Damn it. It’s all true. Despite everyone else, he has a talent for winning people over.
But I’ll highlight the issue. “Will you take away his business too?” I snipe.
His smirk disperses, and the subtle shade of pain appears because I’m aware I stabbed him again with my anger. “Savannah, I can repeat myself a thousand times if I need to. I didn’t know.”
My chin begins to quiver, and being emotional around him comes naturally. That’s what happens when two people are pieces that fit, right? You’re able to be vulnerable without thought.
“It doesn’t change the fact that you will always be connected to it. Whether you want it or not, the association can’t be shaken from my head. When you have family, you become fiercely protective of them, you want them to have only the best, and when someone so deserving is thrown that obstacle, it means you ache with them. I’m not sure you’ll ever understand. You didn’t ever have that.”
That last sentence hangs in the air, and I bunch the side of my dress in my fisted hands. We have issues, but neither of us stoops to bitter words.
His face is incomprehensible, but I see the bob of histhroat as he steps forward with his arms outstretched and takes hold of my shoulders.“You’re wrong. Very wrong.” His eyes laser into me, and I wait for something to snap, but all I get is the ability to hold me captive both physically and emotionally. “I do understand. Ask me why?”
“Why?” I whisper.
“Because I feel the same way about you.I’m flooded with thoughts of every way that I can make your pain less. It’s an instinct to protect you that even I can’t control. Everything about you is extreme, Savannah.The way I ache, the way I yearn for you, the way every time I close my eyes, you’re there. Right now, I’m touching you, and I’m struggling not to take you into my arms before every inch of you gets attention. I’m too far gone that I can’t rein it in even if I tried.”
Parts of me open up and accept what he’s feeling. He’s a mirror to me. A reflection that we share. Everything between us is mutual, but right now, not united.
I’m weakening, I can’t tear my sight away, nor can I run. My feet being unable to move is the opportunity he has been waiting for, because he closes our space with a simple step, and his hands on my arms turn into his arms wrapping around me. I fist his shirt, doing my best to hang on, to hold tight, and remember why I’m here.
“I came to tell you that you should leave Everhope. It’s pointless to stay. I’m not going to change my mind, and seeing you around town only hurts me more. I don’t need the reminder…”
He nuzzles into my hair, and his breath cascades down my cheek. “Of what?”
“Of what happened.”
Julian doesn’t seem fazed because he brings his mouth close to my ear, nipping once while one hand cradles the other side of my head, his fingers fisting some hair. I’mfamiliar with him when he’s like this.Persistent in his pursuit.
“Or of us?” He scrapes his teeth beneath my ear.
A cold chill runs through my body, and sensitive parts of me become affected. “I should go.”
His mouth travels along my jawline, and when I think he’s about to touch the corner of my mouth, he diverts, and his lips follow the curve of my neck instead. “But you’re here.” He hums against my skin.
A line could be crossed if I don’t try harder to claw away.
He presses a kiss on the side of my neck, and both of his hands firmly frame my face with a fervent insistence that I listen. “Because part of you believes me that I would never hurt you.”
The only sign that his words are affecting me is the visible movement of my chest as my breathing changes.
“Because you believe in us.”
I attempt to shake my head, but he presses a kiss on my collarbone, and I’m not yet immune to his touch. Instead, I’m now fighting an urge to burst into tears in his hold and be cured by having him inside me.
“Julian, please leave and go back to the city,” I attempt to plead, but my voice is barely a whisper.
Our eyes meet, with great tenacity in his. “No. I’m staying until you’re mine again,” he reminds me.
Arguing to make my case is useless.His eyes aren’t wild, they’re certain.
My eyes hood closed once, only to open with a tear escaping the corner of my eye. “Julian.” I’m no longer saying his name to request or warn him; instead, I’m saying his name in the hope of comfort to calm me.“It’s not that easy.” It’s my last-ditch effort, but my voice is too uneven.
He brings his mouth to hover over mine. Hot, close, teasing,and making me desperate for his kiss. “I accept the challenge, Savannah.” His whisper is mixed with his lips ghosting mine.
I was adamant that I would come tonight not even to hear him out, only to request that he give up.For the first time, our age difference plays a factor, because I was terribly naïve.
And maybe that’s my excuse as to why I give in when our lips feather, only to lead to his mouth claiming mine with a kiss. A demanding and overwhelming kiss that I have no power over.Nor am I fighting it.Instead, I hungrily take more.
