Chapter 105: First Kiss
Julian Faulkner snatched the phone Vivian Lowell was hiding behind her back.
Her phone screen was still open to their recent chat.
It showed the photo of Julian Faulkner, as well as the teasing between Vivian Lowell and Eleanor Rhodes.
"So, what are your plans for a romantic evening with Julian Faulkner tonight?"
"We’re both spending it with our work."
"Huh? No way. Julian... does he have some kind of... you know, unspoken issue? How could he possibly focus on work with a gorgeous woman like you, Vivian? That’s just not normal!"
Vivian Lowell hadn’t seen this last message.
She had only just snapped the picture before Julian Faulkner caught her in the act.
After a quick glance, Julian Faulkner returned the phone to Vivian Lowell. "So, Vivian Lowell," he asked, "you wanted a romantic evening, didn’t you? Hmm?"
Julian Faulkner’s tone was deep and resonant.
Vivian Lowell had always known Julian Faulkner had a deep voice, but she never imagined what it would be like when he spoke right next to her ear...
The warm breath, his tone... it felt overwhelmingly seductive!
"Julian..."
Mortified, Vivian Lowell made a show of pushing against his chest and whispered, "I was just joking with Tanya! You don’t know, we’re always kidding around like that!"
"This—this was just an accident! Um, if you’re upset, I can clear things up for you when I see Tanya tomorrow."
"That way, she won’t think you ’can’t perform,’ haha!"
Vivian Lowell finished speaking and flashed a deeply sincere smile at Julian Faulkner.
She thought this was a great thing to say. After all, the relationship between her and Julian Faulkner was a delicate one.
If their "contract" led people to misunderstand Julian Faulkner’s... abilities, Vivian Lowell was more than happy to set the record straight.
"Can’t perform?"
But Julian Faulkner had an obvious talent for latching onto key phrases. His smile stiffened. "What do you mean, ’can’t perform’? When have you two ever talked about that?"
"..."
Vivian Lowell was on the verge of tears. ’I’ve never talked about this with Eleanor Rhodes! It was just a slip of the tongue. Why does Julian take everything so seriously?’
"It’s not like that! We didn’t talk about this, I mean..."
Vivian Lowell grew frantic, trying to explain. But as she moved, her high heel caught on the thick carpet and her ankle twisted.
’Oh no!’
Vivian Lowell’s heart nearly stopped. She stared at the floor, thinking that if she was going to fall, at least the carpet would cushion it. It wouldn’t be too bad.
But just as Vivian Lowell was trying to adjust her posture for a less painful landing, Julian Faulkner caught her.
"Be careful."
Julian’s helpless voice sounded by her ear. It was as if he couldn’t believe Vivian Lowell could manage to trip at home, on a flat, carpeted floor.
The strong grip on her arm held Vivian Lowell steady.
Still shaken, Vivian Lowell looked up at Julian Faulkner. Just as she was about to say something, a knock came from the door.
"KNOCK KNOCK."
It was a light knock.
The knock startled Vivian Lowell. Perhaps out of a guilty conscience, she looked down at herself leaning in Julian Faulkner’s arms and immediately wanted to pull away.
But the more she rushed, the more things went wrong.
The hands Vivian Lowell had lightly placed on Julian Faulkner’s chest suddenly pushed with a bit more force, sending him stumbling back against the wall.
She was startled herself. She tried to catch him, but it was too late. Her ankle, already sore, gave way, and her entire weight fell onto Julian Faulkner.
Vivian Lowell had just slammed Julian Faulkner against the wall.
She was pinning him to the wall, looming over him.
Her lips brushed against something soft and warm, with a... familiar scent.
!?
Vivian Lowell’s mind went completely blank.
She tried to pull away from Julian, but her ankle throbbed with pain, robbing her of her strength. Her eyes welled up as she looked at him helplessly.
’She had kissed Julian Faulkner!’
’There’s a smudge of my lipstick on Julian Faulkner’s lips,’ she thought. ’The orange shade actually looks pretty good on him.’
"I... I didn’t mean to."
Vivian Lowell lowered her head, her mind reeling. ’Was that it? Was that my first kiss?’
’Given to Julian Faulkner, completely by accident.’
’Judging by Julian Faulkner’s lack of reaction, he must be an old hand at this, right!?’
’He’s been kissed so many times he’s just used to it?’
While Vivian Lowell’s mind was racing with these chaotic thoughts, Julian Faulkner sighed, suddenly scooped her up into his arms, and placed her on the bed in a princess carry.
"Just sit tight. When I get back, I’ll check if you’re really hurt. Don’t move around anymore, understand?"
Huh?
Vivian Lowell’s head was still buzzing. She couldn’t quite process what Julian Faulkner was saying.
’When he gets back? Where is he going?’
As she wondered, Vivian Lowell watched Julian Faulkner’s back as he walked to the door and opened it.
Because of the distance, Vivian Lowell didn’t notice that the tips of Julian Faulkner’s ears were also slightly red.
It wasn’t as Vivian Lowell had imagined—that Julian Faulkner was so experienced and had been kissed so many times that her accidental kiss had no effect on him at all.
He had simply been just as surprised, too stunned to react.
But the body is honest. His ears had turned red, a detail Vivian Lowell missed.
At the door, Ms. Shaw knocked a few times. When no one answered, she hesitated, wondering if she should just leave the items outside. Just then, Julian Faulkner opened the door.
"Ms. Shaw?"
Julian Faulkner’s expression wasn’t pleasant; he’d thought it might be Rachel Faulkner with some issue. But seeing Ms. Shaw holding something, his tone softened.
"Is something the matter?"
"The madam asked me to prepare these."
Ms. Shaw handed the items to Julian Faulkner. "I believe they’re for Miss Rhodes’ discharge from the hospital. Some nutritional supplements for her, and a few things for the vet clinic."
Julian Faulkner nodded, taking the items. "Alright, I understand. Thank you for making the trip."
"It’s late, go get some rest."
"Of course."
Ms. Shaw nodded politely. As she was about to turn, she noticed something. Her gaze fell hesitantly on Julian Faulkner’s lips. "Young Master," she asked.
"Your lips and ears are a bit red. Are you feeling alright?"
!?
Julian Faulkner was stunned.
He truly hadn’t expected Ms. Shaw to say that.
He knew why his lips were red.
But his ears being red...
Julian Faulkner subconsciously darted a glance toward Vivian Lowell, a guilty feeling creeping up inside him. He was afraid she might have overheard Ms. Shaw.
"Ms. Shaw."
Julian Faulkner’s face became stern, not betraying a thing. "The heat is probably on too high," he said. "It’s a little warm."
Ms. Shaw thought about it and nodded. "That could be it. Oh, by the way, Young Master, the central heating period in Aethelburg will be over soon."
"You probably won’t feel so hot then."
"Mm."
Julian Faulkner nodded, took the items, and shut the door.