I’ve only seen such a vast estate in movies. We go down a long hallway with white, glossy tiled flooring and a lot of doors, much like at a fancy hotel. Before making a left turn into another hall, Julian’s bedroom is at the front. My heart is throbbing at an erratic pace when he opens the door.“Wow. I didn’t expect this,” I mumble as I find a king-sized mattress with blue and white linens, concert posters and a classical guitar on the wall, black carpeting, a desk, a bookshelf, and a collection of plaque discs and a phonograph in a corner.“I like collecting stuff.”“I can imagine what your adolescence was like. My teenage years were tough for me. It’s a miracle I survived.”His expression darkens. “What

I can feel the controlled tension steaming from Julian’s body as he pulls my panties down and yanks them like some sort of distraction. Then he effortlessly rolls my body to my stomach. He whispers as well as bites my shoulder, “I’ll show you how much you mean to me. I’ve always wanted to appear before you, and you’ve driven me crazy for years because I couldn’t do it right away.” He then sucks my earlobe, coaxing me as his hand slides down the line of my buttocks, then touches the tip of his finger to my inner labia. “If only I’d known what you went through,” he laments, “I wouldn’t have wasted time chasing you.”“You mean saving me from my misery,” I clarify.“Does it sound like that?” He thrusts two fingers

Aleph is a jet capsule waiting for us on the beach, and two more are lining up nearby. I can’t help but drool over Julian in his black sports rash guard and Bulgari ray bans. God, I want to lick him from head to toe. To compensate for his rugged, handsome look, I wore a black two-piece swimsuit inside my beach wrap.“Are we sailing?” I ask Julian as he gets up onto the deck.“Yes, come.” I grab his hand as he helps me board the boat. “Wow.” It looks like a yacht I’ve seen on TV, but in the shape of a ‘capsule.’ It can accommodate four to five passengers. It has leather seats and a dining area.“I’m assuming you can drive her?” I ask.“Ye

 Julian waits as I place my fingers on the first chord on the piano.“The song is called ‘Is This Love?’” I say.Julian’s lips form a half-smile. “Let’s hear it.”I take a deep breath and begin singing the first line, beginning on a soft, calm tune that is communicating... expressing my emotions... exactly as he taught me.Do you hear the harmony?That comes from my soul.It speaks about eternityYou’re my only home.I enter an interlude and sing a short line while humming. I continue with the sam

We’ll be leaving in a few hours, but Rachel isn’t home when we get back to the mansion. Carter, on the other hand, is there, formally dressed, and is about to leave. “Mom is having lunch with her friends, and I’m going to the office. I have an appointment with Andrew,” Carter says. “Your business partner? Good luck. We’ll be leaving shortly.” Julian pats his brother on the shoulder as we walk past him. “Later, Jules.” Carter gives a salute and exits the house. I follow Julian to the stairs, becoming increasingly intrigued. “What do you mean business partner? Is he really leaving SEG? You said he’ll be judging the competition, right?” “Not until he established his own firm. And, yes, he is still a member of the panel. Other departments are also competing this year. Carter is looking for new talents, preferably singers, actors, and dancers.” “Interesting. More opportunities, then.” “That’s right.” Julian walks into his bedroom and opens the door. He instantly cups my face, inhale