The wind by the seaside at night was strong. Julian held the woman in his arms tightly, understanding finally, through her drunken ramblings, how she had survived these past three years.
He had always thought that the dramatic changes in her were due to the shock of that night. Only now did he realize it was life itself that had changed her, hardening her into someone so strong and cold through adversity. On the surface, her personality had shifted significantly. She was enchanting, icy, capable of smiling at everyone, but in truth, she loved no one. This realization filled him with even more guilt. Had he tried everything to keep her by his side back then, could he have spared her all that suffering?
But then, he wouldn’t have been able to witness such a charismatic woman she was now.
Julian carried her back to the car, and from there, they returned to his villa. Throughout the journey, he never loosened his grip, holding her tightly against him. Her frail body seemed as though it would vanish if he let go. As he carried Aurora into the house, even the butler was taken aback, having never seen his young master handle a woman with such careful tenderness. His face was gentle, as if he held not a person but a priceless treasure that might shatter with the slightest touch.
“Mr. Barnet, you…” the butler began to speak.
“Shh,” Julian whispered gently.
He did not want to disturb Aurora’s sleep. The butler quickly shut his mouth, realizing that his young master had truly fallen for Miss Montgomery.
As Julian ascended the stairs, he whispered, “Prepare a light breakfast for tomorrow.”
“Yes, Mr. Barnet.”
After instructing the butler, Julian carried her into the master bedroom. There, Aurora’s dark hair was spread carelessly over the bed, her skin fair under the light.
In the past, he would have pounced on her, marking his territory fiercely. But today, he simply fetched some warm water and gently wiped the makeup from her face and the sand from her hands and feet.
Now, with her makeup removed, Aurora looked even more tender and frail. After Julian had finished his own washing up, he lay down beside her.
“Sleep well, Aurora. I’ll be here with you,” he murmured, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before turning off the light and drawing her close. Feeling the warmth from his body, Aurora snuggled into his arms and drifted off to sleep.
She slept soundly through the night, perhaps due to the alcohol or perhaps because she exacted her revenge on Susan. She didn’t have any nightmares and slept until morning.
Aurora woke up groggily with a pounding headache. Rubbing her eyes, she hissed from the pain.
“Head hurts, doesn’t it? Told you not to drink so fast last night,” a man’s voice said, startling Aurora.
She looked around, realizing she was back in his villa again.
Her throat was dry. “We were just having dinner. How did I end up at your place?”
“You were completely drunk last night. Should I have left you at the seaside to feed the fish?”
Julian sat up and pulled her into his arms.
“What are you doing?” Aurora tensed instinctively.
Julian chuckled softly, placing his hands on her temples and began to massage gently. “You were so passionate when you first came back, why so timid now?”
Aurora realized he was just massaging her, which made her feel somewhat embarrassed. She remembered the day she had returned to Clothville, when she had tried to teach him a lesson while he was vulnerable. Back then, he had been drugged, nothing like the formidable Julian of today.
“If you woke up early in the morning to find yourself in someone else’s bed, wouldn’t you be nervous?” Aurora lamented.
“From now on, don’t drink so much unless I’m there,” Julian said, recalling how she had innocently lain in his arms after falling asleep last night. If she had been in someone else’s arms, who knows what might have happened?
“I wouldn’t get drunk in front of others,” she replied. Over the years, she had attended many drinking sessions, some unavoidable, and she drank. To avoid getting drunk, she often went to the restroom to throw up before she felt too intoxicated.
“So, I’m different to you now?” Julian quietly smiled when he heard her soft complaint. She didn’t respond to his question but closed her eyes, letting him massage her. “Does it still hurt?”
“It’s a bit better now.” She noticed Julian had changed since they first met. He wasn’t as tough and domineering as he was before, having become much gentler instead.
“Let’s go have breakfast then.”
Aurora was hungry too. She quickly threw off the covers and jumped out of bed, still wearing her short skirt from last night, which had stayed pressed against Julian.
Thus, her period blood not only stained the sheets but also marked Julian’s sleep pants.
Aurora’s face instantly turned bright red. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”
Julian looked down at the stain on his pants. Unlike many men who would find it disgusting, he leaned in and pinched Aurora’s chin.
“If you really feel guilty, how about you make it up to me once your period ends?” His voice was enchantingly seductive, his tongue teasing her ear.
Knowing her background, under normal circumstances, he couldn’t bear to force her.
He wanted to wait for her willing consent.
“No, I’ve already paid back what I owed you,” Aurora refused without hesitation.
Julian wasn’t surprised by her response. He flipped her over. “You really are a heartless woman. I took care of you all night, and I should receive some compensation.”
Julian’s kiss fell quietly.
It wasn’t their first kiss. Aurora thought he would be as passionate as before.
Yet, unexpectedly, he was much gentler this time, his tongue delicately tracing her lips. His gentleness made her somewhat uncomfortable.
His heartbeat became irregular, sensing she wasn’t resisting his kiss.
Julian deepened the kiss gently. From the previous night’s events, he had realized he couldn’t force Aurora. He had to win her over gradually.
Suddenly, he pulled away, and Aurora felt a lightness on her lips. The gentleness was gone, leaving a hollow feeling in her heart.
Indeed, tenderness could be intoxicating.