When Julian answered the phone, his dark imposing voice strummed across my flesh like a commanding stroke.

“Julian,” I said my voice a bit more throaty than I’d expected. “Are you busy?”

“Not anymore,” he said. “How are you?”

“I’ve been better,” I paused then proceeded. “Listen, I won’t be handling this assignment anymore, and I thought it best for me to tell you first.”

“What happened?”

The concern in his voice was palpable.

“Where are you,” he asked.

“Headed home.”

“Let me come see you.”

Something inside me stirred. I hadn’t anticipated Julian’s response, and even if I did, this wouldn’t have been it.

“I’m passing you right now,” I said.

“Pull into the garage and park inside the private gate on the fifth floor.” He rattled off a few numbers to the code on the private entrance.

“Okay…”

I had absolutely no idea why my heart pounded, and my anticipation heightened upon entering the hotel garage. I tried to tell myself that I was just nervous about Julian taking the exclusive photos to a local competitor. But, I knew that wasn’t the case as soon as I parked and the private elevator doors opened. From behind my tinted glass, I watched in raptness as Julian stepped out; his long strides headed in my direction. My eyes traveled over him, completely turned on by the casual button down blue jean shirt with sleeves pulled past his powerful forearms. His black jeans sat against muscular thighs, and the strength in his walk spoke of male confidence and sheer determination. Within seconds he’d descended on me, reaching out to open my door. I was still stuck in a daze when he unsnapped my seatbelt, and his strong hands pulled me out of the car. Quickly, he shut the door and held me hostage between it.

Julian stood with his legs slightly apart, his feet planted around mine. His hands reached past my shoulders to rest against the Honda locking me in place. Dark eyes studied my face as I silently commanded my body not to react to his demanding presence. With as much strength as I could muster, I forced my eyes not to drop to his lips.

“Tell me,” his deep voice ordered, “What’s going on.”

 I attempted to step back but the cold steel of the door informed me, I was as far from him as I could get. I looked away from his probing gaze and cleared my thoughts.

“When I came into Fredrick’s office yesterday, it was to resign. I no longer have the strength to keep up with his antics. I’ve had about all I can take.”

“Let me talk to him,” he said in a no-nonsense tone.

“That’s quite alright. It wouldn’t make my situation any better.”

“I can promise you it will.”

I smiled; it was the strangest thing too because suddenly the weariness I’d felt minutes before melted into nothingness.

“That’s very sweet of you, but…”

“I need you,” he said.

A flourish of heat poured over me. I went to speak then doubled back, the words I wanted to say stumbling on my tongue.

“I can’t use anyone else at the Report for this trip,” he continued.

“Santana can take my spot. You’ll love her.”

“I want you, Desiree.”

My heart was thundering now, and I couldn’t help but wonder if we were still talking about my presence on this trip or something else completely. Julian’s piercing gaze assessed me closer.

“That’s not all,” he determined. “There’s something else. Tell me.”

I was flustered at his thorough appraisal and fiery demand. Concerning eyes pulled me in like a supernatural power. He waited patiently for me to decide whether I wanted to talk about my crazy day, which I didn’t. Somehow, I figured having a conversation about Cameron with Julian wouldn’t be as supportive as if I’d been speaking with Santana.

“It’s nothing really, just having a really weird day.”

“Have you eaten?”

 I thought for a second. “Actually, I haven’t.”

““I want you to tell me all about this weird day. Come with me.”

Julian’s massive hand covered my own as we left the parking garage for his suite. He punched in a sequence of numbers that he didn’t mind me seeing and the elevator doors opened.

“I really can’t stay long.”

He looked at me with inquisitive brows. “An urgent meeting?”

“No, I just need some time to sort things out.”

“You can do that here.”

I got the impression Julian maintained a take charge attitude and I wondered, for a moment, if any woman had been able to resist his imploration. I held back what I wanted to say and we rode the elevator in silence. When the doors opened, I stepped out and walked at his side to his room. Heat crawled up my back as I watched him eye me with no hidden implications.

I stopped short in front of the door, turning just slightly to allow him to enter his key and let us inside. But I was becoming more aware that Julian’s presence rattled me. I’m not just talking a little shaken up here. I’m talking core trembling, seep into my bones rattling. It wasn’t a secret that I found him attractive. Truth be told, I’d never seen anyone more beautiful. Like God created him on a canvas then breathed him into existence. He moved closer to me, taking his key from his pocket.

The cologne that sat on his skin was the same one he’d worn yesterday, and the same one he’d worn at Claudia and Jaden’s engagement party. And yes, I had the pleasure of smelling it on him at the hospital too when we’d first met. It was becoming my favorite fragrance. Out of nowhere, Julian’s fingers slid into my hair causing a mountain of dizzying heat to saturate my flesh. My eyes searched his as he observed me closer with those beautiful male eyes.

“Have I told you how gorgeous you are?”

My pulse thumped wildly, and I smiled coquettishly. “I just got here, so no, you haven’t.”

“I must have been thinking out loud then. I apologize.”

My smile remained. “You don’t have to apologize for that. It’s nothing to be sorry over.”

I couldn’t pull my eyes away from the intensity of his stare.

“I disagree. You should always be reminded just how beautiful you are. Daily,” Julian added.

He entered the key, and the lock clicked, allowing the door to swing open. However, I was still stuck in place staring at him as he stared at me.

“Would you like to go inside,” His thick voice offered.

I blinked and pulled my eyes towards the opened door. “Of course, yeah, sure,” I stumbled and groaned inwardly at my garbled words.

Upon entering, I marveled at the stylish suite; yet again remembering the red and silver colors that danced across the interior in a sharp presentation. I heard the lock click behind me and forced my mind to stay somewhat level-headed.

“I’ve wanted to ask this since yesterday,” I said. “Did you have this place decorated?”

“Yes.”

My brows rose in surprise, and he chuckled.

“As you could imagine, there’s a full team of people with me most of the time. Because I move around so often, they follow, even if I don’t need them. If I’m going to be in one place for a week or longer, my designer will come in before I do and make the place my own temporarily. I’m not the favorite color type of guy, but I own more red and silver linens than anything. And since I don’t have time to oversee the interior design I let her have her way.”

“Interesting,” I said.

“You can have a seat here.”

Julian pulled out a chair at the dining table, and I sashayed toward him. I could never get enough of his sharp perusal, but I prayed I wouldn’t trip over my own two feet while he watched me intensely. I sat down as he adjusted the chair underneath me.

“Would you like something to drink, wine perhaps?”

“Sure.”

Four glasses and three hours later Julian and I sat laughing about his childhood upbringing in a household of brothers and sisters.

“I thought I knew which one was which, but surprisingly, I couldn’t tell my own sisters apart. They’d switched up on me so many times I finally started to call them all the same name.”

“It couldn’t have been easy having triplets running around, although I’m sure they all have their distinct traits. How did they feel about you calling them by one name?”

Julian smirked. “They hated it. But the joke was on them now. Playing mind games with us was all good until we started playing them back. Every day, I’d call them all Eden.”

“Oh, my goodness,” I giggled.

“Jasmine and Phoebe wouldn’t talk to me for days at a time; often running to my father to cry about it.”

“I’m sure your parents were tired of you messing with them if it was as often as you say.”

Something in his features darkened almost like a grimace.

“Unfortunately, my mother passed away while they were still newborns. I’ve felt the need to protect them, and I also didn’t want to give my father a hard time so I eased up on them.” His gaze left me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine,” he said pulling back. “It was a long time ago.”

“Doesn’t mean it hurts any less.”

“They say time heals all wounds. And yet, I’m still waiting.”

I moved from my seat and started towards him.

“Don’t.”

My advancement halted just as I’d made it to stand before him. Julian pulled his head back bringing his gaze to me as I stood over him. The energy around us swirled; electrical magnetism beckoned me to forget what he just said and cling my arms around him. But the melancholy of his words didn’t show up in his features. Dark eyes assessed me, devoid of emotion.

“I’m fine,” he reassured.

I wanted to say so much more, but my hesitance had everything to do with possibly enduring his wrath than it did anything else.

“You never told me,” he said, “why was your day so weird?”

Julian moved to stand to his feet. Now he was looking down at me and me up at him. I juggled whether to let go what I initially wanted to say. For a second, my thoughts traveled.

Turning on my heels, I went back to retrieve my wine glass.

“Desiree,” he called. “I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay,” I said, turning with a smile. “You’re entitled to talk about whatever you like.”

He was studying me again, through those bedroom eyes. I drank the rest of my glass and strolled to the bar. I’d gotten comfortable leaving my heels lying next to each other on the floor under the chair I vacated. The alcohol I sipped, albeit leisurely, still burned through my bloodstream. I didn’t need anything to heighten the atmosphere around us. And still, I poured a half a glass as Julian watched me with inquisitive eyes.

Holding the glass to my lips, I watched the red tonic swirl.

“I thought I saw my father, today.”

I couldn’t believe I’d actually said the words. “But I was distracted, and when I went back to look again, he was gone.” Without regret, I pushed forward. “It’s been thirteen years since I saw his face or anything closely resembling an image of him. But in those few seconds, I got a glimpse of his rugged features and hard eyes he once gave to everyone else but Claudia and me.”

I blew out a breath.

“Do you want to see him again?”

My throat constricted. I didn’t know the answer to Julian’s question. We were interrupted by the blare of my cell phone. I took another sip of my wine and strolled to my purse.

“Excuse me,” I said to Julian. “Hello,” I answered putting the smartphone to my ear.

“Desiree!”

“Santana? What’s wrong?”

“Oh thank God you’re okay. Where are you? You need to get to a safe place now!”

I glanced at Julian.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I’m safe,” I said. “What’s going on Santana?”

“Someone broke into my house. We’re being stalked!”