Chapter Three
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. I’m sure it was unprofessional and naughty by nature. Nevertheless, there it was; bold and daring. My reaction must have pleased Julian because his lips also spread, showing off a set of beautiful white teeth. I thought about my response before letting words fly out of my mouth. I uncrossed my legs and shifted in my seat crossing the opposite leg. His eyes followed my motion and I tried not to squirm.
“What are these plans, Julian?”
“To be quite frank, Desiree, you’ll be touring with me overseas for several weeks. You’ll accompany me in just about every aspect of the day. I don’t know a man who would be willing to allow his lady to be escorted around town, never mind across the country with another man.
The thought of being connected to Julian’s side for weeks teased me. That voice in the back of my head was a constant haunting; telling me I would never go that long without stepping across the professional lines. But I was set to prove it wrong; even if I lay in bed at night with wet dreams dancing through my head. There must have been a number of women in line to be at Julian’s request. I wouldn’t make myself one of them. But inwardly, I was a bit disappointed that his inquiry wasn’t for other reasons.
“I’m not seeing anybody steady, but if I was, I’m almost certain, Fredrick would pay my boyfriend to chill out and let me go anyway.”
A sexy rumble fled from him, and his massive manicured fingers reached for the glass of water sitting on the table top. Julian’s watchful gaze stayed with me as he sipped, and I envied the water that wet his tongue before it swiped his mouth.
“I take it that you don’t care for your boss very much.”
I was cautious with my words. “He’s alright.” I shrugged.
A hearty laughed escaped Julian. “I like your honesty.”
“Hey, if this relationship is going to work we need honesty, don’t we?” I thought about my statement and corrected myself. “Our working relationship, I mean.”
“Every relationship needs honesty, albeit professional or not.”
“I agree.”
Our gazes held then Julian spoke again.
“Do you have a passport, Desiree?”
“Do I need one?”
“It would be accommodating if you did, but if you don’t, we can claim a visitor visa.”
“I have one, but I’m not sure if it’s expired since I haven’t had the chance to use it.”
“So, you haven’t been out of the country before?”
“Going with you will be my first.”
An easy smile registered on him. “Hopefully there will be many more firsts with me, Desiree.”
The atmosphere around us fused. It was as if someone lit a match and tossed it on a grill. Normally, I was pretty outspoken, but whatever this was with Julian felt like uncharted territory.
Our conversation mellowed out as we ate our lunch, only speaking a few words here and there. I stole glances his way only to find him intently watching me. I offered up a cozy smile.
“Why are you watching me eat?”
He sat back in his chair. “You make it look like art.”
Laughter tickled down my throat. “I make eating look like art?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Are you serious?”
“You can always take me at my word Bella.”
I nodded as butterflies churned in my belly at his flattery. “I’ll make sure to remember that.”
I continued to eat, and his heavy gaze lingered. Making a show of it, I moaned with each bite accentuating the tones in my voice as I pulled the food off of the utensil seductively. Following up with a laugh, I glanced to Julian and found that his pupils had darkened and his face grew devilishly exotic.
I swallowed my food and attempted to get back on course.
“Do I need any special vaccines to travel to Dubai?”
Julian reached for his glass, this time wolfing down the rest of the H2O. I watched his broad chest rise and fall as if he lost his breath while I awaited his response.
“There are no vaccinations required. However, you should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss anything she or he may think is important for you to have.”
I grabbed a napkin and dabbed at my lips then sat back in my chair.
“I would like to recommend vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B since there’s a small percentage of the population that are carriers.”
I tipped my head. “Duly noted.”
“Do you take any medications, Desiree? Are you allergic to anything? Is there something I need to be aware of?”
“No,” I said. “No medication, no allergies, no pre-existing conditions.” I uncrossed and re-crossed my other leg, and it was bouncing again. “Do you need my blood type and medical records to confirm?” I was deathly serious. I needed to be mindful if there was anything else that needed to be put in place for this trip.
Julian smirked. “I’d only request such documents from the woman that’s set to bear my children. Are you going to bear my children, Desiree?”
My eyes widened as a trail of chills nestled up my collar just behind my ears. The fine hairs on my neck sat up straight, and my nipples hardened almost painfully. I recovered swiftly, deciding that if Julian wanted to play games, I would play along.
“Hmmm,” I said sitting forward in my chair to take in his handsome face. “I do like the dimples. I can see little dimples in my baby boy’s cheeks, maybe my girl’s.” I moved out of my chair sauntering towards him. “I like your hair, too.” My fingers trailed through his waves laying a soft caress over the top of his head. “Your skin isn’t oily or dry.” My hands left his head and trailed down his neck, as I bent to scrutinize his skin. “You would make an excellent—ah!” I yelled as his strong hands sealed around my waist and my feet left the ground. Within seconds I was sitting on his lap.
“If I were you, Desiree,” his dark voice beat through my spirit and my heart rocked against my breastbone. “I would be careful when touching me.”
My eyes rose, and my breath hitched as my pulse knocked wildly all over my body. Julian’s grip around my waist loosened and his hand dropped to my thigh before waving down the skirt I wore. We were too close, and I didn’t trust myself, but I continued down that risky path.
“I guess sitting in your lap like this, doesn’t bother you as much?” I wiggled a bit and watched his lids falter. Julian pulled his bottom lip through his teeth, and suddenly I felt a throbbing stab against my bottom. I jumped; almost out of his lap when it surprised me.
“You play very dangerous games, Desiree.”
“I only play the hand I’m dealt.”
Julian grabbed me again, lifting me to settle on my feet as he rose to his. Towering over me, he licked his lips, and my eyes were stuck on his mouth.
“You’re right. I started it with that comment about bearing my children.”
I dipped my head in agreement.
“Should I finish it?” He asked. A glimmer fled through his eyes, and we were separated by a mere inch.
I took a half a step toward him before I realized what I’d done. My breasts brushed against his chest and then his mouth was on mine. Our lips sealed together soft and slow. Then, I felt his palm move against the skin of my neck into the strands of my hair pressurizing our closeness. In erotic pleasure, his tongue pushed apart my lips to enter my mouth, and I let him pull me deeper.
Right then and there we sailed on a ride to the heavens. I’d never kissed a brother so sensual; not even with my ex, Cameron, who I’d been in a relationship with for three years of my stay in Houston. A fire raged in my core that melted me instantly. The chills that were never-ending danced across my flesh, and I was desperate to separate from my clothes. His mouth tasted like peppermint mixed with cinnamon, and the sweet and spicy flavor only ballooned the fire within me.
I don’t know when I moaned but it cruised from my throat and his grip tightened. I felt another hand on my waist before I was completely flushed against the length of his body. My arms circled his neck, and his erection bobbed against my navel. I gasped at its prodding and lifted my mouth from his to take in some air. I needed to pull away, but there was nothing that coaxed me into it. Instead, I shut my eyes as his soft lips pushed against my chin and down the side of my throat. I was breathing so rapidly I almost lost my breath. Another moan came from me, and I was seconds from kicking off my heels.
Careful…
The voice was back. It would wait until I felt deliciously sated before rearing its ugly head. I could do this. Pull away, Desiree. You are worth more than an easy one-night stand. His brawny hands explored my backside, filling his palms with my voluptuous derriere.
“Oh…” I moaned again, trying to find the strength to pull apart from him. It wasn’t working too well. My arms fell down his chest, and my fingers opened, my palms now flat against him. “We should probably slow down.” I didn’t even recognize my voice. I pushed softly against the firm pecs in his expansive chest, and they flexed underneath my hands. The movement made me quiver and the throb between my legs thumped harder. I stepped out of his arms and turned my face from his, needing to calm my raging hormones.
Julian reached out to tug my elbow. “Are you okay Desiree?” His voice was so thick and husky it further revved up my engine.
I turned to him with a receding smile. “I’m fine… I just need to, um, get myself together. Do you have a restroom?”
“Around this corner straight ahead,” he said.
I was positive he watched as I sashayed away. I could feel his feral gaze running a blaze up my body. Inside the bathroom, I leaned over the sink with my hands pressed against the cold mounted marble top. Turning the faucet on I glanced at the mirror. My image told a story on its’ own. My hair was slightly ruffled, and my lips were partly swollen from the intensity of our kiss.
“Shit,” I cursed.
There was no way I’d make it two weeks with him without jumping his bones. His response to my risky behavior confirmed what I wanted to know. He was just as turned on as I was. I washed my hands and finger combed my hair, attempting to pull myself together. My hands shuffled around my satin blouse and maxi skirt as I worked to make myself more presentable and professional.
Consider professional bounds crossed…
Yeah, that was true, but I still needed to try, didn’t I? There was a mild knock at the door in a rhythm of three’s. I almost jumped out of my skin. My hand flew to open the door to find Julian’s tall incredibly striking and all male persona standing with his hands in his pockets. His stare bore into me before he spoke.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes.”
I turned off the faucet and stepped out of the bathroom but didn’t glide any closer, making it a point to keep an opening between us.
“Should I apologize,” he asked.
I offered him a warm smile. “No,” I said, “not at all.”
“That’s good to hear because fortunately, I don’t regret it.”
We watched each other keenly before I spoke up. “Maybe we should resume this later in the week perhaps, say Wednesday?” It was Monday, and I needed at least a day to shake off this heaviness that saturated me.
“Wednesday?” Julian mulled it over. “Same time?”
“Yes, same time.”
“I’ll take you back to the Houston Report.”
“Oh no!”
I didn’t mean to yell, but I couldn’t possibly endure a car ride with him. Such proximity at this point wasn’t ideal if I wanted to stay off of his lap, if you know what I mean.
His brows rose in surprise. “How else will you get there?”
“I’ll catch a taxi.”
Julian was shaking his head no before I completed my sentence.
“I brought you here; I’ll take you back.”
“That’s really not necessary.”
“Look, you’ll learn soon enough,” he took slow steps towards me, and I begged my feet to move back, but they didn’t. “I’m not the type of guy you may be used to. With that being said, I won’t allow you to take a taxi… ever.”
His beautiful eyes pierced me, and I acquiesced. It was interesting that I considered myself this independent woman who didn’t take orders too kindly, but for whatever reason, his command I wanted to obey without hesitation.
“Okay,” I said, “Let’s go.”