The Temporary Boyfriend

Chapter 172: Taking a trip

Back in the penthouse, Lyvana opened her eyes and felt Julian’s warmth behind her.

She had fallen asleep in his penthouse. Right now, she was lying in his arms with her back against his chest. She looked down and saw one arm rested securely around her waist, and his other hand cupping her breast.

She shifted carefully, trying not to disturb him. But the moment she moved, Julian’s arm tightened around her waist.

Then his lips touched her neck.

"Where are you going my love?" he said hoarsely.

Lyvana slowly turned in his arms until she was facing him.

His dark hair was slightly messy from sleep and his sharp features softened by the sleepy look in his eyes.

His thumb brushed lightly over her cheek. "You keep trying to escape me," he said quietly.

"Maybe I like being chased."

That made him smile.

"Careful, my love," he said. "If you say things like that, I’ll end up canceling every meeting I have today."

Lyvana laughed softly, and his gaze dropped to her lips.

On the nightstand, his phone vibrated, yet he didn’t move.

"Aren’t you going to answer that?" she asked.

"Nope!" He leaned in and kissed her deeply while her fingers trailed over his bare chest.

​When he pulled back, he sighed dramatically. "You have ruined me."

Lyvana blinked. "Ruined you?"

"Yes," Julian said seriously. "I used to be a man of logic and schedules," he murmured, his fingers tangling in her hair. "Now I’m considering firing everyone so they stop interrupting my time with you."

She leaned her head against his shoulder, letting herself sink into his embrace.

​"You’re oddly sweet this morning," he teased, brushing his nose against her cheek. "Clinging to me like a little cat."

​Lyvana let out a soft laugh. "I don’t think anyone has ever compared me to a cat before."

"Well, there is a first time for everything. What time is it?"

She picked up her phone. "It’s 2:00 am."

Julian’s eyes narrowed, a plan forming in his mind. "Want to get out of here?" he murmured.

"Julian, it’s the middle of the night. Where could we possibly go?"

"Somewhere you’d like. Think of it as an adventure. You said you liked the chase, didn’t you?"

​Lyvana bit her lip, glancing at him.

"I have to go to Aurora tomorrow," she said. "I have important meetings."

"We’ll be back before midday. I promise."

"Fine," she sighed.

Julian stood up and made a brief phone call. When he was done, he reached for a black cashmere sweater.

He then tossed her one of his own oversized​ tops.

​"Wear this," he said. "It’ll be cold where we’re going."

​They stepped into the private elevator and rode it to the roof.

The doors opened to the sound of blades cutting the air. It was one of the company helicopters, its lights flashing against the dark sky.

They arrived at Julian’s cottage twenty minutes later.

Lyvana felt a rush of excitement. She loved this place and was happy to spend a little time here.

​The air was cool and smelled of fresh grass.

​Julian hopped out and reached for her hand, guiding her toward the small house. It looked peaceful under the moonlight.

As soon as they entered, Lyvana moved around the room, touching the familiar furniture. Julian had promised to bring her here, but that was before the accident.

​"I’ll start a fire," he said, walking toward the stone fireplace.

​Soon, the orange light filled the room.

​"Better?" he asked and she nodded.

He walked over to her, and she rested her head on his shoulder, breathing in the scent of the woodsmoke.

The house was quiet and warm. The atmosphere was so calming. She trailed her fingertips across the thick muscles of his arm, then lean into him, pressing her body against his.

Then she slides her hand up to the curve of his neck.

He smirked.

"Do you want something, my love?" he asks, his voice teasing.

"Nothing." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

He turned to her. "You have a very loud way of saying ’nothing’ with your hands," he whispered, his lips hovering just inches from hers.

​Lyvana tilted her head back "Maybe I just wanted to see if you were still a man of ’logic and schedules,’" she teased, her fingers lightly tracing the column of his throat. "Or if the cottage air had made you lose your focus."

​Julian’s gaze darkened, his smoldering intensity making her breath hitch.

"I told you before, babygirl, don’t flirt with me."

​​He stood up, scooping her into his arms effortlessly. Lyvana gasped, her hands instinctively locking behind his neck as he carried her over to the oversized leather armchair by the hearth. He sat down, settling her firmly in his lap so she was draped across him.

​"Oh, I really love it here," she whispered, as she pressed her face into the crook of his neck.

​"I know," he replied, his hand moving in soothing circles against her back.

​He tilted her chin up, his thumb grazing her lower lip until she parted them slightly.

When he leaned in to kiss her, it wasn’t gentle. It was deep and demanding.

Before long, the only sounds in the room were their moans and cries.

The rest of the night passed quickly after that.

When Lyvana finally woke up, the bright morning sun was filtering through the curtains.

​She turned her head and saw Julian propped up on one elbow, watching her.

Julian stayed propped on his elbow, watching her with a lazy, content smile. The morning light made his dark hair look softer, and the usual tension in his shoulders was completely gone.

​"Hi, beautiful," he murmured. He reached out, cupping her cheek with a warm hand before pulling her in for a slow, lingering kiss that tasted like sleep and comfort.

​When they pulled apart, Lyvana noticed a tray on the nightstand. It was a perfect breakfast. Warm milk, orange juice, pastries with fried bacon and eggs, and fruit, all neatly arranged.

​"Did you cook?" she asked, her eyes widening. She paused and laughed. "Wait, don’t answer that."

"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, sounding playfully offended.

​Lyvana didn’t answer. She was already reaching for a cup of warm milk, breathing in the rich aroma. "It smells good though," she admitted, leaning back against the headboard.

Back in the city,

Catalina slipped into a black silk dress. It felt soft against her skin. Standing in front of the mirror, she sprayed her favorite perfume and put on a fitted black blazer.

​She added silver earrings, black heels, and a coat of dark red lipstick. When she was finished, she studied her reflection in the mirror.

​"Elegant. Calm. Dangerous," she whispered to herself.

​She looked like a woman ready for war.

On the table, everything was already laid out, a gun, a sleek knife with a silver handle, two extra magazines, a gold-plated lighter, and leather gloves.She picked them up one by one and slid them into her bag. Finally, she picked up her phone and began to scroll.

"Tell me you’re excited about today!" Mateo said popping out of nowhere, scaring the life out of her.

She jumped, nearly dropping her phone as she clutched her chest. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"God, Stephan." She pressed a hand against her chest, glaring at him. "One day you’re going to give me a heart attack."

Mateo didn’t look sorry at all. He had a wide, mischievous grin on his face. "I can’t help it if you’re always lost in your own world. Besides, how can you be so calm? Today is the day our plan finally works."

​Catalina forced a small smile as she slipped her phone into her bag.

​"I’m excited," she lied softly. "Just a bit nervous, that’s all."

​Mateo laughed and threw an arm around her shoulders.

"You? Nervous? I’ve never seen that before. But nerves are good! It means you’re alive."

She made a disgusted face. "Oh, shut up. Let’s go."

​Outside, Mateo got behind the wheel while Catalina sat in the passenger seat. The car pulled smoothly into traffic.

For a while, they drove in silence.

​Then, Mateo glanced at her. "Do you think she’ll actually come? Do you think she will fall for it?"

​Catalina looked out the window. Her expression was cold.

"Let’s hope so. Her miserable life has become too guarded. It’s hard to shoot the bitch when she’s always surrounded by bodyguards."

Mateo nodded.