“Every inch of you.” She strokes down my chest and stops just above my cock.
“I have to turn you over shortly.”
“I’m the hot potato.”
“Emphasis on hot.”
She laughs, then we brush our teeth together, shoving each other like when we were little kids. She actually manages to kick my butt as I spit. When we walk out to the kitchen after Juliana tortures me by insisting I watch her get dressed for ‘safety reasons’, we find Max there.
He grins at Juliana. “Hey there, beautiful.”
“We need to have a talk. Is Konstantin around?”
“No.” Max glances around. “I think he’s on some work keeping him away from the house.”
“Tracking down the would-be killer.” Juliana huffs. “Coffee?”
“Black,” Max says.
“Two-”
“Two sugars, one cream.” Julia winks at me.
I wait until she gets back after exchanging a look with Max. He sobers up – in terms of his humor. I can’t speak to his alcohol content today. When Juliana comes back, she definitely notices that something is wrong.
“Your father ...”
“Fantastic.” She groans. “Can’t this wait until after breakfast?”
“Can it?” I ask her.
She grumbles. “Well tell me while I’m feeding the dogs.”
She makes them food that some people would be envious of, but I wait, trying to collect the words. When she looks at me, she puts her hand on her hip. “Come on, Gio. You’re always straight with me.”
“Your father wants to see you next Monday. With the three of us ... and alone.”
She goes so pale I’m worried she’s going to faint. Max looks between us, but I see him move closer to Juliana. He may not understand, but with her reaction, nobody needs to know the specifics.
“No.”
“Juliana, I can’t ...”
“Ican’t. My father is terrible. He’s ... you know plenty about him Gio. Do you really think I want to mourn with him on the anniversary of my mother’s death? And if he wants to see me alone, we both know that’s not a good thing.”
“I know.”
“So I’m just going to be very sick. Worst period ever. Shark week with actual sharks in my uterus or whatever else it takes to get out of those plans.”
I open my mouth to say something but get a text that I am absolutely needed at the office today. I sigh. “I have to go, babe.”
“I’ve got this,” Max says seriously.
I look at him doubtfully. He swallows. “Look, I know how you see me, but this ... this is something I have too much experience with.”
Still, I watch Juliana. I don’t want to leave her alone after delivering this news. She sits on the couch and just takes slow breaths. I hesitate. “I’m sorry Julia. I will happily tell him when the time comes, that you’re having cramps and you’re nauseous, and any other list of things you want me to deliver, but we both know-”
“He will find a way to come and get me and put me where he wants me. Like a damned pinned butterfly. He pulls me out for photo ops and important events and I can’t even say no or fly away.”