Chapter 11: The Breaking Point
1162 Words
Lexi didn’t know what was worse. The way Julian had kissed her like he couldn’t help himself or the way he’d called it a mistake right after.
She told herself she was done thinking about it.
But her body betrayed her.
Every time she closed her eyes, she felt the press of his lips against hers, the way his hands had gripped her waist, how his breath had shaken when he pulled away.
It didn’t feel like a mistake.
It felt like everything.
And yet, here she was, standing outside in the crisp morning air, entertaining the idea of leaving.
Sebastian had given her a way out.
A job. A fresh start. Freedom.
So why did she feel so… stuck?
She was still lost in thought when she heard footsteps behind her.
Julian.
Lexi stiffened, schooling her expression before she turned.
He was already watching her, his gaze heavy.
Neither of them spoke for a long moment.
Then, finally.
“You’re thinking about taking it,” Julian said, his voice unreadable.
Lexi crossed her arms. “Would that be a problem?”
Julian’s jaw tensed. “I don’t trust Sebastian.”
She let out a sharp laugh. “That’s funny. He said the same thing about you.”
His eyes darkened. “That’s because he knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Lexi tilted her head. “And what is that, exactly?”
Julian took a step closer. Too close.
“He wants you, Lexi.”
Her stomach twisted.
She knew Julian wasn’t just talking about offering her a job.
Sebastian had made it clear that his interest went beyond business.
And now, standing this close to Julian, Lexi could feel the tension radiating from him.
She lifted her chin. “And why does that bother you?”
Julian’s fingers twitched at his side. Like he wanted to touch her but wouldn’t allow himself to.
“It doesn’t.”
Lie.
Lexi took a step closer, her voice softer now. Testing him.
“Then why do you care?”
Julian’s eyes dropped to her lips. Barely.
Then.
He turned on his heel and walked away.
Lexi exhaled shakily, staring after him.
She hated this.
Hated that he kept pulling her in, only to push her away.
Something had to break.
And soon.
Tension Builds
The next few days were worse than torture.
Julian avoided her.
Sebastian didn’t.
He had a way of appearing when she least expected him. Casually leaning against a doorway, watching her with amusement. Brushing past her just close enough to let her know he was there.
And every time, Lexi felt Julian’s watchful gaze.
Like he was waiting for her to make a choice.
But what choice was there?
Julian had made his position clear.
And Sebastian? He was dangerous in an entirely different way.
He didn’t just test her resolve. He made her wonder what it would be like to let go.
She wasn’t the only one who noticed.
“Careful, dear,” Mrs. Hawthorne murmured one evening as Lexi set the dining table. “You’re playing with fire.”
Lexi’s hands stilled. “What do you mean?”
The older woman gave her a pointed look. “I’ve seen this before. Two men circling the same woman.”
Lexi swallowed. “It’s not like that.”
Mrs. Hawthorne hummed knowingly. “If you say so.”
Lexi wanted to argue.
But what was the point in lying to herself?
Something was going to snap.
And when it did—
She had no idea who would be left standing.
The Breaking Point.
It happened at one of Julian’s events.
Lexi hadn’t even wanted to go.
But Mrs. Hawthorne had handed her an elegant black dress that clung just right, her expression firm.
“The master requested you be there.”
Lexi wanted to refuse.
But a part of her. A stupid, reckless part, wanted to see how far Julian would let this go before he finally admitted the truth.
So she went.
The event was grand.
A luxurious ballroom filled with the elite of the elite. Expensive champagne. Soft jazz humming in the background.
And Sebastian, standing at the bar, smirking when he saw her.
Lexi barely had time to react before he reached for her hand, brushing a kiss over her knuckles.
“You look breathtaking.”
Lexi rolled her eyes. “Do you ever turn it off?”
Sebastian chuckled. “Not when it works.”
Before she could respond, a shadow fell over them.
Julian.
He hadn’t spoken to her all night.
Hadn’t even looked at her.
But now?
His expression was pure ice.
“Graves,” Julian greeted coolly.
Sebastian smirked. “Saint Clair.”
The tension was instant. Palpable. Dangerous.
Sebastian took his time releasing Lexi’s hand. On purpose.
Julian’s jaw tightened.
Lexi felt the moment snap. The shift from silent tension to something on the verge of violence.
And then.
Julian grabbed her wrist.
Firm. Possessive.
Lexi’s heart slammed against her ribs.
But it wasn’t fear that made her breath catch.
It was something far more dangerous.
“Excuse us,” Julian said, his voice dangerously calm.
Sebastian’s smirk widened.
But he didn’t stop them.
Julian led her out of the ballroom, down a private hallway, and into an empty room.
Then—
The door slammed shut.
Julian turned to her, his eyes blazing.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Lexi’s pulse pounded. “Excuse me?”
Julian stalked closer.
“I see the way he looks at you,” he said through gritted teeth. “And I see the way you let him.”
Lexi’s chest tightened.
“You don’t get to do this, Julian,” she said, voice shaking. “You don’t get to kiss me one night and pretend it didn’t happen the next.”
His breathing was heavy now. “I never said it didn’t happen.”
Lexi let out a humorless laugh. “No, you just called it a mistake.”
Julian flinched.
It was quick. Barely there. But she saw it.
For the first time, something broke in his expression.
Lexi stepped forward now, closing the space between them.
“You don’t get to be jealous,” she said quietly. “Not when you refuse to admit what this is.”
Julian’s breath hitched.
For a long moment, neither of them moved.
Then.
Julian grabbed her waist and kissed her.
Hard.
Desperate.
Like he was losing control.
Lexi gasped into his mouth, her fingers fisting his shirt.
This wasn’t careful.
It wasn’t restrained.
It was fire.
Julian backed her into the wall, his hands everywhere, his breath ragged.
“Tell me to stop,” he growled against her lips.
Lexi shook her head. “I won’t.”
Julian groaned, his lips trailing down her neck.
Then.
A knock on the door.
They both froze.
“Julian?” A voice. Sebastian.
Lexi’s heart stuttered.
Julian’s grip tightened.
And in that moment.
She knew.
Everything had changed.
- Writer
