pter 37
Zayn lifted his head, hipcheek pressed against Julie’s as he whispered, “This walling for the day you come crawling back toege. When that happens, I won’t be so easy to deal with ”
Julie’s breath was caught in her throat, and she shoved him away with all her strength.
Zayn chuckled softly. “Jules, we’ve known each other for three years. Haven’t you gured out what am by now? Wasn’t it you who came to me first?”
Julie trembled with rage, her lips pressed tightly together.
Zayn continued, “So what if you’re flirting around with Ma. Chandles? He’s a well–known playboy. F’in a better choice than him.”
“That’s bullshit.” Julie couldn’t hold back her GUEDE
Zayn paused for a moment, his smile growing more intense “joles, you’re really surprising int now!
For the past three years, Jolie had been so kind to him that it seemed unnatural–as if she were programmed to act that way. But now, Zayn realized that the woman before him was truly alive–flesh, blood, and temper
Who had changed her? Blaine?
The thought of Julie changing for another man stirred a twinge of jealousy in Zayn. But it didn’t matter. In the end, Jalie would return to him.
“Jules, I’ll wait for you. Don’t make me wait too long. He kissed her forehead before walking away
Jeaned against the wall, her breath heavy.
Zavn, that madman!
She shouldn’t have gotten close to him because of his face…
She took a deep breath, calmed down, and stepped out of the stairwell.
Lucian stood in the hullay, lookding lean and athletk. He leaned against the wall with a cigarette betalen
another word.
ors, taking occasional drags from it.
The white smoke blurred his face, but his smiling features and captivating presence remained obvious
arlier, at the auction with Blaine, the young women around them had all been goiping about him. What were they gossipline about?
It was the usual girlish daydreams–imagining themselves married to their ideal man.
But it wasn’t surprising. The young women from prominent families couldn’t help but fantasize about Lilian. His face was simply mesmerizing. Especially his eyes; when he looked at someone, it felt like he could draw them in. And his lips were just as attractive–full, soft, and pale pink
Julie wondered what it would feel like to kiss those lips.
The thought startled her.
As if sensing her gare, Lucian looked up, his eyes landing on her face. Noticing the redness around her eyes, he passed and asked, “Your eyes are red. Did you cry?”
Julle shook her head “No I just got some sand in the”
Lucian didn’t say anything. He straightened up and slowly walked toward her. His tall figure quickly enveloped hat, and the faint scent of smoke lingered in the air. It wasn’t unpleasant. It was subcly sweet, like strankerries.
He leaned down, bringing them face–to–face.
Ju could see her own reflection in his amber–colored eyes. Her gaze drifted down to his deep red lips. She couldn’t help but take a few steps back, feeling guilty
“Do you need me to blow on them?” Lucian asked, his voice low.
Jelle was confused. “What?”
“Didn’t you get sand in your eyes?”
She felt a lembarrassed. “It’s fine. It’s better now.
She had a habit of looking away when she lied.
Her eyes fell on the pile of cigarette butts in the trash bin near where Lucian had been standing earlier. Her heart skipped a beat
How long had he been there? Had he seen everything?
His position had been p
perfect. He could easily see ha
Irwell from where he stood.
Despite hoping against it, Julie asked cautiously, “Did you make these?”
“Lucian raised an eyebrow and gave a light chuckle. “It’s just smoking. Nothing else,” he said
Julie was dumbfounded. That was an admittance!
Feeling awkward, she quickly changed the subject. “You have quite the smoking habit.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. What kind of relationship did she have with Lucian? Whether or not be smoked had nothing to do with her, right? Lucian looked down at her, his gap lazy. “I’m planning to quilt”
Julle nodded in agreement, following his lead “Quinting is good Smoking is bad for yous health.”
