CHAPTER 43: THE EFFECT SHE HAS ON HIM

Julian’s POV

Lucy’s voice cut through the darkness. "What are the two of you doing here in the dark?"

For a second, silence stretched thin between us. Catherine froze on the counter, her breath shaky and uneven. I could still feel the ghost of her skin on my hands.

Before I could think of something to say, her voice came out, a little too fast. "Uh, I just came to grab a bottle of water."

She slid down from the counter and brushed past me, her feet light but hurried. The fridge light spilled across her face when she opened it, glinting off the sweat on her temple. Lucy’s curious eyes followed her the whole time.

I clenched my jaw, trying to come to terms with the fact that Lucy had just ruined what could’ve been the best night of my life. Great. Just what I needed.

After she grabbed the bottle, she looked ready to bolt, but Lucy’s voice stopped her. "If you came to grab water, why then were you sitting on the counter?"

Darn it! Did I mention Lucy was a smart ass when it came to linking twos and twos together?

Catherine’s tongue seemed tied, so I stepped in immediately. "Yeah, because I scared the hell out of her," I said quickly, forcing a half-smile. "I came to grab some snacks, didn’t realize someone was already here. She freaked out."

Shit. I’d only made it worse; the lie was so bad even I wouldn’t believe it. Catherine’s glare hit me like a dart, her expression screaming, really? That’s your cover?

Lucy’s brow furrowed. I couldn’t tell if she believed it or not. Catherine, clearly uncomfortable, muttered, "Yeah... that’s exactly what happened," then brushed past us toward the doorway.

"Goodnight," she added quickly, and disappeared down the hall.

I exhaled through my nose, relief and irritation mixing. I was about to follow her when Lucy stepped right into my path, folding her arms. "Not so fast, Julian. Was that really what happened?"

Her eyes searched my face, too perceptive for my liking.

"Yes," I said, though it came out more like a question than an answer. "I just startled her, that’s all."

"Hmm." She didn’t sound convinced.

I caught her hand and tried to steer her gently toward the hallway. "Come on, it’s late. You should get some rest."

She resisted. "Wait a minute, I didn’t come down here for nothing. I need some ice. My ribs still hurt you know, from when she hit me?"

With a sigh, I shook my head. "Sorry about the pain, you should have told me. You don’t need ice. You need painkillers." I dipped my hands in the pocket of my trousers. "I’ve still got a few tablets left. I’ll bring them to you."

She perked up. "I can come with you—"

"No," I cut in quickly. "I’ll bring them to your room."

Her lips pressed into a pout, but she nodded. "Fine."

I left before she could start another round of questions.

—

In her room, Lucy took the pills with a small smile. "I can feel it starting to work already, thank you so much, Julian," she said softly. "Stay a bit? It’s been a while since we just talked. You’ve been busy with school and stuff."

I shook my head. "Been a while? You know that’s not true. We will have the weekend to ourselves but I can’t tonight. I’ve got some work to do."

Her smile faltered, but she didn’t push further. "You act like you own some company, Julian."

That made me laugh a little. "It’s just school work."

"Get some rest," I muttered, already backing toward the door. "Goodnight, Luce."

Her sigh followed me out of the room.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, everything inside me itched. I didn’t want to go back upstairs, didn’t want to sleep, didn’t want to think but of course, my brain never did what I told it to.

All I could think about was Catherine.

The way she’d looked, the way she tried to stop herself from moaning under my touch, the way her lips parted, and her chest rose and fell like she couldn’t catch her breath. The way her body trembled when I touched her. How easily her body had responded to mine. The way I almost lost control.

Gosh! This was starting to feel crazy. Was this still all a game to me or was I starting to go crazy for her?

I leaned against the wall, breathing hard. It’s late already, just fucking go to your room and leave her alone.

Trying to convince myself to go to bed was a waste of time because my legs seemed to have control over my mind.

Before I knew it, I was standing at her door, my knuckles hovering over the wood.

There was silence on the first knock.

But after the second and the third, there was a rustle from inside, before her muffled voice came. "Who’s that?"

"It’s me."

"What do you want this time? Go away." Her tone was sharp, even if they came out low.

I didn’t listen to her, instead I knocked again and again. Her voice rang out. "I’m not opening the door. Fuck off already."

A short laugh escaped me before I could help it. I could practically picture her on the other side with her eyes narrowed and her jaw tight. God, she looked so beautiful, even when she was angry.

"Watch me come in," I muttered to myself, walking away, long enough for her to think I’d listened. What Catherine had no idea of was that there were spare keys to every room in this house.

I came back with the spare key, fitting it into the lock with a soft click. The door swung open and Catherine spun around, with startled eyes that flashed in disbelief. "What the hell?!" She looked like she had just seen a ghost but when she regained her senses, she stepped forward to shove me back, but before she could, I was already inside.

She moved too fast, and so did I and the next second, our bodies collided.

Her hands landed on my chest; my arms instinctively circled her waist to steady her. The air between us charged with this unexplainable chemistry.

Just that single act and my dick was already erecting. That was how much of an effect she had on me.