Page 6 of Julien (Confessions 2)

“Et tu le fais mon cher petit,” Julien said. “Vraiment beaucoup.”

“What does that mean?”

“Which part?” Julien said, as he opened the fridge and got out his green juice.

“All of it. But mainly that last part. Sometimes you call me princess and sometimes that…mon cher petit? What does that mean?”

Julien put a glass on the counter and filled it to the rim. “It means: my dear boy.”

Robbie’s cheeks flushed, and the smile that lit his face told Julien he liked that very much. “What about the rest?”

“Hmm? Oh, you said you wanted to please me. I responded: And you do, my dear boy. Very much.”

“Oh shit,” Robbie said, and squirmed on his seat. “That’s really hot. Damn it, I need to learn French.”

Julien picked up his glass and took a long swallow of his juice.

“Especially if you two are going to be speaking it around the house. Do you think I could learn? Would you teach me?”

“Oui,” Julien said, enjoying the eager expression on Robbie’s face. “I would love to.”

“Really?”

“Vraiment. Really.”

“Vraiment,” Robbie repeated perfectly, and then he clapped his hands together, the caffeine having revitalized him. “This is going to be so much fun.”

“What is?” Priest’s voice carried across the room before he even set foot in it, and when it reached the two of them, Robbie turned on his stool as Julien raised his eyes to meet his husband’s.

“My French lessons,” Robbie said, as Priest walked over to stop in front of him. “Jules said he’d teach me.”

“Did he?” Priest said, as he ran a finger down one side of the robe Robbie was wearing. “That’s nice of him.”

“Oui, it is. Isn’t it?” Robbie gave a cheeky laugh when Priest arched an eyebrow. “Did I say that right?”

Priest inclined his head. “You did.”

“Good,” Robbie said, and aimed a pleased grin over his shoulder at Julien. “Ah, I’m so excited.”

“I can tell,” Julien said, laughing at Robbie’s exuberance.

“You won’t find a better teacher than Julien,” Priest said as he curled his fingers around the lapel he was touching, and then leaned down to say against Robbie’s mouth, “Tu as l’air délicieux dans mon peignoir, mon cœur. Presque autant que lorsque tu ne le portes pas.”

Robbie’s lips parted and he quickly turned to Julien for a clue as to what had just been said to him, but when Julien remained silent, Priest brushed a kiss across Robbie’s cheek and added, “I look forward to the day you can tell me what I just said to you.”

Robbie swallowed, and Julien loved the blush that now extended from his cheeks down his neck. Their princesse looked beautiful in whatever shade of pink he wore, and right now was no different.

As Priest headed around the counter, Julien frowned as he noted the impeccable suit and black and silver paisley tie.

“I didn’t think you’d be going in today,” Julien said, and considering what had happened last night, Julien had thought that Priest would take the day off so they could all discuss things. Apparently, he’d thought wrong.

“It’s Logan’s first day back,” Priest said, as though that should explain everything. But when he noticed Julien’s less-than-pleased expression, he added, “I need to hand off his cases.”

Julien crossed his arms but otherwise remained silent as he stared Priest down. He wasn’t stupid. That wasn’t the only reason Priest was heading into the office today, and he wanted to make it crystal clear that what had happened last night was not a shelved topic between them.

“Uh-oh,” Robbie said, and grimaced as he looked between the two of them. “I think that look means you’re in trouble, Joel.”

Priest nodded. “I think you might be right.” He then reached for Julien and smoothed his hands down his arms. “I’m not avoiding what happened. You have my word. I just need to find out more before we all talk about it.”

Julien eyed Priest, knowing that was all he really needed to do to get his message through, and then he uncrossed his arms and took Priest’s hands. “Okay,” he said. “But soon, Joel. I don’t want you dealing with it on your own. Tu comprends?”

“Yes. You have my word.”

Julien gave a clipped nod, and then they both turned to Robbie, who was silently watching the two of them.

“Sorry,” Robbie said, when he realized he’d been caught staring, then he gave a little laugh. “I was just reminding myself that I’m included in the ‘we all’ because I live here now.”

“You’re included because you agreed to be in a relationship with us. Whether you live here or not is beside the point,” Priest said, and then he kissed Julien quickly on the lips and walked around the counter to do the same to Robbie. “Now, I’m going to grab something to eat at the office. I’m already running late. Do you work tonight, Robert?”

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