Arrogant Boss

I decided to save him. “And I insisted that hed stay for some breakfast. You like ham, don’t you, Julian?”

He turned his gaze to me, eyes on mine before they traveled down my bare legs. “Yes, I do.”

With a Mary Poppins’ worthy display of calm domesticity, I plated two omelets and put them on the counter. “Why don’t you guys start? I’ve made coffee as well and there’s orange juice in the fridge. I’m going to take a shower.”

Ryan mumbled a thank you and grabbed one of the plates. Julian’s hand trailed along my waist as I passed, uncertainty and gratefulness in his gaze.

“Thanks,” he murmured.

I nodded and headed up the staircase. Whatever they needed to talk about, I figured it might be good if they talked alone. So I made sure my shower lasted forever, scrubbing my scalp and lathering myself with his 99 cent body wash. It seemed that men, regardless of how much money they made, never really learned to appreciate the difference. I’d have to get him some fancy stuff one day.

Much later, properly dressed and hair plaited, I waited by the staircase, trying to hear what was going on. Was the coast clear? Could I go downstairs? I didn’t know how much time they needed together, but I also didn’t want them to have to come looking for me. Did we lose you up here?

Voices drifted upwards and I paused on the staircase, feeling like a snoop and also unable to stop myself.

“Nah, I dropped him. He wasn’t a good friend, in the end.”

I heard Julian’s snort. “That’s good. It takes time to figure out who’s in your life for short-term interests and who’s there to stay.”

“Yeah.””I meant to tell you-I got front-seat tickets to the playoffs next week.”

“You did?”

“Let’s go, like old times sake.”

“I’m down. Just text me the details.”

“I will. Pass me the juice?”

“Sure.”

There was a delicate silence, and I figured it was probably safe to come down, but just as I began to move I froze again.

“So. The chick you have upstairs.”

“Emily.””Yeah, Emily. Am I crazy, or do you seem a bit taken with her?”

Julian was quiet for a moment as I waited with bated breath. “Yes,” he said finally. “She actually works at Hunt Industries.”

Ryan laughed. “Dude, I can’t believe you. You’ve got more game than I give you credit for. Your own employees?”

“It’s not like that. Don’t be crude.”

“Hold up, are you two serious? She makes a mean omelet, and she’s gorgeous, so you could do a lot worse. Hey, don’t look at me like that. You know it’s the truth.”

“It’s early days yet.” His voice was clipped. “We’re changing the subject now. You know she might come down any second, Ryan.”

“Alright, alright. But it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you look like that at anyone.”

I heard Julian’s annoyed exhale. The conversation drifted to sports, and after waiting a little bit longer I wandered downstairs.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

It turned out that Julian had made an omelet for me with mushrooms. It was piping hot when he put it in front of me. I joined their bantering, talking about nothing in particular.

I’d been worried about intruding but it seemed like both of them were happy for my presence, as it made sure no personal issues were mentioned. I was like the adult referee at a primary school soccer game. One point to the orange team! It was a shame I hadn’t brought a Tupperware container filled with perfectly sliced orange wedges, too.

Ryan stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Thanks for breakfast,” he told me. “I’ll head out.”

Julian walked his brother out to the entrance hall. “Alright, man. I’ll text you about the game.”

“Sounds good.””Do you need money for gas?”

Ryan rolled his eyes, but it was good-naturedly. “No, I have enough, thanks though. Emily, it was nice meeting you.”

“You too.”The door closed behind him and the house was silent once more.

I jumped up onto the kitchen counter and watched Julian as he quietly walked back into the kitchen. He didn’t say anything, just looked at me for a long time.

“It’s okay that I invited him to stay for breakfast, right? You’re not mad?”

Julian closed the space between us, nudging my knees apart so he could stand between them. Warm arms wrapped around my waist. “No. Why would I be mad?”

I ran a hand through his still damp hair. “You looked… surprised. Cautious.”

He sighed and I felt the warm exhale against my neck. “We don’t have the best relationship, and it’s been strained lately.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” Julian closed his eyes in pleasure as I tugged at the hair at the nape of his neck, my fingers gently digging into tensed muscles. “Never stop doing that.”

I grinned. “I’ll have to use my hand sometime, you know.”

His lips curled into that small, crooked smile. “No. I forbid it. Stay here forever.”

I shifted closer, wrapped my legs around him. “Maybe this should be your next invention. A robotic head-scratcher.”

Julian snorted. “No. I know the limits of technology, and no one could replace you.”

I tugged him closer and rested my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes against the sudden swell of emotion inside. He’d told his brother that it was early days yet, and that was technically true, but still…

I’d told myself to be wary from the start, to accept this for what it was: a fling. Okay, so it was guaranteed to be the most memorable fling of my life-and definitely the best sex-but something with a clear end in sight. Men like him, who lived in places like this, and who spoke in front of crowds like that, didn’t end up with me.

He smelled like soap and man and clean clothes, and when his hands tightened around my waist I nearly had to swallow my sudden tears of despair. I had grown too attached. I wanted more.

I googled pictures of him last week for fun, but all I’d seen where the various models he’d been pictured with in the past, one high-definition photo after another barreling me deeper into despair.

Despite my precautions, Julian Hunt had captured my heart. It would inevitably break.

“Hey,” he murmured. “What happened?”