Page 8 of Once Upon A Valentine
“I…” Bran finally started to say something but Julian held up a hand.
“Don’t answer now. You’ve been drinking and you shouldn’t be making any big decisions tonight. I shouldn’t have kissed you and taken advantage of the situation.”
“First off, I kissed you.” Bran frowned. “And second, I told you already, I’m not drunk.”
“Still, what I’m offering… it’s not a one and done situation. I won’t be one of your boy toys that you use for a night and then move on from the next day. If you want to be with me, then you have to decide you want to be with me in every way.”
Bran’s Adam’s apple bobbed, “A relationship?”
“Yes. I’d want a relationship.”
“You’re asking for a lot here, Jules.” Bran ran his hand through his messy hair, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of a committed relationship.
“I’m offering a lot too.” Julian shrugged, “But, if you’re not ready for that, I understand and I won’t hold it against you. I think I can give you things that you desperately need. I want things that I think you can give me too, when you’re ready, but if that’s not today or tomorrow then that’s fine. I can’t say I’ll wait for you forever or anything but I do want you Bran, only you, and I’ve wanted you for a long time now. In the car, on the way here, you asked why I’m not seeing anyone. That’s why. You’re why.”
“Jules…” Bran looked shocked and a little terrified so Julian shook him off again.
“Like I said, if you’re not ready or if that’s not what you want, then I’ll respect your decision. All I’m asking for tonight is your word that you’ll think about it. If you want to talk about it more you can call me tomorrow. If I don’t hear from you, we’ll pretend this never happened and nothing between us will change.”
“Of course this will change things.” Bran was frowning now.
“Well, I guess you should have thought about that before you kissed me, huh?” Julian shot him a knowing look and Bran cringed.
“This is a test, isn’t it? To make me think before I act?”
“Maybe.” Julian shrugged. “You should think before you act more often. Trust me. It will lead to a lot fewer regrets and recriminations if you do.”
“So, after all of this, after that kiss and everything you just said, you’re really just going to walk away?” Bran looked doubtful.
“I’m not walking away from you, Bran. I don’t think I’d know how even if I wanted to. But I am going home, taking a cold shower, and going to bed. It’s been a long night. You should do the same.”
“And tomorrow?”
“I’ll wait for your call.” Julian moved forward and cupped Bran’s beautifully chiseled face with his hand, “But Branson, don’t call unless you’re serious. I don’t want to hurt you but I don’t want you to hurt me either, okay?”
Bran nodded.
“Okay.” Julian said again, gathering all of his strength to give the man he wanted more than air one last smile. “Goodnight, Branson.”
“Goodnight, Jules.” Bran turned his head slightly and pressed a light kiss to Julian’s palm before he pulled away. “Sleep well.”
Julian held his back straight and his head high as he pushed the button for the elevator. The doors opened again right away and he stepped inside. He turned back and got one last look at Bran before the doors closed, blocking him from view and whisking Julian back to street level.
He closed his eyes as he descended, locking that moment away in his mind for safe keeping. He hadn’t expected the night to end this way. He hadn’t thought that Bran would kiss him or that he would be compelled to tell Bran how much he wanted him and what he required of someone he was intimate with. But now that he had, he knew that a chapter of his life was over.
Bran wouldn’t call. Not tomorrow or the next day. He was out of control but he wasn’t ready to settle down. He wasn’t ready to be with Julian in the way Julian required. And that was okay. For now, that was okay. It just meant that he would finally be able to start moving on from his secret fantasies of a life with Branson Frost.
He got into his car and pulled back onto the street, more certain than ever that he would be spending Valentine’s Day alone.
Chapter Four
Bran stood on the front porch of the large manor house and pushed the doorbell. He could hear the chime go off inside and knew there was a chance the men inside would ignore it anyway. This place had the most high-tech security system in existence so he figured they’d known the moment he set foot on the property. The fact nobody had come to the door to greet him should have been proof enough that he wasn’t wanted here but he’d come for a reason and he wasn’t giving up that easily.
He pushed the doorbell a second time and shifted on his feet, shooting a glance up at the security camera just to the right of the door. He wasn’t sure if he was being watched but he offered a smile anyway, just in case. He was just about to mouth the words to say that he came in peace when he heard footsteps and then the lock turning.
The door opened and the man on the other side surprised him by smiling and simply shaking his head, “Come on in. I should have known you’d all be by to check on him after the party last night. The others are in the living room.”
“Others?” Bran frowned, following Ash Beaumont, his uncle’s partner, inside.
