Chapter 23
Olivia wandered the streets for over an hour, picking up a few local trinkets to bring home as gifts. It was already dinnertiine, and she was about to find a place to eat when a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of her.
That person came out of nowhere, and before she could react, she bumped right into him. Her body stumbled back uncontrollably. Just as she was about to fall, an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her forward. She fell into a broad, solid chest.
Heat radiated through the thin fabric, and the faint scent of fresh grass lingered at the tip of her nose. Olivia’s heart skipped a beat.
She quickly came to her senses and tried to pull away, but the man’s arm felt like steel, locking her soft body tightly against his firm chest.
Olivia pressed both hands against his chest and gave a push, but it didn’t budge him. Frustrated, she looked up. The moment she saw that familiar, handsome face, the anger that had just flared up vanished instantly.
No matter how many times she saw Julian, Olivia still couldn’t help but be stunned by his looks.
Today, Julian looked even hotter than before. His hair was brushed back neatly and cleanly. His eyebrows seemed to have been groomed, giving him a sharper, more commanding look.
ཅ༅་༴་ཋཟོ་ཕཇ ༤ ༠༩
Everything about him was the same as before, yet more refined in every way. He wore a white shirt, the kind made of thin, soft fabric. Even through the shirt, Olivia could clearly feel the contours of the muscles beneath her palms.
“Feels good?” Julian’s amused voice came from above her head.
Olivia nodded. “Not bad.”
She thought, “Well, since he already caught me ogling him, might as well cop a feel while I’m at it. I mean, I’m the one sponsoring him.
“Sure, I haven’t actually paid him yet, but that’s beside the point. What matters is, if I’m gonna get labeled a thirsty cougar, I might as well act like
one.
Olivia’s hands lingered briefly on Julian’s chest before slowly sliding up to cup his cheeks. “Since we’re abroad now, we should follow local customs.”
Julian looked puzzled. “What customs?”
The kind where people kiss for no reason,” Olivia said.
She stood on tiptoe, hooked her arms around his neck, pulled him down slightly, and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
As they parted, Olivia’s lips brushed up to his left ear and she whispered, “You look so fine today. Stay with me tonight.”
Her warm breath grazed his ear, and Julian’s heartbeat spiraled out of control.
Olivia quickly stepped out of his arms with a soft laugh. “I’m starving. Let’s eat first.” She then turned and started walking ahead.
Julian caught up within seconds, grabbed her hand, and slowly pried her fingers open one by one, lacing their fingers tightly together.
Olivia turned to glance at their clasped hands, then looked up
at
him.
Julian said with a straight face, “It’s crowded out here. We should hold hands so you
Olivia didn’t say anything. She figured they’d already
crossed
don’t
get lost.”
intimate lines than this. Holding hands was nothing at this point.
She chose a fondue restaurant. Julian didn’t seem all that hungry. He kept filling her plate but barely touched his own.
Eating alone felt awkward, so Olivia started feeding him between bites of her own.
Julian’s eyes twinkled with amusement. He looked like he was in a really good mood.
Toward the end of their meal, Dylan and Chloe walked past the restaurant hand in hand.
Dylan’s gaze swept casually across the restaurant, and his eyes suddenly caught on a familiar figure. He looked closer–it was Olivia,
She had changed her outfit and done her makeup. She looked like she’d stepped straight out of a dream. For a moment, Dylan was completely dazed.
