Page 51 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

Chapter 20

Tyler

Tyler felt a shift between him and Julien. He wasn’t sure what. But as night rolled around, the naked anticipation filled Tyler. The sheer thought of bedtime with Julien made his bones thrum with nerves.

He didn’t think he was the only one who felt the chemistry. Julien’s casual touches and brief kisses had gone from fleeting to frequent. Each time Jules touched his lower back or leaned in too close to him, it burned Tyler’s skin and made him crave more. But it was always in the presence of his family, and Tyler couldn’t tell if it was real or if it could be something more.

It was well past midnight when the door to his room closed. Tyler felt he could melt into a puddle right there, even though he had no idea what to do.

“Did you have fun?” he asked Julien as he gathered some pajamas and searched for his charging cable.

Julien pulled his shirt off without any shame as if Tyler could handle that right now. His body was unreal, and Tyler recalled how the firm muscle of his chest felt pressed against his back.

“I’m not sure I’d make a career out of it, but I think we did a good job.” Julien crossed the room to his suitcase.

Tyler wanted to trail his fingers over the broad expanse of Julien’s back. “Yeah, there’s only a few more days until Christmas,” he reminded himself and Julien. “I can’t believe it.”

It felt like this entire trip home had lasted a lifetime. Still, soon enough, they’d be back to their own lives, and Tyler worried that Julien would forget about him the second they landed in Pittsburgh.

“What? Are you worried that’s not enough time to change Santa’s mind about giving you coal, Baby?” Julien asked him.

“You think I have been a bad boy?” Tyler asked, trying hard to sound flirtatious. It had been so long since he tried to flirt that he had no idea if he pulled it off, except that Julien came up behind him and wrapped his big arms around Tyler’smiddle. He nuzzled into his neck while goosebumps spread across Tyler’s skin, and he shivered.

“I think you could be better,” Julien purred in his ear.

Tyler’s lips twitched. “How?” He pushed back against Julien’s body. He felt big compared to Tyler, making his mouth water.

Julien hummed, and the sound vibrated against Tyler’s neck. “I don’t know. I guess we’ll have to find out.”

Tyler spun around and draped his arms around Julien’s shoulders. He searched his face for clues of what he should do or say, but all he could see was a hot gaze lingering on his lips.

“You know you don’t have to pretend so well, right?” Tyler sucked in his lip. “Because you’re kind of crossing my wires.”

“Who says I’m still pretending?”

Tyler hid his face in Julien’s chest, trying to ignore the warmth in his chest. He’d wanted to make sure because as much as he felt things, he didn’t know where Julien was.Julien’s words settled something in him. He thought he might float away.

Julien’s hand moved down Tyler’s body and settled on his hip. It sent Tyler’s heart thudding, and he didn’t want to move, but he also was nervous about where this might lead.

He knew where he wanted them to lead, but was this going too fast? Tyler was ready to dive headfirst off a cliff if Julien was at the bottom.

With a heavy sigh, Tyler stepped away from Jules. “I left my charger in the kitchen. But…maybe when I get back, we can, um,yanno, talk or something?”Orsomething.

“Sure, whatever you want, Baby,” Julien said.

Tyler hurried out of the room before he forgot what he was leaving for and padded quietly down the darkened stairs.

Tyler was surprised to see one of the kitchen lights on. When Tyler entered it, he spotted Cece leaning against the island with a bottle of whiskey and a glass.

“Cee?” he asked.

She jumped and pushed her hair back in surprise. “I thought everyone was asleep.”

The tip of her nose was red, and the skin around her eyes was puffy and blotchy.

Immediately, Tyler was on high alert. His elder sister rarely looked anything but perfect, even around the family.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

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