Chapter 43
Nora's POV
Julian stood in the doorway in a charcoal sleep robe, his hair damp, clearly fresh from the shower. For one horrible, frozen moment, we just stared at each other.
My brain went completely blank. I nearly screamed.
"I—I'm sorry," I stammered, stumbling backward and nearly tripping over my own feet. That damned paper bag with the condoms was still lying on the carpet like an accusation. I kicked it aside with my foot, praying he hadn't seen. "I must have gotten the wrong room card, I—"
Julian looked equally stunned, his eyes widening slightly before a short, quiet laugh escaped him. "It's fine."
I watched his gaze flicker across my face—my flushed cheeks, my inability to meet his eyes, the way my fingers were crushing the room card in my grip. Then his attention dropped to that crumpled paper bag I'd shoved to the side.
Oh God. Please don't let him know what's in there.
"Didn't make it home?" Julian asked, pulling his robe closed and stepping back to give me space. His voice was calm, almost gentle, like he was trying not to spook a startled animal.
I stared fixedly at the wall because looking at him right now felt impossible. "The rain," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
There was a pause. I could feel his eyes on me, studying the tense line of my shoulders, my somewhat rapid breathing.
"You've been drinking?" he asked. Not a question.
I nodded. "A little... My head feels heavy now. Everything's blurry."
Another pause, longer this time. I heard him move, the soft rustle of fabric, and then: "Sit down for a minute."
Sit down? In his suite? Is he implying something?
The room was starting to tilt in that unpleasant way that meant I'd had too much wine on an empty stomach. I turned my head, slowly, and risked a glance at him.
He'd already moved to the sofa, settling into it with that effortless grace. The robe was tied now, covering most of his chest, but I could still see the strong column of his throat, the defined muscles of his calves where the fabric didn't quite reach.
"I should go," I said, gripping the room card tighter.
"Wait."
The single word stopped me cold. I stood there, frozen, my heart hammering against my ribs like it was trying to break free.
"Turn around," Julian said quietly.
I did, forcing myself to meet his gaze even though every instinct screamed at me to run.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"No."
He patted the sofa beside him. Not close, just the other end. "Sit down. In your current state, I'm sure you'll collapse the moment you leave."
Before I could argue, my legs gave out, and I let myself sink onto the cushions at the far end of the sofa, as far from him as possible. My eyes stayed fixed on my hands, folded tightly in my lap.
The silence stretched. I could feel him watching me, that predator's gaze cataloging every nervous gesture, every shallow breath.
"Want some water?" he asked.
I nodded mutely.
He rose, moving to the small kitchenette. I heard the tap run, the clink of glass, and then he was back, pressing a cold bottle into my hands.
"Drink," he said simply.
"Thanks." I took the glass.
I was grateful for something to do with my hands, something to focus on besides the way my brain kept replaying Jeremy's words. Sterling's interest in you goes far beyond your capabilities. Be proactive.
And Jacey's words: That man is interested in you.
Julian settled back onto the sofa, closer this time but still maintaining a respectful distance.
"Feel better?" he asked.
I nodded.
He studied me for a moment, then smiled—a real smile, warm and a little teasing. "You always this jumpy around me, Nora?"
"I'm not jumpy," I lied.
"You're about to crush that water bottle."
I looked down and realized he was right. I forced my grip to loosen.
"Seriously," Julian said, his voice dropping to something softer, almost concerned. "You okay? You seem... off tonight."
Because my boss just told me to sleep with you for career advancement, and there's a bag with condoms that someone clearly meant for me to find, and I don't know if this is all some horrific misunderstanding or if you actually—
"I'm fine," I said quickly. "Just tired."
He didn't look convinced, but he let it go.
I remembered Jeremy mentioning he was still concerned about Cold Creek, so I steered the conversation there.
"I heard you're still paying attention to Cold Creek?"
"Yes. It's a huge project. The timeline, the funding required—it'll take two years to clean up that water supply."
"I wonder if that place can come back to life again." I sighed.
"It will," Julian said with quiet confidence. "Money's not the issue. It's just a matter of negotiation."
"Negotiation?"
He smiled, but there was something sharp in it now. "Everything's a negotiation, Nora. You want someone's resources, you have to give them what they want in return. That's how the world works."
I felt my chest tighten. "What do you mean?"
He shrugged, taking another sip of water. "If I want funding from a department that's dragging its feet, I find out what they need. Maybe it's political cover, maybe it's a favor down the line. Maybe it's just good PR." His gaze fixed on me, steady and unblinking. "You give them what they want, they give you what you need. Equal exchange."
His voice was calm. "Nothing in this world is free, Nora. Not funding, not power, not loyalty. Everything has a price." He paused, his eyes searching mine. "The only question is whether you're willing to pay it."
I couldn't breathe. Even my alcohol-numbed nerves snapped to clarity.
Equal exchange. Give them what they want.
Jeremy's words echoed in my head. "I know what it looks like when someone at that level takes an interest. Trust me—Sterling's interest in you goes far beyond your case files."
Jacey's words surfaced again. "I know what it looks like when a powerful man sets his sights on someone."
All this time, Julian's care for me, those "convenient" rides, the proactive concern, and tonight—he arranged a room for me, asked me to stay...
My face slowly turned white, my lips trembling but unable to make a sound.
I glanced unconsciously at that crumpled paper bag in the corner, those two boxes of condoms seeming to mock my pitiful naivety and ignorance.
Is this what he wants? Is this the so-called "equal exchange"?