The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 31

11:41 Thu, May 14 d

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

ARIA’S POV

I didn’t know Julian had left the apartment.

After that tense moment between us earlier. I had retreated to my room just to breathe. Everything he had said… everything he had done… it was too much to process all at once.

Julian Vance had confessed that he liked me. Not casually. Not jokingly. But with the kind of intensity that made my heart race every time I replayed it in my head.

78

And then there was the way he cornered me against the wall… the way his voice had dropped when he said he was done watching me run after Luca.

It had shaken me.

I assumed he was somewhere in the apartment giving me space, so when I heard a knock on the door, I didn’t bother opening it immediately.

“Julian. I’m not in the mood to talk right now,” I called through the door, irritation slipping into my voice.

There was a pause. Then a male voice replied, “Uh… I’m not Julian.” My body stiffened instantly.

My heart skipped nervously as I stared at the door.

Not Julian?

For a second, fear crept up my spine. Julian had warned me about people connected to the Morettis. The thought made my mind spiral with possibilities.

But before panic could fully take over, the voice spoke again.

“Relax,” he said lightly. “Name’s Blake. I’m Julian’s friend.” I hesitated. Blake. The name sounded familiar. Julian had mentioned him once or twice before.

And besides… Blake was practically a celebrity around campus. Everyone knew Julian Vance’s best friend. Slowly, I unlocked the door and opened it.

Standing outside was a tall guy with messy brown

hair and a relaxed grin that made him look like he didn’t have a single serious problem in his life.

He lifted a hand in greeting.

“Hey,” he said. “You must be Aria.”

I nodded cautiously. “And you’re Blake.”

“The one and only,” he replied dramatically, placing a hand over his chest like he had just been honored.

11:41 Thu, May 14 d

Chapter 31

www

Despite myself, a small smile tugged at my lips. He was nothing like Julian. Where Julian was quiet, controlled, and intimidating… Blake was easygoing. Bright. The kind of person who filled a room with energy the moment he stepped inside.

“So.” Blake said casually, leaning against the doorway. “How are you surviving living with the human iceberg?”

I blinked. “The what?”

“Julian,” he clarified. That made me laugh before I could stop myself. Blake grinned like he had accomplished something. “See? I knew that would work.”

The tension I had been carrying since earlier slowly melted away as we started talking. Blake had an effortless way of making conversation feel natural. Within minutes it felt like we had known each other far longer than we actually had.

At some point during our conversation, Blake rubbed his stomach dramatically. “Okay, serious question,” he said.

“What?”

“Is there food in this apartment?” I blinked. Then suddenly I realized something.

“I… actually don’t know.” Blake gasped like I had just committed a crime.

“You live here and you don’t know if there’s food?”

“I’ve been sick.” I defended.

“Valid excuse,” he admitted. “But now I’m starving.”

That was when my stomach chose that exact moment to growl loudly. Blake froze. Then he burst out laughing.

“Well, it looks like the universe agrees with me.” I groaned softly, covering my face.

“Fine,” I sighed. “Let’s check the kitchen.” A few minutes later we were both standing inside the kitchen while Blake inspected the fridge like a detective searching for clues.

“Oh wow,” he said. “Julian actually buys groceries.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I am,” Blake said honestly. “The guy lives like a robot most of the time.” I leaned against the counter, watching him.

“Is he always like that?”

“Cold? Quiet? Looks like he’s planning world domination?”

I laughed again. “Yeah.” Blake shrugged.

11:41 Thu, May 14 d

Chapter 31

“Pretty much. Then he turned toward me with curiosity. “But honestly… I’m shocked he let you stay here” My brows furrowed slightly.

“What do you mean?” Blake leaned against the counter across from me.

“Julian doesn’t let people into his personal space,”

I tilted my head.

“Not even friends?”

“I come over sometimes,” he admitted. “But women? Never”

That surprised me. “Never?”

“Never.” Blake confirmed. “No girlfriends. No hookups. Nothing.”

I stared at him, stunned. “That can’t be true.”

Blake raised his hands. “I swear.” For some reason, that information made something warm stir inside my chest. I was the only woman Julian had allowed into his apartment.

78

The thought made my heart beat a little faster. Before I could question it further, Blake started telling another ridiculous story about something that had happened at college last semester.

I laughed again, the sound echoing softly in the kitchen. And that was exactly when Julian walked in. The shift in the air was immediate. I turned my head.

Julian stood in the kitchen doorway, breathing slightly heavier than usual like he had rushed up the stairs. His eyes were locked on us. More specifically-on me.

Blake noticed him first. “Whoa,” he muttered. “You look like you just ran a marathon.” Julian didn’t answer. His gaze moved slowly between us. And something in his expression made my stomach twist nervously.

Before I could say anything, he told Blake to leave.

Blake, of course, looked far too amused about the situation before he disappeared. Then it was just me and Julian.

I slid off the counter, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. “I’m going to my room,” I said quickly. But before I could take two steps, he grabbed my wrist.

Then suddenly, he pulled me back. My breath caught as his body pressed against my back. And before I could react… Julian buried his face in the crook of my neck.

For a moment I completely froze. “What are you doing?” I whispered.

His voice came out low. “Just stay.” My heart began pounding. I should have pulled away. I should have pushed him off. But something strange happened instead.

The tension in his body slowly melted away. His breathing steadied. And I could feel his muscles relaxing

11:41 Thu, May 14 d

Chapter 31

beneath his shirt like he had been holding himself together by sheer force before this moment.

Without realizing it….I stopped resisting. My body leaned slightly back into him. The warmth of his arms around me made something flutter unexpectedly in my stomach.

I didn’t understand what was happening. Or why it felt so… natural. We stayed like that for a few quiet seconds. Then Julian finally pulled away. I turned to face him. “Why did you do that?” I asked.

78

His answer only confused me more. “Don’t ever leave my sight again, Aria” The intensity in his voice made my breath catch. What did that even mean?

I stared at him, my mind spinning. Julian Vance was impossible to understand. One moment he was cold and distant. The next he was looking at me like I was the only thing keeping him sane.

And the worst part? A small part of me… didn’t hate it. But before I could respond, another thought surfaced in my mind. Blake’s words echoed again.

Julian never lets women into his apartment.

Yet somehow… He had let me stay. And suddenly I couldn’t stop wondering why. Because if what Blake said was true… Then Julian Vance had broken his own rules for me.

And I wasn’t sure if that realization made my heart feel warm… Or dangerously vulnerable.

AD

Comment

Send gift

No Ads

11:41 Thu, May 14 d