Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Contraceptives were routine in any doctor's eyes . Given their current relationship , the moment Julian told her to shower , Sydney's first instinct had naturally been to assume that . She had come to him and asked to be his lover . There was no point pretending otherwise . It was better to accept it early . Then , if he grew tired of her one day , she could walk away cleanly . Julian suddenly chuckled , scooped her up , and set her on the bathroom counter . He braced one hand beside her thigh , eyes glinting with amusement , and leaned close to her ear . " Didn't you say you're my lover ?

Since when do lovers need condoms ? " he deliberately teased her . His tone was careless to the extreme . Sydney had steeled herself for this , yet his words still made her flush . " That doesn't matter . You still have to be safe . " He adopted a mock - serious tone . " Safe from what ? I'm not sick . " Sydney flared . " Julian ! This has nothing to do with being sick or not- " He cut her off with a low correction . " Call me Jules . " In her memory , he had corrected her like this countless times . He insisted on it .

her , and his cool gaze betrayed a hint of

? ' She pressed , " This isn't about sickness . It's about life and death . " " Oh ? Death ? " Julian tilted his head , lips curling with feigned innocence , like a naive college boy . " Why would anyone die ? " Normally , Sydney didn't even bother

with a peachy flush of anger , her breathing quick and uneven . Suddenly , Julian lowered his head . Their breaths mingled . His throat bobbed once before his lips brushed hers . 1/2 It was the lightest of kisses . He leaned back slightly