Phoenix Mode, Activated: Burn Me Once, Watch Me Rise

At his blunt statement, Chelsey gave him another slow once-over.

He had wide shoulders, slim waist, and long frame, while the fitted T-shirt clearly traced the strength in his chest and arms.

Even without touching him, she sensed an intense physical presence beneath the fabric.

Could someone who radiated that much vitality truly feel no desire at all?

If women were not his preference, then perhaps men were.

So this arrangement was nothing more than a convenient cover, a partnership he used to silence his family while he continued living freely?

Lost in her thoughts, Chelsey's expression subtly changed. Catching it, Julian frowned and asked bluntly, "What? Is that a problem for you?"

A faint smile curved Chelsey's lips, dimples appearing as she replied, "Funny coincidence, Mr. Walsh. I'm not interested in men, especially not your type. I'm very clear about where I draw the line when it comes to feelings."

Chelsey blinked and let her smile soften into something sweet and harmless. "Relax. I will not form any inappropriate thoughts about you at all. What we have is a clean and mutually beneficial partnership."

No reply came from Julian. For some reason, her gaze left him feeling slightly unsettled.

Without lingering, he turned and walked toward the city hall with long, decisive steps.

Because Chelsey's ankle had not fully recovered, a dull ache returned after standing for too long.

Moving carefully, she followed behind, unable to match the pace of his long stride.

When she saw him nearly disappear ahead, she raised her voice. "Hey, slow down and wait for me!"

Stopping abruptly, Julian turned back with clear impatience. "Why are you moving so slowly?"

Chelsey opened her mouth to explain, but Julian walked back toward her before she could speak.

In the next instant, he lifted her off the ground and held her firmly at the waist.

Shock flashed across Chelsey's face, and her heart began to race.

He carried her with ease, as though her weight meant nothing to him at all.

Even with the cloth between them, Chelsey sensed the firmness of his arms and the steady warmth coming from his chest.

"That man is so good-looking!"

"This feels straight out of a romance story!"

Around them, a few excited voices broke out.

Heat rushed to Chelsey's ears, turning them bright red.

Across both of her lifetimes, she had never been carried like this, where everyone could see.

Lowering her voice, she said, "Please put me down. I can walk on my own."

Julian looked down at her.

The meaning behind his gaze was obvious. He clearly doubted her ability to keep up.

Nothing more came from Chelsey after that.

Rather than resisting, she relaxed and pressed her face against his firm chest.

She tried to convince herself that if she could not see anyone, then no one could truly see her either.

A brief stiffness ran through Julian before he carried her to a nearby desk and gently placed her into a chair.

Even the woman behind the desk smiled, her eyes flicking between them with playful interest. "You two seem very close. Go ahead and fill out these forms."

At that moment, Chelsey found herself completely at a loss for words.

All she wanted was for the floor to open up and swallow her whole.

Fortunately, the staff moved with impressive speed.

Before she could even gather her thoughts, the paperwork was completed, the oaths were spoken, and the signatures were finalized.

Because each desk was spaced apart, any time Chelsey slowed down even slightly, Julian would lift her again without a second thought.

While being carried through the hall, her mind drifted back to her injured ankle.

The accident had happened two nights ago while she and Brett were heading to a bar. He had been distracted by his phone and ran a red light. When a car sped toward them, she had pulled him back instinctively, and that was when she twisted her ankle.

Instead of concern, Brett had only frowned and blamed her. "Why are you so careless?"

After that, he let Lydia support her across the street while he stood by, never once reaching out himself.

Looking back on it now, Chelsey could not help but compare the two men. Compared to Brett's cold indifference, Julian's blunt and forceful manner strangely made her feel far more at ease.