18 — JULIAN ADAMS (POV)

I failed.
I definitely failed.
Seeing how Angelee is walking to the bathroom, moving her ass in a way that shouldn't be sexy, with my pleasure dripping down her body, I'm sure I've failed.
In the silence of the room, I can't help but grunt as I try to pull away, to get rid of the smell of sex that hangs in the room, and that's making me horny again. I look down, noticing that it's too late, and I'm already hard. There's some blood on the tip of my cock, and this realization brings a chill to my chest.
The sound of the shower is really tempting. All I want is to get in there and fuck her properly. Standing up, pressing her against the wall, burying my entire cock inside that wonderful wetness, so tight.
Hah, I really have failed.
I go to another bathroom and open the shower, so that cold water falls on me, washing away my sweat and pleasure that has mingled with hers. As much as I wish I could cling to this, I know this isn't the time for that…. Angelee is a damn virgin. I can't just fuck her like this. And even knowing this, I almost lost control.
I'm feeling my erection throbbing. Inevitably, I lower my hand to jerk off, remembering how hot she is, how delicious her kiss is, and how it awakens sensations in me that I never thought I could feel. Angelee is fucking my head off. She's driving me completely crazy.
The thought of her makes me cum. It's been a long time since I've sought pleasure with my own hands, but I couldn't help myself when she showed up at my door and asked me to fuck her. I thought I might have misunderstood, and even in the face of her conviction, I was sure I wouldn't cross that line…
Until I kissed her.
Until I lost myself completely in her touch, her warmth, her lips.
If Cathy hadn't knocked, I would surely have done what she asked me to do with such steady eyes. And it scares me… it scares the shit out of me.
Since then, I can't get her out of my mind. If it was hard enough before, now that I know what her heat feels like, it's practically impossible. I'll certainly go crazy.
I get out of the shower, with the towel wrapped around my waist, and notice that she's still in the bathroom, probably relieving her sore body. I should have taken it easy… not held her so tightly, not let myself be carried away by the pleasure she brings me… But I can't control. My body cries out for hers. I just want to bury myself in her warmth.
Dressing quickly, I try to put her out of my mind… otherwise I might really end up walking into this bathroom, seeking her touch again.
I take a deep breath, button my pants, reaching for my phone to order Angelee's favorite pizza, the classic margherita. And as I hang up, I notice that there are a few messages from Michael, and this brings extreme discomfort to my chest.
Michael and I have known each other since my childhood, as our parents are old friends. Despite the difference of nine years between us, we have always got along well, and maybe this is why I see him as family… almost an old brother. And this is why I fight so hard against my desire for Angelee… because she's the daughter of my best friend.
It was a shock when I found out the girl with long black hair, sitting on the sidewalk outside the building on that cold winter day, was in fact Michael's daughter. I didn't know that he had a daughter — and apparently neither did he.
I felt sympathy for her, for carrying so many problems, and I wanted to be someone she could count on in this world that, by her brown eyes, seemed to be completely gray. And as time went by, I saw her smile more and become a sweet girl… But I always saw her as a child, nothing more.
Until the trip to Spain, on Angelee's nineteen birthday.
I press the top of my nose, trying to push those memories away… After the trip, I swore to myself that I would forget everything, that I would never think of her inappropriately… Because after all, she was too young for me, someone I should never, EVER want.
And for years, I struggled to keep this promise… All these years, I clung to the respect I felt for her, for Michael.
But all my conviction shattered when she asked me to fuck her — and I can't remember this without holding my breath. My heart even failed me at that moment.
I really am the worst.
I look at Michael's messages and give a discreet smile,
**[I can't stand to stay here anymore... why didn't you come in my place?]
[Next time, you'll go, I mean it.]**
Then I feel my chest freeze in my chest as I look at the last message,
**[Have you been talking to my daughter?]**
My mouth goes dry. My fingers open the keyboard, but I can't type anything. I took a deep breath and put the phone aside, without answering it.
I'm feeling guilty as hell.
Running my hand through my hair, combing the blond strands back, I sigh… But to my relief, the apartment doorbell interrupts my thoughts. Relief soon turns to surprise because I can hardly believe that the pizza has arrived so quickly.
I crack my neck as I walk to the door and open it without checking who is on the other side. But when I open it, it's not the delivery man.
My expression immediately closes as I find who is knocking on Angelee's apartment. I instinctively cross my arms, suddenly aware that I haven’t put on my shirt yet. And I know that this small detail has bothered him more than being greeted by me, as Eric's eyebrows, forehead, and lips are frowning.
“I didn't know I hit the wrong apartment, my fault.”
“No, I think you're hit the right, this is Angelee's apartment.” I say with a forced smile.
“And where is she?” I notice how he lifts his face to peek behind my body, which is covering almost the entire door.
I really hope Angelee doesn't come out of that bathroom naked.
“Why do you want to see her?” My voice is harsh, and I raise my eyebrows, straightening my posture.
Eric turns his gaze back to me, still with his head slightly raised to look me in the eye.
“Sorry, but I don't think that's any of your business, Julian.” Eric looks at me with sharp eyes and an angry expression. “Besides, I'm the one who should be asking you what you're doing shirtless in my girlfriend's apartment-”
“Ex-girlfriend.” I cut him off quickly, feeling a burning discomfort.
I see the way Eric stirs restlessly, switching his body weight to his other leg, crossing his arms the same way I do. I remain with my eyes on him, my head slightly tilted down, looking at him disdainfully.
Really… what did she see in this guy?
Four years next to someone so dull?
This guy spent four years without ever touching her, without ever discovering how sensitive her body is, how sweet and addictive her moans are… Hah, somehow this brings me a fucking petty satisfaction, and my lips even threaten to go up in a smug smile.
“She's your ex-girlfriend, the one you cheated on… so what are you doing here, knocking on her apartment at this hour?”
“What happens between Angelee and me is none of your business.”
“Except for the fact that there's nothing else going on between you anymore. If I recall correctly, didn't she dump your ass?” I add, already not caring to hide my smug smile — which makes him even more annoyed.
“That's what you think. We've been together for years; do you think a little thing like that is going to get in the way of our relationship? It’s nothing.” Eric says as if I'm an idiot.
*A little thing like that?* He’s saying that a betrayal is nothing? A *baby* is nothing...?
I part my arms, spreading my shoulders, taking a step out of the apartment, toward him. I say between clenched teeth, “She broke up with you. That means you have no right to stay in her life anymore.”
“Who do you think you are to say that? You're nothing but her father's best friend, you're nobody-”
Now I'm standing next to him, looking down on him with a furious expression — and I know this because my blood is bubbling as I place my hand on his shoulder, squeezing firmly, seeing that he's trying hard to show no discomfort.
“I'm telling you to get the hell out of here.”
Eric looks at me sharply, with hatred burning in his brown eyes.
“I'm not telling you twice, boy.”
Even though visibly annoyed, Eric disengages himself from my grip and turns away. I watch him call the elevator and disappear behind the metal doors as soon as they close, to take him away. I close the door and return to the apartment only when I see that the elevator is actually going down.
I grit my teeth, running my hand over my face.
Oh, shit… I can't leave her alone while this jerk is lurking….
“Julian?” Angelee's soft voice makes me freeze. I slowly remove my hand from my face, watching her through the gap between my fingers. She's wearing a robe, and her wet hair is piled fully to one side.
Her face looks refreshed, and her cheeks look flushed-
Shit, my heart is beating faster.
Angelee approaches me, looking from me to the door with curiosity, “Who was that?”
I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her to me, feeling the smell of soap and shampoo penetrate my nostrils, so comforting it makes me close my eyes and bury my face in the top of her head.
“No one…” I reply with a murmur, feeling a warmth spread through my chest… a possessiveness that makes me hold her tightly. “Just someone who didn't know his place.”