Chapter 4Venom & Vows

That night, I moved into Julian’s private villa.

When he walked into the bedroom, he’d already showered.

He was wearing a white silk V-neck pajama top, damp hair dripping water down his chest, disappearing into the fabric.

I stood pressed against the wall, stiff as a board.

"What is this, detention?" He scoffed, towel-drying his hair. "If you don't want to share a bed, there are sixteen other rooms. Take your pick."

My eyes lit up. He was a gentleman!

I was about to nod when he added, a wicked smirk playing on his lips, "But the other fifteen are snake rooms. Between five and twenty snakes per room. Your choice."

I froze. "Actually... this room is great. Very cozy."

He closed the door. Just us.

Look, Julian was hot, and I knew what a "debt repayment" girl was expected to do, but my knowledge of intimacy came entirely from romance novels. I had zero practical experience.

Julian climbed into bed and patted the empty space beside him. "You coming, or do I have to carry you?"

I hesitated, then inched toward the bed.

Rumor had it Julian Thorne hated women. Since I didn't look like a reptile, maybe I was safe?

I slid under the covers, leaving enough space between us to fit a minivan.

Julian looked at me, an unreadable expression on his face.

He flapped his pajama shirt, trying to cool down.

Flash of eight-pack abs.

I glanced, then looked away, trying to be helpful. "Is the AC too high? I can lower it."

Julian went silent.

He stared at me, his Adam's apple bobbing. He looked... thirsty.

"Do you need water?" I asked.

His expression got complicated. He suddenly wasn't thirsty anymore. He turned off the light and turned his back to me.

I relaxed. The rumors were true. He wasn't interested. He probably just bought me out of pity.

I was blessing his kind heart and drifting off to sleep when a heavy arm draped over my waist.

A hot body pressed against my back. His voice was raspy, right in my ear.

"We doing this?"