Stepbrother Bad Boy's Baby Boxed Set(43)

I let go and stepped back, Krystal coming over to hug him too. They shared some whispered words together, and then the two of us left the study. "So, I guess the question is, what do you want to do now?" I asked, standing in the hallway like a doofus. "I hadn't thought that far ahead."

"How about we go catch some laps in the pool? I packed my swimsuit."

I raised my eyebrows. "Swimsuit? I didn't know you had a swimsuit, even. I've never seen you in one."

"I'm still able to hear you!" Dad called from the study. "I said I'm okay with it, but watch it!"

Krystal and I looked at each other and laughed. "Sorry Dad,” I said, and we hurried down the hallway. Once we were out of Dad's listening range, I leaned in, still laughing softly, feeling giddy that we'd gotten that off our chests. "So what's this about a swimsuit?"

"Why don't you go up to your room and change, and I'll meet you poolside and you can find out for yourself?" Krystal said, her voice dropping to a sexy purr that sent tingles through my body. "Yuki won't have moved our bags yet."

"Two minutes, I'll meet you at the pool," I said, sprinting down the hallway. I needed to change, and I needed to try and get rid of the erection that was forming in my pants. I just hoped the pool water was cold, or there might be trouble.





Chapter 19





Julian





Krystal and I didn't see Sandra until dinner time, where she came in after Dad, Krystal and myself were already sitting down. I was worried she wouldn't come at first, wearing the same clothes she'd been wearing that afternoon. Dad was the same, although Krystal and I had changed after going swimming.

"Sorry you three, I was just trying to wrap my head around all of this," Sandra said as she sat down at the small four person table that was used by the family when we didn't have guests. Castelbon Manor had three dining rooms, a grand room for the occasional large dinner party, a small family one we were using now, and one that was used by the servants when they took their meals. Yuki also had one in her house on the grounds, but I'd only seen it once. Her house was her house, after all.

"Mom," Krystal said, but Sandra held her hand up. Krystal closed her mouth and looked at her mother, worry on her face.

"I spent the afternoon walking around the grounds, thinking. Julian, I'm not trying to be mean spirited, but your history would make any mother worry about her daughter. But, I also trust Krystal, and know she can take care of herself. So if she loves you, then I'll accept it. I'm not saying I'm comfortable with it, or even okay with it, but I love my daughter, and I love my husband. So I'll accept it. Over time, if it all works out, I'm sure I'll be more comfortable."

Dinner was semi-relaxed after that, and pretty delicious, my father has a good kitchen staff at the manor. As we ate, the four of us talked, making sure to avoid the topic of our relationship.

"So Julian, where are you thinking of doing training?" Sandra asked as she cut her fish. "Gold's, Cross fit, what are you thinking?"

"To be honest, while I might get more initial meetings with clients that way, I don't think I could convert them very well, although Gold's and Powerhouse might be an option," I replied. "They'll have the members who might be looking for my type of build while aren't really hardcore. I've got a couple of independent gyms in mind as well, no names you'd know, but they're good. The challenge with those types of places is the trainers who work there really know their stuff. I'm going to be the total new guy, in a gym of trainers who I would hire if I needed help."

Dad nodded sagely. "It's an interesting conundrum. Have you thought about working in one place and doing your own workouts in another? No offense Julian, but that ink of yours would intimidate a lot of the housewives and office workers who have the disposable cash for your services."

"I'd thought of it, I'm not sure what I'm going to do," I replied. "In any case, I think I can work hard at it. I spent enough years partying at least."

Our conversation continued throughout dinner, and by the end, it felt like as regular a family meal as I'd had with my father in ages. Krystal and I kept our looks at each other to a minimum for Sandra's sake, and we finished dinner on a good note, some grilled figs with crumbly bits and something Krystal called a compote. I didn't know what it was, but I enjoyed it. In fact, I'd say it was the best meal of my life up until then.

After dinner, we went upstairs, finding that Yuki had moved Sandra's bags into my room. It made sense, the space was slightly bigger, and I did have a king sized bed in there. Closing the door behind us, I looked at Krystal, who was more beautiful than ever for me in the lamp light. "Well, this has gone a lot better than I expected," I said, coming over and hugging her. "Thank goodness for that."

"Hey Julian?" she said, returning the hug. "Would you dance with me?"

"What?" I asked, incredulous.

"Last time we were at the Manor together was our parents' wedding. I remember dancing with you then, and I could tell both of us wanted a little something more. So, would you dance with me here?"

"Of course. I'd love to," I said, going over to my old stereo. The CD collection was almost ten years old, but I didn't mind. "One rule though. No Steinman."