Estimated reading time: 2 – 4 minutes
“I don’t want to go back in there. Really. I’ll be f-fine.” Lily’s spine curled forward. She gritted her teeth against the embarrassing cries clamoring to rush out.
Julian murmured, “Lying. How will we ever overcome this nasty habit of yours? Lily, you’re not long for this world and these attacks will continue to occur until then.”
Her face resembled paste. “What?”
“Hasn’t Jonathon prepared you?”
“No. I don’t know what you’re…ah…talking about it.”
“I see.” Julian stepped through the still-open doors. He tucked her closer to him as they ascended the stairs. Lily, seeing where which direction they were headed, began to fight in earnest.
“I told you already! I don’t want to be here!”
He ignored her.
“Goddamnit! You bastard! Don’t you have any pride? I already fucking told you I don’t want to be here!”
“Pride is a quality you currently lack. Behave yourself or I’ll be forced to wash your mouth out with soup.”
They entered his suite. Lily’s wild stare stuck to the bed, seeing the naked blond still sprawled vulgarly.
“Aren’t you worried I’ll wake up Nicole?” The urge to call her a whore pressed down on Lily. She tried to rise above her pettiness—a near impossible task.
“Not in particular.”
Malice possessed her gaze. “I’ll do it. I’ll wake her up and tell how you brought me here to watch your disgusting show.”
“Go right ahead.”
“Don’t you care?” she screeched, desperate to find some measure of control.
“No. I don’t.”
Lily drew in a deep breath, readying for a yell, when Julian pointed out, “She won’t wake up for you. Have a care for both of our ears.”
“She’ll only listen to her low-life master, is that it?”
“Yes.”
“Lucky her.”
“Your sarcasm is unbecoming. Hush.” He stepped into the large bathroom. The door closed behind them automatically. “Lily, you have really made a mess of things tonight. I doubt either of us expected things to end up like this.” Julian set her down gently. “Don’t even think about leaving before I say you can.”
“You don’t own me.”
“Of course I do.” He opened a cabinet and withdrew a small hand towel. Julian led her to a chaise. He pushed her down with one hand. “I own your life until it is time for me to take it. I take care of my possessions, Lily. You would do well to remember that.”
“You’re so full of shit.” She closed her eyes for a moment. Her stomach roiled, torn between stabbing pain and wrenching nausea. “Earlier you asked…well…you asked me about this thing. What did you mean?”
“You have to be more specific, Lily. I’ve said quite of bit tonight.”
“Yeah, because you run your mouth like a little bitch.” Her eyes flew open, black irises snapping with outrage. “You pinched me!”
“Be glad that’s all I did.”
Lily rubbed her arm with furious motions. “Prick!”
“Utter one more profanity, darling, and you’ll get to know the flavor of soap very intimately before I gag you.”
I’ve missed Julian & Lily as well. I’m...