She hadn’t expected him to simply hold her and do nothing else.


    And yet, that was all he did.


    He just held her quietly.


    For some reason, Aurora felt an odd sense of disappointment.


    She shook her head, trying to banish the ridiculous thought. What was she even thinking?


    When she woke again, he was still asleep beside her.


    His eyes were closed, his face peaceful. The usual sharpness he wore during the day was gone, reced by a rare softness that


    made his features seem even more striking.


    Aurora couldn’t help but lift her hand, tracing the contours of his face–from his deep–set eyes to the bridge of his nose, then finally to his perfectly shaped lips.


    Every feature seemed tailor–made for her taste.


    Even in sleep, he radiated a quiet, maic masculinity.


    She found herself quietly envious–what window had fate not closed for this man?


    Her slender fingers gently outlined his face, indulging in the moment.


    She thought he was asleep, thought she could get away with it.


    But in the next instant, arge hand suddenly caught her wrist.


    “Do you like what you see?”


    His voice was low and husky, stillced with sleep.


    That rough–edged murmur sent a jolt through her.


    Caught red–handed, Aurora froze. Her mind went nk, and for a moment she couldn’t even respond.


    “Y–yeah… you’re… good–looking.”


    <b>Lucas </b><b>had </b>only meant <b>to </b><b>tease </b>her, but he hadn’t expected such a direct answer.


    For a beat<b>, </b>he stared at her<b>, </b>startled–then a slow, amused smile curved across his lips.


    “As long as you think so. I’m all yours, Rora.”


    The moment those wordsnded, color rushed to Aurora’s cheeks.


    What was she saying? And why couldn’t she control her mouth around him?


    Flustered, she bolted upright and hurried off to the bathroom, eager to escape before she said something even more


    embarrassing.


    <b>+25 </b>Bonus


    Lucas watched Aurora’s retreating figure, unable to hide the amused glint in his eyes. She looked like she was fleeing the scene.


    He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.


    It wasn’t every day he got to see this version of her–flustered, awkward, scrambling for an escape.


    “Alright, alright,” he called after her. “Don’t rush. Take it slow.”


    He was worried she might be too flustered to drive properly.


    But Aurora didn’t respond. She had no energy left to deal with him–her only thought now was to get out of that awkward


    atmosphere as fast as possible.


    Back at the office, she finally let out a breath.


    Still, what happened with Julian lingered in her mind.


    She wasn’t sure what to do next, or even where to begin.


    It wasn’t something she could easily talk about.


    In fact, the thought of bringing it up made her ufortable.


    But staying silent didn’t sit right with her either.


    She’d been followed for no reason.


    Letting that go without a response? Absolutely not.


    Julian was bing more and more of a mystery to her.


    In the end, she called her assistant and decided it was best to keep an eye on him for now.


    Ian, hearing her instructions, didn’t look the least bit surprised.


    “Just keep watch on him? Nothing else for now?”


    <b>He </b>was worried Julian might try something else.


    Aurora paused, thinking it over. She hadn’te up with another n yet.


    “For now<b>, </b>just <b>keep </b>tabs on him. We’ll decide the restter.”


    <b>“</b>Understood.”


    With that, Ian <b>quietly </b>took his leave<b>. </b>