Counting Sheep

Chapter 25

He simply wanted them all to himself for just a little bit longer.

But, Layla was adamant on going and he didn't see the two girls for around an hour while they were doing their "primping". He had pulled his hair back into a small bun at the nape of his neck, wearing jeans and a white button down shirt that gaped open at the collar.

There wasn't any way to hide all of the tattoos that covered his body and he had long ago gotten used to the stares, the silent judgment and the curiosity that all humans seemed to have inherently.

Finally, the bedroom door opened and first Hazel hopped out, wearing a little denim skirt, red tights and a white t-shirt with sequined fireworks on the front.

She looked like she was floating as she skipped up to Julian. Without a thought, Julian let a smile take over his face as he picked her up into his arms.

"You look lovely, kid!" He said and she practically glowed at the compliment, small chubby-cheeks, rosy.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded and Julian smiled as he and Hazel looked up, but his lips froze as the breath left his lungs.

It couldn't be possible for someone to be so beautiful, could it?

His eyes locked on the white flats, going up long legs to the flouncy white and yellow floral sundress she wore. It had spaghetti straps, a sweetheart neckline that showed the frail-looking contours of her collarbone and the swell of her breasts. Her hair was curled and her makeup was simple yet flawless.

She looked up at him through her lashes and his teeth ground together.

She was beautiful.

So beautiful.

Slowly, he set Hazel down. "Let's go get in the car."

Hazel grabbed her doll and skipped over to the front door.

Layla looked shy, cheeks of porcelain tinging pink. His hands fisted and as she grabbed a flowy white cardigan from the closet, he leaned in close to whisper in her ear, hearing her breath catch as he did so.

"Fucking perfect," He murmured roughly.

She turned to face him, finding he was closer than she had thought. Hazel jumped up and down on the front porch, looking at the flowers to track their growth in the span of three days since they had planted the small seeds.

Slowly, her eyes went back to Julian's, and her entire body warmed with the heat in his eyes. His tattooed finger came up to trace down the side of her cheek. Her eyes fluttered, heart stuttering.

He couldn't be serious...right?

He saw the look in her eyes and leaned forward just the tiniest bit, eyes dark with desire. "Perfect." He growled again and as if worried his control would snap, he spun away from her to follow Hazel outside.

Layla sucked in a breath, feeling the blood in her veins pulse so fast that her head began to spin with the heady delight that she could practically taste on her tongue.

Finally after gathering herself, she followed them out, unable to help the smile on her face.

People around the neighborhood had already begun their own celebration of the Fourth of July, the smell of hamburgers on the grill in the air while kids chased each other around, sparklers in hand while some families laid their blankets down on the grass to chatter with excitement.

The car ride over was surprisingly fast and Layla figured out that Charlene and Dave's house was no more than ten minutes away from her own house. She felt giddy inside, partly because Julian had insisted on holding her hand, the pad of his thumb tracing circles along her palm.