Chapter 151
Nora's POV
When I stepped out of the bathroom, my phone buzzed on the nightstand—Vincent's message lighting up the screen.
"9 AM, Silverton Stadium, basketball preliminaries venue walkthrough. Bring your camera bag, we need to prep the coverage plan early."
I took a deep breath and typed back quickly: "Got it. Will be there on time."
After sending the message, sounds drifted up from downstairs—the opening and closing of cabinet doors, the low hum of the coffee maker. These ordinary household sounds stirred something unexpected in my chest, a warmth that felt close to belonging.
I dried my damp hair with a blow dryer in front of the mirror, changed into a simple gray henley and jeans, then took a deep breath and pushed through the door to head downstairs.
I entered the dining room to find Julian standing at the stove with his back to me, wearing charcoal sweatpants and a white t-shirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, revealing the defined muscles of his forearms.
Hearing my footsteps, he turned around, and the moment his gaze landed on me, his expression softened completely. "Finished your shower?"
I nodded, feeling suddenly self-conscious as I walked toward the table. I could still feel the weight of everything that had happened between us last night.
Julian's long fingers crooked in a silent gesture. "Come here."
I looked up at him, somewhat confused. "Why?"
"Come here." His tone left no room for argument.
I hesitated for half a second before moving closer—then his hand cupped the back of my head, pulling me into a slow, thorough, devastatingly tender kiss. Unlike last night's frenzy, this kiss was gentler, more leisurely, as if he were memorizing the shape of my lips.
When he pulled back, his voice was low and husky. "Good morning kiss. Hadn't given you today's yet."
I blinked, heat flooding my cheeks. "Wasn't last night enough?"
"Never enough." He smiled.
"Alright, time for breakfast." I hurriedly escaped his embrace.
---
We ate quietly for a while, but I couldn't help stealing glances at him. He looked more relaxed than I'd ever seen him.
"I'm driving you to work," he said casually, as if he'd already decided.
I paused mid-bite of bacon. "You don't have to—"
"I want to." His tone was firm but gentle. "Besides, I'm leaving for the airport this afternoon. Might as well make good use of the time I have with you before I go."
"Where are you going?"
"Aetheria. Infrastructure audit project."
"How long will you be gone?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual, though something in my chest tightened uncomfortably.
"Three to five days, depending on how the preliminary assessment goes." He reached over, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear with a tenderness that made my throat tight. "Missing me already?"
"Don't flatter yourself," I muttered, though we both knew it was a lie.
His smile widened, both smug and devastatingly attractive. "Liar."
---
After breakfast, we walked hand in hand to the parking lot. The morning air was fresh, the city still waking around us. Julian's grip was tight and warm.
Walking like this felt surreal—ordinary, domestic, as if we were just another couple stepping into a new day.
"You know," I said after we'd walked for a bit, breaking the comfortable silence, "if you're going to Aetheria for an infrastructure audit, there must be some reporting potential. Is there any chance I could get advance—"
"Absolutely not." He cut me off with a laugh, his smile full of satisfaction.
I stopped walking, pulling my hand back and crossing my arms. "You didn't even let me finish."
"Didn't need to." He stepped closer, invading my space until I had to tilt my head back to glare at him properly. "You were about to ask me for special treatment. Inside access. An exclusive."
"I was not—" I started, but he raised an eyebrow and I faltered. Okay, maybe I was. A little.
"Nice try, baby." He tapped my nose, infuriatingly smug. "But federal project disclosures follow strict timelines. I can't tip you off just because you're cute."
"I am not cute," I shot back, though my face was already heating.
"You're adorable when you're scheming." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "But the answer is still no."
I huffed and turned to stride forward. "Fine. Forget I asked."
His laughter followed me, warm and rich, then his arm wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me back against his chest. "Don't pout."
"I'm not pouting."
"You are." His breath was warm against my ear. "And for the record, I didn't say I'd never help you. Just no exclusives. But if you behave—" he paused, letting the word hang heavy between us, "—I might arrange an interview slot for you after the official press briefing."
I turned in his arms to look at him. "Really?"
"Maybe." His eyes gleamed with mischief. "Depends on how well you keep me happy."
I bit my lip, holding back a smile. "Define 'behave.'"
"Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean." He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "Take care of my mate while I'm away. That's all I'm asking."
"Fine," I said, trying to sound annoyed rather than ridiculously pleased. "But this is borderline corruption, you know."
"Is it?" He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, grinning. "I think it's just smart negotiation."
"You're impossible."
"You keep saying that." He kissed me quickly, pulling back before I could deepen it. "Come on. Let me walk you to work."
---
We stopped at the parking lot, and I turned to face him fully.
"Be careful," I said softly, hating how small my voice sounded.
"I'm always careful." He reached out, stroking my hair. "You be careful too. Don't wear yourself out while I'm gone."
I bit my lip, suppressing the sudden urge to pull him down for another kiss right there in the street. "Three to five days?"
"Yes. I'll message you when I land." He hesitated, then added, his voice lower, "If you need anything, call me. I don't care what time it is."
Something in my chest squeezed tight. "Okay."
He stared at me for another long moment, then sighed and pulled me into his arms, wrapping them around me as if he could physically protect me just by holding on tight enough.
"Julian—"
"Yeah, baby?"
I should have said something smart. Something to create distance before I completely lost my mind. But what came out instead was: "I'm going to miss you."
His expression softened completely, all the teasing gone. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine. "I'll miss you too. Very much."
We stood like that for a moment, just breathing each other in, then he kissed me one last time—soft, sweet, full of promise.
When he finally pulled back, I had to force myself to take a step back, to let go.
"Go," I said, my voice embarrassingly unsteady, "before I drag you inside and make you miss your flight."
His mouth curved into a slow, wicked smile. "Don't tempt me."
I pushed lightly at his chest, laughing despite the tightness in my throat. "Go."
With one last long look, he turned and walked away.
I stood there watching until his car disappeared around the corner, my chest feeling hollow.