“Everything okay?”
“Define okay.”
“What’s going on, Bri?” Julian sounds confused.
“I need you, Julian.” I just about moan the words as I slide a finger inside me.
“You sound like you’re…” His voice trails off, this time he stares hard enough at the glass to see what I’m doing to myself. “Jesus, Bri. You’re gonna be the death of me, baby.”
“Julian, get in here with me.”
I must have a brain tumor because this is a bad idea. Why am I inviting him in here with me?
Because I want him. I need him. I’ve missed the shit out of him. Because it felt so damn good to kiss him again.
He doesn’t waste a second. Julian opens the door and growls when he looks at me. It takes him all of two seconds to strip off his clothes and get in. Even after all these years, he’s still the hottest naked man I’ve ever seen.
His eyes flicker with an intensity I haven’t seen in years. “Keep doing that,” he hisses.
I shake my head and remove my finger. “I’d rather you do it for me.”
Julian lifts me in his strong arms, hooking my legs around his back. “Someone’s been a bad girl,” he says against my lips. He takes my hand and licks each of my fingers, and when he finds the one that was inside me, he groans his satisfaction.
He rakes his fingers through my hair, shoving the wet strands off my face. My heart slams against my ribcage when he presses his lips to mine. Once our tongues collide, I’m lost to Julian, so consumed by his masculine scent and each flick of his tongue that sends a ripple of pleasure down to my toes.
He explores my body with his hands and then his mouth. Julian presses my back against the tile, his lips molded to mine as he twists my nipple between his fingers. I moan in his mouth, practically exploding from the pressure building within. There’s so much passion behind each kiss, and somehow, this doesn’t feel like just sex when it comes to Julian. All of our pent-up anger and aggression comes to a head, both of us crashing so hard I can barely breathe. My feelings for Julian come flooding back to me, trickling in one after another.
After our lips separate, we’re both out of breath. We stare into each other’s eyes, a fire burning between us. He dips his head down to suck my nipple into his mouth, dragging his teeth along my sensitive skin. Giving the tiny bud a good tug, he peeks up at me, a smile reaching up to his irises. He takes his time with each breast, and then his hand falls between my legs, the pad of his thumb rolling over my clit before he slips one and then another finger inside my wetness.
Julian leaves a trail of hot kisses down my skin from my neck to my breasts, his fingers plunging deeper and deeper. I thrust my hips into his hand, greedy and wanting more of him. My body responds to him in ways I never understood, as if I were made specifically for him. Sex was never a problem with Julian. He has a big cock, skilled fingers and an even more skilled tongue, and he knows how to use them. Julian knows how I like it. He knows when to slow down and when I can’t take anymore.
Seconds before I come on his fingers, I dig my nails into his shoulders and scream his name.
“That’s it, baby,” he says and then his lips are on mine once more, stifling my moans as my orgasm rocks through my body.
Julian removes his fingers to suck on them before smearing what’s left of my juices across my lips. I stick my tongue out to taste, not breaking eye contact, and he takes my face in his hands. His kisses are so passionate that my toes to curl in anticipation of more.
Out of breath, I press my palm against his chest. “I still have to wash my hair… and my body… again.”
He smirks, one of his boyish ones that go straight to my core.
After he sets me on the ground, he rubs some shampoo into my hair. I tilt my head back against his chest, allowing him to massage it into my scalp. Water runs down my face, forcing me to shut my eyes. And when I open them again, Julian is smiling down at me.
“After we’re done in here,” he says, “I’m taking you to bed.”
I smile in response.
“That’s not what I meant,” he clarifies. “You need some rest. Sex counts as strenuous activity.”
I frown and then stick my tongue out at him. “I have to go home anyway. Sadie should be there soon.”
Now, he’s the one who looks bummed, but he doesn’t push the subject.
Chapter Fourteen
Briana
Ramon pulls up at the curb out front of Jefferson Hall, and Julian taps my thigh with a wicked expression on his handsome face. We get out of the Escalade with the department store bags in hand. I still have no idea why Julian bought so much crap for me. Did he think I was going to spend the next month with him? There are enough fancy clothes in the bags to last at least a few weeks.
Before we left his house, Julian begged me to stay longer. But with all the testosterone swirling around in the hockey whorehouse, I had about all I could take before I needed a break. I also wanted to talk to Sadie and sleep in my own bed.
Julian carries my bags to my dorm room and sets them on the floor in front of my closet. “This is for dinner,” he says, holding up the garment bag that contains the black dress. “I’ll make a reservation for this week. Just let me know which day you’re free.”
I smile and take the bag from his hand, finding a place for it among my ratty shirts and jeans. “I have to work on Monday and Tuesday night, but I could go to dinner on Wednesday.”
“I have practice on Wednesday,” he says, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “How about Thursday?”
“I can do Thursday night.”
Julian leans in, hooking his arm around my back. He brushes his lips against mine and then his tongue is in my mouth, sending volts of electricity throughout my body. When our lips separate, I’m breathless, still trying to get my bearings. Julian has always had this effect on me.
“Girl, you’re finally home!” Sadie rushes into my bedroom, her cell phone in hand. “Katie, I have to call you back,” she says to her cousin and then ends the call, stuffing the phone into her jeans pocket as she enters my bedroom. “And you’re with Julian?” She sounds surprised, but her entire face lights up when she locks onto him. “I see you’ve been taking good care of my bestie.” Sadie nods at the designer bags on the floor near Julian’s shoes.
I look over at the clothes and snort. “Like I could ever afford any of that stuff.”
Julian and Sadie both ignore my comment.
He hugs me one last time and then places a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll call you later.”
“I’m going to bed soon. I’m tired.”
“Text me before you go to bed.”
“Okay,” I promise.
After Julian closes the door behind him, Sadie drags me over to the bed. “Oh, my God. So, you weren’t kidding when you said Julian was taking care of you. I wish I could’ve come home sooner, but I couldn’t sneak away.”
I roll my shoulders. “It’s okay. Julian helped me out this weekend.”
“I see that.” Her eyes glaze over as she looks at my closet. “I can’t believe he’s already back to buying your clothes. It’s like you’re together again. Are you?” She’s glowing with delight. “Please tell me you are.”
“We’re talking,” I admit. “We kissed and did some things…”
She squeals. “You did what? Oh, wow! This is the best news ever.”
“I know you sold me out to get a date with Harker.”
She slides across the mattress next to me and sighs. “Look, babe, I’m sorry. It wasn’t like that. Julian approached me a week before the auction. He handed me a blank check for you to bid on him. I told him to piss off until he explained to me how much he still cares about you and that he doesn’t want to graduate from college without getting another chance with you. By the time he was done talking, I honestly felt sorry for him. He likes you, maybe even loves you. I thought if I could get you guys in the same room together that maybe Julian could win you ov
er again. But I never expected you to get hit in the head at a hockey game and end up with a concussion.”
She glances at me. “And how’s that going? You feeling okay?” Sadie stands up, pushing some of my hair to the side until she can see the small lump that’s been going down a little bit each day. “Damn, girlie. That’s a nice shiner you’ve got on your head. Good thing your hair is hiding it.”
I laugh. “You’re worried about my hair?”
“Hey, better your head than your pretty face.” She smiles so wide it reaches up to her eyes that are practically glowing with all of the dark makeup she’s wearing. “And I know for a fact that Julian likes your face.” She plops down on the bed next to me and pats my hand on the mattress. “So, tell me everything. What did I miss this weekend?”
“Well, you already know about the hockey game and my concussion. I spent Friday night here with Julian on the couch. Then, on Saturday, we met the team doctor at his house, and I ended up staying there until about fifteen minutes ago.”
“Oh, c’mon, bestie! Don’t hold back. Tell me what happened with Julian. You kissed and made out. Okay. What exactly happened? Details, please. I need all of them.”
I fill her in on our first kiss and describe in all the dirty detail what we did in the shower.
She covers her mouth with her hand, speaking between her fingers. “You dirty hooker.”
I shake my head and laugh. “Shut up. You said not to do anything you wouldn’t do, and that wasn’t a very long list.”
She winks. “Touché. So, what’s going on with you guys? Are you getting back together?”
I shrug. “I have no idea. We just started talking again. I’m gonna feel him out and see how this goes before I get too invested and set myself up for another failure.”
A frown tugs at her mouth. “Don’t say that already. It’s like you’re giving up before you get to know him again.”
“I’m afraid of getting hurt. You know what it was like for me the last time. I was so in love with him, and he tossed me aside.”
Sadie sighs. “That’s not what happened.”
“It felt like he picked Abby Gale over me.”
“No way,” she shoots back. “He never even dated her. You’re the only girl he’s officially dated since forever. I’ve seen him with other girls, sure, but he’s never attached a label to any of them, not like he did with you.”
“Well, what do you call him hanging out with her the week after we broke up? The final argument that caused our rift was over Abby. First, it was the puck bunny that showed up at his house. And then Abby, who never left him alone, kept sending him pics of her tits and following him everywhere we went. It just seemed too convenient. Why did she even have his number?”
“It’s not hard to get.”
I roll my eyes at her. “Well, it should be. Who hands out their number to anyone who wants it? She never should’ve had it. So, he must have given it to her. He didn’t tell her to stop texting him. I saw all of the text messages on his phone. Why would he keep pics of her boobs if he didn’t want them?”
“Maybe he kept them for blackmail.”
“Good point. Maybe. But why didn’t he tell her to go away?”
“Whether or not he hooked up with Abby after you broke up doesn’t matter. Julian’s been with a lot of girls, but none of them are as important to him as you. He still loves you. I know he does.”
“He didn’t love me enough back then? Why would this time be any different?”
“It is. Trust me.” She squeezes my hand and smiles. “I know these kinds of things.”
“For my sake, I hope you’re right.”
Her grin widens. “I am.”
“I’m tired,” I admit. “I think I’m gonna text Julian and then go to bed.”
Sadie gets up from the bed and runs a hand down the back of her skirt. “Sweet dreams, babe.” She blows me a kiss on her way out of my bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
After I dress in my pajamas and crawl into bed, my phone dings with a new message. It’s Julian. He must read minds because I was just about to text him.
Julian: My sheets still smell like you. I can’t stop smelling your pillows.
My pillows? I lean back against the headboard for a second and consider my response.
Briana: Sorry about that.
Julian: Don’t be. I love the way you smell.
Briana: Is that so? What do I smell like?
Julian: Like apples and vanilla. I want to eat you every time I’m around you.
I blush at his dirty talk. He’s so bad. I love it. Julian knows the right things to say to turn me on. Simple things like this always had an affect on me.
Briana: I can’t take all the credit for it. That’s my body wash and shampoo you’re smelling.
Julian: After I wash my sheets, I want you to come over and roll around on them with me. *wink, wink*
Briana: Stupid jocks *insert eye roll*
Julian: I didn’t mean it like that. But I wouldn’t mind doing that with you. Fuck, you felt so good, baby.
Briana: Such a charmer.
Julian: I aim to please.
A minute passes where I contemplate my next message, but Julian beats me to the punch.
Julian: How are you feeling? Any better?
Briana: About the same. I think I’m gonna try to get some sleep.
Julian: Night, beautiful. Don’t worry about your classes tomorrow. I’ll handle your professors.
I yawn, sleep slowly taking over me.
Briana: “Thanks. Night.”
After I set the alarm on my phone for the morning, I flip off the lamp on my beside table and roll onto my side and pass out with Julian on my mind.
Chapter Fifteen
Briana
On Monday morning, I wake up to a pounding headache and the irritating ringing of my cell phone. I glance at the alarm clock on my nightstand and sigh. It’s too damn early in the morning for someone to call me. I lift the phone from the table and smile when I see Julian’s name on the screen.
“Hey, why are you calling so early?”
“I wanted to see how you’re feeling and tell you that I dealt with your professor already. He’s okay with you taking the exam next week.”
“I’m feeling a lot better. I can take the exam.”
“Don’t worry about it. He didn’t mind pushing it back.”
“How did you manage that?”
“I’m Julian Rivers,” he says with confidence.
I sigh. “Right.”
“I also had your doctor’s note.” A beat passes before he says, “Do you want me to come over?”
“No, I’m okay. I think I’m going to sit in on a few of my classes and takes notes, so I don’t fall behind.”
“I can come with and take your notes for you.”
My face hurts from smiling so hard. “Sure, if you don’t mind.”
“Nope, not at all. What time do you want me to pick you up?”
“Well, since you already took care of my first class, I guess we can skip that one until I have more time to study. So, that leaves Econ at eleven. Come over around ten-thirty.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.”
After I hang up with Julian, I can’t stop smiling. My heart is thumping in my chest, ready to claw its way out. I’m terrified yet excited. I hope I’m not making a horrible mistake by allowing him back into my life, and there’s only one way to find out.
* * *
When we walk into the crowded lecture hall together, Julian turns heads. Of course, he does. Everywhere he goes people notice him. And why wouldn’t they?
I lead him over to my usual desk in the back of the room and pull out a notepad and pen from my bag before dropping it to the floor at my feet. Julian settles into the seat next to me. He stretches his arms out in front of him and thick muscles flex beneath the fabric stretched tight against his skin. A simple Strickland Senat
ors shirt shouldn’t look this good on anyone. But Julian sure knows how to wear it. I stare at his arms for a hot second, before he clears his throat, drawing my attention to his face.
“See something you like?”
“Idiot,” I mutter.
He laughs, leaning back in his chair to get comfortable.
Professor Stevens, a short, middle-aged man with blond hair that’s dusted with gray, stands behind the podium, shuffling papers in his hands. He checks his watch as the door slams shut, and then he loosens his tie and lowers the microphone to his mouth. I drown out the noise as he talks about the impact of inflation on our economy. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Dr. Carter permitted me to stay home this week. Just thinking about this crap is making my head pound. The bright lights overhead are not helping.
After what feels like ages, Julian snaps me back to reality when he covers my hand with his, pinning it to the desk. His touch sends a current of electricity through my body. My cheeks flush, the warmth spreading down my neck and chest.
“I’m hungry. Do you want to get something to eat with me after class?” Julian’s playful smile has a torturous effect on me.
I stare at him, slack-jawed, my brain working slower than my body, and nod. “Yeah, I guess so. I could eat.”
When he looks at me, as though his world gravitates around me, I can’t breathe. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. I find it impossible to speak another word. Julian gives my hand a quick squeeze that makes my heart race. How am I supposed to make it through this class with him touching me?
Midway through class, Julian moves his hand from the desk to my thigh. He rests it there for a minute before he gets more adventurous and slides it between my legs. He rubs me over the thin fabric of my yoga pants. A low moan escapes my lips as he strokes me, torturing me with this simple movement. I’m so horny right now I want to drag him back to my dorm room.
I flash a warning glance in his direction and whisper, “Julian, what are you doing?”
“Nothing,” he says, the corners of his mouth turning up into a smirk.
Most Desirable Player Page 10
