Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Sydney stayed in the bathroom far longer than necessary, splashing cool water on her face and willing her heartbeat to steady. Even behind the closed door, she could hear the muffled voices outside—Julian speaking calmly to his friends, Bruce’s loud laugh, Raymond’s quieter remarks, and Caleb’s familiar baritone that sent her nerves into a tailspin.

She pressed her palms to her heated cheeks.

What had she done?

What had he done?

Julian had kissed her like a man deprived of air—again and again—utterly unconcerned that his friends were standing right outside his door. Worse, he had mocked her panic as if it amused him.

She closed her eyes, breath trembling.

She had to get herself under control before facing them.

When the voices briefly drifted farther away—likely the men moving into the living room—Sydney finally cracked open the bathroom door and peered out. The hallway was empty. She slipped out silently, intending to leave, but the moment she turned toward the entrance, she froze.

Julian was leaning against the wall.

One ankle crossed over the other, arms folded loosely over his chest, his expression unreadable. The faint smear of her lipstick still clung to the corner of his mouth.

been waiting

stomach tightened. “Move,” she

languidly to her lips, then back to her

breath hitched. “Like

off the wall and stepped toward her. She instinctively backed up until her shoulder brushed the frame

wiping a tiny streak of his own lipstick

Her pulse stuttered.

and pushed his

mouth curved—not quite a smile, more like a challenge. “You didn’t

Her throat tightened.

lowered his voice. “Was

Her breath trembled. “Julian—stop.”

closer until his breath grazed her ear. “You can tell me it meant nothing. You can even convince yourself you don’t want me. But the moment

away as if burned.

you’re trembling,” he

could respond, a knock echoed from the