Page 24 of Vicious Sentiments

Julian’s jaw grinds back and forth as a tremor rolls through him. Suddenly, the similar vein of Cape’s appears on his forehead, and it’s like I can see blood and rage pumping up his neck. His fist is clenched by his side, and it shakes with barely contained violence.

Without thinking, I whip a hand out and slap the woman across her face. Horrified, I quickly take my hand back and clasp it over my mouth. Her jaw hits the floor, and her eyes flare as she grabs her cheek. Oh, my god. Did I just do that?

Terror runs through me. I don’t know why I did that. Julian just looked so angry, and it was so awful of her. How dare her saliva touch his skin? How dare she ruin the best night I’ve ever had? But I’venever slapped anyone, even if they deserved it. Which she did, and Julian couldn’t do anything about it.

The bouncer tugs the woman away, who seems stunned, and I look at Julian in worry. Will he think I’m some feral cat? I shouldn’t have done that. That’s not who I am.

When I catch his eyes though, they are sparkling and his lips are curved into a side smile.

“That a girl,” he says and wipes his face with the sleeve of his shirt.

Chapter Seventeen

On the way back to Margo’s, Julian shows me his house. We don’t get out of the car, but he pulls up in front and points. It’s only three massive homes down the street from Margo’s, and while it’s just as expensive as the rest of the homes, it’s sleek and gray, with darkened windows and several floating balconies. He doesn’t ask me if I want to go inside, but I can feel the unasked question in the air. Whatever restraint he has is impeccable considering the incident at the restaurant, and the way he stares at my legs in the dim glow of the street light. I think he wants to ask if I would like to see inside, and I might say yes, but he refrains and then hitches a hand over my headrest, reversing us all the way back to Margo’s.

It’s a dizzyingly slow drive as his arm never leaves the headrest and is achingly close to the side of my cheek. I can not only feel the heat coming off it, but see the muscles flex under the fabric.

I really don’t want to go back to Margo’s.

But now that I’m in my ‘room’, exhaustion has taken over. I’ve just slipped out of the dress and into the satin pajamas when Marney knocks lightly.

“Oh, my god. We’re like twins!” She beams and loops her arm through mine, dragging me to the mirror. She’s in her Belle Luna set as well, except in a pastel rose color. She grips me tight and thenposes, puckering her lips in the mirror. Her phone comes out of nowhere as she holds it up and snaps several quick pictures.

“We look cute,” she states, looking me in the eyes as if I was worried.

“So how did your dateeee go?” She lets go and plops down on the bed.

“It wasn’t a date,” I say.

“Stoppp. I don’t care what Dillon thinks. He can be a dick. I want details.”

“What… What does Dillon think?” I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know but can’t help myself.

“That you’re too young for him and blah blah blah.” She waves her hands theatrically and I see a bit of Margo in the movement, even though Marney is so young.

“But we’re not—”

“Oh, please! Julian doesn’t even talk about girls let alone bring any home.”

I try to picture Julian celibate but I fail miserably. He’s way too good looking and charming. Even if women weren’t on his mind, he would be on theirs, clawing and chomping at the bit to get a taste.

“What?” Marney asks.

I smooth out my face to try and hide my frown. “Nothing,” I say and shake my head.

“Don’t let Dillon get to you,” she whines and pulls at the duvet, tucking it into her lap. “I’mglad you’re here. We don’t outnumber the boys but at least now we’re even.” She makes a pout and my heart strings tug.

It can’t be easy losing your parents and then being around only boys. Not that Margo doesn’t count but she’s so much older.

I sit down on the bed across from her, wondering if any of her girlfriends are true friends. I know I didn’t have any but I probably wouldn’t have had any appropriate girl talk to gossip about anyways.

Dinner with Julian may not have been a date, at least I don’t think so, but I can still indulge Marney.

“Something did happen,” I whisper to her.

Her eyes light up. “Did you kiss?”

“No,” I snort and roll my eyes. “I ended up slapping someone.”

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