Page 35 of Ella Gets the D
“What if you stayed with our parents until the end of the year?”
“Mac.”
“At least until Ella—”
“Hard pass. Ella and I already worked it out. You promised her the townhouse, and I’ll stay in the basement.”
Morgan glances at me for confirmation. “Works for me,” I say. “We could stay at your house until Charles’s ninety days are up. That would give me enough time to get everything ready without crowding Julian in his own home. Thanks, by the way, for the kid bedroom. I haven’t bought a day-bed for Haile, but that room is so perfect for Jackson.”
Her eyes soften and shift to her brother. “Thank Uncle Julian for that. He might wield swords at random, but he built that room for Duke when he visits.”
I tell myself that the tingling in my chest is from not getting eight hours of sleep and not my heart’s attempt to revive itself back to life. My focus tears away from Julian to stuff down the thoughts that pop up every time I’m in his orbit. Thoughts of exploring why my breath quickens in his presence, or the hyperawareness his deep voice spreads over my body like honey. My heartbeat skyrockets under his gaze, like the one he’s casting me right now.
“Ella.” A shiver circles my nipples, spreads down my belly, and lands between my legs. I swallow the pleasurable aches at my name on his lips and offer a smile that’s shaky at best. It’sa fight for him to suppress a grin, but he manages. “How about this? We’ll do a test run on Friday and invite Duke over for a sleepover. If you and the kids feel comfortable, move in this weekend. You’ll have time to work out school drop-off with your son before it ends.”
It’s not a bad idea.
The drive from DC to Virginia is a commute I need to figure out sooner rather than later. I’ll have to change school districts by fall if it’s too hectic, which will mean negotiating with an ex who wants me to fail. “Are you sure we’re not putting you out?”
“You ask that question like my response will change. Stay.” The corner of his lip curls. “Please.”
Who am I to say no to a fine man on the verge of begging?
Our gazes catch, and we grin. You’d think he asked me to prom instead of moving in to save my own ass. “Yes.” It comes out more breathless than I expected, which has Morgan’s full attention on me. “I mean, it works.”
Julian rolls his eyes and laughs. “I’ll leave you to it.” He turns to Morgan. “Where’s my stuff?”
“Oh!” A flush creeps up her cheeks. “I moved most of it to that large storage closet in the basement.” She waggles her brows. “The one near the bedroom you use for your fuck buddies.”
Oh, really?
He winces in an attempt to downplay the accusation. “Don’t start, Mac.” The daggers in his stare are a warning she ignores.
“Fine, I’ll finish.” Morgan walks over with the excitement of an older sibling who has a journal of receipts to embarrass her little brother. “Julian likes to have ‘friends’ over,” she says with air quotes. “Not all the time, but for game nights.” She steps closer like she’s going to whisper—she doesn’t. “A woman or two will stay over, and that’s where he keeps them.”
“You make it sound like he ties them up.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him.” She laughs, oblivious to the shift in atmosphere, which went from comfy to WTF.
I try to interject, but she cuts me off. “Not to worry, El. Julian keeps himself busy, but he doesn’tget busyhere. He hasn’t messed with anyone in his bedroom since—”
“Morgan! She’s got it.”
I’ve never been more grateful to be an only child than I am right now.
Julian’s sex life is not my business. Based on our first encounter, it’s not surprising he’s very active and probably has repeat customers. What happened between us was nothing special—another Saturday night, in his book. Did he not say he confused me with someone he met at the bar? There you have it.
So why am I so disappointed?
I offer my friend a small smile in encouragement to shut the hell up. “There are certain things I should know, and that’s not one of them.” I muster what little energy I have to slip my armor back in place. My gaze is expressionless when it lands on Julian. “As long as the kids and I don’t see or hear it, knock yourself out.”
Morgan rambles on about Sunday plans and dinner later with her parents. My mind is on getting out of this townhouse to untangle myself from the scent that’s sending me into a frenzy and the owner’s stare burning into my cheek.
Chapter 14
Ella
Mondays are a hustle with a capital H. Getting the kids back into the swing of their weekly routine is a special type of challenge—particularly if they have a grandmother who takes them to the National Zoo for a day of VIP access and unlimited rides.
