sparkle in his eye. He let go of her hips, proceeding to wrap his arms around her back, and sat them up. Stevie straddled him. And then, with a lot of gracefulness, he turned them so that she was on her back and his body covered hers.
Julian took the condom from her and began to roll it down his length. When the protection was on, he settled between her legs. He then ducked his head and kissed her long and sweet.
“Love you,” he mumbled against her lips before he gently entered her with a flex of his hips. A slow, delicious burn coursed through her, unnerving her.
With a final hard thrust, he filled her. “God, I love you,” she said in a moan.
He stilled and dropped his face onto her shoulder. She felt the heavy rise and fall of his chest against her breasts. “I know. I feel it in the way I can feel your heart beating in your chest. I know you love me, Stephanie. I don’t doubt it.”
Tears had pooled before they escaped. Stevie closed her eyes and let herself feel every beat her heart made. It didn’t feel broken. It felt strong. It felt wonderful. It finally felt whole.
“It’s yours, Julian. My whole heart is yours.”
She had felt his smile against her neck before he whispered, “Thank you.”
Julian: I can’t believe our weekend together is being ruined by my father wanting us to have lunch together!
Stephanie: Don’t say that. Enjoy lunch with your family.
Julian: You should have come with, Blondie.
Stephanie: Probably not the best idea.
Julian: Because of Rob?
Stephanie: I’m sorry.
Julian: We have to tell him sometime.
Stephanie: I know we do. WE haven’t even figured this all out. You can’t expect him to be okay with us. He spent a year trying to get me to be with him. You’re back in my life less than a month and we’ve had sex. I never even got past kissing him. He’ll be hurt.
Julian: I know he will. We’ve never liked the same woman before, but I’m not going to spare my brother’s feelings. Sorry but I waited four years to be with you. He may have liked you, maybe even felt really strongly about you, but I’m in love with you, Stephanie. Rob would never understand how I feel about you. His feelings don’t come close to my love for you.
Stephanie: Julian Overlord Moors (though I doubt the legitimacy of your middle name), you say such beautiful things. You are so going to get some tonight.
Julian: Because I wasn’t getting some before that message?
Stephanie: Nope.
Julian: I screw up scrambled eggs once.
Stephanie: It’s not that hard. Seriously. Stop texting and get back to lunch.
Julian: Fine. Guess I’ll listen to Rob talk about his water sports activities. You going to be okay until I get back? Not gonna miss me?
Stephanie: Nope. I’ll actually be relaxed and not have you annoying me. Plus, I’m waiting for Jarred to stop by. He texted that he was bringing some of my things from our parents’ place. I’m having a wonderful time away from you. I bet you’re missing me. And don’t call Rob’s rowing career an activity. The guy is going to be an Olympian, you’ll see.
Julian: What are you? His number one fan or something?
Stephanie: Are you jealous? Don’t be. I’m Julian Moors’ number one fan. His annoyingness makes me weak. Seriously, I’m turning off my phone.
Stephanie: I like you. I leek you. Olive you. I love you.
Julian: You are so getting some tonight.
Stephanie: I know. Aren’t I just lucky?
He laughed at her message. Then he waited a few moments before he messaged her again.
Julian: I love you, Stephanie Élise Appleton.
When he pressed send, he set his phone on the table, satisfied that when she’d turn her phone back on, it would be waiting for her.
“Julian,” Rob called from his left.
He shifted his gaze from his phone to his brother. “Yep.”
“You’ve barely eaten and you’ve been on your phone since you got here. You doing all right? Everything okay with work?” Rob asked before he picked up his glass of water and took a sip.
Julian frowned at the concern in Rob’s eyes and the way his brother’s brows furrowed. All he did was nod a reply and retrieved his fork. He looked down at the garden salad on his plate and began to pick at it. Rob’s questioning glare made Julian uncomfortable in his seat. There was no reason for Rob to be upset when he told him the truth about his