Chapter 4

(Julia's POV)

I felt his breath against my cheek and suddenly, my knees were just as weak as before, as was the rest of me. It was like a flashback to the night we spent together, when one look from him, one touch, was enough to hypnotize me into falling into bed with him.

Ronan’s eyes grew even darker, if that was possible, frowning at me as I stared into his eyes, breathing shallowly. He didn’t push me away, though; just slowly looked down at my hands that were still resting against his chest, then back at my face.

He opened his mouth, like he was about to say something, but was interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. It broke the spell I was under, and I snatched my hands away to answer the call. One look at my screen and my stomach sank. Why did it have to be Kevin?

I stepped away from Ronan and answered the phone. “Hey, Kevin!” My voice was forcefully cheerful. “What’s going on, babe?” I took another step back from my boss, trying to put some distance between us. Ronan just watched me, mouth pressed into a frown.

“Hi, Julia.” Kevin sounded a little surprised at my tone, but kept going. “I was wondering if you were free tonight? I…uh, I’ve got something important to talk to you about.” I tried not to groan.

I really, really didn’t want to go, but with Ronan staring at me and my lie finally catching up to me, I didn’t really have a choice. “I’d love to,” I said, making a mental note to text him immediately after I left the office to cancel.

“Great,” Kevin said. “Meet at Fiore’s in an hour?” I gritted my teeth and hoped it looked like a smile to Ronan. “Sure. See you then.” I hung up and grabbed my bag, ready to get the hell out of here and away from Ronan’s piercing gaze.

However, he simply started following me down the hall. “Fiore’s, huh?” he said, thrusting his hands into his pockets. I almost asked how he knew where I was going, but quickly realized his Alpha hearing would have allowed him to easily eavesdrop on my phone call.

“Yes,” I said, walking faster. Ronan just matched my pace. “That’s funny. I’m going to Fiore’s tonight, too.” I looked at him out of the corner of my eye, but didn’t say anything more. “What a coincidence! And here you are, perfectly able to drive me.”

My first instinct was to say, “No, are you crazy?” but…well, Ronan was my boss. And my Alpha. I couldn’t say no. I smiled tightly and said, “Of course, sir. It would be my pleasure.” And with that, we both got into my car and drove in silence to the restaurant.

Once we got to Fiore’s, we both went inside. Without even looking back at me, Ronan went to the hostess and said, “Is my party already here?” She nodded and took him back into the dining room.

I waited for her return, but before she did, Kevin waved me over from his table. I reluctantly made my way over and sat down. “Hey, Jules,” he smiled. “I’m so glad you agreed to come tonight.” I replied, “Well, you sounded like you needed to talk, so…talk.”

He smiled sweetly. “I ordered your favorite. I hope that’s okay.” It must have been the look on my former mate’s face that was turning my stomach, because even the usually tempting sauce made me want to throw up.

“I’m not hungry,” I snapped, then tried to regain my composure. “Look, I’m very tired and very busy. If you don’t have anything important to say, then I’m leaving.”

“I’m sorry about that night.” Kevin looked apologetic and he reached over to put a hand on my arm. “Really, I am. I shouldn’t have been so careless as to do that somewhere where you would’ve seen us.”

He continued, “But…well, the truth is, Julia, I was lonely. You’ve been so busy with work and the promotion and everything, and Sandy was there for me. I’m not saying what I did was right, but it wasn’t something I did all by myself.”

I gaped at him, not believing what I was hearing. Is he seriously blaming me for the fact that he cheated on me? With my SISTER??? Before I could ask him if he was crazy, Kevin said, “But I think I might have a solution.”

Kevin took a deep breath, then said, “What if we didn’t end our relationship? What if we stayed together…but also brought Sandy into it?” I stared at him. “Kevin, what are you talking about?”

“We could be a trio,” he replied, his hand still heavy on my arm. “A threesome. You and I would be together and then, when you’re busy with work, Sandy and I could…” I didn’t let him finish his thought.

“Shut up, Kevin. Please, for once in your life, just shut up.” I was getting so angry, I could practically feel the heat coming off of my face. “I don’t have to sit here and listen to any more of this. I’m leaving.”

I started to stand up, but Kevin’s hold on my arm tightened. He pulled me back into my seat forcefully. “Look, Julia, just think about it. It could be really good for us! I mean, you’ve always wanted a baby, right? We could start trying for one!”

I couldn’t help it; I burst out laughing. “After everything that’s happened, you think a baby is going to help things?” Kevin had been smiling throughout our whole conversation, but once he heard my words, his eyes hardened.

“Are you serious? You really don’t want a child with me?” He looked angry and hurt, as if I’d really surprised him. “But — but you’ve always talked about wanting a baby. I thought this would make you happy!”

I laughed again, louder and longer this time. “I don’t want to be knocked up with anyone’s pup, much less yours.” And with that, I grabbed the glass of water on the table and threw it in Kevin’s face.

The rest of the restaurant went silent as they took in the dramatic scene playing out before them. Kevin blinked furiously at me, his face bright red. Finally, he said coldly, “That was a huge mistake. No one is ever going to want you but me. And you just gave that up.”

“You’re going to be alone forever, because you’re cold, and you’re rigid, and you care more about your job than anything else,” he finished. I tried not to let his words affect me, but I could feel my hands shaking in my lap.

Before I could respond, I felt someone step up to the table. I turned to see — Ronan. Of course. Because this night just couldn’t get any worse. I waited for him to make a joke, to say something to make my humiliation complete and officially turn this into the worst night of my life.

Instead, he said coldly, “You have no right to judge my Beta.” Kevin gaped at him, trying to think of something to say, but Ronan kept going. “And you have no right to say what you just did. Now, apologize before I lose my temper. You really don’t want to see that.”

Kevin looked at him, then back at me. I just grinned, glad to see that he was now the one being humiliated and not me. He opened his mouth to apologize, but I held up my hand. “It’s fine.” I looked back at Ronan, who was glaring at Kevin like he wanted to rip his head off.

“Really, Ronan, it’s fine.” He looked at me, his gaze softening a bit, and then back at Kevin. He gave him one last chilly look, then turned on his heel and walked away from the table. I quickly followed along behind him.