“Oh my God, Allie, that’s . . . wonderful.” I all but squeal it, prompting the men to look up from their animated conversation and focus on us. We both giggle nervously and turn toward the ocean to watch the waves.
“Will you move down here then?” People have teased me before about flashing forward twenty years in any given situation. I think itjust makes sense to prepare for every possible outcome. Less likelihood for unexpected drama, chaos or hurt.
“That would depend . . .”
“On . . .?”
“Julian. You. Your plans for the future. Julian already owns half of Fit and Brew. If I do decide to move down here full time, I might want to divest my interests.”
“You mean like sell your half to Julian?”
“Or you? What are your plans, Evvie? Do you want to go away to college? Get your degree online?” She trails off, giving me a chance to respond.
“I’ve thought about that a lot lately. Especially since coming here. Seeing Pepperdine. And that library. So beautiful. It’s always been my dream to go away to school. But dreams have a way of changing. And I think mine has.”
“Yeah, they do.” Allie’s face takes on a wistful expression as she says it. “Maybe you’ll travel for something else now. With someone.”
“Did you know Julian and I would become a thing?” I ask her bluntly.
“What? Nooo. I mean, it may have crossed my mind that there would be an attraction. But I saw you as two kindred spirits, I guess. It just seemed like you two would get each other. Beyond that, I didn’t give it any deep consideration. I’m glad that you have each other though. To see Julian open up to someone, care about someone the way he cares about you, makes me so happy.”
“He says the same thing about you.” My reply has a sad smile creeping over Allie’s face. I want to ask her about it, but I don’t, because I know what it’s like to not want people to ask me about my sad smiles.So I change the subject instead. “The thing is, I can study and earn a degree anywhere. So, I think you’re right. I can swap ‘going away to school’ for traveling for fun instead. I like that. Even if it’s just coming down here with Julian for now. I mean, this place is a vacation all by itself.” I spread my hands to encompass our surroundings.
Giggling, Allie agrees, “It really is.”
Chapter 6
Everly
Watching Julian film content is beyond hot. Joining him is even hotter. Ashley runs a tight ship. He planned the trip so that all content films in one day, but it’s a long, thorough day. The morning content is four kickboxing combos and three talking pieces that takes about three hours. The afternoon takes another three hours and includes short reels, motivational clips and a few behind-the-scenes/lifestyle shots. That it all takes place on Ashley’s property is a bonus.
Julian can use any of the models Ashley has on staff, but he insists I be the model when they need one for his videos. I’m flattered but so nervous. Turns out, because we work well together and know each other so well and have done these routines together countless times, it only takes one video for me to forget we’re filming and just enjoy working out. I mean, the director would yell “cut” and have the assistant fix things like hair, sweat and angles. Besides those interruptions, it’s easy to fall into our routine. What isn’t easy is pretendingI’m not thirsting to get this sweaty, ripped man alone and naked after a full day of proximity with said sweaty, ripped man.
Now that we’re done for the day, we have the evening off. Tomorrow, we’ll be on the ASH private jet first thing in the morning headed back to Blue Lake via the Oak Valley airport—a day earlier than planned. We’re in the green room off Ashley’s home studio and alone for the first time in hours.
“Thanks for doing the videos with me. Made it so much easier. We have a groove.” Julian is wiping his arms down with a damp towel and looking at me in the mirror.
“I agree. I wasn’t sure I would like it, but it was kinda fun. Except the assistant who liked to monitor your glisten factor. I think she likes her job a little too much.” I frown at his knowing smirk.
“Hmm, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you jealous before. I think I like it.” He lifts his eyebrows and tweaks his lips to the side.
“Am I giving jealousy? I thought I was just annoyed. I mean, if Callie is there to make sure we don’t look sweaty on camera, why is yours the only sweat she inspects?” I roll my eyes.
“Fair point.” He turns from the mirror, snakes his arm around my waist and pulls me in to plant a hard quick kiss on my lips. “Maybe you’re just not as sweaty as me.”
I don’t let him off with that quick kiss so easily. I wind my arms around his neck and keep my lips pressed to his. I tilt my head just enough to invite him to deepen the kiss. He obliges. It feels like forever since he’s kissed me. We don’t make a habit of kissing at work back in Blue Lake either, but today just felt . . . long. If I’m being honest, maybe I low-key want to mark my territory. I don’t love acknowledgingthat might be part of it, but I’ve had enough therapy to be self-aware.
Self-awareness be damned.
Working out with Julian always gets me a little keyed up. We’ve been simulating workouts for almost eight hours now, so my keyed-up has escalated to full-blown hot and bothered. I clench the sides of his shirt in my hands and pull him tighter to me. His musky scent, part sweaty man and part pure Julian fills my nostrils. I push the damp fabric up his body, flat palms sliding up his chiseled abs.
He lifts his arms, allowing me to swipe it over his head. As soon as I do, he snakes his hands inside my workout shorts, gliding the shorts over my hips with his hands.
I whip my sports bra over my head.
Hunger emanates from his midnight-blue eyes as he lifts me and places me on the dressing table, my back to the mirror. Within moments, we’re panting. His low, baritone chuckle tells me he knows exactly what he’s doing to me, and he likes it. Capturing my lips in a searing kiss, he picks me up off the dressing table and carries me to the sofa. We’re not talking and this isn’t sweet. It’s hot and fast and wild. As we both come, he holds my body down tight to his and pants through his orgasm and our kiss—our lips against each other but not actually kissing anymore.
I forget where we are or to care to be quiet until he shushes me. “Fuck, Julie, ugh.”
