Page 116 of Love Sick

He lifts an eyebrow. “You okay? You’ve been really quiet.”

“What?” I force a smile. “Of course. Just tired.”

None too convinced, Kai stands to fill both our glasses. My phone buzzes.

Julian:Do you need help relaxing?

Julian:I could go down on you right now.

Julian:Do you want to give our friends a show, Grace?

Julian:Is that what you want?

Fire tears through my system. He still doesn’t look at me. He’s arguing with Alesha about the best way to manipulate Dr. Scarlett into sneaking us into the attending lounge for free ice cream. My skin tingles with awareness. He’s mere inches away.

Kai sets my drink in front of me, and I reach forward to grab it. When I lean back, Julian’s closer than before. Close enough that my every movement brushes his body and my skin becomes an oversensitive magnet, aligned to him.

His texting goes ignored by the others. Julian is always text­ing someone, either his sisters or Maxwell or us. No one pays it any attention, but my screen comes to life once more.

Julian:Do you think I could make you scream?

Julian:Or do you always bite when you come?

Julian:I could probably get used to that.

Julian:If you let me.

Julian:Will you let me, Grace?

My body thinks we’re working out. It’s the only explanation for this sweat and galloping heart rate.

“’Lesha, you want to share an Uber?” Kai asks. “Mine’s here.”

“Huh? Oh sure.” Alesha stands.

I follow suit, ignoring the subtle brush of fingers down the back of my thigh. Julian tracks behind me like a predator.

“Night, Julian.” Kai gives him an overlong stare I don’t understand, but then drops his attention to me. “Have a good night, Gracey.” He pecks me on the cheek.

Alesha grabs her purse and opens the door, looking at me. “You leaving, too?”

A light tug at the fabric over the small of my back keeps me from escaping.

“Oh, I need to grab my stuff from the kitchen. You go on.”

Alesha nods and wishes us good-night. Door closed, the tug on my dress grows more insistent. I take an obedient step backward, the scent of his skin enwreathing me.

Except for the two fingers pinching my dress, he doesn’t touch me, but his breath caresses my face as he whispers in my ear.

“Is the answer still yes?”

The wordsice queenandnot coldargue in the back of my mind, but as his nose slides along my ear, I give in to him.

I love this man. Even if I’m terrible, he won’t humiliate me for it.

I hope.

“Yes.”

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