Maya

 

 

It's obvious immediately that Julian wasn't expecting me to say no to his question about going on a date with him if Charlie wasn't in my life.

I could very easily explain that I have zero plans to go on another date with Charlie, but I don't. It's not Julian's business. Besides, he's the one who had his ex-girlfriend's lipstick all over his mouth the other day.

"No?" He perks his left brow. "Have I misread the energy between us, Maya?"

It would be virtually impossible to do that. Even now, with a small table separating us, the desire is palpable. I know he wants me. I feel it. He can feel that I want him too.

I won't act on it though. I can't.

"I'm very attracted to you," I confess before I swallow another gulp of my martini. "I think I made that clear the first time we met."

"I believe you could tell that the feeling was mutual, then and now."

I feel a shiver inch down my spine with his words. It's not that I have any doubt that he wants me. Hearing him say it takes it to a new level.

"I have a hard rule about dating men who recently broke up with a lover."

His gaze narrows. "Why is that?"

I won't get into the finer details about how my heart was broken and trampled on back in San Francisco. I've put that in my past, but the lingering pain of that was almost too much to bear. I remember it and never want to experience it again. Hence the reason I've sworn off men who are still on their ex-girlfriend's radar.

"Many couples who break up get back together." I cross my legs under the table. "I don't want to get caught up in the middle of that."

"I take it you have experience with that?" he questions as he sips on his drink. "You were involved with a man who left you for his ex?"

Bingo. Way to hit the nail on the head, Julian.

"It happened. It hurt so I avoid it now," I state simply.

"Isadora and I are done." He finishes his drink in one swallow. "I assure you that if we dated, there is zero risk of my getting back together with her."

That may be true, but judging by the show Isadora put on the other day at his office, there's a reasonably high risk that she'll attack me with whatever is within arm's reach if she hears that I'm dating her boss and ex-lover.

"You two work together," I point out with a tap of my fingers on the tabletop. "I essentially work for you at the moment. That's a triangle to me, and I hate triangles."

He doesn't respond. He's considering my words. I can tell by the way his eyes are darting over my face.

"Beyond that, I don't think it's wise for me to sleep with a client," I stop to correct myself with a hand over my eyes. "Oh gosh. No. I used the wrong word. I meant date a client."

I lower my hand to find him staring intently at me. "You did use the wrong word, Maya. We wouldn't sleep together. I can guarantee that if were ever fortunate enough to have you in my bed, you wouldn't sleep a wink."

We'd fuck. We'd fuck for hours. I know it. I feel it.

I shift in my chair, uncrossing my legs because the friction is causing my panties to rub against the smooth skin of my pussy. I need to go home so I can touch myself before I implode right here in front of him.

"Forgive me if that was out of line." He reaches across the table to cover my hand with his. "I'll say this once and leave it at that. I want you, Maya. If your rules ever change, you know where to find me."

With that, he gets up, buttons his suit jacket and walks out of the bar.

Holy shit.

What the hell just happened? Is this a dream or did Julian Bishop just tell me that he's mine to fuck whenever I want?

 

***

 

I take off the skirt and blouse that I was wearing when I saw Julian and I stand in my bedroom in just my panties and bra.

I left the bar shortly after he did. I ran out to the street not sure of what I'd say if I did catch up with him, but by the time I made it to the entrance of the hotel, he was getting in the back of a taxi.

My need for him was strong in that moment. It overpowered my common sense. If I would have approached the taxi before it pulled into traffic, he would have seen my desire to go home with him.

Instead, I stood silently and watched it drive away before I waved to the hotel doorman so he could flag me down a taxi too.

I fish in my purse for my phone when I hear the familiar chime signalling an incoming message.

I swipe my thumb over the phone's screen to read the text.

There was an emergency at the clinic so I just read your message about the penthouse job now. Holy crap, Maya! I'm so proud of you. I'll call you tomorrow!

I immediately type back a response to Tilly.

Thank you, sis. Love you.

After I press send I scroll down to another unread message. This one is from a New York number I don't immediately recognize. It's a familiar part of my world. I get dozens of messages every day from prospective buyers and sellers.

You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met, Maya. Use this number at any time for ANY reason.

I check the timestamp on the message. It was sent when I was in the hotel bar.

Julian. It's Julian's private cell number.

I enter it into my contact list. My thumb hovers over the screen.

Finally, I type out a message.

Thank you for the drink, Julian.

His response comes quickly.

It was my pleasure.

His pleasure. It's what I think about as I crawl into bed, tuck my hand in my panties and fall asleep dreaming about what it would have been like to go home with him tonight.