CHAPTER 14
MICHAEL
My jaw dropped when I saw Julie step out of her house. She was wearing a floor-length blue dress. It was the exact same shade as her eyes and, for a second, I couldn’t breathe. My eyes trailed down her body, taking in the full effect of her appearance.
The dress hugged her breasts and waist, fanning out at her hips and then trailing lightly down to her feet. It was strapless, so she wore a sheer wrap around her shoulders. Her high heels matched the wrap perfectly, and when she spun in a circle, I felt my insides tighten. My body reacted to her without my permission, driving me forward until I was standing right in front of her.
I reached for her hand, holding her at arm’s length so I could keep admiring her. She blushed slightly, making her look even more beautiful. When I kissed her lips, she sighed and rested her hand on my chest. It took all my strength to pull away from her. The limo was waiting, and I couldn’t afford to be late to my own party.
“Come on,” I said, tugging her gently toward the car. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”
“Change your mind about what?” Julie asked.
“About going to this stupid party,” I said.
“It’s your party,” she laughed, as I held open the back door of the limo.
“Which is why we have to go,” I said with a sigh. “But that dress looks like it was specifically designed to torture me.”
“Oh?” She raised her eyebrows as I slid in beside her. “You like?”
“I love,” I growled.
I kissed her quickly, sliding my tongue deep into her mouth. Her answering shiver was all I needed. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me while she tangled her fingers in my hair.
The driver pulled away from Julie’s house, but we barely noticed. We were lost in each other’s bodies, our hands roaming freely wherever we chose.
It wasn’t until I ran my fingers through her silky hair that Julie finally pulled away. She was flushed and breathless, her pale blue eyes burned with desire.
“We should stop,” she said, panting slightly. “Before you completely wreck my hair.”
“That’s not possible,” I said softly. “Come here.”
I kissed her again, but she pushed me away gently. With a soft smile, she settled in beside me so we could both calm down. Looking down at my lap, I knew she was right. I couldn’t exactly show up to the Four Seasons with a raging erection.
I kept my arm wrapped tightly around her while we drove toward the city. When we arrived, the party hadn’t started yet. Marcy insisted I show up early so I’d be able to greet all the guests as they arrived.
“This place looks amazing,” Julie said when we walked into the grand ballroom. “I can’t believe you did all this just for a company party.”
“The better you treat your employees and clients, the more successful your business will be.”
I grinned as Julie rolled her eyes at my professional rambling. Marcy and I spent over two months planning this party, making sure every detail was perfectly in place. Now that Julie was on my arm, I wanted the night to be even better.
“Let me get you a drink,” I said as we slowly made our way farther into the room.
“Oh, I can get it,” Julie said. “I know you have stuff to do.”
“Not yet,” I said. “Marcy took care of everything. I just have to greet the guests when they start to arrive.”
“When will that be?” Julie asked.
“Twenty minutes or so,” I said.
I led her over to the bar area and got us each a martini. Julie sipped hers slowly while I downed my first one in record time.
Julie chuckled. “It’s that kind of night, huh?”
“To be completely honest, I hate these things.,” I said with a shrug. “Besides, I reserved a hotel room upstairs, so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting home tonight.”
“Oh?” Julie eyebrows shot up so high they disappeared behind her hair.
“Oh!” I said, suddenly understanding the implications of my words. “The limo is paid for through the morning, so you’re free to leave whenever you want to. You don’t have to stay. I mean, you can… I mean, I would love it if you stayed, but…”
I realized I was rambling and quickly trailed off, letting the end of my sentence disappear. Julie just laughed and took a step toward me. She drank the rest of her martini in one gulp and then turned to order another.
When she turned back to face me, she was grinning devilishly. My stomach flipped as she moved closer. Her hand was on my chest before I could blink. Then, her lips were on mine, and the entire world disappeared.
“Having a room upstairs sounds perfect,” she whispered as she pulled away.
I grinned and wrapped my arm around her waist. The party would be starting soon, and I needed to get back to the entrance.
“There you are!” Marcy called out as Julie and I came into view. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
“We were at the bar,” I said simply. “Marcy, this is Julie. Julie, this is Marcy.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Marcy said with a smile.
“You too,” Julie said.
“Mr. Smart.” Marcy turned her attention back to me. “The guests are beginning to arrive. The valet is directing them this way now. Are you ready to open the doors?”
“Of course,” I said. “Whenever you are.”
Marcy nodded and hurried forward. She threw open the doors to the ballroom and then stood back. I could already hear footsteps approaching.
“Marcy?” I said.
“Yes?” She turned to face me.
“Remember to have fun tonight, okay? You’ve earned it.”
Marcy smiled. Her entire body seemed to relax. Julie squeezed my arm, and when I looked at her, she was smiling appreciatively.
“What’s that smile for?” I asked quietly.
“You’re a good boss.” She shrugged. “It’s just surprising, is all.”
“You thought I’d be a tyrant?” I asked.
“Something like that,” she teased me with a wink.
In seconds, the entrance was crowded with people. I greeted everyone personally, keeping the line moving as quickly as possible. I tried to introduce everyone to Julie, but people were arriving so fast that I didn’t have the chance.
Soon, everyone was inside the ballroom, and the party could really begin. I led Julie around the room, stopping to show her off to my clients whenever possible. I loved having her on my arm. I brought a date every year, but none were as beautiful or charming as Julie. I wanted everyone to meet her, to see just how amazing she was.
Julie and I drank and laughed all night. We danced, spinning each other around the dancefloor. I’d never had so much fun at a company party in my life.
As the night began to wind down, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out with a frown. Who would be texting me now?
“Sorry I couldn’t make it to the party this year,” Josh wrote. “How’s it going?”
“Great!” I typed back. “I brought a better date than you.”
Josh replied seconds later. “That same girl?”
“Yup.” I pressed send and went to tuck my phone back in my pocket. Before I could, it vibrated again.
“When can I meet her?” Josh asked.
“I’ll set it up,” I typed, just to get him off my back. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, but I’d deal with it later.
I sent the message off quickly and then turned my attention back to Julie. She was swaying slightly to the music, laughing with the wife of one of my client’s. It was amazing how easily she got along with everyone in the room.
“Having fun?” I whispered in her ear.
“I am.” She smiled at me, and her eyes swam slightly. I could tell the alcohol was having a strong effect on her. She wasn’t drunk, but she definitely wasn’t sober.
We said our goodbyes and headed upstairs to our room, giddy as two teenagers at Prom.