Page 69 of Fame & Obsession

I blow out a harsh breath. “I can’t fall off the wall and put myself back together again, Julian.”

“Don’t try to hide behind excuses.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Crooking his finger, he runs it down the length of my exposed spine. “You’ve played games with me for weeks.”

“I haven’t—”

“Bullshit! You’ve demanded that I be an ‘open book’ while you’ve stayed locked inside a goddamn fortress. But I still didn’t push you, Phoebe. Then, tonight…” He pauses, a dark laugh rumbling in his throat. “Tonight, when it wasyouwith the secrets… When it wasyourback against the wall… When I wouldn’t give you what you wanted… You hit me with some sex ultimatum to get me to talk? Well, it doesn’t work that way.”

He’s right—about everything.

“You’ll never understand.”

“Then make me.”

The breeze picks up, and I lean into it. “I wish I could”

“Step away from the ledge, Phoebe.”

“I told you I’m not going to off myself.” I snort despite the grave nature of my words. “If that were the case, I would’ve done it a long time ago.” I barely get the words out before a pair of rough hands grab my waist and jerk me away from the ledge.

I squeal as Julian pulls my back against his front, sealing me in a tight embrace.

Familiar heat rushes through me as he hisses against my ear. “I’ve waited forever to feel alive again. To feel like I’m worth something. To feel something other than this endless fucking guilt. You’re not taking that away from me.”

“Julian…” My words trail off as he grabs my hand and drags me across the terrace.

Conversations turn silent as he kicks the door open with unnecessary force. Within a few steps, we’ve cleared the room, more than a few eyebrows raised in question.

Stopping just before we reach the elevators, he pushes me backward two, three, four steps.

“Now’s your chance to run, princess.” Julian’s eyes darken, and his footsteps edge my retreat until I’m flush against the elevator.

He’s literally backed me into a corner.

Placing both arms on either side of my head, he cages me in, stealing my air and rational thought. Every second drags as we stare into each other’s eyes.

“I don’t think—” The rest of my words are lost as he claims my mouth, unleashing the flood of desire I’ve tried to contain.

With a feral groan, he pushes me against the wall, and I can’t think anymore. I can’t breathe. All I can do is react. Barely allowing me a breath in between kisses, Julian’s primal passion erases my remaining resistance, and I give in to his demands.

Never taking his eyes off me, he reaches around my waist and hits the elevator button. The minute the doors open, he backs me against the far wall of the carriage, devastating me with another mind-blowing kiss. It’s frantic. It’s powerful. It’s laced with lust and a dark promise.

A ding signals our arrival, and he pulls me toward a hotel room door. As a key swipe grants him access, his eyes lock with mine, telling me exactly what’s about to happen.

I’m powerless to stop it. Even more so, I don’t want to.

Crushing my back against the open door, he makes no move to kiss me as he roams his hungry eyes down my body. Without a word, he hooks his fingers around the top of my gown, and with one hard pull, it pools at my waist. Securing a hand behind my head, he braces the other under my ass and lifts me in his arms, kicking the door shut.

My thoughts scatter, but one thing remains clear. My professional relationship with Julian Bale is over.

Nineteen

Julian

I whisperher name and then release her.