The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Chapter 55

JULIAN’S POV

I barely made it to the door before his voice stopped me. “Julian.”

I froze. Slowly, I turned back.

77

56 vouchers

Professor Hensley was standing now, no longer behind his desk. No longer composed in that quiet, controlled way that had been pissing me off since I walked in.

Now, there was something sharper in his eyes. Something that pushed right back.

“You don’t get to walk in here and throw your weight around like that,” he said, his tone firm.

A humorless smile tugged at my lips. “Watch me.”

He didn’t flinch. Didn’t back down. Instead, he stepped closer. And that alone irritated me more than it should have.

“You think money and power give you the right to control everything?” he continued. “Everyone?”

I let out a short laugh. “That’s where you’re mistaken. I don’t think it does, Professor. I know.”

His jaw tightened.

“And that’s exactly the problem,” he shot back. “You’re a spoiled rich kid who thinks the world bends for him.”

My expression hardened instantly. Careful.

“Aria is one of the most promising students I’ve ever taught,” he continued, his voice rising slightly now. “Focused. Disciplined. She has a future…”

“And I’m ruining it?” I cut in coldly.

“Yes,” he said without hesitation. Silence. Thick. Heavy. Dangerous. Something snapped.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I closed the distance between us and grabbed him by the collar, shoving him back just enough to make a point.

“Say that again,” I said quietly. Deadly quiet.

His back hit the edge of the desk, but he didn’t look scared.

Didn’t even try to pry my hand off.

“You heard me,” he replied, his voice steady. “You’re a distraction she cannot afford.”

My grip tightened. For a second-just a second, I wanted to hit him. To wipe that calm, judgmental look off

his face.

11:48 Thu, May 14 @

Chapter 55

To make him understand exactly who he was talking to. But then, I remember one thing.

77

355 vouchers

Aria. Her face. The way she looked at me last night. The way she trusted me. My jaw clenched. Slowly, I released him and stepped back.

Then, I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply as I tried to get a grip on myself.

“Be careful,” I said finally, my voice low again. Controlled. “You’re getting real comfortable saying things you shouldn’t.”

“I’m saying what needs to be said,” he replied.

I scoffed. “Stay away from her,” I warned again, pointing at him briefly. “Or next time, I won’t be this patient.”

His gaze didn’t waver. “And you should learn to do the same,” he said. “For her sake.”

I stared at him for a second longer. Then turned. And walked out. This time, I didn’t stop, I didn’t slow down.

I got into my car and slammed the door shut, the sound echoing louder than necessary.

“Fuck!” I snapped, my fist slamming hard against the steering wheel.

Once. Twice. The anger didn’t leave. If anything, it grew. Because now it wasn’t just him. It was everything.

Luca. That idiot had been the first. Hovering around Aria like he had any claim to her. Now this? A professor?

Seriously? I let out a sharp breath, shaking my head. “Why the hell do I have to fight everyone just to have her?” I muttered.

The words hit harder than I expected. Because that was the truth, wasn’t it? I wanted her.

Not just physically. Not just temporarily. I wanted her. I loved Aria. And for some reason, the entire world seemed determined to stand in the way of that.

I started the car and drove fast. The city blurred past me, but I barely registered any of it. My mind kept circling back to her.

Her smile. Her voice. Her body against mine.

And then, those damn pictures. They just had to be sent to ruin the aftermath of what we just had.

My jaw tightened again. I hated how easily it got to me. Hated how one image, one moment, could twist everything in my head.

By the time I pulled up to the apartment, I was still on edge. Still irritated. Still not thinking straight.

I stepped out of the car, slamming the door behind me, already preparing myself for the silence inside.

For the awkward tension. For her. But the moment I got to the entrance, I stopped.

“What the hell?”

11:48 Thu, May 14

Chapter 55

Leonie. She was standing right outside.

1756 vouchers

With a large suitcase beside her. Dressed like she was heading to a runway, not someone’s doorstep.

And that smile, it was fake. I saw through it immediately. “What are you doing here?” I asked flatly.

Her smile widened, like she had been expecting that reaction. “Wow,” she said lightly. “No ‘hello”? No ‘I missed you?”

“Leonie.” That was all it took. Her smile faltered slightly. Just for a second. Then it came back. Polished. Controlled.

“I need a place to stay,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “Just for a few days.”

I frowned. “And?”

“And I figured you wouldn’t mind helping an old friend,” she replied smoothly. I glanced at the suitcase. Then

back at her.

“You have a place,” I said.

“I do,” she admitted. “Just… not one I want to stay in right now.”

Convenient. Too convenient. My eyes narrowed slightly. “What’s the real reason?” I asked.

She shrugged lightly. “Can’t a girl just want to spend time with someone she knows?”

No. But I didn’t say that. Instead, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. She followed.

Of course she did.

And then, I saw her. Aria. She was there. Standing in the living room. Her gaze flicked from me to Leonie and finally to the suitcase.

And I saw it immediately. The discomfort. The hesitation. The question she didn’t ask out loud. Something in my chest tightened.

But then, the images flashed in my head again. Her and Hensley. That smile. That car.

My expression hardened slightly.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify