Julian's expression hardened momentarily before returning to its previous calm. "We should discuss that, but first—your promise."
Right. That. The promise I'd made while high as a kite, convinced I needed to take care of a man who clearly had more money in his watch than I had in my entire checking account.
"Look, I should probably explain," I said, fidgeting with the edge of the sheet. "I'm not exactly CEO material. I work two jobs—campus bookstore and weekend shifts at a café. I'm taking night classes, one at a time because that's all I can afford. I live in an apartment the size of your bathroom with three other guys, and my most valuable possession is a secondhand laptop that overheats if I run more than two programs at once."
Clearly I'm CEO material. Just without the C, E, or O.
Julian's lips twitched, amusement flickering across his features. "That's quite a detailed inventory of your limitations."
"Just painting a clear picture," I said, shrugging. "I meant what I said about taking responsibility—I always keep my promises, but I'm not sure what I could possibly offer someone like you."
"Someone like me?" His eyebrow arched elegantly.
I gestured vaguely at the room, at him, at everything. "You know—successful, wealthy, put-together. I'm none of those things."
"And yet," Julian said, wheeling even closer until he was right beside the bed, "you made a promise."
The proximity sent a jolt of awareness through me that had nothing to do with my lingering headache. Even in daylight, even knowing how far apart our worlds were, I was still drawn to him.
Still hyperaware of how his hands had felt on my skin, how his lips had tasted, how he'd looked at me like I was something precious instead of a drugged-up mess who'd invaded his space.
"So your solution is...what exactly?" Julian asked, his voice cool and measured but his eyes anything but.
I squared my shoulders, determination replacing embarrassment. There was no denying the mess I was in—my own mother had drugged me, I had nowhere safe to go, and I'd made a promise to a man who clearly didn't need anything I could offer.
But a promise was a promise.
"I don't have a solution yet," I admitted. "But I'll figure it out. I always do."
Our eyes locked, and the electricity from the previous night crackled between us, a current of awareness and desire that hadn't diminished in the harsh light of day.
I expected him to look away first—to break the connection and return us to the awkward reality of our situation.
He didn't. His gaze held mine, unwavering, challenging. In those dark eyes, I saw something that made my breath catch—interest, hunger, and maybe, just maybe, a hint of respect.
"I believe you will," he said finally, his voice softer than before.
And God help me, I wanted to prove him right.
"Have you considered marriage?" Julian asked, as casually as if he'd suggested we order room service.
I stared at him, certain I'd misheard. The headache from the drugs must have damaged my ability to process language. There was no way that Julian Montgomery, CEO extraordinaire, had just proposed marriage to me, a broke college student he'd met approximately twelve hours ago when I'd broken into his hotel room while fleeing from my own mother.
"Marriage?" My voice came out embarrassingly high-pitched. "As in, 'til death do us part, tax benefits, joint checking account? That marriage?"
Julian watched me with that maddeningly calm expression, one eyebrow slightly raised. "That is generally what marriage entails, yes."
"We met last night," I said, stating the obvious because apparently I needed to remind us both of this fact. "While I was drugged. And running for my life."
That part seemed important.
"I'm aware of the circumstances."
"And you think marriage is the next logical step?" I couldn't keep the incredulity from my voice.
Julian's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair. "You made a promise to take responsibility. I'm offering you a way to keep that promise while also solving your more immediate problem."
"My more immediate—" I broke off as understanding dawned. "You mean the people trying to kidnap me."
