Sydney's narrow waist was trapped in Julian's hand , toyed with at will . It was a sensation unlike anything she had ever felt . Her entire body , down to her toes , stiffened under his touch . His words struck her ears , leaving her dazed . She blinked at him . " Huh ? " Her clear eyes , wide with confusion , glistened like water and ignited a desire in him to press further . He patted her hip lightly . " I said, kiss me . This time she heard him . Instantly , her cheeks flamed , like a shrimp dropped into boiling water .
Julian was dressed in a suit and tie , immaculate , composed , the very picture of cold restraint . No one would imagine those hands capable of such teasing . She remembered the agreement they had made the night before . There was no room for coyness . Steeling herself , she looped her arms around his shoulders and leaned toward his thin lips . The closer she came , the hotter her ears burned . He remained still , sovereign and unyielding, watching her submission . Just as her lips were about to meet his , he lifted his hand at her waist and pulled her higher against him .
His dark eyes narrowed . He bent slightly and pressed a restrained , almost measured kiss to her chin . Summoning the courage to kiss him was one thing . Actually being kissed was another . A spark shot through Sydney , from chin to toes . She froze , eyes squeezed shut . His mouth pressed harder , then teased her with a playful bite . Julian's lips brushed her ear , his voice hoarse , heavy with restraint . " When you begged me last night , this wasn't the attitude you had . " The house was soundproofed .
In the silence , all Sydney could hear was her own pounding heartbeat , each breath sharp and uneven . Suddenly , the doorbell shattered the moment . Julian's brow creased in irritation . In his arms , Sydney seized the chance to escape , shoving him and blurting , ' It must be Tiff . She must be done talking with Mr. Hutton . " Julian caught her hastily tied ponytail and tugged her back . " Wait . " " What ? " she asked , startled . He held out his hand , palm open . " Phone . " Sydney pressed her lips together but handed it over obediently .
His long , knuckled fingers tapped through her WhatsApp , doing something quickly before returning it . His tone was cool , like issuing a command . " Go on . " She barely glanced , snatched her phone back , and bolted for the door . As expected , Tiffany waited outside . " 1/2 Guilty as a thief , Sydney dragged her across the hall into her apartment , slammed the door , and finally exhaled . Only then did she glance at her phone . Her WhatsApp now had a new friend . Julian had removed himself from her blacklist and pinned his name as her only top chat . " Why's your face so red ?
" Tiffany , feverish but sharp - eyed , noticed immediately . Sydney tugged her to the sofa , checked her wrist for a pulse , and lied without hesitation . " It's too hot . Julian had the heat on too high . " " A man like him ? " Even sick , Tiffany's voice was tinged with mischief . " Don't tell me he's compensating ? " " No. " The denial slipped out too quickly . The next second , Sydney realized her mistake . Tiffany's eyes lit with gossip . " Then how would you know he's not ? " Sydney couldn't answer , because she had felt it . She had known it just moments ago .
Flustered , Sydney stood and busied herself in the kitchen , heating muffins and boiling medicine . She fed Tiffany , gave her the dose , then shoved her straight into bed before she could ask another question .