Page 37 of Old Money

And my mom…it wouldn’t just affect me.

He pulls himself up, wrapping his arms around me and bringing my head to his chest. He kisses the top of my head, gently scratching my scalp.

“Sweetheart, you don’t have to decide any of this tonight. Or tomorrow. Or the next day.” He pulls away and looks down at me. “Besides, there are some things you need to know about my family before you tie yourself to me in any way publicly. So take your time. I’m in this until you say you want out…for as long as it takes.”

I smile up at him, and he leans down to kiss me. Of course I am absolutelydyingto know what he’s talking about. But I also don’t want this moment to end. So for once, I keep my mouth shut.

“Want some French toast?” he asks me. I raise an eyebrow, and he laughs.

“What?” I giggle. “Is that your post-sex go-to?”

He shrugs.

“I don’t know,” he says. “I’ve never stayed after before.”

My eyes widen as he kisses me again then scoots off the bed and out the door.

I sigh as I listen to him humming in the kitchen, opening the silverware drawer then the fridge.

I’d give anything to stay here, just like this, in this apartment, never having to share him with the world again.

JULIAN

Imade us French toast at midnight, we took a long, hot shower where I bent her over and took her again, and then we got into her little bed and watchedCheersuntil she fell asleep, curled up against me. And now, I’ve just been lying here for the last hour or so, watching her take long breaths in and out, that little furrow that’s always in her brow finally relaxed. Her wet hair soaks my skin, but I don’t care. I’d rather lose my arm than wake her.

I stroke my thumb gently against her face, smiling as she breathes.

Fuck.This feels…big.

For the first time in my adult life, I feel excited about the idea of being with someone. I feel this connection to her that I’ve never felt with anyone else.

In a month’s time, she’s spun my world on its axis. She’s made me see this whole possibility of a life beyond the business, beyond the name. That I can find more joy in a spaghetti dinner or in pillow talk as I do traveling the world or buying businesses.

And for the first time in my adult life…I’m terrified of losing someone. I didn’t want to bring all of that up. I don’t want to scare her. God knows I’m hoping she will be game for the insanity that is being connected to the Everett name, but I also care too much for her to let her go in blind. I’ve never known life to be different than this. There were cameras outside of the hospital the day I was born, and my grandfather sued one newspaper and bought another out of spite for publishing photos of me.

But I’ve seen the way it works for people that come in or become affiliated with us. I’ve watched the way the press has torn apart my mother. I’ve watched the way innocent people who have barely scratched the surface of our lives have never really regained their own after whatever tryst they have had with us. And what I said is true…when it happens, it can’t be undone. They’re tied to us in infamy while we move on with grace and wonder in the eyes of the world. It’s fucked up, and it’s unfair. When I had a few relationships in my twenties, I did everything I could to protect my partners and keep a sense of confidentiality. But each time, it ended up being in vain when they would decide to throw themselves to the wolves in order to hold on to whatever shred of fame being with me brought them.

But with her, it’s different.

She doesn’t see me as Julian the Billionaire. I mean, she certainly sees the money. But she doesn’t expect it. She doesn’t take it for granted. And the best part is, she could do without it. If we spent every night in the little dorm room I once rescued her from, she’d be just as content as she would be in my penthouse. She has survival instincts that I am very aware that I will never have. And it makes her impenetrable in ways that I’ve never experienced. She’s sixteen years younger than I am, and in some ways, she’s lived so much more than I have.

I don’t want to lose her.

I can’t lose her.

But there are some things that money can’t buy, and Sawyer is definitely one of them.

When I wakeup the next morning, she’s staring at me. I can’t help but chuckle at her big green eyes, long lashes batting in my direction.

“You are so pretty,” she says, and I laugh out loud.

“Good morning to you too,” I say, “and…what?”

She smiles and shrugs.

“You are. If you have all the money in the world and, like, own continents or whatever, you should have to be ugly. It should be a rule,” she says. I laugh out loud again, pulling her into me and kissing her hard. “I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”

“Oh, yeah?” I ask, rubbing my eyes. She nods then bites her lip. Then she slips down under the covers and yanks my boxers down. I jump and reach for her arms, but I’m in her mouth before I can make another move.

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