“Same,” she said with a sigh.“It’s a crush of epic proportions.”
Julian was relieved that they’d quickly gotten back on track after a little bump in the road.
“Can I tell you something else that’ll make you happy?”she asked.
“I’m always here for that.”
“You were right about working in the bar.I’m too old for that shit these days, and even though the money is great, I can’t do it.”
“I’m really glad to hear you say that.I felt like every time I looked for you in the crowd this weekend, some dude was hassling you.”
“It’s exhausting.They’re so much more entitled than they used to be.When did that happen?”
“I’m not sure, but their bad behavior has been good for my business.”
“That’s a sad statement.”
“Sure is.I’ve heard and seen it all.Not that the women aren’t just as bad at times, but many of the men who come through my practice, whether they’re my clients or the opposition, are pieces of work, to say the least.”
“So what you’re saying is that I got super lucky to find one of the good ones.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
She laughed, which he’d hoped she would.“I definitely see that.Just so you know.”
“I got one of the good ones, too.No manufactured drama just to see how I’ll react.No unreasonable expectations or wanting me to buy you expensive things because I can.”
“Ew.That’s really happened?”
“More often than I care to recall.”
“That’s so gross.What’s wrong with people?”
“Is that a rhetorical question?Because if you really want to know, I can entertain you for hours with stories about the many things that are wrong with people.”
“No wonder you wanted nothing to do with this mess for yourself.You see the worst of the worst—and you’ve lived it.”
“I didn’t want the mess until you showed up and quickly made me see that my life would be ruined if you weren’t by my side.”
She turned her head to look at him.“You know I’m a sure thing, right?”
Laughter burst from his chest.That happened a lot with her.“That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hear how much I love and value you every single day.”
“I can live with that.”
“Good, because I can’t live without you.”
A few minutes later, they tiptoed into Isla’s house, where Mrs.V and the kids were sound asleep.While she checked on the kids, Julian went into her room to strip off his clothes and head for the shower to wash off the sweat from playing for hours.
He was standing under the warm water, eyes closed, when Isla wrapped her arms around him from behind and pressed her naked self to his back.Just that quickly, he wanted her.“You might want to give me some warning next time you do that, unless you want me to have a heart attack in your shower.”
Her soft chuckle vibrated against his back, where she pressed soft kisses to muscles gone tight from the rigors of performing for three straight nights.
“How do you feel about shower sex?”he asked.
“For other people or for myself?”
“I was thinking specifically of yourself.”
