Chapter 2

Julian’s POV 

“Let’s get some more drinks .”

“Sure ,” I answered , keeping my tone easy , though the way she said it—half-nervous , half-eager ; had already hooked something low in my gut.

She turned to the bartender . “Can you please give me what you made for me last time ?”

“Sure , coming right away . What can I get you , Sir ?” the kid behind the bar asked , already sweating.

I watched her, amused. “It’s your first time drinking ?” I asked , leaning in just enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume mixed with the heat rolling off her skin . Still no name , so in my head she was the fox ; sharp-eyed , skittish, and begging to be chased.

“Is it really that obvious?” she shot back , cheeks flushing. I grinned. Fuck, that blush. Whatever was happening between her thighs , I could feel it in the air : electric, untouched, mine for the taking.

Twenty-three and never had a man. I could smell the innocence on her like expensive cologne.

“Yeah, you seem to have no idea what you were drinking the first time,” I said, then faced the bartender. “Bring me a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne and for the lady a bottle of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Champagne .”

His jaw hit the floor.

“Please give me five minutes, Sir. I’ll have to call my manager for the key.”

“Sure. Glasses. Ice for mine.” The kid’s hands shook like he was handling nitroglycerin. I didn’t care why; I just liked the way the room bent when I spoke.

We moved to the booth. The bottles arrived on silver — mine dark and lethal, hers amber and ancient. She sipped and her eyes widened; the liquor was probably worth more than her tuition.

“My name is Julian. What’s yours?”

“Elena.”

“Elena,” I repeated, tasting it. “Beautiful name. I like it. What do you do?”

“ I’m a student, and next year will be my last year . So, how about you ?”

The extra detail made me smirk ; she was nervous, oversharing to fill silence. Cute.

“I run my own business. How old are you?”

“23.”

Right on cue, her drunk friends staggered over. The boyfriend clocked the bottles and his mouth fell open.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself. We’ll check in tomorrow. We’re heading home,” he said, then muttered to me, “Please take care of her.”

The girl ; Mila , slurred, “Get laid today,” before the guy scooped her up bridal-style and carried her out.

Elena’s face went scarlet. “I am so sorry. Please don’t mind ”

I cut her off with my mouth.

First kiss. I felt it the second our lips touched ; her hesitation, the tiny gasp, the way she froze before melting . I coaxed her open, tasted cognac and panic , then pulled back just enough to watch her pupils blow wide.

Maybe she thought she’d fucked it up. I slid my hand to her waist, thumb pressing the dip above her hip.

“First kiss, huh ?” I murmured against her ear. She nodded, mortified, and tried to step away.

“Where are you going?” My voice dropped, low, final.

“I just want to go sit down.”

“No. Follow me. Let me show you a good time.”

I took her hand ; small, trembling ; and led her downstairs. One call and the black SUV screeched to the curb. Inside, I gave the driver the penthouse address. The whole ride I devoured her mouth, her little whimpers vibrating against my tongue. At the hotel I carried her through the lobby bridal-style , ignoring the stares, and rode the private elevator to the top floor.

The suite swallowed us ; marble, glass, city lights bleeding across the walls. I set her on the leather sofa and peeled the dress off her like unwrapping a gift I’d waited years for . She stared at my chest, at the ink curling over my shoulder, fingers hovering like she was scared to touch. 

I let her ; slow, tentative strokes over muscle that flexed under her palms. She was soaked already; I could see the dark spot on her thong. I stripped to boxers, watched her breath hitch.

Bedroom. She froze in the doorway, eyes huge. I could read every tremor ; virgin, terrified , desperate . I pulled her in, claimed her mouth again , deeper this time , until she clutched the back of my neck and moaned into me . Bra gone. Thong gone. I spread her open on the sheets and dragged two fingers through her slick heat . She glistened ; clear, sweet, untouched. I sucked each finger clean, eyes locked on hers, letting her watch me taste what was mine.

This girl was going to ruin me.

I dropped between her thighs and licked her clean ; slow, thorough, savoring every drop. She shook, thighs clamping around my ears, hips jerking like she didn’t know what to do with the pleasure. I thrust my tongue inside, fucked her with it until her legs turned to liquid.

“Julian, what is going on ?” she cried, voice cracking.

“Relax, my fox. Relax. I’ve got you.”

She swallowed hard . “I’ve never done anything like this before .”

“I know ,” I said , climbing up her body. “But don’t worry ; I’ll be gentle . Now lie down .”

She obeyed instantly. I started at her throat ; wet, open-mouthed kisses down to her tits, sucking one nipple hard enough to make her back bow. She moaned soft, then bit it back.

“I don’t want you to control yourself, Elena.

Never be afraid to be yourself while you’re with me, my fox. I want you to groan loud. Can’t stop moaning. Let it out.

Tell me to take you. Scream my name if you need to.

You have full freedom. Don’t be timid around me ; especially not when you want it. Do you get it?”

She nodded, frantic.

I slid back down, licked her clean again, then speared my tongue inside, pumping slow, then faster. She was dripping, walls fluttering. I pinned her hips when she tried to arch.

“Let it all out, my fox.”

“Julian , what’s going on ? I feel like I’m about to explode .”

I smiled against her clit.

Good.

Let the countdown begin.