Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires #1) by Lauren Asher

But after spending years of my life catering to someone else’s needs, I’m afraid of repeating the same mistake.

Jamie rattles on. “Things are going to move pretty fast because Archer wants to start interviewing potential homeowners after Christmas.”

“Huh?” I shake my head. “That’s in a month.”

“I know. It’s a lot to take in, but they’re so excited about collaborating with you.”

“Great.” I try my hardest to muster up a cheery voice.

“They want to meet with us as soon as possible.”

“I’m pretty flexible, so I can meet as early as next week.”

“Perfect. My assistant can reach out once I nail down a date.”

“Sounds like a plan. Thanks, Jamie.”

She hangs up, and I turn toward Julian. He is quick to school his features, but it doesn’t stop me from sensing the weird energy brewing between us.

“Julian.”

“Congratulations,” he says with a tight smile. “I knew it would be only a matter of time before you’d get another offer.”

Oh God. He’s already starting to pull away. “But—”

He silences me with a kiss. This one is fueled by a new kind of desperation that has my toes curling and my chest tightening all at the same time.

I’m hit with a wave of different emotions. Happiness. Sadness. Fear and uncertainty.

I might not have it all figured out, but I do know one thing: Lily was right. My biggest issue isn’t that I don’t trust Julian, but that I don’t trust myself.





CHAPTER FORTY-TWO


Julian


I do my best to hide my true feelings about Dahlia’s news as we head toward town in my truck. She deserves my support, no matter how much I dislike the idea of her leaving again.

I ask all the right questions and politely listen to all her answers, but her lack of enthusiasm worries me, and I wonder if I’m failing at my attempt to play it cool.

Don’t ruin her moment with your bullshit.

Easier said than done, especially once she asks me an impossible question after I park in the half-empty lot behind the diner.

“What about us?” She assesses me from the corner of her eye.

I bite down on the inside of my cheek.

Say something.

As much as I want to, I know I shouldn’t. She worked hard for her recognition, and the last thing she needs is me tainting tonight with my insecurities.

So, instead, I undo her seat belt and pull her across the bench.

She places her hand against my chest to stop me. “What—”

I kiss her next question away while lifting her so she can straddle my thighs. She matches my punishing pace, bruising my lips in the process as she seals her mouth against mine.

I worship her body with my mouth. Tongue. Hands. Not a single spot within reach remains untouched, and she mirrors my desperation with her own.

Her fingers embed themselves into my shoulders as she grinds against me until the front of my pants is soaked with her need. I dig my fingers into her hips and lift her back and forth, earning a hiss and a tug on my hair as she presses on my straining cock.

“Julian.” She tugs my head to the side by pulling on my hair. “We need to talk.”

“Let’s talk after? Please.” I throw her back on the bench.

She parts her thighs. “Okay, fine, but what if someone sees us?”

“No one is around.” I tuck my legs in the cramped spot between the gas pedal and the bench before lining my face up with her pussy.

She rises onto her elbows and scans the parking lot. “Yet.”

I slap her pussy hard enough to knock the air from her lungs. “Focus on me, sweetheart.”

Dahlia wants to know what will happen to us once she accepts the offer, and I want to make my intentions obvious. Words were never my strong suit, so I would rather show her instead.

She cuts me a look as I lift the hem of her skirt toward her stomach. I lean forward, drag my nose over her underwear, and take a deep breath, making her blown-out eyes go wider.

I nip at the material, and her head drops back with a sigh as I slide her soaked undergarment down her legs. Goose bumps cover her skin, and I trace my way back toward her dripping center with my calloused hands.

Her legs drop to the side as I crawl between them and kiss her.

She slides her fingers into my hair and tugs. “We need to make this fast.”

“Why?”

She answers by pulling me toward her. I quickly become distracted by her pussy and pleasuring her with my tongue. Her moans of encouragement fuel me, driving me closer to the edge of insanity.

I thrust my tongue, and she jolts with a gasp. My fingers soon replace my tongue, turning her into a writhing mess beneath me as they work in tandem.

Every time she gets close to the edge, I pull back, wanting to prolong the moment.

“Julian,” she whispers with a harsh breath.

I suck on her clit and curl my fingers inside her.

She shakes her head. “It’s too much.”

There’s no such thing wherever she is concerned.

“You can take it.” I tease the sensitive spot inside her, earning another sharp inhale.

She claws at my hand. “Please let me come.”

“Such good manners.” I press my thumb against her clit.

Her thighs stick to the leather bench beneath her—both from her arousal and the sweat clinging to her skin. She shakes as I tease that spot again until she erupts on my fingers. I sit back up and tug my pants down far enough to get on a condom.