Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Elena: POV

He had me pinned against the bathroom door, that deep, passionate kiss barely over, the heat still radiating between us.

Before I could even catch my breath, he swept me up into his arms, and placed me directly on the cold marble countertop.

I shivered involuntarily as the cool air hit my exposed skin. The marble counter was freezing beneath me, sending goosebumps racing across my flesh.

Julian’s hands paused at my waist, his gray eyes darkening as he took in my trembling

“You’re freezing,” he murmured, his voice dropping to something almost… concerned.

Before I could respond, he was lifting me again–this time differently. His arms slid under my knees and around my back, cradling me against his chest.

My legs automatically wrapped around his waist as he carried me toward the massive tub, now steaming with hot water.

The bathroom smelled of eucalyptus and mint.

For a moment, I let myself imagine this was normal. That we were a real couple, that he was taking care of me because he wanted to, not because…

Don’t, I told myself harshly. Don’t fucking do this to yourself.

Julian set me down at the edge of the tub, steadying me with one hand while the other reached to turn off the taps. The water level was perfect, wisps of

steam rising into the air.

“Get in,” he said softly.

The hot water enveloped me like an embrace, and I couldn’t suppress the sigh of relief that escaped my lips. My muscles, tense from the cold and stress,

began to unwind slightly.

I heard the rustle of fabric behind me.

My eyes snapped open, and I turned my head just enough to see Julian’s reflection in the mirror across from the tub.

He was unbuttoning his shirt. Slowly. Deliberately.

Each button revealed another inch of tanned skin, the hard planes of his chest, the defined lines of his abs. His fingers moved with practiced ease, and I found myself unable to look away, even as heat rushed to my face.

Not like this, I wanted to say. Not when I’m trying so hard to protect what’s left of my heart.

I could feel every inch of him–the hardness of his muscles, the heat of his skin, the very obvious evidence of his arousal pressing insistently against my lower back.

Julian- I started to shift forward, to put some distance between us.

“Don’t move.” His grip tightened. “Just… stay still.”

“But-”

“Elena. His breath was warm against my ear. “Stay. Still.”

I froze, my heart hammering against my ribs. This felt dangerous. Too intimate. Like crossing some invisible line we shouldn’t cross.

I waited for him to do something, but he didn’t.

He just held me. His chin resting on my shoulder, his arms wrapped around my waist, his breathing slow and even against my neck.

Minutes passed. The steam rose around us. The water lapped gently against the sides of the tub.

And Julian Sterling–the man who took what he wanted, when he wanted it–just… held me.