Page 53 of Our Unexpected Beginning
“Oh bullshit. I know that look.”
“What look?” Mel looked from Lexi to Julia whose face blushed the reddest she’d ever seen.
“That. That look.”
“Spill. Why does she know this? What is this!?”
“Sex flashbacks.” Lexi chirped into their conversation.
“Excuse me?”
“Sex flashbacks,” Lexi repeated, rapidly blinking her eyes and smirking. “That’s when you know it’s not just chemistry anymore.”
“Please explain, because–” Julia gestured her arms wide in surrender. “I–”
“It’s when the sex is so fucking good that thinking about it can put you right back in that moment. The moment before your dominant lets you release.”
Yes! That.The memory of the last time they were together flashed through her mind again. The way he denied her release without eye contact. The instinctive need to shatter and please him was ever prevalent in her thoughts.
Julia ran her fingers through her hair, tugging at the nape of her neck. “I know he’s working and it’s important and all that. It’s not the same.”
“You two have been texting every night.”
“I know…it’s not feeling so casual anymore. I know we have a tether but things are different.”
“We’ve all noticed.”
“It was supposed to be all fun and games. You know, Fun Time Barbie.”
“I see the way he looks at you.”
“He came for a good time and–”
“Don’t you dare throw the jellybean into this.”
“I mean, it’s not untrue.”
“It stopped you from bolting and let him get to know you. You’re worth knowing Jules.”
“Thanks. I’m still figuring that out.”
“Not to bring up a sore subject…”
“No word from dragon mother. She doesn’t know, she doesn’t get to take my joy…”
“But?” Melody was a great friend and listener. Julia wasn’t sure if she ever gave her enough credit for it.
“I’m sick of people asking what she thinks. Not that they know her or anything, it’s always casual. I know it’s an innocent well meaning question, it’s not something that fits for me.”
“So then you tell them what Aunt Elaine says. She’s been more of a mom to you than anyone.”
“She doesn’t want to give up the house.” Julia shrugged, picking at the edge of her shirt. “With her health, I know it’s one of the reasons she’s still talking to my mother. I don’t know what her damage was that night, but she shot both barrels. Even with Graham there. She usually puts on a face and pretends, but this one, Mel. There was no holding back. Everything was up for grabs.”
“I still can’t believe all the things you told me. I’ve known you forever, this is a new level for Cassandra.”
“I think that now that I have a life and I’m not lapping at her heels hoping for a bit of something she doesn’t care even more. I’m honestly not sure how that makes me feel, Mel. I don’t care, but I wish she would.”
Julia sighed and pressed her palm to her belly.
