by Leah Brooke
She hurriedly looked away and focused on the traffic as she made her way toward home, careful to push thoughts of them aside and concentrate on her driving.
It was only her surprise at seeing them again that had her so flustered. Once she got over it, their business dinner would be just that, business.
They certainly wouldn’t want a woman like her.
She knew instinctively that sex with either one of them would be an event to remember.
All these years she’d thought she’d known what she wanted, and when she had it, it had been a catastrophe. Why would sex with Nick or Steve be any different?
It would only prove once and for all that she’d never be able to have a man she could lose herself to. Her hope of finding it would be gone, forever.
No, it was better to do without than have the dream of finding such a man die a miserable death.
She didn’t think she could live with that.
Chapter Four
Julianna eyed her reflection critically, more nervous than she’d been on her first date more than twenty years ago. She knew she looked her best in the basic black dress she’d invested in shortly after getting the position at Avante’s. Even on sale, it had cost her a week’s pay, but she’d considered it worthwhile. She’d worn it at least a dozen times since then, and usually it bolstered her confidence when she wanted to look sophisticated.
It didn’t seem to be working tonight.
Tonight she doubted anything could calm the butterflies in her stomach.
Under it she wore her usual satin and lace lingerie, a secret obsession of hers, but wondered if perhaps she should change it. She’d gotten into the habit of wearing sexy lingerie during her brief marriage several years ago, hoping to put a spark in their sex lives.
That had been a total failure.
Even after her divorce she’d been unable to part with her provocative lingerie and in the years since then developed a weakness for it.
She paid a lot of money for scraps of silk and lace that no one but her would ever see.
But it made her feel feminine and seductive like nothing else in her life ever did.
Shoving that depressing thought aside, she dabbed on a touch of the perfume she used for only special occasions, grimacing at the small amount left in the pretty bottle. If she couldn’t come to an agreement with Nick and Steve about her contract, it might be a while before she could replace it.
Looking in the mirror again, she ran a hand over her stomach, pressing gently in an effort to calm the fluttering. She’d thought that having several hours to herself would have calmed her, but she still hadn’t gotten over her reaction to both of them. She wanted them with a hunger that she’d never felt before.
They had a way of looking at her that made it feel as if they could see beneath the armor no one but Kelsey and Gabriel had managed to scratch.
Even her ex-husband hadn’t really known her, but she couldn’t blame him. They’d been too young, and at that point in her life, she’d hardly known herself.
She’d learned more since then, but apparently not enough to find what she’d been looking for.
Now she was almost sure she’d found it.
But she didn’t know if she had the courage to reach out and take it.
Working for Nick and Steve would be challenging enough, without any additional distractions. She would be tested like never before but knew she could do it. She’d do anything to make the Crescendo shine.
If they could come to some sort of agreement.
She’d looked over the contract as soon as she got home. The amount of money they offered nearly staggered her, and she’d been glad to have been sitting down when she read it. The amount was much higher than she’d proposed but went with numerous conditions, some of which they would have to discuss tonight. Those clauses told her that Avante’s had never had a chance of getting the contract.
It had been hers all along.
Why?
She didn’t have the big name or references she’d assumed they would want. Why had they given the contract to her?
Not stupid, she realized that there was a personal aspect to this, something Nick had even admitted to, but men like them wouldn’t jeopardize an entire hotel to sleep with a woman, especially men like them who could have any woman they wanted.
She had no misconceptions about herself. She knew she looked good, but no man in his right mind would fall over himself for her.
Or jeopardize their hotel just for a chance to fuck her.
No, they wouldn’t hire her just to sleep with her. They must like her designs, and she would bust her ass to prove they’d made the right decision. Fate had finally smiled on her, and she would grab this opportunity with both hands.
She was dead broke, and this could launch her into the big league.
She’d just slipped on her low-heeled pumps when she heard the knock at the door. Gathering her shawl and purse, she went out to answer it, swinging the door open, and sucking in a breath when she saw the two of them standing there.
Dressed in dark suits once again, both looked as comfortable as if they’d been wearing jeans and T-shirts. Standing in her dingy hallway, they should have looked out of place, but both appeared to be completely at ease.
As much as she tried to ignore their casual strength and easy confidence, she couldn’t help imagining their hands on her, the sure hands of men who knew how to touch a woman. Something told her it would be an experience to remember.
Need gripped her by the throat, making her breathing hitch as her nipples pebbled against the lace of her bra. Being around Nick and Steve evoked erotic images in her head that just kept getting stronger and clearer, making it impossible not to imagine what their touch would do to her or how their cocks would feel inside her.
Nick’s eyes sharpened as they searched her face, the intensity of his look making her feel as though he could see right through her. He stepped forward, his eyes holding hers as he lightly gripped her waist, leaning down to brush his lips over her cheek, sending a wave of longing through her. “Hello, Julianna.”
A whiff of something expensive and clean teased her nose, and she involuntarily turned her face toward it.
His hands tightened on her waist as he rubbed his cheek against hers. “You look beautiful, even in those shoes. I much prefer high heels on you, though. We’ll have to do something about that.”
He straightened, his dark eyes meeting hers again, glittering with promise. Holding her gaze for several long seconds, he ran a finger down her cheek. “Aren’t you going to say hello?”
It took a few seconds for his words to penetrate. Wrapped in a sensual fog, desperately wanting what his eyes promised, she started to lean toward him before she caught herself. “Oh, uh. Hello. Yes. I’m sorry. I was thinking about one of the designs.”
Idiot.
Nick’s eyes narrowed as he touched a finger to her bottom lip, stroking it lightly and making her yearn to touch her tongue to his warm finger. “I was thinking about the designer and how fascinated I am with her. Don’t lie to me ever again. I want no lies between us.”
No shy virgin, she couldn’t believe how much impact such an innocent touch would have on her, nor would she have ever guessed that a soft command spoken in his steely tone would make her pussy clench. Her lips parted involuntarily, tingling with the need to be taken with his. Her nipples ached, poking uncomfortably against her lacy bra as she imagined him taking them between his firm lips, and it didn’t take long for her imagination to turn to his tongue on her clit.
Breathing heavily, she squeezed her thighs together against the wave of longing at the thought of what would undoubtedly be the most amazing thing she’d ever experienced.
His eyes held hers, his touch deliberate and unhurried as though he had all the time in the world to run his finger back and forth across her lips.
What would it be like to have all that intensity focused on her in bed? Oh, God. She didn’t dare think about that.<
br />
Nick dropped his hand when she stepped back. His eyes narrowed briefly before a satisfied smile curved his lips, the amusement in his dark gaze stirring something deep inside her as he inclined his head and moved away.
Steve stepped in to take Nick’s place in front of her, his fingers moving lightly over the arm he held. Although not as tall as Nick, he stood a few inches taller than her in her low heels, his wide shoulders blocking out everything behind him.
A strange look came into his eyes when he glanced at Nick, a look that disappeared almost immediately when he turned back to her.
“Nick’s right. You look gorgeous, but I have to admit, I much prefer the shorts and big T-shirt.” He leaned in and nuzzled her neck, sending the need inside her soaring. “Only next time it’ll be my shirt.”
With a large hand on her back holding her close, and the other at her waist, Steve bent close, staring at her lips.
She froze, holding her breath, immensely aware of Nick’s rapt attention, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Steve as her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, despite her best intentions.
His hands went to her waist, his fingers firmly massaging as he bent and brushed her lips with his.
She all but melted against him, her hands automatically flattening on his chest for support.
To her surprise, Nick’s hands settled on her shoulders from behind, firming against her involuntary jolt.
“Just keep kissing Steve. I just want to touch you.”
With the hands at her waist, Steve pulled her inexorably closer, silencing any protest she may have made by pressing his lips against hers. Moving his mouth on hers, he forced her lips open and plundered inside, his hands tightening on her waist and drawing her even closer.
Fisting her hands in his shirt, she leaned into him, thrilled at the feel of being pulled against his muscular chest.
Lifting his head, he stared down at her, a strange look on his face as his eyes held hers as though she was a puzzle he struggled to understand. After several long, tense seconds, he glanced at Nick again, his lips firming.
She groaned inwardly. Hell, what had she done?
To cover her confusion, and to gather her wits once again, she turned toward the kitchen, determined to act as though her world hadn’t just been tilted on its axis. She took a deep breath and had to clear her throat before speaking. “Would either one of you like something to drink?”
She tripped on one of the rugs she’d used to hide the threadbare carpeting underneath, and would have fallen if Nick hadn’t caught her from behind, but to his credit, he didn’t comment on her clumsiness.
“We’ll have something at the restaurant. Are you ready?” His hands lingered at her waist where Steve’s hands had been only a minute ago, making something that should have felt wrong feel incredibly right.
Struggling to make sense of it, Julianna stepped out of his hold, grateful that he released her, and moved away to pick up her shawl from the back of the chair. “Of course.” Having both of them here made her tiny apartment seem even more cramped, and getting out of here as soon as possible seemed like a good idea.
Nick came up behind her again and took her shawl, draping it over her shoulders as he murmured against her ear, his lips against it, sending a shiver through her. “There’s a bit of a breeze tonight. I wouldn’t want you to get chilled.”
Julianna looked up over her shoulder to find his face only inches from hers, his eyes unreadable. With a mumbled “thank you,” she quickly turned away, her pulse racing.
Already this evening felt more like a date than a business dinner, and she vowed to get it back on track. She picked up the folder containing the contract and held it up, glancing at each of them. “We have some things to discuss.”
Nick took her elbow and led her out to the dingy hallway. “We’ll discuss whatever you like over dinner.”
Riding to the restaurant, Julianna sat in the limo between them, her awareness building with every mile. Both men gave her their full attention, asking about her work at first and why she’d chosen to get into design.
“I just always loved it.” She grinned, trying to ignore the way their thighs pressed against hers. With all of the room in the limo, they didn’t have to sit so close, but she didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. Besides, she enjoyed the heat and incredibly delicious tingles she got by being wedged between them.
“I used to drive my mother crazy moving furniture and going to yard sales to find things to bring home. I redid every room in the house so many times she finally just gave up and let me.”
Steve smiled, his eyes warm. “And your father?”
Julianna laughed softly, choking down the sadness that thoughts of her father always provoked. “He said I could do whatever I wanted as long as I didn’t get rid of his favorite chair. He had an old recliner that was more duct tape than leather, but he wouldn’t part with it, even when my mother offered to buy him a new one.” Shrugging, she stared straight ahead.
“It went out to the trash while he was still in the hospital.”
Shrugging, she stared at the back of Mike’s head as he drove expertly through the dark streets. “When my father died, I couldn’t do it anymore. My mother remarried, and the house we lived in belonged to her new husband.”
Nick shifted slightly, his thigh brushing against hers. “How did you get involved with David?”
She clenched her jaw, shocked that he would bring that up. Hoping the darkness hid her burning face, she kept her eyes forward. “My relationship with David is none of your business. Or anyone else’s.”
“And yet several people came to your rescue when you needed help. Including Gabriel Durand.”
Julianna whirled on him. “I didn’t need any help. I told all of you that I was fine, but you wouldn’t listen!”
Although she couldn’t see his eyes clearly in the darkness, Nick’s voice held more than a hint of ice.
“Is that what we can expect on this job? That you won’t admit when you’re over your head? That you’ll just plow along pretending everything is all right?”
Julianna bit her lip, reminding herself just how much she needed this job. Weighing her words carefully, she took a deep breath before answering. “I know what this design job entails, and I know the scheduling. Yes, sometimes things get behind, especially on a job this size, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ve already allowed for delays in the schedule and will address anything that comes up, and I’ll keep you informed every step of the way.”
Steve leaned forward and opened the small bar. “What would you like to drink?”
Julianna knew she had to keep her wits about her. “Just water, please.”
He opened a bottle of water, poured it into a heavy crystal glass, and handed it to her. “Can we expect any more repeats of the other night? I don’t want to have to deal with another scene like the one at your apartment.”
Julianna grimaced, not wanting to admit that seeing David had been her first date in years. She couldn’t imagine going on another.
“No. My personal life won’t intrude on my work. It never has and never will. I take my work very seriously. Neither one of you will have any need to be at my apartment anyway.”
Steve poured two small whiskeys, handing one to Nick. “So it’s over between you and David?”
Julianna took a sip of water to give herself a few moments. “My personal life won’t affect my work.”
Steve’s brow went up, his smile disappearing. “That isn’t what I asked you. I don’t want anything distracting you while you’re working for us, and I want to know that you’ll be available for dinner meetings such as tonight. Sometimes that’s the only time our schedules allow.”
Nick took a sip from his own glass. “We are paying handsomely for you to be available to us at all times.”
Julianna clenched her teeth. “Nothing will get in the way of me doing my job.”
Steve nodded and set down his glass as they arrived a
t one of the most expensive luxury hotels in town. “Good to know.”
Nick got out on his side and reached for her.
Julianna looked at his hand and then back to the entrance of the hotel. Disturbed that her heart raced with excitement, she did her best to keep her tone cool. “What are we doing here?”
Nick took the folder from her and reached for her hand. “This is where we’re staying until the penthouse is finished. Come on. I’m starving.”
Julianna allowed him to help her out, concentrating on not showing more leg than necessary as she climbed out of the limo. “I didn’t know we were going to your hotel. I thought we would eat in a restaurant.”
Nick’s lips twitched. “We are going to eat in a restaurant, unless you’d like to come up to the suite and we can order from there. It’ll afford a lot more privacy and allow us to talk without fear of being overheard.”
“No!” Cursing the fact that her face burned again, she shook her head. “That won’t be necessary.”
Steve fell into step beside her and grinned. “There’s an excellent restaurant here. As a matter of fact, we stole one of their chefs for the Crescendo. We always try out the competition, and for now at least, this is the best hotel in town. We need to know what we’re up against. You can give us a woman’s take on it.”
Aware of the women’s stares as they walked through the restaurant, Julianna hid a smile. She couldn’t blame them. Eye candy like these two didn’t come along every day.
As they reached their table, a booth in a secluded corner, she smiled, amused that they glared at other diners. “Glaring at the women for staring at you won’t do any good. It’ll just challenge them to try harder.”
Steve ushered her into the booth, glaring over his shoulder. “We weren’t glaring at the women. We were glaring at the men who did their best to undress you with their eyes all the way to the table.”
Julianna looked around to see that both men and women stared at their table. “Maybe we should have ordered from your room.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she realized her mistake.