“Are you still not done drinking?” Aurora, sensing her own tipsiness, started to urge her guest to leave. Could it be that he intended to linger here and not leave?
Julian raised his glass, a mischievous smile on his face. “I’ll leave after I finish it.”
“Hmph, you’ve said that several times already,” Aurora muttered under her breath. Hearing her complaint, Julian found her adorable.
Not long ago, she was cold and indifferent, showing no interest in whatever he did. Now, at last, she seemed somewhat like her old self.
Remembering this, he couldn’t help but gently rub her head. “This is the last one.”
“I’m not a child anymore. Why do you always pat my head?” Aurora reached out to stop him, but the motion caused the wine in her glass to splash onto Julian.
Seeing his clothes stained with wine, she hurriedly set down her glass and apologized, “I didn’t mean to do that. Should I get you a new one?”
“It’s okay. It’s just a shirt.” She pulled out a tissue and began dabbing at the wine on his clothes.
The scent of the wine mixed with her fragrance was intoxicating, stirring something in Julian.
Aurora looked up about to say something, not expecting Julian to lean in so close, their lips lightly brushed against each other.
That kiss was like a trigger, unleashing the wildness Julian had been suppressing.
He suddenly pinned her down onto the couch, and Aurora felt her heart almost leap into her throat, pounding rapidly.
Being slightly intoxicated, she felt dizzy by his sudden action, saying, “Get off me.”
“No.” Julian cupped her face and kissed her deeply, their breaths mingling with the aroma of the wine.
The wine was not intoxicating, but the man above her was. The sensation she had felt on the Ferris wheel returned, and now, enhanced by the alcohol, her body felt even hotter.
“Aurora, I want…” Julian’s voice was filled with longing and affection, making it clear what he desired.
Aurora, overwhelmed by his breath, shivered and bit her lip in reply, “Go find someone else.”
“Can you bear to see me suffer? Remember how angry you got when someone came close to me while we were buying swimsuits? Aurora, you care about me.”
Julian found her ears were very sensitive, so he gently moved to whisper in her ear, his teeth lightly nibbling her earlobe.
Sure enough, the woman beneath him trembled even more, her voice quivering as she retorted, “Who cares about you… I just didn’t like them gossiping about us.”
“Is that so? You really are a bad liar.” Julian extended his tongue, licking her and making the woman beneath him tremble even more violently.
Aurora’s soft hair spread out on the couch, and her fair neck was enticing.
“Stop, Mr. Barnet. Please don’t.” She tried to push Julian away, finding herself utterly weak.
“What should you call me?” Julian teased, biting at her neck.
“My… prince, I-I’m not ready yet. Please stop.” Aurora had no choice but to yield.
Hearing her call him that made Julian feel satisfied, bringing back vivid memories of the happy times they had shared on the cruise ship.
But the more she called him that, the less Julian wanted to let go. Just as Aurora’s thoughts became chaotic, suddenly, the room went dark.
The sudden darkness snapped Aurora awake. “That must be a trip in the circuit. I’ll go check it out,” she said as she quickly pushed past Julian to leave, feeling relieved.
Julian watched her retreating figure and sighed heavily, “What a waste!”
He rested briefly in place, and once he pulled himself together, he followed Aurora with his phone in hand.
Upon seeing her standing on a stool about to reset the circuit breaker, Julian swiftly lifted her down.
“These are things men should handle. Just wait here. I’ll take care of it,” he said, patting her head.
Seeing his back, Aurora recalled the boy in white she had seen on a cruise ship years ago, which warmed her heart.
With her holding the light for him, Julian checked and indeed found a tripped switch. He lifted it, and the room was bathed in light again.
Only then did Aurora realize her clothes were disheveled, her shoulder exposed, and her dress zipper undone by him in his haste.
“What a horny man,” she complained in her heart.
“I’m going to bed now. You should head home too,” Aurora said, handing him his phone.
Julian, seeing her clear eyes devoid of prior tenderness, knew the incident cost him a chance to get intimate with her.
Given that, he obediently agreed, realizing it was not wise to push his luck now.
“Alright then. Good night,” Julian said with a resigned turn, and Aurora, seeing his lonely figure, smiled slightly, appreciating his adherence to a promise he made.
In the doorway, Julian wrapped around her waist and kissed her forehead before whispering, “Goodnight, my little princess.”
Before Aurora could respond, he had left. She touched her forehead where the warmth from his kiss still lingered, deep in thought.
In that moment, she truly felt she was loved, as if she were indeed his only princess, making her believe he would protect her from harm.
Aurora crouched slowly, wishing she had never met Hayden. Then she wouldn’t be so hesitant to give herself fully to Julian and fear getting hurt in love.
Julian, on his way back, was still in high spirits, knowing he hadn’t won her yet, but he had gained something more significant.
Maybe, in the near future, she would open up to him without reservations.
Aurora lay quietly in bed, uncontrollably revisiting the sensation of his fingers on her body.
She felt truly bewitched by Julian.
She drifted into an unsteady sleep, and the next day was a blur of activity, during which she could forget him.
Suddenly, Aurora remembered Ian mentioning a lecture tonight. Glancing at the time, she changed her clothes and headed towards school.
Hoping not to encounter Julian again, she wished to return to her ordinary life.
Depending too much on him, she knew losing him one day would bring back fears of loss.
Having tasted such bitterness once in her life was enough. Aurora composed herself, returning to her usual demeanor as she walked through the campus.