Chapter 76 MIDNIGHT SOFTNESS
Eli's POV
I woke up past midnight.
For a moment I just lie there with my eyes half open, staring at the ceiling. I don't remember falling asleep after reading the creepy messages.
The room is dark except for the soft light from the bedside lamp.
My body feels warm under the blanket.
My head doesn’t hurt as much anymore. The soreness is still there, but it’s dull now instead of sharp.
That’s progress.
I stretch a little.
Then I realize something.
The bed feels… big.
I turn my head to see my side is empty.
I frown.
Normally Julian and Anton would be here. Sometimes they sandwich me between them like I’m some kind of pillow they both decided to share.
It’s ridiculous, and comfortable.
But tonight… nothing. No Julian. No Anton.
I push myself up slightly and look around the room.
Still empty.
“What’s up with those two…” I mumble to myself.
Maybe they’re working.
They’ve both been stressed lately. That much is obvious.
Maybe something big is happening at work.
Or maybe they’re just having one of those secret serious conversations they never let me hear.
I sigh and rub my face. My throat feels dry.
“I’m thirsty,” I mutter.
I slide out of bed carefully. The floor feels cool under my feet.
I walk toward the door slowly.
The hallway is quiet.
The whole house feels asleep.
As I reach the stairs, my steps slow down automatically.
I stare at them.
My stomach tightens a little. The memory of falling down them flashes through my mind.
Even though everyone is asleep and there's no one to push me… something in me still feels weird or rather scared about walking down the stairs. Especially since I can barely see in the dim light.
So I walk carefully. Extra carefully. Like if I move wrong the stairs will suddenly attack me again.
One step.
Two.
Three.
By the time I reach the bottom, I’m almost proud of myself.
“See,” I whisper to myself. “You didn’t die.”
The kitchen is dimly lit by the small light above the counter.
I walk to the water dispenser and grab a glass.
My hand is halfway to filling it when someone suddenly appears behind me.
The glass disappears from my hand.
I jump slightly, but I don’t turn around because I already know who it is.
Julian.
I don’t even need to see him. His scent gives him away.
No cologne tonight.
Just his natural, familiar smell.
He fills the glass with water.
Then he gently turns me around and presses the glass into my hand.
“Drink,” he says softly.
I do.
The cold water feels amazing in my throat.
I drink the whole thing in one go.
When I finish, Julian takes the empty glass and sets it aside.
Before I can ask what he’s doing awake—
He lifts me.
Just like that.
“Julian!” I yelp.
He sits me on the kitchen island like I'm smaller than I actually am.
I blink at him.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
He stands between my legs and places his hands on my waist to steady me.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
“Good,” I say honestly. “I’m feeling good.”
His hand comes up and gently cups my cheek.
“You sure?” he asks.
I nod.
“I’m sure.”
His thumb brushes under my eye like he’s checking something.
Then suddenly—
He pulls my face against his chest.
I freeze for a second.
My cheek presses against his bare skin.
His arm wraps loosely around my shoulders.
And I inhale.
His natural scent fills my nose.
Something deep and grounding that always makes my chest feel strange.
This stupid temptation.
The same feeling that made me give in to him in the first place.
For a moment I just stay there, breathing him in.
Then my brain reminds me of something.
Something important.
Something I should have told him already.
My stomach twists.
I take a small breath, bracing myself for his reaction.
“Julian…”
“Hm?” he hums.
“I uh… I had sex with Anton the other day.”
His body goes still.
Very still.
Then slowly, he pulls my face away from his chest.
His hands hold my cheeks as he looks directly into my eyes.
He doesn’t say anything.
He just studies my face like he’s searching for the truth.
I start getting nervous.
“Did he force you?” Julian asks finally.
“No!” I say quickly. “No, no, no. Anton wouldn’t do that… I mean, he wouldn't have to.”
Julian’s eyes narrow slightly.
“He did not force me,” I continue. “It was just… the heat of a vulnerable moment and I fell for the sense of safety.”
Julian watches me quietly.
“So he took advantage of you?” he asks.
“No,” I shake my head. “Not really.”
I swallow.
“At that moment… I wanted him too.”
Saying it out loud makes my ears feel hot.
“I’m really sorry about it,” I add softly. “I’ve been meaning to come clean to you.”
Julian’s expression softens.
“It’s okay,” he says calmly. “Don’t get anxious.”
I blink at him.
“Are you not angry?” I ask carefully.
Instead of answering, he leans forward and kisses my forehead.
A warm, soft kiss.
“No, baby,” he says gently. “You did nothing wrong.”
My chest loosens slightly.
Then he kisses my forehead again.
And then my cheek.
And the other cheek.
I squint at him.
“You’re being suspiciously nice, I expected a very very different reaction.” I say.
He smirks a little.
“I’m always nice.”
“That is a lie,” I reply immediately.
He chuckles quietly.
His fingers brush through my hair, fixing the messy strands from sleep.
Then he lightly taps the tip of my nose.
“You should get well fast,” he says.
“Why?” I ask.
“I have somewhere I want to take you.”
My curiosity wakes up instantly.
“Where’s that?”
“You’ll see when I take you there.”
“That’s not fair,” I complain.
He just smiles.
I stare at him for a second before sighing.
“Fine.”
Then I tilt my head.
“Will you come to bed with me?” I ask softly.
He hums thoughtfully.
“Hmm.”
Then he lifts me again.
“Julian!” I protest, laughing.
“You just said you’re feeling good,” he says.
“I am!”
“Then stop complaining, else you'll get sick.”
I rest my head on his shoulder as he carries me out of the kitchen.
His arms are warm and strong around me.
For a moment, I feel stupidly safe.
Like nothing bad could touch me while he’s holding me like this.
We reach the bedroom.
He drops me gently onto the bed.
The mattress bounces slightly.
“Stay there,” he says.
“Where else would I go?” I mutter.
He ignores me and walks to the closet.
A minute later he comes back wearing comfortable sleep pants and a loose shirt.
When he gets into bed beside me, the mattress dips again.
The room goes quiet.
Comfortably quiet.
I stare at the ceiling for a bit.
Then the thought pops into my head again.
“Julian?”
“Hm.”
“Have you thought about what I asked for?”
“About letting you work?” he asks.
“Yes.”
He’s quiet for a moment.
“Get well first,” he says finally. “Then we’ll talk again.”
I stare at him.
“I might let you.”
My heart jumps a little.
“You might?” I repeat.
“Yes.”
I can’t help it. A stupid giggle escapes me.
Julian glances at me.
“You’re giggling? About work?”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
“I’m just… breathing loudly.”
He raises a brow.
“That was a giggle.”
I bury my face in the pillow.
“Stop looking at me.”
He chuckles quietly beside me.
And somehow that small sound makes me feel ridiculously happy. He's gonna let me work!!