A knock at the door shattered their intimate moment.
It was Julian's assistant, arriving with a freshly delivered gown.
Willow changed into the new dress and returned to the ballroom with Julian.
Julian extended his hand, his tone both playful and sincere. "May I have the honor of a dance with you?"
Willow smiled, a hint of mischief in her expression, and placed her hand lightly in his.
As the music swelled, Julian led her effortlessly to the center of the dance floor. They moved together in perfect sync, the rest of the world fading away.
*****
When the ball finally came to a close, Julian paid no attention to the flurry of compliments that followed him. His focus remained solely on Willow as he held her hand and led her outside.
Back at the villa in Amethyst Bay, Julian wasted no
