Page 32 of Ella Gets the D
“No catch,” he says to Ricky Bell on my vintage tee. He’s a deer in headlights, only it’s my high beams that have him in a trance. I rushed out of the house without a bra again. A tiny detail Morgan’s brother didn’t miss.
As if he realizes he’s staring like he has x-ray vision, Julian coughs and gives me an apologetic look, one that promises he’s not a pervert. “I’ll stay in the basement and use the door out back to come and go.” He smiles. “The last thing you need is to explain to your kids why a strange man is living on the upper floors with you.”
No lies detected. Also…
“What’s above the floor with the bedrooms?” The door that I assume leads to the top level is locked.
“A renovation project I haven’t finished,” he says. “It’s an open room, the length of the entire floor, with a bathroom. I don’t take up much space, and I’m not around anymore to find use for it.”
Must be nice.
“Will you be okay down there in the basement?” I ran out of time to venture around, and I hope it’s not a crypt. Judging by his full-on laughter, it isn't. Nothing I said wasthatfunny, but his tears say otherwise.
We need to go to bed. In different rooms, so we don’t hump each other. Again.
“Care to let me in on the joke?”
He holds his side and tips his head back. His pearly white teeth and dimples are ready for their close-up. Julian is adorable. Mouth watering. Call it jet lag or this strange series of unfortunate events, but his carefree gigglefest has found its way to my end of the booth.
He swipes at his eyes. “I haven’t laughed like that in a long time.”
“Glad my life is so entertaining,” I say with a chuckle. It’s a joke that misses its landing.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” He tenses with a frown. “None of this is funny. To answer your question, there’s a guest bedroom downstairs, for visitors or people who are too tired to leave. The basement is pretty much its own apartment, but I’ll have to comeup to cook and do laundry. Other than that, the gym and home theater are down there with me, so I’m set.”
How big is this townhouse? His family does well enough, but good damn. A gym and a home theater? What else did I miss? A bowling alley? Hyperbolic chamber?
Charles could swim in his generational wealth but is too cheap to install the screen doors I wanted. Julian has to be half his age, maybe younger.
“Okay, so you have a little room.” A glimpse of a smile shines. “And please don’t apologize. I speak fluent sarcasm. You allowing us to stay in your home is…I’m grateful.”
“You’re practically family, and your back is against the wall. Breathe easy, I got you.” His eyes bore into mine, forcing me not to look away.
“What you thinking about over there?”
“Sex.” My hands fly to my mouth a second too late.
“What?” Julian asks through a shaky laugh.
“I mean…” I close my eyes. “What I meant was sex with you.”Wrong again.I open an eye to peek at a man who’s just seconds from keeling over. “I’m not worried about your sex life.”
Silence.
“I don’t want to mess up your situation, but I also don’t want my kids to hear anyone grabbing a headboard. Stop laughing!” I toss a ketchup packet at his face he catches with one hand.
“I don’t have people like that in my house all the time. Besides, I wouldn’t entertain with you and the kids there.”
I nod. “Makes sense.”Move on, El.“Why would you when there are random women already in your bed?”
“Let’s talk about it.”
My throat works double time. “Okay.”
Julian shifts in his seat. “It was a mistake to touch you.”Damn. Want to call me ugly, too?“I mean...” He looks away andsighs. “I mistook you for someone I met at the bar, but it’s not an excuse. I’m sorry.”
My brows pinch together. “I thought you don’t bring strangers home?”
His stare holds me in place, and the side of his lip curls. “I’d break my rule for you.”
