Song for the mood: Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars), played by The Piano Guys. Julian plays this song for Sapphire.

Sapphire

Vera's house, November.

"What's his name, Vera?" I asked as we walked up the stairs to her room.

Being in our last year of college, Vera saved costs by living at home with her mother, who was rarely in the house due to a hectic work schedule and a busy social life.

"My new boyfriend? His name is Ace. Ace Lockhart." Vera's cheeks blushed rose-red.

"So, when do I get to meet him?" I raised one eyebrow at Vera. I couldn't help but feel a tad jealous of the guy who won her heart.

"He'll be at Mindy's party next weekend," she replied.

"I don't think I'm welcome there. Mindy made it clear that she didn't hang out with church mice like me," I commented, rolling my eyes. People like Mindy misjudged me because of my family's active involvement with the local church. I was more than ready to break free from conformity.

"She can be full of shit sometimes. She doesn't mind you, but she stands on the superficial side of the fence," Vera answered.

I looked around Vera's room and noticed a dirty towel on the floor, a half-eaten chocolate cake on her desk, and an unmade bed, covered with books and magazines.

"So, what's happening with Cameron, now that he's awake and recovering?" Vera raised her eyebrows, while her arms crossed and her right foot tapped the floor.

"He's undergoing physiotherapy to heal from his injuries, but it's going to take time," I responded.

"No, I mean, what's happening between you and him?"

I sighed and shook my head in exasperation.

"He insists that he made the biggest mistake of his life, and he wants a second chance. He says it's the logical thing to rekindle our relationship because our parents are so close, and we have history together." I palmed my face and let out a stressful sigh in frustration.

"Please don't tell me you're falling into that fucking trap," Vera huffed.

"Would I eat my own vomit? I said we were done and that we could rebuild a friendship, but it stops there. There's not going to be a love story between him and me. Ever." I scoffed, shaking my head.

"High five!" Vera raised her palm, which I slapped in friendly jest.

"Cameron and every other guy on this planet are the least of my concerns right now. I'm more worried about upcoming exams," I commented, eyeing the photos on Vera's wall.

One framed sepia photo suddenly caught my eye—it featured a dangerously handsome man with dark hair and strong shoulders.

The way he gazed into the camera lens was as if he wanted to tell a story with his mysterious, dark eyes.

"Vera, who is this? Is he your boyfriend?"

"Him? Oh, goodness, no! That's my older brother, Julian."

"He's a good looking guy." I traced the outline of his muscled arm.

"Oh honey, I'll give you one piece of advice: you don't want to get involved with him." Vera chuckled.

"Oh, don't worry, I won't. I'm freshly single, and I need some breathing space," I assured her.

"Breathing space...we all need that from time to time, hon. Don't forget to have a bit of fun." Vera revealed a Mona Lisa smile, pointing her index finger at me.

"Oh, I won't forget." I grinned at Vera.

"I'm going to have a quick shower. Make yourself at home. There's coffee and tea in the kitchen downstairs. You'll find it when you go past the living room," she said.

"Sure thing, sailor." I smiled at her.

I made my way down the stairs. I entered the modest living room that featured a floral sofa with waxed oak legs, two beige recliners, a mahogany coffee table, and a white piano tucked in the left corner near the window.

Speaking of the devil himself, my heart leaped in shock when I noticed Julian rummaging the bookcase, in frantic search for a particular book.

"Oh goodness, I didn't realize you were in here!" I held my hand to my heart.

"Oh, hi." Julian turned around.

Our eyes were locked—there was no denying that there was an instant chemistry. You either had it, or you didn't, and there was no 'lukewarm' with me.

The man's frantic expression dropped, and his eyes softened when he saw me.

"I'm Sapphire, Vera's friend." I reached my hand out to shake his. He wiped his left hand on his jeans, then shook mine.

Oh, he's left-handed.

"I'm Julian." His espresso eyes expressed an element of honesty and gentle kindness, which I admired in a man.

"Hi, Julian." I smiled widely. I tilted my head to the side and tucked my hair behind my ear, as a nervous habit.

"You've got the most interesting smile," he complimented.

"Julian...it's a beautiful name for a beautiful man." Shit, did I really say that? Yeah, I did.

At first, he didn't respond. However, he eventually let slip a small grin, then slowly fished a novel out of the bookshelf.

"Here. It's one of my favorite books." Julian handed me a copy of Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

I took the book and stared at the cover.

"It's a good piece of fiction set in ancient Rome, based on events shortly after Christ's crucifixion. The author won the Nobel prize for literature in 1905," he explained.

"I love good books with a touch of history," I confessed.

"Then, you'll enjoy reading that one." Julian pointed at the book.

"I'm a fan of the old classics, you know. One of my favorite books is The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius," I babbled.

I stared at Julian, who didn't react to my response. Can someone take me to the back paddock and shoot me now?

Then, slowly and surely, he broke the silence with a response.

"Suetonius's book is like an ancient version of US Weekly. However, if you like that kind of thing, you ought to read Rome in Crisis by Plutarch if you want to dig deeper into Nero and co.," he suggested.

"I work part-time at the main library at Montville State University, so I know where to find it," I admitted.

"Ah, I see."

"I'm studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in political science and philosophy. I'm in my final year. What do you do, Julian Richland?" I wanted to know him.

"I'm working on my Ph.D. in archaeology. I also tutor undergrads on the side, so I might see you on campus," he replied.

"I'd like that," I admitted.

Julian turned his back on me and scanned the bookshelf again.

"Ah! I found what I came for," he boasted, pulling out a copy of The Art of War by Sun-Tzu.

"It's a good book about strategy. It never gets old," he commented, turning toward me again.

"I know. I've read it." I smiled, staring directly at Julian's dark eyes.

I then glanced at the white piano at the corner of the living room.

"Who plays the piano?" I asked.

"I do."

"Oh, very nice."

"Here, come over." Julian gestured toward the long piano stool and encouraged me to sit by his side as he took a seat.

"Are you ready for this?" His grin melted my heart.

"Yes." I nodded.

He started playing Bruno Mars' Just the Way You Are so beautifully, and with impeccable pace.

I watched the way his hands moved as he struck each note and how intense his eyes were as they focused on reliving the memory of the song in his head.

Being highly perceptive of people's personalities, I gathered that he was a quiet soul, an introvert with deep thoughts that were heavy in his head.

I could imagine that he was often perceived as cold and arrogant, but I sensed that he had a kind heart.

He wasn't particularly gregarious, but he showed his feelings with actions rather than empty words.

I observed that his hands were large and his fingers were long, as they tickled the black and white keys. Oh, if they could only play me with the skill and finesse I witnessed, I would be in heaven.

Julian's right shoulder and arm touched mine, as they moved to make the melody resonate from the piano.

My heart ached for my soul to be closer to this man, even though I sat by his side. I wanted that moment in time to slow to a halt, so I could continue to feel his presence.

I noticed that small parts of his short hair curled around the nape of his neck and behind his ears.

His jeans, which perfectly wrapped his long legs, matched well with his light-blue Gant shirt, where his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.

His scent? Woody and dominant, with a heady mix of warm cinnamon and mint citrus.

At that point, my lower abdomen melted into a flow of excitement and lust. A pool of wetness slowly filled my core as his presence ignited a spark in me.

When the song came to an end, Julian's shoulders relaxed, and his face was temporarily free from the stresses of the world.

"Did you like that?" He asked.

"You play so well. I'm impressed!" I touched his wrist, but he didn't flinch.

"I'll have to play a new song for you another time," he promised.

"I'll see you around, Sapphire." He stood up and smiled, then made his way out of the house.

He remembered my name.

"Goodbye, Julian," I whispered. He was gone.

In all my life, I never felt such an intensity of feelings that favored a stranger. After that brief encounter, I understood one thing; I wanted Julian Richland.

A/N: Finally! They met. Have you ever felt a strong attraction for someone you just met? Was it a feeling that grew deeper as you got to know the person?

I've been reading love letters from famous people dating back to hundreds of years ago. My heart thumps at the heated passion that comes to life from the pages.