Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Why? Do you finally notice me beside you?" teased Julien while he admired Jonah's perfect side profile.
He grumbled, "You've been ignoring me for a good half an hour. I was thinking of ignoring you forever if you kept giving me the
cold shoulder."
Despite being fatally attracted to Julien's childlike behavior, Jonah hid his feelings and asked calmly, "Do you often join Mandy
and the others for tea?"
"Yeah."
"You're a young man. Don't you feel bored when you hang out with a bunch of middle-aged ladies?" Jonah scrutinized Julien.
"You led a carefree life in Mosgravia. There's no need to suppress your wants. Just do anything you feel like doing."
"What if you can't handle me if I let go of myself?" Julien drawled and cast an irresistibly flirtatious look at Jonah.
Jonah felt bitter, but he remained as distant as ever. "That's none of my business."
"Oh, right. You're busy with your work as the president. You won't have time to worry about me," replied Julien with a hint of
disappointment.
Jonah pressed his lips hesitantly.
"I just wanted to be closer to Mandy and the others, in case we become family one day. This is a social skill, Mr. Jonah."
Become family? Jonah's mind was messy with thoughts. Julien pressed his body against Jonah's, his crisp scent lingering in the
air. He purred, "Anyway, we're kind of like family because my Aunt Mandy is married to your dad. Isn't that right?"

Jonah sat upright in the car with a hint of emotion in his eyes. He casually remarked, "Lyla said you love nuts." Staring ahead, he
tensed up as he added, "You ate all the dried fruits at home."
"Yeah! I have loved that stuff since I was a kid. Hazelnuts, pistachio nuts, roasted chestnuts—you name it. I can't stop once I
start eating them." Although Julien was a man, he looked like a young woman when he was excited. "Aunt Mandy always peeled
the nuts for me when I was a kid. I could munch on the nuts forever, but she peeled them for me without complaints until I was
full."
Jonah stared at Julien and rasped, "I'll do that for you the next time."
Feeling elated, Julien placed a finger under Jonah's chin and breathed at Jonah's lips. "Sure. I'd love to eat the nuts you peeled
for me."
Jonah curled his fist the moment he read Julien's mind—he noticed Julien's expectations and more importantly, Julien's desire
for him.
Alyssa was spent when she reached home. On their way back, she had complained about feeling tired. She was truly tired, but
at the same time, she was hinting at Jasper to go easy on her when they made love later.
Jasper lifted Alyssa in his arms and brought her into the house. Her legs dangled, and her heels fell onto the floor.
Since Jasper had no free hands, Xavier had no choice but to pick up the heels for Alyssa.
Back in the bedroom, Alyssa and Jasper took a bath. Then, he patiently waited for her to complete her skincare, haircare, and
manicure routines. By the time she was done, dawn had broken.

They lay in the bed in exhaustion. He eagerly pulled her into a hug. She drifted to sleep with her head on his shoulder. She
mumbled, "Mm... You sure behave well today."
He kissed her forehead and smiled. "If I didn't, you would have to take a nap instead."
"Thankfully, you're not an animal." In between consciousness, she gave him a peck on his lips. "Good morning. I'm going to
sleep now."
With that, she fell asleep. He listened to her even breathing with tenderness. "Good morning, my darling wife."