CHAPTER 10

Michael

Julie’s head was resting on my shoulder when the sun peeked through my bedroom window. I squinted and groaned, throwing my hand over my eyes. The movement woke Julie. She shifted slowly and moaned, sending shivers shooting down my spine.

“That moan is so unfair,” I said. My voice was rough from sleep.

“Why’s that?” Julie asked with her eyes still tightly closed.

“I have to go to work,” I said. “And when you moan like that…”

I growled softly and tightened my hold on her. She giggled and rolled into me, her naked tits pressing against my chest. I could feel that her nipples were already hard from my touch. I growled again and found her lips.

She kissed me back, wrapping her leg around my waist and pulling me closer to her. In seconds, my cock was fully erect.

“You’re killing me,” I said, pulling my lips free from hers.

“Just trying to brighten your morning,” she said innocently.

“You’ve certainly done that, Miss Black.” I laughed and kissed her again.

It took all my strength to break our kiss for a second time. It was already getting late, and I couldn’t afford to miss my morning meetings. The last thing I wanted to do was pull myself away from Julie, but I knew I didn’t have a choice.

“I’ll drive you home,” I said after we were both fully dressed. “We can swing by the café on the way.”

Julie smiled. “Sounds good.”

We got in my car and drove into town. Julie’s fingers were intertwined with mine the whole drive, but when we arrived at the café, she let go and hurried inside. I frowned and followed her. I wondered if she didn’t want to be seen holding my hand in public, but I knew better than to question it.

“Large cinnamon latte to go,” Julie ordered. “Please and thank you, Sarah.”

Sarah nodded and turned to me. “The usual, Michael?”

“Please.” I nodded and pulled my wallet out of my back pocket.

“I got it,” Julie said firmly. Her hand was already buried inside her purse.

“Julie…” I began, but she silenced me with a look.

“You’ve bought me two meals now,” she said. “Please. Let me treat.”

I shrugged. “If you insist.”

“I do.” She smiled and slid her debit card over to Sarah.

It was nice in a way. Most women were all too happy to use my wealth to their advantage. I already knew Julie was nothing like those women, but it was still a nice little reminder.

We got our coffees, and Julie let me drive her home. Her hand found mine again, and all my concerns melted away. The only thing I felt was dread because I had to say goodbye to her again.

“I’ll call you later,” I said as she slid out of the car.

She smiled back at me. “Bye.”

I watched her until she disappeared into her house, her hips swaying seductively from side to side.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” I asked myself, speaking to my now-empty car.

I shook my head and threw my car in drive. As I drove toward the office, I tried to pull myself together. I’d never felt this way about a woman before. Sure, I’d been in relationships—more than my fair share—but no one had been able to drive me insane like Julie. No one could occupy my mind as frequently as she did.

My head was still spinning as I stepped into my office. Marcy had my meetings all set up, and I was grateful for the distraction.

“Mr. Smart?” Marcy asked, poking her head into my office a little after noon. “Your brother’s on line one.”

“Thanks, Marcy.” I grabbed the phone and pressed the button for line one. “Josh. What’s up, man?”

“Just got back from that conference,” he said.

“How was it?” I asked.

“Fucking waste of time,” Josh said. “Nothing I didn’t already know.”

I laughed. “Why’d you go then?”

“It was mandatory for all residents,” he said with a sigh. “Anyway, are we meeting up this week?”

“Yeah,” I said. “I can do tonight.”

“Works for me,” Josh said. “When and where?”

“Why don’t you come to Ennis?” I asked. “You haven’t been down here in ages.”

“That’s because there are no good bars in Ennis,” Josh said. “There’s no good anything in Ennis.”

“Come on.” I laughed. “It’s not that bad.”

“It’s a tiny-ass town,” Josh argued.

“We have a great bar right in the square,” I said.

“Whatever,” Josh said. “What time?”

“Seven,” I said.

“I’ll meet you there.”

We said goodbye after I gave him the name of the bar, and I placed the phone back down. With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair and stared up at the ceiling.

I spent the entire morning fighting the urge to text Julie. My meetings were a helpful distraction, but after a while, even they failed me. I found myself playing with my phone, typing out a message and then deleting it seconds later. I’d never felt more pathetic in my life.

Drinks with Josh was exactly what I needed to screw my head back on straight. If nothing else, it would keep me from calling Julie in a desperate haze that night. As much as I wanted to see her again, I knew I should distance myself before I got in too deep.

***

“Have a good night, Marcy,” I said as I pulled my office door closed behind me.

“You, too,” Marcy said.

It was a quarter after six, and I still had to go home before meeting Josh. I knew it didn’t matter if I showed up to the bar in my work clothes, but I hated the idea of drinking in a suit. It felt too uppity.

Just after seven, I stepped inside the only bar in Ennis. Josh was already there waiting for me, sitting at the bar when I walked inside. He fiddled with his pint glass as I slid onto the barstool next to him.

“You’re late,” Josh said.

“Five minutes,” I said. “Lighten up, man.”

“I’m just pissy about this weekend,” Josh said with a sigh. “That fucking conference.”

“It couldn’t have been that bad,” I said.

“It was worse,” he snapped. “You have no idea how cocky those doctors can be. Most of them have no idea what the hell they’re talking about half the time. And yet, they all think they’re geniuses.”

“Never would have guessed.”

I tried to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. Josh had just described himself, and he didn’t even realize it. Luckily, he was too deep in his own complaints to notice my tone.

“Anyway,” he said after he had finished ranting about the conference. “What’s new with you? Work’s been insane, huh?”

“You have no idea.” I sighed. “I finally closed the Harrington account, though.”

“No shit?” Josh asked. “That’s awesome!”

“Thanks.” I grinned and took a sip of my drink. “It’s been a long time coming.”

“I know,” Josh said. “You’ve been talking about the Harringtons for like two years now.”

“Longer than that,” I said. “I’m just glad it’s finally for real. Marcy got the signed contracts late on Friday night, so everything’s in place now.”

“Then this is a celebration!” Josh said. He waved down the bartender and ordered us another round.

I smiled and happily accepted the drink. Josh could grate on my last nerve, but he really was a decent brother. He wasn’t always the best at reading my moods, but he was supportive when it mattered.

We talked for a few more hours and continued drinking. Josh didn’t have to be back in Dallas until the next day, so he decided to just crash at my place. We took a cab home, leaving both our cars at the bar.

When we pulled up to my house, I remembered Julie’s reaction from the day before. I smiled to myself and pulled out my phone. I typed a quick text and sent it off before I could think better of it.

“Who’s that?” Josh asked.

I snapped my head up to see that he was staring down at my phone. He couldn’t see the name on the screen, but his interest was obviously piqued.

“Just some girl I met,” I said evasively.

“And you’re drunk texting her?” Josh laughed. “Bad move, man.”

“Nah,” I said. “It’s not like that. She’s…” I trailed off. I didn’t know how to talk to Josh about Julie. More than that, I didn’t really want to.

“What?” Josh pressed. “Different? Special?”

“Both,” I said firmly. “She’s both.”

“Damn,” Josh said, letting out a low whistle. “Never thought I’d hear you get defensive about a girl.”

“Yeah,” I said. “She’s really something. Honestly, I can’t stop thinking about her.”

“I want to meet her,” Josh said. He slapped my shoulder in a very older-brotherly way, but my insides froze solid. The last thing I wanted was for Josh and Julie to meet.

“Not yet,” I said. “I don’t know how serious things are yet.”

“Well,” Josh said. “Whenever you’re ready.”