Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 216 Sydney had never experienced this before, so lying on the bed seemed like it might at least give her a sense of security. She wore the nightdress Julian had chosen for her. The lace embroidery along the neckline and hem softened her appearance, making her look even more gentle and compliant. She had barely bothered with her hair. Her bangs curled to one side, giving her a playful air. Her delicate skin, flushed from the steam of the shower, glowed like a ripe peach about to burst with juice.

Outwardly she appeared calm, but her fingers twisted together in front of her, betraying her unease. Her eyes, dark and clear like a deer's, shimmered with uncertainty. Above all else, she radiated resignation. The sight stirred something in Julian. He teased deliberately, "We'll watch a movie first, then go to the bed." 'A movie' Sydney misunderstood at once. "That kind of movie?' "Maybe we can skip the movie..." She had once given in to curiosity and watched one. It had been raw and explicit. The memory still made her want to crawl into a hole. Sydney was no longer a naive teenager.

He would never let her live it down. And he was a perfectly healthy man in his prime. Why would he need a film first? Unless he couldn't manage without it? As her

wholesome film imaginable. She had seen it before, but good movies were always worth rewatching. Her embarrassment only deepened. Meeting Julian's amused gaze, she wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Sydney obediently sat on the sofa, ready to watch, when her wrist was suddenly seized. With a tug, she tumbled into his arms.

friends, the flutter of first love. No matter how messy life 1/2 became, such stories always sparked a quiet longing. The only mismatch was the way they sat. In films, the girl's head rested on the boy's shoulder. Here, Julian's head leaned lightly against the crown of hers, leaving her frozen. After a while, her neck even