Maybe I can get one of the students to give me private lessons.
Movement on the left of the stage draws my attention, and when I glance at the man walking toward where Falcon, Mason, and Lake are seated, my eyes almost pop out of my head.
No way.
Surprise ripples over my body, chased by a sense of dread.
Julian. My one-night-stand from last week. The one I snuck out on and did an early morning walk of shame for.
Dang, it.
Mason said he would introduce us to Julian, and it makes me wish I had paid more attention to Carter’s new business dealings.
What’s Julian’s role at CRC Holdings? How important is he to Carter?
I’m such a hot mess I hardly take in any of the music as my eyes remain glued to Julian. He’s even more handsome dressed in a suit that looks like it’s been tailored for his heavenly body. A body my hands have explored.
My eyes drift up to his face and lock on his lips. I remember the taste of them. I remember how they felt between my thighs.
Heat flushes my body, and my breaths speed up as the memory of our night together flash through me. He was amazing between the sheets, and I had to force myself to sneak away. I can still smell his spicy scent as sweat beaded on his skin.
He was my first one-night-stand, and the only reason I didn’t stick around was that I don’t have time for a relationship with a musician. My studies come first.
But he’s not a musician like I thought.
I met him during my short stay at the Rose Acre hotel while I explored my new town, which will be home for the next couple of years. I had just finished dinner when Julian walked in. He instantly captured my attention, and I felt hypnotized as I watched him play the piano.
Thinking back to that night, I never asked him what he did for a living, I just assumed he was a musician, especially when I heard he could play several instruments.
Julian walks over to the podium as the music ends, and clearing his throat, he says, “Welcome to Trinity Academy. I hope you all enjoyed our music department’s showcase. As the chairman of CRC Holdings and Trinity Academy, I am proud to say that we only offer the best education for all the young minds who have chosen to join our family.”
Shut the front door!
I slide down in my seat and use my left hand to cover my eyes, praying to the high heavens Julian won’t see me.
Turns out, my hot as hell musician is Julian Reyes, formidable businessman and my brother-in-law’s new business partner.
Oh, let’s not forget he’s chairman of the school I’ve just enrolled at.
I’m so screwed, and not in the good way I was last week. If Carter and Della find out… Lord only knows what they would say.
While Julian talks about the history of Trinity Academy, I lean over to Della on my right and whisper, “I need the restroom, and then I’m going to unpack my things. Meet me at the suite when the ceremony is over.”
I don’t wait for her to argue with me to stay, and keeping my face turned away from the stage, I quickly make my way to the exit.
Crap, how am I going to avoid Julian?Chapter 3JulianOnce the welcoming ceremony comes to a close, I walk over to where Falcon, Mason, and Lake are getting up from their seats.
“Before you talk with anyone else, let’s go greet Carter and his family,” Mason says, gesturing toward the front row.
I follow Mason off the stage. Smiling when I reach Carter, I say, “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Likewise.” Carter turns to a brunette on his left. “This is Della, my wife.”
Shaking her hand, I say, “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
Mason glances around. “Where’s Jamie?”
“She’s already gone to her suite to unpack,” Della replies.
“We better get going so we can help her,” Layla says, giving Falcon a kiss before she begins to walk away.
Mason turns to me. “Do you want to head over to the suite to meet her, or should I arrange a meeting for another time?”
Knowing that she’s Carter’s sister-in-law and there’s a possibility that she’ll join CRC once she’s finished her studies, I answer, “Let me meet her now. We might not get another chance for a while.”
Only Carter, Della, and Mason join me as we walk out of the hall. I’m greeted by parents and students during the short trek to the dorms, as everyone tries to take advantage of my being out in public. Falcon is the extrovert where I don’t socialize unless it’s for business. I like my privacy and hate when people intrude on my personal space.
When we reach the suite, Layla, Kingsley, and Lee are already there. Walking into the living room, I can hear the girls laughing.