Chapter Ten

Christopher

"W e're here," Julian said as he pulled up in front of a gray, two-story, stone home in Buckhead. "Home sweet home."

The structure was L-shaped with a round tower in the center connecting the two wings. The high-pitched roof lines, second-story dormers, and towering chimneys were a gorgeous nod to French architecture. While it was the grandest house I'd ever seen, it wasn't the McMansion I'd been expecting. Then again, I had based my anticipation on clichéd assumptions.

"Huh-uh," I said.

Julian's brow furrowed. "You've changed your mind?"

I pivoted in my seat so I could cup his face with my right hand. "Savannah is your home now."

Julian's beautiful green eyes reminded me of a lush meadow I'd happily get lost in. His gaze softened, and he leaned into my touch. "You guys couldn't get rid of me if you tried. I'm yours forever."

My chest tightened again but this time with delighted anticipation. I had to remind myself Julian didn't mean me specifically but the Carnegie clan as a whole. Still, I unhooked the leash on my imagination and let it run wild. I stroked my thumb over his smooth cheek. "Yeah, you are."

Julian released a shaky breath-slash-laugh I found utterly endearing. He closed his eyes and whispered, "Hold on to your heart, Julian."

I arched a brow because I wasn't sure if he'd meant to speak the words out loud. The urge to lean across the console and kiss his soft lips was becoming impossible to ignore. Instead of closing the distance and kissing him, I said, "Or I could do it for you."

Julian snapped his eyes open and smiled. "Damn, you're good at this."

"Want me to prove just how comfortable I'll be if you invade my personal space?"

Julian leaned forward until his lips hovered near mine. "When," he whispered before closing the distance and kissing me. The impact was a fist to the gut and left me breathless and horny. I dropped my hand between us and unbuckled my seat belt so I could get closer and assume control of the kiss, sliding my tongue into his mouth. Julian released a guttural groan that didn't sound remotely fake, and I pressed my advantage further—sliding my hand up into his adorable curls I liked so much. The soft silkiness of his hair sifting through my fingers made me think of other instances where I might fist the strands and—

A knock sounded softly on the window behind me, and we jerked apart. Julian's eyes widened before narrowing into angry slits.

"Go away," he called out. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

Delightful giggles met his stern rebuke. Julian groaned and leaned forward to rest his head on my good shoulder. "They're incorrigible."

"Who?" I asked, though I had a good idea who stood outside my door.

"My mom and sister." Julian lifted his head suddenly. "We can still back down the driveway and peel out of here."

"No, you cannot," the two women said.

That made us both laugh. I tugged lightly at Julian's curls until he lifted his head and met my gaze. "Trust me?" I whispered.

"With my life."

I leaned forward and softly kissed his lips before easing back into my seat. I held my breath for a short count and released it slowly as I opened the truck door and stepped down onto the driveway.

"Hi, I'm—" I managed to get out before the ladies rushed me.

"Careful of his shoulder, you animals," Julian called out. His mother shushed him with a wave, but she and Jorja took a step back. I noticed they had green eyes like Julian, but they weren't nearly as pretty. The resemblance between Naomi and her children was uncanny. Same high cheekbones, patrician nose, bow mouth, and curly hair, though Naomi's was several shades darker than Jorja's and Julian's.

"Oh my," Naomi Fine said as she raked a curious gaze over my body. "You're even more handsome in person."

I chuckled nervously as Julian rounded the hood of my truck, then slipped an arm low around my waist. Damn, I loved it when he touched me.

"For crying out loud, back off, you cougar," Julian insisted.

"And you're bigger too," Jorja said breathlessly. She was six inches shorter than Julian's five-nine frame, so she had to tip her head back to look at my face. "So very handsome."

"This is pathetic," Julian said, but I heard the delighted pleasure in his voice.

Naomi giggled and walked toward him with open arms. "I've missed you so much."

Julian closed his eyes and returned his mother's hug. "I was just here a few weeks ago doing a final fitting for Jorja's dress."

"Feels like months instead of weeks," Naomi said. "The house isn't the same without you."

He leaned down and kissed Naomi's cheek. "I miss you too."

Jorja cleared her throat, muscled their mom out of the way, and launched herself into Julian's arms. He caught his sister and spun her around. "Can you believe I'm getting married?"

Julian pulled back, hooked his arm around her neck, and rubbed his knuckles against her head. It was such a brotherly thing to do.

"Off the hair," Jorja cried out, "or I'll get even."

Julian threw up his hands in surrender and backed away. "Where're Dad and Otto?"

Naomi and Jorja exchanged glances, then forced fake smiles on their lips.

"They hit the club for a round of golf this afternoon with a few other guys," Naomi said. "They'll be back soon. I have a very special dinner planned."

I suspected the identity of the "other guys" was the source of Naomi's and Jorja's discomfort, or at least one particular guy was responsible. Julian had stressed to me just how close the bond between the Fines and Arisens was, so it only made sense that they had joined Graeme and Otto at the club to celebrate the pending nuptials. I expected to spend most of the weekend with the Arisens. Studying Julian's tense frame, I vowed Thad wouldn't be a blip on his radar by Sunday night.

Naomi took Julian's weekender and garment bag while Jorja divested me of mine. I started to protest, but the little imp silenced me with a raised brow. Though she may be tiny, the woman was fierce.

Jorja smiled up at me. "Smart man."

I chuckled. "My mama didn't raise a fool."

"I'm dying to introduce Aunt Lulu to Christopher," Julian said.

"She's taking a nap right now," Naomi said. "She's been watching for your arrival for hours and tuckered herself out." She leaned into her son and put her head closer to Julian's. "You did warn him about her behavior, right?"

"Not really," Julian hemmed. "I was afraid of scaring him off."

I hadn't even met Aunt Tallulah and was already a big fan. Naomi glanced over her shoulder and winked at me before looking forward. "He looks like a big boy to me."

"Mom, I'm going to tell Dad you're acting like a shameless hussy," Jorja teased.

"Oh, you two killjoys never let me have any fun, but you're the ones who brought the most handsome men on the planet home to meet mama. How could I not fuss?"

Jorja giggled beside me. "Otto has gotten used to it, and you will too. I swear she's harmless."

"I'm not afraid," I quipped.

"Sexy and smart," Naomi said. "Better hang on to this one, Jules."

"Mom!" Julian and Jorja said at once.

The home's interior was just as elegant and lovely as the exterior. The décor was a mixture of modern, cream-colored fabric furniture and warm-brown, antique, French-country pieces, which conveyed a welcoming, homey vibe. I'd gone antiquing enough with my mom and grandma to realize the furnishings in the living room alone were worth more than my annual salary.

"That's a gorgeous French-country farmhouse armoire, Mrs. Fine," I said. I'd seen one in worse shape go for nine thousand dollars.

She released Julian and turned to face me. "Please call me Naomi."

"Okay."

"Shall we call you Christopher or Topher? I've heard you referred to as both."

I smiled at her. "Whatever you feel comfortable with."

She tipped her head to the side and studied me. "Christopher, I think," she said. "Do you enjoy antiques?"

"I appreciate their history," I replied, "but my interests run more to vintage guitars."

"Electric or acoustic?"

I smiled. "Both."

"Julian tells us your family has a band," Naomi said. "I would love to see a performance sometime."

"I have videos," Julian offered.

"Oh good," Naomi said. "I'm looking forward to watching them, but it can wait until you've had a chance to rest up and get a snack. I'm sure you're hungry after the long drive."

I patted my stomach. "I can always eat."

"Yes, I'm sure you require lots of fuel."

"Mom!" Julian and Jorja admonished again.

"What?" Naomi asked innocently. In case we didn't buy it, she batted her eyelashes. "I reserved the pool house for you guys. We'll have a houseful of guests shuffling in before the wedding, and I figured you might like the privacy away from prying eyes."

"You put us both in the pool house?" Julian asked.

Naomi rolled her eyes. "Son, I'm not that out of touch. I've never expected my children to stay chaste until their wedding days."

Jorja snorted. "Good thing."

Naomi ignored her daughter and furrowed her brow. "Do you think you'll be uncomfortable there, Julian? I could rearrange our guests."

I stepped up beside Julian, put my arm around his waist, and placed a kiss on his temple. "I think the pool house sounds great. And if furnished half as nicely as the main house, I have no doubt we'll be in heaven out there. Right, babe?"

Julian didn't answer right away. It was like he didn't realize I was talking to him. I glanced over and caught him staring off into space with a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. My ego hoped he was thinking of all the things we could get up to all alone in the pool house. I pressed my fingers into his hip. "Right, babe?" I asked again.

Julian shook himself out of his daydream. "Oh, right. We're going to love it out in the pool house, Mom. You always consider everything."

Naomi beamed beneath his praise. "Nothing but the best for my boy and his beau."

Jorja's phone rang, and she sighed dreamily after checking the caller ID. "It's my soon-to-be mister." She took a few steps back before looking up at us. "I'm so happy you're home, Julian." She smiled at me. "And I can't wait to get to know you better, Christopher." She turned and practically skipped out of the room before Julian or I could reply.

I looked over at Julian and caught him watching his sister's exit. A huge smile graced his handsome face and his eyes shimmered like emeralds. He met my gaze, and his smile grew even broader.

"I love seeing her so happy," he said.

Naomi chuckled. "Most brides are unbearable by this time, but your sister has stuck to her guns and kept the wedding an intimate affair." A wry smile graced her lips, and I had a feeling the two women might have clashed on more than a few occasions while planning the wedding. She looked at Julian and narrowed her eyes. "She still hasn't let me see the dress you designed for her. Most mamas get to go dress shopping with their daughters."

Julian held up his hands. "That was all her doing. She said it lessens the impact of seeing her in the dress on her big day."

Naomi sighed. "I guess." Then she made a shooing motion with her hands. "You two head on out to the pool house. I wasn't joking when I said the kitchen is fully stocked. I even baked your favorite cookies last night."

"Mmm. Peanut butter chocolate chip," I said.

Julian looked a little surprised that I knew his favorite cookie. He recovered quickly and pecked a quick kiss on Naomi's cheek. Then he tilted his head toward the rear of the house, and said, "Come on. You'll never have a better cookie." But Julian's eagerness faded as soon as we were out of earshot. "There's one tiny problem with staying in the pool house."

"Which is?"

"There's only one bed." Julian looked at me with dread in his eyes. "And it's not a very big one. Maybe a double."

"I can sleep on the couch if you're uncomfortable," I said.

Julian shook his head. "There's only a loveseat and a few club chairs. Nothing is big enough for you to sleep on, and I don't want you uncomfortable. I could probably fit on the loveseat."

"No way," I said. "I'm not running you out of your bed. We can share, right?"

Julian worked his bottom lip between his teeth. "I'm not sure it's a good idea."

I stepped closer to him and cupped his face. "Afraid you won't be able to keep your hands to yourself?" I teased.

"Actually, yes." Julian huffed a sigh. "I'm like a heat-seeking missile who doesn't know how to stay on his side of the bed." His cheeks turned adorably pink. "I could get handsy in my sleep without knowing it."

My heart pounded out a rhythm rivaling the beat of any heavy rock song. "I appreciate the warning, but I'll take my chances."

He sighed again. "Okay."

Julian opened a set of French doors that led out to the pool area, and I stopped to take it all in. The recreation area looked like something from a Caribbean resort. An outdoor living space with a bar and kitchen took up much of the patio, and a tidy row of loungers with navy-blue cushions lined the opposite side of the pool. Tropical plants and lush greenery were tucked into every space, adding bursts of color.

"Is that a brick pizza oven?" I asked.

"Yeah," Julian said. "Mom thought it was overkill until Dad perfected his pizza." Julian snorted. "His first few attempts were unrecognizable disasters."

The French doors opened again, and a guy stepped onto the patio carrying a book in one hand and a teacup in the other. He looked about Julian's age, and the similarities didn't stop there. In fact, they looked so much alike that I expected Julian to introduce him as a cousin. But there was no recognition on the stranger's face or in Julian's posture. Alarm bells went off in my brain. Was this Thad's new boyfriend? Had no one else noticed how much he resembled Julian? This guy's hair and eyes were slightly darker, but his build, posture, and height were uncannily similar.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the man said awkwardly. "Am I interrupting?"

"Um, no," Julian said. "We're just heading to the pool house to rest up after a long drive. Have we met? I feel like I know you." I wanted to point out the obvious but kept my mouth shut.

"I'm Tyler Tannehill," he replied. He started to extend his hand to Julian only to realize it held a teacup. He laughed nervously, and I figured he had guessed Julian's identity and recognized the same similarities I had. "I'm Thad's boyfriend."

"Ah," Julian said, then introduced us. "You decided to skip golf?"

"Every chance I get," Tyler replied. "Give me a quiet corner, a nice cup of tea, and a book."

Julian smiled. "You sound like my kind of people. I look forward to getting to know you better."

Tyler smiled. "Likewise. Don't let me hold you up."

Julian and I headed toward the pool house. I waited for him to remark on how much Tyler looked like him once we were out of earshot, but he either hadn't noticed or didn't care.

The single-story structure was built with the same gray stone as the main house but without the fancy roof, dormer, and tower. And though it was considerably smaller than the main residence, it looked larger than the apartment I shared with Harper. Julian punched a code into an electronic lock by the front door and let us inside, and I confirmed the pool house was twice the size of our apartment.

"Wow," I said as I looked around the open floor plan.

The same elegant tropical design carried over into the pool house too. Pale gray tile, polished to a high sheen, covered the floor. The kitchen cabinetry was a stark white, which contrasted nicely with the navy-blue furniture in the living room area.

"This is impressive," I said.

Julian snorted. "Until you see how small the bed is." He opened a set of double doors that led to the bedroom and bathroom.

The suite was small but beautifully appointed. The décor from the living room carried over, and the bedroom furniture looked like genuine French antiques instead of modern replicas. The ornately carved headboard was a gorgeous piece of art, but Julian hadn't been joking about the size of the bed. My feet would probably hang over the edge, but it would be worth it to have him beside me. I set my bags down and walked over to it. Leaning forward, I pressed my hand into the mattress. It was firm enough to support my weight but soft enough to make me feel like I would be sleeping on a cloud. "Just right."

"Mmmhmm," Julian said distractedly.

I glanced over my shoulder and caught him staring at my ass. The longing I saw in the green depths matched the pang in my heart. He wanted me, and I desperately needed him. So why the hell were we faking a relationship when we should be building a real one? The epiphany was a horse kick to my gut, and I sucked in a sharp breath. It sounded loud in the small space, and Julian jerked his head up to meet my gaze.

I crossed to where he stood, eased his luggage from his fingers, and set it beside mine on the ground. Cupping his face, I opened my mouth to say something profound and earth-shattering, but all that came out was, "I really like you, Julian." Feeling dumb, I moved to expand on such a banal remark. "And I mean everything about you."

He patted my good shoulder and rested his hand there after he finished. "I like everything about you too."

God, I was so horrible with this kind of thing. I wanted to convey every wonderful thing he made me feel, but I couldn't get the words to flow. It was as if my tongue wasn't receiving the signals my brain was sending out. I couldn't even find a song to represent the riotous emotions pulsing through my body. So I did the next best thing. I lowered my head, pressed my mouth to his, and showed him.

Julian immediately parted for me, and I slid my tongue inside his mouth, deepening the kiss. The taste of him combined with his soft whimpers drove me wild. I placed my hand at his waist and stepped backward until my legs bumped into the bed. I sat down on the edge and urged Julian to follow me. He sat on my lap, wrapped his legs around my waist, and slid both hands into my hair.

Since I only had one hand to hold him, I placed it on the small of his back and kept his lower body pressed firmly against mine. I angled my head, looking to deepen the kiss even more since I couldn't crawl inside his body and live there. Julian groaned and sucked my tongue. I couldn't stop thinking about his lips wrapped around something else, and my dick began to lengthen and throb with anticipation. My first instinct was to change the direction of my thoughts to cool things down, but I wanted Julian to feel how I reacted to him. Since I couldn't verbally express how much I wanted to explore these feelings between us, I would show him.

I slid my hand down to cup his ass and rocked his groin against mine. He was as erect as I was and responded with an adorable growl. Julian placed one hand on my good shoulder to anchor himself and started to grind against me. He fisted his other hand in my hair and devoured my mouth until I had to rip free to breathe. Julian tilted his head back, moaned low and long, and continued to rut against me. The friction was incredible, but the sight before me was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen. Julian had forgotten where we were and what our original purpose was. He was fueled by instinct and pleasure. I tilted my head and attached my mouth to his neck, sucking and licking a path toward his chin. I was desperate to reclaim those pretty lips for myself.

"Toph, maybe we should stop," Julian said before I reached my destination. "I'm about to…"

Knowing he was as turned on as I was only ratcheted up my pleasure. And that fucking slow, torturous grind of his dick against mine made my eyes roll back in my head. If we felt this good fully clothed, what would it be like if there was nothing between us? I worried I might not survive if given a chance to find out. I dug my fingers deeper into his ass cheek, fearing he'd pull away. He answered by tightening his grip on my shoulder.

"Please don't stop," I replied. "I'm right there with you."

I drove my hips upward to meet his thrusts, which knocked our rhythm off-kilter. Julian pushed me to my back but was still mindful of my sore shoulder. He braced his hands beside my head and stared into my eyes as he rode me.

"I'm going to make you come so hard," he said hungrily.

My eyelids felt heavy, but I willed them to stay open. I didn't want to miss one second of Julian flying apart in my embrace. "You already have," I told him. "Several times."

My confession caused Julian's eyes to widen and made his hips falter. He recovered quickly, and determination darkened his eyes. "Show me."

I pulled his ass up a little higher so his dick notched against that sensitive spot beneath my crown. "Oh yeah. Right there." He sped up his tempo, and the fireworks started in my groin and bloomed throughout my body. "Julian." My entire body tensed as I filled my underwear with hot cum.

Julian watched me unravel for him with a rapt, wonderous expression. The smell of my release drifted between us, and Julian closed his eyes and breathed deep. "Toph, I—" His words ended on a hitched breath, and he jerked against me, mouth and eyes open wide as he found his release. I dropped my gaze and watched the wet spot bloom across the front of his pants.

Julian remained leaning over me but closed his eyes until his breathing leveled out. I lifted my hand and brushed the curls away from his face. "Look at me." I needed to know he didn't regret what happened between us. I should've found a way to express my desire with words before anything physical happened between us. After what seemed like forever, Julian opened his beautiful eyes. No regret registered in his expression, and I breathed easier.

"What just…" Julian paused for a breath. "What just happened here?"

A chuckle rumbled out of me. "If I have to tell you, I'm even worse at sex than I thought."

Julian rolled his eyes and pushed off the bed to sit up. He made no move to climb fully off me, which made me deliriously happy. "Seriously, Toph."

A curl fell over his forehead, and I tugged it. "You made me come in my pants like a teenager," I said.

Julian shook his head like he still couldn't believe it. I reached up and tweaked his nipple to show he wasn't dreaming, then rested my hand over his heart. Julian gasped and wrapped his hand around my wrist but didn't pull it away from him. Another victory I'd gladly accept. "But how?" he asked. At my quirked brow, Julian rolled his eyes. "I know the biology behind you coming in your pants. What confuses me is that I…um…helped facilitate it." A shy, insecure expression bloomed across his face. "I would think it was just a physical reaction to our practicing intimacy, but you said…"

"I've been jerking off to fantasies of you for months." Smooth? No, but it was bluntly honest.

Julian looked neither happy nor distressed by my confession; he seemed utterly dumbstruck. "Are you…"

"Gay? Bi? Pan?" I said, trying to fill in the blanks for him. Julian simply nodded, and I chuckled. I cupped his face. "I honestly don't know what I am besides completely drawn to you. I'm not just talking about the physical stuff. You have to know you're incredibly gorgeous, but my attraction to you goes beyond the exterior. I feel like we connect on a deeper level. And if I'm honest, I can't claim the same about anyone else I've been involved with. Something about you draws me in and won't let me go." Where had my ability to converse been before we rutted ourselves to orgasm? The words would've been much more powerful then. "There was so much I wanted to say to you before we kissed and…"

"Frotted each other's brains out," Julian supplied.

"Yeah, that," I agreed. "I couldn't get the words out, so I decided to show you with a kiss. And things went quicker than I anticipated. I don't want you to feel used."

Julian swallowed hard and a wry smile formed on his face. I expected him to say something flirty or snarky, but instead, he said, "I'm honestly not sure what to think. I've wanted you— this —for so long, and I can't wrap my head around the idea that I could have you." He brushed the backs of his fingers over my cheek. I captured his wrist, brought his hand to my mouth, and kissed his palm. "Toph, you have the power to hurt me like no one else ever has. If we fuck this up, I don't just lose you. I lose your entire family."

"And you're not sure I'm worth the risk?"

Julian inhaled deeply, then slowly let the breath pass through his lips. "A short while ago, I would've said a chance with you was worth risking everything because the idea was pure fantasy. There were no repercussions. But faced with a real chance, I'm just not sure." Tears welled in his eyes. "But I'm terrified of wondering what it might be like to be loved by you for the rest of my life." A tear slid down his face, and I wiped it away. "You mean so much to me, and I don't want to lose you."

His honesty was the most beautiful thing I'd ever witnessed, more so than his orgasm. My thoughts and emotions knotted together until it felt like a bowling ball was stuck in my throat. I swallowed hard and managed to dislodge the tangled mess. "Let's get one thing straight," I said firmly. "You will not lose me, and you sure as hell won't lose my family. We're crazy about you, Julian, even if you decide not to explore the feelings between us. I don't need an answer right now. We can table the conversation, carry on with our original plan, and revisit the topic when we get back to Savannah."

Julian tilted his head to the side. "You mean it?"

I wasn't sure which part he was questioning, but it didn't matter. "Absolutely."

Julian released a soft sigh, then lay across my chest. I wrapped my good arm around him, placed a chaste kiss on the top of his forehead, and smiled up at the ceiling. We agreed to table the conversation for a few days, but I said nothing about suspending my campaign to prove just how right we were together. Neither of us mentioned anything about keeping our hands off each other either, but that wasn't the angle I was going for. My mission was to prove the affection I felt for Julian was real and not a flight of fancy. I closed my eyes and started planning out my strategy. When it came to Julian, I was playing for keeps.