What.

The.

Fuck?

Did he say what I think he just said?

Hear us fucking.

Why the hell would he say that to me? Is he waiting for me to react in some way? Well, it did affect me. His words actually hurt, and I don’t understand why I should even care. He and I have shared a past. We grew up together, yet somehow the feelings I now have for him feel different. Well, the constant dirty images of him are sure indications that the feelings I have for him are definitely not sisterly.

Let’s not forget my damp underwear.

I turn my gaze and study the floor like it’s the most interesting thing in the world. “Uh, no … no, not at all.” Anyway, that house is enormous; there’s no way I would be able to hear people having sex.

“Lina, if you only knew …” He doesn’t finish his thought. Instead, Julian takes his phone out of his pocket.

After giving Cecelia instructions, he grabs his bag and walks over to the sofa where I am seated. Even with jeans on, his manhood is still noticeably in front of me. He reaches for my hand and helps me off the couch. Words remain unsaid as we make our way toward the set of elevators. The only sound heard besides the soft sound of Shirley Bassey’s voice is Mugpie’s snort. Contained within the four steel walls, I don’t know if it’s the wine I drank earlier that’s playing with my head but I begin to feel this electricity between us. It’s all in your head. He’s standing in one corner and I am at the other end. Mugpie is by his side. Even with the distance, his body heat warms me. My breathing quickens and I feel a little lightheaded. The elevator stops and a group of guests enter, forcing us to come closer. With my back facing him, Julian rests his right hand around my waist and whispers, “I apologize for snapping a few minutes ago.”

I slowly turn my head and notice his sapphire eyes seem darker tonight. I return a small smile, letting him know his apology has been accepted. I continue to smile, and I see it. There’s something in the way he looks at me … that excites me. His captivating eyes are fixed on mine. The gray in his eyes has disappeared. His lips part briefly as if he were readying himself to kiss me. He tilts his head a bit, and my hands itch to touch his face.

Stop, Lina, stop.

In an instant, I turn my head to face the steel door. He continues to rest his hand around my waist, and it slowly makes its way down to my hips. I squirm a little not because I feel violated but because it feels right to have him touch me there. Moving my legs closer, I hope that the unfamiliar ache between my thighs subsides. The door finally opens and we leave along with the others. Remaining silent, the man who has me hot and bothered confidently takes my hand as we head out to the small but luxurious lobby of the hotel.

As we approach the entrance doors, someone with a high-pitched voice calls out his name. We both turn around, and this Amazonian of a woman comes forward.

At about six-foot-tall, she is seriously an Amazon. I stare up at her in awe because she’s gorgeous, and she looks like … Wonder Woman.

“Who is this? Is she the reason you couldn’t see me tonight?” Cold, dark brown eyes stare down at me−practically shooting daggers. She shakes her long, thick, wavy dark hair and cocks her head. I swear if she had a gun, she would point it my way and quickly shoot it. No doubt she would be able to aim it correctly.

“Christ, Shira, what the fuck are you doing here? I told you that I didn’t want to see you tonight.”

Feeling a bit out of place, I slowly move away, but Julian grabs my hand. “No, stay.” Without taking his eyes off mine, he introduces me. “Shira, this is a dear family friend, Lina.”

Dear family friend.

That’s what I am to him.

Lina, don’t forget the introduction.

I take my hand out to shake hers, but she doesn’t budge, staring down at me as if she is ready to take me on like Rhonda Rousey. She continues to glare at me for a few long seconds.

One word comes to mind.

Bitch.

Suddenly, it’s as if lightning just struck her. “Oh, a family friend. I just thought … well, it that doesn’t matter.” She gazes at Julian like a puppy wanting to be pet. “Baby, I’m sorry, I just needed to be with you tonight. It’s been so long, baby.”

Don’t forget she called him ‘Baby.’

“Excuse us, Lina, I’ll be right back.” He hands me Mugpie’s black leather leash and then proceeds to take the Amazonian bitch by the arm as they walk away. I wait awkwardly with Mugpie snorting. I’m grateful I can’t hear their conversation. Returning to Marcel’s home and calling it a night is all I want to do. Well, actually a session with my iPad and fingers as well. Julian’s head turns my way, holding a conversation while his eyes rest on mine. At the same time, she affectionately claims him by touching one of his arms while he remains stoic. A few long minutes go by before she kisses him on the lips and they part. When he heads toward me, I feel a sense of embarrassment.

“Is she okay?” I ask.

Is she going to hurt me? I think to myself.

“Yes, I just promised to be with her tomorrow night.” He snickers. “That seemed to appease her.”

Why remind me?

“Oh.” What else could I say?

Awkwardness hangs over us the entire time Julian, Mugpie and I wait for the valet to bring the Bondmobile around. Julian looks ahead while I stare at the ground. And for the first time since I’ve met this adorable bulldog, he’s quiet. The drive through San Francisco’s late-night traffic is silent as well with only the sounds of Mugpie’s light snoring in the background.

He’s going to fuck her tomorrow night remains on repeat in my head.

Once we return to the house, we amble to our respective rooms, walking only a few inches apart and remaining silent. It’s not until we’re standing in front of my bedroom that we turn to each other and say good night. “I had a wonderful time tonight.” Until the bitch scared me. “Thank you.” I bend down and pet Mugpie as he stands there drooling. There is no hesitation. There is no rush. It’s a simple formality of ending a simple evening that became awkward.

Alone in the vast guestroom, I change out of my clothes, brush my teeth and lie in bed. Yet sleep eludes me for hours.

* * *

Beckoning me is the massive en-suite guest bathroom. The oval-shaped Japanese tub is large and inviting. A warm bath should relieve some tension. I turn on the overhead sound system, selecting Sade. Surveying my surroundings, the bathroom is stocked with everything−candles, bath oil, bath gels, warm fluffy towels, and a bath pillow. Once the vanilla-scented candles are lit, I pour drops of lavender oil into the massive tub. I slowly get in, and as soon as I am seated, tonight’s tension fades away. Lying here for what seems like hours, I enjoy the serenity and seclusion. The world is quiet, and the only sound heard is the heart-wrenching pain of Sade’s “Is It A Crime.” Veiled by bubbles, I raise and touch my legs, one by one, lathering my body with more bath gel. It’s impossible not to imagine Julian. Good God, that man is gorgeous. Once both feet are planted on the tub, I slowly spread my thighs apart.

My right hand slowly makes its way to my bare sexual mound. Anxiety prevents me from inserting my fingers. There’s always the fear of getting caught. Yet the knowledge that only two inches of wall space separate me from the man I desire, thrills me. The second I walked through the bedroom doors, I couldn’t deny how aroused he made me. What is wrong with me? Even though he arranged to fuck another woman tomorrow night, I still want him. I am overwrought with unfamiliar emotions by his confession. I have never felt so jealous, inflamed, turned on and confused all at once.

All I want to do is come. I want to come with him inside me. I want to ride his face and come all over his tongue, lips and chin as I take him deep in the back of my throat.

Pinching my aching nipples, I grab both swollen breasts and knead them. I imagine Julian’s strong, large hands caressing them. The ache between my legs is more pronounced. The pain so deep, it hurts. It’s his perfect full lips I want kissing my breasts slowly, one by one. My tender nipples long to feel his tongue licking. His wet mouth sucking and biting. I close my eyes and I see him moving farther down as his plump lips make their way to my aching sex. I push my head back against the bath pillow. Unable to stop myself, my fingers begin to caress my slickened folds. I’ve been wet for him for hours. I dip my fingers and can’t believe how soaked I am. I gasp, and my breathing becomes more rapid. Fuck fear. I pull in and out as my thumb touches my clit by accident. The sheer force gives me the courage to overcome my shyness.

I want it.

No, I fucking desperately want it.

I need it.

Oh, God, please … please let me come.

The very thought of Julian lifting my ass … licking me … fucking me … coming inside me allows me to surrender. I begin to caress my neglected and very sensitive clit. At first, gently rubbing in circles and then becoming relentless …

Oh, God … oh … oh … oh God.

Trepidation prevents my eyes from opening. Fear that opening them will disrupt my much-needed orgasm. With one leg now raised on the edge of the tub, I move my body down farther, immersing myself. It’s his deep voice urging me to come for him that I hear. Baby, come for me. Come hard for me. I imagine his dark hair between my thighs. Oh, God, I want to grind myself against his face. His now ink blue eyes stare directly at me, forcing me to let go. I’m coming so hard for you. My raised leg falls. My toes curl. My entire body trembles violently. With my breathing heavy and my heart racing, it takes everything in me not to cry out his name. My back arches as I reach an orgasm so foreign to me, it leaves me breathless.

My heartbeat resumes its natural state, allowing me to finally open my water-filled eyes. I slowly exhale. Scanning my surroundings, I am reminded of where I am. Just the thought of Julian Caine delivered the most intense orgasm I have ever experienced. And then I am confronted with the truth. This is more than a fleeting attraction.