Page 69 of The Charmer

Beau frowned. "You wouldn't dare."

"Get out or you'll find out." Something in Julian's demeanor told me he was completely serious.

Beau must have gotten the same memo, because he didn't push.

"There's no need to escort me anywhere," he said, angrily pulling at his jacket. "You're going to run the LeBlanc name into the ground acting like this, going out with people like her, and... Christ." He looked at the two of us again, then turned on his heel, hurrying to the exit.

"Anyone else giving you trouble?" Jay asked Julian.

"No, Jay, thanks. I'll let you know if I need anything else."

"Sure, sir."

After he left, I turned to Julian. Even though he was wearing a mask, I could clearly see he was fuming. His nostrils were flaring. He kept his eyes fixed on the entrance as if monitoring it to make sure Beau didn't return.

"You uninvited Kyle?"

I saw his Adam's apple bob. "I’d planned to do it anyway, but it slipped my mind. After I invited you, I told my assistant to boot him out, but it didn't occur to me to tell her to do the same for anyone from his family."

"Julian, why did you do it?"

He turned to me. I couldn't see his eyebrows because of the mask, but the way his brow knitted could only mean he was frowning.

"What do you mean? Because Kyle makes you uncomfortable."

"I know, but he's part of your world, and this party is for them. You didn't have to do it."

"Fuck yes, I did. Georgie, if someone makes you uncomfortable, I will remove them. It's as simple as that."

Whatever was going on between me and Julian, he was growing on me. And that was dangerous. So damn dangerous.

"Thank you,” I murmured.

He looked down at my bare arms. "I'll bring your coat."

"Good idea." I couldn't believe no one else was out on the balcony yet. The music was coming in quite loudly now. I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. I felt even more connected with the music like this.

I started to move. Left, right, left right. I turned around once, too, and then opened my eyes. Ha, Julian was looking at me. I could feel it before I even saw him.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked him.

"Not long. I just wanted to watch you. You look so happy."

"I have my favorite food, my favorite day ever, and my favorite guy."

His eyes flashed, and he stepped closer. "Is that so?"

I nodded. "Absolute favorite." I turned around quickly, shoving my arms inside the coat. I didn't want to button it up, though, because it would restrict my ability to move.

"Why?" he asked in my ear, and I knew exactly what he meant.

"He’s different from anyone else I've ever met," I whispered to the wind, but he caught my words. I’d spoken from my soul, revealing a piece of me.

He didn’t ask anything else, and I was beyond grateful. I wasn't ready to bare myself even more.

More people joined us on the balcony, but no one was moving.

"Why is no one dancing?"

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