Page 84 of You Were Invited
“Well... you can either be a feral cat. You scratch and bite anyone who gets too close. Or a house cat… You might listen, but only when you want. Or you can be a lazy cat owner. You see the cat suffering, but you neglect your cat-like emotions. You let the cat dictate what happens and screw everyone else.”
She wandered to the kitchen. Julian followed close behind, listening.
“Or… you can be responsible and kind... You guide the cat and other people’s cats in a gentle way so that you don’t let anyone’s emotions run anyone’s lives.”
“Never would’ve thought of that.” Julian picked her up by the waist and set her down on the kitchen counter. She squealed in delight. “Sounds like ‘herding cats’ to me. Managing others’ emotions.”
She rested her forearms along his shoulders. “More like not letting it get to a boiling point? People can be tricky.”
“Always.” He smiled, then swallowed. “As nice as it was to pet my cat, I’m happy that I got you all to myself tonight.”
“Oh?” Annie batted her lashes coyly.
“Mmm-hmmm...” Julian stepped between her legs and kissed her.
He tasted wonderful as he kissed her deeply, salty and sweet. She let out a small involuntary groan as he pulled her closer. They made out for several minutes before Julian paused to smile at her and tease the tip of her nose with his.
“Ishouldask if you want to watch a movie, but I’ll have to sit on my hands the entire time.”
“Wecouldwatch one and I’ll just watch you slowly go crazy.” Honestly, keepingherown hands off him seemed impossible.
“That sounds grueling.” His voice rumbled as held out a hand. She slid off the counter. “I’ll do it… but please don’t make me...”
thirty-two
“Idon’t want to be mean.” Her voice was welcoming, playful. Leaning in, she kissed him softly.
Julian kissed her back, pulling her close. She laughed into his mouth. Her show of enthusiasm sent a wave of vibrant energy through his chest, arms, and legs. The touch of her hand as it threaded through his hair brought to mind the kisses on his bedroom floor, on the couch, when she’d said goodbye. It had been a struggle to not scoop her up all those times, to not take her to his bed.
He’d thought that exercising restraint had cost him, but he’d loved her even then, and that she’d now returned to him of her own free will was that much sweeter.
Breathless, he paused. “To be clear... No movie.”
She grinned and laughed. “No!”
“All right then.” With a growl, he lifted her off her feet. The stairs creaked beneath his boots. His knees went weak with excitement, and even more so while Annie kissed his throat, clinging to his neck as he carried her.
At the threshold of his bedroom, she murmured, “I'm a little nervous.”
“We can take our time,” he replied, turning his head to kiss her as he lowered her onto his bed. The soft light fromdownstairs tempered the mood of the dim room. He smoothed the hair that fell into her eyes after finding her mouth again.
“I love you,” Annie whispered. Her voice sounded pained by pleasure, like it had been in a bubble that needed to be popped.
“I love you, too,” he rasped into her ear.
Annie laid back as Julian pushed up her dress. Approval shone in his eyes at the sight of her bare stomach and thighs. “You’re gorgeous,” he breathed.
She closed her eyes and blushed. A tug inside her chest made goosebumps form along her skin. His voice soaked into her mind, coating it with calm. She had something with him; the spark that had started when they’d first met now glowed with the intensity of a furnace.
“Hmmm. Where do I even begin?”
She raised herself up on her elbows. “Here.” She pointed to her neck and then trailed her finger down to her breast.
Julian straddled her, already hard through his jeans as he brought his mouth down onto hers while caressing her throat. She sighed as his hand left her neck and stroked her breast. Breathing him in, she parted her lips and touched his teeth and tongue. A shiver rocked her.
“I love you...”echoed in her mind.
“Cold?”
