Addicted (The Addicted Series, #1)(118)

At the same time, Julian's thick, heady come filled my mouth, flooding my tongue and completing the experience. I nursed his cock until he softened and was clean, enjoying the softness of his skin. "How'd you do that?" Julian asked after I dismounted and lay my head on his chest.

"What?" I said teasingly. I leaned in and kissed him, happy when he returned my kiss without any hesitation. Few guys were confident enough to do that. "Oh, you mean?"

"Yeah, that," he said, kissing my cheek. "What witchcraft did you learn to do that?"

"No witchcraft, just love," I said, laying my head down on his chest, listening to his heart beat. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Did you mean it? Do you really want to marry me?"

Julian's fingers reached down and lifted my chin to look him in the eyes. "Tomorrow, after work, we're going shopping for rings."





Chapter 28


Julian




The space was empty, raw concrete floor with fresh studs exposed on the walls and ceiling joists still visible, with pipes running between them. It was raw, it was bare bones, and it was perfect. I couldn't ask for a better staff gym if I'd designed the thing myself. "So you said my budget is what?" I repeated to Yuki, who was standing next to me with her tablet. We'd come down here to the basement underneath the kitchen area in order for me to get my first view of the staff gym, and to get an idea for how I wanted to lay things out. "I assume there is a budget, of course."

"Yes, but you won't like it," Yuki replied. "Five thousand dollars."

I blinked, stunned. Five thousand? I could spend five thousand dollars and not have a single complete thing. "Okay. Then forget the budget, consider anything over the budget a donation by me or something. Think it can classify as a tax write off?"

"I doubt it. This is a for profit resort of a multi-billion-dollar corporation, not the American Red Cross. However, I doubt you need the tax write off. You're not going broke any time soon. So what are you thinking?"

"Two lifting platforms over there," I said, pointing at the one wall. "One of them will have just squat stands, the other a full on power cage. I'll give you the makers I want you to contact. Lots of free weights, and some specialty bars that I'll also send you an e-mail on. In the space on the right of it, a flat bench, and a Hammer Strength Incline Press, plate loaded. The next wall is going to be back, so lat pull down and two more Hammer Strength machines. This wall we're next to will be the cardio wall, with options for Concept 2 rowers, bikes, and a treadmill for those who insist on that. The fourth wall is going to have the legs and butt section, so a leg curl, leg press, glute-ham raise, and an extension."

"What's the big spot in the middle for? You've lined the walls, but this is a big room. Are you planning on anything in the middle?"

I grinned and nodded. "Yep. We're putting in martial arts mats and a boxing ring. Those joists look perfect for hanging a couple of heavy bags, and we'll still have space to put in a smaller ring. That should make Krystal happy for her training."

"I think that ring she's been wearing this past week has already made her as happy as she can be," Yuki said. "You should have seen her earlier this morning when we were reviewing the kitchen."

"Really?" I asked, chuckling. "You know Yuki, the ring is not as important to me as the fact that she said yes. You realize how happy that makes me?"

"I can see it," Yuki replied. "What have your parents said, by the way?"

"You can ask Dad himself when he comes to the resort next week. He and Sandra are coming to see how we're doing, a bit of a reunion, celebration, whatever you want to call it."

"Do you think that it would be appropriate for me to talk to them? I think Sandra is still angry with me. I wouldn't want to add any strain to your family gathering."

I shook my head. "Yuki, I suspect that by now, Sandra regrets her decision. I know my Dad does. Last time I talked to him, he's misses having you around. The person they hired is good, but doesn't have that same level of seamless anticipation you have. Also, I think he misses some of the business advice you gave him. You were well worth the salary."

"I know. I miss the Manor as well, but I'm excited about the challenges of this opportunity as well. Well, I like your ideas, and you said you'll get me the list of things. But we need to go upstairs and look at the part of your job that is supposed to generate revenue, the guest fitness facility. You'll be happy to note you have a one-hundred-thousand-dollar budget there, not including the pool and swimming areas which have their own budgets."

"Great. You know Yuki, I'm going to be depending a lot on you for guidance on this dealing with budgets. I've gone most of my life not needing to worry about one."

Yuki chuckled and tapped at her screen. "New job, new place, still giving advice to a Castelbon. You should make me part of the family if you're going to keep this up another few years."

"You already are in my eyes, Yuki. Didn't you know that?"

For the next week, Krystal and I worked hard at adapting to our new jobs. Thankfully, my finals were over, and I had a three week break before the next round of my classes started up. My only concern was that, at what was possibly the worst time, Krystal started complaining of headaches and nausea. If it hadn't been for the three times we'd make love over the course of the week, I'd have started thinking she was losing interest. Yet when we did make love, it was perhaps even more passionate than it had ever been. I chalked it up to nerves and stress, and did my best to support her.