Page 24 of Simply You & Me

The subtle garbled sound coming from Addie's throat tells me I've affected her with my words. Resting my elbows on the table, I trail my thumbs along her pulse points. "I would pepper kisses along your jaw as you burrow into my sheets. My hands would hold you close, and I would tell you how absolutely stunning you are."

"Julian," Addie breathes. "I just... what? That was—" She bites her lip, holding her thoughts in.

"That was what, sweetheart?"

Her dark brown hair sways as she tucks a few locks behind her ear. My fingers twitch to do it themselves. "This is embarrassing." She sighs and finally looks me in the eye again. "That was the best one-night stand I've ever had. So, there's no reason to apologize, Julian. I promise. And no, you didn't hurt me. Can we move past it now?"

I sit gaping at her. For how long? No fucking clue. Um, what?! "Addie, I was a shit lay. How was that the best you've had? Actually, no, don't answer that. Will you go on a date with me, please?"

"I—what?!"

Fuck. I'm not doing a good job with this. I drop my head to the table, only mildly wincing at how hard I hit it. "I suck at this," I groan. I lift my head when I feel fingers tangle in my red curls. "Can I take you on a date, Addie? I want the opportunity to treat you right this time. Please give me a second chance."

Nibbling on her lip, Adelyn looks me over. "This isn't some kind of bruised ego thing, is it?"

"What?! No!" I'm fucking shocked. This beautiful woman thinks I would only ask her out on a date to make myself feel better? "Sweetheart, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. I'm just hoping like hell that I didn't blow my chances with you for real."

"I don't know, Julian. I have a daughter. I haven't been on a date since high school. I don't know if I can make a fling work."

"Not a fling," I interject. "We talked about it. I promise we're serious."

"We!?"

Double fuck. Why can't I say anything right? "Uh, so, my guys and me. We, um, we all want to date you."

I didn't think it would be possible, but her eyes widen even further. "What?" she hisses, looking around her like someone is about to jump out at her.

"Shit, Addie. How 'bout we just hang out for now, yeah? See what happens? I didn't mean to overwhelm you, nor was I supposed to tell you that. Fuck, I just... I'm not normally this incapable of talking to people. You just have me a little nervous, and I think you're fucking gorgeous. Plus, I can't stop craving the sweet taste of you and?—"

"Julian," she murmurs gently. Her teeny hand grips my wrist where I'm covering my face. Freeing my heated cheeks, she says, "We can all hang out. I'd like that. The whole dating thing with all of you, though... I can't... I don't... I'm not sure how that would work. I mean, I have a child, which usually equals baggage for hunks like you guys."

"Hunks?" I smirk, flexing my forearm beneath her palm. "You find me sexy, sweetness?" I can't help but tease her. I didn't really get what I set out for, but this seems better in a way. I fucking suck at keeping secrets, and if Addie wants to see where this goes with all of us rather than just assume she is dating only me, then that's a huge win for my family.

A sly look sparks her eyes and tilts her lips. "I find you very sexy, Julian." It takes sheer force to keep my dick from reacting to her hot-as-hell tease. The little vixen is smothered as her lips twist in uncertainty. "I have to run a couple of errands down the road before my shift tonight. Would you like to join?"

Her tentative offer hangs in the space between us for a moment while my happiness reaches new heights. "I would love to, sweetheart."

Chapter Sixteen

Adelyn

Ifiddle with the pop socket on the back of my phone, somehow forgetting how to walk. I wish I hadn't drunk my coffee so fast. What the hell do I do with my hands?!

"Where do you work?"

Julian's voice breaks through some of my panic, but I can't stop the anxious fumbling of my phone. "I'm a waitress," I say quietly, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I've worked at The Posh Palate for a little over a year now."

"What's The Posh Palate?"

I don't sense any judgment in his tone, but I still don't look at him. "It's a fine dining restaurant. Very high-end, businessy vibes."

"Ah, so the jackasses of our community."

"What?!" I snort. In my shock, my phone clatters to the ground a few feet in front of me. I bend quickly and snatch it before someone breaks it. In my haste, I don't see the group of girls bustling out of the boutique. "Shoot, sorr?—"

My attempt to get out of their way is futile. I'm not short necessarily, but I'm more skin and bones than the beautiful woman who checks my shoulder. The force of her body hitting mine sends me to my ass, automatically making my tailbone ache.

"Addie!" Julian shouts, but the damage has been done.

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