Chapter 12
Julian
Thank God today is a slow day at Fit. Callie insists that having the gym open to patrons and conducting business as usual is perfect for content, but once Sylvie saw what was happening, she inserted herself into everything.
And rallied her posse to join in too. On one hand, I could be grateful to Sylvie for the viral videos in the first place, but everything from this point on would not be about her, and I’m not sure she gets that.
Callie and Austin handle it expertly though and prove why Ashley trusts them to travel all the way to Blue Lake just the two of them and capture the footage they need for the McKay Method launch.
They’re masters at redirecting Sylvie’s .
. . energy. Not only that, but they also make her feel important.
I’m impressed by the professionalism and even more confident about Ashley’s vision for my future.
But by the end of the day, I’m also exhausted.
That was a lot of female energy inside Fit all day long.
But Callie and Auz are confident they got plenty of footage and will be headed back to Malibu first thing tomorrow morning.
Ever had online classes today, so she stayed home where it would be quiet.
She said to call if we needed her and she’d pop over.
But they opted for live classes content today, which Sylvie happily orchestrated.
I missed my Ever girl though. We’re such a team now and work together like a well-oiled machine.
And with the long day today, it feels like forever since I’ve seen her.
I’ve enjoyed the last couple days making content for our new business—okay, enjoyed is a strong word.
I don’t mind it because I’m excited for what it will mean if it blows up the way Ashley thinks it will.
If we do it right, I’ll never have to worry about finances again.
I don’t even know what that’s like. I’ve never known.
But seeing how Luke Ashley lives gave me a glimpse.
I want that for me and my life with Ever.
I’m starting to feel like someone she deserves.
As exhausted as I feel, I want to celebrate. I pull out my phone to text her.
Me: Hey. Wanna do pizza for dinner tonight?
Ever: Totally. Want me to order?
Me: Yes please
Ever: I got you. Eta?
Me: 15-20
Ever: On it
I send a kiss emoji in response, which she hearts.
I’m not sure I recognize myself anymore, and I’m perfectly okay with that.
I envision things with this girl that never entered my radar before.
Things like a family—a real family, with love, loyalty and kindness.
A nice house. With nice things. And nice vacations.
“Hey, bro. You ready?” Auz drops his hand on my shoulder, snapping me out of my reverie. “We’re all packed up.”
“Yeah. Yeah. I’m all set. Hungry? How’s pizza sound for dinner?” I clap my hand on his shoulder as we head for the door. I see Callie already at the Jeep through the glass entrance.
“Hell, yeah. I’m starved.”
***
I can’t wait to get through dinner and shut my brain off for the night.
Today drained me, but in the best way. Everyone seems to be on the same page.
As soon as we finish our pizza, we all retreat to our rooms to shower and relax.
Alone in our room with Ever, the weight of the day slips off me like a loaded-down backpack.
“You look exhausted. What about a salt bath?” Ever steps behind me and wraps her arms around me, hands splayed on my chest. She places a soft, wet kiss on my shoulder as she meets my gaze in the dresser mirror.
“Will you be joining me in that bath?” I place my hands over hers, lacing our fingers, and wrap them around me tightly. It’s late and I’m sure she’s as tired as I am.
She ducks under my arm, spinning around to face me. “I think that might defeat the purpose of the relaxing bath.”
“Oh, I disagree. I think it sounds like the exact thing that would relax me the most.”
“Well, we aim to please.” She plants a sweet kiss on my lips and turns toward the bathroom.
“We? Is there someone I should know about?” I call out as she disappears into the adjoined bath.
“Funny.” I hear her muffled reply along with the rush of the tub faucet.
I strip off my clothes and wander into the bathroom as she’s sprinkling sea salts into the water.
When she stands, I reach for her waist, rushing my hands under her top and up her ribcage, lifting it up and over her head.
I peel the thin strap of her bra off her shoulder and place a kiss where the strap used to be.
I slide my hand around her and fill it with the breast that spills from the cup, dragging the other strap down and filling that hand too.
My thumb and finger tease each nipple, causing them to harden.
She arches and tips her head back on my shoulder, tilting her face toward mine. Her lips are slightly ajar, her eyes closed.
I pull a little, prompting a half sigh, half moan from her. The exhale that hits my face is sweet and warm, like her. “Turn off the water.” I drag my hands from her breasts to her back and nudge her shoulder blades toward the faucet.
She opens her eyes, a little dazed. “No bath?”
“Uh-uh. I’ve got a better idea.”
She nods and reaches for the knob, shutting the flow off as if in a trance. She turns to me and reaches her arms around my neck.
I scoop her up, and her long legs curl around me as I walk the ten steps back to the bedroom. At the edge of the bed, I set her on her feet and slip my hands into the waistband of her athletic shorts and drag them easily down her body.
We face each other, naked now. I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear and curl my fingers behind her neck, pulling her lips to mine.
She kisses me so sweetly and urgently. God, she’s so perfectly mine—ready and eager.
I rarely see glimpses of my shy girl anymore.
She’s bolder now, comfortable, and I’m here for it.
I let her set the pace and follow her lead, utterly hypnotized. And she does, perfectly.
Rolling onto my side afterwards, I take her with me.
We’re lying sideways on the bed, so there are no pillows.
I cradle her head and mine on my arm and place a kiss on her temple.
I taste the salt of what I imagine are tears, though she’s not crying now that I can tell.
It doesn’t happen as often as it used to.
I like to believe it’s because she’s healing—that we both are.
I know I feel more whole with her. I hope—think she feels the same with me. I lean my head back to look at her.
She swipes her cheek against my skin before she looks up at me.
More tears? “Hi, pretty girl.” My eyes bounce back and forth between hers, assessing her state of mind.
“Hi, pretty boy.”
I squeeze her in response, relieved. “You think I’m pretty?” I tease back.
“The prettiest.” She tucks her head again, rubbing her hand in lazy circles on my stomach.
I chuckle and kiss her forehead. “Sleepy?”
She shrugs in answer. “Are you?” She sits up as she asks.
I sit up with her and scoot toward the headboard, leaning against it. I reach for her hand and pull her to me.
She curls into my side, draping her leg over mine, and resumes her lazy circles on my stomach. Her finger finds the trail of dark hair below my navel, and her nail traces it up and down.
“I think if you keep doing that, it won’t matter in a few minutes if I am or not.”
She looks up at me under her lashes as her hand dips below my junk and lightly grazes back up to my navel. On her way back down, she stops to draw circles around the head of my dick, which twitches in response.
My girl is keyed up like I’ve not seen yet, and I’m here for it. I roll her onto her back and can’t wait to give her what she wants. And I do until she’s breathless and quivering and crying my name.
Once the shudders subside, she drapes against me, spent.
I’m not sure if anything has ever felt better.
I thank God and the universe for the gift of this vision in my arms, in my life, as I cradle her and scoot us both under the covers.
I don’t elaborate in my prayer of thanks, afraid to draw too much attention in case the powers that be realize they made a mistake and take it away.
As if in answer, she places a sweet kiss on my chest.
Rubbing my thumb up and down her shoulder, I whisper, “Hi, sweet girl.”
“Hi, sweet Julie.” Her words are thick and breathy. “Your turn?”
I can’t help the smile that etches my face.
Even spent, this gift, my gift, is thinking about me.
“Shh, let’s go to sleep. Wanna go to sleep?
” Nothing compares to knowing my girl is sated and happy—that I made her feel that way.
I love her so much it hurts. I only want her to be happy, and please God let that happy be with me. I think it is. I believe it is.
“M’kay.” Her breathing is deep and rhythmic within minutes. I stroke her back to the rhythm. Just when I think she’s asleep, she murmurs, “Julie?”
“Yeah, Ever.”
“Thank you for being the perfect boyfriend.”
I stamp down the rush of panic the label puts in my chest, inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply, once, twice, a third time until my nervous system settles.
I can be perfect for her. I am perfect for her.
Just like she is for me. My arm grows heavy tracing the line of her back.
The rise and fall of her body against mine lulls me soon after.