Page 34 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

Jules imagined slipping downstairs to the Ashford’s fully stocked fridge to steal whatever breakfast Hailey had expertly prepared and would return upstairs before Ty had finished getting dressed. He pictured Ty’s appreciativegrin at the thought and effort he had put in. Maybe Julien would convince him to get back into bed for breakfast. They would feed each other fruit or creamy yogurt, and Jules could lick off Ty’s adorable bottom lip. After the food, they could follow up with a slow make-out session to fulfill theirotherhunger.

A ton of bricks crashed into him when Julien realized it was stupid to even consider. Tyler saw him as a means to an end, and Julien told himself he felt the same way. Tyler was his ticket to freedom, to finally being out of the clutches of the Rossi family.

Maybe he could move out of Pittsburgh and find a fresh start once he saved enough money. He couldn’t let himself catch feelings for the man currently in his arms.

Tyler gave a soft sigh, shifting a little closer, nuzzling against Julien’s chest, and he felt a pang in his heart that he wished would go away. Tyler had carefully curated Julien and turned him into the prince he wanted. He wouldn’t want someone like Jules. Not for real.

Julien shouldn’t want someone like Tyler, either. He was picky, bossy, and too cautious for his own good. Juliennoticed he opened up when he let himself live in the moment. But as soon as Tyler caught himself, he put on that effect of being tight-laced and put together.

He was also caring and observant. He watched everything Julien did, though Julien couldn’t tell if he was policing or watching him because he wanted to.

Like yesterday, when the family had set up an extraordinarily ornate Christmas village, sweeping the entire bottom of the large tree, he had watched Julien without touching the area they were decorating together. Finally, when Julien asked him what he was doing wrong, Tyler told him that his tongue poked out between his lips while he concentrated.

But as soon as he had said it, Tyler flushed and explained how they had to properly lay the fake snow to look natural.

Tyler was confusing but exciting, and Julien couldn’t quite work through the puzzle of this privileged boy who needed to hire someone to be his boyfriend for a week. He was determined to find out.

Dammit, if I don’t want to be your boyfriend for real. I’d kiss you like we were under the mistletoeall the time.

It got harder by the day to keep the lines from getting blurred in his mind. When they were with Tyler’s family, Julien knew he was putting on a show, but sometimes he felt like the person he pretended to be. Not a business owner who had shit together, no. But someone worthy of holding hands with Tyler and being invited to share these Christmas traditions. Someone who could be a part of a real family.

Julien felt Tyler stiffen in his arms, which he usually did when he woke up and realized that he was curled up with Julien like they were actual lovers.

He never commented on it, though, as if he didn’t want to scare Julien off. Or maybe it embarrassed him, or he didn’t like it. Julien couldn’t get a read on Tyler’s thoughts at all.

“Morning.” Julien stopped his lazy rubbing of Tyler’s back.

Tyler rolled out of his grip. “Morning,” he said as he sat up. “God, what time is it?” He picked his phone up from the bedside table.

“No idea.” Julien sat up and stretched out. “What’s on the schedule fortoday, Boss?” he asked.

Tyler looked up from his phone and grinned. “Believe it or not, we get the day off. The Christmas Party at my parents’ country club is tonight, so don’t get too excited.”

Julien raised his eyebrows. “We’re all going?” He couldn’t think of a worse night than one at a country club where he would probably have to laugh at entitled jokes and comments.

“Yeah. Mom and Dad like to bring their kids to show us off in front of the other members,” Tyler said grimly. “We have to make sure to oversell ourselves so they are revered as the best.” He rolled his bright blue eyes and gave a little shrug.

“But nothing for the rest of the day?” Julien asked.

When Tyler shook his head, Julien laid back, and before he could reconsider, he pulled Tyler down with him.

“Then we should sleep in.”

Tyler looked slightly alarmed, perplexed, especially as Julien pulled him closer. “I don’t know. I mean, everyone is probably already awake. We should at leastgo and—”

“Shh,” Julien whispered. His huge palm gently covered almost all of Tyler’s face. “Sleep, Baby,” he said. Jules could feel Tyler smile under his hand, and Julien grinned, too.

He should have just let Tyler get up instead of trying to cuddle with him. But in these moments, when it was just the two of them, Julien enjoyed pretending it was all real.

“You know. I haven’t actually cuddled with someone in a really long time,” Tyler confessed, still tense in Julien’s arms. “You’re really warm.”

“I can stop if you want me to.” Julien peeked an eye open. He was unable to stop the grin that played on his face.

Tyler chewed on his bottom lip. “No. I mean. I don’t mind. It’s just…” he trailed off, burrowing deeper into the blankets.

“Just what?” Julien asked.

“Are you gay?”

---