Page 36 of The Strength Of A Woman

My pulse races as I move my eyes back to the path in front of me and stay focused.

A few steps later, I look back again.The street is empty, a few faint lights glowing behind the windows.

Somewhat relieved, I shift my gaze back, not stopping, not slowing down, anddamnit, I run straight into a man.

A scream peels off my lips, swiftly drown out by a man’s chuckle.

Two arms loop around me, and seeing the familiar face in front of me rattles me to the core.

“Julian,” I exclaim, panting, cheeks burning. “What are you doing here?” I ask, stepping back to remove myself from his hug.

A wicked smile tugs at his lips.

“What areyoudoing here?”

The emphasis on ‘you’ makes my stomach clench with apprehension.

“Nothing. I was taking a walk.”

He drags his stare down, taking inventory of my dress and chest. A sly smile tilts his lips as he narrows his eyes at me.

Julian would be quite a catch if he weren’t the asshole that he is. He’s also not right in his head, and that’s not only my opinion. Anyone who knows anything about him agrees that the man is a sociopath.

Had he started killing, he’d be well on his way to becoming a certified psychopath.

“Do they know you’re here?” he asks maliciously.

He wears summer pants and a white linen shirt open at the neckline with the sleeves rolled up.

A few bangs fall into his eyes.

I stare at him for a moment before setting myself in motion and sliding past him.

“It’s not their business where I am,” I toss at him, pulling away quickly.

“It might be if they knew the truth,” he retorts behind me, and I gesture at him dismissively.

Without looking back, I keep walking.

His footsteps ring behind me before he grabs me by the elbow and spins me around with such a force that I crash into his chest, the swell of my breasts rubbing against his torso.

His eyes dip to revel in the jiggling of my chest.

I pull back, horror-stricken.

“It doesn’t matter whether they know the truth or not. I’ve got nothing to hide. I walked downtown. So, what? What is wrong with you, people? You all act like I’m a spy or something.”

Derision spreads over his face.

Annoyed, I dismiss him with a flick of my hand and walk away again.

“I saw you and Callum,” he barks behind me, this time not following me, only gauging my reaction.

I stop in the middle of the road and turn to him, a hand connected to my hip.

“What exactly did you see? And what exactly are you doing now? Are you spying on me? Don’t you have anything better to do?”

His eyes glint with a naughty smile.