That one line crushed Sydney's dignity underfoot . In truth , she would not yield . If pushed far enough , she might crawl back to Caleb or Adeline . If she drained herself dry , she could still find a way to shield Tiffany . But now , staring into Julian's fathomless eyes , her stubborn streak flared . She would not lower her head , Sydney let out a bitter chuckle . " Maybe Caleb . Or maybe Victor ? Or if some old man takes a liking to me , I'd agree to that too . " The bathroom door slammed open , crashing against the wall and cutting her words off .
Julian strode in , scooped her up , and carried her to the living room sofa . Then he turned back , fetched a soft towel from the bathroom , and returned . His expression remained blank , but cold waves of displeasure radiated off him . Sydney shrank back instinctively . He sat anyway , caught both her ankles in one hand , and laid her feet across his knee . Wrapping the towel around them , he dabbed away the water with deliberate , steady strokes . His long , well -boned fingers moved over her skin with an unexpected , almost beautiful precision .
Maybe because he had wiped her feet countless times when they were younger , Sydney did not feel nervous . When he finished , he set the towel aside and glanced at her , unhurried . " Your period's over ? " Her whole body stiffened . She had not expected him to cut to the point so quickly . She shook her head and replied in a rush , " Not yet . " At her words , Julian unwrapped a cube of brown sugar and dropped it into the glass of hot water on the table . He stirred once , then handed it to her . Sydney blinked , belatedly realizing where her thoughts had wandered .
Flustered , she took the cup . " Thank you . " " Drink it . Then sleep . " He stood , tossed a thin blanket onto her lap , and added coolly , " Cover up . " She could not hold back . " And Tiffany ? " " Sleep . " Without waiting for her reaction , he stepped onto the balcony with his phone and slid the soundproof door shut behind him . That was his answer . Sydney's chest finally eased as she watched his tall , straight figure silhouetted against the dawn . She clutched the warm cup , drank in gulps , and let the rising drowsiness pull her under .
She did not think about whether he could truly save Tiffany . Since childhood , she had seen him as capable of anything . Even so , worry gnawed at her dreams . Her sleep was shallow and fitful . Barely two hours later , she stirred awake . The blanket against her cheek smelled of sandalwood . The familiarity made her frown before her eyes even 121 1/2 opened . One look around , and she froze fully awake . She had fallen asleep in Julian's bed . She had come begging for help , yet ended up sleeping here as if it were nothing .
Heat of embarrassment crawled over her as she slipped out from under the covers and padded toward the morning light spilling through the windows . The living room was empty. Instinct carried her to the kitchen , and she stopped in her tracks . For the first time , she saw Julian - the man who never so much as touched a cup - standing at the stove , stirring a pot of soup . Something about the scene dulled the sharp edge of his presence . The quiet domestic ease lent him a startling trace of husbandly warmth . She stepped closer , ready to speak , until she realized he was on the phone .
One hand held his cell , the other gently stirred the soup with a ceramic ladle , keeping it from sticking to the bottom . " Relax , I didn't stay up all night . Yes , yes , you're right , staying up will kill me early . But let me remind you , if I die , no one will be here to look after you . " His tone was low , patient , coaxing , like he was soothing someone . At that moment , Sydney realized something she had almost forgotten : Julian had a girlfriend . Today's Bonus Offer GET IT NOW