Chapter 13
JULIAN POLE
"So let me get this straight,you like him?" Luka starts the second we begin walking to the bus stop for college.
"I don't," I snapped.
"That's cheating. You're cheating on Jace, Julian."
I glared at him hard.
So that's where this is going,again. All because of Enzo.
He's been hanging around us a lot lately, and to be honest, he's… fine. Nice, even. Rico's started to warm up to him too, which is saying something.
The other day, Enzo took us to the movies, and it was actually fun,like real fun. Then to his house, which was huge and spotless, and he was just… kind. And the best part? He promised to get one of my drawings displayed at Azure House. I swear, I almost cried right there. I don't even know how he found out I draw and take photos,probably from my mum. They're close, apparently.
He's been asking to hang out, just the two of us, but Rico won't let that happen. Luka, of course, thinks that means I like him.
I like Enzo, sure,but not that way. My heart already belongs to one tall, stupidly handsome Greek god who hasn't texted me in two days. Again.
"We're not even a thing," I tell Luka.
"Yet," he deadpans.
The bus pulls up and we climb in. Rico's unusually quiet, staring out the window.
"So what is it?" Luka asks once we sit. "Who are you picking,Jace or Enzo? 'Cause it's pretty clear both of them like you."
"Jace almost kissed me two days ago," I say before I can stop myself, "and he hasn't called or texted me since."
Luka's eyebrows rise. "You really like him, don't you?"
I really do
I sigh. "I don't know. Maybe I do. I can tell he likes me too,but he's holding back. Acting weird."
"So you think there's more to him? Like I do?" Rico asks suddenly, leaning forward between our seats.
Thought he wasn't listening.
"I don't know what it is," I admit, "but I can feel it in my gut."
My shoulders slump, and Luka must notice, because he reaches out and rubs my shoulder gently.
We got to our destination and said our goodbyes before splitting up for our classes.
I only had two classes before lunch.
The last one was Professor Jace's.
Everyone was packing up when it ended, the sound of zippers and chairs scraping filling the room. I shoved my books into my bag fast, my throat tight. The whole lecture, his eyes never once met mine, even though I couldn't stop staring at him.
Maybe I'd misunderstood.
Maybe he'd just been nice.
Maybe I'd made a fool of myself falling for a straight man.
I blended into the crowd, hoping to slip out unnoticed.
"Mr. Pole."
I froze.
"Can I see you in my office for a bit?"
"Yes, sir," I said without turning, walking out of the classroom, my heart slamming against my ribs.
What did he want now?
Was he going to tell me he knew I'd been staring? That I was creeping him out? That he'd stop tutoring me?
I couldn't handle that.
Even if he didn't like me, I wanted to stay close.
But the way he'd looked at me before… It never felt like hate.
I was still breathing hard when we reached his office door. He unlocked it, and as soon as we were inside, he locked it then slammed me gently against the door.
I gasped.
"I'm sorry—did I hurt you?" His eyes were full of concern.
"Yes," I said.
His eyes went wide. "Where?"
"Here." I pointed to my chest.
He blinked, confused.
"It really hurts, you know." My voice cracked as I pressed my palm to his chest. Tears burned behind my eyes.
"The way you look at me. The way you touch me, like I'm something precious you're afraid of breaking. And then the next day you're gone, cold, off-limits. You don't explain, you just—" My voice trembled. "I don't know what you want. I…
"I missed you," he blurted out, breathless.
I froze.
"What?" I whispered.
"I…" He took a shaky breath and caught my hands in his. "I don't know how to do this. I really want it—want you—but it feels like I keep messing everything up and giving you the wrong idea."
This big guy,my professor, of all people looked so lost it made my chest ache. He looked like a puppy that got scolded and didn't know why. I couldn't help it—I smiled. Because this feeling… it's mutual. He doesn't know how to handle it either.
My neck started to hurt from looking up at him; he's so damn tall. I reached up and brushed a strand of hair from his face. His cheeks were red, and I could feel the heat rolling off him.
"Why didn't you text me?" I asked quietly.
He squeezed my hands. "I had something going on."
I didn't push. I didn't want to come off demanding or needy. So I just said, "Okay."
His face softened,relief, maybe gratitude that I didn't dig deeper. Then he leaned forward and kissed my forehead, gentle and lingering.
"You want to go somewhere with me tomorrow?" he asked.
I blinked. "Are you asking me out? Because you better ask properly."
The corner of his mouth twitched into a smirk. He brought my hands to his lips and kissed them.
"Mr. Julian Pole," he said, voice low and teasing.
I laughed, and he smiled. God, he's beautiful when he does that.
"I want to take you on a date tomorrow," he said. "And I want to kiss you right now. Please say yes."
I'm doomed. And I love it.
I stood on my toes and kissed him. He froze for a second, then looked at me like he was about to lose his mind before crushing his lips back to mine.
The kiss was hungry, deep, desperate. He smiled against my mouth as if he couldn't believe this was happening. When he licked my bottom lip, asking for permission, I opened for him without thinking. His tongue slipped in, brushing against mine, then he sucked it—hard—and I moaned, soft and broken.
"Mmm—"
Fuck, I didn't even know I could make a sound like that.
He groaned and pulled back, both of us panting.
"Fuck," he whispered breathlessly, pressing soft, quick pecks against my lips. "You taste like heaven."
I smiled, still catching my breath. "Have you been to heaven?"
He grinned, leaning close. "Yeah. Just now."
He kissed me again.
I blushed so hard I had to hide my face against his chest. His heart was beating fast beneath my cheek, and his hand came up to pat my head gently.
"We've been in here for a while," I murmured against his shirt. "Isn't that going to look weird?"
"Probably," he said, smiling, "but who cares? I got to kiss the most hidden treasure of all time."
"Yeah?" I tilted my head up at him, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt.
He nodded, his expression soft.
"I'd better get going."
His face dimmed a little when I pulled back.
"I'll see you around, I promise, only if you don't go haywire on me again," I teased.
"I won't." He perked up instantly, like a giant puppy. God, how can someone this big be so adorable?
I kissed him once more before leaving the room.
On my way down the hall, my phone buzzed.
Enzo: Juju, I got us a spot at Azure House. Get ready by Saturday. Your art's going to be up. And… I really need some alone time with you. I've got something important to tell you. Okay?