For the past two days , Sydney had been phoning Alan each morning and asking about Eliana . The recovery was going well . It had been a scare , but nothing serious . She had just closed the refrigerator door when the doorbell rang again . Thinking Agatha had forgotten something , Sydney hurried to answer . The moment the door cracked , Yoyo squeezed in and pressed insistently against her legs . Holding the dog in her arms , she glanced down the hall . It was empty . Across the way , Julian's door remained firmly shut . She rubbed Yoyo's head . " Did he lock you out ? " " Woof , woof !
" After nuzzling her a few more times , Yoyo suddenly recalled something . It grabbed the hem of her skirt in its teeth and tugged her toward the hall . She laughed helplessly . " Where do you want to take me ? " She hurried into her coat , snatched up her phone and bag , and followed . Surprisingly , Yoyo did not wander . It went straight to Julian's home . The dog sat squarely in front of the door , lifted its dark , gleaming eyes to her , then stared at the doorbell . Yoyo was signaling her to press it . Sydney lowered her gaze . " You can't press it yourself ?
" The dog seemed to understand . It jumped , straining , but its paws fell short of the bell . Sydney froze , then realized that the one who had rung the bell at her own place earlier had not been Yoyo . She reached out and pressed the button . A moment later , Julian opened the door with an indifferent expression . He rested one hand on the handle , his stance casual . " Forgot the code ? " His voice was edged with frost . " I'm not as close to you as Ms. Lindstrom . " The words slipped out before she could stop them . His brow arched .
He leaned down suddenly , circled her waist with his long arm , hauled her inside , and snapped the door shut . Julian pressed her against the wall , his hand firm at her waist , and lifted her onto her toes effortlessly . His voice dropped low . " You were angry last night because Charlotte has the code to my place ? " Sydney's face flamed at how precisely he had cut to the truth . Forced so close , she dodged his burning stare . " I just think we aren't that close . " He bent lower , and their breaths tangled , " We lived under the same roof for nine years , and that isn't close ?
" The air was thick with something sharp and heavy . 1/2 " Then tell me , what counts as close ? " he asked . The question caught her . When she looked up , her eyes locked with his dark , fathomless eyes . Their faces were so near that his breath fanned across her cheek , his cedar scent wrapping tight around her . She opened her mouth , only for him to cover it with his . Sydney's body went rigid , while her eyes flew wide . She almost forgot to breathe , staring at his long , dense lashes . Her heartbeat roared in her ears . She could not tell which was hers and which was his .
Seconds later , he pulled back , his nose brushing hers . " This close enough ? " His voice was husky . She trembled . " I suppose ... " Julian smirked . " Suppose ? " The next instant , his kiss struck like a storm - fierce , urgent , and unrefined . It carried the raw hunger of a man who had endured too long and could no longer restrain himself . One hand pinned her to him , the other cradled the back of her head , leaving her no room to pull away . For Sydney , the sensation was completely foreign .
She was trapped in his grip , her breath ragged , her body going slack under the intensity . Then the doorbell shattered the moment , followed by voices drifting in from outside . Caleb was among them . They had come to visit Julian's new home , and she was inside . A jolt shot through her , and her already unsteady legs nearly gave way . 2/2 e te uvodu never rung , intent on deepening the kiss . Sydney shoved at his chest just enough to steal a breath . " Someone's- " His eyes darkened with desire . His hand slid upward on her waist , claiming her lips again . " Ignore them .
" His voice was husky and achingly seductive . The bell rang again , louder this time . Impatient fists rapped on the door , and muffled voices followed . " What's going on ? Did Jules forget we were coming ? " " No way . " That was Caleb's voice . Panic shot through Sydney . Her gaze flicked to Julian . " It's Caleb . They're here- " " So what ? " He kissed her again , a flash of cold cruelty crossing his face . Tilting her chin , he pressed , " Afraid he'll find out you're cheating on your husband ? " " It's not that- " Humiliation stung sharply .
Caleb was outside , ringing the bell , yet she was in her brother's arms . But Julian saw only fear of exposure . He stepped closer and enveloped her completely in his frame , his laugh sharp and merciless . " Tell me . Whose kisses are better , mine or his ? " She was dumbfounded . " That's ... What kind of question is that ? I just feel- " The sound of keys tapping on the keypad cut her off . Someone outside was entering the code , the numbers clicking quickly , almost to the last digit . Sydney tried to bolt , but Julian caught her and forced her to meet his gaze .
" Answer me , " he demanded sharply . Her cheeks burned . Her heart pounded against her ribs . She bit down hard , then blurted , " You . Yours . You're the best . " She didn't add that she had never kissed Caleb , that Julian had stolen her first kiss . Apparently satisfied , he smirked . He released her , turned smoothly , and went to open the door . Sydney bolted into the bathroom and locked the door behind her . She pressed her back to the cool wall and breathed hard as she tried to calm her racing pulse . Julian opened the door . His gaze swept over the men outside , his tone casual .
" Why so early ? " Bruce grinned . " We just wanted to meet your girlfriend early . " 1/2 Two nights ago , Julian had dropped a bomb in their group chat , hinting he finally had a girlfriend . They had come early , eager to catch a glimpse . Bruce carried bags inside , then spun to gape at Julian . " Jules , your mouth ... " The others followed his gaze . A bold smear of lipstick stained Julian's lips , a vivid trace of what had just happened . Raymond raised a brow , flicking Julian a look . " No wonder you said we were early . She's really here , isn't she ? " Caleb didn't blink .
He had suspected the last time he saw Julian waiting downstairs like a man guarding something precious . With Julian's looks , power , and ruthless persistence , no woman could resist him for long . His years without relationships had been by choice , not inability . Still , Caleb's curiosity lingered . What kind of woman could hold his attention ? He smiled faintly . " The same one you were waiting for last time ? " " Yeah . " Julian inclined his head and ignored the others . Only then did he seem to notice , brushing his lips with his thumb . The smear came away red .
He flicked his tongue over it and savored the taste . Caleb understood immediately . Julian was serious . " Better start planning a wedding banquet , then , " Caleb teased . " Not so fast . " Julian shoved one hand into his pocket and tossed cold beers to each of them . Bruce cracked open a can , gulped , and smirked . " Why not ? Unless ... what , Jules ? You've gone and hooked up with a married woman ? " The bathroom door creaked open . Sydney stepped out, and those words froze her mind .