Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 288

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 288**

**Chapter 288**

Despite the firm grip of Julian’s hand anchoring her, Sydney found herself suspended in a state of unease, dangling in midair as if the world around her could unravel at any moment. Her legs instinctively coiled around his waist, seeking the security of his body.

A flicker of apprehension ignited in her chest, an unsettling premonition that something was teetering on the edge of chaos. The catalyst for this turmoil had been that abrupt phone call Julian had received just moments prior, a conversation that seemed to cast a shadow over their intimate moment.

Even now, she could sense the tempest brewing within him, a storm that had yet to calm. But Julian seemed determined to push forward, unwilling to grant her a moment to gather her thoughts.

With a confidence that radiated from him, he strode purposefully into the bedroom, his strides powerful and unwavering. In an instant, he laid her down onto the bed, the soft mattress cradling her as her breath caught in her throat, her heart racing with a mix of fear and exhilaration.

Her lashes fluttered like the wings of a trapped bird, and before her, Julian’s gaze burned with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. His eyes, filled with a deep yearning, were dark and stormy, his breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps that echoed the tumult within.

She licked her lips, a nervous gesture, and her voice trembled as she whispered, “Are we… doing this now?” The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.

From the moment she had put pen to paper on that fateful agreement, a part of her had known that this moment was inevitable. She could no longer deny the magnetic pull between them, nor could she ignore the reality that had been brewing beneath the surface.

Julian’s unwavering gaze remained locked onto hers, not a single second passing without his intense scrutiny. Her lips, stained a vivid red from his earlier kisses, glistened under the soft light, while her luminous eyes shimmered with a blend of excitement and trepidation, reflecting the innocence of someone unaccustomed to such passionate encounters.

Desire flared hotly in his darkened eyes, a fire that threatened to consume him. The muscles of his abdomen tightened, a physical manifestation of his struggle to maintain control, yet he managed to pull back just enough to give her room to breathe. One arm braced against the bed beside her, while the other gently traced the contours of her brow, a tender gesture that belied the urgency of the moment.

“How long did you plan on keeping the divorce from me?” His voice was a low growl, rough like gravel scraping against stone, and it sent shivers down her spine.

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