Julian hadn’t changed at all. He could always easily make her angry just like in the old days, yet every time she got angry, he had ways to quickly make her happy again.
“I’m really hungry. The story is too long, and I can’t finish it in a short while. We have plenty of time to talk,” he softened his tone suddenly, gently holding her.
Now, he was no longer the youth of those days, and she was no longer that naive girl. They had long since become more intimate than they would have expected.
His sudden tenderness threw her heart into disarray. “Tell me about it later,” she said as she hurriedly pushed him away and went downstairs.
The faint fragrance from her hair wafted through the air, stirring his mind. A trait of liking to run away whenever she felt shy or angry hadn’t changed since her youth.
“Don’t worry, Little Bunny. We have a lot of time to talk slowly, as we’re going to stay together for life,” he reassured her.
She looked up to see him leaning on the staircase, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. Why had she ever saved him?
There was nothing in the fridge in the new house for lunch. She planned to drive to the nearby supermarket, but just then, the doorbell rang.
“Miss Montgomery, this is what Mr. Barnett asked me to buy. Please check if it’s enough. If anything is missing, I’ll go get it right now.”
The general manager, along with several others, each carrying packages of varying sizes, stood at the door with broad smiles. Aurora could vaguely see that each bag was filled with various groceries.
Feeling resigned, Aurora remembered Julian had always been foresighted since childhood, always able to arrange things perfectly.
She guessed he must have sent someone to buy groceries earlier, and the timing was perfect just after they had finished their conversation. Aurora stepped aside and said, “Please put them in the kitchen. That should be enough. No need to trouble yourselves further.”
“No trouble at all. It’s our honor to serve Mr. Barnet.” The general manager finally understood why Julian had sold the house to this lady at such a discount.
It turned out they had been in a relationship!
Now, it seemed Miss Montgomery was very likely to be their boss’s wife. They were determined to serve her with utmost diligence.
After the men had set down the groceries and left their contact information for any future orders, Aurora donned an apron and began sorting the ingredients. Once a pampered young lady, three years of hardship had honed her culinary skills.
Julian stood at the kitchen doorway, watching the busy Aurora, warmth flooding his heart.
This was precisely what he had longed for, not money, not power, but a long-missed warmth.
What he desired was simple happiness. Unconsciously, he walked up behind her and embraced her, burying his head in her neck.
“Aurora.” His tone was filled with endless affection and indulgence.
Aurora’s heart melted a bit at his voice. “How can I cook if you hold me like this?”
Her voice had softened, too, while he seemed like a naughty child. “I just want to hug you. Go on. I won’t disturb you.”
A little helpless, she thought, “How is this not disturbing?”
Having realized he was the same boy from back then, Aurora no longer felt distant towards him.
If it hadn’t been for his rescue, she might have perished in the sea long ago.
“Mr. Barnet, I need to wash the vegetables. How can I move if you hold me like this?” Aurora had finished sorting the ingredients and now found it difficult to move to wash them.
“Call me ‘My Prince’. Otherwise, I won’t let go.” He tightened his embrace around her waist, his head gently resting against her neck. His warm breath brushed across her fair neck as sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, casting their closely intertwined shadows onto the floor. The atmosphere grew increasingly intimate. After all, she was no longer the carefree little girl she once was. How could she possibly call him ‘My Prince’ like she used to?
“Little Bunny, call me ‘My Prince’, will you?” His voice became softer and more magnetic.
“Let go.” She flushed a deep red.
“I’ll let go after you call me.” He had no intention of releasing her.
“My… prince… Now you can…” Unbeknownst to her, that coquettishly muttered address had melted Julian’s heart.
He spun her around abruptly and kissed her deeply. “Don’t…” Her hands pushed against his chest.
She truly had a knack for stirring his emotions, yet it took just one word from her, and Julian could no longer contain himself. Her waist was pressed against the cold marble table. Julian’s kisses deepened, almost as if he wanted to make love right there in the kitchen.
Suddenly, he remembered she was still on her period, so he lightly kissed her once more before finally letting her go. Aurora leaned against him, breathless and weak, her cheeks flushed and her eyes almost spilling with allure.
“My little girl has indeed grown up,” he said with a smile, his voice husky.
“Are we still eating?” Aurora quickly pushed him away, thinking this man had become more presumptuous.
“Of course, but I’d rather taste you, Little Bunny. I’ve been holding back for three years.” Julian looked pitifully at her.
“That’s your problem. If you can’t hold back, find someone to relieve it.” Aurora turned around fiercely.
“I remained chaste for you because of a single word from you back then, only to find you so heartless now. Maybe I really should find someone else,” Julian complained as he walked outside.
Aurora didn’t stop him, but a strange feeling lingered in her heart. Despite knowing he was the same boy from back then, why had her attitude and feelings towards him suddenly changed?
Julian moved to the living room, noting that although Aurora’s temperament had changed, she sometimes still showed some of her old habits.
Aurora knew he was joking and ignored him, efficiently washing and chopping vegetables. Honestly, she was quite hungry herself.
The sound of chopping from the kitchen made Julian realize that this was the simple happiness he craved.
Aurora quickly made a few homely dishes. They were all delicious.
“Dinner’s ready.” She had barely called out before Julian, and he immediately put aside his laptop and rushed to the kitchen.
“What have you made, Little Bunny? Let me taste it.”
“Wash your hands first and bring the dishes to the table, and remember, no sneaking tastes,” Aurora strictly ordered.
Julian, looking at Aurora wearing an apron and wielding a spatula, found her immensely adorable and immediately sealed her lips with his.
“Understood.” After a quick kiss, he took advantage of her momentary distraction to escape with the dishes.
Her fingers lightly touched her lips, the fleeting kiss unexpectedly stirring her heart. When she came out, Julian had already set the table, obediently sitting by it and even pulling out a chair for her in advance.