Page 10 of You. Me. Us.

Hillary ducked her head slightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks that was more pink than red. “I look forward to seeing where your career takes you next, Julius. And who knows? Maybe our paths will cross again. One last question. Why always elves? Even when you step away from your role as the warrior prince, you tend to end up right back as an elf in a nother world.”

“Why not? They’re not just Santa’s best helpers.”

Her bark of laughter in response to his joke made him grin in return. He liked the loud sound. She didn’t seem to care about being polite or unheard.

Julius couldn’t shake the feeling that this encounter was just the beginning of something more. Those green eyes had left an indelible mark on him, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to forget them anytime soon.

There was something about Hillary that drew him in, a refreshing authenticity that stood out in the sea of superficiality he often encountered. Before he could second-guess himself, the words tumbled out of his mouth. “Hillary, I know this might be a bit crazy, but I’d love for you to join me at an after-party tonight. Consider it off the record. I don’t think I’m quite ready to stop talking to you.”

Hillary’s eyes widened, surprise etched across her delicate features. “An after-party? With you?” Her voice held a mix ofdisbelief and hesitation. She nervously adjusted her glasses, her expression belying just how terrified the prospect made her.

Julius leaned forward and offered her a smile. “Yes, with me. It’s a little party, just some people in the industry. I think you’d fit right in.”

He could sense her uncertainty, but he couldn’t let this opportunity slip away because he meant that wasn’t ready to be done speaking with her.

Julius’s mind raced with the possibility of her saying yes.Will she say yes? I can’t believe I may have just been some creep hitting on a woman who absolutely wasn’t asking to be hit on.He knew he should have kept it professional and not crossed any boundaries, but there was a part of him that couldn’t resist taking a chance.

“I... I don’t know,” Hillary stammered, her eyes glancing everywhere, searching for an escape from his intense gaze. “I’m not really the party type, and I wouldn’t want to impose.”

Julius reached out, his hand brushing against hers, sending a surge of electricity through his body. He took her hands in his, gently rubbing his thumbs over her hands to try to set her at ease. “You wouldn’t be imposing at all. In fact, I’d be honored to have you there.” His voice was low and seductive. “Think of it as an opportunity to network and gain inspiration for your next big story. Besides, I would be lying if I didn’t say I wanted to spend more time with you. For the record, on the record, I can take no for an answer, I just don’t want to right now.”

Julius watched Hillary’s resolve begin to waver, as her eyes returned to lock on with his.She’s considering it. With a silent encouragement, he met her gaze and saw genuine warmth reflected back at him.Come on, take a chance.He wouldn’t push if she said no, but he really wanted her to say yes.

“Okay, I’ll come.” She sounded hesitant but there was also a hint of excitement in her voice.

Another smile spread across his lips, he couldn’t remember the last time a simple conversation made him smile. “Fantastic!” He pulled out a sleek business card from his pocket and quickly scribbled his personal number on the back. “Here’s my number. Just text me when you’re ready and I’ll send a car to pick you up.”

As he handed her the card, their fingers brushed once more, lingering for a heartbeat longer than necessary. His heart damn near skipped a beat at the simple touch, leaving him shocked with no words as she tucked the card into her pocket, a tangible reminder of the unexpected turn her day had taken.

“I’ll see you tonight then,” she said softly, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Julius winked. “I’ll be waiting. Enjoy the rest of your interviews.” With that, he turned and strode away, leaving Hillary alone to decide her next move.

“You’ve never been that pushy in your entire life.” He nodded at the assigned security. “Just going to head back in and get a good rest before the next set of fan meet and greets. He pulled a cap that was tucked into his waistband out and popped it on his head before grabbing sunglasses from his belt loop and adding those to the look.

Thankfully, he was able to move with little excitement thanks to his very basic disguise. He stepped into his private room, the door clicking shut behind him. He leaned against the wall, his mind still reeling from the unexpected connection he’d felt with Hillary. There was something about her, a quiet strength beneath her reserved exterior, that drew him in like a moth to a flame.

Am I really attracted to her?he wondered, running a hand through his tousled hair.Or is it just the thrill of something new, someone who doesn’t fall at my feet?

He couldn’t deny the way his heart raced when their fingers touched, the electricity that seemed to crackle between them. It was something he hadn’t experienced in a long time, and the last time had ended with the woman trying to sell photos of them to the media.

Julius moved to the couch, sinking into the plush cushions as he replayed their conversation in his mind. Hillary’s questions had been standard fare, the same ones he’d answered a thousand times before. But there was something in the way she listened, the way she held his gaze with those striking green eyes, that made him feel truly seen.

“She’s different,” he mused, a smile tugging at his lips. “She’s not just another pretty face or a fawning fan. There’s depth there, a story waiting to be told. If I can get her to open up to me. The camera would love her, too.”

He glanced at his phone, wondering if she’d text him, if she’d be brave enough to step out of her comfort zone and join him at the after-party.

Not yet, but it had only been five minutes, and what on earth was he thinking looking that fast?

Yup, I want to know her,the thought both thrilled and terrified him. “Not just the journalist, but the woman behind the pen. I want to see what makes her tick, what she’d be like when she wasn’t working.”

Julius closed his eyes, picturing Hillary’s face, the way she’d looked at him with a mixture of surprise and intrigue when he’d extended the invitation. It was a look that had ignited something within him, a desire to chase that connection, to explore the possibilities that lay ahead.

She was beautiful, but it was the shyness that made him want to know what she kept hidden away only for those she trusted. He wanted to peel away her insecurities and see what she wasmade of. Help her find herself the way acting helped him do the same.

He took a deep breath, the anticipation building in his chest. Whether Hillary showed up or not, he knew one thing for certain, she had awoken something within him, a desire to connect with someone. There was even a shot he was finally ready to date.

five

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