Page 50 of Choose Me

Gary doesn’t miss a beat. “Yeah, I was telling everybody here that I’m not big on the outdoors thing. Don’t get me wrong, I like the occasional hike now and then, but for the most part, I like my creature comforts.”

Pita noses in, forcing himself between me and Jules. “Really?” I frown at him, but Jules grins and scratches Pita behind his ears. “Bjorn, your dog is horning in.”

Bjorn glances over his shoulder and shrugs. “He’s jealous. Jules is his now. Tough luck, Erik. Your boyfriend belongs to Pita.” I feel Jules gasp more than hear it, but he doesn’t move away. I suppose standing in the middle of the kitchen with our arms around each other isn’t the best way to keep us a secret.

Like he knows we’re discussing him, Pita presses harder and forces Jules to stagger sideways. He laughs and drops to his knees, hugging the boyfriend stealer around his neck and nuzzling into his fur. “Poor neglected baby.”

Bjorn just shakes his head and laughs. “That’s still mind-blowing. I have literally never seen him do that to anybody else.”

Gunnar slides by us and grabs the salad he’s been working on, carrying it back into the dining room. “You must be something special, Jules.”

And I can’t help but agree. Because yes, he is.

17

Jules

Dinnerisn’tgoingatall like I imagined. Things start out rough, with all the questions and focus on Erik and me, but eventually everyone takes their turn being the center of attention and I get to sit back and observe. The food’s incredible, and I manage to compliment Bjorn without embarrassing myself, which is a minor miracle. Thankfully, Gary takes up a lot of the conversational slack. He tells us about writing and how he comes up with his characters and plots and keeps us all laughing with his crazy stories about book signings and rabid fans.

Astrid’s been amazing, too. She’s still as sweet as she was in school and has really put me at ease. Already knowing me, even if it was years ago, means there’s no need to explain about my anxiety, and that goes a long way to lessen it. It also means she doesn’t ask questions that might be stressful.

But I still couldn’t make it through any of tonight without Erik holding my hand and deflecting attention when I get flustered. He always seems to know when I can manage myself, and when I need some help, and he never makes me feel embarrassed when I do. I guess that comes from being around each other so much. Which we are. It seems like every spare minute we’re not working or with our friends, we’re together, hanging out. And it’s never awkward between us. We just work, and he makes me incredibly happy.

He’s been staying over almost every night, and although it increases the chances of Stef catching on, I won’t complain. Falling asleep with Erik wrapped around me is the absolute best thing in the world, followed very closely by mornings that start with soft kisses at the nape of my neck and strong hands holding me close. It’s how we started today, and as usual, things escalated rapidly from soft morning snuggles to passionate kisses and mutual orgasms.

I grab my water and gulp it down, trying to pay attention to the conversation so I don’t think about this morning or Erik’s soft lips brushing against my ear, whispering the list of all the filthy things he wants to do to me. I set my glass down and discreetly adjust myself. At least, I think it’s discreet.

Erik leans in, his breath warm on my skin. “What are you thinking about, Jules? You’re blushing, and the pulse in your very kissable neck is thumping hard.”

Shit. Now I’m imagining his lips and facial hair teasing my neck. I turn my head so my mouth is near his ear. “It’s not the only thing that’s hard.”

“Jesus, Jules.” He grins wickedly and slides his hand up my thigh. “I had no idea you were such a tease.” His fingertips brush along my hard cock and I gasp, drawing the attention of everyone at the table.

Erik moves his hand to my knee and gives me a squeeze. “So we’re moving in together.” My eyes snap to his face as my mouth drops open. I wasn’t sure he was truly on board with the idea. “Out near Duval.” While I’m grateful for the deflection, I hate to think he’s only saying this as a distraction. He turns to me and smiles softly. “Right,elskling?”

It’s not lost on me that three of the four other people at the table know what that word means.

Gunnar frowns. “Why would you want to move back there?”

Erik’s soft smile becomes a scowl as he turns to Gunnar. “Why not?”

“Well, for one, it’s way outside the city. You’ll have to drive everywhere. That’ll use more time and gas in the long run. Plus, there isn’t much going on out there. Won’t you get bored?” In his defense, Gunnar actually looks confused, like he has no idea how any of that is appealing. Personally, I think it sounds like heaven.

Erik leans back in his chair and squeezes my thigh. “Nope. I like quiet. Staying in and watching movies or reading is a perfect evening, especially if there’s a fireplace.” My heart does a little flip because that’s the kind of house I described at brunch.

Gunnar rolls his eyes. “You always were a loner. Not sure why I thought that might have changed.”

Confusion and anger cloud Erik’s face. “I’m not a loner.”

“Pfft. Could have fooled me.” Gunnar takes a drink of his wine, and Erik tracks it, too. Rather than respond, he sits back, opting not to engage. I put my hand on Erik’s and squeeze, letting him know I support his choice. Sometimes people just want to pick a fight, and I’m pretty sure that’s what’s happening now. But not engaging only makes Gunnar angrier. “Nothing to say to that?” My palms start to sweat.

Astrid jumps in and tries to diffuse things. Unfortunately, she engages me in conversation to do it. “Jules, that will be close to where you work, right?”

My pulse gallops furiously. It feels like everyone’s eyes are on me. Am I supposed to ease the tensions? “Um.” I can’t catch my breath. I make myself nod and hope to god she asks someone else a question.

Whether he’s too tipsy to read the signs, or too angry to care, Gunnar keeps at it. “I guess moving away from everyoneisyour thing.” I start to shake.

Erik’s jaw flexes several times, and his pulse is thrumming in his neck. He slowly pushes his chair back and holds out his hand to me. “C’mon sweetheart. Let’s go.”

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