Absolutely — let's dive into Chapter Three of Beneath the Same Roof. Now that Ava and Julian have exchanged subtle c
Chapter Three — Territory Lines
Ava didn't mean to find his room.
She was just exploring. Or that's what she told herself as she wandered past the gallery-sized hallway lined with abstract art that looked like it cost as much as her old neighborhood. The wing was silent. Cooler. Like even sound didn't belong here.
Then she saw it: his door. Slightly open. Lit faintly from inside.
Don't, she warned herself.
But her fingers were already brushing the edge of it, nudging it open just enough to peek.
The room was exactly what she expected and completely surprising. Matte black sheets. Shelves of books—philosophy, politics, music theory. A keyboard in the corner. Guitars hanging on the wall. A whiskey bottle with only a third left beside a half-filled glass.
And his scent. Woodsmoke. Citrus. Something darker underneath.
Ava didn't step in. She stepped closer.
That's when the door clicked shut behind her.
"You lost?"
His voice. Close. Behind her.
She spun, startled—but not scared. Julian was leaning against the door now, eyes slow as they scanned her face, her body, her defiance.
"No," she said. "Just… wandering."
He smirked. "You usually wander into bedrooms uninvited?"
"You usually leave your door half open like a trap?"
He took a step forward. "Maybe I wanted someone to fall in."
Another step. She held her ground. He was close again. Too close.
She lifted her chin. "This some alpha thing? Marking territory?"
Julian leaned in, voice a slow burn. "If it is, you're standing right in the middle of it."
A breath caught in her throat.
His gaze dropped to her mouth. Then back up. "You smell like citrus and paint," he murmured.
"I—" Ava backed up, heart in her throat. "You're insane."
"Probably." He watched her like he wanted to memorize every inch of her. "You're not leaving, though."
She turned, grabbed the doorknob—and stopped. His hand landed just above hers, on the wood. Not touching. Just… there. Warm.
"We live in the same house, Julian."
"I know." His voice was barely above a whisper. "That's the problem."
For a beat, neither moved.
Then he pulled the door open.
Ava slipped out without looking back.
But her heart didn't slow for hours.