Page 40 of Sunrise Malice

Though I’m not even sure why I care.

I change the subject and we talk about easier stuff, and when we go inside to refill our drinks together, I hear the front door open.

“Uh-oh,” Kim says, pouring more prosecco into her glass. “Is that the man himself?”

Julien comes into the kitchen. He frowns at me and only glances at Kim before giving her a nod. “You’re the girl that wanted to punch me in the face,” he says, but his eyes are locked on me.

Which is weird. Kim’s body is unbelievable—she looks like she spends all her life in the gym even though she’s got to be the laziest person I’ve ever met. I’ve never seen a man able to ignore her like this before, especially when her tanned skin is covered in goosebumps and her nipples are hard from the air conditioning chill.

“You’re the man that married my best friend. But don’t think that gets you off the hook. I still kind of want to punch you in the face.”

His lips curl into a smile. “Glad you two are having a nice time,” he murmurs to me. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

Julien gets a water from the refrigerator then retreats back into the apartment. Kim’s eyebrows are raised once he’s gone and she lets out a low whistle. “Did you see that?” she asks.

“See what?” I’m staring after Julien, biting my lip.

“He was staring at you like you were the freaking aurora borealis.”

I fight a smile, but she’s right, he really was. And I’m in my dowdy cover-up, not looking particularly hot or anything, while my gorgeous best friend has her considerable assets out on display.

Julien only had eyes for me.

A shiver runs down my spine as I turn back to the terrace. “Who cares?” I ask her, slamming my walls back into place.

I will not, absolutelynot, start having fond thoughts for my husband.

“I guess not you.” She takes my arm and we walk outside together. “Shall we imbibe while enjoying the sensuous pleasures of the hot tub, my lady?”

“Only if you promise not to make a move.”

Kim puts a hand on her heart and looks scandalized. “How dare you besmirch my honor.”

“You’d gladly besmirch mine if I let you.”

She laughs as we fumble around at the controls before finally turning the jets on. I take off the cover-up and Kim only glances at my bruises, a dark look passing over her face, but she doesn’t say anything.

We spend the next couple hours talking, soaking, drinking, and enjoying each other’s company to the point that I forget all about my brooding French husband.

When the sun starts to set, Kim changes in the bathroom. Julien appears again as we’re on the way down.

“Let me call a car to take you home,” Julien says, taking out his phone. “I’ll walk you both down.”

“No need,” Kim says, giving me a huge grin. “I can afford my own transportation.”

“Don’t be stupid.” Julien speaks French into his phone briefly before hanging up. “The car will be awaiting when we get down.”

“Are you this helpful to all your guests?” Kim asks him.

“No,” he says, looking at me. “Only my wife’s friends.”

In the elevator, Julien stands on the far side of the car, while I lean up against Kim. He glares at the two of us, and I try hard not to laugh at the sour look on his face, but it’s kind of hard. Even Kim seems amused by his bizarre grumpy mood. Once we reach the bottom, Julien walks beside me and touches my wrist to get my attention.

“The guards. Did they bother either of you?”

“After they let us up? No, not at all.”

He nods to himself. “That’s good.”

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