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.

With a fierce determination, he leaned down and captured her lips once more.

This kiss was different from the one they had shared at the dining table; it was not as ravenous, yet for Sydney, it felt even more consuming, as if the very air around them had thickened with urgency.

He didn’t allow her a moment to breathe; her gasps escaped helplessly between their lips, a desperate plea for air. One hand cradled the back of her head, anchoring her to him, while the other slipped beneath her skirt, his rough palm gliding over her soft skin, igniting a fire within her.

Just when she thought he would stop there, he pressed further, his boldness eclipsing even the daring escapade in Luxon’s private room. The rush of unfamiliar sensations overwhelmed her, a reckless tide that threatened to sweep her away, leaving her on the precipice of surrender. For the first time, she recognized that her body had its own will, responding to him in ways her mind could hardly comprehend. Under his relentless touch, her thoughts fractured into a chaotic whirlwind.

When Julian finally pulled away, allowing her a precious moment to regain her breath, her voice emerged instinctively, a broken whisper that escaped her lips. “Julian…”