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by Wynne, Hilary


  “Oh my God, Julian. Stop. You’re so wrong. Please tell me you really don’t believe I was with Luke like that. Yes, he was over, and clearly I should have said something, but we’re not together that way. I keep telling you that. I’m with you. Only you.” My anger has turned to fear. I’ve never heard him like this. “How did you even find out?”

  “Your friend Luke has a big mouth. He came to work today talking about his night off with you. He said it right in front of me. He wanted me to know he was with you when I wasn’t. He was talking to Jordan about how you needed someone to talk to and about how he comforted you over drinks. He’s lucky I didn’t kick his fucking ass.”

  “Julian. Nothing happened between us. I asked him to come over. I hardly see him at all since we’ve gotten together. He had a couple beers, and we talked. We talked about you.” I think it might help that I was talking about him. Wrong again.

  “If you want to talk to Luke about your shit, that’s fine, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk about me. I’m his boss, I can’t stand him, and he uses whatever you tell him as ammunition against me.”

  “I was telling him I was happy, Julian, and that you were treating me great. There’s nothing bad to say.”

  “Whatever, Alexa. You know I’m a very private person. Luke Miller is the last person I want knowing about my personal business.”

  “Why don’t you fire him if you have such a problem with him?”

  “Because he’s a good bartender, and the ladies love him. I’ve thought about it, but he’s good for business. Oh, and he’s also your ‘best friend.’ How would you feel if I fire him?”

  “I’d feel bad I caused any of this. This is so stupid. I can’t even believe we’re talking about this.”

  “You are a very smart, very perceptive woman, and for the life of me I can’t understand why you can’t see what’s right in front of you.”

  “All I can see is that you and I are in a really bad place, and right now that’s more important to me than Victoria, a photo shoot, or Luke.”

  I hear him take a deep breath. “Damn it, Alexa. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the shoot. I’m tired of fighting with you. I just want things to be okay between us, and I knew it would upset you that I would be spending time with Victoria. When I heard you saw Luke last night, I got so pissed. You won’t tell me what’s going on with you, and it really, really bothers me to know that Luke is the man you’re turning to. I won’t share you, Lexie. I told you that. It’s just me and you, or this doesn’t happen.”

  “It is just us, Julian. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Luke. I guess I felt the same way you did. I didn’t want to fight.”

  I look at my watch and realize we’ve been arguing for almost an hour now, and it’s time for me to leave work. Not too professional on my part. I have no idea if Julian’s and my plans are still on for tonight after that.

  “Are you still coming over, Alexa?”

  “Do you want me to, Julian?” My heart races as I wait for his reply.

  “I need you to, Alexa. I need you to.”

  “Then I’ll see you soon, Julian.”

  I had already planned on spending the night at Julian’s tonight, so I don’t need to go home. As I head there, I think about what just happened. We never really resolved anything, so I know we’ll continue talking about this. Ugh. I don’t want to talk. I just want to be with him. My period is pretty much gone, and I need to feel him close. I call Marissa on the way down to South Beach. I tell her about what happened with Luke and ask her if she thinks he’s trying to cause problems. She doesn’t hesitate to tell me, yes, she thinks it probably was intentional. We also talk about the whole photo shoot thing. She convinces me I need to be supportive and excited for Julian and that I also need to appreciate the fact my boyfriend is so hot they want to put multiple pictures of him in a magazine. She tells me what’s going on with her, and we catch up for the rest of the ride. I’m in a decent mood when I pull into the Bellavista, and I thank her for once again for keeping me in line.

  Before we got in a fight today, it was my intention to be naked in his bed when Julian came home. But after this afternoon, I’m not so sure it’s the best way to start the night, so instead of being naked, I change out of my work clothes and into a cotton, sea-foam-green-and-gray, bandeau-style halter maxi-dress. I can wear it if we go out to eat, and it’s comfortable to hang out in as well. I take my hair out of the braid I had it in and leave it loose. I freshen up my makeup, pour myself a glass of wine, and wait for Julian outside on the terrace. It’s six forty-five, so I’m expecting him soon.

  I hear him come in and wait for him to find me. He walks out onto the terrace, sees me sitting there, and shakes his head. “Can’t you stay out of trouble, Alexa?”

  I have no clue what I’ve done now, and my stomach turns. He sees the look on my face and knows I’m trying to figure out what I’ve done wrong.

  “I told you to be naked when I got home. You’re not. And although you look beautiful, I was expecting less.”

  Without saying a word, I stand, untie the strings from my halter top, and start pulling it slowly down over my body. I’m not wearing anything underneath, and I see the approval in Julian’s eyes. We have never been together here on the terrace, and I wonder why. The air is cool from the breeze, and the views are magnificent. Julian’s terrace is very private, so I don’t worry about being seen, but something about being outside makes this even more erotic. He stares at me for a moment, taking me all in, and as usual I feel revered.

  “Don’t move, baby. I’ll be right back.” I know he’s going to get a condom, and I want to tell him to stop, that he doesn’t have to use one, but I don’t. I don’t move, and Julian finds me in the same place. He walks to me and takes me in his arms. His clothes feel rough against my skin, and I want them off. I unbutton his gray shirt and slide it off his shoulders. He’s working on his belt at the same time, and when I finish with his shirt, I’m able to just push his pants down. He had taken his socks and shoes off when he came in the door, so after his pants drop, he’s naked too. He presses himself to me, and I can feel his desire. He grabs my head and pulls my mouth to his. From the minute our lips touch, I know he’s needy. There’s something about his kiss that says he needs to claim me. I try to mirror his intensity because I’m needy as well. I want to eliminate any distance between us, and I know I can physically do that. Our tongues and lips are hot and desperate as they slide over our sensitive skin. I can’t hold back a deep moan when Julian runs his soft, wet tongue down my neck, across my chest, and around my swollen nipples. I’m literally quivering with desire and want him in me. I grab his shaft and begin to stroke him steadily.

  Julian groans with pleasure. “Sí, Lexie. Toqueme asi.”

  “I’ll touch you anyway you want me to, Julian. As long as you keep touching me. I need it, Julian. I just want to feel you close.”

  Julian guides me back and lays me down on the chaise lounge. He positions himself between my legs, and when it appears like he’s going to go down on me, I ask him to stop. My period just ended, and I’m not comfortable with that. I take his hand instead and place it between my legs. He moans softly when he feels how wet I already am.

  “I want to watch you touch me. I want you to see what you do to me, Julian. You need to see how good you make me feel. Only you.”

  We don’t take our eyes off of each other as he slowly slides his fingers in and out of me. I’m so wet that on one pass his finger slips out of my sex and gently touches a spot a little further down. I involuntarily moan, and Julian’s eyes darken with lust. We have never talked about anal play nor has he attempted anything even close. It’s something I have very little experience with too. I don’t say yes, and I don’t say no. I leave it up to him, and he chooses not to take it any farther. A little piece of me is disappointed. I want to share my body with him in every way possible. The thou
ght of Julian and I experimenting with that turns me on even more, and I find that my race to orgasm has sped up. I feel the rush starting in my toes as Julian’s fingers find my clit and work their magic. As the energy of my orgasm pulses throughout my body, I call out Julian’s name and totally let go.

  I would love to return the favor and pleasure Julian with my hands or my mouth, but he moves to get inside of me so fast I don’t have a chance. I was so lost in the aftereffects of my orgasm that I hardly noticed him rolling a condom on. He spreads my legs with his knees and with one thrust he’s deep inside of me. Our eyes have not left each other, and we’re able to say so much without speaking. Our soft moans of pleasure and the sounds of our bodies fusing join together with the sultry sounds of a summer night and make the most beautiful music.

  It isn’t long before Julian orgasms and explodes into me. I grip his hips tightly and hold him close. He’s breathing rapidly, and I can feel his heart beating against mine. When his orgasm fades, he rolls halfway off and keeps his leg across mine. I put my hand over his heart and flatten my palm. He places his hand over mine and squeezes it. There’s nothing else that needs to be said now. He has my heart, and I have his.

  Julian gets up and throws the condom away and comes back with the blanket I slept with the other night. He arranges us on the lounger so I’m in his arms and pulls the blanket over our naked bodies. We watch the stars come out, and it makes me think of being at the hotel that first night we were really together. Thinking about the hotel makes me think about the damn photo shoot and about the fight we got into today. We need to talk about it.

  “I’m really sorry about today, Julian. About not being honest with you.”

  He squeezes me tighter. “Me too, corazón. Me too.”

  “Tell me about what you’re doing with the magazine.”

  Julian smiles at me, and I can tell he does want to share. “They want to do a three- or four-page spread on the hotel and feature all of the renovations and new venues. It’s an awesome publicity opportunity, and the hotel will be on the cover. Making sure the hotel looks perfect has kept me busy this week.”

  “That’s really exciting, Julian. You’re going to be in it?”

  He looks a little more reluctant to talk about this part, but he does. “Yes, they want me in it. I thought it would be just a little picture or something, but this has gotten all blown out of proportion, and now it has turned into a shoot with models. I’m not convinced this weekend is the best timing because we’re booked solid, but they want to get it out for the July issue.”

  “And how did Victoria get picked to be in the shoot?”

  “Not by me. The magazine chose her.” I believe him but am amazed by his belief it was not something she helped orchestrate. “We haven’t been together for a while, Lexie, and it was never anything serious. You know that, right?”

  “I believe you, but you need to stop being so naïve about all these women, Julian. They all want you. Candace, Victoria, Elyse, Caroline. I’ve seen how they all look at you. Luke overheard Elyse and Victoria the night we ran into them. He said they were talking about how Victoria was planning on rekindling your romance this weekend. It’s kinda why I freaked out.”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter what they want or think, baby. I’m with you. As far as Luke telling you things, you really need to ask me first before you jump to conclusions.”

  “I know you have issues with him, Julian, but Luke doesn’t lie to me. He never has.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t lie, but he does manipulate things to look different.” I start to defend Luke, and Julian places his lips on mine to stop me. It works, and I’m distracted.

  “I don’t want to talk about Luke or Victoria or anybody else. I want to hold you and make love to you again. And eat. I want to eat too.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “That was so romantic, Julian. Till you got to the eating part.”

  Julian laughs and tells me he brought food home. I swear I could get very used to this life. He brings the food out to the terrace, and we sit and talk about the interview he’ll be giving. He actually asks for my opinion on a few things, and I’m grateful he’s trying to include me. After dinner, Julian carries me to his bedroom where he does make love to me again. Three times. It may be all the sex we had or the wine or just the fact we’ve stayed away from talking about my “issues,” but I fall asleep easily and have one of the best night sleeps I’ve had in a month.

  It looks like Julian needed the rest too. I forgot to set an alarm last night, and when I finally wake up, it’s eight thirty. Shit, I have to be at work at nine. There’s no way that’s going to happen. I shake Julian and wake him up. He opens his eyes and pulls me to him. I wiggle out of his arms.

  “No time. It’s already eight thirty.” I head to the bathroom to take a quick shower. I hear him call after me.

  “Call in sick and get back here. I’m not done with you.”

  He can’t see my smile, but it’s big. Last night was great. And to be honest, not having time for sex is a good thing. I’m a little sore. I take a very quick shower and skip washing my hair. I put it in a bun and brush my teeth. I walk back out, and Julian is still lying in bed. He looks yummy.

  “Must be good to be the boss, huh?”

  “If you worked for me, I’d let you call in sick every time you wanted to stay in bed with me.”

  Work for him? He’s joking, right? “As tempting as that is, Julian, I think I’ll hang on to the job I have.”

  I slip into a scarf-print jersey dress in pinks, yellows, and oranges. It has a bateau neckline and capped sleeves. I dig in my bag and pull out a pair of straw-colored Ralph Lauren peep-toed sandals with dark wood stacked heels and platform. The heels are super high and flirty. I root around for my makeup bag and make some frustrated sounds when I can’t find the earrings I’m looking for.

  “You can leave things here if you want.” I stand up, look at Julian, and try not to freak out. First he tells me to come work for him and then to leave my stuff here. He needs to slow down.

  “You have no room in your closet for my stuff. You have too much of your own.” I say it jokingly as I walk into the bathroom and hope he doesn’t notice the panicked look on my face. Julian follows me in and brushes his teeth as I apply my makeup. He kisses me when he’s done and pats me on the butt.

  “Stop freaking out. You travel heavy. Thought it might be easier to keep a few things here.”

  I raise my eyebrows at him and shrug my shoulders. He smirks at me and starts walking out. “I do know you a little, Lexie.” Well, I guess he does.

  I put on a few more finishing touches, and when I come out into the kitchen, Julian hands me a cup of coffee in a travel mug. He kisses me passionately and tells me to go before he removes my clothes and convinces me to stay. Last night, we talked briefly about my plans tonight, and he asked me to come to the hotel with my friends. He pointed out I haven’t been back to Stellar to dance for weeks. I don’t tell him that my plan was to stay in all weekend and hide. I’m hoping by Tuesday morning all these bad memories about what happened this weekend last year will have passed me by. He brings it up again as I’m walking out, and he looks so hopeful that I can’t help but say yes. I hope my friends are on board.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  I call Marissa on my way in to work, and she agrees to go with me tonight. Shannon, Jenna, and Lauren do as well. I text Julian when I get to work and let him know I’ll be there by ten o’clock. He tells me to let him know when I’m close, and he’ll come out and meet me. I doubt I’ll do that. I can just find him inside.

  I don’t hear from Julian again for the rest of the day. I’m getting used to the fact that when he’s at work, he’s pretty much out of contact. He does give me all his attention when we’re together, so I try to deal with it. I figure they’re prepping for the shoot tomorrow, so I stay out of his way.

  Mari
ssa and I go for a run after work, and when we get back, we get ready to go out. Everyone is meeting here at eight, and the plan is to eat first. I want to look especially good tonight. I’m no model, but I can look sexy, and I want Julian’s focus to stay on me. I know he likes my boobs, so I look for something that accentuates them. I choose a form-fitting mini dress made of a black crochet pattern over a nude lining. The neckline is scooped in the front and back. It’s simple and fits in all the right places. I choose a pair of Vince Camuto strappy, black stilettos. I leave my hair down and wavy. I line my eyes with kohl eyeliner for a dramatic effect but keep the rest of my makeup simple. I put on a pair of oversized, gold pavé fringed hooped earrings and several gold bangles. I’m ready to go by eight o’clock, and when the girls all get here, we pile into Shannon’s car and head to the beach. We eat at a great Italian restaurant on Washington Avenue, and everyone but Shannon, who is driving, ends up drinking way too much wine. We get to the hotel just before ten, and Shannon valets. I have no desire for Julian to come outside to meet me, so I don’t text. We jump the long line when Marty see us.

  I feel good. It may be the wine or the company or the anticipation of seeing Julian. It doesn’t matter. I feel like I’m going to roll right through this weekend. We do our normal pit stop in the bathroom, and when I come out, I find Julian standing by the door waiting. He gives me the once over with his eyes, grabs my hand, and walks me away from the others. We stop when we’re alone, and he turns me to face him.

  “First, you look way too sexy in that dress to be left alone tonight. I swear it looks like you’re naked underneath. And second, why didn’t you text me?”

  I wrap my arms around his waist and kiss him firmly on the lips. “Hola, Julian. Thanks for the compliment. I was hoping you’d approve. Second, I don’t need an escort. I was going to come find you.”

 

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