by Sam Crescent
“For allowing me to keep my job and not expose me as some kind of slut.” She blushed at him then sat down.
“I never thought I’d see that.”
“What?”
“A woman blush. I’ve been around too many women with an agenda, and I feel it has left me cynical towards your sex. I’m also older than you. This could blow back in my face.”
She groaned at the mention of age. “Don’t bring up the age gap. There is nothing wrong with us. I’m twenty-five, and people won’t care about the differences. They’ll think I’m after you for your money or your position.”
“Are you?” he asked with a hint of a smile on his face.
“Yes, I’m totally after you money. I couldn’t live with myself without all those model clothes I can’t get into. Have you seen the limit on the sizes in the women’s shops you go to? My size doesn’t cut it.”
Shut up, Heather.
Now she’d just gone and told him her size.
Great, now he knows you’ve got an insecurity about your weight.
“I love your curves. I don’t care about what the numbers are on the label. So my money is one thing you want me for. What else?” He was smiling at her. Her heart fluttered at his lack of concern with her size. So many men seemed to want women with a size zero figure, who ate a diet of celery and carrot sticks.
“I’m going to sue you for sexual harassment.”
Julian burst out laughing causing her to giggle at the comment.
“You and I both know you could never go through with anything like that. You don’t crave the attention like others do. You’re happier being left alone,” he said.
“How do you know that?” Dancing at a club was different from having your whole life spread out in a newspaper for the whole world to dissect and mock. She’d rather stick to dancing in Wade’s club. That was as much attention as she wanted.
“I’ve watched you at business meetings. You don’t like questions fired directly at you. You begin to fidget, and your cheeks turn red. It is really cute to see.”
“Great. Me looking like a strawberry is cute?” She smiled though. He’d noticed her, and that had to account for something. Or was she clutching at straws?
Shaking her head she gazed down at the pad in front of her. “You better make me look busy. I don’t want any work colleagues to doubt my ability.”
“If they doubt your ability they can answer to me.”
Heather smiled. She listened to him dictate several pieces of information he wanted her to copy up. Notes were taken, and then when enough time passed she left his office. He told her to leave the door open.
“I want to be able to see you at all times,” he said.
She smiled as she sat at her desk. She knew there would be times she’d be working where he watched her.
By the time lunch came she delivered Julian his food, and then disappeared into the ladies’ room to make the calls she had to make. As usual all her friends were together when she dialled one of their numbers.
“Heather, you’ve got to start getting out of work. Wade is a fantastic cook,” Connie said.
“I know. Work commitments and all that.” She looked under each stall to make sure she was alone.
“Do you ever think your crush on your boss could be down to the amount of time you spend together?” Amber asked.
Heather jerked. It was nearly the same as what Julian had said.
“I guess I’ll soon find out,” she said. “Speaking of which, I’m not going to be home tonight.”
She heard the silence on the other end. The silence and the disapproval at her comment.
“You’re going home with him?” Ashley asked.
“Yes, why is this such a shock to everyone?” Heather knew her friends didn’t approve, which was stupid. They were the ones who had encouraged her to take this leap.
“We thought you’d see his attraction for you then fight it. He’s not right for you, Heather. Look at all the times you’ve complained about his scumbag techniques.” This was coming from Connie. “This will end in tears.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Heather found herself asking.
There was a round of frustrated sighing. “Can you hear yourself? You sound like a woman in one of those romantic films you love so much. Julian is never going to change. He will break your heart and leave you broken. You have to see this, Heather.” Amber ranted over the phone.
It was strange. When her friends were disapproving, she knew who said what.
“I see it. I know this will end in heartbreak for me. I also know I won’t be able to look at him afterwards. There is a lot I know will happen. But I also know that if I don’t do this, then I’ll regret. Put my feelings aside. Wouldn’t you guys jump at the chance to be with the man you love?”
“At what price?” Connie asked.
“Any price. I have you guys to help me afterwards. It’s asking a lot. I love you guys and would hate to cause any problems for you.” She stared at her reflection wishing she knew all the answers.
“We’ll all be here for you. I can’t promise I won’t kick his ass, but I’ll make sure you’re cared for,” Ashley said.
“You better get in touch with Elijah. He’ll be worried about you,” Amber said.
Heather snorted. “I’ll get in touch with him.”
“Regardless of what you think of him, Elijah does love you. You’ll need to get over whatever issues you’re feeling.”
“I will. Thanks, guys.”
“Be safe,” they all said.
She closed her phone. Her hands were shaking. It was the first real disagreement she’d ever had with her friends. She didn’t like arguing with them. None of them had ever felt the need to fight. She flipped he phone open and dialled Elijah’s number.
“Hello,” he said on the first ring.
“It’s me.”
“Heather? Are you all right? I thought you got to work safely?” The concern in his voice startled her.
“I’m fine. I just wanted to tell you I won’t be home tonight. I’m going on a date with someone, and I’ll be gone all night.”
“Tomorrow is a work day. Should you be spending time away at night? Do I know him?”
“You know him, and I know what I’m doing. I don’t need you preaching to me as well.”
“Who else has been preaching? Your friends?”
She rolled her eyes growing frustrated with all of their concern. “Elijah, I’m twenty-five, and I’m free to make my own choices.”
“The last time I checked, Julian Goff was forty years old. He’s a little old for you,” Elijah said.
“How do you know it’s Julian?”
“He’s the only guy I know who has called on you. It was easy. You’re not being sensible, Heather. He’s your boss. You don’t shit where you eat.”
“That is a disgusting statement. I’m hanging up now.” She flipped the phone closed, refusing to think about his accusations. She knew it all.
They’re only worried about you.
They didn’t need to be worried. She knew what she was doing.
Do you?
She washed her hands then went back to her desk. His door was closed, and she ignored the desire to go in. She took a sip of her cold coffee. Her hands had stopped shaking. She took the notes she’d made earlier and began working.
Chapter Eight
By the end of the day, Julian couldn’t wait to get out of the office. He’d spent the whole day watching Heather working. When she got out of her chair to fetch his coffee he admired the sway of her hips and the generous swell of her ass as she moved. His cock had refused to leave him be. He had spent most of the day harder than rock. Business meetings became difficult because of his distraction with Heather. The sooner he had her in his bed the better. He didn’t like distractions.
He shut down his computer for the day. Most of his employees had left for the day. He didn’t want Heather to get a bad reputation. Their attraction for each other shouldn’t cause her a
ny problems. He closed off the lights, grabbed his coat then went to her desk. She was putting her bag on her shoulder as he came out.
“Did you call your friends and brother?” he asked.
She nodded her head. He saw the tenseness in her shoulders.
“They didn’t approve?”
“Nope. They think I’m going to end up hurt and heartbroken.” She looked up to meet his eyes.
“What do you think?”
“If I don’t do this then I’ll regret it, and I’m using you as much as you’re using me,” she said.
“Why?”
She licked her lips. “If our attraction is based on our close working relationship then I have a right to know. If it’s not, then I’ll deal with it. I’m not a simpering woman, Julian. I can take care of myself.”
He knew she was.
But who’ll protect her from you? You know you’re going to hurt her. Can you really let her fall into that trap?
Julian shook the doubts from his mind. He couldn’t allow himself to think like that. She was a distraction he needed to be rid of.
“Are you ready to leave?”
“Yes.”
Together they rode the elevator down to the main parking area. The parking area was deserted. His car was the only one that remained.
“You didn’t bring your car?” he asked.
“No. It is another reason why I was late.”
Julian opened the passenger door for her, helping her get in before shutting the door. He went round to his side then climbed in beside her. He started the car, then pulled out of his space and out of the building. Neither said anything as he drove around the busy city streets towards his house. He lived on the outskirts of town. He owned several houses and apartments all around the world. His apartment wouldn’t be appropriate as his house gave them more privacy.
He saw the pale flesh of her knee exposed. Moving his hand off his own, he cupped her knee. She jumped but didn’t push him away.
“We’ve known each other for some time, Heather. You don’t need to be jumpy around me.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
The drive lasted about thirty minutes, and then he was pulling into his drive. The lights were off inside his house, the night air chilly as he parked the car. He got out and went to help Heather out.
She shivered at the cold. He moved towards his door, unlocked it, and escorted her inside.
“I’ll put the heating on. You’ll be warm within no time.”
“I didn’t pack anything,” she said.
“What?”
“I didn’t go home and pack some clothes.”
“I’ll drop you off at home while you change. I didn’t want to risk you going home and being warned against me by your friends.”
She nodded her head.
“Are you hungry? I know I am.”
“Yes.”
“Then follow me.”
He took her through to his kitchen, switching on lights as he did.
“I think a BLT is in order.”
“You know what a BLT is?” she asked.
“Take a seat, little lady. I heard your friend order it. I knew I needed one as well, and I get to show off my cooking skills.” He rolled his sleeves up his arms, then grabbed what he needed from the fridge. The grill was turned on to high with the bacon sizzling underneath as he began slicing tomatoes.
“I’m impressed already.”
“Why?”
“I figured you’d have a person to make your tea and cook you dinner. A housekeeper or butler or something.”
“I love my privacy too much. I have a couple of cleaners come in twice a week, but other than that, this place is all mine.” He cut the bread off the loaf then began to assemble the BLT.
He felt her eyes on him, and he liked it. The attention she gave him made him crave more. What would she do if he took off his shirt? He smiled. There would be time for seduction later.
“Here you go. One BLT and a cold beer.” He gave her a plate and a bottle.
“Thank you.”
Julian took the seat next to her and took a bite out of his sandwich. It was perfect.
“Wow, you can cook well.”
“What about you? Do you have kitchen skills?”
“Yes, I’m the best of my friends, so they come to me for food. We also go to Wade’s regularly.”
“I like his place. He’s got style.”
She nodded in agreement taking a bite out of her food. He watched her eat, appreciating her appreciation of food. If he’d cooked a BLT for his other women they’d have given him such a talking to. They’d complain about their size and how he didn’t have a clue what a woman had to do or sacrifice to be a size zero.
“This is brilliant. It has been too long since I had one of these. I can’t wait to see what else you can cook.”
He chuckled. She stood with him as he cleaned away their dishes. “Would you like a tour of the house?” he asked.
“I’d love a tour.”
Julian grabbed another two beers from the fridge, then took her arm as he led her ‘round the house. He showed her his office and library. She asked about the pictures on his walls.
“They’re my family. I couldn’t part with them,” he said.
“Where are your family?” she asked.
“Around. We don’t talk much. These are family photos from a different time.” He looked at a picture of his sister. She was married with three children. She was younger than he. His younger brother was also married.
“Did you always have money?” she asked.
“Yes, we’ve just got more now than before. I’m the oldest, and they don’t appreciate my lifestyle,” he said.
“Why?”
“My sister and brother are both younger than I am, and they’re both married with children. They want me to settle down. They’re tired of seeing my playboy ways.” He smiled thinking about the last argument he had with his father and the topic of responsibility. It was his responsibility as the oldest son to marry and have children. He needed to have an heir to pass on the family business.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“Huh?”
“You’ve told me what your family expect, and I guess what the world wants from you, but what do you want?”
No one had ever asked him that. He stood looking at his family pictures wondering what he wanted.
“I don’t have a clue,” he said, honestly.
“Then maybe you need to know what you want before trying to do what everyone else is wanting from you.”
He glanced up at the latest pictures his sister had sent. Did he even want a family?
“Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the house.” He took her up to the bedrooms. She smiled when he showed her the master bedroom.
“Is this the end of the tour?” she asked.
“Not a chance. There is another place I want us to go.” He took her hand leading her down the stairs and towards the back of the house.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked.
“I’m taking you here.” Julian switched on a light. She stared at a beautiful indoor swimming pool. Green potted plants decorated the far corners, and sun lounges lay by the side of the pool. The room looked similar to the type of displays you’d see in glossy magazines advertising getaways for spas.
“Wow, this is yours?” She pulled away from him to walk around the area of the pool.
“This is one of the facilities I had rebuilt when I took on the house.”
“Took on?”
“The house has been part of my family for generations, but my family didn’t like it. They felt it came with too much baggage and left it to go to ruin,” he said.
“So you took it on and brought it back to being liveable?”
“Pretty much. I had help from a designer and architect who helped me with the layout and plans. Most of this was my idea. I like this room. Actually, I love this room. It’s a place I can come and feel awa
y from the world.”
“Your own personal vacation spot.”
“Yes.”
“I get it. There are times you want to leave the whole world behind but not have the holiday plans to go with it. You’ve built something special in this room.”
Julian watched her walk round his safe haven. He’d never allowed another woman to come to this house. They wanted to be in the city close enough to shop. Heather wasn’t like them. He found her a refreshing change.
“Would you like to go for a swim?” he asked as she came back round to him.
“I didn’t bring a costume.”
“You don’t need one. Everything is secure. No one can see in. You’ll be safe with me.” Julian began unbuttoning his shirt to show her what he meant.
“You’re getting naked.” She glanced at the pool then at him. “You want us to go swimming naked.”
“Heather, baby, we fucked on my desk. Getting naked together in a pool is nothing.” He removed his shirt, smiling when he saw her gaze go to his chest before moving back up again.
“This isn’t fair. I’ve got marks where my bra has been, and I’m dirty from a day at work.”
“So.” Julian moved closer to her. “I want to go for a swim, and I want you naked. I should warn you, Heather, I always get what I want.” He pulled her blouse out of her skirt and began loosening the buttons. With each button undone he saw more and more of her delicious flesh. She wore a cream lace bra.
“If you’re getting me naked then you’re going naked, too.” Heather took command of his clothes. His belt was yanked and the zipper tugged as she pulled his pants down. They fought with the remains of their clothes until both of them stood naked before each other. Her tits heaved with each of her indrawn breaths. Her tummy quivered. His cock thickened at the sight of her. She was all curves with nothing false about her. The budding of her nipples were natural including the size and weight. There was no cosmetic surgery on her.
“What do you want to do now?” she asked.
He caught her against him with a hand under her knee while the other supported her back.
Heather yelped. “Put me down. I’m too big. You’re going to drop me.” She clawed at his neck while he walked to the edge of the pool. Julian couldn’t help but laugh. She was bigger than the women he was used to, but he liked the feel of her in his arms.