142 — “Show you off.”

Finally, the pointers of the clock turn completely around, indicating the end of the day that seemed too long.
Everyone starts to get ready to leave, and I also get up, holding my bag and approaching the door to Julian’s office, with stares at me, but I don’t let them stop my hand from knocking on his door or from opening it when I hear his voice reaching me from the other side.
I open the door and poke my head into the room, seeing Julian straightening his suit and fixing his hair. His green eyes light up as they meet mine, and a smile immediately appears on his lips.
Julian walks over to me, his hand already sliding along the curves of my body, brushing across my lower back and up to my waist. He pulls me into his body, decreasing our distance until my chest collides with his.
“What are you doing?” I ask, trying to hold the silly smile that threatens to take over my lips.
He raises his eyebrows, pretending to be surprised, “I thought you were missing me.”
I give him a low chuckle as I lower my eyes, but Julian’s other hand reaches for the back of my neck.
“You sound like we haven’t seen each other for days.”
“Feels like it.” He holds on a little tighter, lifting my head again and forcing my eyes up to meet his. “Haven’t you missed me?”
“I always do.”
“That’s what I thought.” His smile widens, and he leans in, dangerously decreasing the distance between our faces.
“You know everyone’s looking at us, right?” I mumble with a fun tone and hold my breath at the way his eyes change direction, looking past me, lingering there for no more than a few moments...
“I have no intention of hiding anymore, do you?” He smiles. “Besides, I want to show you off.”
His answer surprises me, and my eyes widen, but my words are lost in the light kiss he places on my lips, already disentangling himself from my warmth and taking my hand. His long, warm fingers wrap around mine, crossing so perfectly that it really does seem made to fit.
He gently pulls me out of the room, and the hollow thud of the door closing behind my back is a slap of reality, especially when I can see everyone’s eyes on us, on the way Julian’s hand is holding mine.
Julian says goodbye to the employees with his usually serious expression as he guides me with calm steps to the elevator. When he stops in front of it, I breathe deeply, filling my lungs to the max, and this draws his intense green eyes on me. His expression immediately softens, and he touches my face, asking me in a low voice, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick again?”
Next to me, an employee’s eyes widen for a second, with surprise and embarrassment all over her expression. Well, for someone who is used to seeing Julian only at work, it must really be a surprise to see him make a face like that or use such a soft tone... And I confess, I feel pleased to be one of the only people who can see this cute side of him, and even pettily jealous that he’s exposing this secret.
“Should we stop by your favorite restaurant on the way home?” He asks in the face of my silence, his thumb sliding across my cheek, stopping near my lips. “You look a bit pale... Did you have a proper lunch?”
I give a silly, subtle smile, taking my eyes to him again, feeling my chest warm from his concern.
“I’m fine... I just want to go home.”
“Okay.” He strokes my cheek one last time before pressing the elevator button harder like that would make it go up faster. This gesture makes me stifle a laugh; he seems determined to fulfill this silly wish like it’s the most urgent thing in the world.
When the metal doors open, a few employees enter, and Julian pulls me by the hand, fitting my body in front of his, with his arms now around me and a hand on my belly. My heart races at this innocent gesture, and I put my hand over Julian’s, curling my fingers in his... a subtle, comforting intertwining that only I know how much it means, *what it really means to me.*
I want to tell him soon...
will I be able to resist this anxiety that consumes me?
I close my eyes, snuggling into his warmth, leaning my back against his body. His heart pounds fast against me, and I wonder why. Is he anxious like me?
When the elevator stops on the first floor, the employees rush out, leaving us alone. Julian presses the parking lot button, and we head back down. I squeeze his hand in my belly, finally finding the words to ask, “Why Saturday?”
“Huh?” He mumbles in surprise, tilting his body to look at me.
I turn my body slowly, keeping close to him, and look directly into his eyes. “Why always Saturday? Is that a way of torturing me because time always seems to pass slowly?”
Julian gives a low, soft laugh that sends a chill through my stomach.
“Well, weekends are more fun, aren’t they? I usually have to get up too early on workdays, and I always go to the gym before work.” He replies thoughtfully, then moistens his lips, “But honestly? It’s an old tradition to leave the best and most exciting things for Saturdays... I think it’s something I picked up from my brother.”
Brother... Is he talking about Jack?
My heart tights, even though his expression is one of pure nostalgia, and his eyes glisten with memories that seem happy. He wanders his gaze, letting me observe the details of his profile... the unshaved beard, the signs that are appearing on his face due to age, especially the marks below his cheeks and under his nose when he smiles.
“The waiting and anticipation always added to the happiness of the moment,” Julian says, smiling softly. “I used to be a busy child, and I didn’t have much free time... But Saturdays, they were sacred.”
He strokes my belly, a light rub so quick I wonder if it really happened... but surprisingly warm.
“Do you think it’s a bad habit?” He asks, looking at me again and making a funny expression, probably noticing what a fool I am for him.
“No, not at all,” I say with my face burning...
When the doors reopen, I can see the parking lot filled with cars.
Julian moves his hand away from my belly, bringing a sudden empty feeling that almost makes me take it there again. But now, he touches my shoulder, holding it gently as he guides me out of the elevator...
“Do you want to go on a date today?” He asks without looking at me, not even a glimpse. “I can arrange it if you want.”
I look down at my feet, considering for long seconds... but I shake my head, “No... Saturdays are saved for the best things, aren’t they?”
Julian stops suddenly, pulling me along, his hand still firmly in mine. His eyes are eager and shining, even in this dim light.
“Are you sure?”
I nod without breaking our eye contact. “Yes, it’s only a few more days... I can wait.”
Julian shifts his gaze from my eyes to my lips, then decreases the distance between our faces, touching our foreheads and mingling our breathing... “I told you, I’ll make the wait worth it.”

ㅤ***

When we stop in the hall of our building, I look for my apartment keys in my bag and walk to the door. ... But Julian’s arm around my waist, snuggling up behind me, softens and makes me stop.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He murmurs, his lips behind my shoulders, threatening to go up to my neck. “You don’t intend to leave me alone all night, right?”
I suppress a smile, sighing at the way he hugs me, his firm arms holding me firmly but gently.
“I need clothes... there aren’t any left in your house.”
“Really? You can wear my shirt... it looks good on you.” I bite my lip, remembering when I woke up in his bed after discovering Eric’s betrayal.
“It would take a lot of shirts,” I say with a laugh, and I expect him to do the same, but he doesn’t...
Instead, his voice is serious, and his words reverberate against my skin, sending shivers down my spine, “Or you could bring all your clothes.”
“What, you want me to move in with you?” I ask, still with a playful tone, even though there’s a chill in my stomach, an anticipation that makes my heart speed up.
“Actually, I do.” He says simply, like there’s no doubt in his mind.
And that makes the smile I’ve been fighting so hard spread across my lips.
I turn around slowly, holding his face and placing a light kiss on his lips, just a gentle brushing that makes us both shiver.
Julian opens his eyes slowly to meet mine, and their intense brightness mesmerizes me.
“I can give you my closet.” He says hoarsely, and my laugh sounds a little louder.
“That’s a tempting offer.” I give him another light kiss on the lips and turn around quickly, disengaging myself from his embrace with pain in my heart. “Give me a minute, okay?”
I enter the apartment with the lights off and turn them on while I go to my room. And now that I see it, it kind of feels a bit odd. Everything is in the same place, just as I left it... But it doesn’t feel like home anymore. I’ve become so attached to Julian’s apartment, to being in his embrace, falling asleep, and waking up next to him...
“Do you need help?” His voice sounds suddenly, startling me.
I put my hand on my heart and sighed, “You could have waited there.”
“Why? Are you afraid of almost being caught fucking here again?”
I give him a disapproving look that makes him laugh as he walks into my room, taking his provocative gaze off my body to inspect every corner of this place. Curiously, once again, I’m feeling familiar with this place...
It’s funny how Julian seems to turn any place into a home.
*I feel like I can face anything if he’s by my side.*
I sigh, looking down at my belly and stroking it slowly...
Yes, we can do anything if we’re together.
I turn my back and start to walk towards the closet when Julian’s voice stops me, freezing my feet to the floor... “What’s this address... is it a restaurant?”
My eyes widen slowly, and I turn again just to find him next to my dresser... where I left the card Mrs. Smith gave me.
Fallen for Daddy's Friend
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