The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Chapter 54

JULIAN’S POV

I shouldn’t have left like that.

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The thought had been sitting at the back of my mind all morning, heavy and irritating, like a splinter I couldn’t pull out.

But it didn’t stop me from driving. Faster than I should’ve been.

My grip tightened around the steering wheel as the road blurred past, my jaw clenched so hard it ached.

Because every time I tried to focus on anything else, I saw her. Aria.

The way she looked last night. The way she said my name like it actually meant something. The way she responded to me, hesitant at first, then completely open.

Mine. I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. I hadn’t planned any of it.

Not the confession.

Not the way I lost control the second I saw her standing there, wrapped in nothing but that thin excuse of a towel.

Not the way she looked at me after. God. I closed my eyes briefly, jaw tightening. She wasn’t like been with before. Not even close.

anyone I’d

There was nothing calculated about her. Nothing fake. No games. Every reaction. Every touch. Every breath that she gave me was real.

And I felt it, more than I wanted to admit. Which was exactly why I woke up early before her and for once, I actually stayed.

I didn’t leave, didn’t disappear like I usually would. I got up quietly, careful not to wake her, and went to the kitchen.

Then, I made breakfast. Me. I let out a dry, humorless laugh at the memory. I didn’t even remember the last time I’d done something like that for anyone.

But for her? It didn’t feel like a chore. It felt right.

I had leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, watching the coffee brew, replaying everything from the night before.

The way she held onto me. The way she trusted me. I thought…I thought maybe this was it. Maybe she was finally letting me in.

Maybe I wasn’t the only one feeling this.

11:48 Thu, May 14

Chapter 54

My thoughts were interrupted by my phone’s buzz. The sound cut through everything.

Sharp. Annoying. I frowned, reaching for it.

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It was a message from Blake. I almost ignored it. Almost. But something made me open it anyway. And the moment I did, everything shifted.

My expression hardened as I read the message.

You might want to see this.

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It was a link. I clicked it. And instantly, my mood dropped. The link led me to pictures that were clear as day.

A photo of Aria getting into a car. And not just any car but Professor Hensley’s car. It was clearly raining and she didn’t have an umbrella.

Then there was another picture of her standing outside the apartment waving at him while he was in his car, watching her.

My jaw clenched. Hard. “What the hell…” I muttered under my breath. Then came the breaking point. I opened the school’s group chat and saw more headlines.

More speculation.

Scholarship Girl Caught Between Billionaire Heir and Mysterious Professor.

Is Julian Being Played?

Late Night Ride Sparks Rumors.

I scoffed, but there was no humor in it. Just anger. Hot. Sharp. Immediate. I looked back at the bedroom door. She was still there. Sleeping peacefully.

While this-this nonsense, was everywhere.

My grip on the phone tightened. What the hell was she doing getting into his car? Why was he driving her home?

Why did it look so damn comfortable? A bitter thought crept in before I could stop it. Was that what she wanted?

Something safer? Someone like him?

Older. Stable. Controlled. Not me. Not the guy everyone already thought was a problem.

My chest tightened. I shoved the thought away immediately. No. But the images were still there. They burned into my mind.

And suddenly, I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t stand there pretending everything was fine. The breakfast sat untouched on the counter as I grabbed my jacket.

11:48 Thu, May 14

Chapter 54

I didn’t think, I didn’t plan. I just left. The drive started aimlessly. No destination. Just distance.

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Distance from the house. From her. From the way my chest felt like it was tightening with every second.

But then, I turned the wheel sharply. My decision was already made. If there was a problem? I was going to deal with it directly.

The campus came into view faster than I expected. I didn’t slow down until I was already out of the car, slamming the door shut harder than necessary.

Students stared. Whispered. I ignored all of it.

I didn’t care. I walked straight into the building, my steps sharp, controlled but the anger underneath?

It spiralled more than I could control. I didn’t knock, didn’t hesitate. I pushed the office door open warning.

Professor Hensley looked up from his desk, brows pulling together slightly at the intrusion.

“Can I help-”

“The hell do you think you’re doing?” I cut him off, my voice cold.

His expression shifted. Not surprised. Not intimidated. Just assessing. “I’m sorry?” he said calmly.

without

I stepped further into the room, shutting the door behind me. “Don’t play dumb,” I snapped. “I saw the pictures.”

A pause. Then realization flickered in his eyes. “Ah,” he said slowly. “This is about Aria.”

My jaw tightened at the way he said her name. Like he had any right to it. “Stay away from her,” I said flatly.

His brows lifted slightly. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” I replied, my tone dropping lower. Dangerous. “Whatever you think this is, whatever you’re trying to do, it ends now.”

He leaned back slightly in his chair, studying me. Composed. Too composed. “I gave your friend a ride home in the rain,” he said evenly. “That is all.”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Is that not what it looks like to you?” he added.

“No,” I shot back. “That’s not what it looks like to everyone else.”

“And since when do you concern yourself with ‘everyone else’?” he asked, his tone still calm, but sharper now.

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