clara also let out a heavy sigh. “Yep. We talked out the whole Liam issue. It’s not really an issue. Noel knows I’d never leave him. He just wants to help me get over my guilt.”
“Let me guess, the make-up sex was amazing?” Stevie asked humorously.
Julian quickly turned away from the stove and raised a brow. “Tell her we need details or it didn’t happen.”
“Julian!” Stevie exclaimed and threw the tea towel at him. He caught it with ease and smirked at her. Then Julian rested his elbows on the bench and studied her. Stevie squinted at him and had her index finger to her lips to signal him to be quiet. The roll of his eyes was the response she received.
“Well, that sounds promising,” Clara remarked.
“Don’t overthink it, Parker,” Stevie warned. “We’re figuring things out.”
“Clara, she said she loves me!” Julian said, loud enough for Stevie to hear Clara gasp. Then he stood up, rounded the bench, and set his hands on the base of Stevie’s neck.
“You told him you loved him?” Clara asked, astonished.
“Hang up,” Julian whispered before he dipped his head and placed a wet kiss on her neck, then another before he ghosted his lips up and down her neck.
“Clara, I’m gonna—” Julian took her phone from her and hung up on Clara. Just as she was about to tell him off for ending her call with her best friend, Julian set her phone on the bench and lunged for her lips. The feel of his mouth on hers was sheer, untainted relief.
“Wrap your legs around me, Blondie,” he instructed, and she did. Julian let out a groan as he lifted her up off the stool.
Stevie’s hands held his face as her lips travelled to his jaw and then back at his mouth. Her need for him was great. Her need for release was even greater. She couldn’t help but grind against him, needing to feel him. Julian’s fingers dug into the back of her thighs as he walked her around the bench and then sat her on top of it.