Chapter 235: Husband
Vivian Lowell regretted asking as soon as the words left her mouth.
It wasn’t that she didn’t know the answer.
Julian Faulkner had asked her that on purpose, and after she’d asked him back, that one-word form of address popped into her mind.
The one exclusive to their relationship, the one Vivian Lowell was supposed to use for Julian Faulkner—that one word, so full of legal meaning.
Husband.
When that word appeared in Vivian Lowell’s mind, she grew nervous.
Even though they were married, they had never actually called each other that.
At first, they just used their names. Later, as they grew closer, the most Vivian Lowell would do was call him "Julian."
In her eyes, very few people in the world could call Julian Faulkner by his first name. To her, calling him that was already very intimate!
And Julian Faulkner had always called her "Vivian." It was as if they’d reached a tacit understanding that neither of them had ever broken.
But now...
As their relationship grew more and more intimate, Julian Faulkner was clearly no longer satisfied.
Just now, Julian Faulkner had finally found an opportunity to make the first move!
Julian Faulkner’s fingertips were still tilting Vivian Lowell’s chin up. A faint smile played on his lips as he said, "I don’t believe you don’t know."
"..."
’I know, I...’
She just couldn’t bring herself to say it. It was such an ordinary word, but actually saying it felt like it would take a monumental effort.
After a short while, perhaps because he was losing patience, Julian Faulkner slowly let go of Vivian Lowell. He walked around the table and came to stand directly in front of her.
Julian Faulkner was even closer now.
Julian Faulkner pulled over a chair and sat down in front of Vivian Lowell. Then, he reached out and pulled Vivian Lowell onto his lap.
"Come here."
Julian Faulkner’s tone left no room for argument. He gave Vivian Lowell no choice, pulling her completely onto his lap.
Sitting on his lap, Vivian Lowell wrapped her arms around Julian Faulkner’s shoulders. The distance between them had become infinitesimally small; she could practically see the fine pores on his face.
The faint stubble, and...
...his deep, dark eyes, which were watching her with an aggressive sort of intensity.
"Vivian, you’re not being very good this time," Julian Faulkner said, his voice tinged with dissatisfaction. He then cupped the back of Vivian Lowell’s head and pulled her forward.
Their lips met in that instant.
This time, Julian Faulkner’s kiss was scorching, searing, like a ball of fire that threatened to melt Vivian Lowell completely in his arms.
The next moment, Julian Faulkner’s hand reached out.
She didn’t know when he’d mastered the technique of unhooking a strap with one hand. He carried her to the bed, and the long kiss finally, slowly ended.
The kiss had been too long.
Vivian Lowell wasn’t good at breathing during a kiss, and her head was spinning. It wasn’t until she was on the bed, watching Julian Faulkner loosen his bow tie, that she realized what was happening.
"I... I haven’t bathed yet! Didn’t you say you prepared a bath for me? With my favorite rose essential oil and rose petals!"
"It’s been so long. If I don’t go bathe now, the water will definitely get cold. What a waste! Julian Faulkner, how about I go take my bath first?"
Vivian Lowell was starting to panic, her words tumbling out incoherently.
However, Julian Faulkner, who usually doted on Vivian Lowell, just shook his head this time. With a serious expression, he said, "It’s too late now. Vivian, I’ll ask you one more time. What should you call me?"
Vivian Lowell fell silent. Her face instantly flushed red. Watching the man who was getting closer and closer, she could only say, "Husband."
"Too quiet. I can’t hear you." Julian Faulkner grew even more smug. Another kiss landed on Vivian Lowell’s collarbone, sending a tingling sensation through her entire body.
"Husband," Vivian Lowell said, a little louder this time.
But just as Julian Faulkner had said, it was already too late. Things had progressed to this point; there was no turning back now.
Julian Faulkner answered softly, murmuring into Vivian Lowell’s ear, "Mmm, very good. I’m very satisfied this time. My—wife."
The sound of Julian Faulkner’s breathing next to her ear intensified the ticklish feeling all over Vivian Lowell’s body, and hearing him call her "wife" sent a jolt through her as if she’d been struck by lightning.
Julian Faulkner’s voice had always been pleasant to listen to—the magnetic type that she loved. When he was cold, he was like a flower on a high mountain, unattainable and alluring.
But when he was gentle, it could practically erode her defenses, leaving her completely captivated.
And so, that day, it wasn’t until twelve o’clock that Vivian Lowell "finally got her wish" and made it to the bathroom for her bath.
Thankfully, the bathtub in this bathroom was temperature-controlled. Otherwise, after all the time she’d just spent fooling around with Julian Faulkner, the bathwater would have been cold by now.
’Damn you, Julian Faulkner!’
Vivian Lowell couldn’t help but curse him in her head. She was so, so sleepy. All she wanted was to quickly take her bath and go to bed!
’Anything else can wait until next time!’
Perhaps because of the "strenuous exercise" before bed, Vivian Lowell, despite her exhaustion, slept exceptionally well.
She didn’t wake up until ten o’clock the next morning.
When she woke up, Vivian Lowell was momentarily stunned by the slightly unfamiliar surroundings before realizing she was in the hotel.
Vivian Lowell quickly sat up and noticed that Julian Faulkner, who had been beside her, was already gone.
Then Vivian Lowell remembered that Julian Faulkner had to discuss work today. He must have left early in the morning.
"Amazing," Vivian Lowell couldn’t help but mutter. After getting dressed and washing up, she walked to the window, pulled open the curtains, and looked out at the sea.
The great sea glittered under the sun.
The morning sun didn’t seem too intense yet, and the sea air felt refreshing. A smile graced her lips, and her mood brightened considerably.
Just as she was about to go downstairs for breakfast, a hotel attendant knocked on the door.
"Mrs. Faulkner?"
The attendant’s voice wasn’t loud, but Vivian Lowell heard it clearly. She went to the door, opened it, and asked, "What is it? Are you here to clean the room?"
The attendant shook their head, handed an invitation to Vivian Lowell, and said, "This is an invitation to the yacht party tonight, for Mrs. Faulkner and Mr. Faulkner."
"Please accept it, Mrs. Faulkner. We do hope you’ll be able to attend."