154 — Will Julian feel the same?

Julian lowers his eyes as his hand slides along the curve of my waist… And thankfully, he doesn’t wait long to finally ask, “Do you really think so?”
“Of course, I do… You said yourself that it couldn’t have been better.” I caress his face and place a light kiss on his lips. “Do you regret your words?”
“Um, I don’t know... Maybe I should take it back?”
My eyebrows furrow, and he fights the silly grin that reveals how much he enjoys teasing me.
“Should I forget about your proposal then?”
“Well, you could forget it if you want... I’m sure I could convince you all over again.”
“You idiot.” I retort, threatening to turn my body, but Julian holds me tightly.
“Where are you going?”
“I love you... But I really need a shower right now.”
“Why?” Julian asks with a teasy tone. “Don’t you like being all sweaty and sticky?”
I grimace, but it quickly disappears when Julian touches the middle of my thighs with two fingers. “I bet it’s already dripping from there.”
“Exactly.”
“Should I punish you for not holding inside you what I gave you so dearly?”
I laugh and finally turn my back on him, pretending that I’m not affected or tempted by the idea of punishment that he taught me to like so much. I get up and start walking slowly to the bathroom... but his firm arms grab me from behind, wrapping my body in a tight, warm embrace.
“Let me take care of you, huh?” Julian says against my temple, and his words send goosebumps to my skin. “You’re tired, right?”
I fight the silly smile that takes over my lips and turn around slowly, resting my hands on his chest, feeling his heart beating hard against my palm. Julian’s needy gaze makes him look like a little boy who always gets what he wants.
“Will you hold me?” I stroke his strong arms, enjoying the wonderful sensation of feeling his defined muscles. I’m never tired of noticing how attractive his body is.
Julian’s hands move slowly down the curves of my body, exploring every detail of my skin with his rough palm. His gaze gradually becomes lustful, as does the smile that appears after he moistens his lips. And I don’t need words to know that he plans more than just hold me.
But with his usual ease, Julian lifts me and carries me in his arms, this time like a princess. I feel my naked body rub and slide against his chest, and I hold onto his shoulders, burying my head in his neck, taking in the intoxicating scent of his cologne mixed with his sweat.
“You know... I love your scent.” I hold the back of his neck tighter as he lifts his head as high as he can, stretching his throat. This movement allows me to snuggle further into his warmth, now pressing the tip of my nose against his skin. “I really do.”
“If you say things like that, I won’t let you rest.” He says in a husky voice, and when I giggle, he grunts and tilts his head, resting now his cheek on my forehead. “Don’t play with fire, girl... I’m still trying to be a gentleman.”
“This is another thing you probably don’t know, but you’re *naturally* a gentleman. You can be cute and romantic without even realizing it. Actually, it’s kind of frustrating.”
“Frustrating?” Julian asks with surprise, walking towards the bathroom while holding me tightly in his arms. His strides are so long that we’re already across the room and through the door.
“It makes me wonder how many girls you haven’t seduced with that way of yours.”
Julian slowly releases me to the floor, but his hands remain on my waist. And suddenly, I’m embarrassed to have said something so silly and insecure, so much so that I can’t keep my gaze lifted directly to his face. I look around, distracting my attention to the marble floor, the towels...
“Do you think I’m like that?” He asks, his hand reaching behind my neck, forcing me to lift my face and look at him. And even with worry and a certain embarrassment, I do it — only to find those beautiful and serious green eyes. “I’m not. You bring that out of me. As far as I know, being cute and romantic or a gentleman aren’t things women would say about me.”
Julian runs his thumb over my lips, and I realize I’m pouting.
“I know you think I’m a manwhore and, all right, I’ve had a lot of flings, but that’s all it’s meant: sex, one-night stands. And believe me, I’ve always been honest about that, and I’d hardly sleep with the same woman more than once.” He says, looking at my lips for a moment, then back at my eyes. “You were the first one who made me want to stay and hold... you’re the first I wanted to take on a date, to do something special. I never did any of that for those women because they meant nothing to me, and I meant nothing to them. But you... You make me want to build a family, to sleep and wake up every morning next to you, knowing that it will be like this forever.”
I let out the breath I hadn’t even noticed I’d been holding, my heart beating so fast it could easily rip through my chest and jump out.
“From the moment the barman called me to pick you up that day, and I found you leaning over that bar, drunk and talking nonsense, I only thought about you. I didn’t want any other woman, and I didn’t have any other fling; I couldn’t even if I wanted to... My heart understood that I love you before my mind even dreamed of it.”
He leans in and places a light kiss on my lips, making me close my eyes slowly, tears wetting my lashes.
“Do you believe me?”
“Of course I do.” I put my hands on his chest again, feeling the calm beats of his heart, as firm as his voice, as his eyes that looked back at me. “I’m sorry for being childish and bringing this up all of a sudden. I have no reason to be insecure; I know you love me.”
Julian looks thoughtful for a moment, then sighs and gives me another kiss, this time on my forehead, long and tender.
“I’m not going to get angry about it; you can tell me your insecurities and your worries... I want you to tell me every single one of them from now on... It doesn’t matter if you think it’s nothing or silly; I want and will listen to everything you have to tell me.”
“You promise?” I blink slowly, a tear rolling from my eye. “That we’ll be here for each other... for our child?”
His eyes travel down to my belly, and I feel my heart skip a beat. Julian’s attention is on our baby, who has just come into our lives and already means everything to me.
It’s really a love that I can’t understand... a feeling so deep that I just can’t describe it. I think I could spend hours looking for words, but I still wouldn’t be able to express myself. I don’t even know if there’s a way to quantify it. What they call a mother’s love really is beyond reason.
And I’ve often wondered... Will Julian feel the same?
Will he feel this intense and inexplicable love, this desire to protect and care for and teach all the things in this world? *Does his heart race when he imagines what it will be like to be called Daddy?*
Now, looking at his gaze that softens and the subtle smile that rises to his lips as he touches my belly... I know the answer to all these questions. His green eyes that shine brightly and glisten with tears are more than enough of an answer. The gentle caress on my belly, so cautious, innocent, warm...
“I’ll always be here for both of you.”
*I know you will.*
Julian kisses my cheek and walks past me, turning on the huge bathtub behind us, and I watch over my shoulder as the water quickly gathers inside.
Suddenly, he takes my hand and starts to get in, stretching out my arm for a silent invitation.
As he sits down, still holding my hand, I step into the tub, sinking my body into the hot water that relaxes my muscles instantly.
I sit between his legs, leaning against his solid chest, snuggling into his body as I feel his arm carefully encircle my waist above the other hand that remains on my stomach.
A pleasurable sigh escapes my lips because, heavens, *I really needed that.* The water and Julian’s embrace are relaxing every inch of my body, so much so that I close my eyes and lean my head back against Julian’s shoulder.
His hand begins to trail down my body, wet and warm, washing the sweat from my skin. It goes all over my belly, my abdomen, my breasts and beyond, my collarbones, my neck, my shoulders...
Julian moves my wet hair that sticks to my skin and pushes my back a little, giving my neck a light kiss before lifting my hair into a messy bun. His inexperience at this makes me suppress a giggle, especially as I find myself wondering what he’d do if we had a girl.
“What are you thinking?” Julian’s husky voice makes me shiver slightly, and I lean back against his chest. “Your mind seems far away.”
“I’m wondering what it would be like if it were a girl.” I feel his arm around my waist tremble, but I think it’s just my imagination. “You’ll need to improve your hairstyling skills. Would you like me to leave my hair for you to practice on?”
“You’re enjoying this, huh?” He retorts against my shoulder, and this time, I can’t help but laugh out loud. “Don’t you think I’m pretty good at it? I mean, I always take such good care of your hair when you’re choking on me-”
“Julian!” I turn around quickly and slap him on the shoulder, letting his laugh, so good and funny, turn my cheeks burn. Or maybe it’s the steam from the shower or the warmth of his body...
“I’m joking, love.” He gives me a light kiss; just the brushing of our lips that makes me forget how to breathe. “Boy or girl, I’m going to be the best father I can.”
“I know.” I close my eyes, stroking my belly. “I’m sure you’ll be the best father and husband I could ever ask for.”
Julian is silent for a moment, then gives me one more kiss and then walks away. He gets out of the bath, letting the water run down his shapely body, taking the sweat with it.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to order something to eat... You didn’t eat anything at the restaurant, did you? You haven’t eaten properly all day.” He says, with his back to me, quickly putting on his robe. “Is there anything you want?”
“Pizza.” I stifle a smile, expecting him to turn and look at me with a disapproving look and say how *unhealthy* it is... But he doesn’t... Julian just fastens his robe and walks to the bathroom door.
“Alright. Take your time; I’ll order it.”
Without paying me another glance, he leaves the room, leaving me painfully alone and anxious.
Anxious enough to get up from the bath and follow him.
Fallen for Daddy's Friend
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