She sips her wine as she studies my face. “Do you know anything about Julian’s money, or about the Masters Group, dear?”
“No, and I don’t want to. Just talking about money makes me uncomfortable.”
She smiles, as if impressed, making me feel like I’m at a job interview.
Our meals arrive. “About those tips you have,” I say as I take my first mouthful, of food. I know I shouldn’t be hinting, but this is need to know information. I could sell it on the black market.
She smirks at me. “Well, if I were to date Julian, I would keep my cards very close to my chest because he will run if he senses a relationship blooming.”
I frown.
“And we wouldn’t want to scare him off too soon, would we?” She takes a mouthful of her food. “We would wait until he’s unaware of his emotions.”
I can’t believe it. She’s actually come here today to tell me how to snag him. Julian was right, she is as sharp as a tack. I put my knife and fork down on my plate and pick up my drink. “You do know that Julian and I are not suited, right?”
“Julian is not suited to anyone. He’s troubled, dear, but he’s different with you.”
I sip my drink as I stare at her. “What do you mean?”
“He knows his money doesn’t interest you. He knows his children adore you. He can’t take his eyes off you whenever you’re in the room. You don’t even know it, but he is already putty in your hands. What you do with that putty and how you knead it will determine the outcome.”
I wipe my mouth with my napkin. “I can assure you that Julian and I are just platonic co-workers,” I lie through my teeth.
She smiles and sips her wine. “Of course.” She reaches over and taps my hand on the table. “I believe you.”
Fuck. She definitely knows.
Her knowing eyes hold mine, and I’m so close to cracking and telling her the truth it’s not even funny.
Don’t say it. Don’t say it.
I stuff my mouth full of food so I can’t speak.
I need to be muzzled.
I slide into my car at around 2:00 p. m. We’ve had a long lunch and I really do like Frances. We talked about books, movies, and surprisingly, we do have a lot in common.
One thing she said to me has my mind ticking over.
Do you know anything about Julian’s money or the Masters Group?
What did she mean by that?
I Google Masters Group and wait for it to load.
Masters Group – United Kingdom
CEO – Joseph Masters.
General Manager – Julian Masters.
Estimated worth – Sixteen billion dollars.
Oil, Stock Market, Gas, I. T, Banking, Property.
I frown as I stare at the screen in front of me, and I blink.
What?
Sixteen Billion Dollars
Who the fuck am I sleeping with?
I stand in the corridor of the swanky hotel, my shoulders dropping as my nerves take over.
I’m wearing a black strapless evening gown tonight.
I feel nervous-more nervous than ever before-and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I actually love this dress, I feel like a princess, and this kind of feels like a real date.
I know it’s not. Of course I know it’s not. But, I can let myself forget the reality of the situation for just one night, can’t I?
My timid hand knocks on the door, and Julian opens it in a rush, smiling as he sees me. My breath catches immediately.
He’s wearing a black dinner suit. His hair is styled to perfection, and the way he’s looking at me might set me on fire.
“My beautiful Bree.”
My heart races. “Hello.” I smile and walk in. He closes the door behind us, taking my overnight bag from me to carefully place it in on the luggage stand. When he turns back to me, he takes my face in his hand and kisses me softly. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day long.”
I smile against his lips, my hands resting on his hips. “You only had me yesterday, Jules.”
“It wasn’t enough. How could I possibly get enough of you in two hours?”
Oh, man. I’m totally screwed when he’s being sweet.
We smile against each other’s lips and I put my arms around his broad neck. “What are your plans for me tonight?” I ask.
He smiles down at me. “I thought we would go out for dinner, and then maybe enjoy some dancing.”
My eyebrows rise. “Really?”
He smiles at my excited reaction and then pulls me into an embrace, holding me tight. “Really.”
God, he’s beautiful. I close my eyes against as I rest my head against his shoulder.
Stop it. This is nothing more than a façade-a part of his game. Don’t fall for it, whatever you do, Brielle.
He steps back and takes my hand in his, slowly lifting it to his mouth to kiss the back of it. “Where does my girl want to go tonight?” His eyes hold mine.
His girl.
Fuck, he was safer when he was a typical asshole who just wanted to fuck me.
I shrug shyly, overwhelmed by his tender seduction. “I have no idea where to go in London.”
He holds his arm out for me and I link mine through it. “It looks like I’m in charge then.” He smirks.
I giggle and rise up onto my toes to kiss him. “Are you ever not in charge, Mr. Masters?”
“Not if I can help it.”
We walk out of the room to where the elevator is waiting for us.
Not if I can help it.
What does he mean by that? Is that why he doesn’t want to fall in love, because he won’t be in charge anymore?
The lift arrives at the ground floor and we step out hand in hand.
Hmm, that’s a very interesting thing to say, I’m going to come back to it.
Three hours later, and I’m practically melting across the table from him.
We are at Closs Maggiore, an exclusive restaurant in Mayfair, and we’re sitting in the courtyard. The tables are lit by single candles, and fairy lights hang above us. Relaxing music is being piped throughout the entire outdoor space.
The champagne is going down well and we’ve had an amazing meal. The conversation has been flowing easily. Julian is actually the most relaxed he’s ever been around me, laughing freely, and being his charming, witty intelligent self. We’ve talked about college, his work, my work at home, friends and family. It really does feel like we’re on a real date.
The reflection of the open fire dances across his face, and he’s watching me intently as he takes a sip of his champagne.
“So, what did my mother have to say to you today?”
I giggle. This alcohol has gone to my head already. “She wants me to pursue you.”
He smiles and winces. “She actually said that to you?”
“Yes.”
“My apologies. She’s shameless.”
I smile and sip my champagne, remaining silent for once.
His eyes hold mine. “What did you say to her, Bree? What did you say to her when she said you should pursue me?”
This answer is important to him, I can tell.
“I told her that I don’t pursue men.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Is that true?”
“Yes.” I lick my bottom lip. “A relationship with a man is the last thing I want.”
He sits forward, his eyes darkening. “What do you want?”
“What I’ve already got.”
Our eyes are locked. “What’s that?”
I smile softly. “A hot boss with a huge jackhammer dick.”
He chokes, laughing out loud. “Honestly, Bree, you are out of this world.”
I laugh and then our eyes linger on each other’s as we fall serious. “Your mother is trying to marry you off,” I whisper.
“Yes.”
“Promise me that when the time comes for us to part…”
A frown crosses his face. “Promise you what?”
“Promise me that you won’t make me the other woman.” His eyes hold mine, and I know I’ve hit a nerve.
“Promise me that you’ll make a clean break and pursue any future wife without me on the side.”
He sits back slowly. “I can assure you that I’m not on the market for a wife.”
I pick up his hand and kiss the back of it. “And I’m not in the market for a husband. We don’t have long together, Jules. I’ll go home to Australia eventually.” I kiss his hand again, and he frowns as he watches me. “Let’s just make the most of the short window of time that we do have.”
He turns his hand and cups my face, his thumb dusting over my bottom lip. “You may be the most beautiful woman I have ever met,” he admits softly.
I can feel myself getting stupidly emotional because I know for a fact that he is the most beautiful man I’ve ever been with. His mother’s confirmation that he’s really lonely and troubled has opened up a can of worms in my heart. The grief he has been through alone, while bringing up his two beautiful children… I can’t imagine the pain. No man should have to go through that. It’s no wonder he’s so closed off to the world. He’s afraid to let anyone get close.
I just want to make everything right for him and help him find his way. To be honest, I’m grateful for Frances’s little lunch meeting today. Now I see Julian in a new light entirely.
A beautiful, tortured light.
I smile, trying to snap myself out of these sappy emotions. “You said you were taking me dancing.”
His hand rests under his chin. “Where would my girl like to dance?” he whispers.
My eyes hold his. “Anywhere, as long as I’m with you.”
We hit the wall with a thud, his lips crashing against mine and his hips pinning me to the wall. “Open the door,” I pant. “Open it.”