Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
I fill the last space on the paper, feeling a small wave of accomplishment. That feeling is quickly drowned out by less pleasant feelings.
Putting my pencil down, I look around the room and find that I once again have nothing to do.
Spending most of my life alone, I’m used to being by myself, but this is different. This is next level isolation. I wish I had a radio, at least then it wouldn’t be so quiet.
I entertain the thought of taking a shower, but that just reminds me of the shitshow that happened last night. I know I owe him nothing, and yet, I feel like a disappointment, not even being able to give him a simple hand job. I wonder if he regrets buying me yet.
My thoughts and questions are quickly forgotten when I hear heavy footfalls approaching the door. The door is unlocked, and I sit up a little straighter. A moment later, Julian walks inside, slamming the door shut behind him. The loud sound makes me jump, and the knot in my stomach grows.
He is mad, obviously. But why? It could be because of last night. Or he could have somehow found out about the maid, though I don’t know how. Maybe he just had a bad day?
Without greeting me or saying anything else, he steps inside the room and drops something on the bed in front of me. Then he twists around and heads into the closet.
Glancing down at what he threw on the bed, I realize it’s a book… a notebook, I think.
He bought me a notebook!
Running my fingers over the smooth cover, I’m in awe. It’s black leather with golden flower embroidery. It’s very pretty, simple with a feminine touch, and something I would have picked for myself.
I flip it open. Empty, lined pages greet me, and I fan through the pages, discovering there is enough to write on for a long time. Setting the notebook down on the comforter, I stare at it. I don’t know how to feel about his gift.
On the one hand, I appreciate that he got this for me. It’s certainly not something he had lying around on his desk, which tells me he was thinking of me. He went out of his way when he didn’t have to, and that means something.
On the other hand, however, he got this to keep me occupied while locked in his bedroom. There’s good and bad with this, and I’m not sure what I should expect from him now.
“You like it?” His voice is clipped as if he is fighting to subdue his anger, trying to hold it back. Maybe his anger isn’t directed at me?
He walks back into the room a moment later, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, and my mouth suddenly goes dry.
“Yes, it’s beautiful. Thank you…” I’m about to ask him what I have to do in return as nothing in this world is free but manage to bite my tongue at the last minute.
I’m surprised when he doesn’t take a shower but slides into bed instead.
When he inches closer, I smell soap on him.
He already showered somewhere else.
Did he not want to shower in our room because of what happened last night? I put the notebook on the bedside table and lie down, turning my back to him.
Suppressing the need to ask him, I say something else instead.
“I’m sorry about last night,” I say, knowing damn well it wasn’t my fault, but still feeling the need to apologize.
Rolling over to look at him, his face is impossibly close to mine, and my eyes dart down to his lips. The thought of kissing him hits me straight in the chest. I wonder if he would let me.
Who am I kidding? Julian doesn’t seem like the type to kiss, nor do I think he would let me kiss him after last night’s incident.
His stormy blue eyes roam my face, his features softening just briefly. “Consider the notebook a gift. I broke my word to you last night. It won’t happen again,” he simply states, and I wonder if that was supposed to be his version of an apology.
“Go to sleep.” He gently pushes my shoulder to roll me back on the other side, facing away from him. Then he lowers his hand to my hip and pulls me into his chest.
The position is weirdly familiar now, almost natural. Like we’re supposed to sleep like this, which seems ridiculous. I’ve only been here a couple of days, but we’ve slept this way every night.
I still have many questions swirling around in my head. I still don’t know where I stand with Julian, or if I’m safe, but for tonight, for now, I feel content.
12
Julian
“How are things?” Markus asks as he walks into my office, his face a complete mask. If he can see how tense I am, then surely my other men can.