Chapter 95
Nora's POV
Julian went still. His eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made me hold my breath. "If you agree to be my girlfriend," he said slowly, "the answer to that question could become 'one.'"
Heat flooded my face. "You—you can't just—" I cut myself off, trying to regain composure. "Next question. Before me, did you ever like anyone else?"
He shook his head. "No. I was sent to the military zone at eighteen. Didn't return to Aetheria until two years ago. During that time, it was just missions and comrades. No women. No time for that kind of thinking."
The honesty in his voice caught me off guard. I studied his face, searching for any hint of deception, but found only that steady, unwavering gaze.
"Weren't you lonely?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.
His mouth quirked. "I had Lily to keep me company."
I blinked. "Lily?"
"My retired police dog." His expression turned amused at my obvious confusion. "She's smarter than most people I know. Understands over a hundred commands. I'll introduce you sometime—she's far better behaved than Pepper."
"Pepper isn't badly behaved!"
"She knocked over my coffee twice last week."
"She was being affectionate!"
Julian laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "You're very similar to her when you get defensive."
I glared at him, but there was no real heat in it. Something had shifted between us during this conversation—the careful distance we'd maintained was dissolving, replaced by something easier, more natural.
"Will Lily bully Pepper?" I asked, suddenly concerned.
"More likely Pepper will terrorize her. Lily is extremely patient."
"Pepper wouldn't do that!"
He just smiled, clearly unconvinced.
Julian tilted his head. "I've answered so many questions. Don't I get some kind of reward?"
I narrowed my eyes. "That's entrapment! You should thank me for teaching you a lesson in negotiation tactics."
"Entrapment," he repeated slowly. Then his expression turned serious. "Besides you, who else would dare try to trap me? And who else could get me to say things I normally wouldn't?"
He paused, his gaze locking onto mine. "It seems the honey trap really does work."
My heartbeat skipped.
"Your turn," he said quickly. "Truth or Dare?"
"Dare."
Dare would be simple. Sing a song, do a silly dance—harmless things. A gentleman wouldn't make things difficult for me.
Julian seemed to consider for a moment. "I'd love to hear you sing. Or watch you dance."
I relaxed slightly. "Okay, so—"
"But that's not what I want."
I froze.
He took a step forward, his voice dropping lower. "My dare is... kiss me."
The world spun.
My brain short-circuited. "I—no. I take it back. I choose Truth!"
"You can't change your answer," Julian said, amusement in his voice. "That's not how the game works."
"You're cheating!"
"I'm following the rules you set."
I bit my lip, my gaze involuntarily falling to his mouth. The curve of his lips, the sharp line of his jaw. I remembered that brief kiss earlier, how it had sent electricity surging through my veins.
Julian noticed where I was looking. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his expression changed—heat replacing playfulness.
He moved closer, each step deliberate. My heart pounded so violently I was certain he must be able to hear it.
He stopped directly in front of me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him despite the chill in the air. Then he leaned forward, bracing one hand on the railing beside me, caging me in.
His face was only inches from mine. His voice came out low and rough. "Come on. Kiss me."
I could feel his breath against my lips, smell the faint jasmine scent that clung to him.
My heart was going to explode. I was certain of it.
Rain drummed against the metal roof overhead, a relentless percussion that seemed to match my racing heartbeat. His eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made me hold my breath.
"Come on," he said again, voice low.
My brain had turned to static. This wasn't like before—that impulsive kiss by the spring had been my decision, my moment of reckless courage. But now, with him so close, his warmth radiating through the damp fabric of his shirt, I felt paralyzed by my own awareness of what this meant.
Before I could respond, my phone rang.
The shrill sound shattered the moment like glass. I practically lunged for it, ducking under Julian's arm and stumbling backward several steps. I fumbled the phone from my pocket.
Henry.
Relief flooded through me. "I need to take this," I blurted out, turning my back to Julian.
"Nora? Thank god." Henry's voice came through, slightly distorted by poor reception. "I've been trying to reach you. Are you okay? The weather service issued a storm warning."
"I'm fine," I managed, pressing one hand to my hot cheek. "Just got caught in the rain. I'm sheltered."
"Where are you? Do you need me to come get you?"
"No, no. I'm in the mountains, waiting out the rain. With a friend."
"Are you sure? I can drive out—"
"The signal's breaking up," I said quickly. "I'll call you back later, okay?"
I ended the call and stood there staring at my phone, trying to slow my racing heart.
"Henry Phillips." Julian's voice came from behind me, flat and carefully neutral.
I turned slowly. He was leaning against the opposite railing now, arms crossed. Something had shifted in his posture—the easy warmth from moments ago replaced by something sharper.
"He's just concerned," I said defensively.
"Concerned." He repeated the word like he was testing its weight. Then his mouth curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Seems Ms. Grey is very popular. Even in a storm, people are worried about her."
There was an edge to his tone that made my pulse quicken. Before I could respond, my phone rang again.