ed blue. But if I am being completely honest with myself, the rest of our first

obblestone alleyways that definitely weren't marked on my meticulously highlighted paper map. He took us to a tiny, subterranean vintage bookstore hidden beneath a

aculously still devoid of coffee stains, and I was forced to make a devastating mental concession: Julian Vance ac

nder the warm Italian sun vanished the

st tossed onto my twin bed. "Maya, we have been walking for six hours. My feet are numb. I

apartment and look at exposed wooden beams," Maya argued, already applying a fierce layer of winged black eyeliner in our bedroom mirror. "

ing white marble pillars wrapped in modern led lights. Electronic music with a heavy, thumping bass line vibrated straight through th

ttles with theatrical flair. I leaned against the polished marble counter, trying to adjust to the hig

n was

k button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was holding a glass of amber liquid, laughing at something a gorgeous

the roar of the bass, tapping my shoulder before di

our drinks, when a heavy, uninvited presen

nding here all by yourself," a loud, heavi

ud patterned silk shirt leaning over the counter, completely blocking my

, putting on my coldest, most dismissive acad

lly wrap his fingers around my wrist. His grip wasn't tight, but it was entirely uninvited, and

ter as I tried to pull my wrist back. He didn't budge, his grin wideni

would permanently damage his ego, a large, war

udden, strong,

w, gravelly baritone cut through the

between us. Up close, Julian looked completely formidable. His jaw was set in a hard, dangerous line, hi

g Julian up and down before glancing at his broa

around my waist and pulling my back flush against his solid chest. The heat of his palm burned straight through the thin silk of my green dress, and my b

th in rapid Italian, turned on his heel,

eel the rhythmic thump of his heart against my shoulder blades, the clean scent of hi

brushing the shell of my ear as h

spine. "For a girl who claims she can handle absolutely anything with pure logic and a high GPA

his loose grip, pressing my palms flat against his chest to pus

snapped, my eyes flashing with defensive fire as I look

fraction of a second before returning to mine. "But let's be honest. The

a whisper as the heavy bass vibrated through the floorboard

mirk fading into something unreadable and inte

e of saucers as she looked at Julian's hand still hovering inches from my waist. The night was far from