Chapter 21

"I'm inviting you," I said, my voice steady, though my heart skipped a beat. "Not just for tonight."

Something flashed in Julian's eyes—fast, but I caught it. A trace of surprise, a trace of relief, and a trace of... perhaps warmth.

He reached out, covering my hand with his. His palm was still dry, warm, calloused. But this time, the sensation of his touch was entirely different.

"Then," he sai