My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)

CHAPTER 043: Lost Track Of Time

CHAPTER 043: Lost Track Of Time ~~Julie~~

I feel like I've been run over by a truck. +25 BONUS

Every muscle aches, my body buzzing from a combination of Beth's brutal workout and the frustration that I still can't seem to keep up with her level of intensity. The woman practically thrives on torturing me, but today she left at least a few bones intact. Progress, right? Luke's driveway stretches out before me, long and winding, lined with perfectly manicured hedges and sprawling oaks.

I walk slowly, taking in the fading light that bathes everything in a warm, golden glow. Each step sends a little jolt of pain up my legs, but I manage. Finally, I reach the door, rolling my shoulders and wincing as I push it open.

The smell hits me first-something warm, spicy, and unmistakably delicious, filling the entire house. I inhale, surprised. Since I've been here, Paula only comes in the morning. So whoever's cooking is someone else.

Then I hear the voices, familiar laughter echoing from the kitchen, and I freeze. I can pick out Luke's voice, rich and warm, accompanied by the lower, gruffer tones of Javier. I follow the sound, padding down the hall toward the kitchen, where laughter bounces off the marble counters and gleaming appliances. When I reach the doorway, I can't help but stop and stare.

There's Javier, seated in his wheelchair by the counter, a glass of something dark and strong in hand. And there, standing over the stove, wearing a dark apron that's somehow both masculine and utterly

ridiculous, is Luke. Luke, cooking.

I blink, convinced I'm seeing things.

Javier looks up first, noticing me lingering in the doorway. His eyes light up with that familiar, sharp mischief. "Look who dragged herself home. You look like you went ten rounds with a bear, girl." Luke turns at that, catching sight of me, and his face lifts into a grin. "Julie."

He crosses the room in a few long strides, reaching me in seconds. Before I can say anything, his hands are on my waist, his lips finding mine in a kiss that's soft and hungry at once.

I melt into him, swinging my arms around his neck, forgetting for a moment that Javier's watching. But then-

"Get a room," Javier mutters, loud enough to interrupt.

We pull apart, laughing, though Luke doesn't release me. Instead, he tightens his grip around my waist and shoots Javier a look. "You should get a room, old man. You can't police me in my own house." Javier scoffs, unphased, and takes a sip from his glass. "Just doing my civic duty. Someone has to keep an eye on the hormone levels around here."

Luke turns back to me, giving me a quick, teasing once-over. "You're sweaty."

"Yeah, I burned some calories."

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CHAPTER 043: Lost Track Of Time

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He smirks, his hand brushing up and down my waist. "Would you like to burn some more?"

1 laugh, shoving him playfully. "Oh, please."

"Oh, God," Javier groans, putting a hand over his eyes. "Have mercy on my ears. I preferred it when you two were pretending to be friends."

We both laugh, and I lean in, giving Luke a sly grin. "Less I forget to ask, why are you home early-and in an apron?"

He lifts a spatula in response, the handle still smeared with sauce. "I'm cooking."

"I can see that. Since when do you cook?"

"Since always." He tilts his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm the eldest of six kids, you know. And I grew up in Colombia. Of course I can cook." "Six kids?" My eyebrows shoot up. "Your family reunions must be... intense."

"I had eight," Javier interrupts from the side. "Six is a decent number. Maybe you and Lucas can go for ten. Try to defeat me at something."

"Jesus Christ," I say, laughing. "The trophy is yours for as long as you want it, Javier. I don't think I was meant to have kids."

Luke leans in. "Yes, you were. I'll take you along to the next meeting."

""What meeting?"

"My family. You'll love Colombia."

His words catch me off guard. I don't even have time to process them before he's already turned back to the stove, stirring something in a pan with focused, expert movements. I can't help but just stand there and watch him, taking in the way his shirt clings to his back, every line and muscle moving under the fabric. There's something magnetic about him, even in the simplest movements, the way he focuses, the way he's so at home here.

My thoughts drift, my mind slipping into a dangerous place, the way his hands would feel on me after dinner, the way that little strand of hair falls over his forehead-

I snap back to the present, my cheeks flushing as I realize Javier is watching me, a smug, knowing smile plastered on his face. Ugh. I can't even have one lustful moment in this house without the old man catching on.

I clear my throat, suddenly very interested in my shoes. "Uh, I'll... I'll go freshen up for dinner."

Luke doesn't look away from the stove, but he calls over his shoulder, "Don't take too long. Dinner's almost ready."

I manage to nod, my voice a little too high. "Right. Be right back." And I all but bolt from the kitchen, feeling Javier's eyes follow me as I make my escape.

Once I'm upstairs, I peel off my gym clothes, groaning at how sore I am, but the hot water from the shower is a welcome relief, washing away the remnants of Beth's brutal workout. I take my time, letting the warmth seep into my muscles, my mind drifting back to Luke in the kitchen, to the way he looked at

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CHAPTER 043: Lost Track Of Time

me, the Wa

he kissed me. There's something surreal about this evening, something almost... domestic. A part of me wonders if I should be wary, if I should be questioning what all this means. But the other part? It's too busy enjoying it, reveling in this strange, happy moment. I'm so caught up in my thoughts that by the time I step out of the shower, I realize I've probably been up here longer than I intended. I grab my phone to check the time and see a couple of texts from Luke. "Hey, almost done?"

"Dinner's ready whenever you are."

I quickly text back, "Sorry! Lost track of time. Be right down."

I throw on a dress that's a little shorter than necessary, something casual but flattering, leaving my hair down. Just as I apply gloss to my lips, my phone rings. I answer quickly, already speaking as I put it to my ear, "Luke, I'm so sorry! Got carried away in the shower. Definitely coming down now."

There's a pause. And then a voice that chills me to my core. "Julie?"

I pull the phone away from my ear, blinking in shock. Adeline's name stares back at me, cold and intimidating. I put the phone back to my ear, my voice barely more than a whisper. "Adeline?"

"We need to talk," she says, her tone clipped, no room for argument.

CHAPTER 044 For the Audienc