Treading Water (Forgotten Soldier Book 2) by Jessie G

Author:Jessie G [G, Jessie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-07-16T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Julian

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” The quiet question was more of a rumble in the chest beneath his head than an actual sound, and it took Julian a minute to process it.

“What do you mean?” Julian asked, thinking back over the day to figure out what he’d done to raise Shane’s alarms. The man’s observation skills left him few places to hide his emotions and, though he didn’t doubt Shane’s offer to be his haven, Julian didn’t want that weight on their fledgling relationship. Shane had avoided them for reasons Julian still didn’t know. Without that knowledge, all he could do was protect them from the one thing he knew was the problem in the past. Himself.

“I mean you seem off since the meeting with Doctor Esposito. Are you upset because he implied that your parents could cause future problems or worried that he’s right?” As usual, Shane’s insight was spot-on and Julian was almost relieved to be able to discuss it.

“Both.” Worrying about what they would do was exhausting and defending them made no sense, but he couldn’t stop himself from doing either. You’d think after thirty-one years, he would learn. It was foolish to keep trying—with them and every guy he hoped would give him what he was missing. Each misguided relationship had ended in disaster, starting with his parents, and getting involved with someone who spent his adult life avoiding emotional involvement had to be the epitome of stupid. Only, Shane wasn’t as closed off as he pretended to be and Julian didn’t know what to do with that.

“I won’t let them hurt you.” Shane shifted out from beneath him and before Julian’s head hit the mattress, his unexpected lover was hovering over him, his harsh features more prominent with his concern. “You know that, don’t you?”

The question reminded Julian of how quickly Shane had stepped in on his behalf again. Despite asking him not to, Shane couldn’t seem to help himself. Didn’t even act like he was trying.

“Yes, I know.” And Julian knew Shane would try for as long as he was around. Was it any wonder that he lifted his head for a kiss instead of reminding them both that he’d be leaving soon?

Julian had never been shy about initiating sex, but usually waited to see what Shane wanted. Not that Shane was opposed or standoffish. Far from it. He could be very hands-on and affectionate. Especially when they were alone. He just wasn’t overly sexual and seemed as happy to cuddle as he was getting off. A cuddling Shane was a conundrum to be sure, but so was the attentive, inventive, focused lover he could be when they did fuck.

Having been in more than his fair share of relationships, Julian knew they usually flared hot at the beginning and petered out fast. This slow burn had been disconcerting and Julian initially took Shane’s seeming disinterest personally. His confusion only grew with every kiss, touch, and grope that didn’t lead to sex.

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