My Husband's Son Wants Me

Two

Elena’s POV

The silver blue of Julian’s eyes felt like a physical weight, pressing against me until I was certain I would bruise. I tried to pull my hands away, but his grip was firm. It was a silent promise that he was the one in control here, even with his father standing mere inches away.

"Julian, don't be a stranger to your own house," Arthur said, laughing softly as he placed a hand on his son’s broad shoulder. "Come, sit. I’ve had the chef prepare a really nice dinner.”

Julian finally released me, his thumb dragging across my knuckles one last time. It was a lingering, intentional heat that made my skin crawl.

I sat down, my legs feeling like lead. Arthur sat at the head of the table looking relaxed and happy, completely oblivious to the silent war being waged over the table.

"So," Julian began, leaning back as he grabbed a bottle of wine. "How long has this been going on? The romance of the century?"

"Julian, manners," Arthur chided, though his tone was fond. "We’ve been dating for six months. Elena is a brilliant woman. She’s the head of the Sociology department at St. Jude’s. Do you know her?”

Julian’s smirk didn't falter. He took a slow sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving mine. "St. Jude’s. Right. I believe I’ve seen you around campus. You’re quite the professor every kid needs."

"I try to do my job professionally," I managed to say, my voice sounding thin even to my own ears. I reached for a water glass, needing to do something with my shaking hands.

Julian leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Professional. That’s funny. Because you look like someone who is hiding a lot behind that degree, Professor."

My heart skipped a beat, then began a frantic, irregular thudding against my ribs. I looked at Arthur, but he was busy cutting into his fish with a small, content smile on his face. There was silence as I swallowed hard and kept looking at Arthur, hoping he would sense something was wrong.

"Is the fish not to your liking, Elena?" Arthur asked, his brow furrowed with concern as he finally met my eyes.

"It’s wonderful, Arthur," I lied, forcing a forkful of food into my mouth. It tasted like ash.

"You know, Dad," Julian said, his gaze dropping to the slit in my red dress where it revealed the curve of my thigh. "Dr. Vance here is actually quite a specialist in social deviance. We were discussing it in class today. About how structures collapse when the people inside them start breaking the rules."

"Is that so?" Arthur looked at me with pride. "I always knew you were impressive, but to have my son actually paying attention in class? That’s a miracle in itself."

I took another bite of my fish and chewed hard.

"Oh, I’m paying attention," Julian whispered, his eyes locking onto mine with a terrifying intensity. "I’m learning everything she has to teach, Father.”

“I am really impressed, Julian. It seems you’re turning a new leaf,” Arthur praised.

To avoid more taunting questions from Julian, I gave my food my full attention, even if my nerves were all over the place. The rest of the dinner was a blur of torture. Every time Arthur turned his head to speak to the maid or answer a quick text, Julian would run his lustful eyes over my curves and drag them over the slit in my dress. I adjusted a lot of times, but his gaze only grew hotter.

Seeing that I couldn’t even eat, I decided to ignore Julian just the way I do in class. I pretended he wasn’t there. Soon, just as I had suspected, Julian got tired.

“I’m done here,” he said, dropping his fork with a clang.

“Are you sure you’re full, son?” Arthur asked, barely looking away from his phone.

“Yes,” Julian said. I could feel the hot sting of his gaze on me, but I didn’t dare to look at him. After a few moments, he pulled his chair back and got up before walking up the stairs.

Silence followed.

“Are you having a good time?” Arthur asked, finally giving me his attention.

“Yes, thanks for the food,” I said.

“You’re most welcome. Please, don’t pay any attention to what Julian says or does. He is currently going through a hard phase right now,” Arthur said.

“Oh, I had no idea he was having a hard time,” I said, my mind spiraling. There was no excuse for how he acted around me!

“Yes. Since he lost his mother, he has been having a really hard time with school and life in general. It’s really hard for him.”

“I’m sorry about that and I hope he gets better,” I said, at a loss for words.

“Can I ask for a favor?”

“What’s that?”

“He is doing very badly academically and has refused private tutors. I see how he looks at you and I can tell he respects you a lot. Having someone like you on standby will go a long way for him, I know this.”

I swallowed hard as my body stiffened. I could tell where this was going already.

“Can you give Julian private lessons?”

Oh no.

“Are you being serious?” I asked, letting out a nervous chuckle.

“I am. I know you can bring my son back.”

Hell no.

“I really wish I could help, but my schedule is really busy at the moment,” I lied.

“Please, my dear. Surely, you can squeeze him in?”

“I am not sure about that, but I’ll have to check,” I began, my mind working fast to think of excuses. “Also, I think you should talk to Julian about it first because I don’t think he will agree.”

“He will. I’ll talk to him about it,” Arthur said. The rest of the meal was done in silence as Arthur was busy on his phone, as usual.

"I think I should go," I said abruptly, pushing my chair back as soon as the dessert plates were cleared. "I have a very early lecture tomorrow."

"So soon?" Arthur looked disappointed. "I’ll walk you to your car. Julian, she’s about to leave,” Arthur called out, making my heartbeat increase.

“You don’t have to call Julian—”

Too late. I could hear his footsteps approach, like he had been waiting to be called.

“You’re leaving?” Julian asked as he got down the stairs.

“Yes. I had a nice evening, thank you.”

Just then, Arthur got a business call.

"Don’t worry Dad, take your call," Julian said, his height dwarfing both of us. "I need to go out anyway. I’ll walk the Professor to the driveway.”

Arthur hesitated, then nodded. "That’s my boy."

I felt sick. Arthur kissed my cheek, his touch warm and safe, but I couldn't focus on him. Not while the predator was standing close by, waiting for me. Arthur answered his call and turned away from us.

We walked out into the cool night air in silence. The moment the heavy oak doors of the mansion clicked shut behind us, Julian’s hand shot out, pinning me against the cold stone pillar of the porch.

"You think you can just slide into my mother's place?" he hissed, his face inches from mine. He smelled like tobacco and expensive cologne. "You think you can play mommy while you're still looking at me like you're afraid of your own shadow?"

"I love your father, Julian!" I whispered, trying to push against his chest, but he was like a wall of solid muscle.

"Arthur loves a saint," Julian countered, his silver-blue eyes burning with a dark, obsessive light. "But I see you, Elena. I see the way your pulse jumps when I walk by. I see the woman who is terrified of how much she wants to break every one of those rules she teaches."

"Arthur loves me. Let me go," I said, my voice trembling.

"If you don't stay away from my father," he leaned down until his lips brushed my ear, "I’ll make sure your career is the first thing to burn. Then I’ll show him exactly what kind of deviance you're really capable of."

He let go of me suddenly and the loss of his heat left me shivering. I didn’t have time to think. I quickly began walking to my car.

"See you in class, Dr. Vance," he shouted, his hot gaze heavy on me.