Page 41 of Heartless Pucker in Love

She snorted, but her lips curved into a smile. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

I grinned. Yeah...crazy about her. I needed time to show her that. I also needed time to make sure what I was feeling wasn’t a result of a weird pre-midlife crisis. I had been feeling out of sorts about my future lately. I succeeded in convincing April to stay, hoping we’d get closer.

We hadn’t. Instead, she continued skirting around us sleeping together, changing the subject when I brought it up. As a result, I was frustrated, which led to me behaving like an ass for an entire day. I’d snapped at her needlessly about three times in two hours, and she’d had enough.

Hence, why we were glaring at each other. Well, April was glaring, I was too busy feeling like an idiot for my stupid comment. I’d be more touched if I wasn’t paying you for your concern. Why would I say something like that? Why do I revert to being an asshole when I don’t want to deal with my emotions? Julian, you idiot, I berated myself.

April’s brows were puckered and hurt flashed in her eyes.

“April, I didn’t mean?”

“You call that driver and tell him to come back and pick me up, right now. I’m leaving. Paying me for my concern,” she scoffed. “You asshole. Give me my bags, so I can go home.” She reached around me to grab one of the travel bags I’d dropped on the floor. I thwarted her attempt by blocking her path.

She huffed. “Stop messing around. I’m leaving.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”

“I know why,” she said, holding up a finger. “Because you’re a dick. The same dick who made my life hell in high school and even before that.”

Her words cut me deep because I still carried some guilt. However, she wasn’t completely right. “That’s not true.”

“Oh, really? It would seem your memories are skewed, my friend. You’ve been hit?”

“If you say I’ve been hit in the head with one too many hockey pucks, I swear…” My jaw clenched. “That joke is getting old. You calling me an idiot is getting old. The idea you have stuck in your head that I’m a villain is getting old.” I tapped her forehead, and she batted my hand away with an irritated growl.

We were almost nose to nose at that point, glowering at each other. How did we even get to this? It was like we were kids again, seeing who could win a verbal battle with the most insults. I took a deep breath to reign in my temper only to find out that I wasn’t just pissed, but I was aroused too. Only April could do this to me. I couldn’t stop my gaze from dropping to her mouth that was set in a pretty pout.

20

APRIL

My blood practically sizzled. You’d think it was because of Julian’s stupid comment about paying me to care about him, but it wasn’t. I was heated because of his proximity. He was bent slightly so that his face was close to mine?probably so I could get the full effect of his severe scowl. His breath fanned my face as he breathed deeply. I could see him trying to compose himself. I was full on aroused by an argument with Julian. Unbelievable.

He drew out a side of me that was buried deep—a crazy, passionate, wild side. The usual me wouldn’t get this upset over a silly comment. Why did the calm woman that I usually was disappear whenever I was near this man? I wanted to slap him for hurting my feelings, but I also wanted to kiss him because he apologized and I could see that he meant it. I saw the sincerity in his eyes. I also wanted to kiss him because he was staring at my mouth, and it was giving me ideas. Erotic ideas.

All the things he did to me that night three weeks ago came rushing back, and I wanted more of it… more of him. I tried so hard to fight the intense need but right now, I was on the verge of giving in.

I inched closer, eyes focused on his lips. God, those lips...They were magical. I wanted them on my body again. He inhaled deeply but didn’t pull away. Before I could press my lips to his, he cupped my nape and pulled me closer. “Are we done arguing?” His voice was deep and thick with need. I practically melted.

“Uh-huh.” As if my sex-muddled brain could form another coherent thought. It was impossible to find any more words to argue. Our mouths joined and there was that instant explosion of passion. If it was possible, my already overwhelming desire to get closer to him grew. It was a scary feeling, but my fears took a back seat when he deepened the kiss. I wound my arms around his neck to get as close to him as possible, then I matched his fervent energy.

We stumbled out of the foyer, and I only got glimpses of light brown walls, beige furniture, and polished hardwood floors. It was impossible to notice much else while being so caught up in him.

“I should at least give you a tour first,” he murmured, yet he was already unbuttoning my blouse with quick fingers.

“Later,” I whispered, undoing the button of his jeans.

We tore at each other’s clothes, still inching further into the room, heading towards a recessed living area. It was gorgeous, four steps deep, furnished with two massive semi-circle sectionals, and a round glass center table.

“I like what I see so far,” I gasped when he yanked my top off my shoulders. “This room is nice.”

“I’ll be nicer once I get you naked in here,” he drawled, eyes glued to my chest and gleaming with hunger as he stepped out of his pants.

I giggled but shivered with anticipation. His laser focus on me made me feel like the most desirable woman in the world. I’d never been that girl who commanded male attention, especially from a man like Julian. Having him look at me like this with open admiration was certainly a boost to my confidence. By the time we made it down the steps into the living area, he didn’t have a stitch on and I was only wearing my underwear.

He laid me on one of the sofas and hovered over me, his eyes blazing with so much carnal intensity I almost melted. Slowly, he removed my panties. Our gazes were locked, making the moment sizzle with eroticism. So much so, that I moaned and he hadn’t even touched me yet.

When he settled between my thighs, his erection pressing against my lower lips drove me wild. I lifted my hips as he dipped his head to flick his tongue over each nipple, taking more time to tease the one with the piercing. I couldn’t wait much longer. “Now, Julian.”

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