Julie quickly entered the bedroom, dropped her bag by the door, and bent down to remove her boots.
Without wasting ti, she padded across the floor and stepped into the bathroom to freshen up.
By the ti she walked out, feeling refreshed and wearing a more comfortable outfit, Roman was already seated on the couch.
His elbows rested lazily on his thighs, fingers interlaced, and he lifted his gaze as soon as she appeared.
"You done?" he asked casually, though his eyes lingered a little longer than necessary.
Julie gave him a small smile and nodded. "Yeah."
"Alright, let freshen up too," Roman said as he stood and walked into the bathroom.
Julie glanced at the floor, then the couch, then back at the closed bathroom door.
The room felt warr than before, her pulse surprisingly fast despite doing nothing strenuous.
When Roman finally erged from the bathroom, the air shifted again.
He walked out shirtless, a towel casually thrown over his shoulder, water droplets still glistening on his skin, catching the light.
His damp hair was pushed back, and a mischievous smile tugged at his lips when he noticed the way Julie’s eyes flicked to him, only for her to imdiately look away.
She was blushing—again.
He could see it clearly, that soft rosy tint coloring her cheeks, and it amused him to no end.
He took a few steps closer, slow and deliberate.
She had told him before to put sothing on—that he wasn’t alone in the room anymore and should be more considerate—but he never took it seriously.
Not because he was inconsiderate, but because he secretly enjoyed making her cheeks turn pink.
That reaction from her—pure and honest—was addictive.
Roman leaned slightly toward her, his voice playfully low. "Why are you blushing?" he asked, his tone teasing.
Julie quickly shook her head and turned away, trying to avoid his gaze.
Her fingers clutched at the edge of her shirt as if grounding herself.
Not letting her off that easily, Roman moved to the side where she’d turned her face and crouched slightly so he could look up at her.
His fingers gently hooked at the crook of her neck, and with the softest coaxing, he tilted her face up.
"You don’t want to look at ?" he asked gently, his voice quieter now, as if trying to understand her rather than tease.
Her lashes fluttered as she avoided his eyes. "I-I just feel uncomfortable," she admitted in a soft voice, then added quickly, "I’ve never seen a guy half-naked before... I just can’t help but blush."
Roman smiled at that, the corners of his lips lifting with genuine warmth.
"Then why don’t we fix that?" he said.
Julie blinked, unsure if she heard him right. "Yo-you an... what?"
"From now on, I’ll be sleeping without a shirt," he said bluntly. "That way, you’ll get used to it."
Her eyes widened—not because she was going to see him without a shirt again, but because the thought of touching him or lying on his bare chest sent unfamiliar chills down her spine.
Her heartbeat raced at the very idea.
She quickly lowered her gaze. "No... please don’t," she murmured, her voice small but sincere.
Roman tilted his head. "Why, love? Tell ."
Julie didn’t answer. She just shook her head, unable to articulate the whirlwind of thoughts in her head.
He didn’t press her. Instead of changing into another outfit like she hoped he would, he simply sat beside her at the edge of the bed, letting the silence settle between them before speaking again.
"Don’t you want to know what people are accusing you of?" he asked quietly, watching her reaction.
Julie’s eyes snapped to him, wide with surprise. Slowly, they narrowed as she tried to make sense of his question.
She had been so focused on her own fears and feelings lately that she hadn’t even thought much about what the world outside was whispering about her.
"But... things like that... aren’t they supposed to happen when two people are in love? And... when both agree to it?" she asked hesitantly. "And if we... I an, if we did... I might get pregnant..."
She said it all in one breath, not even stopping to think about how flustered she sounded.
Roman couldn’t help but chuckle. "Relax, Julie. I was just joking earlier."
Her face turned crimson.
So, he had been teasing her the whole ti? And here she was, overthinking everything to the point of spiraling.
He made her overanalyze things, and then sat there as if nothing had happened.
"Now let change," Roman said, beginning to push himself up from the bed.
But before he could fully stand, Julie suddenly leaned forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
The movent was unexpected and strong enough to make him pause.
She held onto him so tightly that he had to take a deep breath, slightly choked by her grip. Noticing, she loosened her arms just enough for him to breathe properly.
Roman’s heart fluttered at her sudden affection, his own arms wrapping securely around her in return.
She fit perfectly against him—like she belonged there.
"Thank you for the hug," he said softly, pulling back a little to look into her eyes. "But... why so suddenly?"
Julie didn’t et his gaze at first. "It’s for earlier," she admitted. "I think I was slly... sweaty. And you still hugged ."
Roman blinked, then smiled at her honesty. "Just because you were sweaty doesn’t an I shouldn’t hug you."
Julie pulled away, clearly embarrassed now, and looked down at the floor. "But you’d sll it... and then know I didn’t sll good."
Unknowingly, she pouted slightly—and that was a dangerous thing to do around Roman.
He leaned in again.
Julie leaned back instinctively, but Roman placed one hand gently at the back of her head and the other at the small of her back, anchoring her in place.
Nowhere to run.
She licked her lips nervously—a simple, subconscious gesture—but it had an electrifying effect on him. As if so invisible thread pulled him even closer.
In one swift move, Roman closed the distance and captured her lips in a soft but deliberate kiss.
That kiss had been on his mind since earlier—ever since she smiled at him in the car.
He could tell she had been trying to lift his mood, silently offering comfort, and he had wanted to return that emotion with sothing deeper.
Now he did.
Julie didn’t resist. She closed her eyes, letting herself feel the mont. Her breath hitched, her heart pounded in her chest, but she didn’t pull away.
Roman finally broke the kiss, just enough to whisper near her lips, "Hmm... so sweet."
Julie was breathless, blushing again, but this ti her lips held a small, shy smile.
"So, all of this... the hug, the kiss... it was for ?" Roman asked, already knowing the answer but enjoying her reaction.
Julie nodded without offering any verbal explanation, too flustered to speak.
She didn’t want to admit she had already thought about kissing him—she’d rather bury that secret than face the embarrassnt of voicing it.
"Go put on sothing else," she said, trying to change the subject, "You might catch a cold."
Roman smiled at that.She cared. Even if she didn’t say it directly, he could see it in her actions, in her eyes.
’So she cares,’ he thought to himself, heart warming.
"Okay, I will," he said gently.
As Roman walked into the closet to change, Julie stood and exited the bedroom, needing a mont to collect herself.
She clutched her phone and headed straight to the backyard garden, hoping the fresh air would help cool her flustered mind.
Her cheeks were still warm from the earlier kiss, and her heartbeat refused to slow even after leaving the room.
Just as she stepped into the corridor, she caught sight of Malone—Roman’s personal guard—passing by.
He looked like he was in a hurry, but also strangely... distracted.
"Good day, ma’am," he greeted, pausing briefly and bowing his head respectfully.
Julie gave him a small, polite nod along with a soft smile. "Good day to you too."
She kept walking, but paused again when she noticed Malone hadn’t left.
He was still standing a few feet away, glancing toward the hallway, then back toward the garden.
Then he turned—walked a few steps forward—then back again.
He was pacing.
Julie’s brows drew together slightly. She turned to glance at him again, and this ti, her frown deepened.
Malone opened his mouth as if he was about to speak, but closed it just as quickly.
His hand moved across the front of his uniform—an unconscious gesture of unease. It was subtle, but Julie noticed.
He took another step forward, then turned back again, clearly restless.
"Malone?" she called softly, her voice breaking the silence.
You maybe surprised about how she knows his but it all because Roman introduced her to all of the guards when they get married.
And Julie being sharp person she grab each of their nas.
He halted instantly, straightening as if caught doing sothing he shouldn’t.
"Yes, ma’am?"
"You’ve walked past three tis now. What’s wrong?" she asked, her tone gentle but curious.
Malone hesitated, the tension in his jaw tightening.
"I... apologize, ma’am. I was looking for the master, but I didn’t see him." He paused again, then shifted his weight uneasily.
"There’s sothing important—sothing I really need to report. But it’s not sothing I should speak of without his presence."
Julie watched him carefully, the seriousness in his eyes wiping away any trace of playfulness from her own.
"I understand," she said slowly. "Would you like to call him for you?"
Malone gave a small but sharp nod. "Yes, ma’am. If it’s not too much trouble, please... could you ask the master to et with ? I won’t take long—I just can’t delay this any further."
Julie nodded, recognizing the urgency in his voice, even if he hadn’t said what it was about.
"I’ll let him know," she said simply.
"Thank you, ma’am," Malone said with a respectful bow of his head, stepping back slightly to give her space.
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