Page 44 of Love Sick

“I’m—I’m not.”

I’m still staring at his sharp profile when he pulls to a stop at the curb of Dr. Chen’s millionaire cottage and looks at me. Glittering Christmas lights stipple his skin and sparkle in his eyes. I can’t look away from him. That lock of hair is so attractive I want to cut it off. Because he’s evil, and evil isn’t appealing.

He’s not evil. He’s a knight in shining armor who tears into people for you.

Violence isn’t attractive.

Tell that to your libido.

“We’re here, she-devil.” His voice has deepened.

I fold my hands in my lap. “I’m a perfect angel, Julian, and you know it.”

“Hmm.” He reaches for his door handle without looking away from me. “Angels don’t wear that color lipstick.”

He does the no-smiling smile and slips out of the truck. The door thunks shut.

Holy—

What just happened?

A supernova erupts in my chest, imploding my entire body. It doesn’t feel like animosity, either. It’s hotter. Blistering.

I fumble for my own door handle, but he opens it from the other side, offering his hand to help me down.

“Why do you have such a tall truck?” I try to keep my heel from slipping on the running board again.

“Because I’m a tall man.”

That’s for damn sure. Even in my heels, he towers over me.

I slide from my seat. His shoulder helps brace me as I land on the ground close enough that I can smell the cinnamon gum on his breath. Once I’m steady, we spring away from each other. He locks his truck and we head inside.

The kitchen is full of people filling plates. Christmas carols on the overhead speaker system can barely be heard above the chatter.

Maxwell, bedecked in an ugly Christmas sweater and reindeer antlers, cocks his head as we walk through the door. “Did you guys come together?”

“What?” I laugh and reflexively push Julian away from me. “No. What? Why would you think that?”

Maxwell eyes me, the space between his brows narrowing. “Because you walked in together?”

Julian laughs under his breath. “Chill out, Hermione.” He shakes his head and turns to Maxwell. “I drove her. You ready?”

Maxwell nods. “You in?”

“Yeah.” Julian joins him, lifting his chin toward me in goodbye. “Have a drink. Take the edge off.”

I stare after him.

“Boo!”

I jump, almost screaming.

Kai roars in laughter. “Damn, girl. Play your cards closer to the chest.”

“What?”

He stares after Julian, then shoots me a knowing look.

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