"For hurting you," Roman said quietly. "For… marking you this much. For holding you too tightly. And for last night being too hard—"
Julie's face exploded with heat again.
"Roman!" she hissed and immediately hid under the blanket again.
Inside the blanket, Julie stayed completely still for a moment — only her breathing moved, rising and falling in small, shaky waves that made the fabric over her chest quiver.
Her fingers hovered just above her skin.
Not touching.
Not yet.
She was scared to feel anything again.
Her heart thudded loudly in her chest — she could practically hear it echoing inside the warm little space she hid herself in.
On the outside, Roman waited.
He didn't rush her. Didn't tug the blanket again. Didn't push or tease or speak.
He just watched.
His eyes softened into something quiet, patient, and unbearably gentle.
The kind of look only someone who truly, deeply cared could hold.
Inside the blanket, Julie finally gathered a breath.
Slow.
Unsteady.
