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The revelation sends a shockwave through me, a mix of surprise and a deeper, empathetic understanding. "I didn't know," I murmur, somewhat stupidly considering he told me he has a child. I'm unsure of what to say but want to offer him some comfort, some acknowledgment of the pain such an admission must carry.
He nods, a rueful smile touching his lips. "Not surprising. It's not something I like to talk about. My daughter, Aria, she's the best part of my life. My ex isn’t involved."
The mention of his daughter paints a picture of Julian that I've been trying to imagine since he first mentioned Aria. It's a glimpse into a part of his life that's clearly precious to him, but I can respect his reluctance to talk about it openly.
"I see," I say, the words inadequate to express the flutter of emotions his confession has stirred within me. "Thank you for telling me."
Julian's eyes soften as he begins to speak of Aria, a tender, protective light glowing within them. "She's everything to me," he shares, a note of fierce pride threading through his words. "I don't talk about her much because I'm protective, I guess. This job, the long hours—it's all for her, to give her the best life I can."
His admission reveals a depth to Julian I hadn't fully appreciated, a dedication and love that speak volumes of the man he is beyond the job site.
"There," he says with a slight shrug, as if having laid bare his soul was a simple matter. "It's all out in the open. So, what now?"
The question hangs between us, charged with the potential of what might be. His straightforwardness, the ease with which he accepts our shared complexities, catches me off guard. And underneath it all, there's still a warm, needy feeling low in my abdomen that has only continued to grow as I've learned more about this new man in front of me.
"I don’t know," I answer honestly, and despite the rawness of both our confessions, caution seems to have dissipated in the wind. "All I know right now is that I want you.”
His response is immediate, a grin breaking across his face. "Thank God, because I’ve been trying not to show all my cards, but you’ve been driving me wild."
Desire, long smoldering beneath layers of hesitation and fear, flares to life, undeniable and urgent.
Without a second thought, I close the distance between us, my hands reaching up to cradle his face. The rough stubble beneath my palms sends a thrill through me, the feel of it heightening my arousal. I pull him down, my lips finding his in a kiss that's completely different from before.
Julian responds with equal fervor, his hands sliding around my waist to draw me closer, his touch igniting sparks along my skin. The kiss deepens, our mouths moving together in a dance as old as time, yet as fresh as the connection sparking between us. The heat that builds is intense, a simmering need coursing through my veins, urging me closer, deeper.
Our breaths mingle, the taste of him intoxicating, driving me to explore further, to deepen the kiss until there's no space left between us, until all that exists is the searing heat of our joined mouths and the rapid beat of our hearts.
As the intensity of our kiss escalates, Julian's hands roam, finding the small of my back and pressing me closer, until my back meets the cold tarp that covers the wall, a protective layer for the vintage structure we're both sworn to preserve.
A muffled protest escapes me, almost instinctual. "Be careful... the building," I manage to say, though the effort is half-hearted, my focus shattered by the heat of his body against mine.
His only response is a low chuckle, his breath warm against my skin as he murmurs, "This building's seen worse," before his mouth captures mine again, silencing any further objections. His hands tangle in my hair, tilting my head back to open my mouth to his, his touch both gentle and insistent.
My body responds on its own, my hands finding hold in his long hair as I crush myself against him. His hair even better than I imagined—thick and smooth—and yet another new part of Julian that I've never experienced before. A muffled grunt escapes him as I gently tug at the roots, a delighted thrill rolling through me at the sound.
One of his hands finds my leg and hitches it up around him, creating opportunity for him to lean deeper into me, pinning me between him and the wall.
The firmness of his body is a blinding contrast to the softness of his lips. Every point of contact sends waves of heat coursing through me, each touch a spark that fuels the growing fire within. The world narrows down to the space we occupy, to the sound of our mingled breaths and the shared warmth that seems to envelop us.
Lost in the moment, lost in him, I'm completely consumed by desire. His presence is overwhelming, a storm that I have no need to seek shelter from. Instead, I find myself drawn deeper into the tempest.
Suddenly, a metallic clang and the sound of ripping fabric forces us apart, and the tarp behind me clatters to the floor in chaotic ribbons. For a moment, we're frozen, staring at the mess at our feet, until an unexpected laugh breaks from me. Julian chuckles darkly as he pulls me back to him.
Eventually, our laughter fades, and our foreheads come to rest together as we try to catch our breaths. The cool air of the room does little to quench the heat that simmers between us.
Julian grins broadly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I thought you were worried about the building."
I roll my eyes, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. "Okay, maybe I was a bit distracted," I concede, one finger slowly tracing the path of the snake along his neck.
He laughs again, the sound rich and warm, filling the room with a sense of ease. "Distracted, huh? Then I’m doing something right.”
Before I can reply, Julian's lips are moving along the curve of my jaw, trailing a path of gentle kisses that sends shivers down my spine, each touch a whisper against my skin.
His hands, ever exploring, roam with a newfound gentleness, mapping the contours of my back, my sides, as if committing every detail to memory. Despite the passion that ignited between us, there's a carefulness to his actions, a mindfulness. He's supporting most of my weight, a solid presence that anchors me.
I realize, with a touch of warmth spreading through me, that he's taken my earlier warning to heart. He's holding me close, enveloping me in his strength, all the while ensuring we don't press too hard against the now bare wall behind me. It's a sweet contradiction, this mix of fervent desire and thoughtful consideration, and it only serves to deepen my affection for him.
The kisses along my neck grow more insistent, his hands anchoring me to him as if he can't bear to let go. Then, with a deliberate movement, Julian presses me more firmly against the wall again, his arms a shield between me and the cold surface. His breath is warm against my ear, his voice a low rumble that sends a fresh wave of desire coursing through me.
