by DRAYER, GINA
They stepped onto the narrow porch in front of the boathouse and Julia leaned against one of the posts. Her expression was shaded in the low light, but he could tell by the way she drew back, Julia wasn’t comfortable with the subject.
“I’d like to say it was a temporary lack of good judgment, but truthfully, I was lonely and liked Luke’s attention. He was constantly sending me gifts and taking me away on short trips. I thought it was his way of showing affection, but in hindsight I know he was just showing off his wealth.” She shrugged and looked back to the house. "After the accident, I was completely alone. I moved in with my grandmother who was a virtual stranger, and even my friends stopped visiting after I didn't return to school. I craved connection with another person."
“I haven’t known Luke long, but I know enough about him. If he wanted a relationship with you, I’m sure he pulled out all the stops."
“He had me buying the lie. God, I was such an idiot.” Julia shook her head in self-admonishment, causing a cascade of auburn curls to swirl around her face. “I actually convinced myself his control was really love. I trusted him. I trusted us. At least I caught him cheating. It was then I realized that I was just another one of his possessions."
Simon leaned against the railing next to her but still didn’t make contact. They were so close, he could feel the heat coming off her body. All he wanted to do was reach out and pull her into his arms, kiss her until that haunted look left those beautiful eyes.
But he didn’t. He needed to know where they stood before he dared to touch her. Because he knew the moment his hands found her body again, he would be lost.
Clearing his throat, Simon banished thoughts of her body pressed against his. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. Luke is very charming and has a way of knowing exactly what someone needs to hear in order to close a deal. That’s what makes him a good businessman.”
She looked up. Her eyes were narrowed, hidden under long lashes. “From what I hear, you’re a good businessman too. Are you charming and persuasive?”
“I am, but I’m not controlling or manipulative. And I wouldn’t have cheated on you.” He reached out and slipped an errant curl behind her ear. His finger traced down her chin, caressing the soft skin of its own volition. He couldn’t seem to control himself around her. Simon took a step back and got some distance between them. “Megan is waiting for you. I should let you go inside.”
“Aren’t you joining us?”
He thought he heard disappointment in her voice and smiled. “I’ll be down soon. I need to stay a little longer. It would be bad form to leave, since I invited half the people here tonight.” He also needed to make sure Luke had left. “You should go in before Megan drinks all the wine.”
“I suppose you’re right,” she said on a sigh. Julia gathered her skirt, showing off entirely too much of her shapely leg, and started for the front door.
That dress was going to have a starring role in many of his wet dreams from this night on. He followed the leg up to the slight curve of her ass, and further up still, across her exposed back with that damn tattoo, all the way up to the single button at the neck.
If he slipped that button loose, would the dress slide off her body and pool around her feet? Walking close behind her to the door, it took an enormous amount of willpower not to find out.
Julia stopped before opening the door and turned around. “I wanted to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed our chats.” She looked down at the ground to her bare feet, not meeting his gaze.
He loved that she was a bundle of contradictions. Shy, while standing there in a dress that made all the men around her drool. Unsure and timid with him after standing up to Luke in the middle of a crowd.
“I have, too,” he said.
He wanted that easy way they’d chatted online to translate into real life. But every time he was within ten feet of her all thoughts of talking, getting to know her better, took a back seat to his lust. He reached over and slipped that rebellious lock of hair behind her ear again. “I haven’t told you yet how beautiful you look tonight. You were by far the most beautiful.”
She looked up to meet his gaze. There was a hard set to her brow and she frowned. “If anyone saw us leave together, the gossip mill will go wild. Respectable women don’t wear dresses like this. The color alone would make some of those uptight socialites blush. Are you sure you want to be associated with someone like me?”
He didn’t know what made her think that, but he had a pretty good idea it had something to do with Luke. He wanted to throttle the man all over again. Then Simon wanted to kiss her until any doubts Julia had about how much he wanted her were driven out of that pretty head. “I don't really care what people think about us. And that dress. Julia, you look stunning.”
As if reading his thoughts, she closed the gap between them and slid an arm around his neck and kissed him. The initial contact was like an electric jolt to his system. He laced his fingers into her hair and deepened the kiss as his other arm wrapped around her back, finding the bare skin. God, he’d fantasized about this for weeks, but even his hottest fantasies paled in comparison to having her here with him now.
Unbidden, his hand began tracing a path down her skin, sinking into the loose fabric at the small of her back. The thin lace of her thong left most of her ass exposed and he cupped the lovely swell of her backside, pressing her against his hard erection.
She broke the kiss and gasped at his intimate touch, and that was enough to bring him back to reality. This was not how he’d imagined things would play out tonight. He wanted to explore this—whatever the fuck this was—before it got physical. And besides, they were in full view of the house, and there he was, groping her.
Simon removed his hand from inside her dress and grasped her hips, pushing her back slightly. With a sigh of resignation, he rested his forehead against the top of her head and tried to suppress his growing need. “Fuck. Julia, I’m sorry……”
He let his words trail off, unsure exactly what he was apologizing for. He needed to let her go, but she felt so good in his arms. Instead, he just closed his eyes and inhaled her scent. He’d never be able to smell vanilla again without remembering the taste of her, and tonight that lovely scent was layered with a bright note of orange. He loved citrus, but it had never smelled as intoxicating as it did mixed with Julia’s sweet-smelling skin.
He felt her chest rise and fall in short bursts and his heart skipped a beat. Shit. He’d made her cry. “Julia? Are you…" he started, pulling her away from him.
There was a brightness in her eyes and she was biting back a smile.
“Are you laughing?” he asked, not quite sure what to make of this development.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh, but did you just smell me?”
“Yes,” he said, frowning. “I love the way you smell. But now I feel a little creepy saying that.”
She took a step back and cocked her head to one side. “So guys really do that? Megan and I argued for hours over something I read. She kept telling me that even if they didn’t say it, men are affected by the way women smell.” She paused for a second and a sly smile bloomed across her face. “So you like the way I smell?”
He smiled back, unable to hide his amusement. “I like a lot of things about you, including the way you smell.” He loved that coy look on her face and he leaned in and pressed his lips against her cheek. Taking another deep breath, he said, "You smell sweet, like sugar and vanilla, and tonight there’s just a hint of orange. It’s intoxicating and reminds me of summer afternoons and Dreamsicles on the dock.”
She pulled back and slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her loud snort of laughter. “Did you just compare me to an ice cream novelty?”
He laughed too, and was just about to tell her exactly how he liked to eat his ice cream bar when he heard his name.
“I’ve been looking all over for you,” Peter called from halfway down the steps.
“Is something wrong?” Simon loo
ked back to Julia and noticed she’d taken several steps behind him and was smoothing her hair. He hated the interruption but knew it was unavoidable. Until the party died down, they wouldn’t have any time alone.
“You disappeared as soon as you walked through the door. Your father is about to lose his cool. I thought I should find you before tonight turns into a disaster.” Peter had joined them on the porch and looked over to Julia with a raised eyebrow and back to Simon. The unspoken question was written all over his face.
“I was just walking Julia down to meet Meg,” Simon started to explain. “I was telling her how the boathouse was our refuge during our summers here, and how much I loved sneaking down to enjoy ice cream on nights like tonight.” A loud, choked laugh sounded beside him, and Simon continued without pause. “Now that she’s safely here, I'll join you back at the party.”
Simon walked past Peter, who eyed him suspiciously. “Julia.” Peter nodded and followed Simon back up the narrow wooden stairs.
They were still a good distance from the house when Peter broke the silence.
“So, what really was going on back there?”
“It was nothing,” Simon said.
“Man, it sure didn’t look like nothing. What’s up? First, you were telling me Julia was hands off. Then you insisted you weren't into her.”
“There isn’t anything… Fuck, I don’t know what, if anything is going on.” Simon stopped and turned back to his friend. “I’m getting ready to leave for New York. I don’t know how long I’m going to be away. I definitely don’t need a new relationship, but I’m not sure I want to walk away either."
“So what changed? I know she looked killer tonight, but you’ve been with women equally sexy. I just don’t get what has your panties in a bind?"
“Fuck off.”
Peter’s brow creased and he shook his head. “Seriously, man. Is this why you’ve been blowing me off the last few weeks?"
Running a hand through his hair, Simon sighed. “I’ve been blowing you off because, unlike you, I’ve been working my ass off. Just leave it alone and let me figure things out."
“And how do you plan on doing that?”
“We’ve got Star Atlantic under control. I think I’m going to take some vacation time and hang with the girls. You know, see if there's anything there. I’m leaving for New York next week. Until then, I’ve got my laptop. If the office needs me, you know where I’ll be.” Simon started back up the steps, not waiting for Peter to argue. “Let’s get back to the party and kiss some ass so we can be done with this night."
The rest of the party dragged, and Simon was ready to crawl out of his skin when his father brought over another of Chicago’s elite for him to impress.
“Simon. How’s that little internet thing you and your friends were toying with?” Henry Mayfield asked.
“Well, it’s not so little anymore,” Simon said, trying hard to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “We now have a New York office and have tripled our clientele in the last year.”
“Hannah didn’t mention anything about New York when we had lunch last month. It’s good to hear things are going well,” he said, grabbing another glass of champagne off a passing tray.
“I’m not sure what Hannah would have been able to tell you. I haven’t seen her in months.” Not that she hadn’t tried. The woman couldn’t take a hint.
“I hear that,” Henry laughed as though they were sharing an inside joke. “Growing a business can suck all your free time. That's why I’m glad Sarah has her charities.” He squeezed the arm of the vapid blond next to him, who smiled. Seemed like Hannah got her brains as well as her looks from her mother.
“You’ll have to excuse me. I see a client.” Simon headed to the small group in the corner, without saying goodbye. Why he ever went out with Hannah Mayfield was a mystery to him. He should have known it was a mistake as soon as his father approved of the relationship. Good thing he got out of it before it went too far.
“Simon, come over here and give me a hug,” Beth said as he got closer.
“Is Matt still treating you good?” Simon leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek. “If not, just let me know. I take customer service seriously."
Beth laughed and slipped back under Matt’s arm. “Why do you think I married the big lug? Now I get my marketing for free. It really freed up a lot of money in my budget.”
Beth was the one who’d encouraged them to try their hand at international marketing. The nonprofit she worked for launched a campaign to raise money in Europe and she’d insisted Millennial Marketing take them on as a client. Matt headed up the job himself. Probably to spend more time with his wife. And Simon couldn’t blame him. Beth was great.
“And how’s the little bean?” Simon asked.
Matt squeezed Beth tighter and frowned. “Her blood pressure is high and she really should be resting. Maybe you can talk some sense into her because she’s not listening to me.”
“My blood pressure was just a little bit high,” she said, slipping out of his hold. Beth turned to face him and placed both her hands on her still-slim hips. “I'm pregnant, not broken. Women all over the world manage to be pregnant and still work. Women in Africa tend fields until they go into labor.”
“You don’t live in Africa anymore, and the doctor said for you to take it easy.”
Simon didn’t want to get sucked into the middle of this battle of wills. He did a quick scan of the room and only noticed a few of their clients still lingering.
“Things are dying down now and Peter and I can handle the rest of the night. Megan put you in one of the rooms that overlook the lake. Why don’t you guys call it a night and watch the fireworks from your balcony?”
“I thought you’d be on my side,” she said, throwing her arms up in defeat. “Fine. We can go up to our room, but not because I’m fragile and need protecting. My feet are swollen and starting to throb. I have to get these shoes off or I won’t be able to walk tomorrow.” Beth said her goodnights, making sure to shoot Simon an angry scowl before she headed upstairs, not waiting for Matt.
“Thanks. I’ve been trying to talk her into sitting down or something for the last hour, but she’s determined not to let the pregnancy change her normal activities. You should have heard her negotiating with the doctor when he started giving her precautionary instructions. That woman missed her calling as a lawyer. I need to head upstairs and check out those feet. She shouldn’t have worn heels.” Matt thanked Simon again and followed his wife down the hall.
“Wow. Since Beth got pregnant, Matt has sunk to a new level of whipped,” Peter said.
“I don’t know. I think it’s good for him. He’s really come out of his shell since she’s been in his life. Maybe that’s what you need,” Simon said, slapping him on the back. “A nice girl who’ll settle your ass down, and maybe you won’t come to Monday staff meeting hung over.”
“Screw nice girl, I’d settle for one with two brain cells to rub together. I have no interest in society gossip, fashion, or any of that other crap that seems to fill their empty little heads. The only woman I know, Beth excluded, who seems to have some interest outside of the society column is your sister. She’s the one woman I can be around who I don’t want to strangle after ten minutes of conversation.” Peter took a big gulp of his wine and watched the crowd of partygoers. He turned back to Simon, all the humor drained from his expression. “I like Julia. If you think there might be something there, you should go for it.”
Simon sipped his wine and wondered how the conversation had wrapped back to Julia. He thought he’d been clear outside that he wasn’t ready to talk. “We should really try and network or some shit,” he finally said, setting down his glass.
“Network? I’m not sure that would do much good. This party seems to get stuffier every year,” Peter said. After taking another glance around the room, he sighed and grabbed another glass of wine from a passing tray. “Hardly any of our clients are here. Our clientele is younger. Th
is,” he waved to the crowd, “isn't our market. If you and Matt want to use events like this to network, we need to lose the geriatric crowd. We should talk about that New Year’s Eve party again. Let’s just blow this snoozefest and join the girls for the fireworks."
Peter was right. When they started the company, they’d always intended to be a hip, fresh alternative to the old marketing firms. So far they’d managed that. It was one of the reasons Star Atlantic approached them. The airline wanted to improve their image with the young jetsetters. Now that the Star Atlantic campaign was off the ground, Millennial Marketing was poised to really take off. But not with the old-school businessmen his father socialized with.
“I’m going to make one more round, and I’ll meet you down there in a little bit,” Simon said.
And tonight, with Julia waiting for him, he was going make that sooner rather than later.
Chapter Fifteen
Modern Girl Tip #11: Be Up-Front About Your Intentions—Not all men are just looking for sex. Some of them would like sex and a relationship. Be up-front if you’re not.
Julia had been nursing the same glass of wine for the last two hours, while Megan paced the small room, ragging about what a giant prick Luke was. But the only thing on Julia’s mind was that kiss.
That kiss had caught her off guard. She had melted into Simon without any consideration to all her well-thought-out plans. All it took was one touch and she’d practically humped him.
By the time Peter made his way down, Julia was on edge, teetering between anticipation and dread, waiting for Simon. It was all she could do to keep the obvious disappointment off her face when Simon didn’t come in behind him.
“Matt and Beth decided to skip the after-party, and Simon won’t be down until later,” he said as he shrugged off his jacket and loosened his tie. "So I guess it’s just the three of us for now.”
“Well I’m glad you’re here,” Megan said. "Julia’s been in a funk since we ran into Luke.”
“I’m fine,” Julia tried to protest. “But I think I might head back to my room.”