Page 22 of You. Me. Us.

Julius closed the door behind them, drinking in the sight of her in his home, in his world. Her chestnut hair glowed in the warm light, her green eyes seeming to sparkle as she slowly turned to take it all in. His heart swelled with an unfamiliar feeling, one he couldn’t quite name. All he knew was that he wanted to give her more glimpses into his life, to peel back the layers of mystery she no doubt saw him as being a big celebrity.

He reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. “Come on, let me give you the grand tour. I want to show you everything.”

As he led her deeper into the house, Julius felt the nervousness from earlier transforming into a fluttering anticipation. Sharing his past with Hillary suddenly felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Julius guided Hillary through the sprawling rooms, each one holding a piece of his childhood. In the living room, he pointed out the fireplace. “My sister and I used to roast marshmallows there on chilly evenings. It was more fun than doing it in summer with all the bugs. We’d always try to see who could make the biggest s’more,” he chuckled, the memory warming his heart.

Hillary’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “And let me guess, you always won?”

“Of course,” he grinned. “But only because I cheated and used two marshmallows.”

Their laughter mingled, filling the space with a comforting vibe he wasn’t afraid to admit the place had been missing when he came here alone.

As they moved into the kitchen, Julius ran his hand along the worn, but still in perfect shape, dark granite countertop. “This is where my mom taught me to cook,” he said softly. “She always said that the way to someone’s heart was through their stomach. I’m still not very good at it, but I haven’t killed myself yet.” He added a small wink.

Hillary leaned against the counter, her gaze gentle. “She sounds like a wise woman.”

“She is.” Julius smiled wistfully. “I think you’d like her. She’s quiet, like you, always watching.”

The tour continued, each room unlocking another piece of his past. By the time they reached his childhood bedroom, Julius felt like he’d shared more of himself with Hillary than he had with anyone.

Pushing the door inward, he watched as she stepped inside, her eyes roaming over the mostly barren walls. A few faded posters clung to the pale blue paint, remnants of his teenage obsessions of films similar to the ones he starred in now.

“Do you still sleep here?” Hillary asked, turning to face him. “Instead of the master bedroom?”

Julius nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Sometimes, when I need to remind myself of where I came from. It keeps me grounded, you know? To be surrounded by the actors who made me realize I wanted to tell stories for a living.”

She smiled softly. “I can understand that.”

As she roamed the room, Julius couldn’t deny the inexplicable pulled toward her, like a magnet to metal. He wanted to reach out and tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, to pull her close and breathe in the scent of her.

But he held back, the desire warring with his need to take things slow. This thing between them, whatever it was, was too precious to rush. He wanted to savor every moment, every tentative step forward.

So instead, he simply watched her, his heart swelling with a feeling he couldn’t quite name. And for the first time in his life, Julius realized that maybe, just maybe, he was ready to let someone truly see him - all of him.

Julius took a step closer to Hillary, nerves he wasn’t used to sending his heart thumping faster. She looked up at him, her green eyes wide and questioning behind her glasses.

He raised his hand, hesitating for a moment before gently reaching up to her hair. His fingers brushed against the soft strands, and a thrill ran through him at the contact. The same sensation he had when they kissed on the rooftop and just a bit ago in his garden.

Hillary’s breath hitched, and Julius paused, searching her face for any sign of discomfort. But she merely watched him, her lips parted slightly, as if waiting to see what he would do next.

Slowly, carefully, Julius tugged at the elastic band holding her ponytail in place. As he pulled it free, her chestnut waves cascaded down around her shoulders, framing her face in a soft halo.

He let his fingers linger, running them through the silky strands. It was a simple gesture, but somehow, it felt more intimate than anything he had ever done before.

Julius found himself captivated by the way it framed her face, softening her features and making her look even more beautiful than before. He couldn’t tear his gaze away, his eyes locked on hers as a powerful connection surged between them.

Hillary’s eyes fluttered closed, and she leaned into his touch, a small sigh escaping her lips. Julius’s heart swelled, and hemarveled at the effect he seemed to have on her that didn’t appear linked to money or fame, only his touch.

Even as he reveled in the sheer power of her attraction to him, a part of him held back, unsure of how far to take things. He wanted her, there was no denying that. But he also wanted to do this right, to build something real. It was too early to say he wanted something lasting, but all signs pointed that way.

In that moment, all of Julius’s doubts and hesitations melted away. He knew with absolute certainty that he wanted to be with her, to explore this connection and see where it could lead. Unable to resist any longer, he leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a passionate embrace.

The kiss was like a bolt of electricity, charging through his body and igniting every nerve ending. As he pulled her closer, his fingers entwined in the soft strands of her hair. Hillary’s response was just as passionate, her lips eagerly parting for him as she matched his intensity. With every touch and caress, their need only grew stronger, pouring out with each breath and movement into the fiery kiss between them.

Julius’s mind went blank, all thoughts fleeing as he lost himself in the sensation of her mouth on his. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before, a perfect moment of connection and passion that left him breathless and aching for more as the kiss deepened, but remained chaste at the same time.

He marveled at the woman in his arms. The way she melted into his embrace, the way her lips moved against his with such perfect synchronicity.

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