Taking a deep breath, Julie looked at him.
The dim golden light from the bedside lamp traced Roman's sharp features — his jaw tight, lashes resting against his skin, beads of sweat still clinging to his temples.
Even though his breathing had steadied, she knew, deep down, what his body desperately needed.
Her own heartbeat felt heavy in her chest, each thud echoing in her ears as if urging her forward and warning her at the same time.
She could hear the hum of the air conditioner and the faint rhythm of his breathing, deep and uneven.
Her trembling fingers reached for the zipper of her dress.
The cold metal brushed her skin, and a shiver rippled through her — not from fear alone, but from the weight of what she was about to do.
Her lips parted slightly as she exhaled, the breath trembling like her resolve.
Closing her eyes, Julie drew in a slow breath, her lashes damp against her cheeks.
