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emjayewrites · 23 days ago

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in between the lines • jules kounde (1/4)

SYNOPSIS: At Zuri’s engagement party, Senait meets her best friend’s fiancé, Aurélien, and his friend, Jules. A spontaneous hookup with Jules sparks undeniable chemistry, but when Senait ghosts him afterward, she finds herself wrestling with her insecurities as the casual fling begins shifting into something deeper.

PAIRINGS: Jules Koundé x Senait Kiros (@/subanbrn)

WARNINGS: football b.s., cursing, smut, drama, mentions of cheating/past relationships, dominant!jules. MINORS DNI (18+)

TAGLIST: @trenterprise @f1-football-fiend @lettersofgold @hopefulromantic1 @deonn-jaelle @vile-harlot @perfecttrashface @2serenity0 @saturnville @planetmimi @muglermami @sucredreamer @julescpu @greyishbach @shelovesfootie @certifiedlesbianbaddie @trinitoldyouso @greedyjudge2 @elyseesarchive

A/N: This is the last 'book' of the "football baes universe". Please let me know if you want to be added/removed from the taglist. Gif by @doinggreat

Senait arrived at the engagement party with a mix of excitement and nerves. It had been a month since she'd last seen Zuri, and the thought of catching up brought a genuine smile to her face. As she stepped into La Quinta de Jarama, the boho-chic venue adorned with traditional Bamileke décor, warm tones of earthy reds, yellows, and browns enveloped her, showcasing Zuri's style perfectly.

If Pinterest threw up an engagement party, this would be it, Senait thought.

Before she could fully take in the scene, Zuri spotted her and rushed over, wrapping her in a tight embrace.

"Senait!" Zuri's voice was filled with joy, making Senait feel lighter.

"Girl, look at you," Senait teased, pulling back to assess Zuri's radiant outfit. "Fiancé life looks good on you."

Zuri laughed, her happiness infectious. "You're one to talk. Madrid clearly agrees with you."

"It really does," Senait said, smirking as she ran a hand through her curls. "But seriously, it's been too long. I almost forgot what your face looked like."

Zuri rolled her eyes playfully. "Trust me, it's been a whirlwind."

"And now, you're engaged to some guy," Senait teased, glancing around the room. "Where is he?"

"Come on, I'll introduce you," Zuri said, leading the way.

It didn't take long to spot him. Aurélien stood out, not just because of his height and broad shoulders, but because of the calm authority he carried. His traditional Bamileke attire made him look like royalty, the intricate patterns complementing his deep brown skin. There was an ease to the way he held himself, as if he was used to commanding attention without asking for it. His smile when he saw Zuri approach was genuine, and it softened his otherwise sharp features.

"Guys, this is my best friend, Senait," Zuri said, beaming. "Senait, this is Aurélien and his friend Jules."

Senait's gaze shifted to Jules, taking in his athletic build and easy posture. There was an unmistakable grace to his movements, even when standing still. His warm brown eyes held a hint of amusement, and when he spoke, his French accent added a layer of intrigue to his words.

"Enchanté," Jules said, his voice a low, pleasant rumble. There was an undeniable charisma about him, a quiet confidence that caught Senait's attention.

Senait, quickly regaining her composure, turned to Aurélien. "So you're the one who's stolen my Zuri away," she said, eyeing him with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Guilty as charged," Aurélien replied, a flicker of self-consciousness crossing his face under her scrutiny.

Before the conversation could continue, the sound of drums filled the air. A group of traditional Bamileke dancers emerged, their colorful costumes a blur of motion as they moved to the rhythmic beat.

Zuri and Aurélien walked through the crowd behind the dancers, their eyes sparkling with excitement. An elder approached them, wrapping their wrists together with some decorative rope—a symbolic gesture that sent a ripple of joy through the onlookers.

Senait stood back, watching the scene unfold, when she felt Jules beside her. His presence was solid, grounding. "So, what do you think of the party?" he said, his accented voice just loud enough to be heard over the music.

She offered him a sidelong glance, intrigued despite herself. "It's vibrant," she replied, her gaze still fixed on Zuri and Aurélien. "Definitely fits Zuri's style."

"And what about you?" Jules asked, a hint of playfulness in his tone. "Is this your style?"

"Please," Senait shot back, her sass evident. "But I'll give credit where it's due. This party is pretty nice."

As the ceremony concluded, the music shifted to a blend of traditional Bamileke rhythms and contemporary beats. Couples began to fill the dance floor, Zuri and Aurélien at the center, laughing as they danced.

Jules turned to Senait, his posture relaxed but purposeful. "Dance with me," he said. It wasn't a question, but neither was it a demand. It was a statement, confident and unhurried.

Senait hesitated, caught off guard by his directness. For a moment, she considered declining, but something—perhaps the magic of the night, or the quiet intensity radiating from Jules—made her reconsider.

"Alright," she said, surprising herself. "But don't expect me to be impressed by any fancy footwork."

A ghost of a smile played on Jules' lips as he guided her to the dance floor, his hand a gentle presence on her lower back. As they began to move to the music, Senait found herself appreciating his natural grace and the way he led without being overbearing.

"You know," she said, unable to resist, "I usually require at least dinner before I dance with a guy I've just met."

Jules chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "Then consider this an appetizer," he replied, his accent wrapping around the words in a way that Senait found unexpectedly charming.

Her eyes flicked up to meet his, curious now. "An appetizer?" she repeated, her brow lifting slightly in mock skepticism. “I usually have a say in what’s on the menu."

Jules smirked, his fingers brushing a little lower on her back, just enough to make her aware of it. “I’ll take suggestions, then.”

His voice was smooth, unhurried. There was something about the way he spoke, the way he let the moment stretch without feeling the need to fill it with more words, that made Senait feel… at ease. In control, but not entirely. It was an interesting push and pull, and she found herself leaning into it more than she thought she would.

As the song continued, she let her eyes wander over him, tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the hint of stubble on his chin, and the quiet intensity in his eyes. There was something about him—something that was drawing her in without her fully realizing it. He wasn’t overbearing, wasn’t rushing, but the attraction was there, simmering just under the surface.

He caught her looking and smirked, just enough to let her know he noticed, but not enough to make it awkward. “I get the feeling you don’t do this often.”

“I don’t,” she admitted, tilting her head as if considering him. “But you’re making it hard to resist.”

He leaned in a little closer, his breath warm against her ear. “Good. I’m not here to rush you. Just enjoying the moment.”

There it was again—his calm, unhurried confidence, the way he made it feel like this was just a natural flow. She could sense his attraction to her in the small, unspoken cues: the way his fingers subtly tightened around her waist, the way he mirrored her movements without overshadowing them. He was giving her room to play, and the more she danced with him, the more she liked the way he let her set the pace.

And, if she was being honest, the longer they stayed pressed together like this, the more her thoughts began to shift. She hadn’t come to the party thinking about anyone—least of all hooking up with someone. But Jules was… intriguing. Sexy, in a quiet way. His energy was just different, and that difference was starting to get to her.

Her mind flickered briefly to the idea of what it would be like later, when the music stopped and the space between them closed. She wasn’t against it—the casual hookup, the fun of it. She just hadn’t planned on it tonight. Yet, with the way his body moved so seamlessly with hers, it was hard not to imagine how good it could feel to let herself indulge in him.

Jules seemed to pick up on the shift in her thoughts, but, true to form, he didn’t push. He kept the same steady, self-assured energy, his eyes never leaving hers. His presence was like a quiet challenge, letting her know he was here if she wanted, but he wouldn’t be the one to say it first.

Senait bit her lip, feeling the weight of the moment settle in between them. She didn’t need to say anything.

As the music shifted to an upbeat Afrobeats track, the atmosphere transformed. The infectious rhythm filled the air, drawing people in, and Senait felt herself responding to the beat instinctively. She turned to Jules, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

Without thinking, she pressed her body against him, swaying her hips in time with the music in a slow whine. Jules’s eyes widened slightly, a spark igniting in his gaze as he adjusted to her new boldness. His hands found her waist again, but this time, he let her lead, mirroring her movements, their bodies fitting together as if they were made for this.

“You’ve got some moves,” he said, his voice low, laced with amusement as he followed her rhythm.

“Maybe you just bring it out of me,” she teased, glancing back over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of the hunger in his eyes.

“I’m not complaining,” he replied, his smirk growing. There was something about the way he watched her—intently, with a hint of challenge—as if daring her to take it even further.

The heat between them intensified as she moved, her body brushing against him, a grind that sent shivers through her. She could feel the tension in his grip, the way he held her close but left just enough space for her to take charge. It was intoxicating, the freedom to explore without pressure.

Senait turned slightly, catching his gaze again, and the world around them seemed to fade away. “So, what’s next?” she asked, her voice playful, as if they were in on a secret.

Jules leaned in, his lips nearly brushing her ear, his breath warm and inviting. “That depends on you. I’m just here for the ride.”

With that, she tilted her head back, feeling emboldened. The air around them pulsed with energy, and for a fleeting moment, the possibilities stretched out before her. She could indulge in the thrill of this connection, let herself be swept away in the music and the heat between them.

“Then let’s see how far this ride goes,” she replied, her words a silent promise as she led him off the dance floor.

Senait took his hand, threading them both through the crowd as a pulse of adrenaline buzzed through her veins. The party around them felt like a blur—glamorous guests, laughter, the warm hum of celebration—but she only had eyes for Jules. They slipped into a quiet hallway near the restrooms, and before she could talk herself out of it, she tugged him into the nearest one, the door clicking shut behind them.

Her back hit the door, and she exhaled, half laughing at her own recklessness, half consumed by the anticipation simmering between them. “This is crazy,” she whispered, her voice hushed but thrilled. “Hooking up at my best friend’s engagement party with a stranger.”

Jules’s hands found her waist, and his lips curved into that lazy, self-assured smile that made her stomach flip. “Yeah, it is,” he murmured, leaning in, his breath warm against her skin. “But you’re still here.”

Before she could come up with a witty response, he kissed her, and the world seemed to tilt. His mouth was warm, hungry, and she melted into him, every inch of her body attuned to the way he pressed against her. She reached up, fingers tangling in his locs as he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer.

God, it had been so long since she felt like this—desired, wanted. Her ex had a way of making her feel small, crushing her confidence piece by piece with infidelity and careless words. But here, now, with Jules… she felt different. Powerful. Desired. It was a high she didn’t want to come down from.

Jules’s hands roamed over her hips, slipping under the hem of her dress. His touch was firm but reverent, making her shiver as he pushed the fabric higher. When his fingers brushed over her panties, he groaned into her mouth when he felt the dampness there. “Fuck,” he whispered, his voice thick with want. “You’re so wet.”

Her heart stuttered, and she arched into him, wanting more, needing more. His fingers teased her, making her gasp as he explored the heat between her legs. She could feel herself losing control, her head spinning from his touch, but he pulled back slightly, just enough to leave her breathless.

His forehead rested against hers, and he exhaled a shaky laugh. “We should probably save this for later,” he said, though the regret in his voice told her just how badly he wanted to keep going. “Before I forget we’re still at a party.”

Senait’s lips curled into a smirk, but her cheeks were flushed, and her body was still buzzing with electricity. “You’re right,” she breathed, trying to catch her breath. “But you owe me.”

His thumb brushed across her lower lip, his gaze heated. “I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”

They straightened themselves out, laughter spilling between them as they tried to look less disheveled before heading back out. The noise of the party hit them again, and Senait immediately grabbed a drink from a passing caterer’s tray, downing two shots of tequila in quick succession to steady herself. A flicker of doubt threatened to creep in, but she swallowed it down, reminding herself she deserved this—a night of fun, of feeling wanted.

She glanced over at Jules, who had joined Aurélien and Zuri as they opened engagement gifts. Zuri was radiant, glowing with happiness, and Senait felt a twinge of guilt for sneaking away during such a special moment. But then she reminded herself: Zuri would understand. Maybe even laugh about it later.

Jules caught her gaze, his eyes warm and inviting, and she felt her pulse quicken again. Gathering her courage, she walked over, reaching for his hand. But just as she was about to pull him onto the dance floor, an announcement rang out, signaling the start of the farewell ceremony.

Jules leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. “Ready to get out of here?” he murmured, the question sending a thrill straight through her.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

With one last look at her friend, she followed Jules out, the promise of whatever came next leaving her feeling more alive than she had in ages.

Senait and Jules slipped into the back of the Uber, and the car pulled away from the venue, the city lights blurring as anticipation curled between them. The silence crackled, thick with the energy of what they had started back at the party, but they didn’t need words. Jules kept her hand in his, his thumb brushing circles over her knuckles, and every stroke sent little sparks along her skin.

By the time they arrived at his hotel, the tension had built to an unbearable crescendo. He led her through the lobby, the cool air of the space doing nothing to soothe the heat pulsing through her. His suite door barely clicked shut before he spun her around, pressing her back against the wall.

“Where were we?” Jules murmured, his voice husky, eyes dark and wanting.

Before she could answer, his lips claimed hers, and she melted. His fingers slid beneath the fabric of her dress, tugging it up and over her head in one smooth motion. He stepped back, drinking her in, and she felt the weight of his gaze, how mesmerized he was by her body. It seemed crazy—insane—that someone like him could look at her that way, but the desire in his eyes was undeniable.

“Damn,” he whispered, reverence thick in his voice. His hands found her breasts, caressing the soft curves before sliding down to cup her ass, pulling her flush against him to help her ease out of her thong.

A shiver ran through her, and she reached for his shirt, eager to even the playing field, but he caught her wrists, playfully swatting her hands away. “Nah,” he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You don’t get to do all that shit here. I’m the boss tonight.”

His words sent a fresh wave of arousal surging through her, and she felt herself getting wetter, if that was even possible. He guided her to the bed, laying her down gently, and she surrendered to the way he looked at her—like he was savoring every inch.

He took his time, kissing a path down her neck, over her collarbone, and lower, until he was between her thighs. Her breath caught as his tongue found her clit, teasing and circling with expert precision. Her back arched, a moan slipping from her lips as he sucked, licked, and explored, driving her wild with pleasure. Every touch was a new kind of bliss, his name tumbling from her mouth as she lost herself in the rhythm he set.

When she was on the edge, trembling with need, Jules pulled back, leaving her gasping, and quickly undressed. He reached for his suitcase, rummaging for a condom. Tearing the packet open, he rolled it on, his gaze never leaving hers. Senait smiled appreciatively at his thick length and the muscled planes of his athletic body.

He went back to the bed and hovered over her, his voice dropping into that low, sexy timbre. “Ready?” he asked, and she nodded, her body aching for him.

With one swift, smooth motion, he entered her, filling her completely. She clung to him, overwhelmed by the sensation, and he began to move, rocking into her with a perfect, relentless rhythm.

“That’s it, baby,” he whispered, his voice thick with desire. “Tu te sens si bien. So perfect.”

Her nails scraped down his back, and he groaned, the sound sending shivers across her skin. “Keep talking,” she managed to say, her own voice breathless.

“Je veux que tu ressentes tout ça,” he continued, his accent wrapping around her like a caress. “Every bit of it.”

He kept his pace steady, his hips rolling into hers as he guided her through every wave of pleasure, whispering words that made her body sing. Senait lost herself in the moment, in him.

Their bodies moved together in perfect harmony, each thrust sending Senait closer to the edge. She clung to him, savoring every second, the intensity building until it finally shattered. She cried out his name as her orgasm took over, and he followed shortly after, his deep groan vibrating through her.

The room fell quiet except for the sound of their heavy breathing. Jules gently pulled away and disposed of the condom before sliding back into bed beside her.

“Damn,” Senait muttered, a lazy grin spreading across her face. “That was… something else.” The best dick I had in awhile….

Jules chuckled. “Yeah, it was.” His fingers lazily traced patterns along her arm, and for a few minutes, they lay in a comfortable, post-bliss silence. Then, he broke it, his voice curious. “So, tell me about yourself. What’s your story, Senait?”

She tilted her head to look up at him, amused. “My story? That’s a loaded question for after sex.”

He laughed, and the sound was so genuine it made her smile. “Fair point. Maybe just the basics, then? Where you’re from, what you do.”

She shifted slightly, propping herself up on one elbow. “Alright. I’m from New York, but my parents are from Eritrea."

He raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Habesha girl, huh?"

Senait couldn’t help but laugh, a warm sound that filled the room. "Yeah," she nodded, her curls bouncing slightly. "You know about Eritrea?"

"A bit,” he admitted, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Enough to know Habesha girls are known to be trouble."

She laughed again, rolling her eyes. "Oh, is that what you heard?"

"Mm-hmm," he teased, catching one of her hands and bringing it to his lips to kiss her knuckles. “But I think I like a bit of trouble."

She felt her heart do a small flip, a flutter that caught her off guard. But she masked it with a smirk. "Well, you don’t seem so innocent yourself, Jules."

He chuckled, his gaze holding hers, and for a second, the playful exchange melted into something deeper. It made her chest tighten, but she didn’t hate the feeling.

"What about you?" she asked, shifting to face him more.

"I was born in France but my dad is from Benin,” he replied, his tone softening. “And my mom made sure I knew my roots."

She smiled, the kind of smile that reached her eyes. "That’s beautiful."

They fell into an easy rhythm of conversation, swapping stories about family traditions, favorite childhood meals, and dreams of places they still wanted to see. He shared little quirks about himself—like how he had a weird obsession with trying out different hot sauces—and she couldn’t help but giggle.

"Hot sauce? Really?" she teased, her laughter melting the last bit of tension between them.

"Hey," he said with mock seriousness. "Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it."

After another round, they eventually decided to call it a night and sleep claimed them both before either one could object.

_____________________________________________

Senait squinted at her phone screen, the bright light offensive to her barely-awake eyes. 10:47 AM. Shit.

She carefully extracted herself from Jules' warm embrace, pausing as he stirred slightly before settling back into deep sleep. Sunlight streamed through his suite’s window, catching the defined planes of his back. Senait allowed herself a moment of appreciation – both for the view and for the memories of the night before.

All that from some hip movements and good conversation, she thought, amused at herself as she searched for her clothes.

She found her dress first, then her thong, silently congratulating herself on her decision to wear the simple black one instead of anything complicated. Her heels could stay where they'd landed last night – she wasn't about to risk clicking across his floor at this hour. The clutch, thankfully, was right by the door.

One last glance at Jules' sleeping form, and she slipped out, ordering an Uber as she made her way down in the elevator. The morning air hit her skin, fresh and crisp, a stark contrast to the heat of last night's memories.

Back at her hotel, Senait stepped into a scalding shower, watching as water sluiced away the evidence of the night before. Jules' cologne had lingered on her skin, and part of her was reluctant to wash it away. Now you're really being ridiculous, she chided herself.

Another Uber, another ride across Madrid. As she approached Aurélien's impressive front gates – definitely a footballer's house – she pressed the intercom button.

"YOU BETTER TELL ME EVERYTHING!" Zuri's voice crackled through the speaker, followed by the immediate buzz of the gate opening.

Senait walked up the path, taking in the manicured gardens and modern architecture. Before she could even reach the door, Zuri burst out, practically vibrating with excitement.

"You disappeared!" Zuri exclaimed, pulling her inside. "One minute you're dancing with Jules, looking like something out of a music video, and the next – poof!"

Senait couldn't help but laugh at her friend's enthusiasm. "Sorry about that. Your engagement party was lovely, by the way."

"Oh, don't even try to change the subject," Zuri said, steering them toward the kitchen. "Coffee first, then details. All of them."

As Zuri busied herself with the coffee maker, Senait settled onto one of the sleek barstools, grinning at her friend's obvious curiosity. The morning sun streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a kitchen that looked like it belonged in a magazine.

"So," Zuri said, sliding a steaming mug across the counter. "Jules, huh?"

"Jules," Senait confirmed, wrapping her hands around the warm ceramic. "Let's just say... those football skills translate well to other activities."

Zuri's eyes widened with delight. "I knew it! The way you two were moving together... I had to do a double-take!"

"Says the woman who was basically giving Aurélien a lap dance by the end of the night."

"Hey, he's my fiancé, I'm allowed!" Zuri protested, laughing. "But seriously, I've never seen you like that with anyone. Jules must be something special."

Senait took a long sip of her coffee, considering. "He's... interesting," she admitted. "But don't go planning another engagement party just yet."

As Zuri leaned forward, eager for more details, Senait settled in for what promised to be a thorough interrogation. At least the coffee was good.

"You can't just ghost people like that, Sen," Zuri was saying, her voice taking on that familiar lecturing tone. "Especially not good guys like Jules."

Senait shrugged, taking another long sip of her coffee. "I'm focused on myself right now. Not looking to complicate things."

"That's such a cop-out and you know it—"

The sound of the front door opening cut off Zuri's impending sermon. Aurélien's voice echoed through the house, followed by footsteps and – Senait's stomach did an unexpected flip – a familiar French-accented laugh.

Of course, Senait thought, maintaining her composure even as her pulse quickened. Of course he'd be with Aurélien.

Jules appeared in the kitchen doorway behind Aurélien, looking unfairly good in track pants and a fitted t-shirt. His hair was damp from a shower, and in his hands were her abandoned Louboutins.

"I found this, Cinderella," Jules teased, his eyes dancing with amusement as he held up the heels.

Senait rolled her eyes, but she couldn't quite suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "How original," she drawled, sliding off the barstool to retrieve her shoes. "I'm sure you've been waiting all morning to use that line."

"Actually, I had a few others prepared," Jules replied, not releasing the shoes immediately when she reached for them. Their fingers brushed, and Senait tried to ignore the tiny spark of electricity that shot through her at the contact. "But I thought I'd save those for when you're not running away."

From the corner of her eye, Senait could see Zuri and Aurélien exchanging looks. Aurélien had moved to lean against the counter, his arm around Zuri's waist, both of them watching the exchange like it was their favorite TV show.

"Bold of you to assume I'm running," Senait said, finally securing her heels. "Maybe I just had better things to do."

Jules stepped closer, just enough to make her have to tilt her head back slightly to maintain eye contact. "Better than breakfast?" he asked, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "I know a place that makes excellent crêpes."

"Does that line usually work?"

"You tell me."

Senait was acutely aware of their audience, could practically feel Zuri vibrating with anticipation across the kitchen. But something in Jules' steady gaze made it hard to look away, hard to maintain her usual wall of detachment.

"I don't normally do breakfast," she said finally, but her voice lacked its usual firmness.

"Lunch then," Jules countered smoothly. "Or dinner. I'm not picky about meal times."

A snort of laughter from Zuri's direction broke the moment. Senait glanced over to see her friend hastily trying to compose her face into something neutral, while Aurélien didn't even bother hiding his grin.

"Don't mind us," Aurélien said, raising his hands when Senait shot him a look. "We're just here for the show."

"Glad we could entertain," Senait deadpanned, but she could feel warmth creeping up her neck. This wasn't how her morning-after escapes usually went.

Jules hadn't moved away, his presence a warm, solid thing behind her. "So?" he prompted. "What's it going to be? Because I can keep going. I have all day, and Aurélien just restocked his coffee."

"You're persistent," Senait observed, turning back to face him.

"You're worth persisting for."

Zuri made a sound that could only be described as a squeal, quickly muffled against Aurélien's shoulder. Senait ignored her, focusing instead on the earnest look in Jules' eyes, the slight vulnerability beneath his confident exterior.

This could be dangerous, she thought. But for the first time in a long time, the danger felt more thrilling than threatening.

"Fine," she said finally. "Dinner. But I'm choosing the place."

The smile that spread across Jules' face made something warm unfurl in her chest. "Deal."

"Oh my God, this is better than Netflix," Zuri whispered loudly to Aurélien, who chuckled and pressed a kiss to her temple.

Senait picked up her coffee cup again, hiding her own smile behind it. Maybe mornings after weren't so bad after all.

Monday morning found Jules stretched out on his hotel bed in Clairefontaine, absently scrolling through his phone while his teammates' voices echoed from the hallway. His thumb hovered over Senait's contact for what felt like the hundredth time.

The weekend's memories kept playing through his mind: the way she moved against him at the engagement party, her quick wit, that laugh that seemed to catch him by surprise. And then... nothing. Radio silence. Again.

Aurélien had been sent back to his hotel in Paris with a foot sprain, leaving Jules alone with his thoughts. Maybe he should cut his losses. Women usually made it clear they were interested in him – perks of being a professional footballer – but Senait? She was different. Challenging. Made him work for it.

And maybe that's exactly why you can't stop thinking about her, he mused, remembering their verbal sparring, the way she'd match him comment for comment, never backing down.

Jules smiled despite himself. He'd always preferred the chase, and Senait definitely wasn't making it easy. His mind wandered to possibilities – maybe he could get her to Paris, or even Barcelona. The thought of showing her around, seeing that sharp wit directed at his favorite places...

Fuck it, he thought, hitting the call button before he could talk himself out of it.

One ring. Two. Three. He was about to hang up when—

"Hello?" Senait's voice came through, sounding both surprised and slightly amused.

"So she does answer her phone," Jules teased, settling back against his pillows. "How's New York treating you?"

A soft sigh. "It's there. I'm tired. Really not feeling work tomorrow."

"Public relations, right?" He couldn't keep the smugness out of his voice.

"I see Zuri's been running her mouth," Senait scoffed.

"Ease up on my sister-in-law. She's just being a good friend, looking out for you."

"She's trying to play matchmaker."

"And what if she is?" Jules challenged, his voice dropping lower.

"Listen," Senait started, and he could practically see her straightening up, preparing for battle. "You seem like a good guy, Jules. But I'm not looking for a relationship right now. And even if I was, the distance? Come on. You're in France, I'm in New York, then you're in Barcelona—"

"Who said anything about a relationship?" Jules interrupted, smirking. "We can be friends. Friends who occasionally fuck."

Senait's laugh burst through the phone, genuine and surprised. "You're impossible."

"I've been called worse," he said, then added more seriously, "But I hear your warnings. I just don't give a shit."

"Jules—"

"How soon can you see me?"

A pause. "It'll be a while."

"Don't you work remote sometimes?" he pressed, remembering another tidbit from Zuri.

Senait's sigh was heavy with resignation. "Fridays and Mondays."

"Perfect. I'm going to wire you some money. Book a flight."

"No—"

"That wasn't a question, chérie. That was a demand."

Before she could protest further, Jules ended the call, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He immediately opened his banking app, then sent her a quick text with the transfer details.

His phone buzzed almost immediately:

You're fucking crazy.

Jules' smile widened as he typed back:

Crazy about that ass. Book the flight. 😜

Putting his phone down, he laced his fingers behind his head, feeling more energized than he had all day. Senait could protest all she wanted, but he'd seen the way she looked at him, felt how she responded to his touch. She might be running, but Jules was more than ready for a chase.

And he had a feeling the prize would be worth every step.

________________________________________

Senait slouched deeper into the couch, balancing her laptop on her knees as she clicked through another IT training module. The Parisian afternoon light filtered through the curtains, a constant reminder that she'd actually done it – actually let Jules fly her out to Paris.

This wasn't part of the plan, she thought, absently picking at the remains of her breakfast croissant. The past week had been a constant back-and-forth in her mind, her finger hovering over the "book flight" button more times than she cared to admit.

This was supposed to be her time. Finding herself, exploring her interests, having fun without complications. But then again...

You can have fun with a fine-ass footballer who wants to fly you out and dick you down, her inner voice reasoned. That's technically self-care.

She hadn't told Zuri about any of this. Her best friend had enough on her plate with Aurélien's sprained foot and her father being... well, being Ernest. Senait had never liked that man, but that was neither here nor there at the moment.

At least the red-eye flight timing had worked in her favor. These self-guided trainings meant she could take it easy, and by 2 PM, she'd finally finished the last module. After polishing off her leftover breakfast, exhaustion hit her like a wave. She stretched out on the couch, telling herself she'd just rest her eyes for a moment.

What happened to be hours later, the sound of a keycard in the door jolted her awake. Before she could fully orient herself, Jules was already entering, still in his national team tracksuit with a duffel bag over his shoulder.

"You could've at least knocked," Senait said, voice raspy with sleep as she sat up.

Jules clicked his tongue disapprovingly as he dropped the bag near the bed. "Is that how you greet me?" His accent was thicker tonight, his voice carrying that commanding tone that made something flutter in her stomach.

Finally focusing properly, Senait took him in – he looked tired, a bit frustrated, but somehow still unfairly attractive. "Rough match?"

"Lost to Italy. 3-1," he said. "Not our best showing."

"I saw some highlights," she lied, having accidentally slept through the entire thing.

Jules shot her a knowing look. "The drool on your chin says otherwise."

Senait quickly wiped at her face, making him laugh. "Have you eaten?" he asked as he sat down on the other side of the couch, already reaching for the room service menu.

"Not hungry."

"You're going to eat now. I don't want you fainting later."

Before Senait could protest, he was on the suite’s phone, ordering in rapid French. She caught bits and pieces, enough to know he was ordering way too much food.

"Come here," he said after hanging up, patting the space next to him.

Senait shook her head. "I'm fine where I am."

"Senait." His voice dropped lower, taking on that tone that seemed to bypass her brain and go straight to her clit. "Come here."

Damn him, she thought, even as she found herself moving toward him. Jules wasted no time pulling her against his chest, arranging her exactly how he wanted her.

"I don't do cuddling," she protested weakly.

"You do now," he replied simply, his hand stroking slowly up and down her arm. "Relax."

Gradually, despite herself, Senait felt her body melting into his warmth. They talked about nothing and everything – his frustration with the match, her work, the best cafes in Paris. She found herself enjoying his company more than she wanted to admit.

He's annoying, she thought, even as she nestled closer. So bossy and sure of himself. But remembering their night together after the engagement party, how he'd taken control with such easy confidence, how he seemed to know exactly what she needed... maybe bossy wasn't such a bad thing.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" Jules murmured, his fingers playing with the ends of her hair.

"Just thinking about how annoying you are," Senait replied honestly, making him laugh.

"And yet here you are, in Paris, in my arms."

"Don't get too cocky."

"Too late for that, chérie." His voice held that dominant edge that made her pulse quicken. "I already know exactly what I want, and I usually get it."

Senait turned her head to look at him. Yeah, Jules definitely knew what he wanted. And God help her, she was starting to think she might want it too.

"You weren't like this at the engagement party," she observed, studying his profile. "All dominant and bossy."

Jules' laugh was low and rich. "Had to reel you in first, didn't I? Don't worry, chérie, you'll get used to it."

"Bold of you to assume I'll stick around long enough to—"

A knock at the door cut her off. Jules untangled himself from her, the loss of his warmth immediate and, annoyingly, noticeable. He answered the door with that easy confidence of his, greeting the waiter in French and gesturing him inside.

The waiter wheeled in a cart, lifting silver covers to reveal what was possibly the most luxurious version of comfort food Senait had ever seen – perfectly constructed burgers, golden fries, steaming French onion soup, and what looked like a sinfully rich chocolate dessert.

After tipping the waiter and closing the door, Jules arranged her plate in front of her with a flourish. "Want ketchup?"

"No, I'm good."

Jules pressed a hand to his chest in mock horror. "You're just going to rawdog the fries? No sauce at all?"

"Did you really just say 'rawdog'?" Senait laughed, picking up a fry. "And yes, I am. Die mad about it."

"Uncultured," he teased, settling back beside her with his own plate.

They fell into easy conversation as they ate, Jules telling her more about the match ("That ref was clearly wearing an Italy jersey under his uniform") and Senait filling him in on the office drama she was missing ("My coworker definitely scheduled these trainings just so she could take over my project").

Then, casual as anything, Jules said, "When we're done eating, I want you naked on the bed."

Senait choked on her Coke, barely avoiding spraying it across the room. "I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me." He took another bite of his burger, the picture of nonchalance.

Senait blinked slowly, opened her mouth, closed it again. She stared at him, but Jules just continued eating, acting like he hadn't just short-circuited her brain with his words.

The audacity of this man, she thought, even as heat pooled in her belly. She forced herself to focus on her food, very aware of the growing tension in the room.

They finished their food in charged silence, Senait taking her sweet time with the last few fries, Jules watching her with growing annoyance. When she finally set down her napkin, Jules fixed her with a look, his brow furrowed.

"Senait..."

"Yes?" She blinked at him innocently, as if she hadn't spent the last ten minutes deliberately ignoring his earlier command.

His eyes darkened. "You're testing me."

"I'm just enjoying my dinner," she said primly, examining her nails. The defiance was instinctive – she'd never been good at taking orders, even ones that made her pulse race.

Jules leaned forward, his voice dropping to that tone that seemed to vibrate through her. "I'm not in the mood for games tonight. The match has me frustrated enough." His accent thickened as he continued, "I told you where I want you. Don't make me say it again."

Senait remained in her seat, raising an eyebrow. She wasn't about to give up control that easily, even if part of her was dying to comply.

"Un." His voice was dangerously soft.

She crossed her legs.

"Deux."

Her heartbeat quickened, but she held her ground.

"Tr—"

"Fine," Senait huffed, standing up. As she walked toward the bed, she heard him mutter under his breath in French, something about fucking the sass right out of her.

Senait sauntered over to the bed, her hips swaying defiantly. She took her time undressing, piece by piece, her eyes never leaving Jules. Each discarded article was an unspoken taunt, a silent reminder that she wasn’t one to simply submit. Finally, she lay back on the sheets, her skin warm under the soft glow of the room’s ambient lighting.

Jules, still perched on the couch, watched her with barely restrained patience, the muscle in his jaw ticking. He rose slowly, crossing the distance between them, and pulled off his sneakers with methodical precision, followed by his tracksuit and then his underwear. Even though she’d seen his body before, it never failed to stir something deep in her.

He approached the bed, climbing onto it with a confident grace, settling between her legs. His large hands pushed her thighs apart, spreading her wide so he could take in every inch of her exposed pussy. His gaze was heavy, almost reverent, and he reached out to touch her, fingers trailing along her wet folds.

A low chuckle escaped him. "You’re always so fucking wet for me."

Senait’s breath hitched as he spit onto her pussy, the added slickness making her shiver in anticipation. And then his mouth was on her, lips and tongue working her in ways that sent sparks of pleasure racing up her spine. He sucked at her clit, teasing and tugging with his teeth before soothing with long, lazy licks. His fingers slid inside her, curling in just the right way that had her arching off the bed, a strangled moan slipping from her lips.

He added another finger, stretching her, filling her in a way that made her head spin. Each flick of his tongue, each thrust of his hand, was deliberate and skilled. Senait felt herself unraveling under his touch, fully understanding how addictive this man could be. He was so good at this, at drawing out her pleasure until she was trembling and gasping, her nails digging into the sheets.

Jules eventually kissed his way up her body, pausing to circle her nipple with his tongue, sucking lightly before continuing upward. When he finally reached her mouth, he kissed her sloppily, taking complete control. His lips claimed hers with a hunger that left her breathless, and she knew her mouth would be swollen later. His hands gripped her waist, holding her steady as he devoured her, leaving no space between their bodies.

Pulling back just slightly, Jules slid off the bed to grab a condom from his tracksuit. Senait’s heart raced as she watched him, every movement of his toned body another tease. He rolled the condom on with practiced ease, standing at the foot of the bed, his dark eyes locked on hers.

With one firm tug, he pulled her toward him by her ankles. Her body slid across the sheets effortlessly, and he leaned down to kiss her again, his mouth hot and demanding. Then he lined himself up, pressing into her in one fluid motion, filling her completely.

Senait moaned, the feeling of him inside her overwhelming. He set a punishing pace, his thrusts deep and relentless, each one making her cry out. The room was filled with the sound of skin meeting skin, her breathless moans, and his low groans of pleasure.

"Look at you," Jules said, his voice husky, full of heat. "Taking me so well. Like you were made for this."

His dirty talk had her shuddering, her body tightening around him. He lifted her easily, her legs wrapping around his waist as he kept driving into her, never breaking his rhythm. The power in his movements, the way he controlled her so effortlessly, had her surrendering completely, her mind foggy with pleasure.

Her small frame was no challenge to his much larger one, and all she could do was hold on, gasping and moaning as he held her tight. Her nails scraped down his back, and he hissed, the sound only spurring him on.

"Fuck, you feel so good," he whispered, his voice a mix of English and the occasional French phrase, his words rough and dirty. "So tight, so perfect."

Senait’s world narrowed to the feeling of him, the heat and pressure and the way he filled her up. Every thrust pushed her closer to the edge, her mind a haze of desire. She was lost to him, and she never wanted to be found.

Jules’s grip tightened on Senait’s ass as he thrust into her with a controlled intensity, his body pressed so firmly against hers that she could feel every ridge of his muscles. The friction between them was overwhelming, pushing her closer and closer to the brink. Her moans grew louder, her hands clutching at his shoulders, desperate for something to anchor herself.

"Jules," she gasped, her voice breaking as he angled his hips just right, hitting that spot that made her toes curl.

He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. "Yeah? You gonna come for me, bébé." The way he spoke, his deep voice dripping with authority, sent a shiver down her spine. His words were a command, not a question, and she could only nod, too breathless to respond.

"Such a good girl," he murmured, his lips trailing down her neck, his accent thick and his breath warm. "Let me feel you."

The combination of his thrusts, the heat of his skin, and the praise sent her spiraling. Senait’s body arched, her orgasm crashing over her like a wave. Her cries echoed through the room, and Jules groaned, feeling her clench around him. He slowed his pace, drawing out her pleasure, his own body straining as he held himself back.

When she finally came down from her high, her limbs felt boneless, her body buzzing with satisfaction. Jules kissed her deeply, his hands roaming over her curves, grounding them both. But he wasn’t done yet. His thrusts picked up speed again, his grip on her ass firm as he chased his own release.

"Fuck," he bit out, his voice tight with pleasure. With a final thrust, he came, his body shuddering as he carefully pressed her down onto the bed. They stayed tangled together, their breaths coming in ragged pants, skin slick with sweat.

For a moment, there was only the sound of their heavy breathing and the quiet rustle of the sheets. Jules pulled out gently, disposing of the condom and then collapsing beside her. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her close.

Senait’s head rested on his chest, her fingers lazily tracing patterns over his skin. The silence between them was warm, filled with the afterglow of what had just happened.

"You’re something else, you know that?" he said, his voice low and still laced with a hint of his earlier desire. "So hardheaded."

She laughed softly, the sound vibrating against him. "So I’ve been told."

The Barcelona sun streamed through Jules' windows, painting his living room in warm afternoon light. His phone buzzed with a text from Senait, breaking her latest bout of radio silence:

How's it going?

A smile tugged at his lips. Three days of nothing, and now she pops up like she hadn't disappeared again. Typical Senait.

Jules settled deeper into his couch, memories of Paris flooding back. That weekend had been... intense. After she'd finally given in to his commands that first night, it was like a dam had broken. They'd barely left the hotel room, ordering room service between rounds of what he could only describe as the best sex of his life. He'd had her every way but loose – against the wall, on the balcony (thankfully hidden from view), in the massive shower, bent over the—

His phone buzzed again: Earth to Jules

He smirked, typing back: Just thinking about Paris 😈 💦

S: Stop that

J: Why? I particularly enjoyed that thing you did with your—

S: JULES!!!!

He could practically hear her exasperated tone, picture the way she'd roll her eyes even as a smile played at her lips. That was the thing about Senait – she tried so hard to maintain her walls, but he'd seen behind them. Seen the way she melted under his touch, the way she'd curl into him after, despite her "no cuddling" rule.

The pattern had established itself pretty quickly after Paris. She'd ghost him for a few days, then pop up with a text or call like nothing had happened. At first, it had frustrated him – he wasn't used to women playing hard to get, especially not after sleeping with him. But Senait wasn't playing anything. This was just who she was: fiercely independent, resistant to attachment, and absolutely terrified of letting anyone too close.

Their late-night FaceTime calls had become his favorite, though. She'd be in her NYC apartment, usually in some oversized t-shirt, hair piled messily on top of her head. No makeup, no pretense. Just Senait, raw and real.

"I don't even know if PR is what I want to do," she'd confessed during one such call, about a week after Paris. "It's my first job out of university, and everyone acts like I should be grateful just to have my foot in the door, but..."

"But?" he'd prompted, watching her fidget with her sleeve.

"But sometimes I feel like I'm just going through the motions. Like I'm doing what's expected instead of what I want."

"And what do you want?"

She'd gone quiet then, chewing her bottom lip. "That's the problem. I don't know."

Jules had listened as she talked about her frustrations – the office politics, the endless meetings about meetings, the feeling of being stuck in a role she'd fallen into rather than chosen. He'd offered advice when asked, but mostly he just let her vent.

These were the moments that got to him the most. Not the sex (though that was incredible), not the witty banter (though he lived for it), but these quiet moments of vulnerability. When Senait would let her guard down just enough to show him the uncertainties beneath her confident exterior.

His phone lit up with another text:

Work is kicking my ass this week

Come to Barcelona, he typed back without hesitation. Take a break 👀

There was a long pause before her response:

S: Jules...

J: I'm serious. You can work remote, no?

S: It's not that simple

J: I'll make it simple. Let me take care of everything

Another pause. He could almost see her internal debate playing out.

S: I can't just drop everything and run to Barcelona

J: Why not?

When she didn't respond immediately, he called her. She answered on the fourth ring.

"Because normal people don't just jet off to different countries on a whim," she said by way of greeting.

"Since when are you normal?" He stretched out on his couch, grinning at her scoff. "Besides, you did it for Paris."

"That was different."

"How?"

"It just was."

Jules hummed, unconvinced. "Sounds like excuses to me. You're scared."

"I am not—"

"You are," he interrupted smoothly. "You're scared because Paris was good. Really good. And now you're worried about what it means that you want to do it again."

The silence that followed told him he'd hit the mark.

"It doesn't have to mean anything," he continued, his voice softening. "Come to Barcelona. Work from here for a long weekend. Let me show you the city. No pressure, no expectations."

"Just a friend showing me around?" Her tone was skeptical.

"A friend who happens to enjoy fucking you senseless, yes."

Her surprised laugh warmed something in his chest. "You're impossible."

"Is that a yes?"

Senait sighed, but he could hear the smile in her voice. "Let me check my calendar."

"Check it now."

"So bossy."

"You love it."

"I tolerate it," she corrected, but he could hear her typing. After a moment: "I might be able to swing next week. My team has another training thing, and I could do it remote..."

"Perfect. I'll send you flight details."

"I haven't said yes yet!"

"But you will." He let his voice drop lower, the way he knew affected her. "Because you can't stop thinking about Paris either."

Her sharp intake of breath confirmed it. "You're very sure of yourself."

"With good reason." He glanced at the time – he had training soon. "Think about it. But not too long. Barcelona's lovely this time of year."

After they hung up, Jules found himself scrolling through his photos, stopping on one he'd snapped in Paris without Senait noticing. She was standing on the hotel balcony, early morning light casting a glow around her, coffee cup in hand as she looked out over the city. Her guard had been down.

That's how he liked her best – real, unfiltered, not running from whatever this thing between them was becoming.

His phone buzzed one more time:

Send me the flight details. But I'm not promising anything.

Jules grinned. She could play hard to get all she wanted, but they both knew she'd end up in Barcelona. And this time, he planned to keep her around a bit longer.

TO BE CONTINUED…..

#emjayewrites #jules lore #jules kounde #jules kounde x black reader #jules kounde x black oc #in between the lines #Jules x Senait #footballer x black reader #footballer x reader #fcbarcelona fanfic

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kiwi-stan · 5 years ago

Text

Southern Belle Part 2

Read part 1 here

“Okay,” Eve said, stalling for time as she thought. “Celebrity crush?”

“Currently?” Harry asked. They were lying on the floor in his living room, both staring up at the ceiling fan and trying to stay as still as possible. It was the beginning of July and the summer days were just getting hotter. Eve had never known that the guest house didn’t have air conditioning, but since she’d been spending the last few weeks sneaking out after dinner to meet Harry, she’d decided that she would try to convince her father to renovate. She had no idea how he managed to sleep in the heat.

After their night at the pool-or neg-gate as Harry had started calling it-Eve had been on a strict diet that cut out almost any sugar and carbs. She’s lasted about 36 hours before she was banging on Harry’s door and begging him for any sugary snack he had on hand. He’d invited her in and they’d been spending almost every night for the past two weeks hanging out. Eve knew her parents would flip if they knew she was sneaking into a boy’s room late at night, especially since that boy was their gardener, even though what they were doing was strictly platonic. They played twenty questions (with Twinkie as their safe word if a question was too edgy to answer), watched TV and movies (Harry had tried to introduce Eve to baseball but she hadn’t really liked it), listened to music (he considered it a tragedy that she only knew top 40 songs and had made it his mission to introduce her to pop-punk) and sometimes played card games.

“Yeah. Right now.” Eve said. She waited impatiently for his response. She was waiting to see if he would name someone she somewhat resembled. After the tame cheek kiss that night at the pool, she’d been waiting for Harry to make another move. He hadn’t. Eve had been trying to drop hints that she was into him, but he seemed totally clueless. She’d developed a new tactic, using their games of twenty questions to try to determine if he were into her.

“Mila Kunis.” Harry said quickly, like he hadn’t even needed to think about it. Eve considered that. They didn’t look much alike. But did that really mean anything, though? She was so distracted she almost missed him throwing the question back at her. “Yours?”

“Jake Gyllenhaal.”

“Wanna play again?” Harry asked. That had been her twentieth question.

Eve sat up enough to glance at the digital clock on the end table. It was nearing two am. She had to be up at six for yoga with her mother and she wanted to be at least somewhat well rested for that. She had no idea how Harry was working all day doing manual labor with long nights like these, though she expected Red Bull had something to do with it.

“I should probably go.” Even as she said this she pulled another Twizzler from the package lying between them. “I’m going shopping with my mother tomorrow and I’ll need my energy for that.”

Harry sat up too so he could look her in the eyes. “Shopping for what?”

“There’s this huge banquet at the end of the summer that we all have to go to. I don’t know if you’ve heard anyone else talk about it.”

“I think Tim said something about it.” He said, naming the family’s driver. “The Summer Splash?”

Eve nodded. “Yeah. It’s crazy fancy. We’re going to look for a dress. Or a gown really. It’ll probably have to be altered, which is why we’re going now,”

“You can’t wear something you already have?”

“You know Queen Steph won’t let me be seen in something I’ve already worn.” Eve couldn’t believe she’d gone 19 years without hearing the nickname the staff used for her mother. Harry had mentioned it to her one night and she’d picked it up too. It was fitting. She sighed and shoved the last of the licorice in her mouth. “I’d much rather do that though. Shopping with her is going to be torture.”

Harry’s expression softened. He’d overheard two more Montgomery family dinners since that first one, so he knew the put-downs Eve faced from her family were common. He still hadn’t gotten over what he’d heard that first night. “I’m sorry.”

Even got to her feet. “It’s okay. I can handle it. I should go now though.”

“Come see me tomorrow? I have some cinnamon rolls I’ve been saving for a bad day.”

Eve smiled. “Of course.” She wanted to say something flirty like “it’s a date” but didn’t. At times like these she cursed her lack of experience around guys. Instead she left the guesthouse and silently slipped back into her room.

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Eve was already cranky by the time Tim pulled up outside Blossom, her mother’s favorite boutique in the area. She’d woken up to find that her mother had laid out clothes for her like she was five years old and had been even more annoyed when she walked downstairs and found that her outfit was a replica of her mother’s, head-to-toe Lululemon. Her mother had tugged Eve’s hair into a tight ponytail, deeming the braid she’d done herself “too boho”. Eve had rolled her eyes at that, earning herself a lecture that lasted the entire drive to the yoga studio. After an hour of both her mother and the instructor correcting her form, her mother had tugged her into the dressing room (not locker room) and told Eve to put on makeup.

“Why? Aren’t we just going home?” Eve had asked.

“No, Evelyn, we’re going dress shopping for the Summer Splash.”

“Mom, it’s only eight. All the stores in town don’t open for hours.” Eve had pointed out.

“Audrey is opening early for us. Hurry up. I told her we’d be there at 8:30.”

Eve wracked her brain as Tim found a parking spot and pulled open the passenger door for her mother. Audrey was one of her mother’s best friends even though both women had volatile personalities and they frequently fought. Eve was trying to remember if she’d heard her mother say anything indicating what kind of ground they were on lately, though she’d been spending so little time around her mother lately she felt like she didn’t really know anything about her mother’s life. As Tim pulled her door open and escorted her out of the car, Eve decided to take the fact that her mother was patronizing Audrey’s store as a good sign.

“Don’t stare at Audrey’s lips.” Her mother murmured as they approached the store.

“What?” Eve wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.

“Don’t stare at Audrey’s lips,�� Her mother said a bit louder. “She got them done again and they don’t look good.”

Eve’s mother tugged the door open, making the bells attached to the handle rattle. Eve was immediately assaulted by the smell of potpourri and the color pink. The last time Eve had been in the store, it had been decorated with white and classy neutrals. Audrey had redecorated and now everything was pink. Eve watched her mother frown as she surveyed the store, already knowing that her mother thought the pink was too juvenile (she’d forced Eve to repaint her pink bedroom to a light blue once she turned twelve, claiming that pink was for little girls). Though Eve figured the decor didn’t really matter. Audrey’s husband was almost as rich as Eve’s father and the store was really a hobby for it. It could operate in the red for years-which now that Eve thought about it, it probably did given that it had limited hours and insanely high prices-and Audrey would be just fine.

A squeal came from by the register. “Steph!” Audrey came rushing over as fast as she could in her impossibly high heels. “You look as gorgeous as ever.” She continued, embracing Eve’s mother. They did the European kiss on both cheeks that Eve thought was incredibly phony.

Audrey turned her attention to Eve. “Evelyn, you look lovely as well.” Eve didn’t feel lovely, but she accepted the compliment anyway and surveyed Audrey so she could return the compliment. Audrey and her mother could be sisters, they shared the same light blond hair, tiny frame, and bright blue eyes. However, Audrey had a tendency to overdo it with her hair, makeup, accessories, and cosmetic procedures (Eve realized that her mother was right and Audrey’s lips were way too big). “Thank you. I love your dress.” She said finally. Audrey’s white lace sundress was the only thing not completely overwhelming about her appearance. Eve’s mother nodded next to her, satisfied with the compliment.

“Anyway, y’all can come on back. I’ve pulled some things already and I’ve got you set up in a room.” Audrey led them to the dressing rooms along the back wall. Eve bristled. Audrey’s taste was questionable at best.

Her mother didn’t seem happy either. “I was hoping to look around myself.” Eve noticed there was no mention of her picking out her own dress. Between that and her mother laying out her outfit and styling her hair that morning, she was starting to feel like her mother’s dress up doll.

“And you can do that too!” Audrey said quickly. “How about you do that while Evelyn starts trying things on?”

“Alright, but I want to see everything.” Eve’s mother gave her a pointed look before walking off.

“You’re still a two right?” Audrey asked, pushing Eve into one of the dressing rooms.

“Yes ma’am.” Thanks to Harry continuing to provide snacks, Eve knew her diet wasn’t working quite as well as her mother had hoped. However, she still hadn’t gone up a dress size, which she knew would probably send her mother into shock.

“Great. Let me know if you need help getting into anything. I’ll be just outside.” Audrey closed the curtain behind her, leaving Eve alone in the dressing room. Blossom’s dressing rooms were the size of the kitchen in the guesthouse. A mirror took up the entirety of one wall, like in a dance studio. A rolling clothing rack with several dresses on it was pressed up against another wall. A couch just as nice as the one in the Montgomery family living room was the final piece of furniture in the room. Eve spent a few minutes looking through the dresses on the rack, finding only one that she liked. She decided to save that one for last and started with her least favorite, a white dress with a sweetheart neckline and a skirt full of flowers that looked more like a wedding dress than anything else.

Eve managed to wiggle into the dress without any help and emerged from the dressing room to find Audrey waiting for her. Audrey gave another high pitched squeal. “Steph! Come see how cute she looks.”

Eve waited for her mother to make her way back to the dressing room. Her mother frowned the second she saw her. “Evelyn, put your hair up. None of these gowns will look good with a ponytail.” She waited as Eve rushed to put her hair in the best bun she could manage. “That looks like a wedding dress.” Eve cringed at the fact that she and her mother shared an opinion on something. “Try something else.” Her mother went on.

Eve obediently went into the dressing room and tugged on the next option, a lavender dress that she knew would clash with her hair. A glance in the mirror confirmed this. The look on her mother’s face further confirmed this. “Evelyn, that looks awful with your hair. Try something else.” Eve went back into the dressing room, closing the curtain behind her, but she could still hear her mother talking. “That wouldn’t look so bad if she’d bleach that awful red hair of hers.” Eve moved further away from the curtain. For all the luxury in the store Audrey couldn’t afford real doors?

Eve tried on the last of the ugly dresses, a green dress with a corset style top that Eve definitely didn’t have the figure to fill out. She didn’t even want to show her mother, but she stepped out of the dressing room again. Her mother’s frown deepened. “Evelyn, you don’t have the body for that dress. I saw one I liked. Let me go get it.” As her mother walked away, Eve entered the dressing room again. She was pulled on the only dress she liked, a simple black dress with a halter neck and a low back. It fit like a glove. Eve spun around in the mirror a few times, loving how she looked and feeling confident. She liked how the low back made her look taller, how the tight fit of the top and the skirt emphasized her figure, and how the black color complimented her hair and eyes. She heard the bells on the door jingle, followed by a sequel from Audrey.

Eve stepped out of the dressing room to find her mother standing there alone, a blue dress in her hands, her hands gripping the hanger so tight Eve was worried the plastic might snap in her hands.

Audrey was standing at the entrance, greeting another blonde woman with a double cheek kiss. When Audrey stepped back, Eve realized why her mother was so mad. Karen Walcott, her mother’s main social rival had just entered the store, her daughter Andrea on her heels. Eve felt herself growing tense as well. She and Andrea had never gotten along in high school, and since her mother and Karen had been rivals for years, Eve knew time didn’t exactly heal all wounds. Eve didn’t know the exact origins of the rivalry, only that it had been long and seemed to have no end it sight. They’d probably still be feuding in the nursing home.

“Stephanie,” Karen began, stepping toward Eve her mother. “Lovely to see you. You look lovely. Black is very slimming.” Eve felt her mother bristle, recognizing the subtle way bored, rich housewives fought. “And Evelyn, you’re looking lovely too. You stayed here for school, isn’t that right?”

Eve recognized the implication, that she hadn’t been smart enough to get into an out of state school and that her parents couldn’t afford to send her to one. Her mother slid an arm around her, the gesture making Eve jump. It had been forever since her mother touched her with any sort of affection. “You look lovely as well. Though I’m surprised to see you. Audrey assured me I would have the store to myself,” Eve caught the death glare her mother shot Audrey and had a feeling they would soon be on the outs again. “Evelyn is at Barnard actually. How about Andy?” She continued, using the nickname she was well aware that no one had used for Andrea since she was about six.

Andrea smiled sweetly. “I go by Andrea now ma’am. And I’m at Bryn Mawr.”

“4.0.” Karen jumped in. “You aren’t worried about Evelyn all alone in that big city?”

Eve felt her mother’s manicured fingernails dig into her shoulder and knew she was mad she couldn’t throw Eve’s academic achievements back. Eve wanted to squirm to get away but knew her mother would be livid. “Not at all. She’s very responsible.”

“I felt very safe, Mrs. Walcott.” Eve added.

“Is that your dress for the Summer Splash?” Andrea asked. “It’s great you have the confidence for something like that with your body.”

A comment like that from her mother stung, but Eve could handle it, like a bee sting. A comment like that from someone else, someone her own age, felt worse, like being attacked by a swarm of killer bees. Her mother looked over at her for the first time. “You’re right, Andy. This dress won’t work for Evelyn. She gained some weight at school and hasn’t lost it yet.”

“Really? Andrea is the exact same size as when she left.” Karen mused.

It was on the tip of Evelyn’s tongue to tell her that Andrea had almost gained a lot of weight this year thanks to a pregnancy scare with her high school boyfriend toward the end of senior year, but she was too shocked to do so. As bad as she could be in private, her mother was usually nicer to her in public. Being around other people was like wearing a suit of armor. She had no idea why this interaction was bringing out this side of her mother.

Eve’s mother said something about how that had best keep shopping, took her wrist, and tugged her away. Hard. “Try this on and let’s go. I’m going to kill Audrey.” She said, shoving the blue dress into Eve’s hands.

“But mom, I think-”

“Don’t argue.” Her mother pushed her none too gently into the fitting room.

With a last longing look at herself in the black dress, Eve took it off and pulled the blue dress instead. She hated it instantly. There was no real shape to it at all, the top resembling a mumu and the bottom resembling the poofy prom dress that she’d hated but had also been forced on her by her mother. Her mother really thought she needed to be hidden away like this?

Knowing her mother expected to see her in the dress, she emerged from the dressing room. Her mother smiled for the first time all day. “Wonderful! We’ll take it.” She directed the last part of the sentence toward Audrey, though she didn’t make eye contact.

“But mom-”

“Don’t try to argue with me.” It was quiet, a warning.

“You do look darling.” Another voice said. Eve turned to see Karen waiting outside the next fitting room. Though there were six, Audrey had set the two girls up in adjoining rooms. Her mother was going to be furious with Audrey. “Just like you did for prom.” Eve noticed the backhanded compliment, but her mother didn’t seem to.

The curtain to the other dressing room flew open and Andrea emerged, looking stunning in a fitted white dress not unlike Eve’s favorite black look. Karen immediately started fussing over her, heaping more compliments on her in two minutes than Eve had heard from her mother in her entire life.

“Go change. I’ll go pay. Then we can get out of here. We’ll go somewhere else to look for your dress for the Christmas banquet.” Her mother raised her voice on those last words so Audrey would be sure to here. “And we’re going somewhere else for alterations. Or Joyce could to them.”

Eve obediently headed for the dressing room with her self-esteem at an all time low. Her mother had insulted her in front of her old high school enemy. She was buying her a hideous dress after rudely rejecting all other options. Outside, she could still hear Karen complimenting Andrea. Eve finally realized why she’d never really liked Andrea in high school. Though she’d been on top of the social ladder, Eve had felt horribly insecure the whole time. Andrea had walked with a practiced confidence that Eve now knew came from having supportive parents. It also was why Harry seemed so sure of himself. Thinking about Harry reminded Eve that he hadn’t tried to kiss her yet and made her feel even worse. It seemed like she would never be good enough for everyone. Eve quickly tugged the dress off and put her workout clothes on, wanting to get home as quickly as possible so she could cry these feelings out in private.

She carried the dress in her left hand, using it to block her view of Karen and Andrea as she made her way to the register where her mother was finishing paying, still not making eye contact with Audrey. Her mother signed the receipt, grabbed the bowl of complementary expensive mints by the register, and dumped the entire thing into her purse. Eve knew that Audrey could easily afford more mints so that wasn’t really a huge loss, but now wasn’t the time to point that out. She took Eve’s wrist in a viselike grip and guided her toward the Range Rover where Tim was waiting. Once there were inside with the doors locked and Tim was pulling out of the parking lot, she exploded.

“I am going to kill Audrey. Really. I know I say this every time but I’m not speaking to her again and she’s not getting anymore of my business…” Eve zoned out as her mother ranted on about Audrey, only tuning back in when she heard her name. “And, Evelyn, I’ve never been so humiliated in my life. She glides in looking so perfect with Andrea looking like a doll and you look like something the cat dragged it.” Eve wanted to point out that it was her mother’s idea to go straight from yoga to shopping, but didn’t. She didn’t have the energy to fight back. “And Andrea’s doing so well at Bryn Mawr and I can’t even say anything about your academic accomplishments back. I just wish you were more like her sometimes.”

With that final blow to her self-esteem, Eve felt tears welling up. Fortunately, she’d gotten very good at hiding them over the last few years and stared out the window as Tim sped through the last few blocks to the house as her mother ranted on about Andrea’s perfect hair and perfect body. As soon as Tim pulled into the driveway, Eve ran into the house, up the stairs, and into her room, slamming the door behind her. She knew running away like that would earn her a lecture later, but she didn’t care. The tears started and she threw herself down on the bed, hoping her mother was either still downstairs or better yet out of the house so she couldn’t hear. Under no circumstances could her mother hear or see her crying.

Eve’s sobs were so loud she almost didn’t hear the rock hit the window. She ignored it. She knew it was Harry and the guy who wasn’t into her and who had been indirectly responsible for her breakdown was the last person she wanted to see right now. Another rock hit the window. Then another. Then another, all in quick succession. Eve wiped her nose on her pillow case and got up, intending to tell him to beat it.

The second she pushed the window open, Harry was looking up at her with concern. “Are you okay?” He asked before she could even open her mouth. “Tim told me what happened and said you seemed really upset. He took your mother to the spa for an emergency massage. We’re alone if you want to talk.”

“Harry, I-” She stopped herself before she could say she wanted to be alone. It was sweet of him to come check in on her, and he was the only person all day who’d shown that he cared about her feelings. Talking to someone did sound kind of nice. “I’m coming down. Meet me in the guesthouse.”

Eve shoved flip flops on her feet and made her way downstairs. Joyce, who was preparing lunch, gave her a sympathetic look. Apparently family gossip traveled fast among the staff. Eve made her way into the backyard and sulked toward the guesthouse. She knocked on the door five times, the signal she and Harry had come up with so he’d know it was her. He pulled the door open immediately.

Once Eve was inside, he led her toward the couch. “What happened?” He asked. His concern set Eve off crying again, she hid her face in her hands, not wanting anyone to see her cry. Her parents had taught her from a young age not to show weakness and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d openly cried in front of anyone other than her parents. Harry gently pried her hands away from her face and pulled her in so she her face was resting on his shoulder instead. He was sweaty and smelled like fertilizer, but she didn’t care, Eve was just grateful to have a warm body to cry against. He silently rubbed her back as she continued to cry.

Once she’d cried herself out, Harry asked again what had happened and Eve could finally detail the events of the morning. Harry had let go of her but was still holding one of her hands as she talked. She watched as his eyes widened at certain points in the story. She finally got to the end of the story and he was quiet for a few moments, seemingly speechless. “Eve, I’m so so sorry.” He said finally.

Eve sighed. “I don’t know why I’m crying. Usually I can handle it.”

“I hate when you say that. You shouldn’t have to.” He fixed his gaze on her. “Really. You shouldn’t.”

Eve ignored him. It seemed hard to convince herself of that when almost all she heard was the opposite. “I think it feels worse this time because she told me she wished I was more like Andrea. She was so awful to me when we were in high school. I wouldn’t want to be anything like her. And the fact that she was insulting me in public. That never happens. I work really hard to keep up the perfect family facade and that’s all ruined now. Plus I was already feeling bad about you so-” She stopped short when she realized what she’d said. She’d been on a roll with her ranting, the last part had popped out before she could stop it.

She hoped that he hadn’t been paying attention, something that she’d noticed was all too frequent with most guys. Unfortunately, he was looking at her with enough concern to let her know that he’d heard. “Why would you be feeling bad about me?” He asked.

“No reason.” She said firmly. She hadn’t been raised to talk about her feelings. Her parents didn’t do that. The words ‘I love you’ were infrequent between them. Eve hadn’t cried in front of her parents since getting cut from the sixth grade cheer team, which had been followed by a long lecture from her mother about not crying in front of people and private lessons from an instructor hired by her father to ensure that she would make the team next year. This was foreign to her. “Thanks for listening, but I know you have to get back to work.” She pulled her hand away from Harry’s and stood up.

He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her down again. “Eve, I know we didn’t exactly start off on the right foot but I thought we were good now. Did I do something wrong?”

Her nights with Harry had been really the only positive to her summer. Their games were the most fun she’d had since coming home and he was really the only person who could make her laugh these days. She couldn’t let him think there was something wrong with him. “It’s just....I don’t have a lot of experience with guys so I could be wrong but that first night at the pool you were complimenting me and I kind of thought you were flirting. But then that stopped so I started thinking there was something wrong with me to me you not want to flirt anymore.”

Harry stared at her blankly. “You really think that?” He took her hand again. “Eve, I thought you didn’t like me like that. Then I started thinking about it and I realized I’m not the kind of guy your parents would want for you. So it made sense that you would be blowing me off. I didn’t want to do anything you didn’t want so I just stopped.” He hesitated. “You liked it.”

“I liked it. I liked you since that first night out at the pool. No one’s ever looked after me like that. All the nights we’ve spent together have just been me falling for you more.”

“I liked you when I first saw you. I thought you were pretty, as you know,” Eve smiled at the reference to their awkward first meeting. “And I was annoyed you were trying to tell me how to do my job, yes. But you walked out to yell at me and I thought ‘Here’s a strong, confident girl who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself’. Then during the dinner I realized I’d been wrong, but it didn’t change how I felt. I wanted to help you, to bring the girl from that morning back.” As he spoke he’d been moving closer to her. He slid his arms around her and pulled her into his lap, keeping eye contact and watching for any sign of discomfort. “Good?” He asked. Eve nodded. One of his hands cupped her cheek. “Can I kiss you?” They’d been talking long enough that she seemed calm, she’d been sobbing less than an hour ago and he didn’t want to take advantage of that. He waited until she nodded again to kiss her.

Eve had been kissed before. She’d had her first kiss at her first boy-girl party back in the sixth grade. She’d had a few boyfriends back in high school, and she’d been kissed good night by almost every boy who had taken her to a dance or party. But it had never been like this. This was the electricity, the butterflies, everything a kiss was supposed to be. It was also harder and faster than she’d ever been kissed before. Every boy she’d ever dated had been raised like her, to believe the public displays of affection were tacky and that even being overly affectionate in private was frowned upon. Harry was holding her tight, pulling her body close to his as the kiss deepened. As amazing as it was, Eve’s mind started to wander, wondering what would happen if her parents knew she was playing tonsil hockey with the gardener.

As if reading her thoughts, Harry pulled away. “Eve, your parents-” He started.

She cut him off. “Do you really think I care what my parents think?” As she said it, she realized it was true. She wanted to be with Harry. Her parents be damned. He smiled, pulling her in for another kiss.

#harry styles imagine #harry styles imagines #harry styles one shot #harry styles concept #harry styles au

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garagedoorshampshire · 6 years ago

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51 Pink Bedrooms With Images, Tips And Accessories To Help You Decorate Yours

Pink has become a highly desirable accent colour, not just in sugary sweet little girls’ rooms but in sophisticated master bedrooms alike (and just about every other room of the home too!) Pink decor is a hot topic right now and so we’ve put together a gorgeous collection of 51 of our favourite pink bedrooms and blush bedroom accessories, plus tips to help you imagine your very own. Hitting every part of the pink colour spectrum, we explore rosy accent walls, hot pink headboard feature walls, solid pink bed bases, stylish pink bedroom benches, chairs, lamps and rugs, and peaceful pink bed sets.

Visualizer: Olia Paliichuk Make pink the headline – or the headboard. If you don’t want a whole room full of blush pink then how about just a headboard feature wall? Keep other colours in the room within the same muted colour palette so that the scheme melds peacefully together, like this soft green accent rug, grey bed covers and curtains.

Visualizer: Arina Zamorina You can also add a little texture to your pink headboard feature wall by adding slats. Accentuate the finished look with some stylish bedroom pendant lights too. These gold ones are the IC Lights S Style Pendant. The original is available here.

Visualizer: Design Lyiv Go all in. If you’re an all or nothing kind of personality, then an all pink bedroom scheme should hit the mark. Go for a shade of pink paint that is warm and soothing so that the bedroom remains a calm and welcoming place. Choose all white furniture to cut crisp and clean silhouettes.

Visualizer: Daria Alieva Change your tone. Brighten dusky shades with bright coral elements to bring things bang up to date.

Visualizer: Yuliya Chudinovskikh Chic and shiny. A grey and pink bedroom scheme makes a chic combination but can fall a little flat on its own. Metallic accents like these twin pendant lights and small side tables add in a little sparkle. Whether you go for warm copper, light gold accents, or complement the pink tones of your room with rose gold lamps and accessories, it will be a harmonious pairing.

Visualizer: Martin's Make your bed into a peaceful pink island, in the middle of a calm white sea.

Source: Street Workshop, Etsy Plush pink bed sets look fresher when layered with white sheets and pure white pillows.

Visualizer: Art Group Add a blast of contrast. If you’re looking for a second strong colour to contrast and complement pink decor, then teal is a terrific option. Coming from the opposite side of the colour wheel, this blue-green hue makes a bold partner for pink. You can combine the two easily by layering up bedclothes, or go duotone on wardrobe finishes. There are contrasting bedroom benches in this particular example too, but this time grey has been chosen to create a quieter balance…

Visualizer: Maggi Samir A similar balance can be achieved with a teal, pink and brown bedroom palette.

Visualizer: Andrew Athanasius Meld colours with a piece of wall art. In this pink and blue bedroom design, peacock blue accentuates a pink textured headboard feature wall. Rose gold orbs drop down by a piece of wall art that brings the two hues together. A rose gold bedside table lamp echoes the metallic tone on the opposite side of the blue bed.

Visualizer: Andrew Athanasius Frame it, frame it, frame it. The cushioned headboard in this pink and grey bedroom has been set within three more frames, resulting in a grander headboard that also reaches behind the bedside units.

Visualizer: Tien nguyen There’s boiserie, and then there’s pink boiserie. This traditional wall treatment looks tooth-achingly delicious in sweet pink. Pink drapes, bed, pink bedroom bench and a pink area rug continue the delicate tone.

Visualizer: Maria Novikova More pink boiserie, this time within a pink and green interior design.

Visualizer: Andrey Barinov Pink painted traditional features fill the ceiling in this bedroom, where a modern pink light shade dangles from a classic ceiling rose. Decorative coving creates a beautiful border.

Visualizer: ZROBYM architects Weight down a light decor scheme with darker elements. Black bedside lights bring dark base notes to this pale pink modern bedroom. An asymmetrical design is created by hanging a pendant light at one side, and mounting a modern wall sconce at the other.

Visualizer: Archionica Shape up. This pink and purple bedroom scheme uses graphic shapes for an uber contemporary feel.

Visualizer: Andrey Barinov Grow a natural theme by adding green and wood accents. A pink and green bedroom with wooden elements evokes a sense of nature that will aid with relaxation.

Visualizer: Nam Quang Đặng Meet the colour scheme halfway. It’s no new thing to paint walls in two different colours on their upper and lower half, but a loose paint technique that this one adds modern and carefree character.

Source: A Beautiful Mess Wrap the room with pink wainscot for a smart classic take on the candy colour.

Source: Amazon Look to luxe to add romance. The lustrous wall art, pendant light shade and furniture trims in this pink and gold bedroom add a dash of luxury. Get that gorgeous golden light here.

Visualizer: Maggi Samir Be selective. By picking out just a few of your favourite pink pieces you can put together a pink bedroom scheme that isn’t overbearing. In this example, a piece of modern artwork is the muse for the room, and has been given a pink backdrop that brings out its colours. Plush pink window drapes, pink pendant lights and a pink beanbag join the exhibit.

Visualizer: Ruslan Kovalchuk, Mariya Chmut and Stephen Tsimbalyuk Not all pink bedrooms are sweetness and light. Dusky pink and dark grey bedrooms have have touch of shadowy drama. Add a backlit glass closet to proceedings and you’ve really got yourself a show.

Visualizer: Olga Pavlyk These dusky pink closets have a textured finish to make them stand out from the rest of the pink crowd.

Visualizer: Ekaterina Svanberg Tie it together with taupe. Pink and black bedroom accents rest well against a taupe backdrop, as the warm yet neutral colour works as a colour bridge between the two.

Designer: 荣烨 Lovers of the eclectic vibe will be tickled pink with this one. Yellow ochre, cobalt blue, brown elements and pale pink come together with tiny streaks of gold in a magical boho melting pot.

Visualizer: АНҐАР студія Give your pink bedroom some jewellery. Add a bit of ‘bling’ with sparkly pendants, shiny wallpaper prints and multiple decorative wall mirrors.

Visualizer: VizLine Studio Use colour to define areas of use. A pink slatted wall panel covers the area behind a vanity table in this bedroom, clearly separating the makeup table from the bed.

Visualizer: Maggi Samir The padded pink wall section in this room marks the sleep and relaxation zone – with a dressing table and closets left out in the grey zone.

Visualizer: Hi-Light Architects Put it in lights. There’s nothing subtle about a neon sign, a giant terrarium or a bold pink wallpaper, but who said a bedroom had to be subtle?

Visualizer: Dezest Break it to make it. These green, black and white elements nicely break up this pink decor scheme, and balance each other out perfectly.

Visualizer: Dima Kravtsov & Alina Buligіna Pink doesn’t have to be the main event. Just because you want to feature pink in your bedroom, that doesn’t mean you have to make it the most dominant thing. The focal point of this bed is a showstopping white mandala headboard; the pink throw, accent cushions and pink bedroom chair provide a solid supporting act.

Visualizer: Andrei Erokhin Just a few pink bedroom accessories colour this predominantly white bedroom.

Visualizer: Filip Sapojnicov Curate small clusters of pink. You might colour just the closets and a vanity table, or just the bed and a reading corner like in this cozy bedroom. Keep the majority of the room white so that pink furniture, a rug or floor lamp will really stand out.

Visualizer: Angel black Dress the room from head to toe. A bedroom that is completely enveloped in one colour, from ceiling to floor, will gain much needed colour relief in the form of a contrasting accent chair and bright home accessories. This example brings in warm sunshine yellow accents as a cheerful touch.

Visualizer: Pikcells Ltd Redesign your door. White walls, white trims and white floors fill this Scandinavian bedroom. In order not to disturb the peace, only the door has been painted with a hint of pink to match a pink bed set.

Visualizer: Ruslan Kovalchuk & Stephen Tsimbalyuk Double the room colour with a huge mirror.

Visualizer: Olia Paliichuk Paint with pastels. Pastel pink and powder blue will always be beautiful together. Apply in even amounts for a baby soft colour scheme.

Visualizer: Vladimir Korsun Is there anything more traditionally girly than a pink bedroom with a four poster bed? This room also features a modern desk space with a pink kid’s chair so she can work at making her own dreams come true.

Visualizer: Visable Another traditional pink kids’ room, this time with a canopy bed.

Visualizer: Andrey Malienko Fluff out with frills and extra fabric. Ruched nets dress the dual aspect windows here; pink drapes have been hung to the side of the glass to make the window look bigger. The walls beside the bed and desk have been softened with pink upholstered panels.

Visualizer: TOL'KO interiors Fashion your own pink pieces. This luxury kids’ room has all of its storage furniture made-to-measure. A designer table lamp and a set of pink shelves fit inside a desk nook, below bespoke wall units with a matching pink door.

Visualizer: Maggi Samir Sleep beneath a pink sky, like this dreamy pink cloud ceiling mural. A pink area rug reflects the hue back down on ground level.

Visualizer: Thao Uyen A more child-like vision of the pink cloud theme.

Visualizer: Andrei Erokhin Blow hot and cold, with hot fuschia and iced pink wall sections.

Visualizer: Anton Naselevets Take inspiration from the tropics. A white swing arm wall lamp stretches across tropical bird prints on this hot pink headboard feature wall.

Visualizer: 7 Square Studio Another take on a hot pink accent wall with animal art prints.

Visualizer: Mai Khaled Pink and personalised. Kids love to see their names printed on just about anything, from pencils and pencil cases to mugs and tshirts. Why not personalise their room too with some painted wood wall letters.

Visualizer: Maggi Samir Change up prints and patterns.

Visualizer: FINE DESIGN Soft pink meets soft lighting in this pink black and white kid’s room, which is trimmed with a half height border of LED perimeter lighting.

Visualizer: Maggi Samir This softly lit floral feature forms a joint headboard for twin beds. See more ideas for shared kids’ rooms here.

Visualizer: Maggi Samir LED strip lights trim a ceiling mural and a modern chandelier here. A recessed pink wall shelf glows warmly above the two matching pink kids’ beds.

1. Green & pink flower vases 2. Pink floral wall art 3. Pink and greybed sets 4. Pink chandelier 5. Grey lamp 6. Rose gold floor lamp 7. Metal marquee letters 8. Artificial flower with vase 9. Copper pendant lights

Recommended Reading: 51 Inspirational Pink Kitchens

A Striking Example Of Interior Design Using Pink And Grey

51 Inspirational Pink Kitchens With Tips & Accessories To Help You Design Yours

Interior Design Using Orange & Blue: Tips To Help You Decorate Using Complementary Colors

51 Modern Bedrooms With Tips To Help You Design & Accessorize Yours

44 Awesome Accent Wall Ideas For Your Bedroom

Dark and Dreamy Bedrooms

from Interior Design Ideas http://www.home-designing.com/pink-bedroom-interior-design-decorating-ideas-images-tips-accessories

#Interior Design Ideas

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cessanderson · 6 years ago

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12 Living Room Rug Ideas That Will Change Everything https://ift.tt/2Pnpmqy

A modern pattern with accents of black and gold jazz up a neutral living room rug. Image: Rejuvenation

We’re always interested in easy ways to rev up living room decor. If you can only add one item to make a big impact in your space, an area rug is an excellent choice. The right living room rug can pull all of your accent colors together, add pattern to a neutral color palette or soften hard edges in a contemporary room.

5 things to consider when choosing a new living room rug

Size: Make sure your rug is the right scale for your room.

Color: Your new rug looks best if it features at least two of your accent colors.

Comfort: Choose a rug you love, but it’s also important that it feels good underfoot.

Care: Check the cleaning and maintenance of any rug you are considering.

Style: The good news is that almost all rug styles are almost neutral — color is more important than pattern.

When you’re choosing a new living room rug, confirm it fits your seating area by measuring. Most designers suggest a rug that is large enough to cover a conversation area, with the front legs of your sofa and chairs on the rug to anchor the space. Rug designs are so versatile that you can mix one that you love with any decor style, as long as the color is right. Here are 12 stylish living room rug ideas to fuel your inspiration:

The Looking Glass rug adds romance to a living room with an impressionistic floral pattern. Image: Perigold

1. Create a coastal vibe with a dreamy blue rug

It’s easy to create a beach-inspired living room with a new rug and a few accessories. Choose an airy rug with ocean blues and a light neutral color like beige, gray or white. Soft stripes, or florals like the CompanyC Looking Glass rug pictured above, can provide the perfect pattern for your living room makeover.

The Aliyah rug brings a bright accent of pink to a neutral living room. Image: Joss & Main

2. Add pretty boho color with a pink area rug

If you’re looking to go a little boho but aren’t ready to paint bright colors, adding a vibrant rug might be all you need. Bright colors are easier on the eye when they’re on the floor, so this is your chance to really indulge in a fun hue. We love the instant transformation of a living room with just that one perfect item, like the Aliyah Area Rug from Joss & Main.

This mid-century modern-style rug’s bold pattern livens up a neutral room. Image: West Elm

3. The perfect start for a hip mid-century modern living room

We love the colorful furniture and clean lines of mid-century modern decorating. In most decorating styles, area rugs are the perfect place to add vibrant colors. In mid-century style, colored furniture is often the focal point, so look to your area rug for a bold pattern instead. West Elm’s Abrash rug brings a muted graphic print to your living room to highlight your amazing furniture.

Go bold and tropical with the CompanyC Captiva Rug. Image: Perigold

4. Add fun with a tropical-inspired area rug

If you’d love a more tropical style for your living room but want to skip over-the-top themed decor, try a bold area rug like the CompanyC Captiva Rug. The vibrant colors and big pattern would be too much for a sofa or chair, but strike the right tone on the floor. You can pick up accent colors from the rug’s palette in throw pillows and artwork for a pulled-together look.

Use matching rugs for an adjacent dining room. Image: Rejuvenation

5. Use area rugs to coordinate your living and dining room style

We love open home design that seamlessly blends dining and living rooms for a comfortable space. The challenge with open floor plans is finding a way to tie two living spaces together while giving each space its own identity. Choosing the right dining room rug can create a unified yet unique look for your great room. Color is the easiest way to tie your two spaces together — by either choosing a shared color for each rug or totally different patterns in the same color (like stripes and florals.)

A gorgeous abstract rug in copper tones is a bold choice for any space. Image: West Elm

6. Natural rugs don’t have to be boring

West Elm’s Mineral Rug in Copper is inspired by molten metals, giving it a powerful presence in any living room. You could easily build your color scheme around a statement rug like this, or add it to your living room as an on-trend accent piece.

This neutral beauty is perfect for mixing warm and cool neutral colors in your living room. Image: Pottery Barn

7. Bring on-trend gold accents into your living room

We can’t get enough of the brushed gold accents that are everywhere right now. If you’ve wanted to add a touch of gold without replacing all of your brushed nickel decor, here is your chance. Pottery Barn’s Talia rug appears at first to have a beautifully neutral gray pattern — look closer to see the touches of warm gold. This subtle mix of gold and gray can be the bridge between your old metal finishes and the new.

The Sammat rug in aqua is a stylish and easy update for a small living room. Image: Urban Outfitters

8. The rental-friendly living room rug makeover

Looking for the absolute easiest way to add color to your rental without picking up a paintbrush? Urban Outfitters’ Sammat rug is like an instant apartment makeover. Pair your boho rug with a colorful velvet sofa, and your living room is guest-ready.

Pottery Barn’s Bosworth rug is beautiful and versatile for a variety of styles. Image: Pottery Barn

9. A traditional rug with a contemporary twist

A living room decorated in just one style can look dated and tired over time. An easy way to decorate with timeless style is to choose decor with a modern vibe. Yes, you can even do this when you’re decorating a traditional room. Subtle variations from your main style can make your living room more interesting. Look for contemporary patterns in traditional colors, like Pottery Barn’s Bosworth rug.

This black and white rug is just right for a casual living room. Image: Urban Outfitters

10. Anchor an eclectic living room with a black and white rug

We love little decorating surprises like the black and white Wyatt rug from Urban Outfitters. When you want to add more drama to your space without adding more color, black is a gutsy choice that can be used as a neutral (especially in a rustic style like this).

Boho or casual, this Mixed Ikat rug brings color and style to the living room. Image: West Elm

11. The perfect mix: stripes and ikat

When you love stripes but aren’t really committed to an entire area rug of them, the Ikat Mix rug may be your perfect match. This fun and funky rug mixes the best of bold stripes with a hint of pattern and color. A whimsical rug in pastels and neutral colors can be just the right accent for a casual living room.

West Elm’s Lapis rug in is a sophisticated choice for transitional decor. Image: West Elm

12. A weathered pattern for maximum versatility

The weathered trend in area rugs is not just pretty, it’s smart. This style mutes colors that could overwhelm your room. The West Elm Lapis rug is a subtle mix of blue, gray and teal. Softly worn patterns work especially well for boho and beach-inspired decor, but their real strength is how easily they enhance any decorating style.

Which of these rug trends are your favorite? Will you be using any of them to give your living room a makeover?

The post 12 Living Room Rug Ideas That Will Change Everything appeared first on Freshome.com.

Diana Hathaway

#Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Magazine

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jeremystrele · 5 years ago

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101 Pink Bedrooms With Images, Tips And Accessories To Help You Decorate Yours

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