My Stepbrother Wants Me-Chapter 208: I Love You Too

Catherine’s POV

The grip on my arm was firm, anchoring me to the spot just as I thought I had made my exit. I turned back, ready to snap at him again, but Julian didn’t let go. He didn’t even acknowledge the threat I had just made about ending things. Instead, he pulled me toward the passenger side of his sedan.

"I’m driving you to school," he stated. It wasn’t a question, and it certainly wasn’t an invitation.

"No, Julian. I have my own ride," I said, trying to pry his fingers off me. I was still shaking from the annoying character he displayed, the last thing I needed was to be trapped in a confined space with him for twenty minutes. "It’ll look weird if I let Lucy ride alone and show up with you. Think about what I just told you about being careful."

He didn’t listen to any of it. He just opened the door and hovered there, his body blocking any path I had back toward the house. "You can find a lie or an excuse, though I doubt anyone would actually ask you about it. Get in, Catherine. I’m not asking twice or I’ll have to carry you in."

I let out a frustrated huff, but I knew that stubborn glint in his eyes. If I kept fighting him here, we’d only draw more attention. I climbed into the leather seat, pulling the door shut. Julian walked around the front, got behind the wheel, and peeled out of the driveway before I could even click my seatbelt into place.

The drive was silent for the first few miles. I kept my head turned toward the window, while waiting for him to start the argument again, but he stayed quiet, his hands gripping the steering wheel so hard.

Just before we reached the main campus gates, Julian veered off the road and pulled into a secluded spot behind a row of overgrown hedges where the school buses usually parked. He cut the engine, and the sudden silence in the car was heavy.

"What’s going on? Are we not supposed to be driving to school? What are we doing here?" I started to ask, but the words were cut off.

Julian leaned across the center console, his hand cupping the back of my neck as he pulled me toward him. He gave me the kiss of her life. He kissed me as if he were trying to bruise the memory of my threat right out of my head, his tongue tracing my lips until I felt my resolve crumbling. My hands, which had been balled into fists in my lap, found their way to the collar of his jacket, pulling him closer.

When he finally pulled back, he didn’t go far. His forehead rested against mine, his breathing labored. "Don’t ever say we’re done," he whispered, his voice rough. "Don’t even think of it."

I couldn’t find my voice. I just nodded, my heart still racing from the contact. He shifted back into his seat, but his eyes remained on me, dark and focused.

"And about Dante," he said suddenly, the name sounding like a curse in his mouth. "I want you to end whatever is going on between you two. Today. No more fake dates, no more ’boyfriend’ bullshit. I don’t think I will be able to stand it."

I bit my lip while staring at him. Despite his toxicity, he looked... incredible and I kinda liked how controlling he was with me. There was a raw power in him that was terrifying and magnetic all at once. I knew he was being irrational, but at this moment, I couldn’t look away.

Julian noticed the silence and the way my eyes were scanning his face. He arched a brow, a slow, knowing smirk spreading across his lips. "Why are you looking at me like that, Cat?"

He leaned back, his eyes traveling down the length of my body before returning to mine. His dirty mind went on to ask me this: "Is that the look of a girl who wants her boyfriend to finish what he started? Because I’ve got a new sex fantasy about having good sex inside the car. We could make it happen right here before the first bell rings."

I felt the heat rush to my face. I reached out and poked his head, pushing him back slightly. "Don’t be silly, Julian. We’re in a parking lot. And no, that’s not why I’m staring."

"Then why?" he asked, chuckling.

"I’m just staring because you look so cute when you are jealous," I admitted, a small smile finally breaking through my frustration. "You get all broody and dark, and you start making demands like a medieval king."

He snorted and looked back at the windshield, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel. "I’m not jealous. I’m just stating facts. You are with me now, so you don’t need that anymore."

"Liar," I said, leaning closer to him. "You were practically vibrating with it at the table. You couldn’t even stand the thought of Gabriel’s eyes on me, even though nothing is going on."

"That’s different," he muttered, but I could see the corner of his mouth twitching.

"Is it? You’re a terrible liar, Julian Vaughn."

We started a playful banter, me poking at his ego and him trying to maintain his "tough guy" facade, but eventually, the tension broke.

He let out a long sigh. "Fine," he said, turning back to me. "I am jealous. Who wouldn’t be jealous if they had an interesting girlfriend who is so hot? I have to watch every guy in that building look at you, and I have to sit back and watch some other guy pretend he’s the one taking you home. It’s a nightmare."

I felt my cheeks get even hotter while I blushed hard. "Stop it. You’re going to make it impossible for me to walk into class with a straight face." I looked to the window nervously, checking to see if anyone was nearby. "I have to not look like I was having so much fun inside his car, else the school’s gossip mongers will find a way to make it news. If people see us together like this, the rumors will be at the mansion before we are."

Julian shrugged, "well... I don’t mind. At least it’s good, so everyone knows you are mine." He looked perfectly content with the idea of the world knowing, regardless of the fallout.

"Julian, please," I said, my voice turning serious again. I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it. "We have an obstacle called Richard, so you better be mindful of what you wish for, because once the truth is out, there’s no going back."

The mention of his father always brought a shadow over his face. He nodded slowly, getting his head back. "I know. I just hate the hiding."

"I do too," I whispered.

I checked myself through the rearview mirror, trying to smooth down my hair and fix my lipstick, which was definitely smudged after that kiss. After she makes sure she looks okay, she turns to open the door, but Julian holds her hand. I stopped, my hand on the latch, and turned back to him, rolling my eyes.

"What again, now? Hope you are not planning to kiss me ’cause I already arranged my look," I teased, though my heart was still thumping.

Julian didn’t laugh this time. He held my hand firmly, rubbing his thumb on her hand. His expression softened in a way that I rarely saw—it was vulnerable, almost raw.

"Thank you, Catherine. For everything," he said, his voice quiet. Then, he looked me straight in the eyes and added, "I love you. More than I probably should."

I felt so genuinely caught off guard and in the best way. Julian had a way of doing that—driving me to the point of insanity one minute and then winning me over completely the next.

I reached over, my fingers brushing his jaw where the bruises were almost gone. "I love you too."

Then I leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips, before finally leaving the car.