Chapter 8 One Little Kiss, Right?

Rosalie

The storm passes and the lights come on breaking our kiss. I’m not sure how far I would’ve gone with Julius if we weren’t interrupted and that terrifies me. I have put him in the “off limits” category in my brain and have so far done a crap job in keeping it that way but holy shit that kiss shook me to the core. I need to chalk it up to the moment. You know, like thinking we were going to die in the tornado. Seeing Julius practically naked just confirms he wouldn’t be seriously interested in me. He is way to perfect. And comes from a rich family. I don’t want to end up like Becca trying to please stuffy wealthy people.

Having his large manhood pressed against me about drove me crazy. It’s not fair how perfect he is. There’s no doubt he’s not lacking in the female admirers department. We just can never be. To keep things from getting awkward as we separate from our kiss, I see an old chest and point to it.

“Look Julius, maybe there’s clothes in that chest for us” I walk over and open it. Costumes. Julius joins me and I grab out a pirate outfit for him.

“Oh God.” He complains as he puts on the black pants and ruffley shirt. I laugh and call him Jack Sparrow.

“This will definitely look great on you.” Julius says sarcastically as he pulls out a saloon corset red dress.

“Great” I complain as I pull it on. “Lace me up lover boy.”

“Gladly my lady.” I guess flirting isn’t totally off limits. I barter with myself as he finishes tightening my laces. My boobs are practically pushed up to my neck now. He whistles as I turn around and lift my skirt to show some leg. He growls his approval. So hot. No! Stop it Rosalie!

“Let’s go check on everyone.” I say to get out of this shed before one of us gets frisky again. Plus I’m worried about my family.

We walk out and see tree limbs and shattered glass here and there. It doesn’t look to terrible. It sounded a lot worse than the damage. We enter through the front of the building where we came. We see my father, Ben, Becca, Violet and the twins walking towards us.

“Where the hell have y’all been? And what were you doing? We’ve been worried sick!” Becca starts in.

“I see you’ve met Rosalie.” Ben gives a suspicious brow raise towards his brother. He looks kinda mad.

“Don’t worry guys. Rosalie doesn’t put out easy. She’s a good girl wearing a bad girl persona but it’s a secret she doesn’t want anyone to know.” Christopher says smiling like a fool.

Michael pops him in the back of the head. “Then why’d you tell everyone idiot!?!”

I roll my eyes. These two. I love them but dang they’re so stupid sometimes.

My dad wraps me in a big hug. “My sweetheart. I was so scared something happened to you. I’m glad you’re safe.” He kisses my head.

“I’m fine poppa. Julius kept me safe when we were locked out in the storm.” Dad brings Julius in for another big hug. “Thank you my boy for watching after my angel.”

“I was honored to spend time with Rosalie sir. She kept me great company.” Julius replies. God does he know how bad that sounds? The twins snicker.

“Okay well, I’m glad everyone’s okay. Now I better go look for my cello. I hope it didn’t get damaged.” Before I can walk away Christopher stops me.

“We grabbed it when we evacuated to the basement. We knew you’d never forgive us if it flew away with the tornado.” He smiles at me knowing I’m about to sing their praises.

“Michael. Christopher. You are the best little cousins a girl could ask for.” I wrap each arm around both of their necks and they pick me up as I kiss their cheeks dramatically. Everyone smiles and hoorays for our goofiness. Becca piles in and we all four hug. We are blessed that’s for sure. The four amigos.

“Rosalie, you played spectacular tonight. We are all so proud of you. Does this mean you will rejoin the symphony? That young man playing the organ with the ponytail was asking me about it. He seems very fond of you.”

My dad fishes for info and why does Julius look so irritated all of the sudden?

“Cedric? He’s okay. I don’t know if he’s fond of me by any means. He’s more of a ladies man so probably nothing serious.” Ben looks at Julius and lets out a laugh that Julius did not seem to appreciate. Must be an inside joke.

“Yeah I thought about performing again since I haven’t worked in a year. It pays very well and I enjoy it.”

“That’s wonderful darling now let me kiss my other sweet angel.” He walks to Becca and kisses her head. “Now I better get going. It’s past this old mans bedtime and I’ve had to much excitement tonight.” We bid dad farewell and turn back to each other.

“Okay, well, Rosalie and Julius, we will need the two of you tomorrow to look at some wedding venues and help us decide which one. We’ll start early say 8 am at my yoga studio and get in the zone for wedding planning. Yay!” Becca says smiling way to annoyingly.

“All day? I have plans Becca. You can’t spring this on us last minute. Right Julius?” I give him a look that says help.

“I’ll clear my schedule.” The fucker smirks at me. Seriously?

“Hey if playboy billionaire can clear his schedule, you can too Rosalie.” Michael says. Julius turns pale. What’s going on here?

“Playboy billionaire?” I throw my head back and belly laugh. “That’s the dumbest nickname you boys have ever come up with Michael.” I laugh some more.

“We didn’t come up with it!” Christopher demands. “Julius is all over the media. That’s there nickname for him. He’s got billions and a new model on his arm everyday.” I feel nauseous. I’m ready to leave now. Immediately.

Ben looks from Julius to me with a serious expression. Why is he acting so weird?

“Violet you’re awfully quiet over there. You ready to hit the road?” She looks at me with a knowing smile. “I’m exhausted after dancing with these two studs all night” She says in her raspy voice and slaps the twins on the ass. “Let’s go.”

Christopher hands me my cello and I toss the strap around me.

“Bye love y’all” I kiss Becca and the twins on the head and hug Ben. Then I turn to head out the door without a word to Julius. We walk outside and I grab my keys from the valet when I hear Julius.

“Rosalie! Wait!” Great. Now what? I turn around as Violet knowingly makes her way to the car giving us privacy.

“What’s up?” I raise my brow.

“I just wanted to clear the air about what the twins said back there and you left without telling me goodbye. That’s a little harsh since we shared a near death experience together don’t you think?”

He brushes his hands through his curly dark hair impatiently waiting for an answer and the act alone just about made me forget who I was.

“Umm... Goodbye Julius?”

“That’s it? Look, media gossip.... exaggerates!”

Even I can tell he’s grasping for straws.

“You can’t sum me up by some stupid nickname.. I mean...playboy billionaire? I didn’t even pick that!” He throws his arms up in frustration.

“Look Julius, I’m not judging you for being a rich man whore. Live your best life, no big deal. Your Ben’s brother and that’s good enough for me. We’re totally cool. We had a great time tonight and we’re going to get through this wedding together and we’ve already become friends so everything is good.” I smile and put my hand on his shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then I turn and walk away but not before I feel my cello being lifted off my back and carried by Julius.

“You forgot to mention the part about me being your number one groupie that carries your cello around everywhere you go.” We laugh and the tension dissolves. Keeping him at an arms length is best. I’m still in mourning over Scarpati’s death and definitely don’t need to complicate things with playboy bunny. I’m glad nothing happened in the shed, right? Nothing happened. Just a kiss. One... little... kiss...