Chapter 329

Finally, after he reluctantly tore himself away from her lips, Sienna hurriedly reached out and covered his mouth with her hand.

Her lips, plump and flushed from his kisses, parted as she caught her breath–her soft exhale carrying a sweet, intoxicating scent.

Juliaan had always been the picture of restraint–gentle, disciplined, and unfailingly proper.

But this was the first time Sienna had ever seen him lose control like this. His eyes burned with a wild, possessive hunger, as if he wanted nothing more than to consume her whole.

Julian’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his gaze locked hungrily on her lips. His breathing was ragged, chest heaving, and the sight of her skin so close–her every movement–was making his self–control unravel, little by little.

Julian took a shaky breath, barely keeping himself in check. “Alright, go ahead,” he managed, his voice low and strained.

Sienna gave him a gentle push, but he didn’t move an inch. She could feel just how aroused he was, and with so many people right outside, she was seriously worried things might get out of hand.

“Can you get off me for a sec?” she said, a little flustered.

Julian obediently got off her, moving aside. The whole place was filled with her scent–so sweet it almost made his head spin.

Sienna quickly straightened her collar, trying to pull herself together. “Julian, what exactly did you just say?” she asked.

Julian’s heart ached. Does she think what I did was shameful? That I’m trying to ruin her marriage? But I just can’t keep suppressing my feelings for her, he thought.

“I said, I’m willing to be your lover,” Julian repeated, his voice low and steady.

“Stop.” Sienna cut him off, raising her hand. Julian hurried to add, “Is that not okay? I swear I would never try to ruin your relationship…”

“Wait, wait, just hold on,” Sienna interrupted, sounding a bit frantic. “The lover? Whose lover? I’m not even married.”

Julian felt a heavy cloud settle over him. She’s such a principled woman. How could she ever accept being in a relationship that’s so unspeakable, so hidden from the world? he thought.

There was no way she’d ever agree to something like that.

But then, the very next second, Julian heard her say she wasn’t even married.

Julian’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at her. “W–What did you just say?”

Sienna avoided his gaze, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “I said I’m not married. Who told you I was! Who’s my husband supposed…”

Julian was instantly flooded with an indescribable wave of joy and relief. It was like being on a rollercoaster, plummeting one moment, then soaring to the top the next.

“Sorry. I totally got it wrong. I thought you and Thorn…” Julian stammered, still reeling from the shock.

It was that day when Thorn suddenly showed up and started grilling her–that’s what made Julian think they were husband and wife.

Sienna quickly clarified, “Thorn is my adoptive parent’s son.”

Wait, my love rival is actually her brother? Julian was floored.

That usual calm and maturity vanished. Julian just dove forward, hugging her tightly around the waist, resting his chin on her shoulder, his cheek pressed close to her neck.

“Thank God, you’re not married,” Julian breathed out, his voice overflowing with relief.

Sienna stammered.

But she wasn’t planning on tying the knot anytime soon.

Honestly, that's why she kept her distance from him.

The Noir family needed a total reset, and her sisters all needed her to clear the way and set things up for them.

Sienna had to make sure that even if she wasn’t there anymore, they’d still be able to live well on their own.

“Julian, I don’t want to get married right now,” Sienna said softly.

After she said that, Sienna braced herself, half–expecting Julian to get upset. After all, she’d let things go this far between them–now she was basically backing out.

God, I must sound like such a jerk right now, she thought, feeling a pang of guilt.

“Then we just won’t get married,” Julian’s gentle voice sounded right by her ear, warm and soft. “I don’t expect anything else. Just let me stay by your side, and that’s enough for me.”