Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 216

Sydney had never experienced this before, so lying on the bed seemed like it might at least give her a sense of security.

She wore the nightdress Julian had chosen for her. The lace embroidery along the neckline and hem softened her appearance, making her look even more gentle and compliant.

She had barely bothered with her hair. Her bangs curled to one side, giving her a playful air. Her delicate skin, flushed from the steam of the shower, glowed like a ripe peach about to burst with juice.

Outwardly she appeared calm, but her fingers twisted together in front of her, betraying her unease. Her eyes, dark and clear like a deer's, shimmered with uncertainty.

Above all else, she radiated resignation.

The sight stirred something in Julian. He teased deliberately, "We'll watch a movie first, then go to the bed."

'A movie' Sydney misunderstood at once. 'That kind of movie?'

"Maybe we can skip the movie…" She had once given in to curiosity and watched one. It had been raw and explicit. The memory still made her want to crawl into a hole.

Sydney was no longer a naive teenager. Over the years, she had naturally developed her own desires. Still, she preferred books over films.

Of course, she could never say to Julian, "How about we read smutty novels together?"

He would never let her live it down. And he was a perfectly healthy man in his prime. Why would he need a film first? Unless he couldn't manage without it?

As her gaze grew more and more suspicious, Julian caught on.

"What the hell is going on in that head of yours?" He spoke as he cast the movie onto the projector.

Mortified, Sydney turned away just in time to see the title flash across the screen: Flipped.

It was the most wholesome film imaginable. She had seen it before, but good movies were always worth rewatching.

Her embarrassment only deepened. Meeting Julian's amused gaze, she wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

"Julian?" she whispered.

There was no answer. He had fallen asleep.

'He asked me to watch a movie with him, only to nod off. It isn't even 9:00 p.m. Is this man's schedule always so disciplined?' she wondered.

Sydney waited until she was sure he was fast asleep before sliding her arm beneath his head, trying to lower him onto the sofa.

The moment she let go, his head dropped straight onto her lap.

She was trapped. If she tried to move her legs now, she would wake him.

Faced with choosing between her comfort or his, Sydney sacrificed her own. She even set her phone to silent, terrified of disturbing this sleeping bear.

But she forgot one thing about this particular sleeping bear.