Anne’s laughter echoes throughout the living room after Hector finishes second in their game on my television I haven’t even used yet. Ben said it would be boring, so he brought his game console. The others are relaxing with some beverages and snacks while chatting. And I’m in the kitchen, getting another box of pizza and fried chicken.
“Seriously?” Hector grumbles.
“Wow, that was extreme! Now, give me your fifty dollars,” Anne brags.
Ben chuckles. “I warned you, dude. You can’t force ladies these days.”
“I’ll take the bet. I’m next,” Kristoff says.
“Hey, me, too!” Brit yells.
“Do they do this often?” I ask Lora.
“Oh, yes. Usually in Hector or Ben’s place, but I hardly join.”
I take a big bite of my pizza. God, I love cheese. “Then let’s join them now.”
We bring the food into the living room and take a seat.
“Hector, move your leg!” Give the owner some space,” Brit says as she grabs a slice of pizza. “This place is lit. Kristoff, you don’t have to worry about a roommate when you have sex.”
I cough, almost spitting the food in my mouth. “You guys really got it wrong!”
“Didn’t you guys break up?” Hector asks.
“She’s started dating someone new,” Kristoff says dismissively. “Did she not tell you?”
Five pairs of gaze turn to me. I let out a frustrated sigh.
“Really?” Anne beams. “Who is it?”
“She never introduced him,” Kristoff replies. “I heard he’s an older guy.”
I glare at him. Is he really doing this now? Provoke me? What is his problem? “Will you stop?”
“Nice. That’s hot.” Brit wiggles her shoulders. “I like older men. They’re more mature and responsible, you know. Don’t listen to the guys.”
“I think that’s what she prefers,” Kristoff goes on.
Damn you, Kristoff! I clench my teeth as I attempt to say something when Lora intervenes.
“Stop, you moron. That’s not for you to say,” she chastises.
“I think our bro’s jealous,” Hector quips, laughing.
“I’m not!” Kristoff shouts.
“Whoa. Easy, dude.” Ben pats him on the back. “Don’t fight. Don’t you have someone else you’re dating? Lora’s sister, right?”
Kristoff shoves Ben’s arm. “That’s different.”
God, I can’t take this anymore. Why does he keep saying that? “Yes, I’m dating someone new,” I finally admit, just to get this over with. “He is older than me, so what?”
“Yeah, so what?” Anne agrees.” I had one like that, but my parents didn’t like him. He’s eight years older. He works in an IT firm, but we broke up when my parents found out about him.”
“What happened?” Brit asks as she licks the cheese on the tip of her thumb.
“Dad went to his office and talked to him about it,” Anne continues. “But I must say, he makes a great lover. He’s my one that got away.”
“Should we find older women, too?” Ben frowns curiously.
Hector laughs at Ben. “Yes, but think about it. She could be a mom with two kids or someone half your age. Reality is a bitch.”
“Men aren’t really into settling down young.” Anne shakes her head.
“That’s right,” I agree, “so until I’m ready to introduce him, and since our relationship is still pretty new, we’re taking it slow,” I tell everyone.
“Aw, you love him,” Brit says.
I nod with a smile, but it fades away when Kristoff rolls his eyes.
He’s angry about something. How would he feel if I told him it was Julian? Before this becomes a problem, he has to tell me what’s going on with him and why he’s so angry at me. It’s just like what Lora said.
In the next two hours, we played games on Ben’s console. I hadn’t had many friends growing up, so I didn’t understand why having some was necessary, but that changed when I went to Whitlock. It’s an awesome feeling.
“I had so much fun, Anya,” Brittany says, holding my hands. “I hope we can do this again.”
“Yes, or you can join us,” Anne says. “You’re always with Lora and Kristoff.”
I laugh. “Yes, we’re inseparable. I’m glad you guys came. Thank you.”
“Anytime, Scottie.” Ben gestures a salute. “I’ll see you at school.”
“I’ll just help Anya clean up here,” Lora says.
“Hey, man, what about you?” Hector asks Kristoff.
“I’m leaving. I have to go,” Kristoff says in a cold tone.
“Good night, girls,” Brit says one last time, and they all head out.
Lora blows a whistle. “So, will you be okay here? It seems lonely with this much space.”
We go back inside the quiet living room. Lora carries the pizza boxes from the center table. I then collect the beer bottles.
“I’ll be fine. I’m going to miss you, though.”
“I’ll miss you too.” Lora walks to the kitchen and puts the pizza boxes in the trash. She lets out a sigh. “I guess I’m the one who’s alone.”
I chuckle. “Why? You’re with your sister.”
“We don’t really communicate these days. It’s exhausting.”
“You two have the same face, but you are so different. I’m glad it’s you I met.”
“Yet, she’s the favorite.” She shakes her head. “The special one.”
“The special one.” “That’s not true. You’re one of my favorite person.”
She smiles.
We finished cleaning the apartment and threw away the trash. When we’re done, we flop down on the couch to rest.
“I wish I could spend the night with you, but I have to get up early tomorrow,” she says.
“Busy with the OST?”
“Yes, but I still haven’t told my parents.”
“Why not? It’s good news.”
“I’ll tell them when my song comes out, so they won’t think I’m just making things up.”
“Don’t bother them. I’m proud of you. Time will come for us.”
“You’re right.” She flashes a big smile. “So… I think I should leave.”
“Yes, I’ll see you out.”
We walk to the door but stop as Lora pulls it open.
“Professor Sebastian!” she exclaims in shock. “Nice to... see you here.”
“Good evening, ladies.” Julian invites himself in. He didn’t tell me he was coming over tonight. I suddenly get tingly all over.
“So... I was about to leave. Good night, BFF!”
“Good night.”
Lora hugs me again and then closes the door as she leaves.
Julian pulls me close to him and kisses me on the cheek. “Hey, you should’ve texted me you were coming. It’s still a mess in here.”
His lips curve up. “I thought you said you wish I were here. Do I need a reason to see my girlfriend?”
My eyebrows meet. “Of course not. My friends just left. They could’ve seen you.”
“Yes, I did see them leave the building. I was careful, don’t worry. I’ve already missed coming home to you.”
I giggle. “I haven’t been out of your penthouse for even twenty-four hours yet.”
“That’s how much I missed you.” He gives me another deep, possessive kiss on my lips.” I suppose you’re already settled in?” He looks around my new place and nods his head in approval. “Nice choice. Jefferson helped you?”
“Yes, it was this morning.” But whoa. Julian’s mention of Dean’s real name still shocked me.
Julian spots my bedroom door and walks toward it. I walk behind him.
“Your bed is needlessly bigger, but that size is more than enough for me.”
“As long as both of us can fit. I’ll spend the night with you.”
I gasp. “You will?”
“Of course, every chance I get.”
I bite my lower lip. “You said we should be careful, right?”
“I meant at my place. You know why.” He unbuttons his cuffs and places his watch on the vanity as if the room is his. “Besides, I’ll be busy in the next few days.”
“Of course you’re going back there.
“But with my schedule in school, I can’t resume my position as COO.”
I cross my arms. “Let me guess: you finally gave in to what your brother wanted.”
“He’s in charge.” He turns around to face me. “He isn’t always bad. I’ll also start making changes to Ophelia’s song.”
I pucker my lips. “And Stella? What are you going to do with her?”
He lifts my chin. “Are you still worried about it?”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Come here.” He pulls me close and wraps his arms around my small frame. “I’ve got ideas. Don’t worry about it.” He puts his hand on my thigh and lifts me like I don’t weigh. I wrap my legs around his waist. My pussy is pressing to his already hard erection.
“Okay. We shouldn’t let it affect us.”
“Now you get it.” He puts me to bed while his eyes rake over the top of my cleavage. I run my fingers through his silky, dark hair to get him to kiss me.
***
“Your birthday is in two days. Are you still opposed to celebrating it?” On his birthday, I will sign a contract with Sebastian Records, too.
“My family will host the party, but we both know how much I hate social gatherings.” Julian rubs his wet hair with a towel. His fresh-out-of-the-shower look always oozes a different hot vibe. It’s as if we’re just an ordinary couple spending our free time together, and he’s not under the spotlight and being followed by the media. And I really like how he smells like me.
Since I moved into my new apartment last week, the only time we could be together was after his work, which has worked so far.
“Even on your birthday?”
“Yes.” He perches on the bed. “Hey, I have something to tell you. We figured out how to silence Stella.”
My heartbeat quickens. “Sure. I’ve been waiting for that.”
“I had a meeting with Rafe and Peter this morning. We came up with a plan to use against Stella, so she would stop blackmailing us and endangering the company’s reputation.
“And?”
“Peter will write her song.”
I frown. “How is that supposed to stop her? Did Peter agree? Is Stella okay with that?”
“She likes Peter’s style, and she doesn’t have a choice. After the scheme she pulled against me, no composer wants to work with her at Sebastian Records. She’s desperate. There are already rumors floating around about her stealing my songs.”
“Which is true, right?”
“But it won’t just be rumors if she doesn’t behave. It’s Rafe’s doing. He understands how to use and manipulate media. Stella brought it on herself. “
So I was mistaken about his brother? I’m still confused. “I thought your brother was against you. He said he won’t help you.”
“He’s just being himself, but he cares. He just didn’t want to show it.”
“Don’t you think you’re giving him too much credit?”
“I’m the reason he can’t go against her. I just realized it. He’s waiting for me to come back so that the company can legally protect me.”
“Well, he can just tell you that, can’t he?”
“I know, but he’s vigilant. I’m not always sure what’s going on in his head.”
I try to think about what his brother wants to do here. It can’t just be that.
“He told me why he let her join Sebastian Records,” Julian adds, his gaze fixed on mine.
“So Rafe can destroy her from the inside?” I guess.
“Yes. You know I’m always impressed by your capacity to figure things out.”
I sigh. “Because you said he’s worried.”
“Yes, but Rafe’s just trying to take it slow this time. He has no plans to take her down, at least not yet. Let’s say he’s trying to exploit her popularity for now. Stella still brought him a fortune.”
Goosebumps cover my arms. “He’s terrifying. I’m not sure I ever want to run into him again.”
“He makes good but ruthless decisions. The main goal is to bind her in a contract. She can’t use anything to expose the company or me once she’s in. If she tries, she will only dig her own grave. It’s a win-win situation for both parties. She gets her way, and I get mine.”
“So if Peter writes for her, she won’t release our pictures in public? It cannot be that simple. I’m not sure.”
“I’ll have my lawyer arrange a separate agreement for that. I’m not going to let her get away this time.”
I nod, agreeing. “It’s time she pays for her actions.”
“But what your brother did just gives you another reason to come to your birthday party.” I give him a slow, grateful smile.
“Back to that?”
“I think you have to go. Please?”
“I’d rather be with you, but I have morning classes, and Rafe expects me to work in the afternoon. He really needs a life outside of work.”
I crawl onto the bed toward him. “Your brother must learn from you.”
“I don’t think he’s ever been in love.” He shakes his head, frowning.
“We don’t know that.”
“I think I’m just lucky.” His eyes glimmer. “I met you.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “She’s lucky too, and she’s about to devour you.” I chuckle as I initiate a kiss, bruising his lips out of desperation.