《A CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT》


 1

    Julian Martin sat on the couch, going through a bunch of emails on his phone. He sighed, realizing how much work he had to do. Procrastination was indeed the thief of time, he thought, as he realized that it was his fault that work had piled up this much.


    ¡°You will not believe who just called me¡­ Guess who¡± Abby Martin said as she emerged from her bedroom, d in pink silk pajamas.


    ¡°Who?¡± Julian asked casually, clearly not in the mood for small talk.


    ¡°I said, guess,¡± Abby said.


    Julian Martin turned to look at his little sister, who had a look on her face that he didn¡¯t quite understand. He rolled his eyes and returned his attention to his phone.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to bother about guessing anything,¡± he said. ¡°Because I have a feeling that you will tell me anyway. You know,¡­ Because it¡¯s you and you can¡¯t be quiet about anything¡­ Even to save your life. I¡¯m not even sure that you can keep secret, so just cut the crap and tell me what it is¡±


    ¡°You are no fun¡± Abby said and she red at her brother, but then she smiled because she knew he was right. She would tell him anyways, but that didn¡¯t stop her from picking up a pillow and throwing it at him.


    ¡°Well,¡± she began, ¡°I know you¡¯re going to love this¡­ Do you remember my best friend, Nina Taylor, from high school?¡­ Oh of course you do.. How could you forget¡±


    For some reason, Julian felt his heart beat a little faster at the mention of that name. Abby waited for him to say something and when he didn¡¯t she continued.


    ¡°That was her on the phone. She said she decided to leave her dad¡¯spany as she was in this ¡®Independent¡­ Starting over again phase¡¯¡­ I didn¡¯t really listen to thatst part because I got so excited after she told me she got a job here and she wants to stay with me for a while. Isn¡¯t that amazing? It¡¯s been so long you know¡­ Remember how close she and I were in high school?¡±


    ¡°Yeah I remember,¡± Julian said. How could he forget? At that time, Nina Taylor was a huge part of his life¡­. not because they were close friends or in any kind of rtionship, but because he spent a great deal of time just thinking about her and getting distracted by her.


    ¡°Well, I guess that¡¯s a good thing¡­. for you. At least you won¡¯tin to me about being bored anymore and maybe I can finally get some peace¡± he added, willing the memory to go away. It was embarrassing to think about just how much he¡¯d been into Nina Taylor.


    Abby grinned at him. ¡°Excited about seeing her again?¡± she asked.


    Julian gave her a puzzled look. ¡°Why would I be excited?¡± he asked. ¡°I don¡¯t see any reason why I should be. She¡¯s your friend. She¡¯sing to live with you¡­ Not me. I mean, of course it would be nice to see her again after all these years, but excited¡­ Is.. Is just not the right word. Why would you even ask me that?¡±


    ¡°Oh please,¡±  Abby replied. ¡°You had such a huge crush on her when we were in high school. Your eyes followed her everywhere. Remember how I used to tease you about it and you made me promise not to tell her? Because you wanted to do it, and I quote  ¡®on your own time¡¯.. Only that time never came because you were just too shy. ¡±


    Julian rolled his eyes, but also smiled at the memory. It had been a long time ago, but once in a while he still thought about Nina Taylor. She had been Abby¡¯s best friend at the time and he had had a huge crush on her till he left for college.


    The problem was he could never bring himself to tell her how he felt back then as he thought she was way out of his league. She and Abby had been cheerleaders while he had been one of the brainy students most people saw as geeks.


    Nina was sharp and really good-looking. She had long red hair and big beautiful green eyes, and most times he called her ¡®red¡¯ to tease her. In addition to being very good looking, she was intelligent and perceptive,  and although she hung out with the Soc crowd, she was open to befriending people who weren¡¯t in her crowd. Julian was so attracted to her but couldn¡¯t never bring himself to say it to her. Why would a girl like Nina even want to go out with him anyways? And besides she was dating some jock guy then. So he had kept his feelings to himself.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

 2

    Apparently, he didn¡¯t do such a good job of keeping his feelings in check because Abby found out about it, and he had to make her promise not to tell. Leaving for college had helped and when Nina and her family moved to another state, everyone had just¡­. moved on.


    Julian red at his sister. ¡°That crush was many years ago¡­ People move on from stuff like that,¡± he said. ¡°But you know what? I honestly think it would be nice to see her again¡­ It¡¯s been so long. Do you think she has changed a lot?¡±


    Abby grinned at him. ¡°And just what exactly do you mean when you say ¡®a lot?¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    Nina Taylor breathed deeply as she knocked on Abby¡¯s door. Her fingers tightened on her bag, not because she was scared, but because she was nervous as hell. She still wasn¡¯t sure if she had made the right decision bying to New York.


    It hadn¡¯t been an easy decision to make. And it was even harder because her father was against it. But she knew that had to leave. She was tired of having everything nned out for her. She hated it actually. She wanted something different. She wanted adventure and she wanted something to happen in her life that didn¡¯t involve her father at all. So when she had told him that she had gotten a job in New York and quit her job at hispany, he had been furious.


    Wendy didn¡¯t want to hurt her dad in any way, but this was something she had to do. And her father might be angry now, but she hoped he would get over it¡­ eventually. He definitely wasn¡¯t going to stay angry forever.


    She smiled when Deborah opened the door and pulled her into her arms.


    ¡°Oh my God, Nina,¡± Abby said, still hugging her. ¡°I can¡¯t believe that you¡¯re really here¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°I know. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m here too¡± Nina replied as Abby finally released her.


    ¡°I really appreciate you letting me stay with you¡± Nina said as they both walked inside. ¡°And I know it was kinda out of the blue so I¡¯m very sorry. I was surprised too¡­ honestly I didn¡¯t think I was going to get this job and when I did, I just knew that I had to go for it¡­. I really didn¡¯t know where else to go and when I was so relieved when you said that I could stay,¡±


    ¡°Oh it¡¯s fine really¡± Abby replied, cing one hand on Nina¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You are wee here and you can stay as long as you want. Trust me, I could really use thepany. I hate living alone, it gets really boring and I¡¯m really in need of someone to talk to¡­especially after work.¡± She led Nina to the living room where a young man sat. ¡°I¡¯m sure you remember my brother, Julian.¡±


    Nina¡¯s eyes fell on the man sitting on the couch and for a second, she almost didn¡¯t recognize him. Julian Martin looked so different.. Good different¡­ Not that he wasn¡¯t good looking before, she had always thought he was cute, but this¡­ This was on another level. Or maybe it was just because she hadn¡¯t seen him in years.


    ¡°Of course I remember your brother¡± she said to Abby, then she turned to Julian. ¡°Hi Julian, it¡¯s really nice to see you again¡±


    ¡°Hello, Nina,¡± Julian replied as he stood and extended his hand to her. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again¡±


    Nina swallowed. Fractions of a second felt like an eternity as an excitement she didn¡¯t quite understand oozed over her likeva. She could no more have kept her gaze from straying to his eyes than she could have stopped breathing. He towered over her by a good eight inches, making him approximately six feet six.


    The glow of the light in the room touched his hair. With the beautiful eyes, the sharp nt of cheekbones, the arrogant nose, the wide, sensual, almost cruel curve of his mouth and the rock-hard jut of his jaw, he reminded her of a long-ago king from a mysterious country, standing on a wall, an unseen wind teasing his long ck hair as he surveyed thend he ruled. Hard, shrewd, somehow removed from the masses.

 3

    Julian would¡¯ve beenpletely intimidating if not for the incongruity of all that hair pulled into a knot at the back of his head. Someone so polished, so sophisticated, so rigid in his appearance wearing a¡­man bun.


    A corded expanse of tanned neck contrasted with his light blue shirt. His broad shoulders blocked her view of the room, but Nina didn¡¯t care. Her stare was riveted to his body. He was powerfully built, his arm tanned and flecked with ck hair below the turned back pearl-studded cuff.


    Nina seemed to be floating on a cloud, her mouth turning dry as her gaze slid lower. She was fascinated by the flex of his strong thighs beneath the tight denim as he released her hand and stepped back a bit.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±  Julian asked, watching her closely.


    The question brought her back to reality and she grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ Oh nothing is wrong¡± she said hurriedly and smiled at him. ¡°It¡¯s just that you look so different¡­ Not different in a bad way of course¡­ I mean, you look really¡­. Sexy¡±


    Julian looked surprised at her forwardness, but then he smiled and said, ¡°Thanks.. I think you look amazing too¡­ You always have¡±


    ¡°Please have a seat¡± Abby said as she took Nina¡¯s bags from her. ¡°I will put these in your room. Make yourselffortable¡±


    dly, Nina thought. She was so tired, but immediately she sat down, her phone rang. She groaned when she saw that it was her dad. She couldn¡¯t ignore him forever, so it was better to get this over with.


    ¡°Hi dad,¡± she said, trying to sound cheerful.


    ¡°I have been calling for hours. Why haven¡¯t you been picking your calls?¡± her father asked angrily.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, dad. How are you too?¡± she replied sarcastically.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take that tone with me youngdy¡± Scott Taylor said, sounding more angry, if that was even possible.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, dad¡± Nina replied, ¡°But I just got to Abby¡¯s ce and I didn¡¯t want to have this conversation where anyone could listen and frankly, I¡¯m not sure I want to have it now¡­ Or ever for that matter¡±


    ¡°Well, you are gonna,¡± her father replied. ¡°Now listen to me, youngdy. I don¡¯t know what hase over you, but you will do as I say. I have done everything possible to ensure that you have afortable life¡­ And this is how you pay me? By defying me?¡±


    Nina ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. She was so tired and she wanted to rest so bad. She definitely wasn¡¯t in the mood to have this conversation. ¡°I know Dad,¡± she said. ¡°And I¡¯m grateful for everything you have done for me. But maybe it¡¯s okay to let me make some decisions for myself. I¡¯m tired of having everything nned out for me. You have always been there in every aspect of my life, the schools I attended, my job and now you even have a suitor ready for me. I don¡¯t want that anymore Dad, and I¡¯m done with it. I love that you care so much about me, but I can¡¯t keep living like that and I sure as hell can¡¯t marry Christopher Anderson¡­ I don¡¯t love him¡­ I barely know the guy. No one does this arranged marriage crap anymore¡±


    Her father snorted, like what she had just said was pointless.¡±There are more important things in marriage than love. That cer. You mother and I had an arranged marriage, and it worked out well for us. I don¡¯t see why it¡¯s going to be different for you. You haven¡¯t even given it a chance. Look, I¡¯m not going to have this talk with you again. Just know that if you refuse toe back, I¡¯m cutting you off¡­ Don¡¯t bother running back to me when all your ns go to hell.. And trust me, they will.¡±

 4

    You are cutting me off? Fine, Dad¡± Nina said. ¡°I think it¡¯s better that way. Maybe I don¡¯t need your money and now I have one more thing motivating me to do better for myself¡±


    She hung up immediately, a little scared that if she stayed on the phone, he would talk her out of this and make her go back home.


    ¡°Family issues?¡± Julian asked as she dropped the phone on herp and buried her face in her hands. She looked up and nodded slowly. There was concern written all over his face.


    ¡°Yeah¡± Nina replied. ¡°I just had to leave, you know. It wasn¡¯t my intention to piss him off, but this is something I feel like I have to do. All my life I have always done things the way he wanted me to¡­ Every single thing. And now he wants me to marry some doctor guy I barely know. He said something about securing my future¡­ Whatever that means. I thought about it a lot and I just can¡¯t do it. I can¡¯t keep living like that¡­ I want more. I want to make decisions on my own¡­ Good or bad, I don¡¯t care. I want adventure. I don¡¯t want every little detail of my life nned out for me¡­ And if I¡¯m going to get married to anyone, I want it to be because I fell in love¡­ You know, movie kind of love. The kind that consumes you, steals your breath away and zaps away yourmon sens¡­. ¡±


    She stopped when she saw the way Julian was staring at her. He was smiling.


    ¡°What?¡± she asked. ¡°Is my pain amusing to you?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°Nothing¡­ Of course it¡¯s not amusing¡±


    She frowned, thenughed nervously. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m a bit cranky. But you understand what I mean right?¡± she asked. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m crazy for leaving? Now that he has cut me off, I¡¯m not going to be getting any help or money from him¡­ And I gotta admit I enjoyed spending his money.¡±


    Julianughed and shook his head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think you are crazy¡± he replied


    ¡°There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to have your own life. Everyone deserves to do what makes them happy. And if you were not truly happy living like that, you did the right thing by leaving. Your father will see it soon too, just give it time. Perhaps he¡¯s just upset about his little girl leaving¡­ This might not be easy for him too, you know. He¡¯s gonna miss you¡­ I¡¯m sure of that,¡±Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Nina inhaled deeply and smiled at him, feeling a bit better and hoping that he was right.¡±Thank you, Julian,¡± she said. ¡°You haven¡¯t changed in some ways¡­ You kind of always know the right thing to say¡±


    When Abby returned and informed Nina that her room was ready, she stood.


    ¡°I just need to take a shower and then I¡¯m gonna jump right into bed¡± she said.


    ¡°No dinner?¡± Abby asked.


    Nina shook her head. ¡°No, I¡¯m fine¡­ I¡¯m not really hungry¡­ don¡¯t really have an appetite either¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe that¡¯s good. I¡¯m not sure there¡¯s anything left anyways because Julian ate everything¡± Abby said, ring at her brother.


    Julian stood and slipped his phone in his pocket. ¡°You should have thought about that before you forced me toe keep youpany. Consider it payment for my time spent.¡± he said. ¡°And now that Nina is here, I hope you get enough of thatpany and leave me alone¡­ then maybe I¡¯ll consider leaving your food alone. I guess I should leave now,¡±


    Abby rolled her eyes at him. ¡°You are right about that. I have Nina to keep mepany now, so maybe you should start eating at your ce for a change¡±


    Julian paused and pretended to give her suggestion some thought, then he shook his head. ¡°You know, I don¡¯t see that happening¡±


    ¡°Get out,¡± Abby said.


    Ninaughed. ¡°Good night guys¡± she said. And as she walked into the room Abby had prepared for her, and shut the door, she had a feeling that everything was going to be okay. Everything was going to work out fine, because she would make it work.


    She had to. She didn¡¯t really have an option now.

 5

    The vultures were circling.


    Nina stood back, wine ss in hand, and surveyed the crowded ballroom. The fund-raiser was supposed to be more pleasure than business, but business was uppermost on the minds of herpetition.


    Across the room, Julian Martin stood in arge group of people. He looked rxed, seemingly in his element, an easy smile making his extraordinarily handsome face even more gorgeous.


    It should be a crime for a man to be that good-looking. Tall, rugged, he looked every inch the kind of man who¡¯d be at home in the athletic wear hispany designed and sold. There was an aura of confidence and power around him, and above all, Nina loved a man who was sure of himself.


    Given the long, searching nces they¡¯d exchanged over thest few weeks since she came to live with Abby, she¡¯d be a fool not to entertain the idea of seeing where things could lead¡­ If he wasn¡¯t a prospective client.


    A client she wanted tond very much. She wanted the ount. She wanted to prove to her boss that he hadn¡¯t made a mistake by giving her this job. Her boss and the agency were counting on her-but she drew the line at sleeping with a man to get what she wanted.


    And this wasn¡¯t just any man. This was Julian Martin. Her friend¡¯s brother, whom she had known since high school. And it was totally ridiculous that she was feeling this way about him now.


    Nina turned away from the sight of Julian before she became too enthralled in just watching him. She would get this, she told herself, not because she knew him personally, but because she was good at her job. She wanted to prove it to herself too.


    She and Julian had performed a delicate dance around each other ever since he¡¯d fired hisst advertising agency. He knew she wanted him-in the professional sense of course. Hell, he probably knew she wanted him naked and in bed too, because she wasn¡¯t sure she had been doing a good job of hiding it, but she wasn¡¯t going to dwell on that.. Not right now. Maybeter tonight when she could afford to indulge in a little fantasy.


    The problem was, now that a bigpany like Mart Enterprises had fired its agency, it was open season. The other agencies circled like sharks. It was a dog-eat-dog world, and in reality, she should be over there, shoving herself down his throat like the rest of herpetition, but she couldn¡¯t help but believe Julian was secretly amused by the attention. He took a different hand. She was sure of it.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Nina, d you made it. Have you spoken to Julian yet?¡±


    Nina turned to see her boss, Evan Banks, standing a foot away. He wasn¡¯t drinking. He didn¡¯t even look particrly thrilled to be here.


    Her eyebrow rose. ¡°A tux. Why, Banks, you look positively decadent. However are you keeping thedies at bay?¡± she asked yfully.


    He grunted in response, his lips curling in distaste. ¡°Cut it out, Nina. I brought Camille along.¡±


    Nina looked beyond his shoulder to see his pretty assistant standing a few feet away. When Camille looked her way, Nina smiled and waved.


    ¡°You look beautiful,¡± Nina mouthed.


    Camille smiled and ducked her head self-consciously but not before Nina saw the faint blush that colored her cheeks.


    Evan Banks gestured impatiently toward Julian. ¡°Why are you standing over here while Julian Martin is over there?¡± Evan scanned the room and his expression hardened.¡±I should have known the old bastard would be here.¡± he said.


    Wendy followed his gaze to see Frank Benjamin holding court within hearing distance of Evan. Though she wouldn¡¯t admit it to Evan, it made her extremely nervous to see their business rival hammering so relentlessly on Julian.

 6

    Frank owned Creative Edge Promotions, and ording to Evan, not only had Frank lured away a few of  Standard gate¡¯s top clients in recent months, he¡¯d alsounched a PR campaign against Standard Gate. Evan said that Frank was ruthless, and he¡¯d do anything to win.


    ¡°Well, yes,¡± Nina murmured. ¡°His ad execs are busy working Julian over.¡±


    ¡°Any reason you aren¡¯t?¡± Evan asked her.


    Sheid her hand on his forearm. She knew how important this ount was to Evan-to everyone at Standard Gate Communications. It was important to her too. She wanted to prove herself, both to Evan, and more importantly to herself.


    ¡°I need you to trust me, Evan. I know Julian Martin and I have studied him extensively. He knows I¡¯m interested. He¡¯lle to me eventually. I¡¯m sure of it.¡±She said.


    ¡°Are you fifty million dors sure, Nina? Standard Gate is small, and this kind of deal means our employees keep their jobs whereas if we continue to lose clients and ounts, I can¡¯t make any guarantees.¡±


    ¡°I know I¡¯m asking a lot,¡± she said in a low voice. ¡°But I can¡¯t walk over there and pull out the seductive wiles.¡± She gestured toward the women standing around Julian. They weren¡¯t making any bones as to how far they¡¯d go to sign him, and it kinda made her feel sick¡­ And a little jealous. ¡°It¡¯s what he expects, and I can¡¯t do that. I cannd this ount on the ideas, Evan. I¡¯ve spent every waking minute putting this pitch together. There¡¯s no way he won¡¯t go for it.¡±


    Evan Banks studied her for a long moment, his eyes gleaming with what looked like respect. She loved working for him. He was hard. He was demanding. But he made her work hard and that was what she needed right now.


    ¡°I never expected you tond the ount on anything less than your brilliance, Nina,¡± Evan said softly. ¡°I hope I never gave you any other impression.¡±


    ¡°I know. I appreciate your confidence more than you know. I won¡¯t let you down. I won¡¯t let Standard Gate Communications down.¡± She replied.


    Evan ran a hand through his hair and nced once more across the room. He looked tired. It was true he worked hard. The agency was everything to him. More than anything Nina wanted to be able to hand this ount to him. He had believed in her and given her this job even when she didn¡¯t believe in herself.


    She nced up to see Julian threading his way through the throng of people.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look now, but he¡¯s headed our way. Maybe you should take Camille and go dance or something.¡± Nina said to Evan.


    As quickly as he¡¯d approached, Evan Banks turned and melted back into the crowd.


    Nina sipped at her wine and practiced nonchnce as she literally felt Julian close in. It was impossible to miss him. Her body always seemed to heat up about five degrees whenever he was anywhere near.


    And his smell. Even amid the hustle and bustle of the crowded room, the mix of so many feminine perfumes, she could pick out his unique scent. Rough. Masculine and mouthwateringly sexy. It made no sense to her, but she was attuned to his every nuance, and that had nothing to do with all the studying up she¡¯d done on hispany.


    Julian was apletely different man from the one she knew when she was in school, and her reaction to him was alsopletely different now. These thoughts she was having were definitely not good for her career and for her friendship with his sister. There was no way getting involved with him wouldn¡¯t cause her any problems.


    ¡°Hey, Red,¡± he murmured as he reached her.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    She turned with a weing smile. ¡°Hi, Julian. You should stop calling me that, you know.¡±


    ¡°Ermmm, I don¡¯t think so. It suits you, and it¡¯s always amusing to watch you blush.¡±

 7

    Nina grinned at him. ¡°Enjoying the evening?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I think you know I¡¯m not,¡± he replied.


    She raised one eyebrow and stared at him over the rim of her ss. ¡°Do I?¡±


    Julian snagged a flute from a passing waiter and turned his attention fully on her. It was all she could do not to gasp under his heated scrutiny. It was as if he undressed her right then and there in front of a roomful of people. Her blood simmered and pooled low in her belly. He had beautiful eyes, and they were currently devouring her, delving beneath the modest evening gown she¡¯d chosen. He made it seem like she wore the most scanty, revealing dress imaginable. She felt nude and vulnerable under his searing gaze. And somehow she had a feeling that he knew the kind of thoughts she was having about him¡­ and that he was thinking it too. Why was he looking at her like that if he wasn¡¯t thinking about it? She shook the thought out of her head.


    Focus. She told herself. Now is not the time.


    ¡°Tell me something, Nina,¡± Julian began. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you over with the rest of the piranhas convincing me that your ad agency will take Mart Enterprises straight to the top?¡±


    Her lips curved upward into a smile. ¡°Because you already are at the top?¡± she said.


    He smiled back, ¡°Or maybe because we know each other, you just don¡¯t see the need. That¡¯s your n right?¡±


    ¡°My n?¡± she repeated, then she leaned closer to him, close enough so the scent of her perfume filled his nostrils. ¡°Well, is it working?¡± she asked.


    Julian grinned. ¡°You¡¯re such a tease,¡± he said.


    At that her smile faded. He was right. She was flirting, and it was thest thing she wanted to do. She nced across the room to where the other ad execs stood staring holes through her and Julian.


    ¡°I¡¯m not desperate, Julian.  It doesn¡¯t matter if we know each other or not. I know I¡¯m good. I know my ideas for your ad campaign are spectacr. Does that make me arrogant? Maybe. But I don¡¯t need to sell you on a load of mrkey¡­. And there is no ¡®n¡¯¡­ Whatever you mean by that. I want to do this professionally, that¡¯s why I¡¯m not ying the ¡®we know each other card.¡¯ All I need is the time to show you what Standard Gate Communications can do for you.¡±


    ¡°What you can do for me, Nina?¡± he said.


    Her eyes widened in surprise at the tant innuendo. And then he went on to correct the errant assumption she¡¯d just made.


    ¡°If the ideas are yours and are as brilliant as you say, I¡¯d hardly be taking on Standard gate and what the agency could do for me. I¡¯d be hiring you.¡±


    She frowned and hated that she suddenly felt at a disadvantage. Her fingers curled a little tighter around the ss, and she prayed they wouldn¡¯t shake and betray her unease.


    He studied her curiously, having obviously picked up on her difort.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a proposition, Nina, rx. Believe me, you¡¯d know the difference.¡± he said smiling.


    In a daring move, he reached a finger out and traced a line down the bare skin of her arm. She was unable to call back the shiver, or the sprinkling of chill bumps that danced over her flesh. She shouldn¡¯t be thinking of Abby¡¯s brother like this, she told herself.


    ¡°I only meant that if you wow me with a pitch and I sign on with Standard Gate, you won¡¯t pawn me off to some junior executive. I¡¯d expect you to oversee the campaign at every level. I would like to handle it.¡±Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°And do you anticipate signing with Standard Gate Communications?¡± she asked huskily.


    There was a gleam of amusement in his dark eyes. He took a measured sip of his wine and then regarded herzily. ¡°If your pitch is good enough. Creative Edge has some good ideas. I¡¯m considering them.¡±


    Her lips tightened. ¡°Only because you haven¡¯t seen mine yet.¡±


    He smiled again. ¡°Confidence¡­ It¡¯s something I have always admired about you. I like confidence. I don¡¯t like false modesty. I look forward to seeing what you have in mind, Red. I have a feeling you put every bit of that passion I see burning in your eyes into your work. Evan Banks is a lucky man to have such a fierce employee. I wonder if he knows it.¡±


    ¡°Are we moving into the appointment phase?¡± she asked lightly. ¡°I have to admit, I¡¯ve enjoyed watching you surrounded by the piranhas as you call them.¡±


    He put his ss down on a nearby table.¡±Dance with me and we¡¯ll discuss appointment times.¡±


    Her eyes narrowed.


    He lifted one finely constructed eyebrow into what looked like a challenge. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. You are not a Stranger like most of these people. Look, I¡¯ve also danced with female ad executives from Creative Edge, Depth Digital,  Fair marketing media Media-¡±


    Nina held up her hand. ¡°Okay, okay, I get it. You¡¯re making your selection on who¡¯s the best dance partner.¡± She said,


    He threw back his head andughed. Several people around them turned to stare, and she had to resist the strong urge to flee the room. She hated the attention that Julian seemed to have no issue with whatsoever. How nice it must be not to have to worry what people thought about you.


    Knowing no graceful way to bow out of the dance, she set down her own ss and allowed Julian to lead her onto the ballroom floor.


    To her relief, he held her loosely. To anyone looking on, they could find no fault or impropriety. And there wasn¡¯t any¡­ There couldn¡¯t be any. She and Julian didn¡¯t look like lovers, but she knew the thought was present in both their minds. She could feel it.. This weird energy between them, especially when they were alone in the apartment when Abby wasn¡¯t there. She saw the desire in his eyes and knew he could probably see it in hers.


    She wasn¡¯t practiced at hiding her emotions. Maybe being the only girl in an all-male household growing up was the reason. Her family was a loud, demonstrative lot, and she¡¯d always been regarded as the precious daughter and sister.

 8

    It would make her life easier to be able to hide her thoughts from this man. Then she wouldn¡¯t concern herself over whether he was giving her a shot because he thought she deserved it or whether he was thinking only of the powerful sexual pull between them and how best to capitalize on it.


    Wow, Nina. Lump him in with all the other jerks you¡¯ve known, why don¡¯t you? Nothing like being tried and convicted based on your gender, she thought.


    Okay maybe that was wrong to judge him like that, but what about Abby? What if something happened and her friendship with Abby was ruined. She didn¡¯t want to hurt someone who had always been good to her, and definitely not someone who had weed her when she had no one to turn to.


    ¡°Rx. You¡¯re thinking way too much,¡± Julian murmured close to her ear. ¡°You were the one who said you wanted to do this professionally¡±


    ¡°And I am doing this professionally,¡± she replied.


    He giggled. ¡°You know, you are wound up tight. The Nina I knew from high school wasn¡¯t so uptight, she was more¡­.. flexible¡±


    She looked up and red at him. ¡°I am not uptight,¡± she said.


    He smiled at her. ¡°Alright¡­ If you say so, Red¡±


    She forced herself to do as he¡¯d instructed and gave herself over to the beautiful music and the sheer enjoyment of dancing with a man who took her breath away.


    ¡°So how is next week? I have Friday free.¡± Julian said, breaking the silence.


    She jerked back to reality, and for a moment couldn¡¯t for the life of her figure out what he was talking about. Some professional she was.


    ¡°I was thinking we could meet informally and you could go over what you have in mind. If I¡¯m interested we could do the whole shebang at your agency. Maybe that¡¯ll save us both a lot of time and hassle if I¡¯m not loving your ideas.¡± he added.


    ¡°Sure. I can do Friday. Friday is good.¡± Nina replied.


    He nodded, and after a few seconds, he said, ¡°You know, you might not believe this, but I had a huge crush on you when we were growing up¡±


    Nina smiled. ¡°I kinda knew, though I wasn¡¯t sure,¡± she said.


    He looked a bit surprised, though he didn¡¯t stop smiling. ¡°Oh really?¡± he said. ¡°Wow, so much for my big secret. I thought you never noticed. I thought you just saw me as Abby¡¯s geeky older brother¡±


    ¡°I kinda did,¡± Nina replied, and then sheughed.


    Julian decided he liked the sound of herughter. The music ended, and he held her just a bit longer than necessary, or maybe it was that long, but she was so affected by the intensity of his gaze that she couldn¡¯t formte a single objection.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have my assistant call you with the time and location for the meeting,¡± he said.


    He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. The warm brush of his mouth over the back of her hand sent a bolt of pleasure straight down her spine.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Until Friday,¡± he said.


    She watched wordlessly as he strolled away. He was immediately swallowed up by a crowd of people again, but he turned and found her gaze. For a moment they simply stared at one another and then the corners of his mouth lifted into a half smile.


    Oh, yes, he knew. He knew exactly what her reaction to him was. He knew exactly what she was thinking. He¡¯d have to be aplete moron not to. And he was anything but. The man was smart, she knew that. He was driven. And as she had learnt, he had a reputation for being ruthless. He was very different from the guy she used to know¡­ in every way. And he was the perfect client.


    She turned to walk toward the exit. She¡¯d done what she¡¯de for. There was no reason to stick around and be social.


    If there was any gossip over her dance with Nina, she certainly didn¡¯t want to hear it.


    On the way, she passed Evan and Camille, who were standing somewhat awkwardly to the side. Evan didn¡¯t say anything. He just lifted an inquiring brow. Of course he would have seen her dancing with Julian.


    Evan probably hadn¡¯t looked at anyone but Julian all night. A shame, really, since Camille looked fabulous in her ck sheath, Nina thought .


    ¡°Friday,¡± she said in a low voice. ¡°I meet with him on Friday. No formal pitch. He wants to hear my ideas first. If he likes them, he¡¯ll arrange a time for us to hit him with both barrels.¡± She said,


    Evan nodded, and she saw the gleam of satisfaction light his eyes. She was happy.


    ¡°Good work, Nina.¡± he replied.


    Nina smiled and resumed her path to the door. She had a lot to do before next Friday.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Julian Martin loosened his tie as soon as he walked into his house. He left a trail of clothing from the door, where he threw his jacket over one of the chairs, to the bedroom where he peeled off his socks and left them on the floor.


    The desk with hisptop and briefcase beckoned, but for once, the idea of work didn¡¯t appeal to him. He was too preupied with thoughts of Nina Taylor


    Beautiful, seductive, impossibly aloof Nina Taylor. She hadn¡¯t changed much, only gotten hotter with the passage of time.


    His body had been on heightened sense of alert ever since she walked into his sister¡¯s apartment. He had thought that he was over that crush he had on her, but clearly he wasn¡¯t¡­ Or maybe it had juste back. Was that possible?


    He had been on alert in the ballroom, and though he¡¯d known the moment she left, he was still tense and painfully aware of her scent, how she felt in his arms, how her skin felt under his fingers the one time he¡¯d been bold enough to touch her.


    He wanted to do a hell of a lot more than just touch. He wanted to taste her. He wanted her underneath him, making all those feminine, breathy sounds of a woman being pleasured.


    He wanted to slide his hand between those gorgeous legs and spread her thighs.


    He would spend all night making love to her. A woman such as Nina wasn¡¯t to be rushed. No, not when he had wanted her for so long. He would get to know every inch of her body. Find out where she liked to be touched and kissed.

 9

    His fixation with her couldn¡¯t be readily exined. It wasn¡¯t as though he lived as a monk. He had sex. He nevercked for partners. Sex was good. And all this while when she hadn¡¯t been in his life, he had been seeing women.


    But he knew that sex with Nina would never be just good. It would be lush and delicious. The kind of experience a man would sell his soul for.


    She was indeed a beautiful woman. Tall, but not too tall. She would fit perfectly against him, her head tucked just underneath his chin. The girl he had once known had be a woman¡­ A beautiful woman. She often wore her long red hair up in a loose style that told him she didn¡¯t pay a lot of attention to whether every strand was in ce. It kinda reminded him of her ponytail back in high school.


    He wanted to take that damn clip out, toss it in the garbage and watch as her silken mass spilled down her back. Or better yet, let it spill over him while they made love.


    He cursed under his breath when his body reacted to that image. Cold showers didn¡¯t do a thing for his hunger. He ought to know. He¡¯d taken enough of them over thest few weeks.


    Perhaps her most mesmerizing feature was her eyes. An unusual shade of green. At times they looked more blue but in certain lighting they were vivid green. The more cynical side of him wondered why she hadn¡¯t tried to use the fact that they knew each other or seduced him into hiring her agency. It wasn¡¯t like it hadn¡¯t been attempted before. In fact, he¡¯d received two such propositions tonight at the fund-raiser.


    He wasn¡¯t saying he¡¯d mind. Right now he¡¯d use just about any reason to get into Nina Taylor¡¯s bed. But there was a reserve about her that intrigued him. She was a cool customer, and he admired that. She wanted the ount. She¡¯d made no bones about that. But she hadn¡¯t actively pursued him, even if that was what he had expected her to do.


    No, she¡¯d waited for him toe to her, and maybe that made her damn smart since he¡¯d done just that.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    The ring of his phone disturbed his fantasy and brought him sharply back to the present. He looked down in disgust at the unmistakable ridge in his trousers then reached into his pocket for his phone.


    His mother. He frowned. He wasn¡¯t really in the mood for anything to do with his family right now, but he loved his mother dearly, and he couldn¡¯t very well ignore her.


    With a resigned sigh, he punched the answer button and put the phone to his ear.


    ¡°Hello, Mom.¡± he said.


    ¡°Julian! I¡¯m so d I caught you. You¡¯re so busy these days.¡± Elizabeth Martin said.


    He could hear the disapproval and worry in her voice.


    ¡°The business doesn¡¯t run itself,¡± he reminded her.


    She made a low sound of exasperation. ¡°You sound so much like your father. I wanted to call to make sure you hadn¡¯t forgotten about this weekend. It¡¯s important to Samuel that you be there.¡± She said,


    There was a note of anxiety in her voice that always seemed to creep in when his cousin was mentioned.


    ¡°You can¡¯t think I¡¯d actually go to their wedding,¡± Julian said mildly. And the only important thing to Sam was that Julian be there to see his triumph.


    His mother made a disapproving sound. ¡°I know it won¡¯t be easy for you, Julian. But don¡¯t you think you should forgive him? It has been so long, you know. It¡¯s obvious he and Loveth belong together. It would be so nice to have the whole family back together again and I would really love to see you.¡± She said,


    ¡°Easy? It won¡¯t be easy or difficult, Mom. I don¡¯t care, and frankly they¡¯re wee to each other. I simply don¡¯t have the time or the desire to attend.¡± Julian replied.


    ¡°Would you do it for me?¡± she begged. ¡°Please. I want just one time to see you both in the same room. You guys are rted whether you like it or not¡­ you know I hate enmity between family members. He¡¯s still your cousin.¡±


    Julian sank onto the edge of the bed and pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers. If his dad had called, he would have had no problem refusing. If Sam had called, Julian nearlyughed at that idea. Sam wouldn¡¯t be calling him for anything after Julian had told him to go to hell and take his faithless fianc¨¦e with him. But this was his mother, whom he harbored so much affection for. His mother, who was always caught in the middle of the tension that existed between him and his cousin, Sam.


    ¡°All right, Mom. I¡¯lle. But I¡¯ll be bringing someone with me. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡± he said.


    He could practically see her beam right through the phone.


    ¡°Why, Julian, you didn¡¯t tell me you were seeing someone new! Of course you¡¯re wee to bring her. I¡¯ll very much look forward to meeting her.¡±


    ¡°Can you forward all the details to my assistant so she can make arrangements?¡± he asked.


    His mom sighed. ¡°How did I know you wouldn¡¯t have kept the original email?¡±


    Because he¡¯d immediately sent it to the trash folder? Of course he wouldn¡¯t tell her that.


    ¡°Send it to Maggie and I¡¯ll see you on Friday. I love you,¡± he said after a short pause.


    ¡°I love you too, son. I¡¯m so very d you¡¯reing.¡±


    He ended the call and stared down at his phone. Friday. Hell. Friday was when he was meeting Nina.


    He¡¯d nned meticulously, not wanting to seem over anxious. He¡¯d flirted, exchanged long, seeking nces and had spent a lot of damn time in the shower. He was surprised he hadn¡¯te down with hypothermia.


    And now he was going to have to cancel because his mother thought that he should go see the woman he was supposed to have married instead marry his cousin.


    He needed to find a date. Preferably one who would convince his mother he wasn¡¯t secretly pining over Loveth. He wasn¡¯t. He¡¯d gotten over her the moment she¡¯d dumped him for his cousin when Sam was appointed the CEO position in their family jewelry business.

 10

    She preferred the glitz-and-mor facade of the jewelry world over the sweaty, athletic image of hispany. It was just as well she wasn¡¯t bright enough to have done any research. If she had, she would have known that Julian¡¯spany¡¯s earnings far exceeded those of their family¡¯s jewelry business. And it had only taken him a few years to aplish it.


    His mother wouldn¡¯t believe it but Julian was grateful to Sam for being a selfish pinhead. Sam wanted Loveth because Julian had her. Thanks to that deep need for one-upmanship, Julian had narrowly escaped a huge mistake. But it didn¡¯t mean he wanted to spend quality time with his spoiled, self-indulgent cousin. He¡¯d agreed, however, and now he needed a date.


    With a shake of his head, he began scrolling through the contacts on his phone. He had narrowed his options to three women, when the solution came to him.


    It was brilliant, really. He was an idiot for not having thought of it immediately. It certainly solved all his problems. Finally he had a way of luring Nina Taylor to him. He had even heard her tell Abby that she wished she wasing with her to the wedding as she didn¡¯t want to be in the apartment alone, maybe she might even be happy toe with him. It would be business, of course, but if the setting happened to be intimate and she was for all practical purposes stranded with him on an Ind for three days¡­..


    A satisfied smile raised the corners of his mouth. Maybe attending the wedding wouldn¡¯t be such a bad thing after all.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Julian Martin walked into his office suite. He nodded a goodmorning to his receptionist but halted when she came out of her seat, a concerned expression on her face.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t go in there,¡± Beatrice said in a hushed whisper.


    He raised an eyebrow when he realized she was gesturing toward his office. ¡°Why the devil not?¡± he demanded.


    Beatrice put one hand up to shield her mouth and then she tapped her finger against her palm-in the direction of his office. ¡°Because she¡¯s in there.¡± she replied.


    Julian turned to stare down the hall toward his office, but the door was closed.


    Damn, but he didn¡¯t have time for this. He looked back at Beatrice and tried to stifle his growing impatience. The girl was highly efficient if a little entric. But he liked unconventional, and he found she brought a sort of vibrancy to the office .


    ¡°Okay, Beatrice. First of all, who the hell is ¡®she¡¯ and where the heck is Maggie?¡±


    It wasn¡¯t like Maggie not to meet him as he got off the elevator. His longtime assistant traveled with him everywhere. She had an apartment here in New York. She had an uncanny knack for knowing precisely when he¡¯d show up, and as a result she was always there, ready to pelt him with the day¡¯s obligations.


    Beatrice¡¯s face fell. ¡°Oh, sir, did you not get your message? I left you two. Maggie¡¯s granddaughter was rushed to the hospital early this morning. They suspect appendicitis. She¡¯s in surgery now.¡±


    Julian frowned. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t get any such message. Keep me updated. I want to know the minute she¡¯s out of surgery. Send flowers and make sure Maggie has everything she might need. On second thought, send over food for the family. Hospital food is terrible. And arrange for a hospitality suite. If there is a hotel close to the hospital, have a block of rooms set aside for any of the family members.¡±


    Beatrice blinked then hurriedly picked up a notepad and began scribbling.


    Julian waited a moment then sighed. ¡°Beatrice?¡± he called.


    She looked up, blinking, as if surprised to still see him standing there.


    ¡°Who is the ¡®she¡¯ waiting in my office?¡± he asked.


    Beatrice¡¯s nose curled in distaste. ¡°It¡¯s Miss Wheeler, sir. I couldn¡¯t stop her. She was quite imperious. Told me she¡¯d wait for you.¡±


    It was all Julian could do not to look heavenward and ask ¡°why me?¡± He nced down the hall and briefly considered leaving. He had no patience for Loveth Wheeler today, and after his mother had extracted his promise to attend this weekend¡¯s debacle, he couldn¡¯t imagine anything Loveth could have to say to him.


    ¡°Keep me posted on Maggie¡¯s granddaughter,¡± he said to Beatrice as he turned to go down to his office.. He opened the door and swept in, his gaze immediately finding Loveth. She was sitting on one of the sofas lining the window that overlooked the outdoor caf¨¦s lining the sidewalk below.


    ¡°Loveth,¡± he said as he tossed his briefcase onto his desk. ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    Loveth rose, her hands going down to smooth her dress. The motion directed attention to her legs-her self-admitted favorite personal attribute. The dress stopped almost at mid-thigh, which meant quite a lot of those legs were on disy.


    Julian wouldn¡¯t lie. He¡¯d enjoyed those legs. It was just too bad they were attached to the rest of her.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Her expression creased into one of fake pain. She crossed the room, holding her hands dramatically in front of her to grasp his.


    ¡°I wanted to thank you for agreeing toe to the wedding. It means the world to Sam and I and to your mom and dad. I know how painful it must be. I can¡¯t imagine how difficult it was for you to agree to go after I broke your heart.¡±


    Julian just stared at her. Part of him wanted to ask her what she existed on, but he already knew the answer to that. It was Loveth, where everything revolved around her. Did she honestly believe he was still pining for her?


    ¡°Cut the theatrics, Loveth. Why are you really here? You don¡¯t care if I show up or not, so why pretend otherwise? In fact, I¡¯d be willing to admit you hoped I wouldn¡¯t.¡± he said.


    She blinked, and for a moment he saw bitterness in her eyes.


    ¡°Emmanue said you were bringing a¡­.. date. It was clever of you, really. But you don¡¯t fool me, Julian. Everyone knows you haven¡¯t been serious about anyone since me. Who is she? Someone you¡¯ve met socially? Do you know anything about her? Does she know she¡¯s going as an essory? God knows that¡¯s all I ever was to you.¡±

 11

    ¡°You can¡¯t have it both ways, Loveth. Either I was serious about you or you were an essory,¡± he drawled.


    ¡°Which is it?¡± She flushed angrily. ¡°I only meant that you haven¡¯t dated any woman more than once since I broke things off with you.¡±


    He made an exaggerated expression of surprise. ¡°You tter me. I had no idea you were so interested in who I date. I would have thought my brother kept you too upied to monitor my love life.¡±


    ¡°Bring your date, Julian. But you know and I know she isn¡¯t me. She¡¯ll never be me. Don¡¯t think you¡¯ll take anything away from my wedding day.¡± Loveth hissed.


    With that she stalked out of his office, leaving Julian to shake his head. He really ought to call his cousin and thank him profusely. He had dodged a bullet.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    He sank into his chair and opened his day nner. Maggie kept meticulous records of all appointments for just such rare asions that she was out of pocket. He frowned when he saw his calendar was full. Except for one forty-five-minute window for lunch.


    His mind immediately went to Nina. Nina, whose office was not too far away from his. He¡¯d nned to call her, but a proposition such as he had in mind was really better delivered in person. He could go to see her at Abby¡¯s apartmentter, but he didn¡¯t have a lot of time, and he would be busy then. He doubted she had much free time, either, but he knew without arrogance that if he asked her to lunch, she wouldn¡¯t refuse. She wanted his business too badly.


    He picked up his phone and called her.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Nina stepped out of the elevator and was met with a cheerful hello from Reba, the receptionist for Standard Gate Communications. Reba was young and friendly. She also had superb organization skills and a memory like a steel trap. Which made her a perfect asset. But more importantly, she knew everything about everyone at Standard Gate.


    There wasn¡¯t a piece of juicy gossip floating around that Reba didn¡¯t know, and she didn¡¯t mind sharing it. Nina found it kinda useful to keep in the know.


    ¡°Good morning, Reba,¡± Nina returned as she paused in front of Reba¡¯s desk. ¡°Any messages for me?¡± she asked.


    Reba¡¯s eyes twinkled and she leaned forward to whisper conspiratorially.


    ¡°Latest rumors that have surfaced are about the boss man and his assistant.¡± She said.


    Nina frowned. ¡°You mean, him and Camille?¡± she asked.


    Camille didn¡¯t seem like the type to indulge in a torrid office affair and definitely not with her boss. Nina feltpelled to warn Camille about the potential pitfalls of even having such a rumor circte, but it was just a rumor, and Camille might not appreciate Nina broaching the subject.


    Reba shrugged. ¡°Well, they do seem to spend a lot of time together.¡±


    ¡°Of course they do. She¡¯s his assistant,¡± Nina pointed out.


    ¡°I just repeat what others are saying.¡± Reba said.


    Nina gripped her briefcase a little tighter. It wouldn¡¯t do her any good to get involved. Evan and Camille were adults. She just hoped Camille wasn¡¯t hurt by the idle gossip.


    ¡°Hey, Reba,¡± Nina began as she remembered why she¡¯d stopped to begin with. ¡°I need you to look up a cleaning service. My friend Tony needs one real bad¡± She dug around in her bag then pulled out a sheet of paper that had all the names of the agencies Tony had already contacted. Tony was actually her brother¡¯s friend who she had be a bit closer to.


    She handed it over the counter to Reba ¡°These are the ones marked off the list of possibilities. I need you to make it clear this is a demanding client and that he¡¯s a slob through and through. Money is no object but whoever the poor soul is who takes the job will definitely earn their paycheck.¡±


    Reba grinned and her eyes widened as she picked up the list. ¡°So this¡­ Tony guy, is he hot? He needs a housekeeper? I¡¯m avable. I mean, I can totally quit here, right?¡­ If he¡¯s hot of course¡±


    Nina shot her a ¡°get real¡± look. ¡°Let me know if you find someone. Oh, and I¡¯m expecting a call from Julian Martin¡¯s assistant. She¡¯s supposed to call me directly, but if for any reason she calls you, you make sure that I get to talk to her. I don¡¯t care what I¡¯m doing or who I¡¯m with, make sure I get that call.¡±


    She smiled at Reba and then kept walking toward her office. Normally she¡¯d stop in on some of her coworkers, say hello, get a feel for what the day¡¯s events were, but she was already runningte, thanks to a breakfast meeting going well into the brunch hour. She needed to y catch-up on phone messages and e-mails before a full afternoon of client calls and a staff meeting to close out the day.


    She¡¯d made a sizeable dent in the backlog of messages when her phone rang.


    It was Julian.


    She wiped her hand on her skirt then shook her head. What did she have to be nervous about? She sighed, shook her head and picked it up.


    ¡°Hello.¡± She said.


    ¡°Hey Red, how are you?¡± Julian replied.


    Even his voice sent a bolt of awareness through her body. When would she stop acting like a teenage girl in the throes of her first sexual awakening? It was ridiculous. It wasn¡¯t professional. And it was Julian for God¡¯s sake.


    ¡°I¡¯m good, Julian. And you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a lot of time. I wanted to meet for lunch today. That is, if your schedule permits?¡±


    There was a note of confidence in his voice. As if he knew damn well she wouldn¡¯t say no. Hastily, she checked her watch.


    ¡°What time?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Now.¡± he replied.


    Panic scuttled around her stomach. Now? She wasn¡¯t prepared to meet him now.


    Surely he didn¡¯t want to reschedule their informal pitch session from Friday to now?


    ¡°I thought we had a lunch date on Friday?¡±


    She asked. She was stalling as her brain scrambled to catch up.


    ¡°I want to discuss Friday today. There¡¯s been a change of ns.¡± Julian said.


    Her heart sank. There was no way she could have her act together right now.

 12

    ¡°I only have forty-five minutes,¡± he continued. ¡°We¡¯re not too far away from each other. Shall we meet in the middle? Our choices are French, Italian or good ole American.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m up for anything,¡± she said faintly.


    She propped the phone between her shoulder and her ear and began frantically digging for her notes on his ount. She stuffed everything into a folder and reached for her bag.


    ¡°Great. Shall we meet in say five minutes? I¡¯ll start out now.¡±


    ¡°Sure, meet you there.¡± She replied.


    He hung up and for a moment she stood there like a moron, the phone still stuck to her ear. Then removed it from her ear, took in a deep steadying breath and dered battle.


    She could do this in her sleep. Slinging the bag over her shoulder, she all but jogged out of her office and down the hallway.


    She passed Trevor Williams, Standard Gate¡¯s CFO, who held up a finger and opened his mouth to say something to her.


    ¡°Not now, Trevor,¡± she called as she hustled by. ¡°Late for an important lunch date.¡±


    She didn¡¯t even look to see his reaction.


    She ran past Reba and hollered back as she punched the button for the elevator.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°If Evan asks, I¡¯m having lunch with Mr. Martin. Just tell him Friday got moved up. If anyone else asks, just tell them I¡¯ll return this afternoon.¡± She said,


    The elevator opened and she ducked in. As she turned around, she saw Reba¡¯s look of befuddlement just as the doors slid shut again. When she reached the lobby, she stopped in the bathroom long enough to check her appearance. She wouldn¡¯t stop traffic for sure, but at least she didn¡¯t look as frazzled as she felt.


    The heels she¡¯d chosen toplete her outfit were fabulous-as long as she didn¡¯t have to actually walk in them. A trek down the block on uneven cement sidewalks wasn¡¯t what she had in mind. She kept tennis shoes in her office for just such asions, but five minutes¡¯ notice on the most important lunch date of her career didn¡¯t give her time to worry over footwear. She¡¯d just suck it up.


    When she crossed the street to the next block, she realized she never had gotten where they were supposed to meet. Italian, French or American. Her gaze scanned the bright umbres scattered along the sidewalk caf¨¦s, first on her side of the street and then across.


    A vacuum formed, sucking all the oxygen right out of her lungs the moment sheid eyes on him. He stood in the sunlight, one hand shoved into the pocket of his cks, the other holding a phone to his ear.


    Power. There was an aura of power that surrounded him, and it drew her like a ma. For a moment, she just stood watching him in absolute girly delight. He was simply¡­.. delicious looking.


    Then he turned slightly and found her. How, she wasn¡¯t sure given how busy the street was, but he locked onto her immediately almost as if he¡¯d sensed her perusal.


    She straightened and started forward, embarrassed to have been caught staring.


    She crossed the street, hugging her bag.


    Julian watched her approach, lean hunger gleaming in his eyes. His features rxed into a smile as she drew abreast of him.


    ¡°Right on time,¡± he said, still smiling.


    She nodded, not wanting to betray how out of breath she was from her flight from her office.


    ¡°I chose good ole American,¡± he said as he gestured toward a nearby table. ¡°I hope that was all right.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± She replied.


    He held out his arm for her to precede him to the table at the end of the row. She sat, grateful to be off her feet, and ced her bag on herp.


    He took his seat across from her and motioned for the waiter.


    ¡°Would you like wine?¡± Julian asked Nina when the waiter approached.


    ¡°Whatever you¡¯re having is fine.¡± She replied.


    Julian ryed his request and then looked over at Nina. ¡°I asked you to lunch because I¡¯m afraid something hase up and we won¡¯t be able to make our lunch date on Friday.¡±


    She nodded then reached down for her bag. ¡°That¡¯s all right. I brought along the information I wanted to present-¡± He reached over and circled her wrist with his fingers. ¡°That isn¡¯t why I invited you to lunch.¡±


    She blinked and let go of her bag.


    ¡°I¡¯d still like to keep our appointment¡­.. I¡¯d just like to change the location.¡± Julian said.


    She was royally confused now, and it must have shown. Amusement twinkled in his eyes and he smiled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a lot of time today, so let mee straight to the point.¡± he said.


    His fingers were still around her wrist, though they¡¯d loosened, and his thumb moved idly over her pulse point. She was sure her pulse was racing. It probably felt like a train under his fingers. She didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t even breathe. She didn¡¯t want to lose the marvelous sensation of his touch. Did he have any idea just how devastating his effect on her was?


    ¡°As you already know, i have a wedding this weekend.¡± he began. She could swear his lips curled in distaste. ¡°A family wedding. My damn cousin is getting married on Moon Ind. I¡¯m to be there Thursday evening, hence the reason I can¡¯t make our Friday meeting.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± she said. ¡°Abby told me. I honestly forgot that it was on Friday and I thought you and Abby weren¡¯t going. Anyways, that¡¯s okay. We can reschedule at your convenience.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like you to go with me.¡±


    Before she could call back the reaction, her eyes widened and she pulled her hand from his. She put it in herp and cupped her other hand over it, wanting to preserve the sensation of his fingers over hers.


    He put up his hand in an impatient gesture then lowered it and fiddled with the napkin on the table. He seemed almost uneasy. She cocked her head, curious now as to what he would say next.


    ¡°My schedule is quite busy. I need to move on this new campaign. I can¡¯t spare weeks searching for a new agency. If you went with me, I could listen to your ideas. I realize a wedding isn¡¯t ideal. I¡¯d rather be just about any other ce myself.¡±


    Though it certainly wasn¡¯t voiced as a threat, it was certainly implied. If she went with him, he¡¯d listen to her pitch. If she didn¡¯t he might not have time for her when he returned.

 13

    Worry knotted her stomach. Tagging along to a family wedding seemed entirely too personal even if the purpose was solely business. Not to mention it was hard enough to battle her attraction for him in a business setting. But something as intimate as a wedding?


    ¡°How long would we be¡­.. away?¡± she asked.


    The question came out more as a squeak than a concise, professional query. She sounded like a scared little girl facing the big bad wolf. Oh, but Julian made such a yummy wolf.


    It was all she could do not to put her head on the table and bang a few times. Focus, Nina focus.


    ¡°We¡¯d fly out Thursday evening. Rehearsal and dinner on Friday, wedding Saturday with reception to follow and since it will likely go well into the night, we¡¯d return Sunday.¡± he replied.


    It would only require one missed day of work. No one but Evan would even need to know, and he certainly wouldn¡¯t spill the beans.


    She didn¡¯t know why she hadn¡¯t immediately agreed. She couldn¡¯t afford to say no. He had her over a barrel and he damn well knew it. Still, she hesitated-if for no other reason than to let him know he didn¡¯t call all the shots.


    Okay, so maybe he did, but it didn¡¯t hurt him to think otherwise. For two seconds.


    ¡°All right,¡± she said in as level a voice as she could manage.


    Did he expect her to attend the festivities? It certainly sounded as though he did by the way he outlined the events. She supposed it would be rude to tag along and lurk in the shadows waiting for her appointed time. Or maybe he envisioned having her follow him around everywhere so he could fit in snatches of conversation when possible.


    ¡°I¡¯d be happy to purchase any items you may need for the trip,¡± he said.


    Startled, she nced up. ¡°No, I mean¡­.. no. Of course not. I can manage just fine. You don¡¯t have to do that. You¡¯ll need to tell me the appropriate dress code of course¡­. Or maybe Abby will. I guess she will be going now that you are¡±


    He managed a wry smile. ¡°I¡¯m sure anything to do with Loveth will be formal. Quite formal with lots of glitter and fanfare.¡± he said.


    His gaze slid sensuously over her features and then lowered until her neck heated with a blush.


    ¡°I think anything you wear will be stunning. The dress you wore the other night was perfect on you.¡± he said.


    The blush climbed higher and she prayed her cheeks didn¡¯t look like twin torches.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I can find something glitzy and morous,¡± she said lightly. ¡°We girls do like the opportunity to dress up.¡±


    Interest sparked in his eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t wait,¡± he said.


    ¡°I should probably talk to Abby about it. Don¡¯t you think she¡¯d find it weird that I¡¯ming with you?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°Trust me, she¡¯d be d that you¡¯reing. Don¡¯t worry, I can talk to my sister¡±


    The waiter returned with the wine, and Ninatched gratefully onto the ss.


    Her hands shook. She was sure if she stood, she¡¯d go down like a brick. She¡¯d break an ankle trying to stay up on these ridiculous heels.


    Note to self: Don¡¯t pack gorgeous, sexy shoes for the weekend. Around him, she¡¯d be a disaster on stilts. He¡¯d spend his entire time picking her up off the floor, that is if she didn¡¯t end up in the hospital in traction.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯ll call youter in the week with the flight arrangements. We¡¯ll be taking my private jet. I will let Abby know too.¡± he said.


    She swallowed and nodded. The waiter approached with menus and Julian looked to her for her order.


    ¡°Just the lunch sd,¡± she said. What she really wanted was a really greasy burger with onion rings, but she didn¡¯t want to appall Julian. Her brothers gave her all sorts of hell for her indelicate tastes, but then they were to me for them.


    Julian ordered a steak, medium, and after the waiter was gone, Julian stared over at her, his gaze inquisitive.


    She cocked her head, prepared for him to ask her a question, but he didn¡¯t say anything. He just seemed to study her as if he wanted to uncover all her deep, dark secrets. Finally he sat back with a satisfied smile. His eyes glinted with triumph.


    ¡°I think this wedding is going to turn out to be enjoyable after all.¡±  he said.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    The car that Julian had sent to collect Nina and Debbie pulled up to the ne parked on the pavednding area that led to the single runway and stopped just a few feet from where the door to the jety open.


    Nina looked out the window to see Julian standing a short distance away. He was waiting for them.


    The driver opened her door, and she and Abby stepped into the afternoon sun. She blinked a few times then pulled her shades from her head over her eyes. Maybe then it wouldn¡¯t be so obvious how she ate Nina up with her gaze.


    He was dressed casually. Jeans, polo shirt and loafers. She¡¯d only ever seen him in suits, and she hadn¡¯t imagined he could look better. She was wrong. So, so wrong.


    The jeans cupped him in all the right ces. They clung to his thighs, rounded his butt and molded to his groin. They weren¡¯t new, starchy-looking jeans, either. They were faded and worn, just like a good pair of jeans should be.


    ¡°Nina. Abby¡± he said with a nod as they approached.


    ¡°Hi,¡± Nina said.


    ¡°I wonder why you changed your mind about going to this wedding,¡± Abby said to Julian. ¡°I know it¡¯s mom¡¯s handwork. Just so you know, You really don¡¯t have to do this, and no one would me you if you didn¡¯t. I wouldn¡¯t have gone either if you weren¡¯t. I would have stayed back, you know,¡­ As a sign of protest for by brother¡±


    Julian grinned at her. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said. ¡°I really appreciate the sentiment and support¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. Anything for my brother. I¡¯m just going to try to enjoy myself as much as I can¡± Abby replied, as she walked past them into the ne.


    ¡°Very dramatic¡­ My sister ¡± Julian said to Nina and sheughed.


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s one of the things I love about her¡± she replied.


    ¡°If you¡¯re ready, we can be on our way.¡±


    ¡°I just need to get our luggage¡­..¡±


    She turned to see that the driver was handing their luggage to a uniformed man.


    ¡°Okay then, I¡¯m ready,¡± she said cheerfully.


    He smiled and motioned for her to precede him onto the ne. She mounted the steps and ducked inside.


    Her eyes widened at the luxurious interior. It was simple and understated, but she recognized it for what it was. Very expensivefort. She shoved her shades up so she could get a better look.

 14

    There was nothing gaudy about any of the furnishings. It looked very masculine.


    It even smelled masculine. Leather and suede. Earth tones.


    Beyond the three rows of seats, there was a small sitting area with a couch and one chair with a coffee table and a television. To her left between the seats and the cockpit was a small galley areaplete with a steward. The older man smiled at her and weed her on board.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    She saw that Abby was already seated and had made herselffortable.


    As she and Julian took their seats beside each other, the steward introduced himself as Bill and asked her if she wanted a drink.


    She nced at Julian then back at Bill. ¡°Do you have wine?¡± she said.


    Bill smiled. ¡°But of course. Mr. Martin keeps the airne stocked with all the necessities.¡± he replied.


    She¡¯d agree that wine was very necessary.


    A few momentster, Bill returned with two sses of wine.


    ¡°The pilot wished me to tell you he is ready for takeoff at your convenience.¡±


    Julian took the sses and offered one to Nina.


    ¡°Tell him I¡¯m ready,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Very good, sir. I¡¯ll close the doors and we¡¯ll take off shortly.¡±


    ¡°Comfortable?¡± Julian asked Nina.


    She settled back into her seat and sipped at her wine. ¡°Mmm, very. Nice jet.¡±


    She should have sat with Abby, she thought, or across the aisle from him, but that would be rude since he¡¯d chosen the seat next to her. His nearness was killing her, though. His scent drifted enticingly across her nostrils and she could feel his heat. When he moved, his arm brushed against hers, and short of shifting in her seat-which would be terribly obvious-there was no escaping him. Furthermore, she didn¡¯t really want to.


    It was on the tip of her tongue to suggest they use the time on the flight to go over her ideas, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to have business intrude. She mentally shook herself. Intrude on what? This wasn¡¯t some romantic getaway. It was business. Only business and nothing else.


    It was unfair that she should be attracted to someone who was a solid no in her rule book. She¡¯d never broken that unspoken rule. She had never been involved with a friend¡¯s rtive. But that wasn¡¯t the point.


    She had never been tempted to get involved with someone she worked with, or worse-a client. It didn¡¯t matter, though, because she¡¯d carry the stigma of someone who advanced her career by bestowing sexual favors, and she didn¡¯t want that.


    She had to rx and stop thinking too much about this. She¡¯d worked damn hard to go beyond and against her father¡¯s decision and expectations. And the thought of having all of it taken away by someone in a position of power over her made her head explode.


    The advertisingmunity was small, and gossip was rampant. She knew spection ran wide. She knew people talked. Knew her coworkers probably whispered behind her back and pondered the possibility that she¡¯d slept with Evan to secure her position in the agency and to be granted the opportunity tond Julian Martin¡¯s ount. They probably thought she¡¯d do whatever it took to persuade Julian.


    ¡°Is everything all right?¡±


    Julian¡¯s softly spoken question jarred her from her thoughts. His hand had gone to hers, and he carefully uncurled her fingers that were wound so tightly that the tips were white.


    ¡°Do you have a fear of flying?¡± he asked her.


    She shook her head. ¡°Sorry. I was thinking about something else.¡± She replied.


    He studied her intently, his gaze stroking her cheeks and then her mouth. ¡°Seems a shame to waste time on such unpleasant thoughts.¡±


    The urge to deny that her thoughts had been unpleasantsted all of about two seconds. She wrinkled her nose and grinned ruefully.


    ¡°Busted.¡± She said,


    He chuckled. ¡°I like an honest woman.¡±


    It was then she realized that they were already in the air. Wow, she really must have been intensely lost in thought to have missed the takeoff.


    ¡°Rx. There¡¯ll be plenty of time to discuss business during our stay. Let¡¯s begin the trip by enjoying the short flight.¡±


    Either she was exceedingly transparent or he¡¯d just anticipated her jumping into things right away. Either way, she was perfectly willing to dy their discussion until she felt a little more on equal footing. Sitting here in such close proximity on his jet, drinking his wine¡­.. it was more than a little overwhelming.


    His hand remained on hers, his thumb sliding idly over her knuckles in a soothing pattern. She liked it. She liked it too much.


    Survive, Nina. Survive this weekend. Be a professional. After this weekend you¡¯ll only have to see him in a business environment¡­ And when hees to the apartment to see Abby¡­ which wasn¡¯t all the time.


    She swallowed and let calm descend. There was no way she¡¯d screw this opportunity up just because she couldn¡¯t get all her girly hormones in check.


    The flight went quickly, and oddly, after the first awkward moments, Nina sat back and enjoyed the casual conversation with Julian. Abby had brought her earphones with her and had plugged them to her phone immediately she sat down. Her eyes were closed and she looked so rxed. Bill had kept a steady presence to refill their wine sses and offer a variety of finger foods.


    By the time theynded at the Airport, Nina was limber andpletely rxed. Probably due to the wine.


    They were met by a hotel representative and were quickly whisked into a waiting shuttle. It only took a few minutes to arrive at the gorgeous beachfront resort. It was so beautiful, it took her breath away.


    The sunset over the water gave the ce a decidedly romantic feel, but then they were here for a wedding, so Nina supposed it was only appropriate that romance positively danced on the air.


    Julian escorted Nina and Abby through the ss doors into the lobby. A bellhop followed behind with a rolling cart that held their luggage.


    ¡°You guys wait right here,¡± Julian murmured to them. ¡°Take a seat if you like. I¡¯ll get our room keys so we can go up.¡±


    Before he could go, a feminine voice rented the air.


    ¡°Julian! Abby! Oh, you guys are here!¡±


    Julian stiffened against Nina. He went positively rigid, and Nina could swear she heard him curse under his breath. Nina turned in the direction of the call and saw a regally dressed older woman hurrying across the lobby, her heels tapping delicately on the polished floor.

 15

    Behind her, a grim-faced older gentleman nked by a younger woman and a man who looked slightly younger than Julian, walked slower but with no less purpose in their direction.


    To her surprise, Julian took her left hand in his and held it close to his side. He fumbled with her fingers even as he looked up with a weing smile. It lookedpletely forced to Nina, but the woman didn¡¯t seem put off.


    Abby went past them.


    The woman, who Nina recognized as Abby and Julian¡¯s mother, threw her arms around Abby. ¡°Oh sweetheart, you are here!¡± the woman said.


    ¡°Yes mom, we are here¡± Abby replied, smiling and hugging her mother tightly, then she moved to hug her father too.


    The woman threw her arms around Julian, and still, he didn¡¯t let go of Nina¡¯s hand. He returned her embrace with his free arm and said, ¡°Hello, Mom. I told you I wasing.¡±


    ¡°I know, but after Loveth told me she¡¯d been to see you and when she told me that¡­..¡±


    She broke off and looked curiously at Nina, whose hand was still securely held in Julian¡¯s.


    Then his mom looked back at Loveth, confusion clear in her eyes.


    ¡°But my dear, you told me that Julian wasn¡¯t seeing anyone, that he just told me that to ease my concern.¡±


    ¡°Did she?¡± Julian asked in an even tone. He pinned Loveth with a stare that would have had Nina fidgeting.


    His mom nudged him impatiently. ¡°Well, introduce us, Julian.¡±


    ¡°Yes, do introduce us,¡± Loveth said in a chilly voice.


    Abby moved forward. ¡°Mom, don¡¯t you remember Nina? My best friend from high school? She and her family moved the year we were supposed to graduate¡± she said.


    About the time Nina felt Julian¡¯s grip on her hand tighten and the cool metal slide over her finger, Nina regretted having agreed toe. She tried to look down, wondering what Julian had done to her finger, but he kept his hand over hers. Awkward didn¡¯t begin to cover it. She felt as if she¡¯d just entered a minefield.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Julian¡¯s mother said to her. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. Oh dear, you look so different¡­ And so beautiful. I¡¯m so sorry i didn¡¯t recognize you¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s alright, Mrs Martin. Mr Martin.¡± Nina replied. ¡°It¡¯s so nice to see you both ag¡­.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Julian interrupted. ¡°Mom. Dad. Loveth. Sam.¡± His lips curled when he said thest and Nina zeroed in on the man in question. He had to be Julian¡¯s cousin. ¡°I would like you to meet-¡± His entire body tensed and he gripped her hand almost painfully. It was like he was sending her a silent message. ¡°I¡¯d like you to meet my fianc¨¦e, Nina Taylor.¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    Nina froze. There was a horrible buzz in her ears, and she stared in horror at Julian. She hadn¡¯t heard him right. What kind of idiotic thing had he just done?


    She wasn¡¯t sure who was more stunned. Her or his family. Abby looked shocked. Loveth looked as if she just swallowed a lemon. Sam looked annoyed, while Julian¡¯s father simply frowned.


    His mom was the only person who actually seemed happy about the bomb.


    ¡°Oh, Julian, that¡¯s wonderful!¡± she said.


    Nina found herself in the older woman¡¯s arms and was hugged so tight that she was in danger of passing out.


    ¡°I¡¯m so happy about this, my dear, and you can call me Elizabeth. Mrs. Martin just sounds so formal and we¡¯re going to be family after all.¡±


    She held Nina out at arm¡¯s length and beamed at her. Then she proceeded to kiss her on both cheeks and if that wasn¡¯t enough, she yanked her into another long hug.


    This was insane. Julian was insane. His entire family was nuts. She opened her mouth to st Julian with both barrels and ask him what the hell kind of stunt he was trying to pull when Julian¡¯s father put his hand on Julian¡¯s shoulder to steer him away from the women.


    ¡°Come with me and we¡¯ll get you checked in and get your keys. Then you can take Nina up to the room.¡±


    Julian looked a little reluctant to leave her. She could well imagine why.


    It was then that she remembered her finger. He¡¯d put something on her finger.


    She looked down. Holy cow! He¡¯d slipped a huge diamond engagement ring on her finger while he¡¯d held her hand. Fury simmered in her veins. She mentally counted to ten just so she didn¡¯t explode on the spot. The bastard had nned this all along. No one carried around a rock like this for the hell of it.


    She stared at Abby, asking with her eyes what the hell was going on. Abby shrugged. She looked confused too, then she went in the same direction Julian and father had taken.


    ¡°You two go on ahead and be seated. Order our drinks. Nina and I will be along in just a moment. I want the chance to speak to her for a moment.¡± Martha said.


    Elizabeth


    Nina regarded Julian¡¯s mom warily as she shooed Sam and Loveth on toward the hotel restaurant.


    When they¡¯d disappeared, only after Loveth had red enough holes in Nina to rival a hunk of Swiss cheese, Julian¡¯s mom seized Nina¡¯s hands and squeezed affectionately.


    ¡°Oh, my dear, I¡¯m so thrilled that you are here. How is your family? I can¡¯t tell you how fantastic your news is. I was so worried about Julian. He didn¡¯t take Loveth¡¯s defection very well, but look at you! So gorgeous. I can see why my son was so taken with you.¡±


    Nina opened her mouth and halted. What on earth could she say? With every word that poured out of the other woman¡¯s mouth, the more furious Nina became and the more sickened she was by Julian¡¯s deception.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    This was some huge soap opera. Things like this didn¡¯t happen in real life. Even in really wealthy people¡¯s lives, surely. Nina¡¯s heart sank. Julian¡¯s mom was a really wonderfuldy and super kind hearted¡­ she always had been, which only made her angrier that Julian had just lied to her. What the hell had he been thinking?


    But then Elizabetha¡¯s other statement came back to her. The part about Loveth¡¯s defection, and suddenly it all made sense.


    ¡°Loveth and Julian were involved?¡± Wendy asked.


    Elizabeth colored slightly and looked abashed. ¡°Oh, heavens, I¡¯ve said too much. I always do have a problem with just prattling on. Do forgive me.¡±

 16

    Nina managed a smile. ¡°It¡¯s all right. Truly. It is one of those things women like to know. Men are so thick when ites to these things, but if any awkwardness can be avoided, I would like to know.¡± She said,


    And she could go straight to hell for lying, too. She¡¯d just make sure Julian got there first for his role in this debacle.


    ¡°It¡¯s all in the past. Rest assured.¡± Elizabeth said.


    ¡°Naturally,¡± Nina said drily.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°Julian and Loveth were engaged. It was a long engagement. The truth of the matter is, I¡¯m just not sure how much of Julian¡¯s affections were engaged. Loveth and Sam fell in love, and well, it¡¯s obvious to anyone that those two were meant for each other. Julian didn¡¯t take it well, though, and if I hadn¡¯t begged him toe to the wedding, I have no doubt he wouldn¡¯t be here.¡±


    Nina nodded, understanding now why he and Abby didn¡¯t want to attend the wedding in the first ce.


    Elizabeth smiled and reached out to touch Nina¡¯s arm. ¡°Loveth led me to believe that Julian was just going on about being involved because he wasn¡¯t over her yet and didn¡¯t want to worry me, but I can see that isn¡¯t the case. I can tell by the way he looks at you that he¡¯s besotted. He never looked at anyone that way.¡±


    I¡¯m such a sucker, Nina thought. Only a sucker would fall for something like this. There should be aw about being so stupid when ites to men. But then she¡¯d spend a lot of time behind bars if that were the case. She was so angry with Julian for doing this to her and making her lie to his kind mother.


    She felt Julian¡¯s approach. It was hard to miss all that tension. Nina nced up and met his gaze, and she didn¡¯t at all try to disguise her fury. Let him stew. He was damn lucky she liked his mom so much or she would have denounced him in front of the entire hotel lobby.


    The poor woman didn¡¯t deserve to be humiliated just because her son was a first-rate ass.


    Julian regarded her warily even as he turned to his mom. ¡°We¡¯ll catch up tomorrow, Mom, okay? Nina and I have had a long day and we¡¯d like to go up and have dinner in the room.¡±


    Elizabeth patted Julian on the cheek and then leaned up on tiptoe to kiss him. ¡°Of course, dear. I¡¯ll see you both tomorrow for rehearsal.¡±


    She reached back and squeezed Nina¡¯s hand. ¡°It was so nice seeing you again, Nina.¡± She said,


    She walked toward Julian¡¯s father and the two went in the direction of the restaurant, leaving Julian and Nina standing in the middle of the lobby.


    ¡°We¡¯re on the top level,¡± Julian said evenly. He gestured toward the elevator and Nina strode in that direction.


    They rode up in silence, the tension so thick Nina felt like the entire elevator would explode before it stopped. It was all she could not to tap her foot in agitation as she waited for the doors to open. When they finally did, Nina stepped out, nced down the hall and then back at Julian.


    ¡°My key,¡± she said pointedly. ¡°What room am I in?¡±


    Julian sighed and pointed at the end. ¡°We¡¯re in the two-bedroom suite at the end,¡± he replied.


    Her mouth fell open. She reached forward and snatched the key card from his grasp. Then she spun on her heel and stalked down the hall. The hell she¡¯d share a room with him. He could go find other amodations or he could bunk with his cousin. They¡¯d probably have a lot to talk about. Maybe they couldpare notes on Loveth.


    She jammed the card into the lock, listened for the snick and then shoved it open. She stepped inside and mmed the door in Julian¡¯s face.


    Her feet were killing her, she was angry as hell and she was hungry. And she needed to figure out how to get off this damn ind.


    She kicked off her shoes and then sat on the edge of the couch next to the table with the hotel directory and a telephone. Surely the front desk could make arrangements for her departure.


    The sound of the door opening had her on her feet again, and she red indignantly as Julian walked in and shut the door behind him. He held up another key card in exnation. He looked tired and resigned.


    ¡°Look, I know you¡¯re angry.¡± he began.


    She held up her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare patronize me. And don¡¯t tell me how I feel. You have no idea how furious I am. Angry doesn¡¯t even begin to cover it.¡± She said,


    He blew out his breath and ran a hand through his hair. He tossed his jacket onto the arm of the couch.


    She pointed to the door with a shaking finger. ¡°Out. I won¡¯t share a suite with you. I don¡¯t care how many bedrooms it has. Get out.¡±


    ¡°I need a drink,¡± Julian muttered.


    The man wouldn¡¯t even fight with her, and by God she wanted a fight.


    ¡°You never had any intention of listening to my ideas, did you?¡± she asked.


    He stopped on his way over to the liquor cab and turned back around to stare at her. He even had the audacity to look puzzled.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been such an idiot. I can¡¯t believe I fell for this crap. How this was the only time you could fit me in. h, h, h. How naive does that make me? How stupid does it make me? And I can¡¯t believe you did this to me¡­ I know we aren¡¯t that close, but I thought we were friends¡­ At least to some extent¡­ I¡­ ¡±


    He held up a hand and took a step in her direction. ¡°Nina..¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t Nina me,¡± she whispered furiously. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare¡±


    It galled her that she could feel the prick of tears. He would not make her cry. She needed to pull it together and be professional. A really nasty, vivid curse word, one that she¡¯d learned from her brothers burst into her mind. It was certainly appropriate under the circumstances.


    Screw professional.

 17

    ¡°I have had it with people trying to make me do things that I don¡¯t want to do. That¡¯s the reason why I left my dad¡¯spany. It¡¯s the reason why I came here. But you don¡¯t care about that, do you? As long as you get what you want. But listen to me, I¡¯m not going to let you use me to lie to your mother because your fianc¨¦e humiliated you by dumping you for your cousin. Here¡¯s another thing you should know. Crap happens. It happens all the time. Get over it.¡±


    Julian¡¯s hands closed over her shoulders. She tried to flinch away, but he held tight. There was honest regret in his eyes, but there was also determination. Stubborn determination.


    ¡°Sit down, Nina,¡± he ordered in a low voice.


    She gaped at him.


    ¡°Please,¡± he said.


    It was the ¡®please¡¯ that did it. Or maybe it was how tired and resigned he sounded.


    Or maybe it was the bleak light that entered his eyes. Or maybe she was just a ming idiot who deserved everything she got for being sucked into this in the first ce.


    She sank onto the sofa, her entire body trembling as he took a seat beside her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to believe I didn¡¯t do this maliciously or to hurt you. I swear, I Didn¡¯t.¡±


    She cast a sideways nce at him.


    He sighed. ¡°Nina, look at me,¡± he said.


    He waited, and she stared ahead. Still, he waited. Finally, she gave in and turned to look at him.


    ¡°Ipletely and utterly messed this up. I freely admit it. I expected to have time to discuss this with you before we ran into my family.¡±


    She struggled to control her temper. He obviously wanted a reasonable discussion when she was feeling anything but reasonable. What she really wanted was to crack his skull on the coffee table and leave, but then she¡¯d be without a room, and if anyone was sleeping in the hallway, it wasn¡¯t going to be her.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°First, this has nothing-and I mean nothing-to do with younding my ount. You¡¯re going to have to do that on your business and advertising savvy. I¡¯m not putting my entirepany in the hands of a woman based on anything other than the fact that she can handle it.  Can we at least be clear on that?¡± he asked.


    She swallowed. ¡°That¡¯s not how it looks to me, Julian. It looks to me like I got yed for the fool and that you led me here on the premise of listening to my pitch when you never had any intention of this being about business. Tell me this much, have you already signed with Creative Edge? You owe me that much honesty at least. And does Abby know about this?¡±


    Julian gripped a handful of his hair and closed his eyes. ¡°No she doesn¡¯t, and I¡¯m sure she is gonna be mad at me too. Look, You¡¯re pissed. I get it. You have every right to be, but will you please listen to my exnation. If afterward you want me to take a flying leap, I¡¯ll be more than happy to amodate you. You¡¯ll never hear from me again.¡±


    ¡°I think you know I don¡¯t have any other choice,¡± she said helplessly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to make this as short and as concise as possible.¡± he replied.


    She nodded.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have any intention ofing to this damn wedding. I couldn¡¯t care less if they live happily ever after and I have even less interest in being here to wish them well along that path to happily ever after. Then my mother called and she begged me toe. She was worried that I wasn¡¯t over Loveth and that¡¯s why I wouldn¡¯te. The woman has a heart of gold, but she obviously knows nothing about me or she¡¯d realize that Loveth was nothing to me the moment she left me for what she perceived to be the better catch.¡±


    ¡°Harsh,¡± Nina murmured.


    ¡°Is it? I¡¯m only speaking the truth. Loveth was calcting. She hedged her bets and went with Sam as soon as he was named  sessor in the family jewelry business. To her it seemed a more morous life. I¡¯d like to be a fly on the wall when she realizes how wrong she is.¡±


    Nina¡¯s lips curled in amusement. ¡°Not feeling a wee bit vindictive, are you?¡± she asked.


    He gave a shortugh. ¡°I may not harbor any love for the woman, and I may not be a bit sorry that she¡¯s out of my life, but she is a maniptive cat, and I won¡¯t be sorry to see her suffer for the choice she made.¡±


    ¡°So your mom doesn¡¯t think you¡¯re over Loveth. That has what to do with me and this hoax you¡¯re perpetuating? Which I really resent by the way because your mom is nice. I have always liked her. I feel like pond scum for deceiving her.¡± Nina said.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting there. Just bear with me. When I got off the phone with Mom, I was angry because I let her talk me into going and I said as ast-minute thing that I was bringing someone. I fully intended to look up someone I¡¯d seen casually in the past. Then I remembered that Friday I was supposed to be meeting you and that this meeting was extremely important to me. It seemed logical tobine the two and bring you out with me. I didn¡¯t lie about needing to move on this fast. I¡¯ve wasted weeks listening to pitches. I¡¯m ready to move.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still seeing a but here,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°The ¡®but¡¯ urred when Loveth herself came to see me. She was steamed that I had the audacity to bring someone to her wedding. She felt like it was a poke in the eye at her, and if you can believe, she honestly thinks I¡¯m still pining over her. She basically used me of being a fraud and of trying to upstage her at her own wedding.¡±


    Nina burst outughing. God, he didn¡¯t even see it. How typical a clueless male was he.


    ¡°What¡¯s so damn funny?¡± he demanded.


    ¡°She used you of doing exactly what you¡¯re doing! The audacity. You crack me up.¡± she replied

 18

    He blinked and then looked a little sheepish. ¡°Okay, I get it. I¡¯m an immature, egotistical man. The male ego is obviously a fragile creature. I think we can agree on that. Yes, it urred to me to get a little of mine back on her by showing up with a gorgeous, stunning woman. Sue me. I even hatched the whole engagement schemeplete with the ring because I figured it was the best way to get them all off my back.¡± Julian said. ¡°I just did what I thought I had to do¡­ and I¡¯m sorry about the way I did it. I should have at least told you my ns but I didn¡¯t because I was scared that you¡¯d say no. I know the kind of person you are. You¡¯re nice and honest and sweet and I knew you wouldn¡¯t want to lie about stuff like this¡±


    Her shoulders shook and she closed her eyes. The man was nothing if not honest¡­. and too damn good with words. She had to give him that much.


    ¡°Nina, look at me, please.¡± he said.


    His entreating tone had her turning once more to stare into those intense dark eyes. He looked earnest, and he looked¡­.. worried.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do any of this to hurt you, I swear. I thought if I just came out and asked you to do me this favor, you¡¯d have never agreed toe with me, even with the promise of listening to your pitch. I know you that much.¡±


    ¡°So you lured me here and ambushed me instead. You decided to take advantage of the fact that I needed yourpany¡± she said drily.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t go exactly as I¡¯d nned. I¡¯d hoped to have a nice dinner together in our suite and I was going to ask you to do me a personal favor then. I was going to outline the entire charade and ask you to y along. Just for the time we¡¯re here, But that all went to hell when we immediately ran into my parents. I didn¡¯t tell Abby either because I knew she wouldn¡¯t agree to it and I wanted to talk to you first. I was worried that she would tell you about my n before  I did.¡±


    His hand crept over hers, and she didn¡¯t pull away. She should. She should already be on her way back to New York, and she should be calling Evan to tell him that there was no way in hell she was delivering Julian Martin on a tter to Standard Gate Communications.


    She pressed her lips together and tried to collect her scattered thoughts. ¡°So you want me to pretend to be your fianc¨¦e.¡± She asked. She lifted her hand to angle the huge diamond in the light. ¡°Complete with a really gorgeous ring. What happens after the wedding?¡±


    Julian shrugged. ¡°We break up quietlyter. They¡¯ll never know the difference. We don¡¯t see each other that often. One day Mom will call and I¡¯ll say ¡®oh, by the way, Nina and I broke things off.¡¯ And that will be that.¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°All of this because you couldn¡¯t stand the thought of your fianc¨¦e thinking you weren¡¯t over her?¡± she asked.


    Julian scowled. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. There are other factors. Besides, we¡¯ve already established the fact that I¡¯m an egotistical, immature male. We don¡¯t have to go back into that territory.¡±Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Oh you poor cute, egotistical baby.¡± She patted his arm and thenughed at his disgruntled look. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m even considering this.¡±


    His eyes glinted predatorily. ¡°But you are.¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes, dammit, I am. I¡¯m a sucker for immature, egotistical males.¡±


    ¡°And cute too,¡± he added grinning at her. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to add that part, because i won¡¯t forget that you did¡±


    Nina rolled her eyes and continued ¡°But we need to establish a few ground rules.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± he said solemnly.


    ¡°My reputation is everything to me, Julian,¡± she said quietly. ¡°I won¡¯t have any notion of impropriety attached to this ount. I won¡¯t have it bandied around that I got the ount because I slept with you.¡±


    Something that looked an awful lot like lust gleamed in his eyes a second before he blinked and adopted a more serious expression.


    ¡°This favor is separate. If I don¡¯t like your ideas, you¡¯ll go home without my business. It¡¯s that simple. Agreeing to be my fake fianc¨¦e doesn¡¯t buy you anything but my gratitude. It won¡¯tnd you Mart Enterprises. Are we clear on that?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Crystal,¡± she said. ¡°Tell me something, Julian. If I refuse to y the part of your lover, are you still going to hear my pitch? Are you even going to consider Standard Gate?¡±


    ¡°Well, I do have a fragile ego, remember?¡± he asked yfully, and stroked his cheek.


    ¡°Will you be serious?¡± she said.


    A grin worked at the corners of her mouth. She should be mad as hell at this man, not entertained by his self-effacing wit. And she definitely shouldn¡¯t be attracted to his boyish charm or his straightforward handling of this entire ridiculous affair, but she wasn¡¯t mad¡­ not anymore. Being around him had this effect on her. It made her rxed¡­ made her feel safe¡­ and here she was¡­ agreeing to do something she¡¯d never imagined herself doing¡±


    ¡°I tell you what, Red. The n was always to have a quiet dinner tonight where I could exin my n and beg you to go along. Then tomorrow morning we were going to have our business meeting, again, in the privacy of our hotel suite. Afterward we would perpetuate my silly hoax on my brother and his grasping, maniptive bride-to-be. See? Completely separate.¡± he said.


    ¡°You arepletely irreverent, and I¡¯m disgusted that I like it so much.¡±


    He smiled, and his eyes twinkled with amusement. ¡°You¡¯re as diabolical as I am, face it.¡±


    ¡°I could use some of your evilness. That¡¯s for sure. I¡¯m a little envious of how you don¡¯t mind poking your finger in the eyes of those who have screwed you over. I need to learn how to do that.¡± She said,


    He cocked his head to the side. ¡°Maybe we could spend some time together and I could teach you..¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have that kind of rtionship,¡± she said lightly.


    ¡°No,¡± he murmured. ¡°We don¡¯t. Not yet.¡±


    Her gaze lifted but his expression didn¡¯t betray his thoughts. She swallowed the knot in her throat and hoped she wasn¡¯t making a huge, huge mistake. So much could go wrong with this.


    ¡°You¡¯re so worried about the position I¡¯ve ced you in,¡± he said, almost as if he could read her mind. ¡°But the truth is, if I don¡¯t like your ideas tomorrow morning, what¡¯s to say that you don¡¯t leave me to face the festivities on my own? I¡¯d say that gives you all the power and none to me.¡±


    ¡°Or you could just say you like my ideas to keep me on the line long enough to get through the wedding,¡± she pointed out. ¡°Nothing to say that you don¡¯t dump me the minute we get back to New York .¡±


    He nodded. ¡°True. All of it is true. Looks like we both have some trusting to do.¡± he said.

 19

    She looked down at her hand that was still underneath his. His thumb pressed into her palm, and his fingersy still over hers, but the warmth of his touch spread up her entire arm and into her chest.


    She liked this man. Genuinely liked him, stupid ambush aside. He hadn¡¯t sugarcoated any of it. And above all else, she liked honesty. He hadn¡¯t shied away from how the entire situation made him look. It certainly didn¡¯t make him appear very noble, but she couldn¡¯t get beyond thinking he was just that. Noble and honest.


    The ring on her finger sparkled and glinted in the light. For just one moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like if it were all real. Two secondster she mentally pped herself silly and told herself to get over her foolishness.


    She had a job to do. She had to impress this man with her brains and her creativity, her drive and her determination. She could do all that. And if it meant she had to go beyond the call of duty to do a personal favor for him, then she needed to suck it up and just get the job done. Too many people were counting on her.


    It was silly. She felt like an idiot and she was sure Julian didn¡¯t feel any better, but it wasn¡¯t up to her to question his motives. For whatever reason, he didn¡¯t want his cousin and his fianc¨¦e to see him bleed. She could understand that. She would have died rather than let her dad see if she was having any difficulties after leaving hispany. She didn¡¯t want to hear him say ¡®I told you so¡¯


    ¡°All right, Julian. I¡¯ll do it.¡± She said.


    Triumph mixed with relief red to life in his eyes. ¡°Thank you for not bashing my skull in and leaving, but more than that, thank you for not reacting in front of my family. It was more than I deserved given how I sprang it on you. I swear, that was not the way I wanted to approach you with my proposition.¡± he replied.


    ¡°If we¡¯re done with all that, can we eat? I¡¯m starving. You can tell me all I need to know about your family as your fianc¨¦e and also when and how you proposed, but not until I get something to eat.¡±


    He leaned forward, caught her jaw in his hand and turned her toward him. Their lips were so close that his breath blew warm over her mouth. She swallowed nervously, wondering if he would kiss her. And then she wondered if she¡¯d let him. Or if she would kiss him instead.


    ¡°Thank you¡­ So much for doing this. I really appreciate it,¡± he murmured.


    Slowly, he withdrew, and to her chagrin, disappointment washed over her.


    ¡°Good¡± she managed to say as she moved away from him. ¡°Don¡¯t forget. We also have to find a way to exin this to Abby¡­ and that¡­¡± she pointed at him, ¡°¡­. Is your job. Abby is going to kill you.¡±


    Julian couldn¡¯t help a smile.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    Julian watched as Nina sat sideways on the couch, her back against the arm and her knees doubled in front of her. She lookedfortable andpletely rxed, which was more than he could have hoped for given how stupidly he¡¯d sprung the whole engagement thing on her.


    After her initial fury, though, she¡¯d calmed down and had taken it well. Damn, but he liked this woman. He had always liked her. Oh, he was definitely attracted to her sexually, but beyond that, he genuinely liked spending time with her.


    If he was smart, he¡¯d take that as a huge warning sign to stay away and not be involved, but he¡¯d never imed brilliance and he wasn¡¯t sure if staying away was the best thing to do here. Somehow he had gotten a second chance with her. Was he going to let the opportunity pass?


    She¡¯d changed into nothing more morous than a pair of sweatpants and a  jersey. Her shoes had long since been shed, and her toenails, painted a delicate shade of pink, teased him. Hell, he was even attracted to her feet. Small and dainty.


    He was officially losing his mind. Never before had he lusted after a woman¡¯s feet.


    She forked another bite into her mouth then sighed and made a low sound of agony before putting her te down on the coffee table.


    ¡°That was fabulous. I¡¯ve eaten so much that I won¡¯t fit into that sparkly dress I bought for the wedding.¡± She said,


    That statement brought a whole host of splendid ideas to mind. Namely that they could both skip the wedding and stay in bed where clothing was entirely optional.


    He shifted in his seat and wondered for the sixth time why he was so bent on torturing himself. He shouldn¡¯t be entertaining those thoughts.. At least not now.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°So tell me something, Julian,¡± she said as she leaned farther into the sofa cushions.


    Her eyelids lowered and she tucked those pink toes underneath a throw pillow. ¡°What made you walk away from your family¡¯s business and start your own in a field that was so different from the jewelry trade?¡±


    It didn¡¯t surprise him that she knew so much about his background. She grew up with them and she would have researched him tirelessly as she wanted hispany¡¯s ount. Still, he debated how much to tell her.


    Their gazes locked, and he saw only simple curiosity. No ulterior motive, just interest.


    ¡°There were several reasons,¡± he finally said. ¡°Emotion has no ce in business and yet I find myself making emotional decisions.¡±


    Her eyebrows rose. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you¡¯d admit that. Doesn¡¯t jive with your big, bad, ruthless businessman persona.¡± She said,


    He smiled ruefully. ¡°Okay, so part of it was emotion based. Thepany belonged to my grandfather and my dad and uncle, Sam¡¯s father managed it after he died. I didn¡¯t agree with their style of management. The fact is thepany is in trouble. I saw iting years ago and they were in t denial. They saw no reason to change the way they ran things since it had worked for decades before. And also, I have always wanted my ownpany. The other reason was I don¡¯t exactly get along that well with Sam and managing the business with him didn¡¯t sound like such a good idea to me.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t say,¡± she said drily.


    He chuckled. ¡°Yeah, I know, hard to believe. Sam¡­.. there are lots of more appropriate words for him, but I¡¯ll go with the fact that he¡¯s azy, unmotivated brown noser. All his life, he¡¯s never had to actually work for anything. He¡¯s been handed everything since he was a child. As a result, his sense of entitlement is huge. I would work for something and he would want what I had worked for.¡±

 20

    ¡°Ah, I think I¡¯m beginning to understand the fianc¨¦e thing more now.¡± Nina said.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    He nodded. ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t harbor any illusion that Sam and Loveth are some great love match. I had Loveth, so Sam decided he wanted her. Loveth saw Sam¡¯s appointment to CEO as her ride into a life of mor.¡±


    ¡°And were you and Loveth? A love match, I mean?¡± she asked gently.


    He pursed his lips and blew out a long breath. ¡°This is where I look like a jerk,¡± he said.


    Nina chuckled. ¡°Jerk? You? Surely you jest.¡±


    ¡°All right, don¡¯t rub it in,¡± he grumbled. ¡°I¡¯ve admitted my shorings.¡±


    ¡°Do continue. I¡¯m dying to hear all about what a toad you are.¡±She replied.


    Her eyes sparkled with mischief and amusement. He¡¯d never wanted to kiss her more than he did right now. Instead he found himself telling her stuff he¡¯d never tell a woman he nned to take to bed.


    ¡°Loveth didn¡¯t pose a challenge. That sounds bad but when I met her, I was devoting all my time to making my business a sess. It was exciting and exhrating. I exceeded even my wildest expectations. Everything was falling into ce at the speed of light. All that was missing in my mind toplete the image of perfection I had built up was a wife and a family. Perfect house in the suburbs. I¡¯de home after a hectic day and she¡¯d have dinner waiting. The kids would all be bathed and well behaved. Even the dog would be the epitome of good behavior. I wanted-still want-a woman who¡¯ll put me first.¡±


    Nina snorted, covered her mouth and then dissolved into hoots ofughter.


    He regarded her dubiously. ¡°I do believe you¡¯re mocking me.¡± he said


    ¡°Mocking you?¡± She asked. She wheezed between words and tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. ¡°Oh my, Julian. You do dream big, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Well, it was a good fantasy while itsted,¡± he grumbled. ¡°I looked around and there was Loveth. I didn¡¯t have time to figure out what my ideal woman was. I wanted my perfect life then and I didn¡¯t want to wait. So I asked her to marry me, she said yes, I gave her a ring and that was that.¡±


    ¡°And yet here you are. With me. The fake fianc¨¦e.¡± Nina said.


    He scowled ferociously at her only for her to dissolve intoughter again.


    ¡°Okay, so what happened? Other than Sam stepping in and being an overindulged twit.¡± She asked.


    He liked this woman. She was good for his ego even when she was tearing it down, Julian thought.


    ¡°Loveth wanted to set an immediate date. She had a grand wedding nned.


    Even had the honeymoon destination picked out. She littered my office with brochures. Hell, she even had our children¡¯s names picked out.¡±


    ¡°I would have thought, given your fantasy, that you would have eaten that up with a spoon,¡± she pointed out.


    ¡°Yeah, so did I. Only I found myself backing off. I kept making excuses to extend the engagement. I was busy. This deal had to take priority. That deal needed immediate attention. Before I knew it, we had been engaged for a year with a wedding scheduled another year beyond that. And moreover I was content with that.¡±


    ¡°Did you never love her?¡± Nina asked quietly.


    ¡°No. No, I didn¡¯t. Which is why I can¡¯t really me her for wanting out. Our marriage would have been a disaster just as soon as I figured out the reality didn¡¯t live up to the fantasy I¡¯d created in my mind. I just didn¡¯t think she¡¯d dump me for Sam or that Sam would have been poaching on my territory.¡±


    Nina winced. ¡°Yeah, I can understand that.¡± She said,


    ¡°I found them in bed, you know. How clich¨¦d is that? The sad thing is, when I found them together in bed, I justughed, because to me it was just the next step in an already farcical rtionship. I washed my hands of them both.¡±


    Nina¡¯s expression grew thoughtful. ¡°Hmm, so you don¡¯t necessarily object to the fact that she found someone else. Or that she cheated on you. Just who she indulged herself with.¡±


    Julian nodded and rubbed the back of his neck to ease some of the tension and fatigue. Just talking about it raised his ire all over again.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s stupid I know. I mean, she could have cheated on me with my business partner, or my vice president or, hell, even my driver. I wouldn¡¯t have cared. I might have even given the man a raise. But my cousin¡­ My brother. My spoiled, overindulged brother. No, that was the one thing I couldn¡¯t forgive.¡±


    ¡°Well, if their rtionship is based on all you say, then I¡¯d imagine they¡¯ll suffer enough in the long run without you wishing them ill.¡± Nina replied.


    He regarded her for a long moment. ¡°You¡¯re not going to lecture me about harboring childish grudges, right?¡± she asked.


    She smiled, and those gorgeous green eyes cut right through him. She took his breath away until he was helpless to do anything but stare back.


    ¡°Nope. Not a word. Considering I have my own grudges, I could hardly chastise you for the same.¡±


    ¡°Oh, do tell. You sound so¡­.. vicious. I like it,¡± he teased.


    Her expression grew serious. Pain flickered in her eyes, and she turned away, her mouth drawn into a tight line. He was immediately sorry that the light mood had dissolved. As much as he wanted to know her secrets, he wanted to see herughing and smiling even more.


    To cover the sudden heaviness in the air, he got up to pour a ss of wine. Without a word, he offered one to her, and she took it, gratitude easing some of the tightness around her eyes.


    He wanted to touch her so badly. Wanted to ease the strain and the unhappy tilt to her lips. He wanted to kiss her plump mouth until he owned her very breath.


    He forced himself to return to his chair. The remains of their dinner was scattered across the coffee table. Some had fallen to the floor, but he wasn¡¯t inclined to clean it up.


    They sat there sipping their wine as evening fell all around them.


    Finally he could remain silent no more.


    He leaned forward to set his ss on the table. For a moment he looked down at his hands and imagined her flesh beneath his fingertips. Then he nced back up to see her studying him with the same keen interest shing in her eyes. She wasn¡¯t immune.

 21

    He wasn¡¯t the only one who felt the maic pull between them. There was no way she wasn¡¯t thinking the same thing. ¡°What are we going to do, Red?¡± he murmured. He saw her swallow nervously. She hadn¡¯t misunderstood, but neither did she respond.


    ¡°I want you so damn much I hurt. I¡¯ve hurt for weeks. Every time I look at you, I get so many knots that I can¡¯t function. I¡¯ve thought of all the ways I can exin to you that our business rtionship has nothing to do with the desire I feel for you. But the simple truth is I don¡¯t give a damn. I want you in my bed, and I don¡¯t care what has to be done to make that happen.¡±


    Her eyes went wide and frightened. He hated that. He didn¡¯t want her to be afraid of him.


    ¡°You feel it, too. Don¡¯t deny me that much.¡± Julian said. ¡°You¡¯ve always been honest with me¡­ don¡¯t stop now¡±


    Slowly she nodded. Her fingers went to her forehead and she dug them into her hair. Still, he could see them shaking, and she swallowed again, her slim neck working with the effort.


    ¡°Please,¡± Nina whispered. ¡°I can¡¯t do this, Julian. It¡¯s the one thing I can¡¯t do. Don¡¯t ask it of me. If you want me to admit it, fine. I want you. More than I¡¯ve ever wanted another man.¡±


    Savage satisfaction gripped him. Didn¡¯t just grip him but lunged for him and wrapped a hand around his throat and his groin. His entire body reacted to that simple statement. She wanted him more than she¡¯d ever wanted anyone else.


    She turned on the couch until she faced forward and her feet met the floor. She looked in turn miserable and scared. Her eyes closed in what looked to him like self-condemnation. He swore, startling her with the force of his curses.


    ¡°Whatever you¡¯re thinking, I don¡¯t like it,¡± he said tly. ¡°I have no idea what the hell kind of me you¡¯re cing on yourself, but I can guarantee that you didn¡¯t use your feminine wiles to seduce me into signing with your agency. I have always wanted you¡­ Right from high school. I wanted you from the moment I saw you walk into Abby¡¯s apartment three months ago.¡±


    Her eyes went wide with shock, and her face was pale and drawn. ¡°W-what?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You heard me right,¡± he said. ¡°Now try to tell me this has anything to do with your pitch.¡±


    In the course of their conversation, he¡¯d moved to the couch. He moved closer still, stalking her like prey. Her scent lured him, and he inhaled the delicate, feminine smell that he¡¯de to associate with only her.


    Her eyes were flush with awareness and caution. There was confusion in her deep green pools, but something else, too. Desire. Matching desire. She wanted him. Maybe as much as he wanted her. It didn¡¯t matter because he would have her.


    ¡°Want to know something else?¡± he murmured. ¡°I almost didn¡¯t consider Standard Gate for the ount. Want to know why? Because I didn¡¯t want it to interfere with my pursuit of you.¡±


    He was close now. So close he could feel every little puff of breath that came from her lips. He could see the tiny little nervous swallows that worked her throat up and down. And her mouth. Her luscious, sweet mouth. He wanted to taste it, devour it like candy.


    ¡°W-what changed your mind?¡± she whispered.


    ¡°I¡¯m perfectly capable of separating business from pleasure,¡± he said evenly.


    ¡°Julian, we can¡¯t.¡± Abby murmured. ¡°There¡¯s a lot at stake¡­ And there¡¯s Abby. I don¡¯t want something to go wrong and ruin my friendship with her¡­ and we haven¡¯t even talked to her about this¡­ fake engagement¡­ thing yet. I care about my friendship with your sister¡±


    She put her hand on his chest. Big mistake. A current of electricity singed him. They both jumped, but before she could withdraw, he caught her fingers and trapped her hand between his and his chest. Julian said nothing, but his eyes were hooded and heavy.


    ¡°Fine, but now, Just one kiss, Nina. Just one. I have to kiss you. That¡¯s all I¡¯ll demand for now. I can wait for more until we have this ount settled.¡± he said, and then he put his arms around her. She stood frozen in the circle of them as his heavy dark gaze followed the line of her throat


    Without waiting for her consent, he swept his mouth over hers. Finally, Her sweetness exploded onto his tongue the moment he licked over her lips. Her mouth parted in a gasp, and he took full advantage, delving deep into her moist heat.


    She made the sweetest sounds. He swallowed them up as he devoured every inch of her mouth. He was transfixed by her full bottom lip. He nipped lightly at it, teasing it to fullness and then he sucked it between his teeth.


    It was everything she¡¯d dreamt about, their kiss. The taste, the feel, the joy at the sheer fineness of Julian Martin, in all his tall, beautifully built splendor, thrilled her and filled her with exquisite sensations; but not only that-with the feeling that to be in his arms was like being in no other ce on earth.


    And for that moment, all theplications of getting involved with Julian melted away as if they¡¯d never existed¡­.


    Her tongue stroked tentatively over his, just light brushes with the tip and then she grew bolder, taking a more active part in the kiss.


    His hands delved into her hair. He loved her hair. Long and glorious, the color like a russet sunset over the desert. The temptation was too great. He¡¯d fantasized about it for too long.


    He fumbled with the clip and released its hold on her hair. It tumbled down her back, over his hands like a wave. He gathered the strands between his fingers, mesmerized by their silky smoothness.


    He drank deeply, not wanting the moment to end. He could spend hours kissing her, but he wanted more. He wanted to work his mouth down the curve of her jaw to her neck. He wanted to peel everyyer of clothing from her body and then run his tongue over her soft skin.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    He wondered what her breasts would feel like in his hands and what her nipples would taste like, how they¡¯d feel as he sucked them into his mouth.


    Oh, yes, he¡¯d spent a lot of time wondering about her breasts. She never wore clothing that could be deemed too provocative. She was fashionable, yes, but he secretly wished she¡¯d wear something a little more revealing. It was killing him not to get a hint of her full, ripe breasts.


    Soon. Soon, he¡¯d unwrap all of her. He¡¯d possess her. She¡¯d be his.

 22

    He needed air and he broke away only long enough to pull oxygen into his starving lungs. She gasped along with him, and then he started at the corner of her mouth and licked and kissed his way across to the other corner.


    Her small hands slid up his chest. It was like a heating element sliding over his skin. She left a zing trail of fierce need in her wake. His entire body came alive, and all she¡¯d done was touch him. Innocently.


    They wound up around his neck and then her fingertips just delved into the hair at his nape. He shuddered, and it was all he could do to retain his tight hold on his control.


    His body screamed at him to haul her over his shoulder and drag her caveman-style to the bedroom. He¡¯d rip off her clothes and spend the night taking her over and over until they both sumbed to exhaustion.


    His mind yelled at him to be careful. To take it slow. Not to push her so far away that she never returned.


    It was that fear of driving her away permanently that finally pulled him back from the brink of insanity. With great reluctance, he pulled back. His hands were still tangled up in her hair, and he carefully extricated them from the heavy coil thaty over her shoulders.


    Her eyes were cloudy, a gorgeous mix of confusion and desire that had him wanting to throw caution to the wind and continue his seduction.


    When he raised his head abruptly, she thought it was so he could say something personal and intimate that would put the perfect seal on their togetherness.


    He didn¡¯t. He stared down at her, and she could see his tortured expression before he closed his eyes briefly and then put her away from him.


    The look in his eyes was brooding and somber. ¡°I should never have done that¡­.¡± he  whispered, ¡°But¡­ That¡­. is what I¡¯ve been wanting to do ever since I saw you walk into Abby¡¯s apartment and back into my life. Now you tell me this has anything to do with Standard Gate Communications or Mart Enterprises.¡±


    Her hand fluttered to her mouth and she stared at him with shocked awareness.


    ¡°Oh, God, Julian. What are we going to do?¡± she asked.


    He smiled gently and slowly pulled her hand away from her swollen lips.


    ¡°What we¡¯re going to do is get your pitch out of the way tomorrow morning.


    Whatever happens afterward, we take it as ites.¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    There was no need for Nina to set her rm. She never went to sleep. Shey in bed, staring at the ceiling, her sensespletely shattered by something as simple as a kiss.


    No. That kiss could never ever be called simple.


    She¡¯d thought to go over her pitch. Mentally rey everything she wanted to say until it flowed seamlessly through her mind. But all she¡¯d been able to do wasy there and wonder how she was going to manage to keep things with Julian on a strictly professional level.


    He kissed like a dream.


    He¡¯d make love like a dream.


    And the sick thing was she¡¯d never find out.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    She rolled over and buried her face in her pillow.


    Nina, Nina.


    The admonishment burned like acid on her tongue. She was walking a very tight, very dangerous line. It was bad enough that she was here with Julian. Sharing a suite with Julian. Her groan was swallowed up by the pillow.


    The least she could have done was insist on a separate room, but that wouldn¡¯t have gone far in convincing his family that they were happily engaged.


    Friendship. Okay, she could handle a friendship with Julian. She liked him. He asked her to consider this a personal favor. As a friend. And she¡¯d forget the kiss. Forget that he had made his intention to make love to her abundantly clear.


    All she had to do was get through her presentation, go to a rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception with Julian-as his fianc¨¦e-and then she could go home and put him firmly back in his neat, tidy little corner.


    She struggled out of bed, knowing it would take her the better part of an hour to erase the look of someone who hadn¡¯t slept. Julian had ordered room service to be brought up at eight, and she wanted plenty of time to go over her notes again.


    She purposely toned down her looks, choosing subtle makeup. She did nothing to highlight her eyes, which were her best feature. And she pulled her hair back into a tight knot and used hairspray to keep the wispy tendrils from escaping. She wanted no distractions. No sizzling looks. No temptation to do something utterly stupid.


    To her immense relief, when she walked out of her bedroom, Julian was in total business mode. He didn¡¯t stare at her like he was set to devour her. He gave her a cursory nce and motioned for her to sit across from him at the dining table where breakfast had already been served.


    ¡°We can eat and talk, or we can eat and then talk. Strictly up to you,¡± he said when she took her seat.


    ¡°We can eat and talk,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m not using props or anything, and I nned it to be more conversational than a formal presentation.¡±


    He nodded approvingly. ¡°Great. Let¡¯s dig in and get started then.¡±


    There was a moment of transition where they ate in silence before Julian shut off everything but the task at hand. This was her career and she knew she was damn good at it.


    ¡°I studied yourst ad campaign, and I believe you¡¯re missing a huge segment of your target audience.¡± She said,


    He blinked, set his fork down and stared across at her. ¡°Okay, you have my attention.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps I should put it another way. I think you¡¯re not targeting the right audience. You¡¯re missing a huge opportunity.¡±


    She paused for effect and then segued into her spiel.


    ¡°Right now you appeal to the sports crowd. The guy who jogs. The woman who goes to the gym. The person who cares about staying in shape. You¡¯re all about functionality. The kids who y sports. The guys who y racquetball at the club. The casual basketball game on the weekends.¡±


    Julian nodded.

 23

    ¡°Then there are the people, like me, who are allergic to physical activity.¡± Nina said.


    He snorted and sent an appraising look over her body. She ignored him and continued on.


    ¡°These are the people who watch sports. They¡¯re tuned in to every game. The yers. The teams. They run the gambit from the fanatic to the casual observer. They¡¯re the people who will buy your sportswear not because they¡¯re going to worry over the functionality. They don¡¯t care. They want to look cool. They want to immerse themselves in the aura of the sports world. You¡¯re a brand, abel. It¡¯s a status symbol.¡±


    Her excitement mounted with every word. He was listening intently. She had him.


    ¡°So you do dual marketing. You go after the die-hard fitness enthusiast with the sweaty workoutmercials. The driven athlete who¡¯s going to be the best and wearing your brand the entire time.¡± She said.


    Again she paused to gauge his reaction, and he was leaning forward, his brow creased in concentration.


    ¡°Then you go after the men and the women and the kids who want your clothing and your shoes because they look good. Because they make them feel athletic without ever lifting a finger. You show them someone looking cool and sophisticated in your clothing. You show them it¡¯s hip to have Paige Wear. They can be average, everyday Joes and still know what it feels like to be a star.¡±


    Then she went for the kill shot. Her excitement mounted because she knew he was interested. This had nothing to do with personal attraction. He was all business right now and his eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.


    ¡°And the person you show to both of these groups, the man you have doing the sweaty, driven shoots and the cool, suavemercials is James Parker.¡±


    Julian¡¯s eyes widened a fraction, and then he sat back in his seat. ¡°Wait a minute,¡± he said.


    She waited, trying valiantly to hide her smug grin. This would be the fun part.


    ¡°You¡¯re telling me you can get me ?¡± He didn¡¯t even wait for her to reply. ¡°Companies have been after Tony Parker ever since he entered the major leagues.¡±


    ¡°Yep,¡± she said airily.


    ¡°The point is, the man has never agreed to an endorsement deal. What makes you think you can change his mind?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°And if I told you he¡¯s willing to talk to you?¡±


    ¡°No way,¡± Julian breathed.


    ¡°It¡¯ll cost you.¡±


    ¡°Hell, it would be worth it!¡± His eyes narrowed again. ¡°He¡¯ll talk to me. You¡¯ve already been in contact with him?¡±


    ¡°I met him through Evan, and I might have mentioned the possibility of you doing a new ad campaign.¡± She replied.


    ¡°And he¡¯s interested?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll talk to you. I provided him research, which means you passed the first round of scrutiny with him. He¡¯s a hard guy. Yound him and it¡¯ll be huge. Not only will you have a kick-ass ad campaign, but you¡¯ll also be the guy who signed Tony Parker¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d want exclusivity,¡± Julian said quickly.


    ¡°You¡¯d have to be prepared to pay for that privilege,¡± Nina pointed out. She wasn¡¯t about to tell Julian that exclusivity or not, the chances of Tony agreeing to do another deal with someone else was slim to none. The man simply wasn¡¯t motivated by money.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s forget Tony Parker for the moment. I like your ideas, Nina. I mean, the average Joe has never escaped my notice, but you¡¯re right. I¡¯ve never gone after him in marketing. Mymercials are always about the drive to seed. I talk to the athlete in all of us.¡±


    ¡°Which I¡¯ve just pointed out doesn¡¯t exist in everyone,¡± she said drily.


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right. Completely. The junior-high kid trying to look cool. Huge market there that I¡¯ve yet to tap.¡± he said.


    ¡°Most of my ideas are about how to structure televisionmercials, Inte advertising and print media to target all segments of the poption from the die-hard sports and fitness enthusiast to Suzy Homemaker who just wants afortable pair of tennis shoes. We¡¯d speak separately to teens, young adults all the way up to the retired folks.¡±


    Julian nodded. ¡°I¡¯m interested. Definitely interested. When can you have a presentation put together for me? As I said before, I¡¯m ready to move on this. I don¡¯t mind taking a little extra time if I can be guaranteed better results.¡±


    ¡°You tell me when you can meet with us at Standard Gate and I¡¯ll arrange it,¡± she said evenly.


    ¡°And Tony Parker?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange it as soon as we get back.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯d say you¡¯ve got your pitch appointment, Nina. I¡¯m very impressed with what you¡¯ve had to say. If your presentation delivers on the promise of your ideas, it¡¯s something mypany will be very excited about.¡±


    Though she had every confidence in her ability to win him over, his enthusiasm gave her a wicked thrill. She was forced to y it cool and smile politely as she thanked him, but on the inside she was doing an insane victory dance.


    She had phone calls to make. Evan would need to know so they could start preparing. They¡¯d want to do mock-ups of the advertising and have it prominently disyed on the television monitors in the Standard Gate reception area. On the day she¡¯d give Julian her presentation, Standard Gate Communications would be all about Mart Enterprises. No one else would exist in the time frame. Julian was present in their offices.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°You have to tell me how you managed to get Tony Parker to agree to talk to me,¡± Julian said as he pushed his te aside.


    A small smile flirted at the edges of her mouth and she suppressed the urge to grin broadly.


    ¡°I can¡¯t reveal all my secrets.¡± She said,


    ¡°You pull this off and you¡¯ll be legendary,¡± Julian said. ¡°The man has never so much as been tempted to take a deal.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t fawn yet,¡± she murmured. ¡°He might prove to be too expensive for you.¡±


    Julian¡¯s eyes glinted with a predatory gleam. He had the look of a man sure of himself and all things.


    ¡°I¡¯ve not found many things in life that proved to be too expensive. I may not always want to pay the price, but rarely have I found them out of my range.¡± he said.


    She smiled. ¡°I sensed that about you, which is why I thought you might be the one Tony woulde to terms with. I think the two of you are probably a lot alike.¡±

 24

    Julian cocked his head to the side. ¡°Just how well do you know him?¡± he asked.


    Before she could reply, Julian¡¯s phone rang. She tuned into Julian¡¯s conversation when he said her name. He was obviously talking to his mom.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be there this afternoon. Four o¡¯clock. Yes, I know. I won¡¯t miss it. Dinner afterward. Nina and I are having lunch together down by the marina. We¡¯ll meet you back at the hotel in time for rehearsal. You have my word.¡±


    He hung up and let out a sigh as he tucked the phone back into his pocket.


    ¡°The woman is convinced I¡¯ll ke on the wedding. I wonder how on earth she got that idea?¡± he said.


    It was said so innocently that Nina burst intoughter. Julian joined her and business was effectively put back out of the way once more.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    The nice lunch by the harbor never happened. As Julian and Nina were leaving the hotel, they ran into Julian¡¯s parents, Sam¡¯s father, Sam and Grace.


    Soon Abby joined them. She pulled Nina away from Julian and asked her in a quiet voice what the hell was going on between her and Julian. Nina couldn¡¯t tell her there and then, so she just told her she¡¯d tell herter and requested that she just y along.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Abby nodded, a part of her was actually enjoying the drama. She had never liked Loveth and obviously seeing Nina with Julian upset Loveth greatly. Abby was perfectly fine with that.


    Elizabeth was thrilled, since they were on their way to lunch, as well, and she suggested they all eat together before they gathered on the terrace for the very informal rehearsal.


    It amused Nina that there would even be an actual rehearsal of the ceremony since it wasn¡¯t a big affair and the bride and groom only had two attendants each. Still, it was evidently important to keep up appearances because they were going all out with a full-blown rehearsal and a dinner and party afterward.


    Loveth less than thrilled that Nina and Julian would be joining them for lunch. Sam was visibly ufortable.


    When they were seated, as luck would have it, Julian and Nina were ced across the table from Loveth and Sam while Abby, Elizabeth and Ross sat on the ends.


    As a result, Nina was treated to Loveth¡¯s malevolent stare. The woman wasn¡¯t even subtle about it. She picked Nina apart like a bug under a microscope.


    Julian reached for her hand under the table and gave her a squeeze. She couldn¡¯t figure out if it was a gesture of support, sympathy or a thank-you. She turned and gave him a smile. For a long moment their gazes locked and he smiled back.


    ¡°Tell me, Nina, what is it that you do? Julian tells me you live in New York too. That¡¯s good, so you can move in without much trouble once you and Julian are married?¡±


    Nina turned to Elizabeth in surprise. The questions were natural for a mother to ask, but Nina hadn¡¯t been prepared for them. Who was she kidding? She hadn¡¯t been prepared for any of this. She could also see Abby trying so hard not tough¡­ And failing.


    ¡°Nina is a crack advertising executive,¡± Julian smoothly inserted. ¡°Her career is very important to her. I¡¯d never expect her to give it up. And we haven¡¯t discussed moving yet.¡±


    Oh, the man was good, Nina thought. If she was getting married, she¡¯d want the guy she was marrying to say exactly what Julian had said, and she¡¯d want him to mean every word.


    Loveth sniffed. ¡°But don¡¯t you feel a woman¡¯s ce is at home with the children? You do n on having children don¡¯t you?¡± she asked.


    Nina frowned as she stared at the other woman. Was she for real?


    ¡°I don¡¯t see that it¡¯s any of your concern whether I want children or not and as for where my ce is, it¡¯s wherever I¡¯m the happiest,¡± Nina said. ¡°I fail to see how I could possibly be the best wife and mother by staying at home and being miserable.¡±


    Loveth looked genuinely confused. ¡°I feel it¡¯s important for a woman not to overshadow her husband. A husband¡¯s job is to provide for his family. I¡¯d never take that away from him.¡± She said,


    Nina snorted. ¡°You keep telling yourself that, honey. Call me up when your provider husband has decided he no longer wants that job and is going to leave you and the children to go find himself. Then tell me how important it was for you to depend solely on him for your support, and then tell me how easy it is to go find a job making enough money to support yourself and your children when the sole job experience on your resume is changing diapers and cooking dinner.¡±


    Julian choked on hisughter while Elizabeth¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Sam looked a little green while Loveth¡¯s mouth hung open. Ross cleared his throat and actually looked at Nina with something akin to respect.


    ¡°Well said, youngdy. A woman should never put the welfare of herself and her children solely in her husband¡¯s hands no matter how solid the rtionship is.¡± he said.


    ¡°Ross!¡± Elizabeth sounded positively scandalized.


    Julian sat back and looked at his dad. ¡°You see why I¡¯m so determined to marry her. If mypany ever goes bankrupt, I can stay at home and let her support me.¡±


    The two men burst intoughter and Julian squeezed her hand harder.


    ¡°Have you two set a date yet?¡± Sam asked, entering the conversation for the first time.


    He¡¯d been strangely silent, and he¡¯d studied her and Julian until Nina squirmed under his scrutiny.


    Not wanting Julian to do all the talking, even if this was his charade and not hers, she smiled and looked back at Sam.


    ¡°He¡¯s only just convinced me to marry him. I did make him wait, and he had to ask me several times.¡± She said,


    Julian squeezed again only this time it was a definite retaliation squeeze. She grinned and plunged ahead.


    ¡°I finally put him out of his misery and said yes. He wants a short engagement.¡± She added. Some little evil imp made her poke Loveth a little with that statement since Julian had kept prolonging their engagement. ¡°He wanted to elope, but I want to take our time and really get to know each other again before we tie the knot.¡±

 25

    Julian made a strangled noise and promptly took a long drink of his wine. Nina kept a perfectly straight face as she took in the reactions of Julian¡¯s family.


    Elizabeth looked wary. Abby was smiling. Loveth looked murderous. Sam had a strange look that could only be interpreted as a cross between regret and sadness, his father, Ben looked distracted, while Ross nodded approvingly. He reached over to p his son on the back.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got yourself a winner here, son. I heartily approve. This one will keep you on your toes well into your old age. I like her.¡± he said.


    Greaaat, Nina thought. She had the approval of her fake father-inw to be. She looked over at Julian as guilt swamped her. She¡¯d gotten carried away and hadn¡¯t been able to resist the opportunity to needle Julian a bit. Though he deserved it, she still felt bad about carrying things so far.


    To her surprise, he was staring thoughtfully at her, his eyes warm with something she was afraid to analyze.


    ¡°I absolutely agree,¡± Julian murmured. ¡°I¡¯m a very lucky man.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Julian kept a possessive arm wrapped around Nina¡¯s waist as they navigated the small field of people in the ballroom where everyone had gathered after the rehearsal dinner.


    A band yed, and already several couples were dancing, his mom and dad included.


    He knew the closeness between him and Nina was all for show, but the primitive part of him recognized his desire to publicly brand her as his woman. She¡¯d probably knee him right in the groin if she had any inkling what his thoughts were. The image made him wince and chuckle all at the same time.


    Every time he looked at Loveth, he was gripped by such gratitude and relief that it staggered him. How close he¡¯de to an unmitigated disaster.


    All the things he had thought he wanted were ludicrous in hindsight. A woman like Loveth would never hold his attention for long. She didn¡¯t challenge him. He wanted someone intelligent, as driven as he was, someone he could consider a partner.


    Someone like Nina.


    His lips tightened. Thanks to his decision to go with Standard Gate Communications-he hadn¡¯t told Nina yet-a rtionship between them was impossible. Not that he¡¯d give a rat¡¯s ass that she worked for him indirectly, but Nina would never agree.


    ¡°If you hold me any tighter, someone¡¯s going to call the police on us,¡± Nina murmured.


    He loosened his hold on her waist and uttered a low apology.


    ¡°Let¡¯s dance,¡± she suggested. ¡°You¡¯re way too tense. No one¡¯s ever going to believe we¡¯re newly engaged and head over heels in loooove with you scowling like that.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Sorry. Got distracted.¡± he said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try not to take that personally,¡± she teased.


    He rxed immediately and let her pull him onto the dance floor. The music was slow and seductive and gave him the perfect opportunity to do what he¡¯d been wanting to do all damn day. Hold her flush against his body so he could feel every one of her soft, delectable curves.


    They fit perfectly and he tucked her as close as she would go. His cheek rested against her temple as he slowly whirled her around the floor. Her hips swayed, brushing her belly across his groin. He let one hand trail down her spine and over the curve of one hip.


    She tensed a moment, and he wondered if she¡¯d tell him to back off but then she rxed with a sigh and melted into his arms once more.


    ¡°You were fantastic at lunch today,¡± he said against her ear. ¡°I never thought my father would be such a fan. He¡¯s typically a stodgy, conservative chauvinist.¡±


    Her shoulders shook withughter. ¡°He¡¯d fit in quite well with my family then. My father and brothers think my sole ambition in life should be to look pretty and let them take care of me and make every decision for me.¡± She replied


    ¡°I¡¯m going to admit something,¡± he said gravely.


    She turned her face up, her eyes sparkling with amusement. ¡°Oh, do tell. Is this where you divulge your deepest, darkest secrets?¡± she asked yfully.


    ¡°You could try to express an appropriate amount of appreciation for my confiding in you,¡± he huffed.


    ¡°Very well. I¡¯m sorry. Let me just bat my eyshes in adoration, but be quick or I¡¯ll mess up my mascara.¡±


    He shook his head as helplessughter escaped. ¡°What I was going to admit was that while I truly appreciate and agree with everything you had to say, there is a caveman lurking underneath my civilized exterior. I can see why your family wants to protect and take care of you. I think if you were mine, I¡¯d feel much the same way.¡±


    Her lips parted, and she stared at him with the oddest expression. There was no anger or condemnation. Interest and something else gleamed in her beautiful eyes.


    ¡°And sometimes I think if you were mine, I just might let you,¡± she said huskily.


    His entire body tightened. His hand raced up her spine and he curled his fingers gently at her nape. Their eyes were locked together and all he had to do was lean down.


    Just a bit. He could taste her already. His head lowered. Her eyes narrowed to slits and she let out a breathy, feminine sigh of anticipation.


    ¡°Julian, you¡¯ve monopolized her long enough.¡±


    His father¡¯s voice boomed in his ears and Julian jumped, sending Nina away from him for a brief moment.


    Ross stood there expectantly. ¡°Going to let me cut in?¡± he asked.


    Julian slipped Nina¡¯s hand into his father¡¯s. ¡°Of course. Just don¡¯t keep her for long.¡± he replied.


    Ross chuckled as he spirited Nina away. ¡°One dance won¡¯t kill you, son.¡±


    Julian watched his dad whirl Nina across the floor. In a word, she was magnificent. Sheughed at something he said and her smile lit up the entire room. She sparkled.


    ¡°Quite a woman,¡± Sam drawled.


    Julian stiffened and turned to see his brother standing there, drink in hand.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the bride-to-be?¡± Julian asked. ¡°Didn¡¯t figure she¡¯d let you out of her sight until the vows were spoken.¡±he added sarcastically.


    Sam shrugged. ¡°She¡¯s over with your Mom, talking about the honeymoon arrangements.¡± He replied. He looked again at Nina and Ross. ¡°You¡¯re marrying her for real?¡±


    ¡°Is there some reason I shouldn¡¯t?¡± Julian asked mildly.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem your type.¡±


    Julian regarded his cousin with curiosity. ¡°And what is my type?¡± he asked. ¡°You seem to know a lot about what I like¡±

 26

    ¡°Someone like Loveth. You seemed pretty hung up on her.¡± Sam said.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s safe to say I¡¯m not hung up on Loveth.¡±


    ¡°I can see why you¡¯re attracted to her,¡± Sam said.


    ¡°Who?¡± Julian demanded sharply.


    ¡°Nina.¡±


    Both men stared across the room to where Nina danced with Ross.


    ¡°She¡¯s a beautiful woman. I bet she¡¯s awesome in bed.¡± Sam said.


    Julian rounded furiously on Sam .


    ¡°You shut the hell up. Don¡¯t even breathe her name again. You got it?¡± he said.


    Sam smiled and backed away, holding his hands up in surrender. ¡°Okay, okay, I get it. You¡¯re awfully touchy about her. Funny, you weren¡¯t that pissed when you found out about Loveth.¡±


    Sam sauntered off and Julian turned away, angry that he¡¯d let him goad him.


    ¡°Julian, there you are.¡±


    He sighed when his momtched on to his arm and dragged him over to introduce him to people he had zero interest in and would never see again in his life. After several minutes of pleasantries, Julian grew restless. The song ended, and he turned in search of Nina.


    His father was making his way through the crowd toward Julian and Elizabeth, but Nina was nowhere to be seen. Frowning, Julian scanned the room until finally he found her.


    She was dancing with Sam. She didn¡¯t look altogether thrilled, but Sam was smiling as he held Nina close.


    Irrational anger exploded over Julian. All he could see was that it was Nina all over again, only this time it mattered. This was Nina. His Nina.


    His brother was a slimy predator. Never mind that Nina was perfectly capable of fending off any advances. He didn¡¯t even imagine she¡¯d ever be receptive to an overture on Sam¡¯s part. But the fact that his brother would behave this way at his own wedding celebration enraged Julian.


    Nina was his woman. He let Loveth go because she was never his. Nina was his even if she hadn¡¯t recognized that little fact.


    Not stopping to think how it would look to others, he cut a path through the crowd that had people eximing on either side of him. When he got to Sam and Nina, he reached for his cousin¡¯s arm and spun him around.


    ¡°What the-¡± Sam began.


    His eyes narrowed angrily, but Julian stopped him with a look.


    ¡°You¡¯ll excuse us, Sam. I find I¡¯ve spent entirely too much time away from my fianc¨¦e.¡±


    Nina stared at both men in shock but didn¡¯t utter a single protest when Julian all but dragged her out of the ballroom and into the hallway.


    The predator had been unleashed. No way he¡¯d stand by and watch his brother move in on what he considered his. He stalked toward the elevator, his only thought to get Nina as far away from everyone else as possible.


    He punched the button and hauled her inside. As soon as the door closed, he mmed her against the back wall and angled his mouth over hers. It was like a fuse igniting. Desire sizzled down his spine, frying every nerve ending in its path. He wasn¡¯t gentle. He wasn¡¯t sure he had it in him. He devoured her.


    imed her.


    She gasped for breath, and he stole it as soon as she could gain it back.


    ¡°Julian, what on earth are you ¡­..¡± She began.


    The question ended in a moan as his mouth slid down her jaw to her neck. He sucked hungrily at the soft skin just below her ear.


    Behind him the doors opened and without taking his mouth from her skin, he maneuvered them down the hall toward their suite. He was on fire. He had no rational thought. His only instinct was to take her. To make her understand she belonged to him. Only to him.


    Her eyes were dazed when he leaned her against the wall next to the door. His hands shook as he rummaged in his pocket for the key. It took two times before he inserted it correctly and as soon as the lock was released, he threw open the door, held it with his foot and reached for her again.


    This time she did her share of grabbing. Amid the turmoil of his jumbled, raging lust, relief hit him hard. She was with him. She wanted him every bit as much as he wanted her.


    He tore at her clothing. Then he tore at his. Shoes and shirts hit the floor, leaving a trail across the floor to his bedroom.


    By the time the backs of her knees hit the edge of his bed, she was down to just her bra and panties. Not just underwear. Pink, delicate, frothy confections that entuated every curve and swell. Her breasts bulged and plumped upward over the cups. He could see a hint of her aureole and it was driving him crazy.


    His fingers fumbled with his pants. Her hands tangled with his as they both shoved downward.


    ¡°God, Red.¡± He said huskily. He couldn¡¯t catch his breath long enough to say what he wanted. ¡°I always swore when I made love to you I¡¯d savor you for hours. I told myself I¡¯d take my time touching and kissing every inch of your body. But I swear, if I don¡¯t get inside you soon, I¡¯m going to explode.¡±


    ¡°Fast is good,¡± she panted. ¡°We can do slowter.¡±


    ¡°Thank God.¡±


    He fell forward, taking her with him. They both hit the bed, and she absorbed the shock of his body melding to hers.


    ¡°I¡¯ll savor you next time,¡± he promised between kisses.


    ¡°Savor is good. We can definitely savor it. But, God, Julian , make love to me now. Please.¡±


    He chuckled and captured her mouth with his. ¡°Sweet. So sweet. I¡¯m going to take you, Red. I¡¯m going to take everything you have to offer. If you don¡¯t want this, tell me now. I¡¯ll stop. It¡¯ll kill me, hell, I might punch something, but I¡¯ll stop.¡±


    She pulled away and stared up at him with glowing, brilliant eyes. Her hands traced a line from his temples over his face and to his jaw.


    ¡°Take me then,¡± she whispered.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    Niny underneath Julian¡¯s big body. Every part of her was covered by him. His heat prated her, seeped into her flesh and whispered seductively through her veins.


    She wanted him. God, she wanted this man. Her need for him frightened and exhrated her in equal parts. She knew she shouldn¡¯t-that she mustn¡¯t-and yet she also knew she wouldn¡¯t tell him no.


    There would be no recriminationster. There would be no regret. She knew the potential pitfalls of making love with Julian, and she would face them with full eptance.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± he asked.

 27

    She raised her gaze to meet his. He was propped on his arms, his body still flush with hers and their noses were mere inches apart. His eyes were warm with desire, liquid with want, and her heart fluttered in response.


    His voice was so tender and understanding. He stared down at her like she was the only woman he¡¯d ever made love to. A mixture of awe and wonder that humbled her.


    ¡°I was thinking we shouldn¡¯t do this,¡± she admitted.


    ¡°But? There¡¯s definitely a but in that sentence.¡± he said.


    He sounded so hopeful that she smiled and once again traced the lean lines of his face with a fingertip.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t care. I should care. I should be on my way back to New York. I should have never agreed to stay.¡±


    ¡°But,¡± he murmured again, his voice husky and so very predatory.


    ¡°But I¡¯m here, in your arms, and I want you so much that I¡¯m willing to take the biggest risk of my life. I won¡¯t lie, I don¡¯t like that about myself. I don¡¯t like that I¡¯m allowing infatuation and sexual desire to mess with my head. It¡¯s stupid and irresponsible and¡­..¡±


    He shushed her with one finger and then followed it down with his lips. He nibbled yfully at the corner of her mouth and then licked the spot where he nipped.


    ¡°Trust me, Red.¡± he said softly.


    She wentpletely still and stared up at him, the intensity that burned so bright in his gaze.


    ¡°Trust me to take care of you. I won¡¯t let this hurt you. We can make it work.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying?¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take it slow. Well, after we go really fast this time.¡± He said and then grinned crookedly and shifted so she could feel his straining erection against her groin. ¡°We can do this, Nina. We¡¯re adults in charge of our own destiny. There¡¯s no problem we can¡¯t solve together. Trust me.¡±


    Peace descended, enveloping her in its sweet, soothing grasp. In response, she wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him down into a long, passionate kiss.


    Trust him.


    He made it sound so simple, and maybe it was. She slid her mouth up his jaw to his ear. As she nibbled on it, she said softly, ¡°Make love to me, Julian.¡±


    With a groan, he rolled until their positions were reversed and she was sprawled atop him. His fingers fumbled with the sp of her bra and a secondter, it flew across the room, hitting the drawn curtains over the window.


    She felt his sudden inhtion. He stilled and then his hand skimmed up her back and around to her breasts. His fingertips brushed over the swells and to her nipples.


    Each stroke, each touch no matter how light, ignited a fire deep inside that threatened to overtake her. Her urgency matched his own. Her impatience was his.


    And then he leaned up and took one sensitive nipple in his mouth and she was lost. Her head fell back. Her eyes closed as sweet, sharp pleasure radiated in waves through her body.


    Despite his impatience, his lips and tongue were exquisitely tender as he suckled first one breast and then the other.


    His hands spanned her waist and then moved lower until his fingers caught in the band of her panties. He yanked, and she heard them rip.


    ¡°I¡¯ll buy you more,¡± he rasped as he rolled again, putting her underneath him once more.


    ¡°Buy me what?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Panties.¡±


    ¡°Highly overrated,¡± she murmured.


    Heughed against her mouth. ¡°I totally agree.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of¡­.. underwear. You¡¯re still wearing yours.¡± She said,


    He reared up between her knees, yanked his briefs off, and she stared shamelessly at his distended length. He followed her gaze down then looked back up at her, a cocky grin making him adorable.


    ¡°You like?¡± he asked her, grinning


    She reached for him, enfolding him in her hands. ¡°Oh, yes, I like it.¡± She replied.


    He mped a hand over her arm and squeezed. ¡°Nina, you can¡¯t.. Do that. I¡¯m too close. This will never work. I have to get inside you or it¡¯s going to be over way too soon.¡±


    She rose up, curling one hand around his neck even as she slid her fingers suggestively up and down his erection.


    ¡°Savorter. Remember?¡± she said.


    ¡°Condom,¡± he bit out.


    She let him go long enough for him to fumble through his discarded pants.


    Secondster, he started to roll thetex on, but she reached for it, snagging it from his grasp.


    ¡°Come here.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes, ma¡¯am,¡± he breathed.


    Shey back and he straddled her hips. He loomed over her, big and strong. She felt entirely too small, too at his mercy, but as her hands slid over his manhood, he closed his eyes and a shudder rippled through his massive body, and the power shifted significantly in her direction.


    Then he fell forward, nting his hands on either side of her head. ¡°I can¡¯t wait.¡±


    ¡°Savorter,¡± she reminded.


    His smile was brilliant. He leaned down to kiss her just as he reached down to part her thighs. With one hand, he pulled one leg away from the other. His mouth never left hers. His weight was supported by his left arm. He angled to the side as he gently explored her swollen, feminine folds.


    ¡°Julian, please,¡± she begged. ¡°You¡¯re killing me here. If you don¡¯t hurry, I¡¯m leaving you behind.¡±


    He eased one finger inside and evidently satisfied that she was ready for him, he shifted over her and settled between her thighs. His erection prodded carefully at first, then he found her heat and thrust hard and deep.


    She arched, bowing her back off the mattress. She grasped desperately at his shoulders, her fingers curling into his skin until she was sure she drew blood.


    It was too much. It was absolutely magnificent. He filled her. She¡¯d never felt so alive, so splendid, so tuned in to her own pleasure.


    ¡°Hold on to me,¡± he ordered in a thick, hazy voice.


    It was a needlessmand. She couldn¡¯t do anything but hold him as he drove into her over and over.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she gasped. ¡°Julian, please, I need¡­..¡±


    She didn¡¯t even know what she was asking for, only that she¡¯d die if she didn¡¯t get it. Her body was near to breaking point. All she needed was¡­..

 28

    He reached down and his fingers slid between them.


    ¡°That. Oh my God, that.¡± She said,


    Her cry echoed sharply over the room. It was the single most exquisite pleasure and pain all in one she¡¯d experienced in her life. The tension was so sharp, so unbearable and then finally she exploded.


    The room darkened around her. She blinked but everything was fuzzy. All she was aware of was Julian stroking into her and the wonderful melting sensation as she went liquid around him.


    He growled her name and then he gathered her in his arms, holding her so tight she couldn¡¯t breathe. His hips jerked against her before finally he copsed onto her, his chest heaving with exertion.


    Her hands rxed on his shoulders and went from punishing grip to soothing caresses. His skin was damp, and all that could be heard were his harsh breaths against her neck.


    She held him as tight as he held her, determined to offer him all of herself. No barriers. No defenses. Just two people connecting in a way that overwhelmed her senses.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°You undo me, Red,¡± he said, his voice muffled against her neck.


    She smiled and continued to stroke his back, enjoying the feel of his flesh beneath her fingers.


    He finally rolled away to discard the condom and then came back and pulled her into his arms so they faced each other.


    ¡°Now that¡­. was¡­.. amazing,¡± he said.


    She touched his lips, still fascinated with the feel of him, the rougher textures and the softness of his mouth.


    ¡°I felt pretty savored.¡± She replied.


    He smiled and kissed her, just one light smooch that sent a giddy little thrill down her back.


    ¡°I have this fantasy. It¡¯s pretty vivid, actually.¡±


    ¡°This I gotta hear.¡± Nina said.


    He smacked her lightly on her behind. ¡°Listen up, woman. Pay attention when your man bears his soul.¡±


    Sheughed and he continued.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t quite go ording to n because I was supposed to savor you first. I nned to take a couple of hours and make love to you until you were mindless. Then I was going to take you hard and fast.¡±


    ¡°Screwed that one up.¡± She said,


    He smacked her again and shook his head.


    ¡°So now I have this fantasy where we have fast and furious sex. Then I savor you for¡­.. okay maybe an hour. And then we have fast, furious sex again. Then you get on top and have your wicked way with me. And then you get on your hands and knees¡­..¡±


    Nina put her hand over his mouth and burst outughing. ¡°Okay, okay, I get the picture. You¡¯re an insatiable, horny male.¡± She said


    ¡°Only for you,¡± he said seriously. ¡°You seem to regrly star in my most-vivid fantasies. I could probably be arrested for some of them. They might not be legal in all states.¡±


    Her heart fluttered helplessly. His words¡­.. God, his words. How could she even respond to what he¡¯d said? He sounded so¡­.. sincere. How had they gotten to this point? It scared the living hell out of her.


    ¡°So what about you? Have any interesting fantasies about me?¡± he asked.


    He sounded so hopeful that she had tough again. She leaned forward and brushed her mouth against the muscr wall of his chest.


    ¡°This is one of them,¡± she said.¡±You have amazing hair. I have kinda been fascinated by it since I saw you again¡±


    As she spoke, she swept her fingers over his head, tunneling them under the knot containing the midnight strands. Eager to see them undone, she briefly wrestled with the thick locks, freeing the tie restraining them. The rough silk fell over her wrists, cool and dense, sliding through her fingers.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she whispered, at a loss for words as the strands tumbled around his sharp cheekbones and strong jaw. They should¡¯ve softened his features- should have. Instead, they only emphasized the stark nes of his face and his visceral sexuality.


    ¡°God, you¡¯re beautiful.¡± The praise exited her mouth without her permission, but she couldn¡¯t regret the words. Not when they were the truth. ¡°I¡¯m liking the savor part of this a lot.¡± She replied.


    ¡°Me too,¡± he murmured, smiling at her as he reached down to tug her chin high enough that he could kiss her again. He was a man of his word. He spent every bit of the next hour driving her mindless with his hands and his mouth. His tongue. Have mercy, his tongue. There wasn¡¯t an inch of her he left untouched. He put his stamp on her. She felt branded. Possessed.


    His tongue circled her most sensitive point nestled among the soft folds of her femininity. He worked her to the very brink of orgasm, until she quivered uncontrobly. She shivered when he pulled away and then finally he slid into her, long and slow. Hot and so tender. So very tender.


    She squeezed her eyes shut but then he pressed gentle kisses to her lids until she opened them again. He stared down at her with such intensity she forgot to breathe. His eyes burned a fiery trail over her face, stroking and caressing her cheeks and her mouth.


    He was dangerous. Oh, yes, so dangerous. She had no protection from him, and worse, she didn¡¯t want any. He could easily find his way into her heart.


    Maybe he already had.


    That should scare her to death, but instead, a warm,fortable feeling settled over her. Contentment. She stared into his eyes and saw herself. Saw them. Together.


    He rocked over her, taking his time as he stoked the fire inside her higher and higher.


    The strain was evident on his face. He held himself in check as he drove her relentlessly toward release. He wasn¡¯t going to let go of his own until she reached hers.


    She twined her body tightly with his, loving the sensation of being so connected, so intrinsically linked.


    ¡°Julian,¡± she whispered against his mouth.


    He kissed her. Hard. ¡°Give it to me. Let go.¡±


    The breathless words unlocked something deep inside her. She arched into him, giving herself unreservedly. Wave after wave of the most beautiful pleasure rolled through her, fanning out and rippling.


    He groaned and followed until she wasn¡¯t sure whose pleasure was whose and where hers began and ended.

 29

    He eased down, and she weed him into her arms. She pillowed his head on her chest, his mouth a breath away from her nipple. He kissed the plump swell of her breast but didn¡¯t move. Their hearts thudded against each other and neither did anything to break the silence.


    What could be said? She knew she didn¡¯t have words. She didn¡¯t want to dissect the moment. Words would only ruin the euphoric aftermath of an experience she was at a loss to describe anyway.


    She ran her hand idly through his mussed hair. At his nape the crisp hairs were slightly damp with sweat. She inhaled, savoring the uniquely masculine smell of sex and sweat. It was intoxicating and erotic.


    ¡°Does it make me a bastard that I¡¯m already fantasizing about the part where you climb on top of me and have your wicked way?¡± he mumbled against her chest.


    She smiled. ¡°As soon as I regain the feeling in my legs, I¡¯ll see what I can do about that particr fantasy.¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    Waking in bed with Julian didn¡¯t bring about the immediate what-the-hell-have-I-done feeling she would have thought. No, when her eyes opened, she registered a fantastic male body wrapped around hers, and instead of shoving him over and wailing on about how dumb she was, she snuggled deeper into his embrace and soaked up every minute of thezy morning.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± Julian murmured against her temple.


    ¡°Mmm.¡± She replied.


    He chuckled softly and rolled away for a moment.


    ¡°Damn.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like that damn,¡± she grumbled. ¡°Bad things are going to happen after that word.¡±


    He sighed in regret. ¡°Sorry. Yeah, we have to get up.¡±


    ¡°What time is it?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Noon.¡±


    Her eyes popped open and she scrambled up to look over his body at the clock.


    ¡°Noon? I¡¯ve never slept until noon in my life!¡± she said.


    He grinned and tugged her down onto his chest. ¡°d I could contribute to your downfall then.¡±


    ¡°So arrogant,¡± she said. ¡°Now let me go, otherwise I¡¯ll look like a bagdy for your brother¡¯s wedding.¡±


    ¡°I like bagdies,¡± he replied.


    She snorted. ¡°Ladies carrying Hermes Birkin bags maybe.¡±


    He gave her a puzzled look that suggested he didn¡¯t have a clue what she was talking about. She rolled her eyes and then pried herself out of his arms.


    ¡°Come on, get up,¡± she coaxed. ¡°The sooner we get it over with, the sooner you can see your brother and his new wife on their way, and we can go home.¡±


    He threw off the covers, and she nearly squeaked as he got up from the bed, stark naked. Then she realized that she wasn¡¯t any more clothed, and she fled for the bathroom, hisughter ringing in her ears.


    Two hourster, dressed appropriately, they made their way to the terrace where the lovebirds would exchange their vows. As they reached the door leading out, Julian slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side.


    Warmth spread through her cheeks until she remembered that this was all for show. She¡¯d been stupid to forget that even for a moment.


    When navigating the chairs and the people mingling became too difficult, he loosened his hold on her waist and tucked her hand in his instead. His fingersced with hers and his thumb rubbed her palm as he smiled and said his hellos.


    The pre ceremony was a bit of a madhouse and was without structure. Everyone just gathered on the terrace overlooking the cozy inlet, talking and visiting until finally Sam¡¯s father stood close to the floral arch and raised his hands for attention.


    ¡°If everyone will take their seats, I believe we¡¯re ready to begin,¡± he said.


    Nina to the front row where they sat beside Abby, Elizabeth and Ross. Julian kept a firm hold on her hand until Loveth made her appearance.


    Despite his seeming indifference, Julian¡¯s demeanor changed as soon as the ceremony began. His fingers loosened from hers until she drew her hand away to rest in her ownp. He made no move to prevent the action.


    His gaze was locked on Loveth and his cousin, and he wasn¡¯t smiling as the rest of the attendees were. He looked like a stone pir. No emotion. What made it worse was when Elizabeth and Abby started sending sidelong nces at Julian.


    They had obviously picked up on his coldness. It begged the question as to whether Julian was as unaffected as he¡¯d reported. Did he still love Loveth? If he was to be believed, he never had, but then did a man like Julian fall in love?


    His association with Loveth could hardly be deemed romantic. He¡¯d formed a shopping list for a prospective bride and he hadn¡¯t looked far. The first suitable candidate he¡¯d found he put a ring on her finger and that was that.


    Nina nced down at the diamond gleaming on her third finger and winced.


    Oh, Nina, tell me you haven¡¯t gotten caught up in this nonsense. You¡¯re too practical, she thought.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    She almost snorted. When it came to Julian, practicality didn¡¯t crop up first. Or second or even third. She¡¯d lusted after forbidden fruit from the moment she¡¯d seen him when she came to stay with Abby.


    A tiny, unwee thought niggled at her consciousness. Would she have begged so hard to be the one to pitch to Julian if she hadn¡¯t been so fascinated with him?


    Another derisive sound had to be stifled. Fascination was a very tame word to describe her fixation with Julian. Attracted. That wasn¡¯t a very descriptive word, either. It seemed no matter the word, it didn¡¯t do justice to the overwhelming barrage of sensations she experienced in his presence.


    Thank God the weekend was almost over and she could hopefully gain some objectivity again. This ruse of theirs was a dangerous fantasy for her. If she didn¡¯t remove herself from it immediately, she was going to fallpletely victim to it.


    She could just see trying to exin that to her boss. The boss who had put hispany¡¯s fate in her hands.


    And then the ceremony was over and suddenly Julian was smiling down at her once more. She promptly forgot all about her worries and reservations.


    Once again he was attentive. He touched her frequently as if he couldn¡¯t keep his hands off her. It made her nuts the way her body leaped to life under his attention, but she couldn¡¯t control it.

 30

    As they waited behind the line of people going back inside, Julian leaned down and nuzzled her ear.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go have some fun at the reception,¡± he murmured. ¡°You, me, a little dirty dancing¡­..¡±


    Sheughed as the tightness left her chest. It was hard to remember all the reasons she shouldn¡¯t be involved with this man when he charmed her to her toes.


    She tucked her hand willingly in his, and this time she curled her fingers around his as he led her into the hotel. No, logically she shouldn¡¯t immerse herself in this charade. But then attraction was anything but logical. She had only a few more hours before she would be jolted back to reality. She nned to enjoy every single one of them.


    They danced. Slow, sensual songs and even the more upbeat tunes. Julian was astonishingly adept as he spun her around the room. Somehow she hadn¡¯t seen him as the type to do more than a staid waltz or just a slow cuddle type dance in the middle of the floor.


    She should have known. The man was a study in athletic grace. They took a quick break and Julian left Nina to go get drinks for them both.


    Nina turned to see Elizabeth approaching through the crowd, her face lit up like a Christmas tree.


    ¡°Nina! I¡¯m so d I got over to you before Julian spirits you away again.¡± She said,


    Nina smiled warmly back at Julian¡¯s mother. Elizabeth reached out to squeeze Nina¡¯s hand. ¡°I can¡¯t thank you enough foring. It¡¯s so obvious that the two or you are in love.¡± She said,


    It took everything Nina had not to react to that statement. Obvious? How could it be? In lust, yes, but love? Julian would be horrified that his farce had worked a little too well. Nothing like a rumor of being in love to scare off the opposite sex. A man like Julian probably had more women than he could shake a stick at.


    But he didn¡¯t take any of them to the wedding. He¡¯d taken her.


    Business, Nina reminded herself. It was convenient and business had been at the forefront of his mind.


    ¡°The two of you make such a lovely couple,¡± Elizabeth said wistfully. ¡°Isn¡¯t it amazing how you both found your way to each other after all these years.. Like it was always meant to be. I do hope you¡¯ll agree to a wedding date soon. Don¡¯t make him wait, even though I¡¯m sure he deserves it. I want him to be happy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure the both of us wille up with a mutually satisfactory date,¡± Nina said diplomatically.


    Elizabeth squeezed again and then suddenly Nina found herself enveloped in the older woman¡¯s arms.


    ¡°It was a joy to have you here, Nina. I¡¯m so happy and I can¡¯t wait to see you again.¡± She said,


    Elizabeth drew away, beaming at Nina the entire time, and Nina felt like the lowest form of pond scum for her part in deceiving this nice, wonderful woman.


    ¡°Oh, look, there¡¯s Julian with your drink. I¡¯ll disappear now and let you two get back to your fun.¡±


    Elizabeth blew a kiss in Julian¡¯s direction and melted back into the crowd.


    ¡°What was that all about?¡± Julian asked as he approached.


    He handed her a wine ss and stepped in close, their bodies touching.


    Nina grimaced. ¡°She was telling me how wonderful she thought it was that we¡¯re getting married.¡±


    ¡°Ah, well, that would exin the look of torture in your eyes.¡± he replied.


    He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. He stared down into her eyes, and then he simply kissed her.


    Stunned that he would be so public, even when perpetuating a hoax, she stood there in the circle of his arms while he kissed her senseless.


    Desire unfurled and spread rapid fire through her belly. All he had to do was kiss her and she was helpless to do anything more than respond.


    ¡°You know, we have ate check-out,¡± he murmured against her lips. ¡°Veryte check-out. My jet can leave at my ready. What do you say we go back to the room?¡± he asked.


    No. They needed to return home. She needed the weekend to be over so she could recover her sanity. But instead of no, she opened her mouth and whispered, ¡°yes.¡±


    The predatory gleam was back in his eyes. He put both their sses down on a nearby table and then he took her hand and all but dragged her from the reception. They ran down the hallway to the elevator like two hormonally imbnced teenagers.


    When they reached the room, he threw open the door, swung her into his arms and carried her straight to the bedroom. He plopped her down on the bed and stood back as he tore out of his clothes.


    She leaned up on one elbow to stare appreciatively at his physique.


    ¡°You know,¡± she said coyly. ¡°There is one of your fantasies we haven¡¯t yed out yet.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    His eyebrows shot up and then he crawled onto the bed until he loomed menacingly over her.


    ¡°Oh, really. Which one?¡± he asked.


    She circled her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a kiss. Then she slid her mouth to his ear to whisper in shocking detail exactly which fantasy she was talking about.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    Julian¡¯s nended in New York close to midnight. He helped her down the steps onto the tarmac and stood next to her as they waited for his car to pull forward. Abby walked past them and hurried inside the car, but not before turning around, giving them a weird look and saying, ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly what this is, but can you guys wrap it up quickly so I can go home?¡±


    Julian grinned at Abby while Nina smiled.


    He touched her cheek, pushing aside a stray strand of hair. In truth, she looked and felt disheveled from head to toe. What had started as a quick interlude had turned into an afternoon of wanton, hedonistic pleasure. They¡¯d made love more times than she could count.


    They¡¯d stumbled out of the hotel looking like a pair of illicit lovers hurrying back to their spouses after a hot weekend affair.


    She shook her head to clear that notion.


    There was nothing dishonorable about her liaison with Julian. It was separate from business, she asserted firmly. Separate.


    ¡°Are you sure you won¡¯t let me escort you guys home?¡± Julian asked.

 31

    He nced between her and the car that was now parked a few feet away with Abby inside, and his lips were drawn into a fine line.


    She shook her head. ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to and it¡¯s already past midnight. I¡¯ll be fine. Your driver will take good care of the both of us, besides I know that once I get in that car, your sister is going to bombard me with a lot of questions. I don¡¯t think I want you to be there for that drama.¡±


    He looked as if he was going to press the point when she raised her hand. The diamond caught the re from the headlights. Slowly she removed the thin band from her finger and pressed the ring into Julian¡¯s palm.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be needing this anymore,¡± she said lightly.


    He frowned as he stared down at the delicate piece of jewelry lying in his hand.


    It was ridiculous that this felt like a real break-up. Her heart seized and she had the absurd urge to snatch the ring back out of his hand and put it back on her finger.


    She leaned up on tiptoe and brushed her lips across his cheek. ¡°Bye, Julian. Have a safe trip home.¡± She said softly.


    She turned and allowed the driver to usher her into the backseat beside Abby. As they pulled away, she saw Julian standing in the same ce she¡¯d left him, his hand closed around the ring. They stared at each other through the window until the car got too far away for her to see him any longer.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    As soon as Nina stepped into the car and it began to move, Abby turned to Nina.


    ¡°Now I know this isn¡¯t any of my business¡­. But¡­ You know what, Julian is my brother so I think it¡¯s kind of my business¡­ What the hell is happening between you two? I barely saw you when we were on the ind because somehow, for some reason I don¡¯t know and don¡¯t really understand, you were paired off with Julian all through our stay there. What is happening? . Are you guys dating? And you guys didn¡¯t tell me? Why would you guys hide something like that from me?¡±


    Nina shook her head slowly, looking at her hand and rubbing the finger that had had Julian¡¯s ring on it. ¡°No. No we are not¡± she said softly. ¡°You know if I was dating anyone, you¡¯d be the first person to know about it¡­. Especially if it¡¯s your brother¡±


    ¡°Then what the hell is happening?¡± Abby asked, ¡°Not that I have a problem with you guys being together. I think it¡¯s amazing actually¡­ you guys look amazing together. I¡¯m just confused and curious¡±


    ¡°Julian was supposed to talk to you about it. I guess he didn¡¯t. He made the whole thing up¡± Nina said. ¡°The whole engagement thing¡­ He made it up because he didn¡¯t want to be alone at the wedding and he wanted to get your mom off his back and prove that he wasn¡¯t hung up on Loveth or something like that. We are not together¡±


    Abby nodded, watching Nina closely. ¡°Okay I get that. But from your tone it sounds like you want to be together¡± she said.


    Nina¡¯s head lifted and she stared at Abby. ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m not¡­ I don¡¯t.. I¡­ I mean¡­ I don¡¯t know¡± she stammered.


    For some reason her eyes got watery and she hated herself that very minute. She knew this was about business right from the beginning. He had told her so. Then why was she feeling this way?


    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s fine,¡± DebbieAbby said. ¡°Just that for people who were pretending to be together, you guys looked so into each other¡­ And you make a beautiful couple. I can¡¯t say that I¡¯m surprised though. Julian has always had a crush on you since high school¡­ He was just too shy to tell you¡±


    Nina gave Abby a slow smile. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine or picture Damon shy,¡± she said. ¡°He looks so confident all the time¡±Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°He has changed a lot,¡± Abby replied. ¡°I¡¯m a bit worried though¡­ You look upset¡±


    ¡°I am¡± Nina admitted ¡°I didn¡¯t know Julian¡¯s n at first and when I found out I agreed because I wanted his business ount and it was kinda toote to deny it because we were already with your parents¡­. But things got¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ Kind of intense and out of control and now I just¡­ Things happened between us¡­ Things that were not supposed to happen since we¡¯re not really together and I kinda work for him now¡±


    She stopped talking.


    ¡°Ohhhhh¡­. Are you in love with him?¡± Abby asked.


    WendNinay shook her head. That wasn¡¯t possible. She was incredibly attracted to the man, but love?


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so,¡± she replied finally. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I don¡¯t really know what this is.. This thing I¡¯m feeling¡­ I don¡¯t know what it is, but I know it will pass after a while¡±


    ¡°Would you like me to say something to him?¡± Abby asked.


    ¡°Oh God no¡± Nina replied. She looked horrified by the idea. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to say really. I¡¯m fine¡±


    ¡°Alright¡± Abby said. She knew that sometimes people just had to figure out things like this on their own. ¡°But you should know that I¡¯m here for you¡­, and you should also know that I think it would be amazing if the both of you get together¡­ for real.¡±


    Nina smiled at Abby, but she was hurt inside.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    Julian tucked his hand into his pocket to touch the diamond engagement ring Nina had given back to him the night before. His finger ran over the edges, took it out and let ity in his palm to catch the light.


    For a long while, he stared down at it before closing his hand over it. As his driver pulled to the curb in front of Standard Gate Communications, he shoved the ring back into his pocket.


    Nina wouldn¡¯t be expecting him. Hell, he wasn¡¯t expecting him. To be here, that is. He was supposed to be at his office. He had any number of issues to deal with including talking to his team about Tony Parker. They needed toe big with an offer, and they needed to make sure any offer they made was tied up neatly with a big bow.


    Yet, here he was, getting out at Nina¡¯s building because he wanted to see her again. And business had nothing to do with it.


    He instructed his driver to find suitable parking and to swing back around when he phoned to say he was ready. Then he headed into the stately building to take the elevator up to the sixth floor.


    When he stepped off, he was immediately impressed with the very modern, ¡°in touch¡± feel of Standard Gate Communications. There was a lot of attention given tofort, and it worked, because he felt rxed.

 32

    Tworge-screen sma televisions were positioned on either side of therge reception desk, and Standard Gates¡¯test ad campaigns were predominantly disyed in a series ofmercials.


    Behind the desk, a cheerful looking younger woman smiled a warm wee as he approached.


    ¡°Good morning and wee to Standard Gate Communications.¡± She said cheerfully.


    He returned her smile. ¡°Can you tell Nina Taylor that Julian Martin is here to see her?¡±


    The sudden awareness in the receptionist¡¯s eyes told him she knew well who he was. She recovered quickly, though. With brisk efficiency, she rounded the corner of her desk and gestured toward the set of couches in the waiting area.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll have a seat, I¡¯ll get her at once. Would you care for some coffee?¡± she asked him.


    ¡°No, thank you.¡±


    She turned to stride down the hallway, leaving Julian standing there. He walked to the window to look down on the street instead of sitting. If he had his way, he wouldn¡¯t be here for long anyway.


    A few momentster, he heard the tap tap of heels and turned to see Nina approaching, a confused, wary look in her eyes.


    ¡°Julian,¡± she greeted. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting to see you. Aren¡¯t you supposed to be at the office?¡± she frowned slightly. ¡°Is anything wrong?¡± she asked, getting a little bit worried.


    She¡¯d put her impersonal business face on the moment he looked up. It annoyed him that she was pushing him away, already distancing herself from the weekend they¡¯d shared. It should be him doing the pushing. He should have gotten her out of his system after making love to her more times than he could count. But he hadn¡¯t, which was why he found himself standing here, trying toe up with an excuse to see her again.


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong. My ns changed. I thought we could have lunch. If you¡¯re free, that is.¡± he said.


    She checked her watch, a quick, nervous motion that told him she was merely stalling-and trying to think of an excuse why she couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°I would very much like to have lunch with you, Red.¡± he said softly.


    Her forehead wrinkled in indecision. She nibbled at her bottom lip. He took advantage of that moment to move closer until he crowded her. Before she could take a step back, he grasped her arm.


    rm red in her eyes, and she broke the contact, stepping hastily away as she stared wildly in all directions.


    ¡°For God¡¯s sake, Julian, not here,¡± she hissed.


    Her hand trembled as she raised one to smooth her hair. Instead of repairing the knot, she only managed to work more strands free. They fell down her neck, calling attention to the slim column. He was reminded of all the time he¡¯d spent nibbling at that sweet flesh¡­. And now she was acting like¡­. He didn¡¯t want to think about that right now.


    He raised an eyebrow at her vehemence but kept his distance.


    ¡°Lunch?¡± he asked again.


    ¡°All right. Let me get my purse. I¡¯ll meet you downstairs.¡± She replied.


    Her dismissal rankled him. He was used to calling the shots when it came to women and rtionships. Hell, now he was thinking of her in terms of a rtionship? The only thing he should be thinking about was how quickly he could get her back into bed so that hopefully this time he¡¯d get rid of the burning ache he felt when she crossed his mind.


    Crossed. What a funny word, one that denoted an asional, unintentional meeting. She lived in his mind. She was never gone from it. He didn¡¯t like it, didn¡¯t particrly care for the implication, but he was powerless to rid himself of her assault on his senses.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    After getting over that huge crush on her in high school, he was right back where he was. Wanting her¡­ Needing her. Except this time it was worse, because now he knew what it felt like to have her in his arms¡­ And the thought of not having that anymore drove him crazy.


    He stared at her for a long moment, and only because he was convinced she was ready to bolt, did he acquiesce.


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll call my driver around. Oh, and Red. I don¡¯t like to be kept waiting.¡± he said.


    Nina spun around before she exploded. She wished she could me it all on her anger and his arrogance, but she¡¯d been bbergasted when Reba had rushed into her office to tell her that Julian Martin was here and he wanted to see her.


    The giddy thrill that sizzled down her spine annoyed her. And then his arrogant presumption that she¡¯d drop everything to have lunch with him. He didn¡¯t like to be kept waiting. Who the hell did he think he was? She wanted to punch him for messing with her system so much. Things weren¡¯t supposed to have gone this far between, but it had¡­ And now she couldn¡¯t get him out of her mind.


    She sighed as she collected her purse. Where to even begin? He was an important client. The most important client of her career. And then there was the fact she¡¯d acted as his fake fianc¨¦e, and oh yeah, she¡¯d slept with him. Repeatedly¡­. Oh God¡­ The memories.


    A hot blush shot up her neck and nearly burned her cheeks off as she remembered just how often they¡¯d had sex. They¡¯d re-enacted all his fantasies and some of hers, too.


    They¡¯d been insatiable.


    Hell and damnation but she¡¯d expected several days to recover from the weekend before she had to see him again. In her utter befuddlement and not to mention being blown over by the sex, she hadn¡¯t even mentioned the season opener to Julian. It was as good an excuse as any to apany him to lunch. At least then she could pretend it was all about business.


    After a quick wave to Reba, she rode the elevator down to the first floor. She passed the busy  cuisine restaurant with the lunch crowd lined up at the door and exited the building.


    Julian was standing at the curb, one hand resting on the open door to the backseat of his car, the other shoved into his pocket. He looked positively arrogant. Like he not only belonged in the world but owned it.


    He nodded as she approached and motioned her inside the car. Then he slid in beside her and shut the door.

 33

    ¡°I thought we could eat at this restaurant I know across town. It¡¯s small and not so well-known, but the food is excellent and it affords privacy¡­ That¡¯s what you would prefer right? Privacy?¡± he asked.


    He looked at her almost like thest was a challenge. She tilted her chin up and stared coolly at him. She hoped that she looked as unruffled as she wanted to portray.


    ¡°Is this business, Julian? What exactly are you doing? Why did youe to my office today?¡± she asked him.


    His mouth tightened briefly before he rxed and eyed her with thinly veiled amusement.


    ¡°Damn it, don¡¯t act like that. We slept together, Red. We had an amazing time together¡­ You can¡¯t deny that. I don¡¯t think lunch is that scandalous given that fact.¡± he replied. ¡°¡­ You can¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten everything we shared so fucking fast.¡±


    She curled her fingers into tight fists. She wanted to close her eyes and moan her dismay. No, she doubted he¡¯d understand why it was so important to her that there be no hint of impropriety between them. He was the type who¡¯d never let what others thought rule his life. She hated that evidently she was the type. Hated it but couldn¡¯t change it. And when she hade down here to start her life over, she hadn¡¯t wanted anyplications like this one.


    ¡°Julian.¡± she began.


    She stopped when her voice cracked. She felt like the worst sort of idiot. Around others she had no problem being blunt-and forceful when the asion called for it. But with Julian, she was ridiculously tongue tied.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Yes?¡± he prompted, his voice low and sexy.


    He wore a curious smile, almost as if he found her and the situation amusing. He knew exactly what he was doing to her. It made her angry¡­. Knowing that whatever he was doing was working.


    ¡°We can¡¯t do this. We simply can¡¯t. This weekend was a huge mistake. I don¡¯t want to be one of these women who say no, no, no, and then yes, yes, yes and then spend the next week castigating myself for my weakness. I shouldn¡¯t have slept with you. I swear, I left my brain behind when we went to that ind. I knew what I was getting into. Don¡¯t get me wrong. I don¡¯t me you or think you manipted me into having sex with you. I¡¯m a big girl and I knew full well what I was doing. It doesn¡¯t make me any less stupid, mind you¡­. I just¡­..¡±


    Julian said nothing but simply hauled her into his arms and stifled her tirade with a kiss. Not just any kiss. He devoured her whole. She melted-positively melted-in his arms. She went limp against him. Yep, she was one of those silly women at the mercy of her hormones.


    She ced both hands on his chest and shoved until they sat apart, both breathing raggedly. She probably looked demented sitting there, hair askew, chest heaving up and down as if she¡¯d run a marathon.


    ¡°Julian, Stop kissing me and listen!¡± she said.


    He smiled again, azy, sensual smile of a lion standing over its prey. She was lunch apparently.


    ¡°But I like kissing you and I try never to deny myself life¡¯s little pleasures.¡± he replied. ¡°Trust me, there was a time when I did that¡­ Not anymore. And you like kissing me too.. Don¡¯t deny it¡±


    She rolled her eyes then caught herself before sheughed and gave in.


    ¡°Dammit, Julian. Let¡¯s be serious for one minute. I mean it. Stop kissing me and stop touching me. This isn¡¯t a joking matter.¡± Nina said.


    He held his hands up in surrender. ¡°Okay, okay. I won¡¯t touch you¡­ At least for now. I can¡¯t promise to keep my hands off you for the whole evening though. I think that weekend together on the ind proved that.¡±


    She crossed her arms protectively over her chest and moved as far over in the seat as she could. She knew he was right. She couldn¡¯t keep her hands off him either. Why had she agreed to lunch with him? Why? Because you¡¯re a masochist and you can¡¯t resist him. There was that.


    She¡¯s always thought it was a myth. The out-of-control hormones that made an otherwise intelligent woman make waste of her brain cells every time she came into contact with ¡®the one¡¯ . She was certainly proving the waste of brain cells to be true.


    The rest of the journey was spent in brooding silence. Julian was silent and Wendy Nina. When they finally pulled up to a restaurant that boasted the best seafood on the west coast, she raised a skeptical eyebrow.


    ¡°Try it first and then tell me if you disagree,¡± Julian said in amusement.


    He was bing way too adept at reading her and it annoyed her to no end, especially since she had no idea what went on in his head. She was afraid to find out¡­. And was unwilling to admit that even to herself.


    When she stepped out and nced around, she had to hand it to him. For a man who didn¡¯t seemingly care if they were seen together or not and certainly didn¡¯t have the objections she had, he¡¯d chosen a restaurant where they weren¡¯t likely to be seen by anyone who knew them.


    Julian guided her into the rustic cedar building with its quasi-southern charm mixed with California d¨¦cor. It was an odd blend that, to her surprise, worked well.


    The two sat in the far corner where the lighting was so dim. A small kerosenentern sat in the middle of the table to offer ambience.


    ¡°I feel like I¡¯m on a first date,¡± she said ruefully after Julian had ordered the wine. And it had been a while since she had been on one, she thought.


    He smiled and waggled his eyebrows suggestively. ¡°Would it make me less of a jerk to be up front about the fact I n to have you in my bed tonight?¡±


    She sucked in her breath until she felt curiously lightheaded. She suspected of course, but to hear him say it outright was way sexier than it should have been¡­. Stupid stupid hormones. She had to stop reacting like this to him.


    ¡°I have to go back to work,¡± she murmured. ¡°I have things to do¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Of course. I didn¡¯t intend to spirit you away for an afternoon tryst, though the idea has merit. I wonder if your coworkers would call the police?¡±


    She red at him-determined not tough. But even her scowl twitched.


    Irreverent bastard.

 34

    The waiter appeared with food, and she blinked because she hadn¡¯t remembered ordering. She nced at the half-empty winess and couldn¡¯t for the life of her remember drinking so much as a sip. Julian was bad, bad for her brain. He was as bad as some wasting disease. She wouldn¡¯t survive, either.


    ¡°Julian,¡± she began again, and promptly shut up when it came out more as a intive wail than a protest.


    ¡°I¡¯ll send a car for you, Nina. No one needs to see you getting into a vehicle with me. I don¡¯t why you are so worried about that¡­ I¡¯m not. I¡¯ll have my driver pick you up from work, or if you prefer, you can drive your car to your apartment and I¡¯ll have him pick you up there. And I¡¯ll have him take you home in time for you to prepare for work. You don¡¯t even have toe to my house¡­. Not that I mind if you do¡±


    Why wasn¡¯t she immediately shutting him down? Instead of telling him that in no uncertain terms would she agree to such a thing, she found herself contemting how decadent it would be to dash off to an elicit rendezvous with her lover.


    She shivered at the word lover. Julian was a superb specimen of a man. He was fantastic in bed and insatiable to boot. He knew how to pleasure a woman and was as unselfish a lover as she¡¯d ever had. The mere idea of spending the night with him had her tied in so many knots it would take a team of massage therapists to work them out.


    She chewed absently at the food, not registering the taste or even what she ate.


    Her throat was as dry as the desert and her tongue was swollen and clumsy.


    ¡°You act as though it¡¯s a crime for us to make love,¡± he said in an oddly tender voice. ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you act like that¡­ What¡¯s so wrong if we want each other¡­ And you know you want me just as much as I want you. Why do we have to deny ourselves the pleasure of being together? What are you so worried about? It doesn¡¯t have to be soplicated. We are both adults and we know what we want¡±


    If it had been coaxing or wheedling, she could have been cold to him. But she could swear he was reassuring her and attempting to ay her fears. Trying to make her stop being nervous¡­ It worked¡­ well, To an extent.


    She licked her lips and raised her gaze to meet his. And immediately she knew she shouldn¡¯t have done that. Awareness hit her square in the chest. In his eyes she saw undting bodies. Hers and his. In perfect rhythm. So beautiful and so pleasurable that she closed her eyes to further immerse herself in the memory.


    ¡°Say yes, Red, ¡± he said softly. ¡°Say you wille be with me tonight¡­ You know you want to¡±


    His voice stroked her as surely as his fingers had done. A prickle of goose bumps spread rapidly over her shoulders and down her chest until her nipples tightened into two painful knots.


    ¡°Nina,¡± he prompted when she said nothing.


    Finally she opened her eyes and fixed him with her unfocused gaze.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she whispered. ¡°I wille¡±


    Julian grinned at her. ¡°Thank you¡± he said.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    Nina entered her office with a heightened sense of anticipation. She already knew she¡¯d be clock watching until it was quitting time and then she¡¯d race home so she could change and look her best for her naughty escape to Julian¡¯s.


    Her mouth curved into a naughty smile to match the naughtiness of her and Julian¡¯s n. It was wicked, forbidden, and she was so turned on that she was ready to fidget right out of her shoes.


    With a sigh, she sank into her chair behind her desk, kicked off her shoes and logged onto catch up on email. She hadn¡¯t nned to go out for lunch at all and had, in fact, brought food from home, nning to eat at her desk. After missing Friday, she¡¯d spent the morning getting a report from Mason on her client meetings he covered and then she¡¯d gone through messages.


    She groaned as her in-box stacked up with email after email. She started at the bottom and worked up, deleting several after cursory nces. Those requiring a lengthy response she gged to respond toter and the ones she could just do a one-line response to she typed furiously and sent on their way.


    She was nearly to the end when her gaze flickered over the name Elizabeth Martin. She did a double take. Julian¡¯s mom? Why would she e-mail and how had she gotten her email address?


    Her stomach fluttered a bit, and guilt crept over her all over again. Elizabeth was nice. She had always been nice and Nina hated lying to her. She hated lying as a rule for any reason but especially not for such a frivolous endeavor. This was one of the reasons why continuing this rtionship¡­ Or whatever this was with Julian¡­ Was a bad idea.


    She braced herself and clicked on the message. It began as cheerfully as Elizabeth herself was in person. She said again how thrilled she was that Julian and Nina had found each other. Talk about another shot to the gut. She expressed her desire to see Nina again and hoped Julian would bring her for a visit sometime.


    Could this get any worse?Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Her message ended with a short note that she¡¯d attached some pictures from the wedding that she thought Nina would enjoy.


    Nina opened the attached pictures and couldn¡¯t help but smile. The pictures were of her and Julian at the wedding reception. They looked happy and¡­.. in love.


    There was one of them dancing, another of Julian looking down with a tender expression and thest was when Julian had kissed her. Nina¡¯s hand rested on his chest and the glitter of the ring contrasted with the ck of Julian¡¯s tuxedo. Their mouths were fused together, and it was obvious to anyone looking at the picture that they were in danger ofbusting right there in the middle of a crowded reception.


    For several minutes, she debated whether or not to reply to Elizabeth¡¯s e-mail. It seemed rude not to, and thest thing she wanted to do was to be rude to such a nice and wonderful woman, but it was also a terrible thing to prolong the charade.

 35

    Finally, she settled for a brief thank you and that she¡¯d enjoyed spending time with Elizabeth, as well. It was true and didn¡¯t delve into any part of her nonexistent rtionship with Julian. Stealing over to the man¡¯s hotel room after work hours certainly couldn¡¯t be considered a rtionship.


    Her inte beeped, startling her from her thoughts that she almost jumped.


    ¡°Nina, I have a cleaning service willing to take over Tony Parker¡¯s house.¡±


    ¡°Brave,¡± Nina muttered to herself.


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Do you have details on when they¡¯ll start? Can you email me that and the agency name and contact info so I can forward it?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    There was a distinct pause and then Reba¡¯s hesitant voice filtered through the inte.


    ¡°Sooo, are you going to give me the dirt on Tony Parker? Like how you know him and why you¡¯re arranging his maid service?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Nina said shortly.


    She punched the button to end the conversation and hoped Reba would get the hint. True, Reba liked to gossip but she wasn¡¯t overly intrusive. She backed off when people wanted her to.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    She checked her email and then forwarded the information to Tony. After closing her email program, she stared at her phone and sighed. Tony was a disaster when it came to emails. The man just didn¡¯t care about advanced methods ofmunication. If it couldn¡¯t be said on the phone or in person, he wasn¡¯t much interested. It drove his agent nuts. Rupert Buffay much preferred the impersonal methods of e-mail and text messages to actual conversations, but if he wanted to talk to Tony, he had to pick up the phone. Nina was convinced Tony did it just to torque his agent¡¯s jaw.


    At any rate, she¡¯d better call and leave a message on Tony¡¯s phone or God knows what the cleaningdy woulde across when she went to his house.


    She¡¯d hit the end button after leaving him a nagging, sisterly, friendly message when it hit her square in the face that she had neglected to mention the game to Julian .


    How could she be so stupid? With everything else that had gone on in the weekend, the game had slipped her mind¡­ Which was the one thing that shouldn¡¯t have slipped her mind. Even when she¡¯d done the pitch and specifically dangled the Tony carrot in front of Julian¡¯s nose, she¡¯d ked on the season opener.


    He was probably already booked solid, if he was even going to be in town. The game was the night before her scheduled pitch session and he¡¯d probably just fly in on the morning of their meeting.


    ¡°Stupid, stupid, stupid,¡± she muttered.


    Would it be crass to mention it tonight? During their little sex getaway? If she wanted to get him in front of Tony in a casual setting, then she was going to have to move fast and hope he hadn¡¯t locked up his week already with other obligations.


    She looked up when a knock sounded at her door. Evan Banks stood against the door frame, a smile easing the newly developed lines at his eyes and mouth.


    ¡°Hey, we wanted to get together at Rosa after work today. You¡¯re the star and we want to toast with copious amounts of alcohol. It will be a good pep rally for the presentation on Friday.¡± he said.


    Her stomach rolled into a tight ball. Thest thing she wanted was a raucous night at Rosa with the work gang. Usually she¡¯d be all over it. The Standard Gate employees regrly hung out at the upscale martini bar just a block away. It¡¯s where they met to celebrate,miserate or just take a break from a hellish workday.


    Thest celebration they¡¯d staged there had been for Mason after he¡¯dnded the Prentice ount. Now Evan was lining up the chorus for her.


    Her cheeks tightened in pleasure even as her heart sank at the idea of ditching Julian after agreeing to meet him. He¡¯d think her the worst sort of coward even if it was the smart thing to do.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to, Evan, but I already have ns for the evening. Important ns,¡± she added after a pause. ¡°Besides, I¡¯d rather not jinx myself before going into the presentation. It¡¯s not in the bag-yet-but I certainly n to perform a m dunk on Friday.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Yeah, I understand. We¡¯ll go and just call it a pre-nning session. It¡¯s as good an excuse as any to throw back a few. But if yound this, just be prepared for a victory celebration to end all victory celebrations.¡± he said.


    She grinned. ¡°Oh, you know it. I can¡¯t wait. I¡¯ll totally hold you to it.¡± She replied.


    ¡°Okay, take care and see you tomorrow.¡± He turned to go but stopped and turned back once more. ¡°Oh, and, Nina, if I haven¡¯t already said it, thank you. You did a magnificent job. I doubted your approach at first, especially as you were kinda new here, but you came through in spades.¡±


    Her heart sped up and she curled her fingers until her nails dug into her palms. It was all she could do not to stand up and throw her arms in the airplete with an obnoxious yell.


    ¡°Thank you for your trust,¡± she said as calmly as possible.


    With a short salute, he disappeared down the hallway, leaving Nina grinning like a loon. She had done it. She was making progress at her job. This was a new thing, a big deal for her.


    Promptly at a quarter to five, Nina headed down the elevator-fifteen minutes before quitting time so she¡¯d miss the majority of her coworkers. She didn¡¯t want to exin why she wasn¡¯t joining them at Rosa. God, she hated this, running around and hiding. But she knew she wanted to be with Julian¡­? For just tonight.


    Her apartment wasn¡¯t far, and usually she¡¯d enjoy driving her Beamer with the top down-it really was a sassy, smooth handling dream machine-but today she was just impatient to be home, and the traffic was driving her mad.


    When she reached her apartment, she recognized the car out front and the driver standing on the curb beside it. With a groan, she slowed to a stop on the street and rolled down her window.


    ¡°I¡¯ll only be a moment,¡± she called.


    The driver smiled, tipped his hat and said,


    ¡°No hurry, Miss Taylor. Take your time.¡±

 36

    She maneuvered into her parking spot and dashed inside, ready to do battle. Abby wasn¡¯t home. Thank God. She wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to exin this to Abby.. At least not yet.


    She hadn¡¯t missed Julian¡¯s reaction to her sexy, feminine lingerie. It was her one indulgence or what she deemed a silly indulgence since her sex life was so staid in thest few years that no one but her had a prayer of ever seeing what her underwear looked like.


    Hopping on one foot as she stepped out of her clothing, she went over to her drawer to find the most sinful set of lingerie she owned. She settled on pink. What was more feminine or soft looking than pink? Even growing up with  boys hadn¡¯t erased the girly from her. And since she was a redhead, wearing pink clothing wasn¡¯t an option. But pink underwear she could do.


    Unsure of whether she¡¯d return to her apartment before going to work the next day-and she did like to be prepared for anything-she threw an outfit into an overnight bag along with her toiletries and avender bra and panties.


    She did a quick check of her messages and then did something she never did. She turned off her phone and tucked it into her overnight bag. Tonight was hers. She needed no reminders from the business world. If she was going to indulge in fantasy, she was going whole hog.


    As she hurried out of her room, Abby came into the apartment, carrying a bag of groceries. Nina stopped walking when she saw Abby.


    ¡°Urhmmm, hey¡± she said.


    ¡°Hey Nina,¡± Abby replied. ¡°Are you going back to work? Didn¡¯t you just get here?¡±


    Nina nodded. ¡°Yeah I just got back¡± she replied, ¡°But I¡¯m heading out again¡±


    Abby nodded and dropped the bag she was carrying. Her eyes took Nina¡¯s outfit in, thennded on the bag she was carrying.


    ¡°I take it you won¡¯t be returning tonight. Judging by that bag you¡¯re carrying¡± she said.


    Nina nodded. ¡°Yeah, something like that,¡± she replied. Abby already knew about what happened between her and Julian at the ind, and yet she didn¡¯t understand why she was feeling weird about it right now.


    Abby¡¯s eyes narrowed, and then she gave Nina a knowing smile. ¡°You are spending the night with a guy, aren¡¯t you?¡± she asked, grinning.


    Nina gasped. ¡°Now why would you just assume that?¡± she asked. ¡°I mean there could be a million reasons why I could be carrying this bag, and your mind just goes straight to that? Tell me, what¡¯s it like inside your head? I¡¯m genuinely curious¡± she said. ¡°It must be a very messed up ce¡±


    Abby hissed and folded her arms. ¡°First of all, I know you. And I know that look on your face¡­ It¡¯s the look people have on their face before they do the walk of shame¡±


    ¡°The walk of shame?¡± Nina repeated, smiling at her friend. ¡°What the hell does that even mean?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The walk of shame¡± Abby repeated. ¡°And I won¡¯t be exining so if you don¡¯t want what the walk of shame is, that¡¯s on you. You looked like you were sneaking out of the apartment and you jerked in surprise when you saw me. Now why would you be surprised to see me? I live here¡­ That¡¯s all I needed to know what was happening¡­ And it¡¯s you, you don¡¯t do stuff like this often and I can see through you. Trust me. I know these things.¡±


    ¡°Of course you do,¡± Nina said sarcastically.


    ¡°So who¡¯s the lucky guy?¡± Abby asked, and then when Nina hesitated, she added, ¡°You¡¯re already seeing someone else? I thought you liked my brother,¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ no¡­. I mean¡­. I do¡­ but¡­¡± Nina stammered.


    ¡°So why are you going out with another guy? My brother isn¡¯t good enough for you? You know he likes you, right? Why don¡¯t you want to give him a chance?¡±


    Nina remained quiet. She stared wide eyed at Abby before Abby finally realized what was going on.


    ¡°Ohhh¡­ it¡¯s my brother isn¡¯t it? That sneaky bastard. You¡¯re going to see my brother¡±


    Nina smiled a little and nodded. ¡°I was too embarrassed to say anything. This isn¡¯t weird for you, is it? I mean¡­. Me and your brother¡­..¡±


    ¡°Oh no it¡¯s not. Actually, I think it¡¯s good for both of you. If he¡¯s going to be with someone, I¡¯m happy it¡¯s you. Besides, I thought you guys weren¡¯t together¡­ that¡¯s why I assumed you were going with someone else¡­ Or has something changed?¡±


    Nina shook her head. ¡°No. Nothing has changed¡­ I mean, we are not together¡­ We¡¯re just¡­.¡±


    ¡°Ohhhhh¡­ I understand¡± Abby said, interrupting Nina and nodding her head.


    ¡°What exactly do you understand?¡± Nina asked.


    ¡°You guys are having bonus night?¡±


    Nina frowned. ¡°What?¡± she asked. ¡°How the hell do youe up with this weird phrases you use?¡±


    ¡°Oh you know¡­ Bonus night¡± Abby repeated.


    ¡°No¡­ I don¡¯t know what that is¡±


    ¡°You know when two people who have been dating each other or sleeping together break up¡­. And then they decide to get together for just one night of passion¡­..¡± She dragged the word ¡®passion¡¯ ridiculously and then she stared at Nina, like she was supposed to be used to the term. ¡°¡­.. Bonus night¡± she said again.


    Nina couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°You know someday, you are going to tell me how youe up with these ridiculous terms,¡± she said.


    ¡°Everyone knows them. You¡¯re just very old fashioned. You don¡¯t go out¡­ Maybe this is a good thing for you actually¡± Abby replied.


    ¡°You know what, I don¡¯t have time for this. See youter¡±


    ¡°Yeah, have fun,¡± Abby said. ¡°And tell Julian I¡¯m going to kill him when I see him¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be very scared¡± Nina replied as she headed out.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    She left the apartment and hurried out her door to the street where the driver waited. He ushered her into the backseat and they drove away into traffic.


    It amused her how exciting she found the whole experience. She could be a mistress at the beck and call of her ¨¹ber-wealthy benefactor, discreetly bundled into a private car and rushed to meet him at an undisclosed location. This was weird, wrong and exciting at the same time.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Get it together, Nina ,¡± she muttered to herself.


    Lord, but she did lose all her brain cells when it came to this man. If she wasn¡¯t careful, she¡¯d throw away all her independence and start greeting him at the door every evening, wearing a kitchen apron with oven mitts and a piping-hot casserole dish. Oddly but the image wasn¡¯t all that distasteful. For the first few seconds anyway.


    Sheughed outright and it had the effect of someone popping her thought bubble with a sharp pin. The kinda things Julian made her think about were so funny and weird.


    The driver looked up in the rearview mirror, and she valiantly tried to look back with a straight face. If he only knew the absurd thoughts she was processing.


    If she was truly the naughty girl of her fantasies, she would have ridden over with only a trench coat covering her sexy lingerie. Then when she walked into Julian¡¯s room, she could discard the coat and watch his reaction.


    The idea certainly had merit, and if she ever received another invitation such as tonight, she¡¯d give it serious consideration. Or not, she reminded herself.

 37

    After tonight, she had to put an end to this thing with Julian, before it got out of hand and the rumors started flying around¡­ Or worse¡­. someone got hurt. And she was one Hundred percent cure that hurt someone was going to be her.


    Just one more night of passion with Julian, and she¡¯d end it all. Things might not be exactly the same between them after this, but they¡¯d get over it. She was sure of that. It¡¯s not like they were in love with each other or something like that. Like Julian had said, they were adults, they could handle this.


    A few minutester, the driver pulled up to the sumptuous hotel Julian had booked for the both of them that night, bypassed the main entrance and stopped at the second pull in where her door was immediately opened by one of the hotel staff.


    Maybe Julian had his own entrance. The thought amused her, but then he had so much money, it wouldn¡¯t surprise her. She was immediately met by the concierge and was handed a keycard.


    ¡°Mr.. Martin wishes for you to go right up,¡± the older man said to her.


    She blushed from head to toe. She knew well what it looked like. Like she was some hooker or mistress-precisely what she¡¯d imagined on her way over-all set to have a ndestine meeting. She tried to push the thought out of her mind. She was here already. No need to go back now. Better to just get this over with.


    She took the key card, murmured her thanks, and shot past the doorman and into the small hallway leading directly to the elevators. Thankfully she bypassed the lobby entirely. It seemed like everyone in the world knew what she was here for.


    In the elevator, she inserted her key and punched the button for the top floor. She was whisked to the top in no time at all and stepped into the eerily quiet hallway. There were only a few doors. The rooms must be huge because she only counted four doors total. Julian¡¯s door was on the very end, and she took a deep breath before inserting the key into the slot.


    When she opened the door and stepped inside, she immediately saw Julian standing across the room, drink in hand, the other in his pocket, his eyes fixed on her. He¡¯d been waiting. She could sense his impatience and see the triumph in his expression when she closed the door behind her.


    But he stood there, unmoving, as he put his drink aside and smiled at her. The need in his gaze reached out to her, stroked her desire and sent a hum of want crashing through her.


    ¡°You came,¡± he murmured. ¡°I was beginning to worry¡±


    ¡°I told you I woulde?¡± she said when she was finally able to draw a breath, but she didn¡¯t move either.


    ¡°I know you did,¡± he replied. ¡°But you made it clear to me how you felt about us doing¡­ This. You have doubts and concerns¡­ And I was beginning to think that you would give in to those doubts and decide not to show up¡±


    She shook her head, afraid this easy mood would be broken. ¡°I can¡¯t say that the thought didn¡¯t cross my mind,¡± she said.


    ¡°But you still came. Why?¡± he asked.


    Nina had a feeling he already knew the answer to that question, but he just wanted to hear her say it, and she wouldn¡¯t disappoint him. So she said, ¡°Because I need you tonight.¡±


    ¡°And I need you, Red,¡± he said, smiling at her. ¡°And you have no idea just how much.¡±


    Nina walked up to him then, noting the catch in his breath, the ring of his nostrils, the darkening tinge on his cheeks. She removed her scarf and looped it around his neck and gave it a tug, and passion exploded in his dark eyes.


    ¡°Show me how much,¡± she said, giving the scarf a hard tug.


    His eyes glittered, and his throat worked up and down as if he was trying to hold on to his control.


    Julian set his teeth. It was damned near impossible to resist her when her eyes were zing with desire. And why should he when this was exactly what he wanted? This was where he wanted to be.. Where he wanted her to be.


    With an erotic growl, his mouth swooped down on hers. The kiss was a consuming fire, but Nina weed the heat, for she could taste his passion, feel his need pulse in his muscles and vibrate into her on a dulcet sigh.


    She raked her fingernails down his back and held on tight as he backed her up against the wall. He let out a primal hiss, his pelvis grinding against hers. His tongue plundered, retreated and staked im to her mouth again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want this to end,¡± she said, her fingers making short work of freeing his gorgeous length from his trousers, wanting him in her, desperate to hold on to him any way she could, for something had shifted in their rtionship yet again, something that threatened to pull him from her¡­ And she knew she had to let him go. Only that she didn¡¯t want to.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to,¡± he said, his voice gruff with hope.


    Had he finally seeded in reaching her?


    The thought of returning to his house knowing that she wasn¡¯t going to be in his life this way sickened him. He was so damned tired of being without her. He selfishly yearned for her in his arms and his life. This was what he had wanted since they were in high school¡­ And he couldn¡¯t imagine not having it now. Not after all this. Not after knowing how amazing being with her felt.


    She imed she felt the same, that she didn¡¯t want it to end, yet for all her protestations she was still cing her fears and concerns first. She was still pushing her away.


    The thought went up in mes as she scraped her hands over his chest, and he marveled that he didn¡¯t see sparks crackling in the dim light of the room. He was on fire for her, consumed with need.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Their lovemaking this time was not in the least bit tame. Nina tore at his clothes as he filled his hands with her breasts. He pulled the cups down and tweaked her nipples into tight points while she kissed him. Then he slipped a finger beneath thece of her panty and began stroking her in that most sensitive of ces. Nina shuddered and ground her hips against him.

 38

    But as much as she wanted to let him bring her to fulfillment, she wanted to take care of him first.


    She shoved his shirt off his shoulders, then started to unbutton his pants. The instant she¡¯d unzipped him, she slipped down his body and took him in her mouth.


    ¡°Red,¡± he gasped as she swirled her tongue around his hot shaft. She loved the size of him, the feel, the way he bucked against her tongue. It turned her on to know she was doing this to him, that he was fisting his hands in her hair and groaning because of the way she made him feel.


    But before she could bring him topletion, he pushed her away.


    ¡°Inside you,¡± he said, lifting her.


    He shoved her gown to her waist with one hand and snapped the thin strap of her thong with the other, the near-violent action more tititing than she could have imagined.


    She kicked what remained of her panties free in a desperate rush to get rid of the encumbrance. He growled his approval and lifted her by her waist, holding her against the wall for a heartbeat before he brought her down on his thick hot length.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Sparks of passion rocketed through her.


    She cried out and wrapped her legs around his lean hips, clutching him tightly to her, her face buried against his neck as that first wave of sensations tore through her. Her head spun from the sheer power of him inside her, making them one again. Her heart thudded strong and she wished this would go on forever.


    He hissed out a breath and shuttered, going still as if he, too, had nearly passed out from this explosive joining, as if savoring every quiver of flesh against flesh, every slick sweet glide within. As if he were afraid to move for fear it would shatter to pieces.


    She clung to him, focused on his pulse pounding through her in an erotic beat that made her heart sing. Her muscles stretched to amodate his length before instinctively tightening around him to milk him-draw out all he could give her. Hold him tight, as if by doing so she¡¯d never lose this moment. Never lose him.


    ¡°Oh Red¡± he said, pulling nearly out of her before mming back in where he belonged. His mouth came down on hers, the kiss as greedy as the need gnawing away inside her.


    She threaded her fingers through his thick hair and ground her mouth against his even as her pelvis moved against him, matching his thrusts, his passion. She kissed him deeply, leaving no doubt in his mind that he was her only lover. That she belonged to him.


    They broke apart on a gasp, desperate to draw air into lungs that burned. Her skin was on fire now, the ze within her so hot and fierce that she was certain this time the heat would consume them.


    He tossed his head back, his features cast in bold relief, an erotic deitye to life, the emotions stark and clear. Passion. Pain. Possession.


    He controlled the moment. Controlled her with an iron will that left her panting for more, that left her at his mercy. She couldn¡¯t have continued her sensual assault a moment longer. Raw passion crashed through her with the force of a tidal wave, sweeping her away on a wave of bliss.


    Every inch of her was ultra sensitized, from the aching tips of her breasts that drilled into his chest to her heart that pounded in time to his -hard, fast. Wanting more. Wanting all he could give her. Wanting to hold this moment forever.


    She lifted her head and stared into eyes that smoldered with ck mes of passion, so intense she trembled as the carnal fire licked through her veins. She burned deep inside, forever branded by his passion, her skin so sensitized that the slight abrasion of his fingers stroking her quivering body was sweet torture.


    They had made love every way imaginable, but never with this explosive passion. Never this intense and consuming. Never so powerful that she actually thought if she died now, she would die blissfully happy.


    Her trembling hands stroked down his powerful back that quivered at her touch. She pinched her eyes shut, imbedding this joining on her memory, for surely she wanted this moment tost forever, to hold him in her arms, in her body, until the end of time.


    For when they were locked this way, the world faded into oblivion. She focused on him moving on her, in her. They were one, their breaths mingling, their hearts pounding in tandem to a sensual melody only they could hear.


    The pressure inside her was cataclysmic, propelling her into the stratosphere. She gasped and reached toward that crystalline brilliance ofpletion just out of her reach. A ce where she could only feel and not think. A nirvana where she simplyy sated in exquisite splendor.


    With Julian.


    If he wasn¡¯t with her, she couldn¡¯t go.


    She held him tighter, determined to take him with her into her glorious climax. But that was ripped from her as her body splintered with sensation, trembling, tossing her up among the stars.


    She screamed his name and reached for him, their entwined fingers her lifeline that surged with a maelstrom of passion. But that, too, grew dim, a ghost image that was beautiful to see, a memory that was seared on her soul.


    She was dimly aware of his body straining against her own, her body pressed against the cool wall. Of his final thrust as he reached his climax with a hoarse shout that made her smile, for she¡¯d given him all she had to offer.


    It was muchter that her brain began to function, when the ruckus from the beach and the clubs became an intrusion on this special moment. She restedx in the cradle of his embrace, the wall cold and unyielding against her spine, his body hot and hard against her own. Her arms hung at her sides, her hands free. Her only remaining connection to him now was that he was still buried deeply inside her. But that, too, ended as he slowly eased out of her.

 39

    ¡°That was incredible,¡± she said, pressing a kiss against his damp chest and smiling as his skin puckered against her lips.


    ¡°You are incredible,¡± he said, his hands curling over her bare bottom and simply holding her close.


    She glided her palms up his arms to his damp shoulders, lifting her head from where she¡¯d pillowed it on his chest to look at his face. ¡°So are you¡± she said.


    ¡°If I am, it is only because of you.¡± he said.


    She took a relieved breath and pressed her mouth to his, grazing his lips once, twice. They couldn¡¯t continue this. She knew that. But they had tonight, and she was going to enjoy every moment of it. ¡°Then let¡¯s make the best of tonight.¡± She replied.


    His big body tensed a fraction, and for a heartbeat she feared he¡¯d refuse. What would she do then?


    ¡°You know what I want, Nina,¡± he said. ¡°I don¡¯t want it to be just tonight¡±


    She took a breath. Then another. But in the end she couldn¡¯t lie.


    ¡°I know, but I fear I might not be able to give you that, Julian.¡±


    Julian swore under his breath. There was no joy in knowing nothing had changed. In knowing that Nina did not trust him enough to help her ovee her fears. Why the hell was she so concerned with what people thought? He was torturing himself by making love with her, knowing she¡¯d go her way in the morning, in control of her life, but alone.


    His mouth closed over hers, not with brutal passion or driving lust but a gentle kiss that made his soul sing even as his heart clenched over at his failure to make this thing with her work. At his failure to make her see the future they could have together, if only she would trust him and let him in.


    He selfishly wanted more memories of her to hold long afterward even though that would be a torment to his soul as well. He wanted this night. Wanted all she could give him, as little as that was.


    Regrets and guilt could torment him tomorrow. Tonight was theirs. He tore his mouth from hers and she mewled a protest, pressing her mouth to his throat instead, nipping,ving, moving down his chest to suckle his skin.


    Desire bolted through him like lightning. His sex jolted and snapped taut.


    ¡°You are insatiable,¡± he said thickly, giving her bare bottom a squeeze that brought her body pressing tightly against him again.


    Such exquisite torment!


    ¡°But you like me that way,¡± she said, her voice a throaty purr.


    It was true. He liked that she wasn¡¯t shy in bed with him. That she knew what pleased him, what made their pleasure all the more memorable.


    But Nina wasn¡¯t ready. She may never be. He had to give her space, maybe let her go forever. Julian tightened his hold on her and strode into the bedroom, his mind too fogged with passion to think logically now.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    He longed to lie beside her, cover her, have her straddle him. He¡¯d adore her with his hands and lips and tongue until they could no longer move. Until they were sated in body and spirit.


    ¡°You will be exhausted in the morning,¡± he promised as he stretched out beside her on the bed.


    ¡°As will you.¡± Nina replied.


    He smiled at that, for she was right. But he craved that sweet exhaustion. He wanted to leave knowing he¡¯d given her all the pleasure that he could. He wanted her to wake in the morning and miss him being beside her. He wanted her to want what he wanted. He syed a hand on her t belly and smiled as her silken skin quivered beneath his palm, the flesh warm. Smooth. Perfection.


    ¡°Make love with me,¡± she said, reaching for him.


    ¡°With pleasure.¡±


    His fingers brushed through the carefully trimmed hair at the apex of her thighs and she shifted, lifting her hips in silent invitation. His lips captured hers in a kiss thatmanded and teased in turn. He bit her full lower lip, thenved the swollen flesh even as his fingers toyed with the plump folds between her thighs.


    ¡°Please,¡± she said, digging her fingernails into his sides to bring him closer, setting his skin on fire with her passion. ¡°Hurry.¡±


    But he was in no rush to see these hours with her slip away. He¡¯d pleasure her with care. He¡¯d savor every second she remained in his arms tonight.


    ¡°Beautiful,¡± he whispered as he trailed kisses down her neck, taking love bites that made her quiver and send a fresh rush of blood to his already engorged sex. ¡°You were made for loving. You were made for me. I want you to know that¡±


    He speared one finger into her hot tight core, groaning that she was as tight and sweet as a virgin still. Sweat popped out on his brow and slicked his back. Blood roared in his ears. He thrust another finger into her while his thumb found her pleasure point, rubbing hard and fast.


    She bucked and cried out, her plea captured in his mouth, branded on his soul.


    He would make thisst night special for her. For him.


    He set a fast tempo, drawing the moment out. His thumb found her pleasure spot and rubbed insistently as his lips captured one tight nipple and suckled hard. Heved each ripe breast until both tightened. His hand rode her hard toward an explosive climax.


    He rocked back and watched her, his heart hammering so hard with need he could barely draw a breath, thinking he¡¯d never seen anything as beautiful as Wendy lost in passion. Reaching for her climax,ing undone at his touch. She was free now. Her features open. Natural. More passionate than any professional still shot could convey.


    His.


    Before thest tremors left her, he settled between her lithe thighs and thrust into her quivering heat with a husky shout ofpletion. She clutched him to her with her arms, her core muscles, her beautiful eyes gleaming like cut ambers.


    Sweet, sweet oblivion called to him, yet he moved with slow deliberation, drawing this moment out,mitting this to memory. Her nails raked down his back creating rivers of fire. Her long lean legs wrapped around his hips, holding him close, demanding his all.

 40

    He gritted his teeth, pumping into her, fingers twined now, eyes locked on each other. ¡°Remember this,¡± he charged, driving into her hard, fast, pushing her into the stars that surely glittered just for her. ¡°I want you to remember tonight¡±


    ¡°Always,¡± she said, her voice no more than a breath.


    Then she was lost, her body trembling as her climax overcame her. He sank into her once more and let himself go, lost in the flickering carnival lights of passion with her.


    She kissed him again then scooted off to the bathroom. When she returned, he was propped on one hand, watching her intently.


    His naked body was a gorgeous sight. Even in a rxed state, his proportions were generous to say the least.


    ¡°If you keep looking at me like that, it¡¯s not going to stay down,¡± he growled.


    ¡°Are you sure you want to go again?¡± she asked in mock horror.


    He reached over, grabbed her arm and yanked her back down beside him. ¡°Give me a few minutes and we will see¡± he said..


    She snorted withughter and he tweaked her nose then followed up with a kiss. She cuddled deeper into his embrace. This minute she¡¯d love to bare her soul to him, learn all his secrets, tell him all hers. Tell him how much she loved¡­..


    She froze. For a moment she simply couldn¡¯t breathe. It wasn¡¯t as if she¡¯d just fallen in love with the man. No, it had probably beening for a while now. But she hadn¡¯t admitted it to herself. Hadn¡¯t even thought it much less said it aloud. Actually she hadn¡¯t wanted to think about it.


    Yeah, it was there in the background just waiting for the time when she let it slip in. She¡¯d been so good-or so she thought-about keeping her emotional distance.


    She loved this man. Her heart seized. It was a painful admission. Wasn¡¯t figuring out you were in love supposed to be apanied by fireworks, a fanfare, a giddy thrill?


    Wasn¡¯t it supposed to be the most wonderful thing in the world? Why then did she have the sudden urge to run to the bathroom and throw up?


    ¡°Wanna get something to eat? We have options,¡± Julian said.


    She blinked and focused her attention back on the here and now and the fact she was in bed after hot, sweaty sex with the man she¡­.. loved. It was all she could do not to groan.


    ¡°What options?¡± she asked huskily.


    ¡°I can feed you. I can make mad, passionate love to you again. Or we can take a short nap and then do either option one or two. Or both. See? I¡¯m easy.¡± he said grinning at her.


    She smiled and squeezed him. She did love him. It scared her to death just how much she loved him, and now that she¡¯d admitted it, she was flooded by so much emotion. It was all she could do not to blurt it out like some teenage girl with her first crush. Did this sudden admission of her love for him change anything between them?


    ¡°Am I staying over?¡± she asked. She hadn¡¯t wanted to assume, but she needed to know before she started choosing options.


    He leaned up and cradled her so he looked down at her. ¡°Of course. That is, if you want to. If you didn¡¯t bring clothes to go to work in, I can have my driver take you home.¡±


    She swallowed. ¡°I did bring clothes. But if he takes me to work, I¡¯m without a car. It would probably be best if he did take me home early enough for me to get my car.


    I can dress here.¡± She said,


    He looked for a moment like he¡¯d say something but then evidently he thought better of it and didn¡¯t push. She wondered what he¡¯d wanted to say, but like him, she didn¡¯t push.


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll make sure we get an early enough wake-up call for you to shower and get ready here before he takes you home to get your car.¡± he said.


    Unable to resist, she kissed him. It wasn¡¯t a yful little peck this time, but a warm, deep kiss that showed without words the depth of her feelings. When she finally drew away, his eyes were zed with passion, but there was also contentment that she didn¡¯t want to specte about.


    ¡°In that case, I vote we go with eat, mad passionate love and then sleep,¡± she murmured.


    ¡°Sold,¡± he agreed.


    A half hourter, they sat cross-legged on the bed, devouring the room service Julian had ordered. She was swallowed up by one of his robes, and he was wearing a pair of boxer shorts.


    She ate indelicately, with her fingers, foregoing the utensils. It was finger food anyway, and it was too scrumptious to be all highbrow about eating it.


    They were nearly done when it hit her that she still hadn¡¯t broached the subject of the baseball game. Where before she¡¯d felt a little awkward about bringing it up during what was obviously an illicit rendezvous, here with Julian, she waspletely at ease.


    ¡°Tell me your ns for the rest of the week. Are you gonna be traveling.. Or are you going to be around until our presentation on Friday?¡± she asked.


    He cocked his head and studied her intently. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I might be traveling. But that depends, I suppose.¡± he replied.


    ¡°On what?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°On whether I have a reason to stay around.¡± he said simply..


    Her cheeks warmed. His meaning couldn¡¯t have been more clear. Her mouth suddenly went dry and she gulped a mouthful of water.


    ¡°I meant to invite you to the Tide season opener. I have tickets. Good tickets. Are you interested?¡± she asked.


    He looked a little surprised, and for a moment she wondered if she¡¯d overstepped her boundaries. But then he smiled. A genuine, warm smile that told her he was pleased with her invitation.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to go. It¡¯s Thursday night, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°I could pick you up and drive us over.¡±


    His eyes gleamed, and for a moment she could swear he looked victorious. Over what, she hadn¡¯t a clue.


    ¡°Just tell me what time, and I¡¯ll be waiting with bells on,¡± he said.


    ¡°It starts at seven, so I¡¯ll be here around five-thirty.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it already,¡± he said.

 41

    She rxed. Things were shaping up perfectly. She¡¯d take him to the game and introduce him to Tony afterward. Then she¡¯d wow him the next morning with a kick-ass presentation. The deal was hers. In the bag. She couldn¡¯t contemte any other oue.


    Creative Edge and others might being on strong, but they didn¡¯t have Tony Parker, and they damn sure didn¡¯t have her ideas. Ideas she knew were perfect for Julian and hispany.


    This was hers.


    Julian reached out to wipe a smudge from the corner of her mouth. She nced down to see his food gone and most of hers, as well. And the way he was looking at her, she had a good idea what was for dessert.


    ¡°Give me two seconds to clear this away and roll the cart out into the hall and we¡¯ll get on with option two, although I¡¯m thinking that option three should be significantly dyed.¡± he said.


    She raised an eyebrow and her heart started tripping double time.


    ¡°Oh? How dyed?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Very dyed,¡± he said silkily. ¡°I¡¯m thinking option two could be divided into options three, four, five¡­..¡±


    In response, she untied her robe and tugged it away until she sat naked on the bed.


    Julian grinned at her.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    Nina pulled into one of the reserved parking spaces at the stadium and cut the engine. She and her brother Victor hade here many times to watch his friend, Tony Parker. She nced over at Julian. ¡°Ready?¡± she asked.


    He looked out the windshield at the proximity of their space and the stadium entrance and whistled in appreciation.


    ¡°These must be some tickets you have,¡± he said.


    She smiled. ¡°I told you they¡¯re good.¡±


    They got out and Nina led the way. Normally she would have gone in through the yers¡¯ entrance, but she didn¡¯t want to tip her hand just yet, so they headed through the main gate just as everyone else did.


    Julian waited for her while she went through security and had her bag screened and then they had their tickets scanned and walked in the direction of the field. Since she¡¯d handled the tickets, she knew he hadn¡¯t seen them and she couldn¡¯t wait to get his reaction to the behind the home te VIP tickets she¡¯d scored from Tony.


    Several minutester, and after navigating two entrances, they entered the field above the home te. She shed her tickets and an usher led them down the steps to a box of seats directly behind the batter¡¯s box.


    He motioned them into the row and Nina settled in the seat four rows up from the bottom.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Julian said as he took his seat beside her. ¡°I mean, wow. How the hell did you get these tickets? They must have cost a fortune. Not to mention they¡¯ve been sold out. I know because I¡¯ve tried to get them.¡±


    ¡°I know people in high ces,¡± she said smugly.


    He eyed her curiously. ¡°I¡¯m beginning to get the impression you do.¡± he said.


    They caught the tail end of batting practice and then settled back as the field was watered and prepared for the start of the game.


    Julian rxed in his seat and knocked his shades down over his eyes. It was exceptionally sunny today and there was absolutely no cloud or fog cover. It was a perfect day for baseball.


    In typical business-geek style, his gaze roved over the fans, looking for those who wore Mart designs. If Nina had her way, a lot more normal, everyday people would want to wear his line of sportswear.


    He turned when he heard Nina talking to a hot dog vendor. She twisted to look at Julian. ¡°You want something?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Whatever you¡¯re having,¡± he replied.


    He dug into his wallet to pay the vendor, but the older man smiled and waved him off.


    ¡°Our dear Nina is taken care of. No charge for her.¡± he said.


    Julian watched the banter between Nina and the vendor in utter bemusement. They chatted about batting averages, who to watch in theing season and the travesty that had urred the previous season when the Tide had finished one game back from the division leader.


    ¡°They¡¯ll win the pennant this year,¡± Nina consoled. ¡°Tony is in top form. He was only warming up his batst year.¡±


    The vendor nodded enthusiastically. ¡°I believe you¡¯re right. He got hot and the season ended.¡±


    Nina turned and made an expression like she¡¯d forgotten something.


    ¡°Oh, my manners are horrible. Please forgive me. Julian, this is Leonard Wyatt.


    He¡¯s worked here since the stadium was built. He knows everything there is to know about everything around here. Leonard, this is Julian Martin.¡±


    Julian extended his hand to shake the older man¡¯s and Leonard¡¯s face lit up.


    ¡°You¡¯re the Julian from Mart Enterprises?¡± he asked.


    Julian smiled at the man ¡°One and the same.¡± he said.


    Leonard nodded approvingly. ¡°Good ce for you to be then. Miss Nina will show you a good time.¡±This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Someone else signaled for Leonard and he nodded at Julian and Nina. ¡°I¡¯ll be backter on to check on you, Miss Nina.¡±


    She smiled and patted Leonard on the arm and thanked him for the hot dogs. When she turned back in her seat, Julian leaned over to take his hot dog from herp.


    ¡°Do you have everyone eating out of your hand, Miss Nina?¡± he asked, calling her as Leonard did.


    She actually blushed and ducked her head.


    ¡°Leonard is an old friend.¡±


    Julian chuckled, delighted at the rosy bloom of her cheeks.


    ¡°Do you have any other surprises in store for me today?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± she mumbled around a bite of hot dog.


    The Tide took the field, and the very first batter walked. Nina groaned her dismay along with the rest of the crowd.


    ¡°Our pitching has been what¡¯s let us down in the past,¡± she whispered to Julian.


    He didn¡¯t have the heart to tell her that not only did he know, but he could quote the stats for every one of the Tide¡¯s pitching roster.


    ¡°This year should be better,¡± Julian consoled.


    She nodded. ¡°Mitch is our best. He usually starts cold, though. If we can get out of the first inning, he¡¯s awesome.¡±


    Again Julian grinned and sat back to watch. Nina bolted from her seat when the second batter grounded to second and Tony scooped, tossed to the shortstop who turned the double y to first.

 42

    Julian could swear that Tony looked straight at Nina and winked. He looked between the two and finally shook off the absurd notion.


    Mitch struck out the next batter and the Tide was up to bat. Nina clutched her hands like an anxious mother. Todd Cameron, the lead off, looked up at Nina as he headed to the te, grinned and waved. Nina waved and blew him a kiss.


    Julian stared but didn¡¯t say anything. Things just got stranger and stranger. He was willing to put the first off as a fluke, but when the third batter came up and gave Nina a thumbs-up, he wondered what the hell he was missing.


    After the batter flied out to center field, advancing the two runners on a sacrifice, Julian leaned over, intending to ask Nina exactly what he was missing out on, but she put her hand on his arm and squeezed hard.


    ¡°Just a minute. Tony is up!¡± she said excitedlyContent (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Her fingers dug into his arm like little daggers, but he didn¡¯t pry her away. He was too interested to see what would happen when Tony Parker came up. And, too, he was interested to get a close up glimpse of what he hoped would be hispany¡¯s golden PR boy.


    Tony¡¯s face was drawn in concentration as he began the walk to the te. He swung the bat a few times then stopped, two inches out of the box. He turned and nced first to the right of Julian and Nina and dipped his head in acknowledgment. Then he turned and scanned behind home te until his gaze lighted on Nina.


    He lost the look of intense concentration, and his face rxed into a smile. He gave her an exaggerated wink and then held up his fist.


    Julian¡¯s mouth fell open as he nced between the two. Nina¡¯s hand tightened further on his arm when Tony took the first strike.


    ¡°Come on,e on,¡± she whispered.


    The next two were balls. Then he swung at the second strike. If he didn¡¯t hit soon, Julian was going to lose the feeling in his arm.


    The next pitch, Tony fouled back. The next was a ball, making it a full count.


    ¡°I can¡¯t watch,¡± Nina whispered.


    The pitcher wound up, threw a fastball and Tony swung. The bat connected with a sweet crack that to anyone listening signaled a smash hit. The ball sailed over the center-field wall into the upper deck. Three-run homer to start the game.


    Nina lunged to her feet and screamed at the top of her lungs. ¡°Did you see?¡± she yelled at Julian. ¡°Did you see?¡±


    ¡°I saw, I saw!¡± he said


    Heughed as she continued to bounce up and down. Tony rounded the bases, taking high fives from the first-and third-base coaches. He met his teammates at the te, where the group jumped up and down and pounded on Tony.


    Tony looked up at Nina and pointed. She leaped to her feet again and pointed back, her smile so wide Julian was sure she¡¯d hurt something.


    Then she nced over in the direction that Tony had first looked when he¡¯de up to the te and then back down at Julian.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back, okay? I¡¯ll just be a second.¡± She said.


    She hurried up the row of seats and then cut over to the section that adjoined the home-te area. Julian watched as she hugged two young men, but he didn¡¯t really see their faces clearly. They nced over in Julian¡¯s direction once but then didn¡¯t look back as they chatted with Nina.


    A few minutester, she returned and took her seat beside Julian again. He was beginning to think he¡¯d been dropped in an alternate reality. Was there anyone here she didn¡¯t know?


    When she¡¯d offered Tony to him on a virtual silver tter, he¡¯d only assumed that she¡¯d contacted him through his agent and offered him a deal he couldn¡¯t refuse. He hadn¡¯t considered that she had such a connection to his team. And what connection that was had Julian insanely curious.


    He leaned over so she¡¯d hear over the still insanely celebrating crowd. ¡°What am I missing here?¡± he asked her.


    She smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll exinter. Just enjoy the game.¡±


    Mysterious little wench. He¡¯d make her payter when he had her alone. The rest of the game followed a simr pattern. Nina seemed to know every damn person on the team. He began to have ufortable thoughts, like whether or not Nina was involved with Tony Parker. It would certainly exin how she¡¯d been able to get him to agree to the endorsement deal.


    But it also brought up a lot of questions. Like whether she was using Julian to further her career. He nced sideways at her. No way. It would take someone pretty diabolical to have a man like Tony Parker on the line and then sleep with Julian to secure his business. Why would she even need it if she was involved with Parker? The man made a lot of money, even without the million-dor endorsement deals. He was one of the highest-paid baseball yers in the league.


    Before he could get carried away with thoughts that would only enrage him, he made himself back down and quit specting. He¡¯d find out before the end of the day.


    One way or another. And then he¡¯d decide what to do about Nina. And his ount.


    When the game ended after the visiting team failed to score the necessary runs to overtake the Tide in the ninth inning, Nina stood, her cheeks flush with excitement.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to have an awesome season. I just know it!¡± she said.


    He stood beside her unsure of what would happen now. Nothing had gone the way he¡¯d anticipated.


    Sure enough, she grabbed his hand and began pulling him toward the exit. ¡°Come on,¡± she said.


    But they didn¡¯t leave the stadium. Instead they went down to a restricted area, where Nina shed a pass he hadn¡¯t seen up to this point. He shouldn¡¯t be surprised. But when they stopped outside the yers¡¯ locker room, he was.


    They waited a good while. Several members of the press came and went. Finally one of the yers stuck his head out the door, looked up and down and then his eyes brightened when he saw Nina.

 43

    Julian was a little starstruck. It was the Tide¡¯s catcher, Sheldon Michael. He was a veritable legend in baseball, and it was rumored this would be hisst year before he retired.


    ¡°Nina! You should have juste on in. Tony got held up by an interview, but he wanted you toe on back.¡± he said.


    Nina walked over and gave the catcher a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. ¡°Good game, Sheldon. You¡¯re looking as awesome as ever.¡± She said


    The big man actually blushed. He nced up at Julian, and Julian was convinced the guy scowled at him.


    ¡°Oh, Sheldon, this is Julian Martin. Julian, this is Sheldon Michael, the Tide¡¯s star catcher.¡± Nina said.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m well aware,¡± Julian said. ¡°Great game. I¡¯ve watched you a lot of years.¡±


    ¡°You Julian Martin who makes the sportswear?¡± Sheldon asked.


    Julian nodded. ¡°Yeah I am,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Cool. You twoe on back.  Tony should be done by now.¡±


    Despite his wealth and position, Julian couldn¡¯t control the incredible rush of walking into the Tide¡¯s locker room. It was every little boy¡¯s dream. It was why he¡¯d gone into the business he had. He loved sports, and he was as in awe of the big dream as any other kid out there who loved sports.


    Several yers stopped Nina for a quick hug and a kiss. Some ruffled her hair and she gave them affectionate pats in return.


    ¡°Nina! There you are.¡±


    Julian looked up to see Tony barreling his way through a crowd of people. The next thing he knew, he had Nina in a giant bear hug, swinging her around in a circle.


    Julian watched, his irritation growing more with each passing second.


    Finally Tony put her down.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    ¡°Hey, did you see? Fantastic hit, wasn¡¯t it?¡± he said.


    Nina smiled broadly at the other man and her affection for him was obvious. A fact that made Julian even grumpier. Endorsement or not, he was ready to deck the star right in the jaw.


    ¡°I saw, of course. You were awesome as always.¡± Nina replied


    ¡°Hey, I need to get a quick shower. You two can wait for me over there,¡± he said, gesturing toward a sitting area that was removed from the chaos of the open locker room. ¡°I won¡¯t be long.¡±


    Nina kissed his cheek. ¡°We¡¯ll be there. Take your time.¡± She said,


    Tony ruffled her hair affectionately and loped off toward the showers. Julian opened his mouth to ask but then shook his head. He¡¯d wait. This had to be worth the price of admission.


    Nina led him into the adjoining room and sat on one of the leather couches.


    ¡°This is usually reserved for coaches and their families,¡± she said when he sat down in one of the chairs across from her. ¡°None of the press or yers wille in here.¡±


    ¡°You know I have a hundred questions, Nina,¡± he said drily.


    She flushed a little guiltily. ¡°Okay, so maybe I¡¯m guilty of wanting to watch you experience everything firsthand. I mean I could have warned you but that wouldn¡¯t have been any fun, would it?¡± She said, grinning at him.


    He raised an eyebrow. ¡°The only question I want answered right now is whether you¡¯re involved with Tony Parker.¡±


    He watched her eyes go wide in shock. Her mouth fell open, and he knew at that moment, whatever he might have assumed-even with good reason-he was dead wrong.


    ¡°What?¡± she asked, looking genuinely surprised at his question.


    ¡°It was a sensible assumption,¡± he defended before she could speak.


    ¡°Julian, Tony is a-¡± They were interrupted when the two men Nina had gone to visit in the stands came through the door.


    ¡°Nina, love,¡± one of the men said when his gaze lighted on her. He smiled big and held out his arms. Nina went into his embrace and endured a painful-looking bear hug.


    The other man regarded Julian with what could only be considered as suspicion.


    ¡°Going to introduce us, Nina?¡± the man she just hugged asked.


    ¡°Of course,¡± she said as she curled her arm around the other man and kissed his cheek.


    ¡°Julian, I want you to meet my brothers, Victor and Cole. I¡¯m not sure you guys met when we were in high school because they were both already in college then. So here you go. Guys, this is Julian Martin. He owns Mart Enterprises. I brought him back to talk to Tony.¡±


    Julian could swear she said thest pointedly. He rxed and shook the hands of each man and endured a painful grip from each. Typical measuring stick of a man. See if you could make the other wince. He squeezed back with as much force and endured grudging looks of respect from her brothers.


    Interesting that they were all back in the yers area and that they¡¯d sat in different areas for the game, although Nina had said she¡¯d gotten the tickets particrly for him.


    ¡°Very d to meet you both¡± he said


    ¡°Are you the man responsible for our Nina leaving home and working so many long hours?¡± Victor asked


    Julian lifted one eyebrow then nced between Nina and her brother. Nina closed her eyes in despair and shook her head helplessly at Julian. He remembered her saying that ording to her father and brothers, her only requirement was to look pretty and let them support her. Apparently they weren¡¯t on board with her having a career.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t start,¡± Nina said to her brother, giving him a look.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I am,¡±Julian replied. ¡°I wish I could say it was something I regret, but Nina is one of the brightest minds I¡¯ve encountered. She¡¯s going to single handedly turn my advertising efforts around. I think in a year or two, Mart Enterprises won¡¯t simply be one of the leaders in athletic apparel, but the undisputed leader when ites to sportswear¡±


    Her two brothers eyed Nina with renewed interest while Nina stared at Julian, her eyes wide with shock. He could almost swear she looked a little teary. He smiled at her and reached for her hand. To his surprise she epted withoutint and curled her fingers tight around his.


    ¡°If you¡¯re meeting Tony about business, we¡¯ll just scoot on out,¡± Cole said. ¡°Are you going to make time toe home or will you be busy again?¡±

 44

    ¡°I will try,¡± she said as she leaned up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. ¡°Sorry aboutst weekend. Something came up. And to be honest, I wasn¡¯t really sure about seeing dad¡±


    Julian realized that he was what came up when he¡¯d finessed Nina away for the weekend. While he was sorry she¡¯d missed what was evidently an important family gathering, he couldn¡¯t summon any regret for the way their weekend in the ind hade together.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be worried about anything. Trust me¡± Cole replied. ¡°Dad wants to see you. He misses you. You should pick his calls and go see him. Give him a chance¡±


    Nina nodded. ¡°I will¡­ As soon as I have the time¡± she replied.


    ¡°It was nice meeting you both,¡± Julian said sincerely.


    The other men nodded and shook his hand again before departing the room.


    ¡°Interesting family you have, Red,¡± he said when they¡¯d gone.


    Nina sighed. ¡°I love them dearly, but they¡¯re pretty insufferable.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious they love you a lot,¡± he said.


    She smiled. ¡°Yeah, and I love them to pieces, too. Warts and all.¡±


    A momentter, Tony Parker ambled into the room and once again gave Nina a bone-crushing hug. Then he turned to Julian and looked back at Nina.


    ¡°So, is this the man?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I¡¯d say you¡¯re the man if you agree to front my new line of athletic wear,¡± Julian said, taking charge of the meeting.


    ¡°Julian, I¡¯d like you to meet my friend, who¡¯s actually like a brother to me, Tony Parker. I met him through Cole¡± Nina said as she stepped forward. ¡°Tony, this is Julian Martin, owner of Mart Enterprises.¡±


    Julian eyed them skeptically at first. Her friend? Everything made a hell of lot more sense with that revtion. To be honest he was beginning to think a lot of things about Nina and Tony Parker. This certainly cleared a lot of things for him.


    Julian cleared his throat. Here he¡¯d been granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he was more concerned with finding out Nina¡¯s secrets than securing a deal with Tony Parker.


    He shook hands with Tony. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you,¡± he said.


    ¡°A pleasure to meet you too¡± Tony replied.


    ¡°I thought it might be best if you and Julian went to dinner and talked about the deal Julian is offering,¡± Nina inserted.


    ¡°What about you?¡± Julian asked sharply. He hadn¡¯t counted on Nina leaving him and Tony. Hell, he hadn¡¯t even realized he¡¯d be meeting Tony so soon. Suddenly his ns for a night of making love to Nina didn¡¯t seem so realistic.


    ¡°I have other ns,¡± she said lightly. ¡°Besides, I really have nothing to do with this part. You and Tony need to discuss the possibilities. I¡¯d just be in the way.¡±


    Tony shrugged then looked at Julian. ¡°You like barbeque?¡±he asked.


    ¡°Love it.¡± Julian replied.


    ¡°Good. I know this great ce just a few blocks from here. We can grab dinner and talk.¡±


    ¡°I drove him here, Tony, so you¡¯ll need to give him a ride back to his ce. That okay?¡± Nina asked. She turned to Julian. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow morning. Nine o¡¯clock at the Standard Gate.¡±


    ¡°I can have my driver meet me,¡± Julian said. ¡°It¡¯s not a problem.¡± He red at Nina as he said it. The woman was ditching him. What he¡¯d thought was finally an effort to see him outside of a business setting had, in fact, just been a business meeting in disguise. He¡¯d deal with herter, though. Right now he had a sports superstar to woo, and he¡¯d be damned if he let his irritation with Nina interfere.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Nina paced the Standard Gate conference room. Her nerves were wound tight, and she¡¯d meticulously gone over every little detail of her presentation. The televisions out front had mock-ups created by the media folks. An endless stream of Mart Enterprises promotion ran on the video monitors and the art department had framed several print-ad options and disyed them in the conference room.


    With fifteen minutes to go time, the other members of her team had assembled.


    Tension was high but so was excitement. Trevor Williams had congratted her onnding the biggest client for Standard Gate thus far, but he¡¯d acted distracted and distant. Nina wondered if he was indeed having issues with the rumored girlfriend..


    The others had all been quick to add their congrattions. No contract had been signed, but they all seemed convinced that after this morning, Mart Enterprises would be in the bag. She hoped they were right.


    Tony had calledst night after an extended dinner with Julian. Apparently after the barbeque the two had gone for beers and spent the evening like old college buddies.


    Julian had extended an extremely cushy offer, one that had surprised even a very jaded Tony. The two were meetingter with their respectivewyers to iron out the details, but Tony said he¡¯d agreed.


    ¡°Okay, we¡¯ve got five minutes,¡± Nina said. ¡°Let¡¯s take our ces and get ready to knock his socks off.¡±


    They took their seats along the conference table. Evan smiled at Nina and gave her a thumbs-up before taking a seat next to Camille. Mason took the seat next to Trevor, who frowned and reached into his pocket for his phone.


    ¡°Excuse me for a minute,¡± he said as he rose from his seat. He crossed the room out of earshot to take a phone call.


    The inte buzzed and Reba announced that Julian had arrived. ¡°Shall I show him back?¡± she asked.


    Nina took a deep breath, looked at her coworkers lining the conference table all ready to do their part, and said, ¡°Show him back, Reba.¡±


    As Nina ended the conversation, Trevor returned to the table.


    ¡°Sorry, but I have to go,¡± he announced. ¡°And I¡¯m not sure when I¡¯ll be back.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Hopefully no more than a few days. I¡¯ll let you know when I have more details.¡±


    He turned and strode out of the room, leaving Nina and the others to stare after him in astonishment. Nina nced over at Evan Banks and raised an eyebrow. Evan shrugged and gestured for her to continue on. Whatever was up with Trevor would have to wait. This meeting was too important to all of them.

 45

    Seconds after Trevor¡¯s abrupt departure, Julian entered behind Reba. Nina crossed the room and extended a hand to Julian. Instead of shaking it as she¡¯d intended, he slid his fingers over her palm and held it far too long for her liking. She snatched it away and turned to introduce him down the row.


    Her presentation went off without a hitch. Each part of her team executed their part wlessly, and through it all, Evan sat back with a very satisfied expression on his face.


    By the time she was done, she was as convinced as everyone else that Julian would sign with Standard Gate. He¡¯d be a fool not to.


    The lights went back up after herst video clip.


    ¡°This concludes our presentation,¡± she said to Julian. ¡°I hope we¡¯ve convinced you of ourmitment to you and yourpany.¡±


    He took his time responding. For a moment he studied her, his hands in a V in front of him. Then he simply nodded then said,


    ¡°I¡¯m very impressed. My question is, how soon can we move on this?¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    Rosa was packed with the after-work crowd, but the entire back room was filled with Standard Gate employees, all celebrating their biggest coup to date-Mart Enterprises.


    Nina was high on her achievement, she had finally done it. When she had left her dad¡¯spany, she¡¯d had doubts about her capabilities and now she had proved to herself that she could do this. That she didn¡¯t need to have anyone dictating her life for her and that she could get anything done as long as she put her mind to it.


    She was very happy, but she couldn¡¯t shake the anxiety over her rtionship with Julian. She¡¯d avoided himst night when she¡¯d all but dumped him on Tony Parker. She¡¯d avoided him after her presentation when he¡¯d wanted to take her to lunch to celebrate.


    Evan Banks passed out champagne to every one then called for a toast. He saluted Nina with his ss and the room erupted into cheers.


    She smiled her pleasure, but all she could think was that she¡¯d rather be with Julian. And that was a very big problem.


    ¡°For a girl who¡¯s the toast of Standard Gate, you don¡¯t look very happy.¡± a voice said.


    Nina turned to see Camille standing beside her, drink in hand. She tried to smile but then gave up with a sigh. ¡°Am I that obvious?¡± she asked


    Camille shrugged. ¡°Probably not. I doubt others are paying too much attention to you. You looked¡­.. distracted.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in a mess, Camille,¡± Nina admitted. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    Camille wrapped aforting arm around her. ¡°Surely it can¡¯t be that bad?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m involved with Julian Martin. Intimately.¡± Nina blurted out.


    Camille stiffened. ¡°Oh. Maybe you¡¯re right. And I understand.¡±


    Nina couldn¡¯t help but notice the way Camille¡¯s gaze drifted to Evan Banks, who stood across the room talking with Mason Reagart. Evan turned in their direction that very second and caught Camille¡¯s gaze, and what Nina saw there made her pause.


    Possession.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t intend for it to happen,¡± Nina said. ¡°I know better. I know that I should know better. I¡¯ve kept it a secret, and it¡¯s driving me insane. I worry over who¡¯ll see us together and whether they¡¯ll draw the wrong conclusion. I¡¯m so tired of sneaking around. The worst part is I think I¡¯m in love with him now¡±Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Camille made a sound of sympathy and pulled Nina away from the others until they stood in a dark corner.


    ¡°You need to be honest and open about this, Nina. If you don¡¯t, it¡¯ll tear you apart,¡± Camille said earnestly.


    Camille was so sincere and her words were so heartfelt that Nina wondered if she was speaking from personal experience. Was it possible that Camille was really having a secret fling with Evan? If the looks between the two were any clue, there was some serious chemistry there.


    It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but she didn¡¯t want to hurt Camille, especially if she didn¡¯t want anyone to know. So


    Instead she squeezed Camille¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Thank you, Camille. I know you¡¯re right. I just have to figure out how to handle this. It¡¯s giving me a headache.¡± Nina said.


    ¡°First thing you should do is enjoy your moment in the sun,¡± Camille returned. ¡°This is your night to shine. You worked hard for this, Nina. Go have some fun. You deserve it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, Mom,¡± Nina teased. ¡°I¡¯m up for another drink if you are.¡±


    Camille smiled and the two women headed for the bar for another round. Nina endured another series of toasts, back ps and loudly yelled congrattions. Camille was right. This was her night. It was the culmination of weeks of hard work and long hours.  Damn if she wouldn¡¯t enjoy every minute of it.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    Nina¡¯s cab pulled up to her apartment, and she pulled out several bills to pay the driver. While she was far from toasted, she hadn¡¯t wanted to chance driving home, so she¡¯d left her car at work and taken a cab from Rosa.


    It waste, but not ungodly so, and she was still riding high from the celebration.


    The cab pulled away and across the street she saw Julian leaning against his car, watching her. He started forward, and she stood there like a statue, watching him approach.


    ¡°Out celebrating?¡± Julian asked with a slight smile.


    She nodded. ¡°After-work thing. Took a cab back so I didn¡¯t have to drive.¡± She replied.


    ¡°You should have called me. I would have had my driver take you home.¡± he said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that would have looked good if the man whose ount I justnded sent a car to take me home after my celebration party.¡±


    He regarded her with no expression. Then he asked, ¡°Are you going to invite me in?¡±


    As if she¡¯d tell him no. She thought.


    ¡°I guess Abby is still at work¡± she said.


    ¡°Good¡± he said simply


    He fell into step beside her as they walked to her door. He waited while she unlocked the door and then followed her inside. As soon as she locked up behind them, he had her in his arms. Not again. She couldn¡¯t lose all control of her senses the moment he touched her.  It wasn¡¯t normal.


    ¡°Do you have any idea how turned on I was watching you take control of that presentation this morning?¡± he said between kisses. ¡°You were glowing and you were such a hardass. I wanted so badly to drag you into a closet and have wild, crazy sex.¡±

 46

    He always knew exactly what to say to melt any resistance on her part. He was a seducer with words.


    For some reason she expected his kiss to be gentle, sweet. Julian was neither.


    He simply took her mouth with no hesitation-as if it was his, as if she was his, as if that devastating possession was his right. Like he didn¡¯t need to ask. Like all those times they¡¯d spent together was enough to im her as his own.


    It was like a bomb detonated inside of her, exploding through her limbs, white-hot fire and spiraling needbusting again and again and again, leaving her weak. Wanting. Her breasts ached. Her nipples hardened. Her core melted. And still he kissed her, taking her mouth with an easymand that made her tremble against him.


    He kissed her with a carnal demand, a sheer, arrogant certainty, that shook Nina almost as much as the feel of his mouth on hers.


    Hot. Commanding. The iparable feel of his lips against hers amazing, sending desire swimming through her veins like alcohol and rendering her incapable of doing anything more than kissing him back. As if she had never done anything else. As if she would die if she did not.


    She raised a hand, and then forgot why she did as it found the rock-hard nes of his chest, the hint of stubble on his lean jaw, each new sensation igniting a flood of desire, each stronger and more thrilling than thest. She reached behind him, removing the band holding back his hair.


    The strands loosened, and her heavy sigh differed from the ones she¡¯d been emitting during their kiss.


    This one? It matched the delight that softened her beautiful features as she drew his hair forward and up to her face. Tangling her fingers in the strands, she tugged on them, and the prickle across his scalp tripped down his spine, crackled at the base. He clutched her hips, digging his fingertips into the soft flesh.


    ¡°You are beautiful,¡± she whispered.


    No woman had ever called him beautiful before. He growled and kissed her again.


    She forgot where they were. She forgot her concerns about her rtionship with him. Why she should not allow him to angle his mouth over hers with such skill and talent, nor rake a hand into her hair to anchor her head in ce as he tasted her again and again and again. Everything that was not Julian was like smoke, drifting away, signifying nothing. As if only he existed.


    Without lifting his mouth from hers, without giving her even a moment to breathe, to collect herself, Julian shifted to the small settee in the living room, his powerful arms sweeping Nina up and over him, settling her sideways across hisp. He murmured something she could not understand, could hardly hear over the pounding of her heart and the wild rush in her ears, and then he imed her mouth once more.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    It was too much. He was everywhere. Hard beneath her thighs, hard against her body, and that talented, wicked mouth of his that took and took, until she could not think at all. She could only feel the heat. The fire. The slick fit and exquisite taste of him, expensive liquor mixed with that part that was purely him. Pure Julian. Sinful and delicious and capable of making her head spin around and around while the very core of her pulsed with need.


    One of his hands remainedced in her hair, and on some dim level she was aware that he was destroying her careful twist. The pins scattered at his impatient touch and the heavy, wild curtain of her waves cascaded down around them, shielding them, cocooning them.


    She could not find it in her to care. His other hand stroked azy path from her cheek to her neck, down the stretch of her bare arm to settle at her hip, his big hand holding her fast on one side with his arousal stark and unmistakable on the other.


    Nina¡¯s hands went to his strong, sculpted shoulders and were lost, unable to keep from testing the stark physical power he held leashed there-the fine, chiseled lines of his lean and muscr form. Once again, her hand crept to his cheek as if she could hold him, understand him, make sense of him that way. As if she could keep him there, kissing her as if he was starved for her, kissing him back as if she had never been kissed before, as if he had switched a light on inside of her and she could only glow. And glow.


    Only him could make her feel this fine desperation, this coiling, insistent need.


    This fire. She was lost in him. Undone by him. And still he made love to her mouth as if he could do so forever, as if he had all the time in the world, as if nothing existed but the two of them.


    With a growl, he skated his palms up the sides of her torso, and the zipper of her dress abraded his skin. He impatiently tugged it down and wasted no time in pushing the material over her shoulders and down her arms. She obliged him, freeing his hair and  joining him in getting rid of the clothing.


    He got up, her legs wrapped around him and began to move. He had her clothes offpletely before they got to her bedroom, where she helped him get rid of his.


    She pushed him on the bed, and he let her, bemused by this sudden show of assertiveness. But who was he to argue? Hey back and watched appreciatively as she climbed up on the bed with him, straddling him.


    He hissed in a breath as the core of her came up flush with his groin, making him harder than he could ever remember being before. More. He wanted more. He wanted to bury himself inside of her and lose himself entirely. He wanted to make her scream his name. He wanted to taste every inch of her body, every freckle, every moan. He wanted her in every possible way, all night long.


    He wanted to get through to her, he told himself. He wanted to make these ufortable feelings of hers disappear as if they had never been. That was what he wanted. He didn¡¯t know how to want anything else.

 47

    She settled against him, her wild reddish hair falling forward, making her look like some kind of goddess. His goddess, he thought and stretched out his hands to test her hips, the indentation of her waist. He pulled a long strand of hair to his mouth, rubbing it over his lips. She smelled like rosemary and wine, and the feel of the long  waves was like raw silk. But she batted his hands away.


    The look in her eyes kept him from flipping her beneath him as every instinct shouted at him to do. That stern frown of hers made him stir against her, made the fire ze even higher, even hotter, within him. She finally bent over to taste his chest, him. Her tongue was soft, wet, maddening. He tangled his fingers in her hair and urged her up to eye level, taking her mouth with a swift possession that made some kind of bell toll, long and true, deep inside of him.


    He ignored it, because he was tasting her-hot and female and deliciously, undoubtedly Nina-until he felt drunk from her. Wildly, fantastically drunk, and more than happy to stay that way.


    But she had other ideas. She reared back up, and pulled her lower lip between her teeth as she returned to work his chest. When he moved to pull her close again, she shook her head at him. He was mesmerized by the silken fall of her hair across her shoulders, the way it teased her breasts, the way the length and wave of it softened her face, making her seem more flushed, more open, more his.


    ¡°Just lie back,¡± she said, bracing one hand on his abdomen, as if she thought she could keep him there against his will.


    ¡°And think of what?¡± he asked dryly. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s not my style. You know that¡±


    ¡°It can be a brand-new experience for you,¡± she said in the prim voice that drove him crazy with need, her attention drifting back toward his bare skin. ¡°I doubt you have many of those.¡±


    Julian did not. But he had also never been one to wait. He sat up, holding her flush against his hips, and only smiled against the delicate skin of her neck when she made a sound of protest. When she had settled against him, her arms loose around his shoulders, he stared at her.


    She was perfect. Taut, full breasts right in front of him. Julian cupped her breasts in his hands, dragging his thumbs slowly across the peaks, making her head fall back as she moaned out her pleasure. The sound was like petrol on a bonfire-he ached to be inside of her. He moved forward a bit, then caught a hard nipple with his mouth.


    He heard her breath stutter as her body tensed and then shook beneath him. He tasted one breast, then the other, taking his time. He traced a path from her breasts to her corbone, pressing kisses against her as he went, tasting her with his tongue, his lips, his teeth. He reached her mouth and took it in a hard, deep kiss, holding her face between his hands, his fingers deep in her wild mane of hair.


    ¡°Wait,¡± she whispered, pulling away. She shifted against him and then lifted shaky hands to his shoulders. ¡°I told you to lie back¡±


    He wasn¡¯t listening. She was so beautiful. So hot. So soft. So perfect. He was delirious. He wanted more. And then still more.


    Growing impatient, he swung her around and then rolled her under him in a swift, simple move. She blinked up at him, her  eyes molten with passion, her generous mouth faintly damp from his.


    ¡°You are not letting me take control of this,¡± she scolded him through lips swollen from his kisses, her breasts full against his chest, the taut peaks sending pinpricks of desire shooting through him, straight to his hardness.


    ¡°No,¡± he agreed, his voice rough with desire. ¡°I am not.¡±


    He propped himself up on one elbow, then traced azy pattern down her torso with his hand, stopping to worship each breast in turn. He continued on to her navel, testing that shallow valley. She let out a slight moan, her legs moving restlessly against the coverlet. He looked down at her, smiled- then slid his hand beneath to hold her wet heat in his hand.


    She gasped and shuddered, bucking her hips against his palm, her eyes drifting closed. She was so wet, so soft, deliciously, meltingly hot. She burned into him, making him sweat. Yearn. Need. Soon, he told himself. So very soon.


    ¡°Do you still have doubts about us¡­ About this?¡± he taunted her gently, his fingers learning her most intimate secrets, stroking her silken folds, then pressing inside. ¡°I know you had some doubts, did you not? Those doubts don¡¯t matter now, do they?¡±This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    She made an incoherent noise, her head moving against the bed linens, her hips meeting his hand, matching him stroke for delicious stroke. He wanted more. God help her, he wanted everything. He¡¯d forgotten why. He only wanted.


    ¡°I want you toe,¡± he whispered, his mouth against her ear, delighting in her long, slow shudder, the way her hand speared into his hair, holding him as he held her.


    He used one hand deep in her heat, his fingers moving to an age-old rhythm within her, and his mouth bold and demanding against her breast. One breath, another. Her head tossed back and forth against the pillows while her body tightened, her back arching and her hands curling into fists.


    ¡°Now, Red,¡± he whispered, moving to her other breast and circling the nipple with his tongue. ¡°Now.¡±


    One tug on her nipple with his mouth, one hard rocking motion against her molten femininity with the palm of his hand, and she convulsed around him, shattering into pieces, her face flooding red and her mouth parting on a long, high sob. She was the prettiest thing he¡¯d ever seen.


    His.


    And he was only getting started.


    Nina barely had time to breathe, and no time topose herself, before Julian smashed his lips on hers again. Moving over her as shey, shattered, on the bed. Her heart was still pounding too hard, her breath still uneven. She was supposed to be the one in control! She was supposed to be the one leaving him this undone!


    ¡°Julian,¡± she began, not knowing what she might say. Not knowing where or how to begin. Not even recognizing the sound of her own voice.

 48

    ¡°Shh,¡± he replied, and then he moved down the length of her body to rest between her legs. He slid his strong arms beneath her hips, and before she had time to react, to take back the lead and use it, he lifted her and settled his mouth against the hot core of her.


    Passion exploded inside of her, a white-hot, searing heat that nked out her ns, her fears. He licked her, teased her, took her-his mouth more wicked, more clever, more confident.


    She arched against him, into him, as he kept her anchored beneath him, his mouth glued to her heat. She heard her own voice, moaning wordless sounds of desire, of pleasure, of ecstasy, as if from far away.


    Her breath came in hard, shallow pants, and she could not quite catch it, she could not calm down. And still he built that fire, stoking the mes with every swirl of his tongue, pushing her higher and higher until she toppled over the edge and dissolved all around him.


    When she came back to herself and opened her eyes, he was braced above her, surrounding her, his wide shoulders blocking out the world. She felt turned inside out, exposed, made more vulnerable than she had ever been before. She did not know if she wanted to burst into tears-or kiss him.


    ¡°Pay attention, Red. You are mine. Made for me¡± he murmured, amusement and passion in his low voice, bringing himself down against her chest, his skin like hot satin over steel, rubbing against her taut breasts, making her sigh as the aftershocks still rolled through her.


    And then he thrust inside of her.


    Nina felt the leftover pleasure from herst climax coalesce and shiver through her, kicking into her as he began to move, slow and sure, building her up again when she would have thought she was more than sated.


    Julian rolled over, keeping himself deep inside of her, but bringing her on top of him. Dazed, her legs weak, Nina could only stare down at him for a moment.


    ¡°I thought you wanted control,¡± he said, smiling wickedly and pressing kisses to her jaw, the corner of her mouth, her neck. ¡°By all means, take it.¡±


    ¡°Your concept of control is a bit more stic than I¡¯d intended,¡± she said, amazed that she could speak at all-astounded that she could hang words together, no matter how breathless her voice sounded.


    Heughed, and she felt it inside of her, as deep as he was. She felt it radiate through her, pleasure coursing outward from where they were joined, lighting her up from within.


    ¡°I don¡¯t much care for boundaries,¡± he said, pushing her hair back from her face, teasing her lower lip with his teeth. ¡°Unless I set them.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    He was so hot and hard within her, so upromisingly male, and Nina felt suddenly restless, urgent. Unbelievably, she felt that tightening, that coiling desire, begin to pull taut inside her all over again. All that mattered was that feeling. She sat back, settling herself against him. Then she rolled her hips into a slow, steady pace and watched his eyes go dark with passion, reveling in the power she had over him just as surely as he could wield it over her.


    But she didn¡¯t care about the power. Not anymore. Not after what had just happened between them. She knew she should care about that, but she shoved it aside. She cared only about the pleasure, about the slick slide of their bodies, the thrust and the pull that made her feel wild, insatiable. She forgot about her worries, forgot about everything that wasn¡¯t him.


    The truth was his hard length within her, his wild hands on her flesh. The truth was she wanted him with a desperation that should have terrified her, but instead made her yearning all the more intense. She was more hungry for him than she had ever been for anyone. Than she had ever imagined it was possible to be. She was too hungry for him to protect herself. She just moved, grinding against him.


    At a certain point, his hands gripped her hips, and Nina could no longer think, she could only feel. And when she shattered one more time, he spurred her on, his thrusts wild and urgent until he, too, fell over the edge.


    She thought he even called her name, though she wasn¡¯t sure, because she was alsoing down from her high, totally oblivious to anything else.


    She gripped him, he cradled her, she kissed him, he thrust into her. It was crazy, irrational, it was the most erotic, bone-melting sex of her life. And she loved him beyond all reason and sanity.


    Shey under him, holding him close as he panted against her neck. She was positively weak, and thank God they were on the bed, because she wasn¡¯t moving. It wasn¡¯t possible.


    Finally Julian rolled away and threw his arm across the bed with a groan.


    ¡°I took my time this time,¡± he said. ¡°Every time, I swear, I¡¯m going to take it slow, make love to you with all the finesse I¡¯m capable of. Then I see you and the teenage hormones start revving out of control, and I be some Eighteen-year-old on steroids. But I did it this time, I took my time¡±


    Nina diedughing and then moaned when she moved too much. ¡°I would have liked a Eighteen-year-old on steroids with your sexual know-how when I was seventeen. All the boys I knew then thought a kiss and quick grope was all the forey necessary before pration.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say what morons they are if I haven¡¯t done the same thing to you,¡± he said in a pained voice. ¡°But I have¡±


    She rolled into the crook of his arm andid her head on his chest. ¡°You don¡¯t hear meining, do you? I haven¡¯t thrown you out for being an inconsiderate toad. I loved those other times too. It was amazing.¡±


    He kissed the top of her head. ¡°And for that I¡¯m extremely grateful,¡± he said.


    She snuggled into his arms. ¡°Are you traveling for the weekend?¡± she asked.


    He went still and then tightened his arm around her. His handy possessively on her hip.


    ¡°There¡¯s no reason we can¡¯t go public with our rtionship now, Nina. It¡¯s all over. You have the ount.¡±


    She sucked in her breath.

 49

    ¡°But, yes, I do need to travel to Seattle and tie up some things. I n to spend some time in San Francisco but over the next few months I need to make arrangements so I would be traveling less and spending more time here.¡± he added.


    Her heart sped up. Did he mean he was making those arrangements to spend more time in New York so he could be near her?


    She hated guessing, but she hated assuming even more. She was still uneasy about the timing of them seeing each other. It was too close to when he¡¯d signed on with Standard Gate.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back Monday afternoon. I want to spend the evening with you. Dinner. Dancing. You can stay over at the hotel and my driver will take you to work on Tuesday.¡± he said.


    She loved it when he got all demanding. She was a sucker for someone who nned in detail, and he¡¯d certainly nned their evening down to her staying over for what would undeniably be amazing sex.


    ¡°When do you leave?¡± she asked quietly.


    ¡°First thing in the morning,¡± he replied.


    She leaned up on her elbow so she could look him in the face. ¡°Then what are you doing here?¡±


    He rolled her into his arms and under him again. ¡°I can sleep on the flight,¡± he said.


    She made a show of checking her nonexistent watch. ¡°You have six hours left. What do you n to do with them?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to show you just how good I am at time management,¡± he murmured as he swept down and hungrily devoured her lips.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    After a Sunday of fielding curious questions from her brothers about Julian, Nina was relieved to go into work on Monday.


    She wasn¡¯t ready to admit to even her family that she and Julian were anything more than business associates. She loved them for their undying loyalty and their absolute faith in her. Which was why she was reluctant to confess to a rtionship with Julian. And she didn¡¯t want anyone thinking she had slept her way to the top, which was exactly what it would look like to other people. It would only muddy the waters even though she and Julian both knew the truth. And it could bring up other things too¡­. Things she didn¡¯t even want to think about.


    She waste, thanks to a traffic snarl thatsted an entire hour and an alreadyte start from her apartment. By the time she made it off the elevator, it was closing in on noon, and her mood was in the toilet.


    When she saw Reba, she knew immediately that something was wrong. The usually cheerful receptionist eyed Nina with something that looked suspiciously like pity, and she refused to hold Nina¡¯s gaze for long.


    Not even wanting to know what that was all about, Nina bypassed her usual meet and greet with Reba and headed for the sanctuary of her office. To her surprise, Camille was waiting for her.


    ¡°Hello, Camille,¡± Nina said as she came in and tossed her briefcase onto her desk.


    Camille¡¯s face was drawn, and she looked like she was dreading talking to Nina. In her hands was a folded newspaper or magazine. Nina couldn¡¯t tell.


    ¡°Nina dear, there¡¯s something you need to see. Everyone else has already read it. It¡¯s online too. I tried to call you but couldn¡¯t reach you at home and you weren¡¯t replying my text messages¡± Camille said.


    Nina¡¯s stomach sank. She didn¡¯t like the look on Camille¡¯s face or the way she wasing at her with that paper.


    Camille plopped the newspaper on Nina¡¯s desk and it was then that Nina saw it was a gossip rag. Her nose wrinkled in disgust.


    ¡°Camille, what are you doing reading that crap?¡± Nina asked


    ¡°Look at it, Nina.¡± Camille replied. She jabbed her finger at the photo spread and the headline. Nina looked down and all the blood drained from her face. She had to grip the edge of the desk to keep her knees from giving way.


    There were pictures of her and Julian at Loveth and Sam¡¯s wedding. The same pictures she¡¯d received via e-mail from Julian¡¯s mother.


    One was of them dancing and herughing up at him. The other was of Julian kissing her. Her hand was syed over his chest and there was no mistaking the huge rock on her third finger.


    The headline blurred in front of her, but she got the gist. It was all about Julian and his new fianc¨¦e and was it coincidence that Julian had allegedly signed a contract with Standard Gate Communications, the agency where his fianc¨¦e worked.


    She scanned the article, but she was too furious to continue past the insinuation that Nina had spent thest several weeks doing whatever was necessary tond Julian¡¯s business.


    ¡°That¡¯s not all,¡± Camille said grimly.


    She walked around Nina¡¯s desk and jostled the mouse so that her screen came up.


    She typed in a URL and navigated to an advertisingmunity site that hosted a blog and a message board, mostly used by advertising professionals. There in thetest blog post was the picture of Julian kissing her along with the announcement of Julian going with Standard Gate Communications. The subtitle was short and to the point, and made no bones about the way they thought Ninanded the ount.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Nina sank into her chair, stunned. Absolutely andpletely stunned by what she¡¯d read.


    ¡°My God, Oh my God, Camille, what do I do?¡± she whispered.


    Camille squeezed her shoulder in sympathy, but her eyes told Nina she was at as big a loss as Nina was as to how to handle it.


    ¡°Does everyone in the office know?¡± Nina asked painfully. ¡°Have they all seen it? And what do they think?¡±


    ¡°Well, Trevor hasn¡¯t been back in, so I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s seen it. I know Evan and Mason saw it because I was in Evan¡¯s office with both of them. Mason didn¡¯t have much to say but Evan was pissed.¡±


    ¡°At me?¡± Nina asked.


    Camille shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, to be honest. I doubt it. He¡¯s not the type to get angry before he hears your side. Besides, you got the ount. It shouldn¡¯t matter to him how you did it.¡± She said


    ¡°That¡¯s true, I guess. It only matters to me.¡± Nina agreed, her voice stiff.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nina. Really sorry.¡± Camille said

 50

    Nina put her hands over her face. ¡°I was stupid, Camille. I knew how this was going to turn out. I knew what was going to happen if I did this and I went through with it anyway. I was stupid, and now I have to pay the price.¡± She said,


    The sound of someone clearing their throat had Nina looking up toward the door. Evan Banks stood there, an indecipherable expression on his face.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Camille,¡± he said. ¡°Would you leave me and Nina for a moment?¡± he said.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Camille murmured as she hurried away.


    Tears burned Nina¡¯s eyes. She was holding on by a sheer thread.


    ¡°Want to talk about it?¡± Evan asked her.


    It was that question that did it for Nina. If he¡¯d been angry or if he¡¯d been indifferent, she could have handled it, but the simply worded request broke her down. Her shoulders shook, and she lowered her head as a sob welled from her throat. It appalled her that she¡¯d cry in front of her boss. But there was no holding back the release of the crushing pressure that had been building over the course of thest few weeks.


    Evan didn¡¯t say or do anything. He just stood there while she gathered herself together again. When she looked up, he sat in one of the chairs in front of her desk and waited for her to speak.


    ¡°It¡¯s not how it looks,¡± she said as she wiped tears from her cheeks.


    He nced at the spread out paper on her desk. ¡°Well, it looks like you were wearing his ring, but you¡¯re not now. What happened between the both of you?¡± he asked.


    With a sigh, she exined the whole sorry tale about how she¡¯de to stay with Abby and how she¡¯d found out she had to get Julian¡¯s ount for Standard Gate. She told him about her trip to the ind with Julian and how she hadn¡¯t felt like she could refuse when he was short on time and ready to move on his campaign.


    She left out the mushy details she¡¯d shared with Camille. Evan Banks was, after all, A. her boss and B. a man. He didn¡¯t need to know that she¡¯d stupidly fallen in love with a man she¡¯d be working with for a long time toe. It made things entirely too messy. What if they broke up? Would Julian feel weird about continuing the rtionship with Standard Gate or would he take his business elsewhere?


    There were a million reasons why she should have never ever gotten involved with Julian, and yet, she hadn¡¯t heeded any of the warning signs. She¡¯d ignored them all.


    ¡°I overheard what Camille said about how it shouldn¡¯t matter to me how you got the ount. I won¡¯t lie. It doesn¡¯t. Furthermore, it¡¯s none of my business unless you broke thew or did something to damage the reputation of Standard Gate. I don¡¯t think this qualifies. My concern is for you and your reputation. I know how devastated you are by what happened.¡± Evan said gently. ¡°I meant what I said when I told you that you had my support. That hasn¡¯t changed. I¡¯ll make sure to put an end to any spection going on in the office, but I can¡¯t control what people think or say outside the work area. I don¡¯t imagine this is going to be easy for you to deal with in the next little while, but Standard Gate Communications stands behind you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Evan,¡± she said in a shaky voice. ¡°That means a lot to me. You have no idea how much¡±


    Evan nodded. ¡°It¡¯s fine Nina. Any idea who would have done this?¡± he asked.


    She frowned and stared down at the pictures. Then she looked back up at Banks.


    ¡°These pictures were on mypanyputer. Julian¡¯s mom sent them here.


    They¡¯ve only been here. I don¡¯t imagine Julian¡¯s ex has any love for me, but she and Sam left immediately on their honeymoon. They haven¡¯t even seen the photos yet. So other than me, and maybe Julian, if his mom showed them to him, the only other person who¡¯s seen them is his mom. These weren¡¯t taken by the professional photographer. Julian¡¯s mom shot these with her digital camera, and I don¡¯t believe for a minute she¡¯d go to these lengths to discredit me. She was too damn excited over our supposed engagement.¡±


    Evan swore long and hard. ¡°Are you sure this is the only ce you had them?¡±


    Nina stared back at him. ¡°You don¡¯t think¡­.. surely not. No one here would do something like that.¡± She said,


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I¡¯ll find out,¡± he snapped.


    He rose and stalked to the door. Then he paused and turned back for a moment.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let this get you down, Nina. I have a feeling that whoever did this intended just that. You did a damn good job on this ount. No one can take that away from you unless you let them. So just try to ignore it all.. It will pass.¡±


    Then he was gone, leaving Nina sitting there like a deted balloon. She was supposed to meet Julian in just a few hours. Their evening was already nned,plete with the sleepover at his hotel and his driver taking her to work in the morning. She¡¯d already had reservations about it all, but now the idea made the knot in her stomach grow evenrger.


    Who the hell had released those pictures? It made her furious. Why would anyone even care or go to such lengths to discredit her?


    She wouldn¡¯t put it past Frank Benjamin. He¡¯d made it a point to tar Standard Gate Communications any way possible, but how would he have gotten his hands on those pictures? Did some go through herputer to get them?


    The idea that one of her coworkers was responsible made her want to puke. She couldn¡¯t believe it and work here another minute. She had to push that possibility out of her mind or go insane.


    How sick was it that she didn¡¯t even want to venture out of her office now? She couldn¡¯t face everyone knowing that they¡¯d seen that damn article.


    Sheid her head on her desk and tried to ignore the painful ache that had developed around her temples. She knew what she had to do, and it hurt far more than those damn pictures. But she hadn¡¯t worked this hard to build her reputation and her career to have it go down the toilet over one torrid affair.

 51

    She had to do the one thing she¡¯d known she¡¯d have to do but had been postponing it. Now was the time.


    The rest of the day was spent sequestered in her office. She only spoke to Reba to tell her she wasn¡¯t epting any calls and the rest of the time she spent in brooding silence.


    At five, she stared out the window, watching as her coworkers left the building. She purposely waited until everyone else had left before she locked up her office for the night.


    Though it was well past seven, she dragged herself down six flights of stairs just on the off chance any stragglers were in the elevator. She was pathetic and spineless but she didn¡¯t care. She¡¯d face them all when she had some semnce of control over her emotions.


    She drove to her apartment with her fingers curled tightly around the wheel. She battled bouts of fury and the impulse to break down into tears. By the time she reached home, she was mentally exhausted.


    To make matters worse, Julian was waiting for her in the living room. He wore a deep frown, and his brow was creased with concern. Beside him Abby sat and they both watched her as she came in.


    ¡°Where the hell have you been?¡± Abby demanded. ¡°I was worried. We were supposed to meet here an hour and a half ago.¡±


    ¡°Hi, Abby¡± she said, ignoring Julian.


    ¡°Hello¡± Abby replied, ¡°Wow, you¡¯re in a bad mood too. What¡¯s up with both of you today?


    Nina said nothing. She was aware of Julian¡¯s eyes on her and she couldn¡¯t even meet his gaze as she walked to her room and jammed her key into the lock. She shoved the door open, and went inside without switching on the light, allowing the dark to swallow her up. Julian followed her in.


    ¡°Hey, Red, what¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked.


    He flipped on the light, and she winced. He was in front of her immediately. He grasped her arm and tilted her chin up with his other hand.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°What the hell? Have you been crying?¡±


    She closed her eyes and tried to pull away, but he held tight.


    ¡°Talk to me, dammit.¡± he said. ¡°What happened to you?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t see each other for a while,¡± she blurted out. ¡°Okay? We need to cool it. Things are crazy. My life is crazy.¡±


    Her words did what she hadn¡¯t been able to do. He let go of her arm and took a step back.


    ¡°Want to run that by me again? In a way that I understand?¡± he said, his voice hoarse.


    There was a wary look in his eye that warned her this wouldn¡¯t be easy. But then he didn¡¯t give a damn about what people thought. He wasn¡¯t ruled by the opinions of others. As she had said so many times before, she wished she could be like him.


    Instead of answering him, she rummaged in her bag for the stupid gossip rag and then she thrust it at him as if it was self-exnatory. And it was in a way.


    He nced over the paper and then looked back up at her. ¡°So? What¡¯s the problem?¡± he asked.


    She knew he¡¯d react that way. Positively knew it, and it drove her crazy. She wanted to scream and rail at him, but she¡¯de across as some hysterical banshee, and then he¡¯d never take her concerns seriously.


    ¡°That¡¯s not all,¡± she said stiffly. ¡°It¡¯s all over the Inte. An advertisingmunity site has it on their blog along with some snotty little line about how I got the ount after the announcement of you signing with Standard Gate.¡±


    He looked nkly at her. ¡°I fail to see what the big deal is, Red, and I damn sure don¡¯t see why it¡¯s any cause for us not to see each other anymore.¡±


    She gritted her teeth. ¡°You fail to see it. Well, I don¡¯t, Julian. This is my career we¡¯re talking about. My reputation. Which I might add is in shreds now. Everyone in my office saw that. Everyone in the advertisingmunity saw it. Everyone knows, or thinks they know, just how I got you to sign with Standard Gate. It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s not true. It¡¯s what everyone thinks. Our announcement of our agreement will be posted in Advertising Media. Right on the heels of those pictures. Do you know how that looks?¡± She stopped and swallowed back the damning sob that welled up in her throat.


    ¡°How am I supposed to go out on my next client call? What if the client is male and what if he expects the same favors I granted you? Or maybe he¡¯ll agree to sign with Standard Gate if I sleep with him.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll kick his ass,¡± Julian growled.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be there to kick everyone¡¯s ass, Julian. That¡¯s my point. That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to tell you. The best thing you can do for me is to back off until the smoke clears.¡± Nina said.


    He blinked and then his eyes went cold and hard. ¡°Is that really what you want, Nina?  Because I have been trying to get those doubts out of your head before this even happened, but now I¡¯m beginning to see that is not even going to happen. And I¡¯m tired of this. So tell me, this is what you really want?¡±


    She was afraid to answer, afraid to confirm after that terrible look that hade over him. But she wouldn¡¯t lie.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered. ¡°You have to understand me, Julian. It¡¯s just for-¡±


    His lip curled in derision. ¡°I won¡¯t be anyone¡¯s dirty little secret, Nina. I¡¯m done with this fuckery. I¡¯m tired of running around like two people having an affair behind their spouses¡¯ backs. I made the mistake of settling once. I¡¯ll never do it again. I thought I had a chance with you this time, guess I was just wrong¡±


    ¡°Julian, please, it¡¯s not like that. I just need some time,¡± she pleaded.


    ¡°It is like that, Red. It¡¯s very much like that. It¡¯s apparent to me that I¡¯m definitely not first on your list of priorities. Or even second or third. There¡¯s a hell of a lot of things that rank higher than me. I don¡¯t give a damn who knows that we¡¯re sleeping together. And I damn sure won¡¯t continue to sleep with someone who does.¡±

 52

    He turned and stalked toward the door. He flung it open and caught it with one hand, turning as he stepped out.


    ¡°If you change your mindter, don¡¯t bother toe crawling back. I think you¡¯ve made it abundantly clear what I¡¯m good for¡­ where I stand in your life


    And I really am done with this.¡±


    The door mmed, and Nina¡¯s heart shattered into tiny little pieces. She stared numbly, hoping, expecting that he¡¯de back and tell her they could work things out, that he understood, that he¡¯d wait.


    Minutes passed, and the sickening realization hit her that he wasn¡¯ting back.


    Not only had she lost her reputation, and possibly her career, but she¡¯d lost the one man she loved enough to have risked it all in the first ce.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    Tuesday morning, Nina took the coward¡¯s way out and called Evan Banks to schedule vacation time for the rest of the week. He didn¡¯t like that she was hiding. It was no way to face the issue, but after hearing how horrible she sounded, he didn¡¯t argue the matter further. Maybe the little time away from others would do her good.


    After Abby left for work, the rest of the day she spent moping around her apartment, alternating between anger and fits of upset.


    Wednesday, she packed a bag and headed for the one ce she knew she could lick her wounds without anyoneing to bother her. Her dad¡¯s house. He had been trying to reach her for a while, maybe now was a good time to finally go hear him out.


    When she got there, her father took one look at her when she came in and held out his arms for a giant bear hug. She sighed with relief and went to him. She didn¡¯t care about whatever it is they had argued about before she left. She needed this. Never had thefort of home felt so good to her than now.


    ¡°Oh dear¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about everything that happened between us. That¡¯s what I have been wanting to tell you. I messed up and I should have believed in you. I should have encouraged you to do what you thought was right for you. And I¡¯m so sorry¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s okay dad, really,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry too. I¡¯m sorry that I said all those things and acted like I didn¡¯t care. I¡¯m sorry that it took me so long to reply to your texts and calls. I was angry, but it doesn¡¯t matter anymore. We are fine¡±


    He breathed more freely, sat her down and then cooked her a huge meal because in his book, there wasn¡¯t anything that couldn¡¯t be cured by a big, home-cooked meal.


    All the time she ate, he sat beside her, eating his own food in silence. He knew there was something on her mind but He didn¡¯t pry or demand answers. It showed her just how much he wanted to work on those things she hadined about as he didn¡¯t try to push her into talking to him about what was bothering her. He just decided to wait for her to open up to him, and then he¡¯d try to make everything right again¡­ if he could.


    Only he couldn¡¯t fix it. She thought. She spent the afternoon on the couch, watching television with him. He babied her endlessly, fixing her a snack in the afternoon and even baking her favorite cookies. Chocte chip with no nuts.


    By the time evening rolled around, it was obvious her father had spent the afternoon on the phone with her brothers. They arrived, one at a time, Cole came with Tony Parker, and  they made it a point to shower her with lots of hugs and endless pampering. Or at least Victor and Cole did.


    When Tony came inside after parking the car, he took one look at her and demanded to know what the hell had happened. She burst into tears which prompted Victor, Cole and her dad to threaten to dismember him for upsetting her.


    ¡°Well hell, guys, I didn¡¯t upset her. It¡¯s obvious that someone else did, but it sure as hell wasn¡¯t me!¡± Tony protested. ¡°Hasn¡¯t anyone asked her what¡¯s wrong yet?¡±


    ¡°I was waiting,¡± her father said gruffly. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to rush or push her too hard. I figured she¡¯d get ready to talk eventually¡±


    ¡°Waiting for what exactly?¡± Cole asked in exasperation. ¡°For her to cry?¡±


    Nina wiped at her eyes and tried to stop the sniffling. She knew her brothers hated it when she cried. Especially Cole.


    Tony turned to her, his eyes softening with understanding at the signs of her distress. Then he sat down on the couch next to her.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t have anything to do with Julian Martin, does it?¡± he asked her.


    Despite her vow to cease and desist, his question spurred another round of tears.


    ¡°Good going, bone head,¡± Victor growled.


    ¡°Anyone ever tell you that your skill with the opposite sex sucks?¡± Cole asked.


    Tony put an arm around her and squeezedfortingly. ¡°What happened, Nina?¡±


    ¡°Oh God, you guys, it was awful. The paper printed these horrible pictures and this blog said horrible things. My career is shot to hell. The reputation I just managed to build is in shambles and Julian doesn¡¯t want to see me anymore because I asked him to back off until the smoke cleared. He thinks I think he¡¯s my dirty little secret, and he hates it. And me. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have done any of this in the first ce. It¡¯s happening all over again¡±


    She dug her palms into her eyes and rubbed until it felt like she was scraping her eyelids across sandpaper every time she blinked.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± Cole said. ¡°Did any of that make sense to the rest of you?¡±


    Victor and her father exchanged helpless looks.


    Tony sighed. ¡°Maybe you should back up and start with what the newspaper printed and what the blog said and why your career and reputation have been dragged through the mud.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got all night,¡± Victor offered.


    She sighed and once again poured out the whole story from start to finish, not leaving a single detail out. Except for the sex. Her brothers had a hard time seeing their baby sister as anything other than their baby sister, and telling them about her sex life would only make them turn a sick shade of green. And then they¡¯d probably go after Julian with one of Tony Parker¡¯s baseball bats.


    ¡°That¡¯s crazy,¡± Cole huffed.

 53

    Victor nodded his agreement. Tony, who was a lot more tuned in to just what bad press could do to a career and reputation, was a lot more subdued. Concern red in his eyes when she got to the exnation of the article and blog.


    ¡°That sucks,¡± Tony said.


    Nina nodded. ¡°Tell me about it.¡±


    ¡°So where does this Julian Martin person fit in?¡± her dad asked. ¡°I mean, there seems to be a big piece missing here. You were pretending to be his fianc¨¦e and this paper prints stuff about you, and you said he¡¯s angry because he thinks you think he¡¯s your dirty little secret. Am I missing something?¡±


    She sighed. ¡°I¡¯m in love with him, Dad. And now he hates me.¡± She said,


    All four men¡¯s mouths rounded into Os.


    There was marked silence, and she regretted having blurted out that fact. Love was girly stuff, and none of the men looked like they had a clue what to say or do next.


    ¡°Look, I appreciate you guys. I love you all to pieces. I don¡¯t know what I would do without you. I don¡¯t expect you to fix this for me. I¡¯m a big girl¡­. Not a little girl anymore, and I can handle myself. The days of meing to you with my scrapes and boo-boos should be well behind me. I¡¯ll figure out something. I just needed a ce to lick my wounds and regroup.¡±


    Cole frowned. ¡°Now, you wait just one damn minute. You¡¯re my family, Nina. My baby sister. I don¡¯t care how old you are.¡±


    Even Victor scowled and nodded his agreement. Tony merely squeezed her hand gently and told her bluntly to shut up.


    ¡°You¡¯ll always be my little girl and their little sister,¡± her dad said in his soft, gravelly voice. ¡°That doesn¡¯t change because you go away to college, get a fancy degree and get a job that beats you down every chance it gets. Now I have decided that¡¯s it¡¯s okay to let you do what you want and be whatever you want to be, but that doesn¡¯t mean you have to be alone¡±


    She winced at the direction this was heading.


    ¡°We love you and we¡¯ll always be here for you toe running to. You got that?¡± her father added.


    ¡°Yeah, Dad, I do.¡± She replied.


    ¡°Nowe here and give your old man a hug. Sounds like you¡¯ve had one hell of a week.¡±


    And honestly she had. She scrambled up from the couch and threw herself into his beefy embrace. She squeezed for all she was worth and inhaled his scent.


    ¡°I love you, Dad,¡± she muffled out against his shirt.


    ¡°I love you, too, honey. Don¡¯t you forget it, either. Now back up and tell me more about this Julian fellow and if I need to round up your brothers to go beat him up.¡±


    Nina smiled at him. ¡°Thanks dad, but I don¡¯t think it has toe to that,¡± she said.


    ¡°Just checking, dear¡± he replied.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    It was Monday evening.


    Nina parked her car and climbed up the stairs to her apartment. It had been a long day at work, and she had tried her best to focus on her work and ignore whateverments might be going around about her and Julian. She was going to put the whole affair behind her and start over.


    That hadn¡¯t been an easy decision to make, but what choice did she have? And frankly, now that she had had some time to clear her head and think straight, she was mad at Julian. She was mad at herself for falling for him when she knew better and mad at him for not being a little bit more understanding. It wasn¡¯t like she was enjoying being without him. He wasn¡¯t the only one hurting.


    She knew Abby was home because she saw her car parked outside and so she was expecting to see Abby in the kitchen preparing dinner. That was one of the amazing things that came with having Abby as a roommate. Abby loved cooking.


    She was expecting to see Abby, but she wasn¡¯t expecting to see Julian, and so when she walked into the kitchen, she froze when she saw him. She hadn¡¯t seen him since they ended things and she was sure he was keeping his distance¡­ Which was something she was very okay with. But now¡­. She wasn¡¯t ready to see him just yet.


    His man bun was gone, and his silky hair fell and rested on his shoulders. Nina hated that the man was so good looking, but she wasn¡¯t going to think about that right now.


    ¡°Hi Abby¡± she said as she walked into the kitchen. ¡°Hi Abby¡±.


    ¡°Hi,¡± he said softly.


    She could feel her eyes on her as she went to the fridge to get some water to drink.


    ¡°Hey sweetie. Wee¡± Abby replied, ¡°I just finished cooking. Grab a te if you¡¯re hungry¡±


    Nina was hungry, but the thought of eating any food had vanished from her head the moment she saw Julian. She cleared her throat.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine,¡± she said hastily. ¡°I will just eatter¡±


    Julian got the message. He got up immediately, a frown on his handsome face. He turned to Nina. ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± he said, his voice harsh. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that. I was just about to leave¡±


    ¡°You were?¡± Abby asked in surprise. ¡°I thought you were going to eat too¡±


    ¡°Yeah of course you were leaving¡± Nina said sarcastically, but taking care not to look at him. ¡°Because that is something you are really good at¡±


    Julian stopped moving towards the door and turned around. For a moment he looked surprised at herment, then he stared at Abby, who looked like she would love to disappear than be with them that very moment. ¡°Is she talking to me?¡± he asked his sister.


    Abby simply shrugged and returned her attention to the table she was cleaning. She didn¡¯t want to get sucked into this. When she didn¡¯t reply, he turned to Nina who had just picked up her bag which she¡¯d dropped on the table.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    ¡°Were you speaking to me, Red?¡± he said.


    Nina ignored the question and tried to walk past him, but he didn¡¯t let her. He grabbed her arm gently but firmly and blocked her path.


    ¡°Nina¡­¡± he began


    She yanked her hand from his grip and finally let her gaze meet his.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± she said, but from the tone of her voice, it was obvious that she wasn¡¯t sorry about anything. ¡°I got confused. Were you talking to me or were you walking away? You know¡­ Just like you always do¡±

 54

    She knew she¡¯d said the wrong thing immediately the words left her mouth, but she didn¡¯t care. She was too angry to care.


    ¡°What exactly is your problem, Red?¡± Julian asked angrily. ¡°Are you mad at me about something? That¡¯s weird, because if there was someone between the both of us who should be angry right now, it¡¯s me. So what the hell is wrong with you?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Nina said.


    ¡°Yeah that¡¯s right. You heard me.¡± Julian hissed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? You have absolutely no right to be going about makingments like that when you are the one that ended things with me. You are the one who fucking walked away¡±


    ¡°Me? Ended what exactly?¡± Nina yelled at him. ¡°I didn¡¯t end anything. You did. I simply said that I wanted some time to figure things out. I said I needed space. You are the one who could even at least try to be considerate. You just want things to go your way all the damn time. You just try to bully me to get what you want as usual. Well, news sh, prince Julian, it doesn¡¯t always work out that way and you are going to have to find a way to handle it¡±


    ¡°Well that¡¯s good for you¡± Julian retorted. ¡°But I¡¯m not something you just dump anytime you want and get back to when you feel like you¡¯re ready. I¡¯m not going to do that. I know what I want, damn it. I¡¯m not your god damn toy and you are not the only one with feelings. Like I told you before, I¡¯m not going to be anyone¡¯s little secret so if we can¡¯t be together now, then screw it ¡±


    ¡°You are such an inconsiderate asshole,¡± Nina said.


    ¡°And you are fucking selfish¡± Julian replied.


    ¡°Hey. Hey. Hey¡± Abby said, raising her hands. ¡°Now don¡¯t you guys think this thing is getting out of hand?¡± she asked. ¡°Surely there is a way for you guys to settle whatever this is before you both hurt each other even more. Come on, this is ridiculous. One minute you guys are all lovey dovey and now you guys can¡¯t even stand each other. That¡¯s sad¡±


    But they weren¡¯t listening to Abby. Nina red at him, her eyes daring him to repeat what he had just said. And he did.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, you heard me, Red. You are being so damn selfish right now¡± Julian repeated. ¡°You are so worried about what people would think and how it all affects you, but you are not thinking about me at all¡­. Acting like you are the only one in this. Acting like you are the only one with feelings and I¡¯m tired of it. But I shouldn¡¯t be surprised¡­ That¡¯s the way you have always been¡±


    Nina folded her hands and red at him. ¡°What the hell is that supposed to mean?¡± she asked angrily.


    ¡°What I mean is that you have always been like that. Right from when we were in high school. You are always there¡­ You know, being all beautiful and living your perfect Nina life, doing your pretty popr girl stuff and totally oblivious to anyone¡¯s feelings but yours¡±


    ¡°This is crazy. Are you seriously ming me because you couldn¡¯t bring yourself to tell me how you felt back then?¡± she asked.


    Julian sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. ¡°The point I¡¯m trying to make is that I should have known that it was all going to end this way. I knew you had your doubts about us, but I didn¡¯t know you would let things just end like this. I thought we meant more to each other, but I guess I was wrong. I just wanted us to work out so much that I just kept hoping. Look Red, I¡¯m so mad at you right now. You have no idea just how mad I am¡±


    ¡°Well that makes the two of us. I¡¯m mad at you too¡± Nina replied. ¡°And I know this is also Abby¡¯s apartment, but it¡¯s mine too and I will not tolerate youing in here and talking to me this way. I want you to leave.¡±


    Julian looked like he was about to say something back when Abby stepped between the both of them.


    ¡°All right that¡¯s it¡± she yelled. ¡°Now will the both of you just shut up and listen to me? I¡¯m tired of this¡±


    ¡°He started it,¡± Nina said. ¡°Talk to him¡±


    ¡°Oh please¡­. you are the one who came in here making sarcasticments¡­ In Fact¡­ ¡± Julian began but Abby interrupted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear this anymore,¡± Abby said. ¡°I mean it¡±


    They both kept quiet and stared at her.


    ¡°Now I understand that you guys are not really in a good ce with each other, stuff like this happens. People disagree. But I¡¯m not just going to stand and watch you guys do this. I love you both and I can¡¯t stand it. At least we can all still be friends even if guys aren¡¯t together. I was actually nning that all of us go out together tonight and maybe you guys can use the opportunity to find somemon ground. You know, just talk. Fix things. But I¡¯m beginning to think that that was a bad idea¡±


    ¡°Yes I agree,¡± Nina said. ¡°It really is a bad idea. Because if he¡¯s going then I¡¯m not not going with you guys. I¡¯m not going anywhere with him and there is no way in hell that I¡¯m going to hang out with him for any reason¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Julian frowned and red at her. ¡°Yeah well, I don¡¯t want to be around you right now either,¡± he said. ¡°So that makes the two of us. Why are you even being this way? I honestly don¡¯t get it. What the hell did I even do to you?¡±


    ¡°You know what you did,¡± Nina replied. ¡°All I asked was for you to give me some time and let things settle but you wouldn¡¯t listen. Even Abby agrees with me¡±


    ¡°She does?¡± Julian asked, then he turned to face Abby. ¡°Do you really agree with her?¡±


    ¡°Ermmm¡± Abby stammered. ¡°Actually I didn¡¯t actually say that I agreed with her, all I said was that I understood her point¡­ I mean¡­ Her side¡­ How she felt¡±

 55

    ¡°Oh really. Well, do you understand my side¡­ Or is it just hers?¡± Julian asked.


    Abby shook her head. ¡°Look, I understand the both of you. I really do. And I honestly don¡¯t want to pick sides. So whatever this is, can you guys just find a way to fix it? You don¡¯t even have to love or like each other. You just have to find a way to be around each other without fighting. Or else it¡¯s going to be a problem, and then before we know it, someone can¡¯t take it anymore and decides to leave. I don¡¯t want to lose any one of you¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t think we are ready to be around each other now,¡± Julian said.


    ¡°And I agree¡± Nina replied, giving him a look like she wanted to kill him.


    ¡°Yep, definitely a bad idea to talk about this¡± Abby said to herself, when she saw they weren¡¯t even making any effort to listen to her and stop arguing.


    Julian grabbed his phone which he had kept on the table and slipped it into his pocket.  ¡°You know what, I can¡¯t do this anymore. I shouldn¡¯t have talked to you about this because obviously you don¡¯t want to see just how wrong you are, and you can¡¯t even bring yourself to listen to reason, so I guess it will be better if I just leave¡±


    ¡°Yes. Please do¡± Nina retorted.


    Julian stared hard at her for a while, and she had to try so hard not to look away. She didn¡¯t really understand the look in his eyes¡­. Pain, hurt, anger¡­ She didn¡¯t want to care. She was too angry to care.


    ¡°Fine. I will leave¡± he said, then he turned and walked out.


    After he left, Nina turned to Abby. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry that you had to see all that, Abby¡± she said. ¡°I know he¡¯s your brother and I honestly didn¡¯t want all that to happen. It¡¯s just that I wasn¡¯t expecting to see him here, and when I did, I guess I just lost it because I¡¯m angry with him¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Abby replied. ¡°I understand that you guys are hurting¡­ And angry¡­ And you miss each other¡­. but for some reason you guys can¡¯t bring yourselves to find a way to fix things.¡± she started tough . ¡°It¡¯s almost like you guys are enjoying torturing yourself for nothing and I¡¯m sorry babe, but it¡¯s hrious. As much as I hate seeing you guys fight, I gotta say a part of me really enjoyed watching it¡­ It was kinda funny¡±


    Nina gave her a look, then she sat down and dished some spaghetti into her te. ¡°You are indeed a horrible person¡±


    ¡°I know dear,¡± Abby replied, stillughing.¡±


    ¡°Abby, I feel like I¡¯m bing a grouch. Do you think I¡¯m bing a grouch?¡±


    Abby put a finger on her chin ¡°Well¡­..¡± she began.


    ¡°Oh my God. What kind of friend are you?¡± Nina asked, feigning annoyance. ¡°When someone asks you something like that, you should say, no, I don¡¯t think you¡¯re bing a grouch¡±


    Abby smiled. ¡°So you want me to lie? You know I can¡¯t do that¡±Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Nina said.


    Abbyughed and patted her on the shoulder. ¡°You haven¡¯t really been yourselftely, but I don¡¯t think you are a grouch. I think you are my friend, and you are going through some stuff and you need time to get back to your old self. There¡¯s nothing wrong with that¡±


    Nina gave her a small smile. ¡°Now can you please call Julian and check on him?¡± she asked. ¡°I¡¯m mad at him but I really don¡¯t mean for that to happen.¡± she paused then added. ¡°And you better not tell him I told you to call him or I¡¯m going to kill you¡±


    Abby chuckled. ¡°Got it,¡± she said as she left the kitchen.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    Julian¡¯s office staff was avoiding him. Not that he could me them. He¡¯d arrived back to the office on Tuesday the following week, acting like a bear with a sore paw. Apparently taking one week away from the office and Nina hadn¡¯t done anything to change his bad mood.


    He¡¯d briefly touched base with his assistant, long enough to tell her not to hurry back into work and to remain with her granddaughter as long as she was needed.


    He¡¯d gone over hisst conversation with Nina until it rolled like video footage through his head. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t get it to turn off. He was angry with her, and he missed her terribly.


    It was his own fault for pursuing Nina so relentlessly, he thought. She¡¯d been hesitant from the start, and he¡¯d ignored all the warning signs. He¡¯d never be serious about a woman who didn¡¯t put him first. And he damn sure wouldn¡¯t be involved with a woman who put more importance on what the world around her thought about her than on her rtionship with him. And what the hell was she so mad at him for? He just couldn¡¯t understand the woman.


    He scowled when a knock sounded at his door. One of the secretaries poked her head in and held up an envelope like a shield.


    ¡°This just came for you, sir.¡± She said,


    ¡°Bring it over,¡± he said, waving her in.


    She hurried over and all but threw the envelope at him before beating a hasty retreat out of his office. He shook his head. He hadn¡¯t been that bad since he¡¯d returned two days ago. Okay maybe he had. He had to admit that.


    With a sigh, he nced at the envelope. It was an overnight package with the name of some corporation he¡¯d never heard of before. It was marked extremely urgent.


    He opened it and to his surprise it only held a folded newspaper. Nothing else. No letter, no exnation. He pulled it out and it fell open on his desk. It was turned to a specific page, and when he looked down, he saw Nina¡¯s picture, only it wasn¡¯t one he was familiar with. She looked different. Maybe younger? And she looked terrified in the picture. She had one hand up like she was trying to avoid the camera.


    Frowning, he scanned the article. He was so pissed by the time he got to the end that he had to go back and read it more carefully.


    The photo was indeed of a younger Nina. She¡¯dnded a position with a prestigious advertising firm one year out of college.


    She¡¯d done impressive work and then she¡¯d been promoted to senior executive very quickly-above several other junior executives who¡¯d been there longer.

 56

    A rtionship with the CEO had been quickly revealed, and Nina had been named in the divorce proceedings between the CEO and his wife. Nina had gone home in disgrace where she took a job with her father¡¯spany, and then months ago, with Standard Gatemunications.


    Onlyst week, intimate photographs of Nina Taylor with billionaire Julian Martin had appeared in another article the day after Julian Martin had reportedly signed a multimillion-dor advertising contract with Standard Gate.


    h, h, it went on and on, vilifying Nina and along with her, Standard Gate Communications. His stomach churned, and he felt the urge to vomit.


    His gaze caught thetest issue of Advertising Media. Fresh off the press and delivered just this morning. It was just as Nina had said. The announcement was there for the world to see, but it was tainted by those photos¡­. and people were still talking about it even a weekter.


    He picked up the paper and stared at it again. There was no way. No way in hell she¡¯d done what they used her of. He had known Nina since high school and even if it hadn¡¯t been too long since he got to know her again, he damn well knew she wouldn¡¯t have done something like this. If she did have a rtionship with this bastard, it wasn¡¯t so she¡¯d get a promotion. And she certainly wouldn¡¯t ruin anyone¡¯s marriage. He wanted to go kill someone. Preferably whoever had started this smear campaign. No one messed with the woman he loved and got away with it.


    All the air left his lungs in a painful jolt.


    Loved?


    He liked Nina. Liked her a damn lot. She was beautiful, vibrant, sexy as hell. She was a great lover and partner. He had fun with her. He loved herpany. But did he love her? True, he¡¯d had a crush on her when they were younger, but that had gone away. And when he saw her again he was very attracted to her¡­ But love?


    The knot in his stomach grew. How could he be so stupid about his own personal life? Surely it would have urred to him before now if he was in love with someone.


    He stopped and let his thoughts catch up with the breathless, panicky feeling in his chest.


    How had he gone all these years with never having fallen in love? He¡¯d never even contemted the idea until now. He wasn¡¯t at all sure he liked it, either.


    Love was such a messy emotion. It was bound to be inconvenient. You sure couldn¡¯t put it on a schedule and love never yed by the rules. He liked rules. And schedules. Ah, hell, he was absolutely in love with her.


    It was why he was sitting here in such a terrible mood that his usually easygoing office staff wouldn¡¯te near him for fear of being decapitated.


    He looked again at the article, and his chest utterly caved in. Nina. God, he¡¯d been such an idiot. Aplete and utter, madly-in-love moron.


    He¡¯d reacted just like a petnt child, furious that his favorite toy was being taken away. In this case, Nina had wanted to put their rtionship on hold and all he could see was that she was pushing him away. He¡¯d panicked. He¡¯d been a total ass¡­. Even at her apartment the other day.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    She needed him. Needed his support. And he¡¯d told her to take a hike. Worse, he¡¯d arrogantly told her not to bother changing her mind ande crawling back.


    He winced. Holy hell in a bucket but he¡¯d said some horrible things. If there was any crawling to do, it would be him doing it. In the mud. Over broken ss.


    Her tear-stained face came painfully to mind. The hell she must have endured.


    Her coworkers had seen the photos. Everyone in her profession had likely seen them. They¡¯d all probablye to some very inurate conclusions¡­ And he hadn¡¯t even thought about all that then.


    He¡¯d been selfish and demanding from the start, and he had used her of the same thing. He hadn¡¯t given one moment¡¯s consideration to how their rtionship would reflect on her. It had all been about him. His wants and needs. He didn¡¯t care if anyone knew about them, but she had. And with good reason.


    He should have been standing with her. He should have supported her. Now it looked as if the world had turned on her, and where was he? Off licking his wounds while she faced the world alone. To hell with that.


    He had a woman to win back.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    Nina was clearing up her desk and getting ready to go home when someone knocked on her office door.


    ¡°Come in¡± she said, looking up


    She smiled when Camille walked into her office.


    ¡°Hello,¡± Camille said.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Nina replied. ¡°Thought you had gone home¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I was about to, but I decided to stop at Rosa for a bit drink and I thought maybe you would like toe with me¡±


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s so thoughtful, ¡± Nina said, smiling at Camille. ¡°That¡¯s a great idea. Things have been kinda toughtely. Just give me a minute so I clear these papers on my desk. I hateing to work in the morning and finding paperwork scattered all over. Please seat down¡±


    ¡°Sure, I will wait,¡± Camille said.


    ¡°I didn¡¯te to work with my car today, so you will have to take me home when we are done, is that okay?¡± Nina asked.


    ¡°Yeah. No big deal¡±


    Twenty minutester, they were in Camille¡¯s car and headed towards Rosa and soon they were at the bar giggling and talking about work. Nina had almost forgotten about everything bothering her when Camille said,


    ¡°So, I don¡¯t mean to pry, but how are you taking the whole Julian Martin and Standard Gate thing? I know some people are still talking about it and I know this isn¡¯t easy for you¡±


    Nina sipped her drink and shook her head. ¡°You have no idea how annoying and hurtful it is,¡± she said. ¡°Whatever has happened has happened already, and I realize that there is nothing I can do about it but suck it up. What hurts more is that story about the firstpany I worked for was also there¡­. Someone dug the whole thing up. I have tried real hard to put that incident behind me¡­ But here I am, back where I was before ¡°

 57

    Camille touched her arm.¡±Yeah I read that too¡± she said. ¡°And you don¡¯t have to talk about it if you don¡¯t want to¡±


    Nina shook her head. ¡°Actually I do. I¡¯m ready to talk about it. I think that I have kept it in too long. It was my big secret and one of the reasons why this hurt so much was because I have been trying really hard to keep it hidden¡­ Because I was ashamed of myself, I was trying so hard to prove something to my dad and I didn¡¯t want Julian to know about it because I was scared that he would see me differently¡­ Like a horrible person¡±


    She shook her head, like she was trying to shake away the bad memories, picked up her ss and finished the contents with a gulp and asked for her ss to be refilled. After it was refilled she continued.


    ¡°So my dad has always wanted me to work at hispany. I know he loves me but he can be really overprotective¡­ Even my brothers sometimes too. So a year after college I got a job with this advertising firm¡­. The one you read about in the paper.  I got promoted to senior executive real quick-above several other junior executives who¡¯d been there longer than I was. I and my boss were close but I wasn¡¯t having a rtionship with him. I guess someone who didn¡¯t like me very much spread that damn story ¡±


    She had her ss refilled again.


    ¡°Anyways,¡± she continued after breathing deeply. ¡°I was so ashamed I had to leave thepany and I went back to my dad¡¯spany. Which he was more than okay with. But I wasn¡¯t really happy there. I wanted to get out, have adventures, work hard and seed without having to wonder if I was doing well because I was good at my job or if I was doing well because my dad was the boss. I decided to leave when I found out that my dad wanted me to marry some guy named Christopher Anderson I barely knew¡­. The man had my entire life nned out for me and I couldn¡¯t take it anymore. When I applied for the job at Standard Gate, I wasn¡¯t even sure I would get it, and when I did I was scared¡­. But you know, good kinda scared. I was excited and at the same time sad about pissing off my dad. And then I found out that I would have to get Julian¡¯s ount¡­. I gave it my best¡­. I know I did, but I just let my feelings for him ruin the whole thing¡­ Ruined what I have tried so hard to build. Now tell me Camille, what¡¯s it gonna look like to other people? Everyone is going to think that I¡¯m a slut who would do anything and sleep with anyone just to get a position at a firm¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that,¡± Camille said softly.


    Nina smiled at her. ¡°Look at you, tryna make me feel better¡­. Thanks though.¡±


    ¡°Is it working?¡± Camille asked.


    ¡°Maybe a little bit,¡± Nina said grinning. ¡°I don¡¯t know honestly¡±


    ¡°You wanna hear a little secret of mine¡± Camille asked.


    The bartender filled both their sses. Nina rested an elbow on the counter.


    ¡°Sure thing¡± she said. ¡°What better time and ce is there to share secrets other than in a bar drinking our asses off¡±


    ¡°Actually, you¡¯re the one who¡¯s ¡®drinking your ass off''¡±. Camille saidughing. ¡°I¡¯m just drinking¡±


    Nina joined her in herughter. ¡°Shut up¡­ If anything, I deserve to forget all this for a while¡± she said. ¡°Now out with it¡±


    Camille breathed deeply. ¡°Okay, here goes. You know I kind of understand your situation¡­. Because I¡¯m kind of in the same boat¡­ Ermmm, Evan and I have actually been dating for a while now¡±This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Nina slipped her drink, trying to hide her smirk behind her ss, but failing woefully. Eventually, she dropped her ss and said, ¡°Ohhhhhhh¡±


    Camille gave her a weird and surprised look. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± she asked. ¡°Ohhhhhhh? That¡¯s all you are going to say? I tell you this and that¡¯s all you¡¯re going to say?¡±


    Nina nodded. She was starting to feel the alcohol take effect and she was getting a bit tipsy. ¡°Yeah.¡± She replied, grinning stupidly. ¡°Is there something else you would like to say?¡±


    ¡°Not really,¡± Camille said, frowning. ¡°It¡¯s just that you are being kind of weird. I mean, I just thought you would be a little bit more surprised to hear it and all I get from you is ¡®Ohhhhhhh¡¯?¡±


    Nina nodded, her smile getting even wider. ¡°Yup, that¡¯s all you get¡± she said.


    Camille looked at her closely for a while, then her eyes widened in understanding and surprise. ¡°Oh my God. You know already, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Nina chuckled and shook her head. ¡°No I don¡¯t¡± she lied.


    Camille narrowed her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t mess with me. Of course you do¡± she said. ¡°That¡¯s why you are not surprised¡±


    Nina burst intoughter, nodding her head. ¡°Yes I do. I know about you and Evan and I¡¯m happy for you guys.. Honestly¡± she said. ¡°Damn this alcohol. I have no control over myself right now. I can¡¯t even lie properly¡­. Although that¡¯s something I have always sucked at¡±


    She started tough again and this time Camille couldn¡¯t help but join her. When Nina finished her drink and asked for another, Camille grabbed her ss and told the bartender not to refill.


    ¡°Heyyyyyyy¡± Nina said, pouting her lips like a child and pointing at the ss. ¡°That¡¯s mine. And you should let me drink. I¡¯m not driving, I justnded a big ount for ourpany and I¡¯m heart broken. If all these are not reasons to get drunk, then I don¡¯t know what is¡±


    ¡°We already celebrated the ount¡­. And alcohol does nothing but make bad decisions look good and you¡¯re not making one of those under my watch¡± Camille replied and Nina groaned. She paused for a while, then she said. ¡°Seriously, how and when did you find out about Evan and i?¡±


    ¡°Actually I have known for a while now. I just didn¡¯t want to say anything to you because I didn¡¯t know if you would want to talk about it¡­. And I can understand that¡­ I had the same issue with Julian and I wanted to keep it a secret. It was Reba who told me anyways¡±


    Camille rolled her eyes. ¡°Of course it was Reba who told you. No gossip passes her by¡±

 58

    Ninaughed. ¡°Please don¡¯t pick a fight with her or anything like that. She talks a lot, but I¡¯m sure she doesn¡¯t really mean to cause any harm. She¡¯s just like that¡±


    ¡°Oh I won¡¯t,¡± Camille replied. ¡°That would be very childish. It just makes me wonder who else at thepany knows. I just don¡¯t want to cause any problems for Evan¡±


    ¡°You really like him, don¡¯t you?¡± Nina asked.


    Camille blushed and sipped her drink. ¡°I do,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m in love with him actually¡±


    ¡°Awn. I¡¯m happy for you honestly. At least one of us getting the happy forever after story that she deserves. And you deserve to be happy. Evan is such a nice guy and you are both lucky to have each other¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Camille replied. ¡°I gotta say it¡¯s kind of a relief to talk to someone about this. The hiding and sneaking around is kinda tiring¡±


    ¡°Yeah it can be tiring¡± Nina agreed, then she grinned and added. ¡°But you gotta admit it¡¯s kind of exciting too¡±Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Camilleughed. ¡°Yeah I guess it is, but that was when we first started seeing each other. Now I just want a normal rtionship where I can go on a romantic date without worrying about someone from the office seeing us and stuff like that. But I guess now that I know some people from the office know about it, it doesn¡¯t matter so much anymore so I will just talk to Evan about it¡­. And now speaking of people we are dating, how is it going with Julian Martin? What did he say about all this ¡±


    Nina sighed deeply. Hearing Julian¡¯s name brought memories she was trying so hard to forget¡­ Both good and bad ones.


    ¡°We kind of broke up,¡± she told Camille.


    ¡°You guys did? Why?¡±


    ¡°Yep¡±


    ¡°Because of the whole gossip stuff on that paper. Whose decision was it to break up¡± Camille asked.


    ¡°It was mine,¡± Nina replied. ¡°Actually I didn¡¯t want to end it all at first, I just suggested that wey low for a while. Not see each other for now until this whole thing clears up, but Julian didn¡¯t want that. He said that he wasn¡¯t going to be my dirty little secret and that since I was so worried about what people thought about me, then we shouldn¡¯t be together ¡±


    ¡°Damn, that¡¯s not good¡± Camille said. ¡°urmmm¡­ Does he know what happened at your formerpany? Does he know why you cared so much about people finding out about you two?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get a chance to talk to him about it before he stormed out of my apartment, but I guess now that it¡¯s out in the open too, he¡¯s going to see it¡±


    Nina buried her face in her hands for a second and when she looked up, Camille was looking at her with a pitiful expression on her face. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± she said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t help it. I¡¯m really sorry for what you are going through right now.¡±


    Nina motioned to the bartender to get her another drink and when Camille tried to stop her, she protested. ¡°Just let me be, babe,¡± she said. ¡°Just let me have this evening¡­ Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not going to drink myself to stupor or any shit like that¡±


    After she¡¯d sipped the drink, she turned to Camille again. ¡°Do you think I made a mistake?¡± she asked. ¡°Do you think I shouldn¡¯t have asked Julian for us to put our rtionship on hold?¡±


    Camille shook her head. ¡°No I don¡¯t think so. I think it¡¯s okay to need a break sometimes. I think it¡¯s okay to be worried about your career and reputation¡­ Those are important too. You are human, and after everything you have been through, it¡¯s okay that you wannay low for a while and breathe. But I¡¯m not going to say that Julian was wrong either. I think I can understand him too. He wants to be with you and the thought of sneaking around and hiding what he has with you just doesn¡¯t sound right to him. So I think what you both need is to settle down for a while, give yourselves some space and then meet up and talk about it¡­ If you guys want to be together then screw what other people think ¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t want to talk to me anymore¡± Nina said slowly, ¡°Thest time I saw him was at my apartment. We ended up yelling at each other. Said some mean things to each other. I said he was inconsiderate, he said I was selfish¡­ He told me not toe back to him if I ever changed my mind¡±


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s not good, but I¡¯m sure he just said that out of anger¡± Camille replied.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I think it¡¯s for the best actually¡±


    A voice calling Camille made them both turn around. Nina found herself staring at a guy she¡¯d never seen before and maybe it was an effect of the alcohol, but she found herself thinking the guy was kinda cute¡­ Not kinda cute actually¡­ He was cute.


    He was tall, dressed in a fitted shirt and jeans and walked with a lean grace. He smiled as he walked towards them. His smile carried all the confidence of ady killer on the prowl.


    ¡°Hey, Camille¡± he said when he got to them, ¡°Fancy meeting you here¡±


    Camille smiled back at him. ¡°Hey Leonard,¡± she replied. ¡°What the hell are you doing here? Let me guess, looking for a date?¡±


    The guy called Leonard threw his head back andughed, and Nina had to admit that he kinda had a nice voice too.


    ¡°Not really¡± he said finally, ¡°Just hanging out here. Blowing off some steam. But if I was looking for a date, I wouldn¡¯t have to look anymore because, wow, there is a beautiful woman seated right next to you. Camille, are you going to introduce us or should I just go ahead and do it myself?¡± Then before Camille could say anything he added, ¡°You know what, I think I should do it myself, because you know, that way it has more effect¡±


    Camille smiled and rolled her eyes. ¡°Will you just shut up?¡± she said.


    Leonard raised his hands in surrender. ¡°As you wish ma¡¯am¡± he replied, and Nina found herself smiling at him. He was charming.


    Camille turned to her. ¡°Leonard, this is my friend and colleague, Nina Taylor and Nina this is my friend Leonard Scofield. He works at Creative Edge and I would like to apologize for his attitude, he¡¯s just annoying like that most of the time.¡±

 59

    Leonard gasped, feigning annoyance while Nina justughed.


    ¡°Actually it¡¯s fine,¡± she said. ¡°I actually don¡¯t mind. I think he is funny¡±


    ¡°You hear that, sweetie? She thinks I¡¯m funny¡± he said, poking Camille.


    Camille turned back to her drink and rolled her eyes, ¡°Well I wouldn¡¯t read much into what Nina said, she¡¯s had a couple of drinks so she might not be thinking straight. That¡¯s just the alcohol talking¡­ Because why would anyone in their right mind find you funny?¡±


    Leonard ignored herment and turned to Nina. ¡°It¡¯s really nice to meet you, Nina,¡± he said, smiling at her and extending his hand for a handshake.


    Nina shook his hand and smiled back. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you too, Leonard,¡± she replied.


    ¡°You should know that I know who you actually are,¡± Leonard said.


    Nina lifted an eyebrow ¡°You do?¡± she asked. And then she understood. He was in advertising. He probably already saw the news about her. Her eyes lowered and her smile faded.


    ¡°Oh¡± she said. ¡°I guess with everything going on I¡¯m a bit popr now¡­ Good for me¡±  She turned and drained her ss.


    Leonard shook her head and took a seat next to her. ¡°What? No I don¡¯t mean that¡­. I mean, actually, I read the whole thing, but I kind of knew you before then. At the party? The one we all attended¡­ Tryna get Julian Martin¡¯s ount? Mypany wanted it to remember? I was at the party too. We just didn¡¯t speak to each other¡±


    ¡°Oh¡± Nina said simplyContent ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°Yeah I saw you there and I couldn¡¯t help thinking, thatdy is beautiful¡±


    Nina managed a smile, though it was genuine. ¡°Thanks,¡± she said. ¡°That¡¯s very sweet of you. I think you are really good looking too¡±


    ¡°Not so good looking on the inside though. Don¡¯t let the package fool you¡­ That saying ¡®don¡¯t judge a book by its cover¡¯ also applies in this situation¡± Camille said yfully.


    ¡°Shut up¡± Leonard told her and Nina couldn¡¯t help but grin.


    ¡°So you work at Creative Edge?¡± she said to him. ¡°How is it going over there?¡±


    ¡°Well apart from Standard Gate taking the Mart Enterprises ount from us, we are doing well I guess¡± Leonard said smiling, and then his smile died when he realized what he¡¯d just said. ¡°Oh I really didn¡¯t mean to¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to insinuate that¡­¡±


    He pped his forehead. ¡°Damn I¡¯m really sorry. I really didn¡¯t mean it that way. You must think I¡¯m a jerk¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, honestly¡± Nina said. ¡°You don¡¯t have to walk on eggshells around me. I¡¯m a big girl. I can handle myself¡±


    ¡°See, he hasn¡¯t even been here for up to ten minutes and he¡¯s already ruining people¡¯s mood.¡± Camille said, ¡°You know Nina, you can¡¯t say that I didn¡¯t warn you about him¡±


    ¡°Why do you derive so much joy from torturing me?¡± Leonard groaned.


    Ninaughed and he turned back to her and smiled. ¡°Actually, I think it¡¯s really stupid the way most people reacted to the whole thing. Judging someone just by something you read¡­ That¡¯s not right. They should know how bloggers are. What are they¡­. New to the inte. I¡¯m sure that you are good at what you do and you deserve that ount. And your personal rtionship is your business¡­ Anyone who has a problem with it can go fuck themselves ¡± He paused for a while then added, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, pardon mynguage¡­. I think I got a little carried away with my¡­ Speech¡±


    Ninaughed, deciding that she liked this guy. ¡°Well, I think it was a very wonderful speech¡±


    ¡°Hear that, Camille? She said she liked my speech. Seems like everyone loves me except you¡­. Actually I think you love me too, but you don¡¯t want me to know. But that¡¯s all right. I love you too¡±


    Camille simply rolled her eyes at him and continued to sip her drink. They all talked for a while and then a few minutester, Camille¡¯s phone rang and she had to go outside to talk because the ce was noisy.


    When she returned she grabbed her bag. ¡°I gotta go dears¡± she said, she looked like she was in a hurry.


    ¡°Is everything alright?¡± Nina asked her.


    Camille nodded. ¡°Yes¡­ No¡­ I mean, I don¡¯t really know. Evan called me. He sounded kind of upset about some work stuff and I gotta go see him. You know how serious he gets when ites to thepany¡±


    Nina understood. ¡°Allright¡± she said. ¡°But are you gonnae back here? You¡¯re my ride¡±


    ¡°Yeah I know¡± Camille replied, then she turned to Leonard. ¡°Hey, is it okay if I ask you to take Nina back home. She¡¯s had some drinks, actually a lot of it and she didn¡¯t bring her car. I want to make sure she gets home safely¡±


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s alright. She¡¯s safe with me¡± Leonard replied, then he leaned closer to Camille. ¡°So you¡¯re going to see Evan huh¡­ Sure it¡¯s work stuff or¡­ ?¡± he raised his eyebrows ridiculously at her and as Nina watched them, she realized that the both of them must be very close¡­ Especially as he obviously knew about her and Evan.


    Cami hit him on the shoulder. ¡°You are disgusting¡± she said yfully as she put her bag on her shoulder.


    ¡°I know I am, but you love me anyway¡± he replied.


    Camille turned to Nina. ¡°I will see youter girl. Don¡¯t stay here too long. Go home so you can sleep all these off¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Nina replied. After Camille left, she turned to Leonard. ¡°You guys seem pretty close,¡± she said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Leonard replied. ¡°I wanted to get a job at Standard Gate at first, that¡¯s when I met her and she was super nice to me. I would have taken the job if Creative Edge hadn¡¯t given me a bigger offer, but she and I remained friends. I love her¡­ She¡¯s like a sister to me¡±


    Nina nodded. ¡°And from yourment earlier, I suppose you know about her and Evan¡±


    ¡°Yep. I do¡± Leonard replied. ¡°They seem really into each other and I¡¯m happy for her¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a good friend¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I try¡± he said.


    Minutester, Nina decided it was time to go home as it was getting reallyte.


    ¡°You sure you can stand on your own¡­.¡± Leonard asked, watching her. She nodded and he added, ¡°On those heels?¡±


    ¡°Hey¡± Nina saidughing. ¡°I have been wearing heels since I was like eight. I¡¯m sure a couple of drinks won¡¯t affect me that bad¡±

 60

    But boy was she wrong, because immediately she stood her knees wobbled. Leonard caught her immediately and they bothughed.


    ¡°I really thought I had it under control,¡± she said, stillughing. ¡°Turns out I don¡¯t¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you did¡± he replied, just hold on to me. They walked slowly outside and to his car, the whole time his hand was wrapped  around her waist.


    Nina couldn¡¯t wait to get home, take a shower and go straight to bed. She was tipsy and as he drove she closed her eyes.


    ¡°Are you falling asleep?¡± Leonard asked her.


    She opened her eyes slowly. ¡°A little bit,¡± she replied. ¡°It¡¯s the alcohol taking effect¡±


    ¡°Is everything alright with you? I don¡¯t mean to pry, but you seem a little worried¡­ And I know most people just like to drown whatever issues they are having in alcohol. I just hope that isn¡¯t what you are doing¡±


    Nina shook her head. ¡°No¡­ I mean. Yeah I¡¯m kind of going through some stuff right now, but I¡¯m not drinking to forget them or anything like that. Camille suggested we go out tonight and so I just decided to make use of the opportunity. So I do not have a drinking problem¡­ If that¡¯s what you wanna ask me ¡±


    Leonard gave a boyish grin before he returned his attention back to the road. When they finally got to her apartment and the car came to a stop, he turned to her.


    ¡°Ermmm, would it be weird if I asked for your phone number?¡± he asked, and for the first time that evening, Nina saw him look a bit shy. Which surprised her a little, he seemed so confident throughout the little time they had spent together.


    ¡°Sure, you can have it. It wouldn¡¯t be weird at all¡± she replied.


    He smiled and handed her his phone so she could type in her number. When she was done and handed it back to him, his fingers brushed his slightly and she pulled her hand away immediately.


    When she took out her phone so he could give her his number she saw she had twelve missed calls and Three texts. Nine calls from Julian, two from Abby and the other from Camille. Camille was probably calling to know if she was home. The texts were all from Abby, asking where she was.


    She really didn¡¯t know why Julian had called. They hadn¡¯t been speaking to each other for a while. But she wasn¡¯t going to bother herself about that. If it was work, he could call her tomorrow.


    ¡°Shit¡± she said.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± Leonard asked.


    ¡°Yeah.. Just some missed calls. Nothing too important. Here, you can type in your number¡± She handed him the phone and took it back when he was done.


    ¡°I will call you,¡± Leonard said. ¡°And I know this might not be a good time to say this, but maybe we could go out together sometime and grab a bite or hang out and drink¡­ Like tonight. I really had a nice time. We can hang out¡­ Maybe go on a date¡­ If it¡¯s okay with you of course¡±


    Nina stared at him for a moment and smiled. ¡°I had a great time too Leonard. It was fun talking to you too¡±


    ¡°But¡­..¡± he added.


    ¡°Why do you just assume there was going to be a ¡®but¡¯?¡± Nina asked him.


    ¡°Ohe on, I¡¯m not a kid,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Still.. You can¡¯t just assume stuff like¡± Nina insisted.


    He raised his hand in surrender. ¡°Okay alright¡­.. But let¡¯s be truthful, there was going to be a ¡®but¡¯, am I right?¡±


    ¡°Ehhhhhh¡­. Yeah¡± Nina replied finally, and they bothughed.


    ¡°See? I knew it¡­ So what were you going to say?¡±


    ¡°I was going to say that I had a nice time and I am sure that you are a nice guy, but I don¡¯t think anything is going to happen between us. I¡¯m actually going through some stuff right now and I have to take some time and figure out where my head is¡­. I¡¯m sorry if I¡¯m being blunt, I just don¡¯t want to lead you on because I really like you¡­ If you are open to us being friends I¡¯m totally fine with it¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Leonard said, nodding his head. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to intrude, but this is about Julian Martin right?¡±


    Nina nodded her head. ¡°Yeah kinda¡­ But it¡¯s about me too¡­ I really hope you understand¡±Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I do. It¡¯s just, I spent some time with you and I just thought that you are a specialdy¡­ But I guess I shouldn¡¯t have said anything so soon. it¡¯s fine, I will settle for being just your friend¡­ I just¡­ Wanted to try you know¡­ There¡¯s no harm in doing that, right?¡±


    Nina smiled at him. ¡°Of course not¡±  she replied.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t let whatever people are saying get to you. You did nothing wrong and trust me, most of those people who are judging right now have done even worse things¡­ Not that I think you did anything wrong¡­ Because you didn¡¯t¡­ I ermmm¡­ Sorry I¡¯m bbing¡­ Can you stand at all this time, or do you want need me to carry you in¡±


    Nina chuckled.¡±Oh there¡¯s absolutely no need for that¡± she replied. ¡°I might need a hand, but I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t have to carry me in¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Leonard replied. He got out and then went to the other side of the car and helped her out, then he proceeded to help her up the stairs and into the apartment.


    The door swung open before Nina could insert her keys into the lock and she and Leonard found themselves staring at Julian, who didn¡¯t even bother to hide the anger written all over his


    ¡®Great! What the hell does he want now?¡¯ Nina thought. Julian said nothing, but just stood there ring at her and Leonard


    ¡°Oh hi, Mr Martin¡± Leonard said, breaking the silence. ¡°I¡¯m Leonard Scofield, it¡¯s nice to meet you¡±


    He extended his hand for a handshake which Nina was sure Julian only shook because he didn¡¯t want to be rude¡­ not that he was doing a good job of it though. The look on his face spoke volumes.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you too¡± Julian replied in a voice that wasn¡¯t very nice or weing.


    Leonard took the hint that it was a good time to leave. He turned to Nina. ¡°Ermmm¡­ I will call you, Nina. Get some sleep, you need it¡± he said. ¡°Goodnight¡±

 61

    ¡°Goodnight Leonard,¡± Nina said softly, and she felt sorry for the guy. He looked a bit¡­ Embarrassed and she couldn¡¯t me him. Who wouldn¡¯t feel that way when Julian was ring at them like that. And as for Julian, what the hell was he doing in her apartment.


    She ignored his frowning face and brushed past him into the apartment. She was about to walk to her room when Abby came out of hers.


    ¡°Oh my God, where the hell have you been?¡± Abby asked her, pulling her into her arms to hug her. ¡°We have been calling and texting too. I was getting worried. Why didn¡¯t you pick your calls?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry honey¡± Nina replied. ¡°I went out for some drinks, and I got carried away. Kinda lost track of time and my phone was in my bag. I put it on silent at the office and forgot to turn it back on. I¡¯m sorry I made you worry¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright¡­,¡± Abby began to say, but she paused, ¡°Wow, did you drink the entire bar¡±


    Ninaughed.


    ¡°Are you drunk?¡± Abby asked her.


    ¡°Nope¡±


    Abby red at her and sheughed again.


    ¡°Okay, maybe a little bit¡± Abby replied, then she leaned closer and whispered into Abby¡¯s ear, ¡°But don¡¯t tell anyone. That would be so embarrassing¡±. Although it wasn¡¯t really a whisper because it was loud and Julian could hear her clearly.


    It was kind of funny, and if he wasn¡¯t very angry about the man who had just brought her home, he would haveughed.


    He moved forward and took her bag from her, then he nodded to Abby. ¡°I think I will take it from here¡± he said, his voice a bit hoarse.


    Abby nodded and walked back toward her room.


    Nina turned to him. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Julian. I don¡¯t need your help¡± she said. ¡°I might be a little tipsy, but not too tipsy to know that I definitely don¡¯t want to be anywhere around you¡±


    He ignored herment and ced her hand on the small of her back. Despite what she¡¯d just said, Nina let him guide her towards her room. When they were both inside, she took her bag from him and dropped it on her table.


    ¡°I¡¯m inside my room now, Julian,¡± she said. ¡°It was very nice of you to make sure I made it inside my room safely. Thank you very much for your concern. But you can leave now please¡±


    She sat on the edge of the bed and kicked off her shoes. She buried her face in hands for a while and when she looked up, he was just standing there, watching her, both hands in his pockets.


    She stood up. ¡°Please leave Julian. I can¡¯t do this right now¡­ Whatever this is¡­ Because I don¡¯t know what it is¡±


    He took a step closer to her, but stopped, as if he didn¡¯t trust himself to be too close to her and she was grateful for it. She didn¡¯t trust herself around him either because somehow she seemed to always make bad decisions when it came to him.


    ¡°Alcohol¡­ Getting drunk¡­ Or tipsy.. Whatever you called it¡­ I gotta say that¡¯s a part of you I haven¡¯t seen before¡± he said finally.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Nina said nothing, but simply stared at him. Like Camille had said, the thing about alcohol is that it made good decisions seem like bad ones, and to her utter dismay, she found herself wondering if it would be such a bad idea to grab him and kiss him. Or if she¡¯d let him kiss her if he made a move. She knew she¡¯d definitely missed kissing him. But of course that was definitely a bad idea¡­ This was the alcohol talking, and she had to stay focused, she told herself.


    She had to tilt her head back to look into his gorgeously chiseled face. Much to her dismay, he looked devastating and breath-takingly handsome, with his dark hair and strong, muscr physique. And she was sure she didn¡¯t look her best right now. She hated that.


    His worn jeans fit snugly against trim hips. The sleeves of his ck shirt were rolled up, revealing tanned forearmsced with dark hair. His dark hair was pulled back into a tie at the base of his neck.


    He held his powerful body absolutely still as his dark eyes raked slowly over her.


    Nina¡¯s breath disappeared from her lungs. She felt vulnerable and exposed, like a hapless gazelle beneath a lion¡¯szy gaze. She felt the restrained hunger of a well-fed predator who had absolute confidence in his power over her. Right now she wanted him to just leave so she could take a shower and then sleep all these off, but Julian didn¡¯t take the cue.


    ¡°Who was he? The guy you came home with? The one holding you so close that I had to keep myself from punching?¡± He asked thest question like it pained him just to get the words out.


    Nina red at him. ¡°It¡¯s none of your business Julian¡± she said. ¡°You are not my dad¡­ or any shit like that. You have no right to ask me that¡±


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m asking anyway¡± he said. ¡°Who was he?¡±


    Something snapped inside her¡­ Something crazy. It was definitely crazy because the next words that came out of her mouth were crazy, and she didn¡¯t even know what made her say them.


    ¡°He was my date,¡± she said casually, and began to slip her jacket off her shoulders.


    Julian stared at her for a few seconds like he couldn¡¯t believe what he¡¯d just heard, and she knew it was kind of evil, but she enjoyed those few seconds more than she cared to admit. The man had to understand that he couldn¡¯t juste into her room and ask her questions like that.


    ¡°You were on a date with this man?¡± he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.


    She stood her ground. ¡°Yes,¡± she replied. She dropped the jacket on her reading chair and then proceeded to remove her earrings.


    ¡°A date huh?¡± Julian said slowly, his voice still quiet. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t know that we were seeing other people, Nina¡±


    She turned to him. ¡°Well, we are not seeing each other¡­ So I figured it¡¯s okay for me to see other people¡­ Not that it¡¯s any of your business though¡±


    He closed his eyes and opened them again, like he was trying real hard to control himself. ¡°I know that we are not together, Red, but it¡¯s not even been up to three weeks, and you¡¯re already going on dates, letting him bring you home¡­. Letting him¡­. Touch you¡±

 62

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business who I hang out with¡­ Or who I let touch me¡­. I don¡¯t know why you are so concerned, you walked away from me, Julian. You made your choice. What do you expect? That I¡¯m just going to sit around and wait for you? You even told me not toe back to you¡­ Called me selfish¡­ Well, I¡¯m being as selfish as I can be. I don¡¯t see why it shoulde as a surprise to you since you already knew I was that sort of woman¡­. As you said and I quote ¡­ ¡®totally oblivious to anyone¡¯s feelings except mine¡¯. Well, this is me, Julian. Now please leave. I¡¯m tired and I would like to rest ¡±


    He crossed the room in a few strides and before she knew it, she was trapped between him and her table. She forced herself to stare at him, but she could feel that her legs weren¡¯t even steady. Damn. Now those drinks were definitely a bad idea, she thought.


    ¡°Please Julian¡± she said, hating the way she sounded, hating that she sounded like she was begging him. She didn¡¯t want that. She didn¡¯t want him to think that he had any kind of influence whatsoever on her.


    ¡°I said what I said because I was hurt,¡± Julian said. ¡°Because I was angry that you were willing to throw what we had away without giving it any ounce of thought. Right from the beginning, you have always been worried about someone finding out about us, and I was okay with that for a while¡­ Because at least I got to be with you¡­ And I hoped that maybe¡­ somehow, you would see that other people¡¯s opinion didn¡¯t matter¡­ Except what we felt for each other. And when you told me that day that you wanted to end things¡­. ¡±


    ¡°I never said that, Julian¡± she said, interrupting him, ¡°I never said that I wanted to end things¡­ I said I wanted to take some kind of break¡­ Lay low for a while for the¡­.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t do that¡± he yelled at her, making her wince and try to move back, but the table was in her way and she had nowhere to go.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t justy low and then wait till you were ready to be with me again. I¡¯m not just some damn toy that you can discard and pick up whenever you want, damn it¡­. But that was before I read the paper¡­ About the otherpany¡±


    Nina sucked in a deep breath¡­. He knew about it now. She knew he would see it, but yet she was still embarrassed. Did she see her differently now? Hate her maybe? Was he disgusted by her? She was scared to find out the answers to those questions.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me about it?¡± he asked softly. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me that the reason why were so worried about people finding out about us was because you had already been in a simr position¡±


    She red at him. ¡°Would it have made any difference if I had told you?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes, damn it¡± he said harshly, hitting the table with his fist, making her wince again l. ¡°It would have made a difference because it would have helped me understand you¡­. It would have helped me understand where you wereing from and why you wanted what you wanted¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to tell each other everything about our past because we were sleeping together, Julian¡± she said.


    ¡°Is that all it was to you then? Sex?¡±  he asked her.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    When she didn¡¯t reply he continued. ¡°I found out today and I was so mad at myself because of the way things turned out. I hurried down here, called you severally and waited for you toe home, so we could talk. So I could let you know that I finally understood. Because I wanted to be there for you and I was worried about how you were taking this whole time¡­. only to find out that you were already on a date.. With some guy¡­ you are already seeing other people¡­ Getting drunk with him¡­ And even admitting it to me¡­ Ordering me out of your room like I mean nothing to you. ¡± he paused, the look in his eyes haunting her. ¡°I guess I finally have my answer then¡­ It was just sex for you. That¡¯s why you have no problem whatsoever moving on after just three weeks. But it¡¯s all good now, Red. I know my ce in your life now¡­ And I won¡¯t cross those boundaries again.¡±


    Nina was stunned by his admission to how strongly he felt about their rtionship. It had meant more to her too obviously. It was never just about the sex and now she was sorry she¡¯d made him think otherwise. And she hated herself for telling him that Leonard was a date. Another bad decision she¡¯d just made. God¡­ When was she going to stop making those?


    She reached for him, but he pulled away.


    ¡°Julian¡­ listen¡± she began.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­. Just don¡¯t¡± he said. ¡°I will leave you alone now. Good night Nina.¡± Then he turned and walked out of the room.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    Nearly one week had passed since that night and still Nina had to struggle to find the strength to get out of bed each morning.


    She found out that she couldn¡¯t rx, she was always worried and tired.


    Part of that was because for the first time ever she¡¯d had great difficulty falling asleep. But most of her anxiety could be med on her heartache over being apart from Julian.


    What little rest she got was fitful-gued with images of him loving her, his arms open for her return. Him asking her what she wanted. Him walking away from her¡­ Walking out of her life.


    What did she want? Did she want Julian? Or did she want her career and reputation more? Dammit, she wanted both. But her fear over one drove her full tilt into pursuing the other. Perhaps that was the reason she¡¯d been having these annoying nightmares.


    She had chosen her career. She had done the right thing, But why did it feel like something was missing?


    ¡°You¡¯ve put in horribly long hours this past month, especially with getting the ount and everything else¡± Camille said when Nina finally confessed she was worried about her stamina. ¡°I¡¯m concerned with your exhaustion. It¡¯s showing on your face and that won¡¯t do.¡±

 63

    Nina was well aware of that! As exhausted as she was, she¡¯d never be able to keep up with the demands expected of her when the real work began again.


    ¡°Have you seen a doctor?¡± Camille asked her.


    ¡°No. When do you expect them to send over a contract from Fair marketing media ?¡± Nina asked.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Any day now,¡± Camille said, frowning again as if annoyed that she¡¯d changed the subject. ¡°Once you, Evan and Trevor sign, they¡¯ll want you to be ready to work with them. It would be crushing to your career if you fell off schedule and were unable to work. Or worse, if you go there looking as exhausted as you do.¡±


    Thinking about what Camille just said was a nightmare on its own. She had to do something, and if it meant taking medicine for depression, then that¡¯s what she¡¯d do.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Nina said. ¡°I¡¯ll call my physician today.¡±


    But due to her doctor¡¯s busy schedule and Nina was kind of a friend, he agreed to see her after hours.


    ¡°How has it been at work¡­ And personally too of course?¡± the doctor asked.


    ¡°Great,¡± Nina said, her heart warming over the memory of unbelievable bliss with Julian, and at the same hurting with the thoughts of how it had ended between them.


    ¡°Unfortunately I caught a bit of a bug and can¡¯t seem to shake it.¡± She said,


    The doctor quicklyunched into his professional persona. ¡°Tell me what¡¯s wrong.¡±


    ¡°Exhaustion and a queasy stomach.¡± She replied.


    ¡°This started when exactly?¡± the doctor asked.


    Nina frowned. ¡°A week ago I think. Actually, it started with an upset stomach. At the time I thought it was some kind of normal stomach upset but now I don¡¯t know anymore¡±


    The doctor patiently listened as she described how food-even the smell of it-would turn her stomach. How she¡¯d feel perfectly fine one moment only to be violently ill the next.


    ¡°It didn¡¯tst more than three days and then I felt fine. Except for being tired, but now it¡¯s back¡± she admitted as the doctor gave her a careful examination.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask you this once because, considering your medical history, I have to rule it out,¡± the doctor said. ¡°Have you had a rpse with your eating disorder?¡±


    She¡¯d expected the question. ¡°No. I¡¯ve adhered to a healthy diet and have not been tempted to revert to anorexia once since my recovery. In fact, I have gained weight.¡±


    ¡°Good for you,¡± the doctor said after weighing her and announcing she was five pounds heavier than thest time she¡¯d checked.


    The weight gain shocked her, for though she noticed her clothes fit snugger, this was a much greater increase than she¡¯d ever had. But she had hardly noticed the gain. It certainly hadn¡¯t been at the forefront of her mind.


    ¡°Nina?¡± The doctor smiled as she looked up and flushed, embarrassed to be caught lost in internal thought. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on what could cause your problems. As for the exhaustion, I imagine your schedule has been intense¡­ Let¡¯s say for the past  month have you been having tight schedules, working or being awake at night, stressed?¡±


    ¡°Extremely so. ¡± She replied.


    The passionate nights she¡¯d shared with Julian when they were together had cost her much-needed sleep. But she couldn¡¯t divulge something that personal, that precious to her. Including work stress and her break up with Julian, which had left her with even more sleepless nights.


    The doctor frowned and made a few notes. ¡°So now the fatigue is back?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And I can¡¯t seem to get my energy back no matter how much sleep I get,¡± she said.


    ¡°What about rest? Are you having difficulty falling asleep?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she admitted, and because he knew he¡¯d ask more, she simply stated, ¡°I have some personal issues that have troubled me ofte, so sleep eludes me.¡±


    ¡°How is your mood? Are you depressed?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No,¡± she said, though she missed Julian more than ever before. But depressed? ¡°But I¡¯ve had weird dreams that bother me whenever I manage to sleep.¡±


    The doctor frowned. ¡°Before I give you a prescription for an antidepressant, I want to run blood tests and see if something shows up there. It¡¯s very possible you have an infection that is being relentless. If so, the right medicine should set you to rights in no time.¡±


    ¡°I hope so. I can¡¯t afford to be sick now.¡± She said,


    Thirty minutester, Nina had given blood and urine samples for office tests and was sitting in the empty waiting room waiting for preliminary results.


    The doctor strode into the waiting room, his expression somewhere between curious and worried. ¡°Nina, are you still taking contraceptives?¡±


    ¡°Faithfully,¡± she said, that query bringing her to her feet.


    ¡°You¡¯re sure you didn¡¯t forget once or twice?¡± he asked her.


    She shook her head, the first slice of worry scoring her tenuous calm.


    ¡°Not once.¡± she replied.


    He rubbed his chin, stretching the moment out. Pulling her already frayed nerves so taut she was sure they¡¯d snap.


    ¡°When was thest time you took an antibiotic?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Some timest month,¡± she said. ¡°I took an antibiotic with some mria pills. Why do you ask? Is something wrong?¡±


    He nodded, but his pensive expression kept her on edge. ¡°Did you have intercourse during that time or shortly thereafter?¡±


    She felt her face burn, for that memory, too, was one she would never forget. ¡°Yes. I did. I was seeing someone at the time.¡±


    ¡°That exins it.¡± the doctor said.


    Her blood turned to ice, chilling her to the bone. ¡°What do you mean, that exins it?¡±


    ¡°Antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of birth control medicine. Did you use condoms?¡±


    Her cheeks burned hotly from the implications that sprang to mind. And the fear ¡­ Dear God, the fear of what was wrong with her was bing ringly clear.


    I¡¯m on the Pill, she¡¯d said at those tense moments when she and Julian were ravenous for each other. And Julian had needed no further urging those times or the ones following it.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± She asked the doctor, near frantic now, for his line of questions breathed life into her deepest fears.


    ¡°You¡¯re pregnant.¡± the doctor replied.


    Those two words mmed into her with enough force to drop her back in her chair. ¡°I can¡¯t be!¡± she said.


    ¡°Yes, you can. The blood tests will tell for sure, but at this point I suspect you are about one month along.¡±

 64

    His words sent instant terror crashing through her. She closed her eyes, then snapped them open again. She couldn¡¯t be pregnant¡­. for Julian. She couldn¡¯t be pregnant now. She wasn¡¯t ready for it. As if she didn¡¯t have enough stuff going on in her life right now.


    And for Julian¡­ She couldn¡¯t bear the memories of how things had ended between them. She didn¡¯t want to face him.


    She couldn¡¯t go through that again¡­. And now she¡¯d would have to¡­. And bring him this news.


    ¡°Oh, my God, this can¡¯t be possible!¡± she said, more to herself than him, hands automatically syed on her belly. What an odd twist of fate. While she had been adamantly telling Julian that she wanted him to leave her alone, she had already been with his child.


    How would he feel about this?


    And what about her? How did she feel about this? She wasn¡¯t ready for this, but it was her child¡­ Her baby.  Her heart lifted. A baby. A tiny baby was growing inside of her. And even if wasn¡¯t ready, she knew she¡¯d love the baby with everything she had.


    Julian¡¯s baby! That thought scared her. What if he didn¡¯t want it? The thought choked her.


    Another fear reared up to send her heart racing as she remembered the night she had gotten drunk. Her hands went to her stomach protectively.


    ¡°Oh my God. Oh my God¡± she said, starting to panic.


    ¡°What? What is it?¡± the doctor asked.


    ¡°I just remembered that I got drunk the other day. Can alcohol intake harm my baby?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It can¡±


    ¡°Oh my God¡± Nina said again, almost yelling now. Regret rushing through her. What if she lost this baby because of her own ignorance. She wouldn¡¯t be able to forgive herself.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    ¡°But let¡¯s not rush into any conclusions yet,¡± the doctor said. ¡°We just have to take precautions¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Can taking the Pill harm my baby?¡± she asked, because I took it¡­ I don¡¯t even know when anymore ¡°Her head was messed up as she was thinking about a lot of things at once.


    ¡°No, but let¡¯s suspend it until we get the tests back. It¡¯s not just a pregnancy test we¡¯re running¡± Her doctor, always to the point, added, ¡°Nina, it¡¯s alright. Please don¡¯t panic. It won¡¯t help you in any way right now, but you will have to take extra precautions because of your history with anorexia. I insist you see a topnotch obstetrician who specializes in high risk.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± She said, ¡°I¡¯m just terrified that I might have a miscarriage or something.¡± Or worse, that she¡¯d have some kind of rpse and destroy her baby and herself.


    The doctor rested a hand on her shoulder, his smile understanding.


    ¡°Calm down, Nina. Wait for the blood tests toe back because this might even be a false positive.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡± She agreed.


    The next  hours were sheer hell, but she held her worries inside for most of them, not telling a soul of her fears, her hopes, her worries.


    Not calling Julian, for she didn¡¯t even know what to tell him. Didn¡¯t even know how to start, especially as he was probably still very mad at her right now. And even when the doctor confirmed that she was in fact pregnant, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to tell anyone.


    But on the following morning, Camille dropped by with a new contract for her to sign. They had just gotten a deal with Fair marketing media and she had to go through it. Of course they were needed immediately and it meant even more work wasing their way. Nina had no choice but to tell her the truth.


    ¡°A pregnancy right now might have some effect on your career,¡± Camille had said, and though both knew it could signal much more than that, neither brought it up.


    ¡°I know that,¡± Nina said. ¡°The doctor says I shouldn¡¯t stress myself much as the pregnancy progresses. But I know that it will be months¡­. At least three months before I¡¯m unable to conceal it. I could work up perfectly until then.¡±


    And now that she was pregnant, she would desperately need to hold on to her career, for the baby¡¯s sake. She would need the regimen and control she had over that aspect of her life to help her stay rxed over the changes to her body. And she needed Julian¡­ Or maybe not.


    Camille tapped a mauve fingernail on the contract she¡¯d just delivered. ¡°Maybe I can get them to act fast on this deal so we can be through with it once and for all.¡± She said,


    ¡°I¡¯d be more than willing to do that,¡± Nina said, suddenly allowing a glimmer of hope to bloom inside her that there might be a way around this. She just hoped nothing was going to go wrong with the baby. The alcohol thing bothered her.


    ¡°Right.¡± Camille didn¡¯t sound or look hopeful as sheid the contract on Nina¡¯s desk and jotted something on a note. But her next words shocked Wendy to the very core. ¡°Just saying this¡­ Not because I think it¡¯s a good idea, but just for the sake of saying it because you might consider it. If you don¡¯t want the baby, you could always decide to terminate. It is unwanted and unnned. I¡¯m not saying you should though¡­ Don¡¯t get me wrong. I¡¯m just concerned¡­ And judging by what you have told me, I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t even told Julian yet¡­ And you said things didn¡¯t really end well between you two. Here¡¯s the name of a good clinic. They¡¯ve been there for someone I know, maybe they can do the same for you. I¡¯ll do all I can for you, Nina, but this is your career and your choice to make¡­. ¡±


    Nina stared blindly at the address Camille handed to her before she jammed the note in her purse. She wasn¡¯t sure what she would do yet¡­ That was true. And she didn¡¯t know how Julian would react to the news. But the very thought of an abortion curdled Nina¡¯s stomach.


    Here she was, even worried that she might have already done something to harm the baby¡­. She knew that even if she was scared and worried, that she wanted the tiny life growing inside her. This baby may have been unnned, but unwanted?

 65

    She wanted it. And as for Julian, he could be a jerk, but she knew he would make a wonderful father¡­. If he decided that he wanted to be involved of course.


    When she had left the doctors office she¡¯d been scared¡­ But at a point she had been ecstatic at the idea of bing a mother, of holding her tiny baby in her arms. Purposely ridding herself of her child was unthinkable.


    ¡°Call me if you decide to go through with it¡± Camille had said. ¡°I need to know what you intend to do as soon as possible.¡±


    The rest of the day Nina¡¯s emotions bounced between fear, hope and despair as she remembered her doctor¡¯s words the previous day.


    ¡°You¡¯re definitely pregnant,¡± he had said.


    Nina stared out the window. Those words had changed a lot for her. Made her realize that she had something more important to worry about now than the crap people were saying about her¡­ And her family.. Her father and brothers.. What would they think? What would they say?Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    She¡¯d never been more afraid in her life, never wished that Julian was by her side as much as she did now. But, despite her fear, she knew she would do everything in her power to protect this baby.


    ¡°I insist you see an obstetrician,¡± her doctor had told her ¡°Shall I arrange it?¡±


    She had taken a breath and let it out slowly. ¡°Please.¡± She had said.


    She did the same thing now as she sat in her office. She¡¯d get through this. Somehow.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    ¡°I have a question for you¡± Nina said to Abby as she joined her in the sitting room. It had been four days since she found out that she was pregnant, and it was eating her alive that she couldn¡¯t¡­ Or hadn¡¯t told Abby about it.


    Abby was her best friend, they told each other everything, and she knew if anyone was going to be understanding and be by her side as she went through this, it was Abby. But it would be easier to tell Abby about it if the man whose child she was carrying was not her brother. But now she couldn¡¯t keep it to herself anymore. She felt as if she was betraying her best friend by keeping it from her.


    ¡°Spill it¡± Abby said as she dropped her wine ss and her phone on the table in front of her, and diverted her attention to Nina.


    ¡°Wow.¡± Nina said. ¡°You are so eager to hear thetest news, aren¡¯t you? Such a gossip¡±  she said yfully.


    Abby raised her hands. ¡°Hey, I was sitting here on my own. Minding my business and you came to talk, so sit down and spill it¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Nina said and took a seat.


    ¡°Wine?¡± Abby asked her, pointing at the extra ss on the table, but Nina shook her head.


    Abby frowned. ¡°That was weird. Since when do you decline a drink?¡± she asked, when Nina didn¡¯t reply, she shook her head and said, ¡°Never mind, go on. What were you going to tell me?¡±


    ¡°Actually I was going to ask a question,¡± Nina said.


    ¡°Shoot¡±


    ¡°So there¡¯s this girl¡­. At my office¡±


    ¡°Is the girl you?¡± Abby asked abruptly, making Nina jump a bit.


    ¡°What? Why would you ask me that?¡±


    ¡°Oh, because if I wanted to ask an embarrassing question or if I wanted to ask for advice, and I didn¡¯t want anyone to know the question was about me¡­ I would go that way too¡­ Asking like I¡¯m ¡®asking for a friend''¡± she added air quotes as she said thest sentence, making Nina hate that she was right.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not you. Do you want me to ask the question or not?¡±


    Abbyughed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, please go on¡±


    Nina sighed then continued. ¡°So this girl at work got pregnant for the boss¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s bad¡± Abby said, giggling and picking up her wine ss again.


    ¡°Yeah it is,¡± Nina agreed. ¡°Anyway she¡¯s worried about a lot of things¡­ Like how it¡¯s going to affect her life¡­ Her job¡­ Her future. What her over protective family is going to think. What the father of the baby is going to say? How he¡¯s going to react. Would he even want the baby? We all know bringing a child into the worldes with a lot of responsibility¡­ And this wasn¡¯t even nned. She doesn¡¯t even know if the guy is going to want the baby. What if he doesn¡¯t want it and she has to do it all alone¡­ Would she be able to handle it, being a single mom? It¡¯s not as easy as it seems. Or what if he wants the baby? Would it make everything easier? What if he tries to take the baby away? Well I¡¯m sure that won¡¯t happen because even now he doesn¡¯t want to have anything to do with her and she¡¯s so scared to tell him¡­ Or anyone¡­ about it for that matter¡­. ¡±


    Nina didn¡¯t realize it, but somewhere during her rant she¡¯d let her feelings overwhelm her and when she finally stopped speaking, she was crying hysterically.


    Abby was at her side in an instant, wrapping her hands around her.¡± It¡¯s okay, dear, ¡°she said soothingly. ¡± Please stop crying¡±


    Nina managed to pull herself together for a few seconds but when Abby asked quietly, ¡°The girl is you, isn¡¯t it? Are you pregnant?¡± She was crying like a baby all over again.


    ¡°Yes¡± she said, barely able to recognize her voice. ¡°It¡¯s me. I¡¯m pregnant Abby. It¡¯s Julian¡¯s, and I don¡¯t know what to do or think¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine, and you are not alone. You have me here with you, remember? Honestly I¡¯m a little mad at myself that I didn¡¯t notice at all that something was bothering you¡± she lifted Nina¡¯s face and cupped it in her hands. ¡°I mean look at you, you look so worried.¡±  sheughed. ¡°I knew something was up when I offered you wine and you said no¡±


    Nina smiled through her tears. ¡°You really think it¡¯s going to be fine?¡±  she asked.


    Abby nodded and Nina sat up. ¡°So,¡± she began, ¡°How do you think I should tell Julian about it? Honestly I wish I didn¡¯t have to, especially with all the drama that has been going on between us recently, but I have to¡­ So how do you think I should do it, on the phone? in person? Maybe just drop by his house, drop the bomb shell and just disappear from the face of the earth¡±

 66

    Abbyughed. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t been in such a situation before¡± she said. ¡°Like you said, this is a big deal. Having a baby changes a person¡¯s life. It¡¯s going to change your lives¡±


    ¡°Wow¡± Nina said sarcastically, ¡°Thank you for stating the obvious and making it even more scary to think about¡± she paused. ¡°But he¡¯s your brother, and you know him well. Do you think he will be happy about the baby?¡±


    ¡°I think so. But one think that I¡¯m definitely sure of, is that the both of you will make awesome parents¡±


    Nina hoped to God that she was right.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Julian broke the surface of the clear water and levered himself from the terrace pool. After an exhausting day at the office, he¡¯d returned to his house and headed straight for his home gym.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    But even after a grueling workout, he¡¯d not been able to rid himself of the tension that had tied him in knots since he¡¯d left the office. Nina had been at his office today with Evan and Trevor and the tension between them was even worse and he was sure everyone noticed. Apart from a simple greeting, they hadn¡¯t said a word to each other until she left¡­ Even during the meeting, she¡¯d been quiet and let Evan do all the talking. Although he had caught her a few times staring at him, but that was only because he was trying to steal nces at her too. Their eyes met a couple of times, and she had looked away quickly.


    He wasn¡¯t in a good mood after that meeting. Especially after he¡¯d gotten a call from herter during the day. He didn¡¯t pick the call? What the hell did she want with him? He¡¯d called her backter, but she didn¡¯t pick up either.


    He didn¡¯t know if she was getting back at him or mad at him for not answering her call, but whatever it was, he was fine with it. He didn¡¯t want to see her. It wouldn¡¯t help his situation at all.


    Even doing countlessps in the pool hadn¡¯t beaten the pent-up anger that threatened to consume him over Nina¡¯s actions. And it pained him more knowing that he was reacting this way. He hated knowing that he had let her in¡­ Made him care this much. Caring sucked.


    He was angry with himself too, med himself for allowing this terror to take hold of him. Sometimes he felt like he could have done more. He knew he had acted too fast out of anger when she had asked for a break from their rtionship. He understood her concerns, her trepidation. But still in the back of his mind was a sense of rejection that had tormented him.


    He was hurt and angry that she seemed so okay with them being apart. And he was angry because he missed her.


    With her he had had hopes that surged along with his passion and love. Such beautiful talks they had¡­ Such amazing time they spent together. Such a wonderful connection they had to one another. And he was beginning to think that maybe¡­ Just maybe, somehow they could make the whole thingst longer, and yet when the time came for them to hold on to their rtionship, when he was beginning to believe that he could have something permanent with her, she was too gripped with fear to try. And she¡¯d given up.


    Shecked faith in him to believe he¡¯d be there for her, that together they could move mountains.. Whatever it is that was going on, that he¡¯d do whatever was necessary to help her through it.


    Though she professed that she enjoyed being with him, in the end she had rejected him. She clung to her fears instead of him and the bright future that was right there in their grasp.


    Dammit! His money could buy anything. Take him and Nina anywhere they wished to go. He didn¡¯t mind what anyone said, but she did. And his riches couldn¡¯t buy the one thing he¡¯d once he could have with Nina. It couldn¡¯t buy her trust. All the wealth he¡¯d umted wouldn¡¯t ensure what he truly wanted.


    Nina. She was what he wanted. She was always on his mind. A fever in his blood. Why the hell had she phoned him earlier today? Why hadn¡¯t she left a message?


    The question needled him, for when he¡¯d returned her call muchter, there had been no answer. Was she all right? He hated that he cared¡­ Especially after he had seen her with that other guy¡­. Whoever he was. Had she really moved on so soon when he was here stuck with memories of her.


    He wrapped a  towel around his hips and padded across the white terrazzo floor, calling himself a fool for worrying. It was definitely a work thing, he thought sourly. That¡¯s why she¡¯d called. Whatever it was, she could leave a message for him with his assistant. Maybe it was better that they didn¡¯t get to talk to each other.


    A trio of wide steps descended into his spacious living room. He damned sure didn¡¯t want to go on like this.


    Virtually living alone. Damn, if he continued to think of her this way, he could be stuck in this limbo for years.


    That prospect rested heavily on him as he drew a beer from the bar cooler, the bottle of beer was so cold that ice coated the outside. At least this small pleasure in his life was perfect!


    He opened it and drank deeply, weing the shock to his senses. But when the drink was finished, the quiet penthouse still felt oppressive.


    Julian cursed loud and long. He had to get out of here before the solitude drove him mad. Maybe he¡¯d hit a club tonight, see if he could connect with friends. With life. It had been a while since he¡¯d done that.


    Before he could take an impatient step toward his bedroom, the bell on his private elevator dinged. His brow furrowed in annoyance. Who had the audacity to pay him a visit without calling first? He certainly was in no mood forpany.


    But that was exactly what he was going to have, for his elevator was moving upward. Someone wasing. He intensely disliked surprise visitors and this time was no exception.


    Hopefully it was just Abby, wanting to spend the night at his ce. If so, she could have the penthouse for as long as she wanted.

 67

    Certain that was who was paying a surprise visit, Julian turned to the elevator with a forced smile just as the doors opened. Thest person he expected to see stared back at him with beautiful huge eyes, her gorgeous reflection caught in the many mirrors.


    ¡°Nina? What in the hell are you doing here?¡± he asked.


    ¡°We have to talk,¡± she said, and stepped inside the suite, clutching her bag like she expected him to move forward and take it away from her.


    A st of anger and desire erupted within him, both vying for prominence, both confirming he was far from over her.


    ¡°You should have returned my call instead ofing. I missed yours and when I called back you didn¡¯t pick up.¡± he said.


    ¡°I thought about it, but then I decided that this was something that needed to be said face-to-face.¡±


    He didn¡¯t like her grave tone or the tension carving lines in her face. What did she want to talk to him about? This definitely wasn¡¯t about work. It was personal. She had made a decision regarding them. She had moved on. Was she here to make him feel even worse than he already did? The questions were driving him crazy.


    ¡°So talk,¡± he said, striving to be light but failing as the words came out clipped. Sharp. Cold.


    She took a shaky breath. Then another.


    He took an instinctive step toward her, his insides twisting with concern now. She looked pale. Tired. Terrified.


    Something was very wrong.


    ¡°Very well,¡± she said finally. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant.¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    Julian wasn¡¯t quite sure what he expected her to say, but that didn¡¯t even make the top five. He prided himself on his iron control of his emotions, but that admission nearly brought him to his knees. His gaze scanned her body with exacting detail, but her clothes prevented him from seeing the evidence that proved her im. He wasn¡¯t even sure if there was any proof yet. But yet here she was. Nina was pregnant.


    He frowned. ¡°What does it have to do with me?¡± he asked.


    Nina froze, unable to believe he had just asked that question. She had known this was going to be a big deal for him. It was for her too. She had known he might have a hard time processing that information, seeing that he probably wasn¡¯t ready to be a father, but that question, well, she was not expecting him to ask her that.


    She stared nkly at him. ¡°Well, I¡¯m telling you because it¡¯s yours¡­ Obviously. The baby is yours. Why would I be telling you about it if it had nothing to do with you?¡±


    He gripped the towel harder. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I mean. I know we didn¡¯t really use protection when we were together, but I just assumed that¡­ I mean¡­ You are a woman, and most of the time, you guys take pills to prevent stuff like this from happening¡­ You were on the pill right?¡± he asked her.


    Nina lifted her hand to her hair and dropped it again, looking worried. ¡°Julian please¡­.¡±


    ¡°Oh look, you know the word ¡®please¡¯. How surprising. Honestly I was beginning to think that the only words you could say to me was ¡®Get out¡¯ or ¡®leave me alone''¡±


    Nina decided to ignore thatment, so she continued. ¡°I was,¡± she said. ¡°I was on the pill, but ording to the doctor antibiotics could reduce the effects of the pill and I took some¡­. I didn¡¯t know this would happen. If I did I wouldn¡¯t have¡­ Risked this.¡±


    He nodded his head, but she could see that he wasn¡¯t really concentrating. She could see that he was thinking hard. What was going on in his head? She wanted to know so badly, but when he finally spoke, she realized that she definitely would have preferred it if he hadn¡¯t spoken at all.


    ¡°How am I supposed to be sure that¡¯s it¡¯s mine¡± Julian said carelessly, ¡°When I know that you have been going on dates with other men¡±


    Nina gasped, and her eyes became misty immediately, but she wasn¡¯t going to cry. She had to be strong from now on¡­ For herself and for her baby. She wouldn¡¯t let anyone get to her¡­ Including him. ¡°I just told you that I¡¯m pregnant for you, and this is what you have to say. Julian, I knew that we haven¡¯t been in a good ce for a while now, but do you really think so low of me that you would even think that I would be pregnant for someone else and then say it¡¯s yours? How? How and why would you even think of such a thing? Do you really think I¡¯m capable of doing something like that? I know this is a big deal for you¡­ It is for me too.. I¡¯m still shocked and trying to get used to the idea that I¡¯m going to be a parent, but I¡¯m sorry that I came to you.. I really am, but I have done the right thing by telling you about it. Do whatever the fuck you want, Julian. I honestly don¡¯t care¡±


    She turned around immediately and went straight for the door. She heard him call her name but she didn¡¯t even turn back. Those tears were going to fall soon and she wasn¡¯t going to let him see.


    It was only when she got inside her car and was driving home that she let the tears fall.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    The doctor was very nice. She smiled at Nina as shey in the examination room and Wendy smiled back. It was her first check up and she was a bit nervous and excited at the same time.


    ¡°Are youfortable?¡± the doctor asked her.


    Nina grinned. ¡°If I said I was, would you judge me?¡±


    The doctorughed. ¡°No. No I wouldn¡¯t. So, will the father of the baby be joining us soon?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Nina shook her head. ¡°No he won¡¯t,¡± she replied. ¡°It¡¯s just me¡±


    ¡°Alright. Please rx and I will be right back. Just give me some minutes¡± the doctor said before she left the room.


    Ninay back and stared at the ceiling. After that conversation from hell with Julian, she had gone home and cried her eyes and silly heart out. Julian had called several times, but she didn¡¯t pick up. He had even stopped by the apartment but she refused to let him in her room. Eventually he left and then sent a long text about how sorry he was for being insensitive, letting her know that he would be with her and was ready to help her with anything if she needed him.

 68

    Well, she didn¡¯t need him. She could do this on her own. Lots of people were doing it, why couldn¡¯t she? She had gone home and told her father and brothers about it, and while they were all happy about the news, they all wanted to know if Julian was going to take responsibility for the baby, to which she¡¯d assured them that he would, she didn¡¯t think it would be a good idea to tell them exactly how it had gone down between her and Julian.


    Her father had even asked when she and Julian were getting married and he¡¯d been furious when she told him that there wasn¡¯t going to be a wedding.


    ¡°What?¡± He had said,¡±Do you have any idea how difficult it is to raise a kid alone? I do, because I did it. Is that Julian refusing to marry you, because I swear I and your brothers are going to pay him a visit and it¡¯s not going to be a pleasant one¡±


    It had taken a while before she could calm him down. Telling him that marriage was thest thing on her mind, and all that she wanted right now was their support. He had agreed, although he didn¡¯t look so convinced that she was going to be fine.


    But she would be, Nina thought as shey in the examination room. She could even move to a different ce, get another job and start over without all the drama. She and her baby could have a good life. She was beginning to get used to this being a mom idea. Hell, she found herself thinking of baby namestely.


    It could be fun to have someone that tiny to love and now that she was getting used to the idea, she couldn¡¯t wait to meet this little person growing inside of her.


    The door opened and assuming that it was the doctor who had returned Nina looked up, only to see Julian walk in and close the door behind him. Boy, if looks could kill, he¡¯d be dead on the floor right now.


    Julian got the message. ¡°So I take it you are not so happy to see me¡± he said, trying to lighten the mood.


    ¡°Get out,¡± Nina said.


    ¡°Honestly, I can¡¯t remember thest time I was in a room with you and you didn¡¯t say those exact words to me. I have actually lost count. Do you really hate seeing me that badly?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± she replied angrily, ¡°Now please leave. I don¡¯t want you here. You are not supposed to be here. I¡¯m going to call the doctor. How did you even get in here?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m the father, ain¡¯t I? I just had to tell them that¡± he said.


    ¡°Oh so now you admit that you are the father? I don¡¯t need you Julian. I came to tell you because I thought you deserved to know that you had a baby on the way, turns out, I was wrong, but that¡¯s fine. I and my baby are going to do just fine without you. We have been alone for a while now, and I think we are doing okay. So you¡¯re good. If you are here out of guilt or anything shit like that, let me help make you feel better¡­ It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t want us¡­ Now go¡­ Please ¡±


    He stared awkwardly at her for a moment, his eyes looked sad and worried, then he moved forward.¡±I¡¯m not here out of guilt, Red. I¡¯m here because I want to be here. I¡¯m here because you are carrying my child and I want to be a part of it¡±


    ¡°You said it wasn¡¯t yours¡± Nina said, almost yelling. She hated that her voice cracked. So much for being over this, she thought.


    ¡°I know. I know I said that¡± Julian replied. ¡°And it was an awful thing to say. You have no idea how sorry I am that I hurt you like that¡­. I was hurting¡­ And I didn¡¯t handle well¡±


    She sniffed. ¡°How did you even know that I was here?¡± she asked him.


    ¡°Well, Abby told me,¡± he replied. ¡°But that was after she punched me a couple of times and told me how stupid I was in very colorfulnguage for hurting you¡±


    ¡°Whatever she said to you, I agree with her one hundred percent¡± Nina said.


    ¡°I guess I deserve that. I¡¯m so sorry Nina. I know the baby is mine¡± he moved closer so he stood very close to her feet. ¡°I know that things like this happen, and I want you to know that I am happy about the baby. I really am. I have been thinking about it a lot, and I have to say that I¡¯m excited about it and I want to be a part of it in every way¡­. If you let me. Whatever it is you need from me¡­ Anything¡­ I will do it¡­. Whatever you need from me¡±


    It was a nice speech, but Nina couldn¡¯t help noticing that she felt ufortable and embarrassed having him standing near her legs. She shifted ufortably.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Well I do need something from you right now Julian, and I need you to stay near my head. I don¡¯t want you standing there¡±


    ¡°Oh okay¡± he said, but the look on his face was weird as he did what she requested. He turned and looked around the room, then said, ¡°So, speaking of being there for you and the baby, like I said I have been doing a lot of thinking and if I really want to be there for the both of you and be fully involved in this, I think we should be closer to each other, so I was thinking you should move into my ce with me¡±


    Nina turned so she could look him fully in the face. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± she said.


    ¡°Oh I am¡± he said, like he was suggesting a very normal and simple thing. ¡°It will be much easier for the both of us. I¡¯m sure you will need all the help you can get and I will be there to help you. I want to be involved and I will be. That way, we both get what we want¡±


    ¡°Look Julian, I appreciate you wanting to help, but I don¡¯t need to move in with you. That is not necessary at all and it¡¯s not a good idea¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± he asked.

 69

    ¡°You really have to ask? Julian, for the past weeks all we have done is fight. We simply can¡¯t stand each other. We can¡¯t agree about a single thing, and now you think all that is just going to magically go away because we are having a baby together? Even you have to admit that that¡¯s ridiculous ¡±


    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t think it is. I think we can work through things and find a way to make it work¡±


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t,¡± Nina replied, rolling her eyes, ¡°And you can¡¯t juste in here and expect me to turn my life around just because you said so. Have you ever considered the fact that I might have my own n? No you don¡¯t. You think that all of your idea is gold and I¡¯m just supposed to agree with whatever you say¡±


    Julian didn¡¯t want to fight or argue with her, especially not in this room, so he took a deep breath. ¡°Fine. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t ask you first. I just wanted to be helpful, not piss you off¡± he said. ¡°What are your ns?¡±


    She turned away from him andy down again. ¡°Actually I was thinking of moving out of town entirely, and starting a new life somewhere else. Of course who would know where I was so you cane visit the baby. We can n these things, like when youe over and¡­.¡±


    She stopped talking as Julian left her head and returned back to the leg area where she asked him to leave.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± he said, ¡°Your n is to leave. And you really expect me to agree to visiting you¡­. I mean¡­ Visiting my child like maybe once in a month¡­ Or maybe when you decide that I can? What the hell, Red? I can tell you right now that that is not going to happen. So you better get that terrible idea out of your head¡±


    Nina moved ufortably. ¡°Can you please, stay near my head, Julian¡± she said.


    He red at her, but did what she asked.


    ¡°So what are we going to do then?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I already told you,¡± Julian said. ¡°Move in with me¡­ You need me. You know you do¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. I can handle myself. Abby can help me too until I¡¯m ready to move out¡­ You don¡¯t have to do anything until the babyes, and even then if you don¡¯t want to be involved that¡¯s fine with me too¡±


    Julian looked like he was about to say something when the doctor returned.


    ¡°You are here¡± the doctor said, ¡°I¡¯m assuming you came to be with your wife-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not his wife,¡± Nina corrected, totally at ease as the doctor¡¯s eyes swiveled nervously to the notes in her hands.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°Well, your partner, then. I was trying to exin that the baby is fine, but it¡¯s imperative that you get enough rest and not stress yourself much for the baby¡¯s sake¡­¡±


    ¡°He is not my partner either,¡± Nina said with a slight edge.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m a friend then.¡± Julian said.


    ¡°You are most certainly not!¡± Nina retorted. ¡°A passing acquaintance would be a more apt description.¡±


    ¡°Prickly, isn¡¯t she?¡± Julian said, smiling at the doctor. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Julian Martin, the father of the baby, not the husband or partner because evidently she can do this alone¡±


    Nina simply rolled her eyes as Julian and the doctor shook hands.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Mr Martin,¡± the doctor said. After a few more questions, the doctor left, and Nina put her clothes back on, she turned to Julian. ¡°I¡¯m ready to go now,¡± she said. ¡°You know you didn¡¯t need toe.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± he admitted, ¡°but I was worried about you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a bitte to be worried about me, Julian!¡± She said, She could hear the bitterness in her own voice. ¡°Toote actually. You lost all right to worry about me when you walked out on me without a backwards nce. You lost all right to worry about me when you used me of trying to pin my pregnancy on you. You are an asshole¡±


    He didn¡¯t say anything until they were out of the hospital and he walked her back to her car.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Red,¡± he said. ¡°I agree that I was a jerk when you told me about the baby. I was angry and I took it out on you. But that doesn¡¯t change the fact that you are carrying my child¡­. And I want the baby¡­ It came as a shock but I think it¡¯s amazing and I¡¯m happy that I¡¯m going to be a father. I know it¡¯s mine and I want to be involved¡­ Even during the pregnancy¡­ Please don¡¯t leave. Don¡¯t push me away. Stay and let me be there for the both of you. I want to help¡­ And it¡¯s not just because I have to¡­ But because I want to¡±


    Nina¡¯s anger melted instantly. And her eyes grew misty with tears. ¡°Really?¡± she asked. ¡°Oh Julian, did you really mean everything you just said? Because I¡¯m honestly tired of all these¡±


    He nodded. ¡°I do¡­. I mean it. And I can see that you are about to cry. Please don¡¯t, Nina¡­ You know crying women make me very ufortable¡±


    ¡°Then you are really not going to like what¡¯sing. Get ready to be very ufortable¡± Nina said, and then the tears were falling freely and she was in his arms.


    She let it all out. All the emotions she had been holding in and it felt good to do it. She was so tired of trying to look strong¡­ Tired of acting like she wasn¡¯t scared. Julian held her, whispering in her ear and telling her that everything was going to be alright and she actually started to feel better. When he finally let her go she was embarrassed.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I broke down like that.¡± she said. ¡°I didn¡¯t really mean to¡±


    He smiled at her and held her hand. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I understand¡±


    She stared at him for a while then said, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry too Julian. For everything that has happened between us¡­ I really didn¡¯t mean for it to end with so much bad memories¡±


    ¡°They weren¡¯t all bad¡± he assured her, ¡°And thanks to this baby, we can make new ones. Just don¡¯t leave¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t made a decision yet¡± she replied, ¡°And you have to know that I wasn¡¯t really on a date with Leonard¡­ Or anyone else. I had just met him that night when I was out with my friend. I just said that to piss you off¡±

 70

    Julian smiled. ¡°Well, if it makes you feel better, your n worked out fine¡±


    Nina smiled back and withdrew her hand slowly from his, missing the feeling instantly, ¡°I should go now¡± she said, trying to unlock her car.  ¡°Did you bring your car¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I will follow you home¡±


    Nina grinned at got into her car, and she could see him through the mirror as she drove home. ¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    ¡°Home!¡± she said, when they were at her ce and both got out of their cars.


    He didn¡¯t leave then, but followed her up.


    ¡°Should you be climbing the stairs everyday? Now that you are¡­ You know.¡±


    Sheughed.¡±I¡¯m not paralyzed Julian¡± she said, ¡°Besides, it¡¯s good exercise¡±


    They were at her front door now. ¡°I know what I said before, but thank you foring, Julian. It¡¯s been, er¡­ pleasant. I mean¡­ Having you there with me helped relieve me of the tension a bit¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Julian asked, smiling and raised a quizzical eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m not sure that I believe you.¡±


    ¡°I was actually attempting to be polite,¡± Nina responded smiling at him, ¡°as you were by seeing me to my door.¡±


    She was standing there, staring at him, willing him to just go, reluctant somehow to turn her back on him, not scared exactly, but on heightened alert as still he just stood there. Surely he didn¡¯t expect her to ask him in? Wasn¡¯t that too soon after everything that had happened? They were just starting to get along again.


    Surely she couldn¡¯t ask him in. Abby wasn¡¯t even in the apartment. She wasn¡¯t sure she could spend a lot with him when this little time spent with him left her a gibbering wreck?


    She had to get a grip, had to bring things back to a safer footing, had to let him know that it was strictly business, or baby stuff from now on. Pretend that he didn¡¯t intimidate her or affect her, pretend that he didn¡¯t move her so.


    ¡°Thank you foring home with me too, Julian. I¡¯m beginning to think that if we continue to get along, like this, maybe I can consider staying.¡± She offered her hand. Direct, businesslike, Nina decided, that was how she¡¯d be-a snappy end to whatever this was. But as his hand took hers, instantly she regretted it.


    It was only the second time they had made physical contact since he came to the hospital. As his hand tightened around hers she was brutally reminded of a fact, that despite the days that had passed, despite all the fights, disagreements and the anger he evoked in her, she was still very much attracted to him. She still wanted him¡­ Craved for his touch.


    it was only the second time they had touched today, And the result was even more explosive than the first time, and many times more lethal. She could feel the heat of his flesh searing into hers, as hisrge hand coiled around hers, the pad of his index finger resting on her slender wrist, her radial pulse hammering against it. And this time she was reminded that throughout this time, she wasn¡¯t the only one who had been hurting. Reminded her of the depths of him, the pain that must surely exist behind those indecipherable eyes.


    ¡°You are a very special, interesting woman, Red.¡± he said, softly.


    It was such a curious thing to say, such a hazy, ambiguous statement, and her eyes involuntarily jerked to his like a reflex action, held by his gaze, stunned, startled, yet curiously reluctant to move, a heightened sexual awareness permeating her.


    She smiled, ¡°Oh really, to be honest, at one point, I thought perhaps I annoyed and bored you.¡± she said.


    ¡°Oh, no.¡± Slowly he shook his head and she started back, mesmerized, his sensuous but brutal features utterly captivating. ¡°Why would you think such a thing?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I just¡­¡± Nina¡¯s voice trailed off. She didn¡¯t know what to say, didn¡¯t know if it was her destroyed self-confidence that made her vulnerable or the man who was staring at her now, the man who was pinning her to the wall with his eyes.


    ¡°I really hurt you, didn¡¯t I?¡± he asked her. It was as if he were staring into her very soul, not asking her but telling her how she felt. ¡°You were hurting that our rtionship got out. You were hurting because it was like going through the same thing all over again, that was why you wanted us to pause, but I wasn¡¯t listening. I got mad when I shouldn¡¯t have. I should have been more understanding.¡±


    He understood her now, she thought. She wanted to stop him from going further-wanted that mouth that was just inches from hers be silent, to kiss her¡­


    She shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I should have told you. I should have exined everything to you instead of being so damn mysterious about it. I was just ashamed. Didn¡¯t know what you would think¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Lots of things have gone wrong between us, but I don¡¯t think our baby is one of them. I don¡¯t care if we didn¡¯t n for it to happen, all I know is that I want it, and I¡¯m going to be here for the both of you¡­ In anyway possible¡±


    She smiled. ¡°I¡¯m happy about it Julian, I want our baby¡±


    ¡°I know. Me too,¡± Julian said softly, and she held her breath as that cruel, sensual mouth moved in towards hers. Lust rippled between them, yet his expression waspletely unreadable. The same quiver of excitement that had gripped her in the parking lot of the hospital shivered through her now, but with dangerous sexual undertones, and it was inevitable they would kiss.


    Nina acknowledged it then. The forey she had so vehemently denied and pushed away was taking ce. It had started an hour ago, before they¡¯d even gotten to her apartment.


    He gave her time to move away, ample time to halt things, to stop this now, and she should have.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    With everything that happened she knew she should have stopped him. But still she didn¡¯t. Logic,mon sense, self-preservation told her that to end this with a kiss was a foolish move, that for the sake of her sanity she should surely halt this now. But her body told her otherwise, every nerve prickling to delicious attention, drawn like a ma to his beauty, anticipating the taste of him, the feel of him in a heady rush of need, of want.

 71

    His mouth brushed her cheek, sweeping along her cheekbone till she could feel his breath warm on the shell of her ear then moving back, back to her waiting lips, slowly, deliberately until only a whisper separated them, till his mouth was so close to hers that she was giddy with expectation, filled with want -deep, burning want, a want that suffused her, a want she had never, even in their most intimate moments, experienced, and he hadn¡¯t even kissed her. Her breath wasing in short, unyielding gasps, his chest so close to hers that if she breathed any deeper their bodies would touch.


    It was the pregnancy, she thought. Everything seemed to be heightened.


    She was torn between want and dread, her body longing to arch towards his, her nipples stretching like buds to the sun, his hand still on the wall behind her head, and all she wanted was his touch.


    As if in answer, his mouth found hers, the weight of his body pushing her down, his lips obliterating thought, reason, question, his masterful touch the only thought she could process, his tongue, stroking hers so deeply so intimately it was as if he were touching her deep inside, his skin dragging hers as his mouth moved against her, the sweet, decadent taste of him, the heady masculine scent of him stroking her awake from deep hibernation, awareness fizzing in where there had been none.


    His power overwhelmed her, the strength of his arms around her slender body, the hard weight of his thighs as he pinned her to the wall and a vague peripheral awareness of a warm hand creeping along the length of her spinal column then sliding around her rib cage as his mouth worked ever on. A low needy sigh built as it slid around, his palm capturing the weight of her breast, the warmth of his skin through the sheer fabric of her dress had her curling into him, needy, wanton, desperate, swelling at his touch, her breasts engorging, shamefully reciprocating as the pad of his thumb teased her jutting nipple. So many sensations, so many responses, his tongue capturing hers in his lips, sucking on the swollen tip, his body pinning her in delicious confinement, his masculinity capturing her, overwhelming her. Yet she was hardly an unwilling participant- fingers coiling in his  hair, pulling his face to hers as her body pressed against him, his touch unleashing her passion, her desire, ming it to dangerous heat, a heat so intense there was no escape, and neither did she want one. His kiss was so intense there was no escape, and neither did she want one. His kiss was everything a kiss should be, everything she¡¯d missed.


    And just as she dived intoplete oblivion, just as she would have given anything, anything for this moment to continue, for him to douse the fire within her, he wrenched his head away, an expression she couldn¡¯t read in his eyes as he looked coolly down at her.


    ¡°I should go, Red.¡± he said, his voice husky.


    Words failing her, Nina couldn¡¯t even nod, embarrassment creeping in now. He could have taken her there and then-with one crook of his finger she would have led him inside, would have made love to him, would have let him make love to her. What was it with this man?Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Emotionally he troubled her, terrified her even, yet still she was drawn to him, even after everything, she physically couldn¡¯t resist him.


    ¡°I will see you tomorrow.¡± His voice waspletely normal and his hands were still on her trembling body. She stared back at him, unable to fathom that he could appear so unmoved, that he was still standing after what they¡¯d just shared. Blindly she nodded, her hair tumbling down around her face, eyes frowning as Julian reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a handful of chocte mints, the ones he knew she liked so much.


    ¡°I bought these on my way to the hospital. Sorry I was kind of in a hurry so I wouldn¡¯t miss your appointment with the doctor, so I didn¡¯t really package them well¡­¡± Taking her hand, he filled it with the sweet chocte delicacies. She could feel them soft and melting through the foil as he closed her fingers around them. ¡°I know how much you like them!¡±


    An incredulous smile broke onto her lips at the gesture, a tiny glimmer that maybe things were OK, that things might actually turn out well. That she didn¡¯t really have to worry so much. That she had been so worried about the things that didn¡¯t really matter. That Julian didn¡¯t think any less of her because of what had happened. That he still cared.


    ¡°You really brought them¡­ My favorite. You didn¡¯t really have to go through the trouble of doing that¡± She gave a tiny halfugh, suddenly feeling happier than she had felt in a while. Even over something so small.


    ¡°Oh, no.¡± He shook his head, and grinned at her, a boyish grin that made her heart flip and sent chills all over her body. She wished he would kiss her again. ¡°It was no trouble at all really. You¡¯re having my baby. You¡¯re going to get everything¡­ Anything you like or want. I would dly do it¡±


    He leaned closer and nted a kiss on her forehead, and then he was gone.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have disturbed you.¡± Julian said as he walked towards Nina.


    Three weeks had passed since the doctor¡¯s appointment and that kiss, and she and Julian were getting along fine. Working together when it came to Standard Gate and Mart Enterprises and making ns for the baby. She didn¡¯t move in with him as he requested, but she let him visit her and spend time with her. He was being very helpful and she appreciated that, but nothing intimate had happened between them since then. Today she and Abby had visited him, and Abby had gone out to buy groceries, so Nina decided to have a little pic while working on herptop, only that she¡¯d fallen asleep after a while.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. You didn¡¯t disturb me¡± Nina attempted, struggling to sit up, slightly disoriented and extremely embarrassed that Julian had found her in the middle of the day, hot and filthy in nothing more than the skimpiest of shorts and a crop top, lying on a nket with her eyes closed.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Abby?¡± he asked


    ¡°Out buying groceries¡± she said.

 72

    Absolutely thest person she was expecting to see at this hour as she thought she wouldn¡¯t be back from work so early. He was dressed in his inevitable dark suit, but there was a slightly more rxed stance to him. He held a brown paper bag in one hand and he didn¡¯t look in his usual rush-his usually perfectly knotted tie was loosened, the top button of his shirt undone. But his dark eyes were shielded with sunsses making his closed expression even more unreadable if that were possible.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done a lot of work. I can see.¡± he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting there.¡± She nodded. ¡°And if I keep going at full speed, I could still be done with this by early next week.¡±


    He didn¡¯t say a word, he didn¡¯t have to. Just a tiny questioning lift of his eyebrow from behind his dark sses was enough for Nina.


    ¡°I am allowed to take a break,¡± Nina retorted.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything!¡± he said, but she could see that he was trying really hard not tough.


    ¡°You might not have said it but I certainly heard it. I am allowed to take a break, Julian. For your information, I¡¯ve been working since morning-apart from pausing for a coffee I haven¡¯t stopped¡­ And when we were on our way here.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to justify yourself to me.¡± he said.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t,¡± Nina agreed.


    ¡°How you organize your time is entirely your business. It¡¯s just¡­¡± His voice faded for a moment, a hint of a very unusual smile dusting across his face. ¡°I think I must be doing my job wrong. ¡®t out¡¯ for me is back-to-back meetings, endless phone calls, figures, whereas most of the times I have seen you workingtely, you¡¯re either taking an impromptu shower with a water bottle or dozing under a tree.¡±


    She opened her mouth to set him straight, to tell him that it was because she was pregnant, but Julian spoke over her.


    ¡°I am not criticizing you, I can see for myself the hours of work you have done. And I wasn¡¯t being sarcastic-I really was thinking back there when I saw you that maybe I am doing it wrong¡±


    ¡°You are.¡± Nina smiled, the wind taken out of her sails by his niceness. Then she added, ¡°And for the record, I wasn¡¯t dozing.¡±


    ¡°Nina, don¡¯t try and tell me that you weren¡¯t asleep. You didn¡¯t even hear mee over. You were lying on your back with your eyes closed.¡± he said.


    ¡°I was meditating,¡± Nina said and seeing the disbelieving look on his face she borated further. ¡°I did hear youe over, I just¡­¡± It was Nina¡¯s voice fading now, wondering how she could exin to him that in her deeply rxed state she had somehow discounted the information.


    ¡°Just what?¡± he persisted.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t hold onto the thought.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve lost me.¡± He shook his head as if to clear it. ¡°You¡¯re really telling me that you weren¡¯t asleep!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right-I often meditate when I¡¯m working, that¡¯s where I get my best ideas. You should try it sometime,¡± she added.


    ¡°I have enough trouble getting to sleep at one in the morning, let alone in the middle of the day,¡± he replied.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°My point exactly,¡± Nina said triumphantly. ¡°I¡¯ve already told you that I wasn¡¯t asleep. You¡¯re very quick to throw scorn, but sometimes the best way to find the answer to a question is to stop looking for it.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± Julian gave a dismissive shrug. ¡°But for now I¡¯ll stick with the usual methods. I actually came to see if you guys wanted some lunch.¡± Before she could shake her head, before she could remind him that Abby would be back soon to prepare something for them to eat, Julian held out the paper bag he was holding. ¡°I bought some rolls from the deli.¡±


    ¡°The deli?¡± she repeated.


    ¡°Why does that surprise you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Nina admitted, her neck starting to ache from staring up, feeling at a distinct disadvantage as Julian hovered over her. Wiggling over, she patted the nket for him to sit beside her. ¡°It just does. Howe you¡¯re home?¡±


    ¡°I live here,¡± Julian quipped, but he did sit down beside her, pulling the rolls out of the bag and offering one to her. ¡°I¡¯ve spent the entire morning trying to read an important,plicated document and haven¡¯t got past the second page. My assistant cannot distinguish between urgent and urgent yet.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡± Nina said.


    ¡°Invariably anyone who wants to speak with me says that it is urgent-but she puts them all through, then I get waid. I decided to follow your business methods, they seem to be working for you.¡±


    ¡°What method?¡± Julian gasped. ¡°I didn¡¯t know I had one!¡±


    ¡°Not answering your phone. Sometimes turning it off and disappearing. You should eat that. Abby is out for now, and knowing her I¡¯m sure it will be a while before she gets back. I thought there was more chance of actually getting some work done if I just came home, but first I must have some lunch. You know It¡¯s nice having you both here¡± he added.


    ¡°It is?¡± Nina asked.


    ¡°Yeah. It gets lonely here sometimes.¡±


    They ate in amiable silence until Julian spoiled it, his words almost causing her to choke on her chicken and avocado roll. ¡°I was thinking about you at work¡±


    ¡°Me?¡±


    ¡°And how much I enjoy talking to you. Being with you¡± He took off his dark sses and smiled azy smile, utterlyfortable in his own skin as Nina squirmed inside hers, wriggling her bare feet in the moss and staring at her toes.


    ¡°And you¡¯re right, it¡¯s nice to take a moment to rx,¡± he added.


    Rxed certainly wasn¡¯t how Nina would describe herself now. He was so close that if she moved her leg an inch they¡¯d be touching, if his face came a fraction closer she knew they¡¯d be kissing. Desire coursed through her as it had thest time they kissed at her apartment. He hadn¡¯t touched her again since that day, and she was beginning to think he only did that because of all the emotions and feelings from realizing they were having a baby together.

 73

    She turned abruptly away, terrified he¡¯d read the naked lust in her eyes. She took a long drink from her water bottle then, blowing her fringe skywards and trying to keep her voice normal, determined not to make a fool of herself again, to be absolutely sure she wasn¡¯t misreading things, she said, ¡°You should try meditating if you want to be rxed.¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t work,¡± Julian dismissed.


    ¡°It won¡¯t if that¡¯s your attitude¡­¡± She could feel the atmosphere sizzling between them, knew that if she said what was on her mind then she¡¯d be crossing a line, ying the most dangerous of dangerous games. ¡°Try it,¡± she breathed, her eyes daring him to join her. ¡°Why don¡¯t you lie back and try it now?¡±


    ¡°Now?¡± Julian checked, a dangerous warning glint in his eyes, which she heeded, but it only excited her more.


    ¡°Now,¡± Nina affirmed. ¡°Just lie back.¡±


    ¡°Then what?¡± Julian¡¯s impatient voice demanded instruction as, impossibly tense, hey back.


    ¡°You close your eyes and just breathe,¡± she said, her head turning to face him, her own breath catching in her throat as she gazed at his strong profile.


    He was astonishingly beautiful-his eyes were closed and ck, surprisingly longshes spiked downwards onto indigo smudges of exhaustion. His nose was chiseled straight, so straight and so absolutely in proportion to the rest of his features she could almost imagine some cosmetic surgeon downing his tools in protest as he surveyed thendscape of his wless face.


    wless.


    A perfectionist might point out that he hadn¡¯t shaved, but the stubble that ghosted his strong jaw, merely entuated things: a shiver of masculinity stirring beneath the surface. His full mouth was the only softening feature, but even that was set in grim tension as hey there.


    ¡°You have to rx,¡± Nina said, her words a contradiction because her whole bodyy rigid beside him, her own breathing in short, irregr bursts. Even her words were stilted,ing in short breathy sentences as they struggled through her vocal cords. ¡°Use your stomach muscles and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± he asked. One of his eyes peeped open.


    ¡°Abdominal breathing,¡± Nina exined, but from the two vertical lines appearing over the bridge of his nose Nina knew she was talking to the hopelessly unconverted.


    ¡°You don¡¯t move your chest,¡± she exined. ¡°Haven¡¯t you ever watched a baby sleep?¡±


    The frown faded a touch, a small smile lifting one edge of his mouth. ¡°Not really. I mean, I know I stayed with Abby sometimes when she was a baby, but I was four then and I don¡¯t remember much. And I¡¯m not sure I ever watched her sleep¡±


    ¡°Babies know how to rx,¡± Nina said. ¡°They instinctively know how to breathe properly.¡±


    ¡°Like this?¡± Julian asked, dragging in air, and Nina watched as he struggled with the concept. His stomach was moving but so too was his chest.


    ¡°Almost. Look, I¡¯ll help you. Just push against my hand.¡± She said, Sitting up slightly, she instinctively moved to correct him, but her movements were hesitant, her hand tentative as it reached out towards him, hovered over the t ne of his stomach, knowing, knowing where this could lead, wanting to pull back, to end this dangerous game, but curiously excited to start, to touch him, to feel him¡­


    Her hand still hovered over his stomach but it was just too much, too intimate, and instead she ced her other hand on his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through his shirt, feeling the breath still in him. Her fingers ached, literally ached to move his loosened tie, to creep between the buttons and feel his skin against hers. But she pushed away that thought, concentrated instead on keeping her voice even as she delivered her instructions.


    ¡°My hand shouldn¡¯t move. Breathe in through your nose, using your stomach, and then out through your mouth- here.¡±


    It seemed more appropriate now to touch his stomach than when the initial contact had been made, and she gently brushed her hand along on his stomach, felt the heavy leather of his belt, the coolness of his buckle and the silk of his trousers. Her whole body rippled with lust-and she herself had engineered it because she wanted to be closer to him. More than that she didn¡¯t know, just knew she couldn¡¯t take a minute more of the crazy feelings that were going on. ¡°Push against my hand,¡± Nina said, ¡°and then hold your breath before letting out it¡­ And just let your mind wander.¡±


    For a second, two perhaps, he did. She felt him rx a touch beneath her, but it was fleeting, resistance rushing back in, his hand pushing hers away, Julian turning now to face her.


    ¡°Show me,¡± he said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡± Nina shook her head, knew she was incapable of going back to that tranquil ce with Julian so close, but he was insistent.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°If it¡¯s so easy to do, prove it.¡± he replied.


    Lying on her back Nina closed her eyes, willed herself calm, trying to force herself to rx. But she could feel the tension in her hands and she drew on her reserves, dragged in the fragrant air, holding it, holding it and slowly letting it out, could feel his eyes watching her body move. And amazingly it happened.


    Somehow she did wander to that ce she visited so often, but it was a different journey altogether, one she had never taken before. With every breath she sank deeper and yet her desire grew, visualizing, willing his hands to touch her, for him to rest his palm on her stomach, fleeting, decadent thoughts that were hers only, her limbs heavy against the damp grass, the erotic thought of him near her stomach tightening with the anticipation of a touch that might nevere.


    His breath on her face caught her unawares. Her mind hadn¡¯t ever been so attuned to her body. She had been so sure his eyes had been there, the shiver of his breath on her cheeks was a shock, but even as her mind processed the sensation it was experiencing another one-his mouth, pressing lightly on hers, so soft if it hadn¡¯t have been him it would surely have been imperceptible, could almost have been put down to imagination for nowhere else did he touch her.

 74

    The sun blocked out as he hovered over her, her eyes still closed as she blissfully attuned to the feel of his lips lightly on hers until it wasn¡¯t enough. He was waiting for her bidding, she instinctively knew that. She could smell the bitter orange and bergamot undertones of his cologne, his breath mingling with hers, and after seconds that seemed to drag forever she gave him her consent with her mouth, pressed her own lips into his.


    The greeting was acknowledged by the reward of his cool tongue parting her lips, slipping inside, and that delicious taste of him, the intimate feel of his mouth inside hers, his tonguenguorously capturing hers, ying a slow teasing game, long strokes that made her want more, countered by a tiny feather-light stroke on the tip of her tongue and then a gentle sucking as he dragged her deeper into him.


    And it was the most erotic of kisses yet the most frustrating, because still nowhere else did he touch her. Only their mouths were touching only their mouths in contact, and she wanted more, her body arching, trying to convey her needs. But he misread them, just kissed her ever on, till she burnt for more, literally ached for more, and only then did he give it, but in a selfish, measured dose.


    The hand that she desired, that she anticipated around her waist to pull her towards him, insteady on the soft inner flesh of her thigh, and the impact was as acute as if he¡¯d struck her with a branding iron. It was her thigh, for heaven¡¯s sake, Nina mentally begged, just a few square inches of flesh, and it wasn¡¯t even moving, but it was intimate, it was so damned intimate that it was surely wrong to be lying here beneath him now. She wished his hand would move, but it didn¡¯t. Instead, it pressed harder, almost imperceptibly at first but slowly she could feel his fingers digging into the tender flesh. Her breath in his mouth wasing faster now, and just as she went to push him away, to move his hand to safer ground, Julian was the one who stopped.


    Propped up on his elbow, she could feel him gazing down at her and shey there vulnerable, reluctant to open her eyes, terrified, excited at the same time, wondering what he would do next.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± He said. His words confused her, talking inappropriate now, his touch what she needed, not the mind games he yed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what you went through at your oldpany, and for how it affected us. What exactly happened?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve told you,¡± Nina gulped, screwing her eyes closed tighter wishing he would just leave it, and sure he knew she was lying. She wanted to drop the topic.


    ¡°Not all of it,¡± Julian said, his finger trailing along her arm as she spoke, the nub of his finger lingering on her radial pulse, like some perverse lie detector as he dragged her secrets out. ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault. You know that right?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t help,¡± Nina croaked, her eyes still screwed closed, unable to look at him as she revealed her shame. ¡°I never had an affair with my boss. We were close, but not in that way. Someone who was jealous for some reason just made it look that way. And once the story got out like that, there was nothing I could do about it. So I ran. I left¡­. I just wanted all of it to go away. But somehow it kinda followed me and happened all over again. I was ashamed of the whole thing and I just wanted to put it behind me. I¡¯m sure you must have been embarrassed when¡­. ¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what anyone says¡­ Or said. I¡¯m not embarrassed. I believe you. No one else matters¡­ What people think doesn¡¯t matter to me¡± Julian breathed, interrupting her, confusing her again. ¡°Does it still matter to you..?¡±


    ¡°Of course not, I mean¡­. I did. But now, especially with the baby, I think I have other important things to worry¡± Nina started, but her voice trailed off, not sure what he was getting at. Her body was still throbbing with desire, an argument starting somewhere deep within¡­. Julian still wanted her, right?


    Doubt was starting to ping in, her eyes snapping open, terrified that he wasughing at her, maybe judging her, dreading being humiliated again. But in one movement he grabbed her wrist, rammed her tense hand between his legs. She pulled back as if she¡¯d been scalded, the strength of his erection shocking her, the feel of him in her hand a bit terrifying. But Julian pulled her hand back, holding it there till the fear abated, till the arousal that had always been there between them stirred again.


    ¡°You make me feel like this, Red.¡± he said. ¡°You always have. Always will. Nothing changed.¡±Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    She could feel him growing in her palm, feel a trickle of sweat between her breasts as he swelled harder beneath her touch, a bubble of moisture between her legs as his fingers crept up her T-shirt now, tiny, delicate strokes as he inched up slowly further, and it had gone too far, way, way too far.


    She murmured her protest, attempted to halt things, but he kissed her again¡­ harder this time, captured her protest with his tongue and silenced it. She could feel the fleshy pad of his index finger circling her aching nipple as he held the soft plumpness of her bosom in his palm. Only now did his lips release hers. Any sooner and she would have begged him to stop, would have halted things.


    But now she was putty in his skilled hands, pliable, warm, willing to move, to let him do with her what he wanted, and, oh, how he did-kissing the pulse leaping in her throat as she wriggled out of her top. The second her breasts were free, his tongue paid them the attention they deserved, tender attention, kissing the swollen, needy tips in turn, his finger retracing his steps, working downwards now. Her stomach tightened in renewed tension as he slid down the zip of her shorts, but for the first time since contact he spoke, the liquid deep tones of his voice not breaking the spell but somehow deepening it.

 75

    ¡°Don¡¯t hold onto those thoughts, Red, just let them go.¡± And she tried, really tried to just rx as his hand cupped her bottom and lifted her enough to slip off the shorts and knickers in one. But the movement erased what had been achieved, embarrassment flooding in as her flesh was exposed, her knees lifting instinctively and her hand moving down in a futile attempt to cover herself. Wanting to hide her body from his gaze. It had been a while since they¡¯d been this way together.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fight,¡± he ordered, but he was soothing her with his words. ¡°Don¡¯t think about anything else, just think about this.¡± His hand hovered over her stomach until she caught her breath.


    She wanted the contact again and he was very gently tracing tiny endless circles around the little hill of her abdomen as his lips dusted her cheeks. Oh, how much she¡¯d missed him. He was kissing away the salty tears that were spilling from her eyes with his other hand around her neck, massaging her hairline, yet still the hungry swell of him against her told her how much he desired her. A barrage of sensations that could have been confusing but instead soothed, the panic that had momentarily engulfed her waned until shey outstretched and acquiescent in his arms, thrumming with anticipation for all that he might yield.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to touch you now, Red.¡± he said softly.


    He was already touching her, his body was pressed against her, his lips on her face, his erection jutting into her, but she knew what he meant, was grateful for the strange warning, shivering as his hand reached her damp intimate curls and gently stroked them, his lip capturing the nervous swallow in her throat as his fingers crept slowly deeper, the infinitely gentle strokes he had teased her with before almost rough inparison to the tenderness he disyed now, gently circling, pressing.


    But what if things went wrong again? She felt herself tense but not in desire, that panic again creeping in as he slid a finger into her tight space, slid it in slowly, taking her dew and then back to where it was needed. His touch firmer, massaging away her fears and recing them with need, as she quivered at his touch, uncurling under his masterful skill, his palm massaging her swollen mound, over and over, his fingers gliding in and out, patience in every movement.


    She opened her eyes once, drunk on lust, moaning at the blissful warmth that fired her, and she saw his eyes smiling down at her with desire.


    ¡°Nina¡± It was Julian¡¯s voice that was breathless now, his body pressing harder into hers. She¡¯d been so indulgent in her own pleasure while he¡¯d been so unselfish, but that he could be so aroused from just touching her was all the affirmation she needed.


    Bold, so bold now, it was Nina making the move, wrestling with his heavy belt, unzipping him, pushing the silk of his boxers down and staring with animal lust at him, the swollen, angry tip almost explosive.


    And even if all there could be was this moment, she needed it, needed him deep, deep inside her. She wanted his weight on top of her and it was heaven as Julian pushed her down, his clothed body squeezing the breath out of her, strong knees parting her willing thighs. She could feel him nudging at her entrance and opened her legs a fraction more to amodate him. Even before his heated length stabbed into her, her body was convulsing, her most intimate ce wrapping around his, dragging him deeper with each quivering contraction of her orgasm as he moved within her.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    ¡°More!¡± he said, his voice husky.


    Her eyes opened. Breathless, speechless, she stared at him as still he moved within her. What did he mean more? She¡¯d achieved more than she had ever thought possible-he¡¯d already toppled her to climax.


    ¡°Give me more, Red.¡± He said again. He was pushing harder and now so was she. Now he was sliding over her, pressing her harder into the ground. But her body wanted to still, to recover from her orgasm, and she¡¯d thought he¡¯d been close, was sure he¡¯d wanted her as much as she¡¯d wanted him.


    For a second the doubts were back, the tiny dark voices that told her over and over something would go wrong again.


    ¡°Red,¡± Julian gasped. ¡°I want you to cum with me. I can¡¯t hold on-see what you do to me?¡±


    He stared down at her and it was as if he was struggling to stay in control -and her body that had begged respite, mere moments before, rippled into delighted action as he ambushed her. Her legs wriggled free, wrapping themselves tightly around his hips, pulling him fiercely in, her fingers digging into the taut muscle of his buttocks. And she understood, understood then that she¡¯d never truly let go, had merely nced around the door of the ce Julian was taking her to now.


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful so beautiful, Red¡± Over and over he said it. His chin was rough against her tender face, his breathing rapid and irregr, and she felt powerful now, felt his desire, his tant need for her irrefutable.


    ¡°Julian¡­ Julian.¡± Over and over she said. Pulling his shirt up, her hands ran over his back as her own frenzied mouth searched forfort, sucking, licking the salty flesh of his chest.


    ¡°What you do to me!¡± Julian rasped. ¡°You are so fucking hot¡­¡± His body, his words were one unguarded paroxysm now, but so, too, was Nina. She felt sexy, he made her sexy, her body responding to his debauched words, shivering as he spilled his precious nectar and she dragged it from him, convulsing around his length, dragging each delicious drop as if it was her right, as if it was hers to take, her whole body in rigid spasm, clinging to him as still somehow he moved, slower now, giving her all of him until, sated, exhausted, he copsed on top of her before rolling onto his side, pulling her into his arms and weing her, back to a world that was more beautiful for what had taken ce.

 76

    ¡°You are so beautiful,¡± Julian drawled, then gave a small cough. ¡°Red, I have missed you so damn much, so much that I stayed up at night thinking about you. It was never just about sex for me¡±.


    Nina smiled up at him, tracing lines on his chest with the tip of her finger. ¡°I have missed you too. I¡¯m so sorry that I hurt you, Julian. I didn¡¯t mean to push you away like that. I cared but I was just so worried about what people thought so much that I didn¡¯t know I was torturing myself, and hurting you too, but now¡­. With the baby, I don¡¯t care so much anymore. My priorities has changed all of a sudden¡±


    Heughed-and it sounded so good. To see him rxed, smiling, was like glimpsing somehow a different man, and all she knew was that she wanted more of this. He ran his hand over her warm, naked body and she squirmed with pleasure, couldn¡¯t believe she was lying naked in his arms in the middle of the day and feeling only beautiful.


    ¡°Am I one of those priorities now?¡± he asked her.


    She smiled and nodded. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m sorry it took so long for me to realize that¡±


    The sun must have gone behind a cloud, because suddenly his face darkened, his body that had been so yielding, so in tune with hers stiffening, and Nina wasn¡¯t sure if it was because of what she¡¯d said or because he¡¯d heard it first.


    The sound of tyres crunching on the gravel had them both jumping like scalded cats, suddenly aware of herck of attire and Julian¡¯s trousers around his knees.


    She hated the intrusion, wanted so much to just be there with her, the glimpse of his tumescence as he hastily pulled his trousers up and tucked himself in nowhere near enough for Nina.


    ¡°Julian!¡± Abby¡¯s voice pierced the still afternoon. Completely flustered, somehow Nina managed to dress in record time, zipping up her shorts and almost falling over as she pulled on her boots, until, with her heart pounding, the footsteps drew closer and the gate was pushed open.


    Nina did not even look over as Abby approached and bluntly addressed Julian. ¡°I saw your car-what on earth are you doing home? I thought you said you were going to be busy all day¡±


    ¡°I am actually, just trying to catch up on some reading,¡± Julian said casually, but it didn¡¯t wash with Abby and after a long pause he borated. ¡°I thought I¡¯d juste home, and rest a little bit¡±


    Abby didn¡¯t say anything at first, suspicious eyes swiveling from Julian to Nina. ¡°I¡¯m not even going to ask what you guys were up to,¡± she finally said slowly. ¡°Cos I honestly don¡¯t think I want to know¡­. So I¡¯m just going to take these inside.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯lle and help,¡± Julian offered, but Abby had already gone, walking out of the garden without a backward nce.


    Nina stood with her cheeks ming, her anxious eyes swinging to Julian, hoping for reassurance.


    ¡°Do you think she knew?¡± she asked.


    Julian grinned. ¡°Knowing, Abby, I think she did so I¡¯m going to say yes¡±


    And then heughed when he saw the embarrassed look on Nina¡¯s face.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Nina asked Julian for the hundredth time that evening as they walked into his house.


    They had just returned from a dinner date, and throughout the meal, Julian hadn¡¯t been his usual chatty self¡­ And he looked like he was thinking about something¡­ Something that was bothering him. Nina was worried at his attitude because it was unlikely for Julian to be that way. He always seemed to have something to say. Some jokes to make herugh¡­. Or even tease her. But tonight it was different. They talked, the dinner was nice, but Nina knew something was up.


    They had been back together for three weeks now and everything had been going well with their rtionship and the baby. And now his attitude out of nowhere bothered her so much. She found herself wondering if she did something wrong, but she couldn¡¯t think of anything.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡± he replied, and walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine. Nina kicked off her shoes and followed him. Then she watched as he poured out two sses and handed one to her, which she took.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    ¡°Fine?¡± she repeated, ¡°Fine? Julian, you have been acting weird all night. What is the problem? If I did something why don¡¯t you juste out and talk to me about it instead of behaving this way¡±


    Julian shook his head and looked at her in surprise. That was thest thing he wanted her to think, not tonight. Because she had done nothing wrong.


    ¡°What? No baby, you didn¡¯t do anything. I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s just¡­. There is something on my mind. Something I want to tell you, I just didn¡¯t know I would be this nervous¡­ And a little scared I have to admit¡±


    Nina dropped her ss and moved towards him. She ced her hand on his arm. ¡°Scared of what, Julian?¡± she asked. ¡°You can tell me anything. You know that right? What¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    He smiled at and grabbed her hand gently. ¡°Fine¡± he said, then he took her hand and led her towards the balcony.


    When they got there, Nina looked around at the beautiful scenery. The lights, the fresh air mixed with his cologne, her hand still in his. She smiled up at him. ¡°Well, this is romantic,¡± she said.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you think so,¡± Julian said. ¡°Because I need all that romantic stuff to say what I want to say. I wanted to say it during dinner, but for some reason it didn¡¯t feel right to do it there¡­ And I was scared of what you would say¡±


    Nina¡¯s eyebrows lifted. ¡°Julian¡­.¡± she began, but he hushed her by cing a finger on her lips, then he went back to holding her hands.


    Taking a deep breath, he said, ¡°For a while now, I have been thinking a lot¡­ About the both of us. About everything that has happened between us. You have to know that you are the most amazing woman I have ever met. You are beautiful, independent and strong ¡­ And you have my heart. You are the only woman who has ever made me feel the way I do. You make me so happy¡­ You motivate me¡­ You drive me crazy but that¡¯s fine too. You¡¯re perfect¡­ Perfect for me. I guess what I¡¯m trying to say, Red, is that I love you. I love you so damn much that the thought of being apart from you again scares the shit out of me. I don¡¯t ever want to lose you again. I have loved you since we were little and I will keep on loving you. You deserve the best¡­ You deserve anything you want¡­ Everything you need, and I will dly be here for you as long as you let me¡­ I was crazy for waiting so long to tell you how I feel about you¡±

 77

    ¡°Oh, Julian¡± Nina said, her eyes filled with tears. ¡°I love you too. I never stopped. I always will¡±


    Julian smiled and wiped a tear that had fallen with his finger. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, honey¡± he said, ¡°You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that. And it makes what I¡¯m going to say next so much easier¡±


    Ninaughed and wiped her cheek with her palm. ¡°Oh¡­. There¡¯s more?¡± she asked.


    He nodded. ¡°Hell yeah¡± he replied, then his hand moved to stomach and he cupped it. ¡°You remember when I found out about the baby and I asked you to move in with me?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied softly.


    ¡°At first I didn¡¯t like that you said no, it pissed me off in fact, but I realized that it was a crappy thing to say. We are having a baby, Red. You, me and that tiny human growing inside of you. And we love each other, so if we are going to do this, I want us to do it right, so¡­ ¡±


    He took a step back and reached into his pocket. When his hand came back out, there was a little box in it, and Nina didn¡¯t need him to open it before she knew what was inside. Her mouth formed a little ¡®O¡¯ as Julian got down on one knee and opened the box.


    ¡°Nina, I love you¡­.¡± he said, ¡°And I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. I want to continue to show you just how much you mean to me. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy, just the way you make me happy. Please, Red, will you marry me?¡±


    The tears were falling again. And she made no effort to stop them from falling.


    ¡°You were carrying that in your pocket the whole time when we were out. That¡¯s why you were acting so strange¡± she said.


    Julian nodded. ¡°Yeah. I wanted to do this there but the moment didn¡¯t feel¡­.. What?¡­. We are going off topic here. You haven¡¯t answered my question¡±


    ¡°Oh I¡¯m sorry¡± Nina said, now she wasughing and crying at the same time. ¡°Of course I will marry you, Julian. I will¡±


    She watched as he removed the ring from the box and slipped it into her finger. Then he stood and she was in his arms, holding onto each other tightly, not wanting to be apart anymore.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go inside. It¡¯s getting cold out here¡± Julian said.


    Nina simply nodded and followed him inside. He sat on the couch and settled her on hisp. They held one another in crushing arms, her damp cheek against his rougher one.


    ¡°Loving hurts sometimes,¡± she told him, wincing and shifting so her breasts weren¡¯t totally mashed.


    ¡°It does.¡± He settled her sideways on hisp, touching one chaste kiss to her mouth before tilting his forehead against her brow. ¡°But we will get through. You humble me, you know that?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I want to do.¡± She replied.


    ¡°I know. That¡¯s why you do.¡± he said. The revenant luminosity in his eyes was so bright, it brought tears to her own again. ¡°I¡¯m in awe of you. Of your bravery and astonishing capacity to love. I need your love, Red. I need you in my life. It¡¯s terrifying to me how badly I need you¡±


    ¡°I know¡­. because I feel the same way too. I do love you so much.¡± She replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m right here. And I won¡¯t walk away from you again. Does it help to know, though, that pushing you away taught me how badly I need you?¡±


    ¡°I thought I was just an awful person to be around. I know I acted badly sometimes, even when I knew I shouldn¡¯t, but I just couldn¡¯t help it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not awful.¡± He frowned a scold. ¡°You were going through a lot then. I should have tried to understand.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine right now,¡± she said with a suggestive lean into him and a sweep of flirtyshes, brushing a finger on his chest.


    Julian got the message.


    ¡°Are you?¡± He asked yfully. He kissed the corner of her damp eye.


    She chuckled and kissed his throat as he carried her to his bedroom and to his bed.


    When he set her upon it, he did so with veneration.


    Tenderness and gratitude and love enveloped her as they kissed and caressed, slowly undressing each other. They moved without hurry, impassioned, but letting each moment stretch out. Giving each strand of trust time to anchor and bind and thicken between them. With each kiss and caress, belief in each other seeped into the marrow of their bones.


    When they were naked and united, she cupped the sides of his head in her hands. The unguarded emotion in his gaze transfixed her.


    ¡°I guess I didn¡¯t juste down here to get a job¡± she realized with awe. ¡°Somehow I was searching for my soulmate too.¡±


    ¡°You found him. He¡¯s never letting you go again.¡± he said.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    They began to move, celebrating the force that had pulled the two of them into a single space and made them, finally and for all time, one.

 78

    Julian and Ninay in his bed. Their legs entwined with each others as they tried to catch their breaths after making love.


    ¡°Oh I wish we could stay in bed all day¡± Nina whispered, her breath tickling Julian¡¯s neck as she spoke. He turned and kissed her forehead gently.


    ¡°I wish that too, baby,¡± he replied. ¡°Just the two of us¡­ spending the entire day in bed¡­ lots of food¡­ music¡­. Movies¡­. And lots of sex¡­. It would be amazing¡­.¡± He paused at that moment, seemed to give the topic some thought before he said, ¡°Why don¡¯t we do it?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we do what?¡± Nina asked, and yawned. She was still a bit sleepy and tired as they had gone to bed reallyte the previous night due to work, and they didn¡¯t even do much sleeping.


    Julian lifted her chin with his finger so she¡¯d look at him. Her eyes were still half closed.. Her hair was scattered all over his pillow and her lips were still slightly swollen from his kisses. He grinned at her.


    ¡°I mean, why don¡¯t we do what you said? Why don¡¯t we stay in bed today¡­ just eat, sleep, watch movies and make love. I want more of you¡­ and besides, we have both been busy this past week¡­we need to rest and besides, having just one day to ourselves wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡±


    Nina smiled at him. ¡°Oh Julian, I¡¯m sure it would be amazing to do that, but I can¡¯t. I have work to do¡­. I told you we have this big client and we¡¯re trying to get his ount. I guess I impressed Evan so much with getting yours, so he put me in charge of getting this one too.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡± Julian said as he let her go and rxed on the bed, facing the ceiling. He sounded so disappointed. Nina immediately crawled on top of him so she was straddling him.


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t look like that¡­¡± she said, ¡°I promise when I¡¯m done with this client, we¡¯d be able to spend more time together¡­you know I¡¯d love to spend the day with you if I didn¡¯t have work to do¡­ please understand¡±


    Julian took a lock of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. ¡°I know¡­¡± he replied. ¡°It¡¯s just that I miss you¡­ We barely even had anytime to go somewhere after our engagement¡­ I just don¡¯t want our entire lives to be about just work. I want us to always make out time for each other¡­ to enjoy each other¡¯spany. I¡¯ve wanted this rtionship for so long and now that I have it, I want to do it right.¡±


    Nina leaned down and kissed his lips until his cock was semi hard again, and he groaned when she sat up. Ninaughed at his reaction.¡±You¡¯re doing it right already. I can¡¯t remember a time in my life when I was as happy as I am now.¡± she said. ¡°¡­ But now I have to go so I can rush home and get ready for work. I have a meeting I shouldn¡¯t bete for.¡±


    She tried to get off him, but Julian grabbed her waist and held her back. ¡°Okay, but you are not really going to leave me like this¡± He made a thrusting movement with his hips and smiled as his full blown erection rubbed against her and she gasped.


    ¡°I was being serious and you were getting turned on?¡± Nina asked, but there was a glitter in her eyes.


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t help it.¡± Julian replied, grinning as he slipped inside her. She gasped andy on top of him. Julian grabbed her harder. One strong hand on her waist while the other grabbed her ass. He withdrew and thrust harder before he whispered in her ear¡­¡±This conversation isn¡¯t over, but I¡¯ll let you go to work. We can talkter.¡±


    ¡°hmmm¡­ mmmm¡± Nina murmured


    Ten minutester, Nina got into her car. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were rumpled, but she didn¡¯t care. She was happy, and that was all that mattered.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Julian grabbed the flowers and the box of cookies on the passenger seat of his car and got out. It had been a while since he¡¯d been at Nina¡¯s office but it seemed like all she¡¯d been doingtely was work and this was the only ce he could see her.


    He said hello to the people who greeted him as he went into the elevator. When he got to her floor and headed for her office, her assistant tried to stop him from going into Nina¡¯s office.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, sir¡± she said apologetically, ¡°But Miss Taylor is really busy and she said she doesn¡¯t want to be disturbed.¡±Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°She will want to see me¡± Julian assured her and whispered that he was trying to surprise Nina so she sat back, even though Julian could still see the uncertainty on her face.


    He knocked once and opened the door without waiting for an invitation. Nina sat behind her desk. A lot of files and papers scattered in front of her. She shut herptop and looked up. Displeasure written all over her face. It was obvious that she hadn¡¯t wanted to be disturbed, but the frown faded when she saw him.


    ¡°Julian¡± she said as she pushed theptop away from her. ¡°What¡­. What are you doing here¡±


    ¡°A man can¡¯t pay his fianc¨¦ a surprise visit at work?¡± Julian asked smoothly with a grin on his face. He handed the flowers to her and dropped the box on her table before he walked behind her desk to kiss her. It was a slow and gentle kiss, but when she moaned he took the opportunity to slip his tongue inside her mouth and deepened it.


    When he finally let her go, he said: ¡°Aren¡¯t you happy to see me?¡±


    ¡°Of course I am¡± Nina, still a little dazed from the kiss. ¡°I just¡­ you surprised me¡­ I had no idea that you wereing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why it¡¯s called a surprise,¡± Julian said and propped himself on her desk. He was smiling at her and Nina couldn¡¯t help but smile back at him.


    ¡°Well, thank you¡± she said, picking up the flowers and sniffing them. ¡°You have no idea how worn out I am¡­. We have been working non stoptely.¡±


    ¡°Yeah I noticed¡± came Julian¡¯s reply as she fumbled with one of the papers on her desk. ¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about that.¡±

 79

    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Julian said, ¡°I understand¡­ but I still miss you. I came to take you out for lunch. At least we can have some minutes to be together. What do you say, I have a really nice ce in mind and I¡¯m sure you will love the food there¡±


    He stood up from the desk, expecting Nina to do the same, but when she remained seated he frowned. He knew what wasing before she even opened her mouth. Another excuse.


    ¡°Damn it, Nina¡± he swore, you are really going to tell me you¡¯re too busy to have lunch with me too?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Julian, but I have a lot of do and time is running out. We can do this some other time¡±


    Julian ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. The office suddenly became too hot for him and she watched as he unbuttoned the sleeves of his shirt and folded them. ¡°And how many times have you told me that, huh?¡±This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Nina couldn¡¯t reply. She knew that he was right, but she couldn¡¯t help the situation and really wished that he would understand.


    ¡°I¡¯lle over to your ce tonight¡± she said quickly as she stood up. She reached for him. ¡°We can spend the night together.¡±


    Julian moved away from her touch. ¡°You mean you¡¯lle over veryte at night¡­. It¡¯s something you picked uptely too. Youe backte, exhausted from working that we barely say a word to each other¡­ you fall asleep, only to wake up very early again¡­ go to work¡­ and the same thing happens again. Over and over.¡±


    Nina was getting fed up.¡± I told you I¡¯m busy,¡± she snapped at him.¡± Why don¡¯t you want to understand that? ¡±


    ¡°Because people make out time for the people they want, damn it¡± Julian snapped back. ¡°I¡¯m tired of this damn thing¡­ you are working too damn hard Nina, and have you forgotten that you¡¯re pregnant? You¡¯re carrying a baby so would it be so bad if you let yourself rest for a while¡±.


    ¡°Oh I haven¡¯t forgotten my situation,¡± Nina shot back, ¡°How could I? It¡¯s one of the reasons why I¡¯m trying to get as much work as I can now. Soon I won¡¯t be able to work as much.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that. I can take care of you and the baby¡±


    It¡¯s not just about money, Julian. You have no idea how much of my life is going to change because of this pregnancy¡­. I don¡¯t have to remind you that I never nned to be a mother at this point in my life, so yes I do remember that I¡¯m pregnant. I remember it every damn morning when I wake up, so thanks for your concern. ¡±


    She went back to her seat and reopened theptop, wishing he¡¯d just go away. She didn¡¯t want to fight him. She hated fighting with him. Theirst fight had almost broken her and she didn¡¯t want a repeat, but to her dismay, he didn¡¯t leave.


    ¡°You sound like you regret getting pregnant,¡± he said.


    ¡°I do not. Please don¡¯t put words in my mouth¡±


    Julian stared at her for a moment. He was worried about her behavior¡­ was this really just about work, or was she really regretting getting pregnant and keeping the baby? Was she tired of their rtionship already? Did she regret agreeing to marry him? He couldn¡¯t stop his mind from wandering. Lately she seemed so into work and barely spoke about getting married or fixing a date for the wedding as most women would be. Even his mother asked about the wedding more than she did. The questions had been on his mind for a while now, and since they were already talking, he decided to bring it up.


    ¡°Do you still want to get married?¡± he asked softly. He dreaded her reply. If she said no¡­.


    She lifted her head to stare at him. Her eyes widened. ¡°Why the hell did you ask me that?¡± she asked


    ¡°Just answer the question.¡±


    ¡°Of course I still want to get married. Where is thising from?¡±


    ¡°Oh please don¡¯t ask me questions like that like I¡¯m stupid¡± Julian said as he paced the office. ¡°You don¡¯t even seem thrilled about it anymore. I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re still wearing my ring in fact. You barely bring it up, and when I do it¡¯s like you¡¯re in a hurry to change the subject. We haven¡¯t picked a date yet and nothing has changed since we got engaged. You don¡¯t seem concerned about that¡­It¡¯s almost like we are not moving forward.¡±


    Nina looked confused.¡±You are confusing me, Julian¡± she said, ¡°We are having a baby. We are engaged¡­ How are we not moving forward? You just concluded that because we haven¡¯t picked a date for our wedding?¡±


    Julian sighed and ran his hands through his hair again. He didn¡¯t seem to care that he was messing it up even if he had to go back to his office. ¡°After we got engaged¡± he began. ¡°We agreed that you would move in with me. We agreed that it would help with our situation with the baby¡­ and oh, because married people live together damn it¡­ why hasn¡¯t that happened? And why do you seem so¡­ nonchnt about it?¡±


    Nina stood from her chair once again and walked up to him. She stabbed one manicured finger in his chest as she red angrily at him. ¡°You are looking for a fight where there is none, Julian. I¡¯ve not moved in because I¡¯ve been busy, and I didn¡¯t think it was such a big deal since I practically spend almost every night at your ce now.¡±


    ¡°Youing around every night and leaving the next day isn¡¯t moving in together, Nina¡± Julian snapped back. ¡°You¡¯re not a booty call or some woman I¡¯m sleeping with. You¡¯re supposed to be my wife.¡±


    Nina looked away. ¡°I don¡¯t know what else to say to you, Julian¡±


    There was an awkward pause before he added, ¡°¡­. And the wedding? Why haven¡¯t we talked about that either?¡­ and just be straight forward so I can attempt to understand this situation because I¡¯m lost and tired of assuming¡±


    Nina couldn¡¯t bring herself to look at him, so she focused on keeping her gaze outside the window. ¡°Honestly¡­. It¡¯s because I don¡¯t know if I want to get married right now¡±

 80

    Finally, she thought. It was true that she was busy, but it wasn¡¯t just that. She knew there was more even if she¡¯d been trying hard not to admit it to herself or anyone else. When she left her father¡¯spany, she had high hopes about her career and her work with Standard Gates. She didn¡¯t expect that in a couple of months, she would fall in love, get pregnant and then engaged. A lot was happening in her life and it was happening so fast¡­ and she was panicking deep down inside.


    ¡°So why did you say yes if you didn¡¯t want to marry me?¡± Julian asked. His voice was dangerously low, and even he couldn¡¯t believe how he was able to stay so calm when he wanted to smash a chair against the wall.


    Nina kept her gaze on the floor. ¡°I never said that I didn¡¯t want to marry you. I do.¡±


    He didn¡¯t say anything so she continued.


    ¡°All I¡¯m saying is that, I think we¡¯re rushing into things a bit. Maybe it doesn¡¯t feel that way for you, but it¡¯s that way for me. I guess I didn¡¯t expect so many things to be happening all at once¡­ All good things, I know, but the wedding¡­ the baby¡­. It¡¯s going to change the rest of my life. I just need some time to get used to it.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Julian stared at her. Thest time she¡¯d asked him for sometime and put a pause on their rtionship, he¡¯d freaked out and pushed her away. It was a move he¡¯d ended up regretting. It was happening again, but this time it was different. He had no idea what to think. He felt like if he gave her what she was asking for, he¡¯d only end up giving her a chance to move father away from him, and the thought of losing her scared the hell out of him. But she didn¡¯t look like she shared his fears or concerns¡­. And why should she? She was a beautiful, amazing woman and any man would want her. He figured maybe the rtionship just meant more to him.


    His eyes fell on her stomach. Beneath her clothes, there was no bump visible yet, but it was slightly round and visible when she was naked. He knew that because he¡¯d spent a lot of time watching her, learning her curves, eager to watch her grow with their child. He had a lot to say, but the words seemed stuck in his throat.


    ¡°I should go¡± he finally said, when he found his tongue again.


    ¡°Julian¡­¡± Nina began, but he wasn¡¯t listening. He simply turned around and walked out of her office.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª-


    Nina rolled in her bed twice before she opened her eyes and sniffed. There was a delicious aromaing from the kitchen and she knew what that meant.


    Breakfast! She thought. Abby was making breakfast. Whatever it was, she knew it was going to be good because Abby was a great cook.


    She rushed out of bed and ran to the bathroom. One thing she¡¯d noticed since she got pregnant was that her appetite was growing everyday. She loved food, yes, but now it was way more than before. She had also developed a great sense of smell, so that didn¡¯t help matters.


    She brushed her teeth and took off her clothes. Before she stepped into the shower, she took some time to stare at her body in the mirror. She had changed, she noticed. Her cheeks were a bit fuller, and she knew she was already gaining some weight. Her breasts were fuller too, she thought as she cupped them, then let her hand move slowly to her belly. She was four months pregnant now, and she was starting to show. Her bump was growing and she smiled.


    She couldn¡¯t really understand her feelings. She was happy. She was engaged to the man she loved, and she having his baby, but at the same time she was anxious and scared. Sometimes she wanted to scream and sometimes she wanted tough. She thought about Julian. She had not seen him since that day at her office, and apart from calling to check if she and the baby were alright, he never asked her about anything else.


    She shook her head and got into the shower. She didn¡¯t want to think about Julian at the moment. After the shower she put on a short gown and headed for the kitchen. Her added weight, rounder stomach and ass made it even shorter but she didn¡¯t mind as long as she wasfortable.


    ¡°Hi Abby,¡± she said cheerfully as she walked in.


    ¡°Good morning, Nina¡± Abby responded, but Nina wasn¡¯t listening. Her eyes were on Julian who was sitting in the kitchen with Abby.


    ¡°Hi,¡± she said as she walked deeper into the kitchen. She was wasn¡¯t expecting to see him and she wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to talk about their issues at the moment.


    ¡°Hi,¡± Julian replied. His eyes left her face for a moment and scanned her body. She could see concern in his eyes for a moment, but it disappeared immediately his eyes met hers again. She knew what he was doing¡­ checking up on her to see if she was okay. Apparently the calls weren¡¯t enough and he just had to make sure. Only that he was trying not to show her that he cared. It annoyed her and she frowned at him.


    He seemed to understand that gaze because he rose immediately. ¡°I have to go¡± he said without talking to anyone in particr.


    ¡°You do?¡± Abby asked, clearly surprised. ¡°But you said you were hungry. You can¡¯t tell me you are not anymore. You¡¯ve been salivating since I started cooking.¡±


    ¡°Ermmm¡­¡± Julian stammered.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Julian¡± Nina cut in, ¡°I¡¯m sure there¡¯s enough for all of us¡±


    Abby stared at the both of them. Something was definitely off, she thought, but she said nothing.


    ¡°This is delicious¡± Nina said after she was served and had a spoonful of the rice in her mouth.


    Abby smiled. ¡°Thanks¡± she replied. ¡°I n to make you the best dishes before you leave. You can think about that when the both of you finally move in together¡­ and you can always remember that I was a better cook and roommate than my brother.¡±


    She expectedughter or at least a giggle from the both of them, but they were silent. She watched them for a few seconds before she banged her hand on the table.

 81

    ¡°Oh my God¡± Abby said, ¡°You guys are fighting again, aren¡¯t you? Oh, please don¡¯t tell me you guys are fighting again.¡± she said in a frustrated voice. ¡°Thest time you guys fought I had a lot to deal with from the both of you. You¡¯re both miserable without each other, so can you please stop. What the hell? What is the problem now?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Abby¡± Julian said, but he kept his attention on the food.


    ¡°Rx Abby. At least I get to stay with you longer¡± Nina said, trying desperately to ease the tension in the room. ¡°Or do you want me to leave that bad?¡±


    Abby dropped her hands, looking dejected. ¡°You know that¡¯s not true. I love having you here, but having you here means something went wrong with the both of you, and that¡¯s thest thing I want. The both of you belong together. What¡¯s the problem this time?¡±


    Nina said nothing, so Julian said :¡± Nothing serious,¡± he said smoothly.¡±Just that your friend here decided that she doesn¡¯t want to get married.¡±


    Abby gasped. ¡°What?¡±


    Nina red at him. Her anger was in full blown mode now. ¡°I never said that¡± she yelled. ¡°I said that I had a lot to do at the moment and I didn¡¯t want to rush into getting married now. I never said that I didn¡¯t want to marry you. Why do you always do things like this whenever you don¡¯t get your way?¡±


    ¡°All I can say is that I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re still wearing your ring. If you have so many doubts then maybe you should take it off¡± Julian shot back.


    Nina couldn¡¯t hold back her tears. ¡°You asshole¡± she said. She slipped the ring out of her finger with more force than necessary and mmed it on the table. ¡°Here, you can have your ring back, Julian.¡±


    Nina pushed her food away and stood up, suddenly losing her appetite, then she headed for her room. Ignoring Abby¡¯s call for her toe back.


    Julian stared at the ring she had dropped on the table. Gosh, he thought, he had to admit to himself that she was right. That was a big asshole move. He hadn¡¯t meant what he said¡­he didn¡¯t want his ring back. He still wanted to marry her and he couldn¡¯t imagine not having her in his life. He picked up the ring. It felt so wrong holding it. It didn¡¯t belong with him. It was Nina¡¯s and it¡¯s ce was on her finger.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    When he raised his head again Abby was ring at him. ¡°You just had to say something, didn¡¯t you?¡± she asked. ¡°You know, that is the most stupid statement I¡¯ve ever hearde out of your mouth. You practically asked her to give you back your ring. You know what?¡±


    She grabbed the te away from him. ¡°No more breakfast for you. You do not deserve it.¡±


    Julian said nothing because he knew she was right. He slowly got up and headed for Nina¡¯s room.


    ¡°Nina, please may Ie in¡± he asked after he got no response after knocking.


    He heard her sniff and knew from her voice that she was crying. ¡°Go away, Julian¡± she yelled.


    Gosh, she was crying, he thought, but he couldn¡¯t do she asked. He couldn¡¯t leave her like this, so he opened the door and came in anyways.


    ¡°I said go away¡± Nina said when she saw him. She was sitting on the bed and her face was buried in her hands. ¡°That¡¯s your problem. You never listen to me. I don¡¯t want you here. Leave!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nina. That was way out of line¡± he said. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have taken this that far. Thest thing I want to do is give you more reasons to doubt if getting married to me is the right thing to do and I know that I just made the situation worse. I¡¯m sorry, Nina.¡±


    She lifted her head. ¡°I never said that I didn¡¯t want to marry you, Julian¡± she replied. ¡°I never said that because I do want to be your wife¡­.¡±


    Julian came to kneel in front of her. ¡°I know, baby. I know. Please don¡¯t cry anymore. I guess I was just too scared that you¡¯d leave and I panicked, but that¡¯s still no excuse. I was wrong. Please forgive me.¡±


    Gently, he wiped her tears with his palms. Waiting patiently until she calmed down before he showed her the ring he was still holding.


    ¡°I still have this,¡± he said softly, ¡°and it¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t want it back right now, but I¡¯ll hold onto it until you are ready to be my fiance again¡­ I¡¯ll be here. I¡¯ll be here because there¡¯s no other woman I¡¯d like to spend the rest of my life with. You¡¯re my woman, my best friend and the most beautiful thing that has ever been to me.¡±


    He tried to withdraw his hand but Nina stopped him. ¡°I want it back now.¡± she said. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.¡±


    She watched as Julian slowly slipped it back into her finger and smiled at her.


    ¡°Thank you. Whenever you are ready to be my wife,¡± he said again. ¡°I¡¯ll be here. I¡¯m all yours¡­ I¡¯ve always known it, and I¡¯m determined to spend the rest of my life with you.¡±


    ¡°Evan wants me to go on a trip so that I can meet up with our client,¡± said Nina. ¡°I¡¯ll try my best to wrap things up as soon as I can¡­. And when I get back, I will move in with you.¡±


    Julian¡¯s face lit up as she spoke. He couldn¡¯t hide his happiness. ¡°Do you really mean that Nina? He asked.


    She nodded.¡±Yeah. We can start¡­ moving forward¡­ as you said. One step at a time¡­¡±


    He sat next to her on the bed and he pulled her down, rolling her to her side so that he could position himself over her, all rock-hard, towering male strength. His kiss was like a release and he lost himself in it, covering her mouth with what started as azy exploration but rapidly turned into a zing assault. She was sweetly, wildly irresistible, and he groaned as their tongues entwined. He felt as uncontrolled now as he had the first time he had ever touched her.


    ¡°I love you so much, Nina¡± he whispered against her lips. ¡°As long as I have you in my life, I¡¯ll be fine. You do whatever you need to do, thene back to me when you are ready and be my wife.¡±

 82

    Nina was extremely happy. Within months of joining Standard Gate Communications, she hadnded the ounts of two big firms. Evan and everyone at her agency were proud of her, and more importantly, she was proud of herself too. She felt fulfilled. Everything was moving fine. She had a raise at work. She was in love with the most amazing man she had ever met. They were having a baby and today she was moving in with him.


    She had not seen Julian in two weeks and she was eager to. Most of her luggage had been moved to his ce the previous day, and he wasing to pick her up that afternoon. She was excited about the change, but she was also sad to leave Abby, who had been a great friend to her. An amazing friend who had weed her into her home when she was confused and had nowhere to go. She would always be grateful to her for her support.


    She and Abby watched Julian drive into the parking lot, then waited for him toe up to the house. He grinned when he came in and saw Nina¡­. standing there with her luggage.


    She ran up to him and hugged him, but he withdrew only to grab her again to kiss her passionately.


    ¡°You have no idea how much I¡¯ve missed you¡± he said in between kisses.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too¡± Nina replied as she clung to him.


    ¡°Ew, you guys¡± Abby said as she watched them. ¡°Get a room, will you? Well, in this case you guys are getting a whole house together so may I suggest you keep it in your pants till you get there?¡±


    Ninaughed while Julian red yfully at his sister.


    ¡°Is everything ready?¡± he asked Nina as he released her.


    ¡°Yeah, everything is ready¡± Nina replied, ¡°except for this¡­¡±


    She went over to Abby and they hugged each other tightly. ¡°I love you, girl,¡± Nina whispered. ¡°I love you so much.¡±


    Abby shut her eyes. ¡°I love you too, Nina and I¡¯m so happy with the way things turned out.¡±


    They released each other but still held each other¡¯s hands. ¡°You are the most amazing friend a girl could ever ask for¡± Nina continued, ¡°You helped me¡­ gave me a ce to stay when I needed it. You were always there when I needed you¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh please stop. You¡¯re going to make me cry¡± Abby said, but the tears were already falling. ¡°See?¡±


    ¡°Oh Abby¡± Nina hugged her again and soon she was crying too.


    Julian watched them from where he stood. ¡°Hey hey.¡± he said. ¡°I thought this was supposed to be a happy moment? There should be no crying,e on¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh this is a happy moment, trust me¡± Nina replied.


    ¡°Yes. These are tears of joy¡± Abby added.


    ¡°Oh please¡± Julian said, but he was smiling too. He absolutely loved the fact that his sister and fiance were so close. Whenever he imagined what the future would be like, all he could see was a big happy family, and he couldn¡¯t wait to see what the future had in store for all of them.


    Abby saw them off to the car, and after they said their goodbyes and promised to meet up with each other soon, Julian and Nina left for their new home.


    ¡°Nervous?¡± Julian asked Nina as they got on the road. He couldn¡¯t help but notice that she was quiet.


    ¡°Yeah I¡¯m fine¡± Nina replied and smiled at him. ¡°Yeah I¡¯m a bit excited, but I¡¯m going to miss Abby so much¡±


    ¡°I know, but you guys can visit each other, and oh look¡­ one advantage is that you are going to be with each other¡­ let¡¯s focus on that, okay babe?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± she said.


    ¡°Congrattions once again on the new ount for Standard Gates. I bet Evan is thanking his stars. He must be really d that he hired you. Anyone would be?¡±


    ¡°Thank you. My dad and brothers were really thrilled too. I told them that we were moving in together¡­ and they seemed happy about it. It¡¯s funny how my dad was so pissed at me when I left hispany¡­ Now he¡¯s so supportive and happy for me. Everything seems to be working out fine and I really hope it stays that way.¡±


    Julian reached out and took her hand in his.¡± It will, ¡°he said,¡± And if anythinges up, we will face it together. And now, about the baby, I have a surprise for you when we get home ¡±


    Nina¡¯s eyes widened.¡± What is it?¡± she asked him.


    He squeezed her hand and grinned at her. ¡°Rx baby. I said it was a surprise. You will find out soon enough.¡±


    _______


    Julian helped Nina get her small box into the house and up to her room. Her other belongings that had arrived the previous day were already in the room.


    ¡°I figured it was better to let you unpack them yourselves and fix the room the way you like¡± Julian said to her.


    Nina smiled and stood on her toes so she could kiss him on his cheek. ¡°Thank you, Julian¡± she said, ¡°I love it¡±


    He grabbed her waist and pressed her against his hard frame. ¡°I thought you¡¯d love to have your own room because I know how much you love your privacy. But let¡¯s not get things wrong, baby. You¡¯re going to be spending every night with me¡­ in my bed.¡±


    Nina giggled and gave him a sexy smile. ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± she replied, tracing the buttons of his shirt with her fingers. ¡°Although I¡¯m sure there are nights that I might need a little¡­ convincing¡±


    ¡°Trust me, I¡¯d be d to help.¡± He kissed her lightly on the lips, then took her hand in his. ¡°And now, for the big surprise¡­ Come with me..¡±Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Nina followed him, wondering what the mystery was all about. He didn¡¯t let go of her hand. He took her to the room next to hers and opened the door, motioning for her to go in first and she did.


    Right there, in the middle of the room, was a beautiful crib, a red ribbon tied to it. ¡°For the baby,¡± he said. Nina stared at it, her eyes misty with tears. She turned to him.


    ¡°Oh Julian, it¡¯s so beautiful¡± she threw her arms around him. He pressed her gently towards him, his face buried in her hair. ¡°Thank you so much, Julian. I love it¡± she whispered in his ear.

 83

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he said.


    ¡°Yes it is. I haven¡¯t even started thinking about buying stuff for the baby. I¡¯ve been so focused on work.¡± She moved away from him so she could have a better look at the crib. ¡± When did you get it?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I bought itst week when you were away,¡± he replied. ¡°I wanted you to be surprised¡­I know that a lot has been going on and you¡¯ve been so busy. I wanted to do something to make you happy¡­ And from the look on your face, it was totally worth it¡±.


    She smiled. ¡°Oh Julian. Thank you so much. I love you.¡±


    He smiled and pulled her closer to him. ¡°You know it¡¯s been a while since I have heard you say that to me?¡±


    ¡°It has?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.  I know it¡¯s because you¡¯ve been really upied, but I¡¯d love it if you said it more. It makes me so happy when you do.¡±


    He smashed her body tighter against his and Nina gasped. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind¡± she said breathlessly.


    Julian¡¯s broad chest and those lean hips were hypnotising her.  When he suddenly turned her around and pulled her back against him, his arm across her midriff, she almost melted. She had to close her eyes and try not to let out a low moan of pleasure.


    When he bent and kissed her neck, her head fell back. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you so much¡± he whispered in her ear, still nting kisses all over her neck and shoulder, making it difficult for her to think about anything else but him and his touch.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too¡± Nina said huskily as she turned to face him again, her eyes seemingly riveted to Julian¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Would you like me to show you just how much I missed you?¡± His voice was low and dark with promise as he pulled her even closer, and Nina¡¯s eyes widened on his when she felt the hard thrust of his arousal just above the apex of her legs. The silk of her dress was no barrier to the size and strength of it. Hot liquid seemed to pool southwards in answer to his body¡¯s calling. Her hand clenched on his shoulder, as if to stop herself falling.


    ¡°See?¡± he asked mockingly, his smile dangerous with sensual intent.


    Nina could barely hold it together. A bone-deep tremor was starting to build up through her whole body. She felt Julian¡¯s hand go to her neck, massaging the delicate skin, undoing her hair so that it fell down her back. A shudder of pure desire ran through her, making her move instinctively against him, eliciting a deep growl from his throat. She turned her face into his neck, her hand resting on the hair at the back of his cor. He brought their joined hands close to his chest. Her lips were so close to his hot skin. The slightly musky smell was an overwhelming temptation to snake out her tongue and taste. She could feel the kick of his pulse under her tongue and exhration fired her blood.


    Julian pulled her even closer, urgency in his movements. ¡°Let¡¯s get to the bedroom, Red¡±


    Nina could do nothing but nod silently.


    Everything happened quickly. Julian took her by the hand and led her to his bedroom.


    Nina found herself standing in Julian¡¯s bedroom, facing him. Both of them were breathing harshly. Standing in there felt utterly right, as necessary as breathing. Julian emitted a guttural sound of satisfaction and pulled her in so tight against him she didn¡¯t know if it was his heartbeat or hers she could feel thumping so loudly and heavily. His mouth seemed to hover over hers for a long moment, as if relishing the anticipation, the moment, and then, with one hand spearing her hair possessively, his mouth nted down onto hers, and Nina gave herself up to the maelstrom that erupted instantly around them.


    All she was aware of was the burning need inside her, the prospect of fulfillment more heady than anything she¡¯d ever known.


    She held her half-removed dress to her chest, not even knowing how it had be undone, and with a deep ragged breath let it go. It pooled at her feet in a swirl of vibrant blue silk. She kicked off her shoes and stood before Julian in nothing butce pants.


    ¡°Come here,¡± he said throatily.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Nina moved forward and started to undo his shirt, fingers grazing and revealing dark skin covered in a smattering of dark hair. He was so masculine, and it resonated with something deep within her. Recognition of a mate. Her belly quivered. He hadn¡¯t touched her yet, and it was all the more erotic for that. Her breasts felt full and aching and tight, the tips tingling painfully.


    Nina pushed his shirt off his shoulders and down his arms, and it too joined her dress in a pool of white on the floor.


    She trailed her hands down across his defined pectorals, felt his indrawn sharp breath as her fingers trailed lower. She looked down, and amidst the haze of heat that seemed to surround them saw a small scar on his shoulder. She traced it lightly, and then bent forward to press a soft kiss to it.


    Julian sucked in a breath at the feel of her lips and her breath there. Her hair fell over one shoulder, and when she stood again he looked greedily at her lush form in all its glory. The feminine hips, long legs¡­up again to  full breasts. Now as his eyes drifted over her he decided whoever said pregnancy wasn¡¯t sexy clearly hadn¡¯t been there, because never had a body look more ripe or overtly feminine. He quite literally ached to touch her, but this sweet anticipation was too exquisite.


    With a voice he barely recognised as his own because it was so full of raw need, he said, ¡°Undress me. Please.¡±


    Nina looked up into Julian¡¯s face. She knew if he threw her on the bed right now and took her with no further ado she¡¯d be ready. She felt indecently damp between her thighs. With him everything felt natural, right, and that made her happy.


    Feeling unbearably emotional for a second, she stepped forward and reached up to put her arms around his neck, bringing her breasts into contact with his chest. A shudder of reaction ran through both of them, and it took all of Nina¡¯s strength to stay standing and say somewhat shakily, belying her outward show of confidence.


    ¡°I will undress you-but first¡­a kiss.¡± she said.

 84

    Julian couldn¡¯t resist. He smoothed his hands over her slender arms, then down over the bare curve of her waist and hips, settling on her behind, drawing her close. He dipped his head and met Nina¡¯s mouth with his, and within seconds the mes of desire were igniting around them, their tongues dancing feverishly. Nina forgot about teasing and restraint. She strained upwards on tiptoe to try and get even closer, pressing herself against Julian blindly, seeking more, seeking to assuage the urgent need building deep in her core.


    Without breaking contact she brought her hands down between them to his trousers, found the opening, careless in her haste, dragging his trousers down impatiently over lean hips. His hands had gone from cupping her stomach to under her panties, molding the cheeks of her bottom, making her arch into him, thwarting her attempts to drag down his trousers.


    ¡°Julian¡­¡± She almost sobbed with frustration, not even sure what was hampering her, only knowing that she didn¡¯t want to stop touching him for a second. To lose contact with that hot skin, that heavenly musky scent, would be like depriving herself of oxygen.


    His hands came up to her arms and put her back slightly. She felt dizzy, and they were both breathing as if they¡¯d just been running.


    ¡°Red¡­¡± He sounded hoarse, surprised and slightly bewildered. With indecent haste he brought his hands to his trousers and finished what Nina couldn¡¯t do. Finally he stood before her, naked and proud, virility oozing from every pore. Nina looked down and her throat went dry as she took him in in all his glory. She looked up again, and even though the room was dark she could see the expression on his face, the look in his darkened eyes. Passion and desire zed forth-for her.


    She was feeling suddenly weak, and as if he sensed it Julian took her hand and led her over to the bed, through the muslin curtains that had been drawn down to protect against the stinging night insects. Surrounded by the gauzy material, the bed was like a cocoon, an oasis of pleasure.


    Ninay back and watched as Julian stretched over her. He smoothed back her hair and it felt unbearably tender. Then he looked down her body, and wherever his eyes rested seemed to throb in response. He cupped one breast and Nina arched her back, eyes widening in a mute plea. She heard a dark chuckle, and felt his breath feather on her hot skin before he took the turgid tip into his mouth and suckled mercilessly, inciting the most intense response Nina could ever remember.


    She was gasping, grabbing his shoulders, his arms, hands clenched tight around bulging hard muscles as his mouth moved from one breast to the other, torturing her with pleasure. And then he moved down, and down again. The breeze whispered over the wet tips of her breasts and her stomach, where his tongue had touched her.


    He pulled down her pants, throwing them aside, and then with ruthless intent pulled her legs apart. Nina stopped breathing for a long moment, her belly sucked in as she watched Julian looking at her with such intimacy that she almost couldn¡¯t stand it.


    Rising desire drowned out her mortification. Instinctively she moved on the bed, hips lifting slightly.


    ¡°Please¡­¡± she said.


    Julian looked at her, his hands travelling back up her legs,ing ever closer to her centre, thumbs massaging the tender inner skin of her thighs. His hands stopped at the very top of her legs, thumbs resting on the curls that covered her. They started moving slowly, back and forth, seeking, exploring, kneading her flesh.


    Nina sucked in a breath that felt like a sob. ¡°Julian¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Tell me what you want?¡±


    As if it was the easiest thing in the world.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Nina began brokenly. ¡°I want you to touch me¡­I want you inside me¡­¡±Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    One hand moved, and Nina felt long fingers thread through the damp curls, exploring ever inwards until he felt her slick heat for himself. She felt his reaction run through him. His erectiony thick and heavy against her thigh. She moved restlessly.


    ¡°Like this? First I touch¡­¡± And he did. He touched her intimately. Fingers moving in and out, testing her, drawing out her response, his thumb finding that small hard nub and massaging it until Nina¡¯s hands clenched in the bed sheets so tight that her knuckles were white. She felt all at once helpless, wanton and insatiable.


    He bent his head, his chest close to hers, brushing against sensitive breasts, and kissed her deeply, erotically, as his hand and fingers caressed her intimately.


    But just as she could feel the elusive peak she¡¯d rarely reached with anyone elsee like a vision through the haze of desire Julian broke the kiss and removed his hand.


    ¡°Now you touch¡­¡± He brought her hand down to cover his shaft. Nina¡¯s eyes grew big and round, glued to his as she allowed herself to feel and explore as he had done. It was his turn to shift restlessly, colour shing his cheeks as she moved her hand, tightened her grip, feeling the satin smooth skin slip up and down over the steel-hard core. She could feel their heartbeats thudding slowly and heavily.


    When he looked down at her with tense jaw and fever-bright eyes she took her hand away, and shifted herself so that shey under him. She spread her legs, opening herself up to his wee heat and heaviness.


    ¡°Now¡­I want you¡­¡± She reached up and pressed a hot kiss to his mouth, her tongue slipping inside with seductive innocence for a moment before she said, ¡°¡­inside me.¡±


    Julian had lost all sense of time and ce. At thest second before desire sucked him underpletely he reached for protection and smoothed it on with all the finesse of a novice.


    He could feel Nina move beneath him. Her hair was spread in a halo around her head, and her eyes looked up at him. Her legs parted a fraction more, and because it was the most necessary thing in the world he slid his erection, which felt engorged to the point of pain, into her silken heat, and died a small death of pleasure at the exquisite sensation.


    He felt her move her hips, drawing him deeper. Exerting extreme control, he slowly started to thrust in and out. His eyes were locked on hers. Twin gs of color stained her cheeks, her lips were plump and red¡­her teeth bit them as she fought to keep her moans back. It was all Julian could do not to explode there and then.

 85

    Their skin was slick with sweat, their heartbeats no longer slow and heavy but frantic. The tempo increased. Julian could feel Nina¡¯s legs wrap around him, urging him even deeper, harder. The pinnacle came in a ze of white light and pleasure so intense they both stopped breathing for a long moment, hung suspended in time. And then came the fall, tumbling down and down all the way, their bodies releasing and pulsing for an age as Nina epted Julian¡¯s weight onto her, wrapped legs and arms around him even tighter, binding him to her.


    ____________


    EPILOGUE


    _____________


    Nina rxed back into the luxurious cushions of the huge,fortable couch. The tiny baby suckling at her breast was inducing a deliciously soporific effect in her blood. A familiar flood of happiness and contentment made her smile as she looked up from her daughter and took in the warmly decorated open-n sitting room, and the big windows that looked out into arge garden littered with toys. The hum of  traffic barely discernible through the high trees guarding the property.


    This had been one of the first elegantly ptial townhouses she and Julian had looked at before their wedding.


    Her heart rate zinged up a notch when a familiar scent teased her nostrils and the couch dipped beside her. As if sensing her father¡¯s presence, Bonnie¡¯s head jerked away from Nina¡¯s breast, big, brown eyes opening to seek him out. Julian came close and kissed the baby¡¯s head before nuzzling a kiss to Nina¡¯s neck, making exquisite shards of desire race through her blood. She marveled that even while she was  breastfeeding, with her baby belly still evident, Julian¡¯s attraction for her didn¡¯t seem to diminish. It was the most heady feeling. It got even more heady when he growled into her ear, ¡°How is it that I can be jealous of my own daughter?¡±


    Nina turned her head to meet his mouth in a brief, searing kiss and then said dryly, ¡°Well, it¡¯s not as if you haven¡¯t been through this before; I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll survive.¡±


    Julian smiled wolfishly, but then took Bonnie from Nina to ce her on his shoulder and pat her back with all the dexterity of someone well practiced in the art. Just then the fruits of his earlier practicing efforts exploded into the room.


    They were two ck-haired, dark-eyed miniature versions of Julian, one slightly smaller than the other. They were both pulling at a green rugby jersey.


    The taller one wailed, ¡°Dad, it¡¯s my turn to wear the  jersey, I don¡¯t want to wear the other one today, tell Sam it¡¯s his turn to wear it. Anyway, it¡¯s too big for him!¡¯


    The smaller of the two boys clinging desperately to the jersey-three-year-old Sam stood with a bottom lip quivering and tears glistening on ridiculously longshes.


    Julian shot a wryly using look to Nina, whose mouth was twitching as she unsessfully held in a grin. She looked at him reproachfully, ¡°What?¡±


    She started to do up her bra and shirt and stood up from the couch, looking down at her husband sprawled before her with Bonnie sessfully burped and falling asleep contentedly on his shoulder.


    With her hands on the buttons of her shirt, and seeing the way Julian¡¯s eyes were lingering there explicitly, she valiantly  ignored his look and said, ¡°They came to you. You fix it. Besides, they got all of that from you.¡¯


    She shed him a cheeky grin and turned to go and deal with her sons¡¯ spat, but Julian grabbed her wrist and sheughingly fell back as he pulled her onto hisp and imed her mouth for a kiss.


    On cue, the two boys forgot all about the rugby jersey and started making loud vomiting noises.


    ¡°Ugh! Gross!¡± dered Patrick as he dragged his younger brother away. ¡°You two better not get all kissy at the match. So not cool.¡±


    Nina finally pulled away breathlessly and smiled into Julian¡¯s face. She imitated Patrick. ¡°So not cool, but so much fun.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± murmured Julian appreciatively, settling Nina¡¯s into one arm while holding Bonnie with the other. ¡°Have I told you yet today how much I love you, Red?¡±


    She lifted her head to look at him and smiled coquettishly, running a finger down his chest. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you have, darling, but you could make it up to me.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    Nina pretended to think for a second, her head on one side. ¡°Let me see. As our lovely nanny has offered to babysit tonight, you could take me out for dinner¡­.¡±


    His eyes darkened and she felt his body grow taut underneath her. ¡°Anywhere in mind?¡± he asked with a gruff tone, vivid images already filling his head.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure I can think of somewhere¡­¡± Nina came close and pressed a kiss to his mouth ¡°¡­nice and cozy.¡±


    She moved down and pressed another kiss to his neck where his pulse beat fast. ¡°Somewhere intimate¡­private¡­¡±


    ¡°Where we won¡¯t be disturbed?¡± His voice became gruffer.


    She pulled back and looked at him, and smiled, her eyes shining with love for him.


    ¡°My thoughts exactly.¡±


    Julian felt his daughter squirm slightly against his shoulder, and felt his wife wriggle on hisp, making lust arrow straight to his groin. He heard the scuffle of his two sons ying nearby, and his heart swelled in his chest. The moment was huge, buoyant, and though his life was filled with such moments now, this didn¡¯t diminish it in any way. Nina just looked at him with innate understanding in her eyes. She smiled and said simply, ¡°I know-and I love you, too.¡±


    And that was all that needed to be said.


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