Page 148 of Hidden

“No.” Julian emanated glee though his expression was masked. “You have to make a connection with each person, individually. It looks like I’m the first.”

“Lucky you.” I never took him for the childish sort, but he didn’t even try to hide his pride. “You’re not going to go brag about it, are you?”

“No.” He was lying, and his mouth curled up in the corner. “I won’t say a word.”

Somehow, I had a feeling he wouldn’t have tosayanything.

My thoughts drifted back to my make-out session with Damen. And my heart dropped. There was another hurdle to overcome—because now I couldn’t blame him for that promiscuous display. That had beenallme.

Darn it.

And then, what would Damen—and the others—think about this new development?

“I don’t want anyone to get jealous,” I warned him.

He sighed and pulled me into his arms—ignoring my squeak of protest. “They’ll get over it,” he muttered into my hair. “They should be used to it, anyway. I’ve always been the first. Without you, there’s literally no other reason for me to exist.”

I clenched my fist against his chest and fought the butterflies in my stomach. Because while the admission was romantic, well…

Wasn’t this the very definition of codependency? “That’s not very healthy.”

He grinned against my ear. “Yes, you’ve never been one for flowery words. I’ve been amusing myself lately, imagining what you’ve been really thinking about Damen’s flirtations—”

Well, that wasn’t fair. I only thought kind things.

“—and it brings me great joy to know that aspect of you hasn’t changed.”

I could hear the racing of his heart, and my cheek was warm as I rested my face against his chest. It was quiet, and the room grew darker as the daylight turned to dusk. How long had we even been here?

But the air between us soothed with contentment, and I didn’t want this peace to end.

“We should go back.” Julian sighed, running his fingers through my hair. “The others are probably worried.”

Why did he have to ruin everything?

“I’m scared,” I admitted.

“I know.” Julian’s movements stopped, concern heavy in his voice. “What are you scared of?” Before I could answer, he had already continued. “Do you think they’ll blame you?”

I nodded. “You said it’s not my fault, but—”

“Bianca,” he interrupted. “What do you feel from me?”

Goose bumps broke out over me, and I shivered. It was cold, and I closed my eyes, pushing myself further into Julian’s embrace. His pulse raced under my cheek, and I listened to his soft breath as my thoughts tentatively travelled over the emotions pouring off him.

But no matter how hard I focused; I couldn’t find it.

Where was the disgust? The blame? Yet—

“You’re angry,” I pointed out. “You don’t even look angry.”

“I’m not angry at you,” he said. “I’m angry at the situation. I’m angry that you were in that position, and at the creature responsible. I’mextremelyangry about what’s happened to you, and not only about what happened with Alyssa Dubois.”

I shivered. Why was he continuing to ruin everything?

“I am not angry atyou,” he repeated. He sounded so certain, and his resolve echoed through me. “I know I don’t look angry, and it’s for a good reason. I’ve practice in hiding my feelings. I need to for my work. But don’t think I’m hiding from you, because I’m not. And know this, no one—including Bryce and Brayden, or anyone else in that family—is going to blame you for what happened.”

There was no hesitation or doubt. But still, I was concerned. “Are you sure?”