“And?” I press, knowing full well what he is implying.
“And I shouldn’t be here much longer. I’m… I’ve been told not to come in here after nightfall.”
I can feel the curiosity burning within him, almost as if it will bleed out and onto the floor beneath us.
His knuckle brushes my stomach as he continues to button, and his breath hitches.
“Yes, I know,” I say. “Are you curious? Are you dying to know what is wrong with me, Julian?”
Large brown eyes snap up to meet mine, his hands freezing.
“Y-yes,” he admits.
“Hmm.” I watch him carefully, seeing the uncertainty and fear dancing in his eyes. But there’s something else too. Desire? Interest?
“It’s not my business,” he suddenly rushes to say. “But I do want to know. Why only after dark? What happens? How did this happen to you when you’re so young?”
“So many questions,” I murmur, and Julian’s eyes fall back to his own hands, and he continues buttoning my shirt.
Once he’s done, he speaks again. “There you are, Young Master Atlas. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
Something hot and curious is burning withinmenow, and I know if he doesn’t leave this room soon, I’ll make a mistake.
It’s almost night, anyway.
“Would you do anything I asked, Julian?”
“Of course, it’s my job,” he responds without hesitation.
“Anything at all? Even…unconventionalthings?” I allow my own interest to seep into my tone.
I know I’m a tempting thing, and I can see the effects of my own body and voice as his Adam’s apple bobs violently.
“That will be all, thank you,” I concede, and he takes a large step backward.
“Goodnight.” And with that parting word, he flees from the west tower.
I relax immediately, his overwhelming aura and masculine scent leaving with him.Fuck, things are getting bad.
I find myself disgusted with my own intentions, my own vile teasing.
As I turn to face my bed, knowing what probably awaits me once the sun is gone, I almost feel a sense of relief at what’s to come.
At least in the morning, this burning desire will be stifled just a bit.
Julian
4
I WATCH AS ABIGAILruns around the fountain in the front courtyard from where I sit on the steps. Her large, fluffy white coat is swallowing her little body, but her laughter is wild and carefree as she runs in circles, her fingertips occasionally dipping into the freezing water.
Lately, things have been surprisingly peaceful.
It’s been a month since my father and I moved into Chastain Castle, and although we’ve yet to leave the property, I’ve been on several adventures. Whether it’s playing dolls with Abigail, sitting by the ledge that overlooks the Pacific, or being taught how to play the piano by Lady Theodora, I am constantly experiencing something I never experienced back in California.
I’ve found that cleaning up after the Chastains and helping them with the mundane parts of life is quite fulfilling, and I don’t think I’ll mind staying here for a while.
The only thing Idomind is Atlas. He hasn’t asked me toattendto him since that night a few weeks ago, when I carefully dressed him in his silk night clothes, but his presence is formidable even still.