Julian’s senses were filled only with her scent, completely captivated by her presence, when Aurora suddenly paused as if a thought struck her.
“What’s wrong?”
She looked at him earnestly. “Can you wait for me for seven more days?”
At this moment, Julian’s entire being was clamoring with desire for her, like a galloping stallion suddenly asked to halt at the edge of a cliff. How could any man manage such a feat in the face of such a temptress? Julian’s throat tightened, his voice hoarse. “Give me a reason.”
If it weren’t for the injuries Aurora had suffered in the past, he wouldn’t have been able to stop at such a critical moment.
“I want to end everything completely and give myself to you wholly. In seven days, they will have their engagement party,” Aurora said, her eyes cold.
It seemed Hayden and Susan were still knots in her heart. Julian thought as he felt her smooth skin under his fingertips.
“You won’t get your period after that, will you?”
Hearing this, Aurora burst into laughter, unable to hold back. “Normally, it’s once a month, but I’ve always been irregular, usually delayed.”
“So, it won’t come then? This time I’ll have you, no matter what,” Julian threatened.
Was this woman sent by the heavens specifically to torment him? Didn’t she know how much this hurt a man?
Aurora smiled slightly. “Probably…”
“Alright then, I’ll give you seven more days,” Julian stated. He had said he didn’t want to force her, and indeed, even now at this critical moment, he hadn’t touched her.
“Thank you.” Aurora breathed out slowly, feeling even more grateful that Julian could stop at this moment.
They embraced and slept together that night, and Aurora dreamed a beautiful dream filled with the scent of roses. She dreamed of herself as a child wearing a lovely dress, while Julian rode towards her on a white horse, smiling.
Seeing the smile curling at the corners of his mouth, Julian felt a profound sadness. With such beauty in his arms, how could he feel nothing?
Yet, seeing her sweet sleeping face, Julian felt it was worth it.
Aurora slept soundly in his arms until the morning sun shone down, gently opening her eyes.
Julian hadn’t left. He still lay beside her. Her skin looked so pure and flawless in the sunlight.
The moment she opened her eyes, Julian kissed her forehead. Aurora was not as resistant to him as before.
“Good morning. Did you sleep well last night?” Julian asked.
Aurora nodded. “Yes.”
“It seems I can cure your sleep issues. From now on, if we sleep together every day, your sleep will improve,” Julian said with a smile.
“Stop teasing. I have to go to school in a bit. I need to get up and wash up,” Aurora said, her cheeks flushing as she stood up.
“Aurora, I remember the night you just got back to the country you were quite fierce. Why have you become shyer as time passes?” Julian noticed the blush on her face.
“Back then, I was solely focused on revenge and didn’t really have feelings for you, so no true emotions were involved,” Aurora blurted out in a rush.
Hearing this, how could Julian let her off so easily? “So, are you saying that now you have feelings for me?”
She was cornered by the door, unable to escape and only able to face those smiling eyes.
Recalling the passionate and picturesque moments from last night, Aurora blushed again. At that moment, her forwardness was largely due to Julian’s overwhelming romance. Now, with a clear mind, she felt a shy embarrassment. This was the real, unguarded Aurora.
Julian noticed her silence and lifted her chin with his fingers. “Answer me, Aurora”
“Yes, I am a bit smitten with you. Are you satisfied now?” Pressed by Julian, Aurora gave a direct answer.
“There’s my good girl,” Julian chuckled lightly.
“The door is still locked. I really need to go back. Please have the butler open it,” Aurora said, trying the door, only to find it securely locked.
“Give me a good morning kiss,” Julian said with a grin, knowing well he wouldn’t let her leave easily.
Tip-toeing, she kissed him gently under the sunlight, her bare feet stepping on a carpet of fresh roses, a scene of indescribable romance and beauty.
Julian found her kiss more heart-fluttering than if he had initiated it himself, feeling his heart race until she slowly released her hands from him.
“Can it be opened now?” Her voice carried a soft, enticing tone.
“Yes,” he said and turned to pull a bell rope in the room. Within seconds, the sound of the door being unlocked came from outside.
“Oh, miss, why haven’t you left yet? Please don’t blame me for accidentally locking you in last night, miss. I’m a bit forgetful these days,” the butler said apologetically. Aurora smirked slightly, thinking he was wasting his talent by not acting.
“I understand given your age.” What else could she do? Surely, Julian must have instructed him secretly.
“That’s good,” the butler said, then turned to Julian. “Master, you didn’t bully the miss last night, did you?” He looked at Julian, who coughed awkwardly.
Feeling even more embarrassed, Aurora hurriedly excused herself, “I have things to do. I must go.” With that, she quickly left downstairs.
Once she was gone, the butler approached Julian, a gossip-eager look on his face. “How was it, master? Did you succeed with Miss Montgomery last night?”
“I need to get ready for work,” Coughing awkwardly, Julian quickly excused himself and left, heading to his office. The butler and the housemaid were like family to him, not just servants, and their relationship was much closer.
If they knew he hadn’t fully won Aurora over yet, they would surely tease him again. Julian decided to leave swiftly.
Although nothing substantial had happened last night, their relationship had certainly deepened. Julian would wait another seven days. After waiting three years already, he was sure he could handle a mere week more.
In fact, after being so stirred by Aurora last night, he felt he couldn’t even wait half a day. Arriving at the company, where he usually was meticulous and often stern, now he could only think of Aurora’s smile, her cool demeanor, and how smooth her skin felt. Rocky approached with a stack of files needing his review, but the once vibrant man was now listlessly slumped over his desk.