Chapter 87 — “You’re the first.”

Julian’s words don’t hit me like a punch, but they steal my breath and wet my eyes. It takes me a few moments to understand what he’s saying… that he’s telling me to belong to him.

He doesn’t rush me, doesn’t move, or even blink… He just looks me in the eye, waiting for the answer that has disappeared from the tip of my tongue.

I take a deep breath, looking at our intertwined fingers, the way my hand seems to fit perfectly in his, even though it’s so small and delicate. I return my gaze to him, to his intense green eyes that shine with something that takes me apart.

Noticing that my silence lasts longer than expected, Julian stands up without releasing our hands. He moves closer, decreasing our distance until our bodies are only a few inches apart.

I lift my face to keep looking at him, almost hypnotized by the way I reflect in his eyes.

Julian brings his other hand to my face, fitting my cheek in his p