by Leah Brooke
Craig, also known as Nitro had been sent back by Nick and whose specialty she’d learned was explosives, checked and rechecked the hotel and every single thing that came into it. Because of it, it took longer for her to check in supplies and get them to where they belonged. Somehow, though, things seemed to be moving remarkably fast.
She mentioned it to Steve over lunch.
“Of course they’re moving faster. The contractors have all been offered bonuses for every day they finish ahead of schedule. At the rate they’re going, everything should be done in a month.”
Julianna smiled, fighting hard not to show the feeling of loss she experienced at the knowledge that their affair would be ending so soon. The fact that Steve didn’t appear the least bit fazed about it told her she’d been right in her decision to keep her distance.
After that, she redoubled her efforts to force a little distance between them, doing it subtly with the intention of increasing it a little more every day. Getting lost in her work made it easier.
So had talking with her best friend, Kelsey.
Kelsey called her right after lunch, her voice frantic. “Damn it, Julianna. I’ve called you a dozen times today. Why haven’t you called me back? I heard about what happened last night. It was on the news, something about the decorator for the Crescendo being shot at. A drive-by shooting, for God’s sake. I even called Gabriel to find out if he’d heard anything. What the hell’s going on?”
“I’m sorry, Kelsey. I was going to call you last night and then everything happened. Steve had one of his men take me home, and the next thing I know, someone’s shooting at us and I’m at their hotel. They moved me in, gave up my apartment, which I understand is already rented again, and here I am. I’ve been watched constantly and busy checking on everything and forgot to take my phone with me.”
“Are you okay? I can’t believe you almost got shot.”
With a sigh, Julianna leaned back and told her friend the whole story. “I didn’t get shot. I didn’t get hurt at all. I’m fine, Kelsey. I can’t believe you were so worried. When have you ever seen me unable to take care of myself? So, you talked to Gabriel. How did that go? Are you going to let him restrain you? Spank you? You’d better give in soon before he does something drastic.”
After a pregnant silence, Kelsey started sputtering. “Damn it, Julianna, why the hell do you always have to say things like that? Just because Gabriel told you that he thought you would like that, doesn’t mean that I would. You tell him to leave me alone.”
Julianna smiled at the vehemence in her friend’s voice. “I’m not telling him anything. If you have something to say to Gabriel, do it yourself. And don’t you try to deny that you fantasize about being dominated by him. I’ve seen the way you look at him and how glassy-eyed you get when he’s around. Your face gets red—”
“That’s anger.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. Why don’t you just go out with him? Just because you go out to dinner with Gabriel doesn’t mean you have to have sex with him.”
“Yeah, right. I’m going to go out with a self-proclaimed Dom, one who owns his own clubs, and we’re not going to have sex. You live in a fantasy world, Julianna. If I go out with Gabriel, I doubt if I ever get my dinner. Besides, you saw what men like him are like. I’ll be damned if I’m going to eat my dinner out of a dog bowl, or sit by his feet and let him pet me. Fuck that. You saw how demeaning that would be with David. After what I’ve been through, do you really think I could live that way?”
Sighing, Julianna leaned back in her chair, remembering how it felt when she was with David. “Hell, Kelsey, I don’t know what to say.”
Her friend didn’t need to know that her next call would be to Gabriel.
She wanted more than anything for her best friend to be happy and couldn’t imagine a more patient man than Gabriel.
The fact that he was a Dom, however, would be a difficult hurdle to clear, and Julianna wondered if he would ever be able to be with a woman without having to dominate her.
“There’s nothing you can say. I don’t want to talk about him. I want to talk about you. I can’t believe this is happening to you. Listen, come stay with me and—”
Julianna shot up. “No. There’s no way I’m putting you in any danger. You stay away from me until they catch this guy, do you hear me?”
“But, Julianna—”
“No, Kelsey. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you. Just stay away until this is over.” Looking up at the closed door to make sure she wasn’t being overheard, she sighed. “I think I’m going to need you then. Nick and Steve are going to rip my heart out. I just know it. I know this is just sex. I went into this with my eyes open, and still I’m falling for both of them. How stupid can a person be?”
Kelsey’s voice lowered. “Oh, Julianna. I wish you had more confidence in yourself. I swear, between your sister and your parents—”
“Kelsey, please. I’m only their interior decorator.”
“You’re the best decorator Avante’s had, and if they didn’t appreciate you, screw ’em. Nick and Steve aren’t amateurs in this, Julianna. I’m sure they could tell by your designs that you’re the best. Honestly, there are times I want to smack you. From what I’ve heard from Gabriel, Nick and Steve are damned smart men. He also said they both looked thunderstruck when they were at your apartment. I’d be willing to bet money they never got involved with their decorators before.”
Amused, Julianna sat back again, propping her feet on her desk. “It sounds as though you and Gabriel have been doing a lot of talking lately. Kelsey, you know he’s crazy about you. I’m sure if you talked to him about—”
“I don’t want to talk about it. The only thing Gabriel and I have in common is you. I’m coming to see you as soon as I close for the day.”
“You do and I’ll be forced to call Gabriel and tell him that you’re putting your life in danger. I talked to him earlier, and he already knew about the shooting. He asked if you were with me when it happened, Kelsey, and he sounded scared to death.”
“Damn it, Julianna!”
“I’ve got to go. I have another call to make. I’ll call you later. Bye.” With a smile, she hung up on her friend’s sputtering and made the call to Gabriel, who answered on the third ring.
“What is it? Has something else happened? Are you all right?”
Julianna couldn’t help but smile. “You’re such a worrywart. I’m fine, Gabriel, I promise. I don’t think even the president could get to me today. Steve’s men have this place locked down tight.”
“Good. When I talked to Steve earlier, he mentioned that David stopped by yesterday. I’ve already talked to him and that won’t happen again. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Julianna blinked, her face heating, as it did each time the subject of David came up. “It was no big deal, Gabriel. I took care of it myself.”
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine.” In an effort to change the subject, she interrupted whatever he’d been about to say next.
“I talked to Kelsey. She wanted me to come stay with her.”
“No. Not unless you’re both going to come here and stay with me.”
“Hmm, I told her to stay away from me, but if that’s an option—”
“One she won’t choose.”
Julianna came to her feet and walked around to the other side of her desk. “Gabriel, Kelsey needs—”
“I know exactly what Kelsey needs. I adore you, Julianna, but stay out of it.” He sighed and continued in a much gentler tone. “It sounds as if you have enough on your plate to deal with. Just take care of yourself and let me worry about Kelsey.”
Leaning back against the desk, she moved the phone to her other ear. “Fine, I won’t interfere. For now. But she’s my friend, and I want what’s best for her.”
“And you think I’m not it?”
Chilled at his tone, she rubbed her arms. “I think you’re wonderful for h
er, but I’m worried that she won’t be able to give you what you need.” Straightening, she moved around her office again. “Gabriel, could you ever change the way you—”
“No. It’s very much a part of me and I can’t—won’t change. Not even for Kelsey.”
With the door on the subject slammed closed, Julianna dropped back into her chair with a sigh. “Fine. Whatever. By the way, why did you talk to Steve earlier?”
“He’s my business partner now. Why wouldn’t I talk to him?”
Julianna froze. “Business partner? I didn’t think you knew each other until that night at my apartment, and now you’re business partners? How the hell did that happen?”
Gabriel laughed softly. “Mostly because we have you in common. They have a fine reputation, and how could I resist owning a piece of the new resort, especially since you’re the one who’s going to be decorating? You’re going to need my help in setting up the playrooms anyway—although Nick will probably want them set up his way. I’ll want to design my own suite, though.”
A knot formed in Julianna’s stomach. “What do you mean? What would Nick know about setting up a playroom?”
Gabriel’s tone gentled. “You do know he’s a Dom, don’t you?”
Julianna got another of those chills and rubbed her arms against the goose bumps there. Remembering the way he’d been in bed and in the elevator, she shook her head in denial. “No. He’s nothing like David. He’s not cruel, and he doesn’t beat me or treat me like a pet. I would never allow that. He’s not selfish like most men are in bed. That doesn’t mean he’s a Dom.”
“Julianna, you can’t blame a man for not giving you what you want if you won’t tell him. Doms are dominant in bed. They have to be in control. Of everything. That doesn’t mean they have to administer pain, especially if their woman doesn’t respond well to it. Pleasure is an even stronger incentive. Jesus, I can’t believe that’s what you think of me.”
Getting an uneasy feeling, Julianna wrapped her arms around herself as the truth sank in. Nervous now, she came to her feet again, unable to sit still. “It’s not like that.”
After a long, tense silence, she heard the creak of leather as though he’d changed positions.
“Never mind. Julianna, don’t try to put a label on it or walk away from something that makes you happy.”
Dropping back into her seat, Julianna gripped the phone tighter. “Gabriel, I thought I already made it clear that you were wrong about me being like that. Isn’t it bad enough that I’m having sex with both of them? Do you really have to try to make me believe I need to be treated badly in order to enjoy sex?”
“Who the hell ever said anything about you being treated badly? Jesus, Julianna, what the hell did David do to you?”
Angry at herself because she’d given away more than she wanted to, Julianna stood. “That subject is closed. Forever. And I’m not submissive.”
Julianna paced during the long silence that followed. Finally, she stopped and stared down at her shoe, wondering if she’d gotten in over her head. “Gabriel, I’m not that way, am I? I mean, I didn’t like what David—”
“David’s a little punk who plays at being something he’s not. Like I said, Julianna, don’t try to label what you have with Nick and Steve. Just enjoy it, sweetheart. I think you may have finally found what you deserve.”
Not knowing what she’d ever done in her life to deserve being dumped by two of the most fascinating men she’d ever met, Julianna didn’t respond to that. “I think you should check on Kelsey. I don’t want her coming around me until this is over.”
“I’ll take care of Kelsey. In the meantime, you be careful. My door’s always open to you, and I have a hell of a security system.”
“Thanks, Gabriel. I have to get back to work. Just take care of Kelsey, please. I couldn’t stand it if she got hurt.” A thought hit her suddenly. “Oh, hell. You’re partners with them now in the resort. You’d better stay away. If this Munson—”
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself—and Kelsey. Now get back to work before Nick turns you over his knee and gives you the spanking you deserve.”
Julianna had a scathing retort on her tongue but swallowed it when she heard his soft laughter. “Very funny.” She disconnected, shaking her head as she cut off his laughter.
Still smiling, she went back to work with Mike in tow, going upstairs to check on things again, and running into security personnel at every turn. She’d heard Steve talk about getting the men he’d planned to hire to work security to come in, but the sheer number of them astounded her.
What surprised her more was that everyone she met seemed to already know her.
Once she’d checked with the contractors again and seen for herself just how much progress they’d made, she headed back to her office. She glanced at the closed door of Claire’s office, a door that had been closed all day. Relieved that she didn’t have to deal with the hotel manager’s bitchiness, she went into her office and closed the door behind her.
When the phone rang just before seven, she answered absently, her mind on the linens she’d just ordered for Nick and Steve’s suite. The furniture would be delivered tomorrow and they would be able to move in.
“Hello.”
“Hey, babe. You about done for today?”
The deep timbre of Steve’s soft drawl sent a wave of longing through her. Her nipples pebbled immediately with remembered pleasure. “Yes, I—”
The door to her office opened, and Mike came through it. “I’m sorry to bother you, but you’ve got a visitor. Can you let me know when you’re expecting someone from now on? We’re trying to tighten security, remember? I see you’re on the phone. I’ll keep her in the lobby.”
Angling the phone away, she frowned. “I’m not expecting anyone. Who is it?”
Mike’s smile seemed a little forced. “She says she’s your sister, and she’s a little upset.”
Damn.
Steve’s voice sounded a little strained and reminded her he could hear everything. “What’s going on, Julianna? Who’s there? I’m on my way down.”
“No! I mean, no, it’s okay. My sister came to see me. Did you call for a reason?”
“Yeah. I wanted to see if you’re done for the day. If your sister’s here, we’ll all go out to dinner. I’d love to meet her.”
Shit! “That won’t be necessary. I’ll just talk to her and—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m on my way down.” He hung up before she could talk him out of it.
Damn. Damn. Damn.
It appeared her affair would be over even sooner than she’d thought.
* * * *
Over dinner at the hotel restaurant she became even more convinced.
Her sister had taken one look at Steve and set her sights on him. The irritation on her face when Steve bent to kiss Julianna’s cheek disappeared as soon as Steve straightened, changing in the blink of an eye to one of coy flirtation.
On the ride to the hotel, Erica batted her lashes, crossed and recrossed her legs at least a half-dozen times, flashing a silk-covered thigh each time, and touched Steve as often as possible.
In the front seat, Mike and Doug remained unusually quiet, and Mike kept meeting her eyes in the rearview mirror, his speculative gaze going from her to Erica and back again.
Dressed in her jeans and sweater, Julianna felt more underdressed and uncomfortable than usual, even though Steve also wore jeans and a T-shirt.
Even through Steve’s greatly abbreviated version of what had happened the night before, Erica flirted, leaning into him and shuddering daintily through the scariest parts of the story.
“Oh, I never would have survived it. Thank God she had you there to rescue her.”
Steve frowned. “I just told you that Julianna escaped on her own while everyone was scrambling to find her.”
Erica shook her head, clicking her tongue in disapproval. “She always did try to get attention. Julianna, I can’t believe you
put Steve to so much trouble when you’re more than capable enough to handle it on your own.”
“Julianna firmed her lips, not about to get into an argument that would just make her look stupid. “That’s what I keep telling them.”
Once they got to the hotel restaurant, Mike and Doug turned down Steve’s offer to join them, telling him that they would be sitting near the bar to watch the room.
Over dinner, Julianna remained quiet, watching Steve and Erica together.
Erica had dressed in a short, tight, red dress, much like the one Julianna had worn on the night she met Nick and Steve, but Julianna would bet anything that her sister hadn’t bought hers at a secondhand store. She giggled again, her laugh grating on Julianna’s last nerve. “Oh, Steve, you’re so modest. You and your friends risked your lives to save my sister, and I can’t thank you enough. I was so worried about her that I drove right here as soon as I heard.”
Julianna took a sip of her water. “You should have called, Erica. I could have told you that I was fine. I called Mom earlier, and she never mentioned that you were coming.”
Erica giggled. Again. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Julianna gritted her teeth when Erica reached out to touch Steve’s arm, her scarlet-tipped nails bright as they slid over his bicep.
“And all those muscles. Ohh! I love to be in the arms of a strong man.”
Averting her gaze, Julianna turned her head to see Mike and Doug staring at them. When her sister giggled again and whispered something to Steve, forcing him to lean closer to hear her, Julianna decided she’d had enough.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m very tired. I think I’ll go up and have an early night.” She jumped out of her seat before Steve could help her, gathered her purse, and headed toward the exit. Before she could get there, Mike fell into step beside her.
“I know a bomb when I see it, and it looks like you’re ready to explode.”
Julianna forced a smile. “Not at all. I learned my limitations a long time ago. Go ahead and finish your dinner. I’m just going upstairs. I have some work to do.”