Page 13 of You. Me. Us.

Something special.The words echoed in Hillary’s mind, a promise and a question all at once. If she weren’t so damn good at everything she might have believed this was something. She wasn’t sure what made him want to help the lonely journalist have a night out, but she couldn’t fall for the man who made women everywhere fall in love with him.

As if reading her thoughts, Julius’s expression softened, his hand sliding down from her cheek to take hers. “In all seriousness, Hillary... I’ve never felt this way before. This connection between us...it’s different. It’s interesting.”

No one had ever called her interesting before, and somehow, it didn’t feel like an insult.

Julius moved his free hand, his fingers gently brushing her hair behind her ear. The touch was intimate, tender, and it sent a shiver down her spine. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest, a kaleidoscope of emotions weighing down on her from a single touch.

How can a simple touch feel so electric, so charged with meaning?

This was how he made everyone feel. It was no wonder she was falling prey to it in real life. To have all that charm on her? It was mind melting.

Their eyes locked, blue meeting green in a moment of profound connection. The world around them vanished again, the chatter of the party and the twinkling lights blurring into a distant hum. In that instant, nothing else mattered. It was just the two of them, lost in each other’s gaze, their souls laid bare.

Hillary found herself drowning in his eyes again. Trying not to be captivated by the vulnerability and raw emotion she saw there.

“Hillary...” Julius breathed, his voice soft and filled with wonder. “I’ve never felt anything like this before. It’s like I can’t help but talk to you.”

Hillary whispered, her own voice trembling with the weight of her emotions. “It’s crazy, this is crazy. We barely know each other. You’re using all your charm for a woman who doesn’t need any of it.”

“That’s it exactly. You don’t need any of it. It’s like you don’t care if I’m here or not, and it’s not some absurd self-confidence, I can tell how uncomfortable you were back there. You don’t want to be here with me as me. You just wanted to come to be with me, the crazy man who basically asked you on a date after talking to you for eighteen minutes.”

“We went a bit over,” she corrected, her mouth going dry as she found it hard to continue to believe this was just an act for him.

As if on cue, the music shifted to a slower tempo, the melody soft and inviting. Julius’s eyes sparkled as he gave their joined hands a small tug. “Dance with me. We’ll stay off the dance area this time.”

Hillary’s heart raced as took a step forward. His fingers curled around hers, gentle yet firm, as he guided her against him, moving them just far enough from the wall that they could dance.

Julius’s arm slipped around her waist, drawing her closer, while his other hand held hers against his chest. Hillary could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm, a rhythm that seemed to echo her own.

They moved as one, their steps in sync, their bodies molded together as if they hadn’t a care in the world that they barelyknew each other. Hillary closed her eyes, letting herself get lost in the sensation of being held so tenderly by a man who could have any person in damn near any room.

Hillary’s heart raced as Julius’s hand slid up her back, his fingers leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. She shivered, not from the cool night air, but from the electricity that seemed to crackle between them.

Julius pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. “Are you cold?” he asked, concern etched in his handsome features.

Hillary shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “No, I’m perfect. This... this is perfect.”

“I’ll take the leap that you are interested, even if just a little,” Julius murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “So, I need you to know, in case it’s not obvious, I’m interested in you, and I’m not a big believer in cat and mouse games.”

six

. . .

The low beatsand the talking faded to a distant hum as Hillary processed the words Julius uttered. Electric tension crackled between their bodies, and somehow, Julius found a way to lean in closer, his magnetic presence drawing her in like a moth to a flame.

Hillary’s heart raced, pounding against her ribcage as if trying to burst free at any moment. The heat of his breath caressed her skin, while the scent of his cologne enveloped her senses. Unconsciously, her tongue slipped out and she wet her lips, her mind racing to make sense of his words.

Were they a promise or a threat?

Julius’s hand gently cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the delicate curve of her jaw. Hillary leaned into his touch, her skin tingling at the contact. His eyes searched hers, a silent question hanging between them.

“Hillary...” he whispered, his voice low and husky.

She swallowed hard, her voice barely audible. “Yes?”

“I don’t think I can resist you any longer.”

Before Hillary could respond, Julius leaned down, closing the remaining distance. His lips captured hers in a kiss that wasanything but hesitant. Her mind went utterly blank as he took control in a way only someone like him could.

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