Chapter 220


    Chapter 0220


    Julian and I were on a couch in a sitting room, looking at each other. Julian had made himself


    with my hands in myp..


    I was still embarrassed about what had earlier happened with Nichs. Both our bodies had responded


    to the position we’d been in, with me on top of him. I could only thank my luck that Julian had no walked


    in a minute or two earlier, or the teasing would have been relentless.


    It was bad enough now, with the knowing smirk Julian kept shing me.


    “So,” I said, trying to get things back on track. “Mental self–defense.”


    “Exactly. I’ve been thinking of the best way to help train you, and I’ve decided on role–y.”


    I raised a brow. “Role–y?”


    “I’ll pretend to be Terry and say all the terrible bullshit Terry would say, and you try to counter it. I’ll


    correct you when you do or say something that I know would only encourage the asshole. This way, we


    can help prepare you for your inevitable next meeting with him.”


    That sounded reasonable enough, though I shivered unpleasantly at the thought of dealing with Terry


    again. I knew I would have to face him eventually. She’d seemed very interested in me, and as the


    Luna’s


    brother he’d likely be at more events. Still, I wished I didn’t have to. 2


    Especially after what happened before, when he’d tried to drug and assault me.


    I worried my hands together in myp.


    “Hey.” Julian didn’t touch me, but he leaned closer. I trusted him, mostly, so I drewfort from his


    closeness. “You’re safe, okay? This is just a game, and you can tap out at any time.”


    I shook my head. “I want to learn. I want to hold my own against him.”


    ??


    “I know you do, but neither Nichs nor I am ever going to let him corner you like he did before.”


    His words were a kindness, but held doubt. The princes had their own responsibilities and couldn’t be


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    around me every minute.


    I had to be responsible for my own safety. And that meant learning how to beat Terry at his own game.


    “Ready?” Julian asked.


    I nodded.


    Julian’s whole demeanor shifted in an instant. His brow lowered while his smirk sharpened. It was as if


    he was channeling Terry himself.


    It was… unnerving.


    Julian stretched his arm around behind me on the back of the couch. Then he leaned in close enough to


    breathe on my shoulder.


    “I’ve been watching you tonight, Piper,” Julian said. “You’ve been strutting around like you’re putting on a


    show just for me.”


    My face went pale. This was too much, too real, too soon. I couldn’t move. I was locked in that moment


    with Terry, after he had given me the champagneced with drugs.


    Julian dropped the act in an instant. Every rigid line of his body softened, and I could breathe again.


    “I’m sorry,” he said. “That was too much for the first time.”


    “I–I have to learn.” I was rattled. My voice shook.


    “Not yet,” Julian said. “Not that. We’ll start somewhere else.”


    “Like where?”


    came He hummed. “My uncle may lust after you, but he’s also known for his pettiness. So, let’s say you


    in wearing a gown that was more in line with what was poprst season.”


    “Okay.” That sounded safer. I was used to dealing with that level of pettiness from some of the other


    candidates.


    Julian switched into Terry–mode again, though this time, he kept some humor in his gaze. Terry wasn’t


    yful, so I could see Julian clearly behind the fa?ade. He was holding back for my benefit, I knew, and I


    was grateful.


    “What a charming dress you’ve chosen for this evening, Piper,” Julian said. He nced down at my


    imaginary gown. “You must have an interesting reason for not choosing something more modern. I would


    love to hear it.”