“You were amazing, baby. They’re our friends now.”
24
Juliette
“Guess what?” I shouted into the phone the moment Dylan answered.
“You’re playing hooky for my day off and you’re on your way over right now?”
I laughed, giddy with excitement. “Nope, sorry. I’m at work. But I am going to come over after so we can celebrate.”
“What are we celebrating?”
“You know how I declined the lead position? Well, I called my supervisor to ask if it was still available, and she said yes, and I accepted it!”
“You’ll be the best lead therapist they’ve ever had. I’m so proud of you, Juls.”
“Thank you! I have to get back to work now, but I couldn’t wait to tell you.”
“That’s amazing, baby. Thank you. I’m happy you called.”
“See you soon. I love you.”
“Can’t wait. Love you, Juls.”
The rest of the day went by in a blur. Katie was thrilled, and so many of my colleagues congratulated me and said they were happy I would be the lead. One person even said that out of the three of us who were in the running, one wasn’t very nice, and one wasn’t very organized, and I was nice and organized. I had to admit that was true. Even though I could be shyer than a lot of others, I’d never had any conflicts with anyone. And I was definitely organized. Was it possible that Audrey and Dylan were right, and I was the only one focusing on my speech? Could I be good at this after all?
I couldn’t wait to see the Station 7 girls again so I could tell them. I wasn’t sure if they’d be happy or not to be called an inspiration, but I couldn’t deny that they were.
I drove straight from work to Dylan’s place. I called Nicky and Jenna on the way to share the news, and they wanted to celebrate, too, so a few calls later, we had plans to go to Nolan’s with them and Liam and Ryan.
Dylan’s apartment door opened as I stepped out of the elevator. I ran into his open arms. “Strong as fuck,” he said as he lifted me off the ground.
“Thank you. I wouldn’t be doing it without your encouragement, but now that I am, I’m really excited and proud of myself.”
“You should be. I’m so proud of you too.”
Dylan carried me into the apartment and sat us on the couch. I leaned into his chest and breathed him in, feeling the stress of the day melt away.
“We have to leave for Nolan’s in an hour,” he pouted. “I had a different kind of celebration in mind.”
“Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?”
“It started with me kissing you here,” Dylan whispered, his lips brushing the sensitive skin of my neck. I tilted my head.He kissed and nibbled his way across my throat. “Then I was going to work my way down here.” He leaned me back, giving him access to kiss and lick his way down my chest. With that movement, he also pulled my hips in, his erection straining against his jeans right where I needed him. I whimpered with pleasure and need. He bit me hard through my shirt and bra.
“Take it off. Now,” I pleaded. “They can go without us.”
Dylan chuckled, a deep sexy sound I wanted to bottle up and keep forever. A second later, I was laying on my back on the couch with Dylan hovering over me. I felt his heat over every inch of my body.
“Shirt off. Please. More.” My words came out with the same frenzied need that was building in my body.
“I’ve got you, baby.” Dylan pulled my shirt over my head and unclasped my bra. My nipples hardened as the cool air and his gaze both washed over me. Then his mouth was on me, his fingers teasing the other breast, and I had no more coherent thoughts.
The rest of our clothes were quickly torn off and I sighed as his heat and weight returned to me. Strangled sounds and cries broke free as he entered me in one smooth push and immediately pounded into me with a punishing pace.
“So. Fucking. Proud. Of. You.” He ground out the words with each thrust.
“Dylan!” I cried out, digging my nails into his back and holding tight to him as my body shattered. He pushed himself even deeper inside me and held himself still as he followed me over the cliff.