She let out a sob the moment he wrapped an arm around her stomach and brought her body closer to his chest. Stephanie’s hand covered his as his palm rested against her stomach. A sniffle had sounded from her before he felt another sob take over her body.
“What happened?” he asked in a gentle voice.
“He hates me,” she replied in a strangled tone that caused an ache in his chest.
“Who?” Julian kissed her shoulder.
“Jarred.” Her body had stiffened before she trembled. “He hates me so much.”
“Impossible,” Julian breathed. Then he moved his hand from her stomach to her hip and flipped them so that her petite body nestled beneath his. When he looked into her eyes, the blue in them had dulled and the brokenness had flashed brightly.
Stephanie reached up and cupped his face in her hands. “I love you, Julian. Please believe me when I say that I do. I love you endlessly.”
Julian’s lips had curved into a smile before he kissed her. Slowly. Deeply. Passionately. He let himself settle between her legs, and Stephanie quickly crossed her ankles around him, bringing him closer to her.
“Julian,” she moaned against his mouth and grinded against him. Meeting his thrusts. He hated that layers of jeans and underwear prevented him from entering her. But that was not what he wanted. She was hurt, and he wanted to assure her that what they had held substance. That they couldn’t cover their problems with sex.
His lips broke away from hers. Julian looked her down and softly said, “Je t’aime.”
I love you.
“Endlessly,” she added.
“Endlessly,” he agreed before he rolled them once more and had her in his arms. Stephanie rested her head against his chest as they lay silently in the darkening bedroom. Later, when she was ready, he’d ask her why she believed her brother hated her. But for now he’d comfort her. He’d hold her for as long as she wanted because where they lay was theirs. And he felt strongly about the fact that she was finally his and he was finally hers.
Peeking at the clock on the bedside table, Julian noticed that it was just after eight. Stephanie had fallen asleep shortly after cuddling up to him. Though he was starving and needed to use the bathroom, he didn’t care. Watching and feeling her breathe and sleep meant more. He swore that this was as close to heaven as he would ever get. No man should be this happy or lucky. But he was. He loved this woman more than he’d loved anyone else. Julian had held on to the hope that he’d see her again. And for that he’d thank whatever power was out there for allowing their paths to cross once again.
The knock on the front door had him holding his breath. He quickly glanced down to see that Stephanie hadn’t stirred and decided against answering it. But when the knocks turned into loud, heavy bangs, Julian sighed and carefully slipped out of Stephanie’s arms and her bed. He waited several seconds until she snuggled into the pillow and sighed. Once he was satisfied that she wouldn’t wake, Julian tiptoed out of her bedroom and made his way towards the front door. When he opened it, he never expected to find Stephanie’s stepbrother with a scowled expression staring at him.
“Jarred. What are you doing here?” Julian asked, curious. His need to protect Stephanie intensified. Jarred had hurt her. Made her cry. Julian wouldn’t allow him to take a step inside the apartment.
“You,” Jarred said, unbelievably. “It’s you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I fucking know that the guy she slept with in Thailand was you!”
Julian flinched, but he composed himself quickly enough. “Not any of your business.”
Jarred let out an astonished chuckle. “It’s my business. Where is she?”
“Asleep. She’s a wreck. What did you do to her?”
“Me? She’s the one who looked me in the eye four years ago and lied. She’s the one who betrayed my trust. I was there for her and she threw my love for her in my face. She lied to me so easily. I don’t know how you can’t see that she’s lying to you, too.” Jarred dug into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
“Stephanie’s not lying to me. You should go. I don’t want you upsetting her any further.”
“I’m guessing she hasn’t told you,” Jarred said, stopping Julian from closing the apartment door.
“What?”
Jarred thrust the folded paper towards him, and Julian took it. “You have the right to know.”