“She loves when I do that.”
Kate rolls her eyes, causing us all to laugh. The comfortable banter amongst them hits me with a pang. In this moment, I miss Phee. I wish she were here already, beside me, offering me the advice I so clearly need when it comes to my new job, my new life.
“I think we should check out Julian’s paintings,” Kate says. “It’s lovely to meet you. Hopefully, we’ll see you soon?” It’s a question that has me nodding even though I’m not sure they will.
“Yes, I’m sure,” is all I can muster before they leave me with Julian, who’s staring at me. I can feel the burn of his gaze on the side of my face. I don’t know if I should look at him because if I do, I know I’ll be lost in those dark eyes.
Stay professional.
“They seem to like you,” he says when I don’t speak.
“I didn’t know a man like you had friends,” I tell him, but offer a grin to ensure he knows I’m joking. And it works because he guffaws. The sound is like music to my ears. I haven’t heard him laugh before, I mean truly laugh, and the smile on his face makes my heart leap wildly in my chest.
I take him in for a long moment. I was right, the corners of his eyes crinkle when he grins, and it only seems to make him even more handsome than before.
Chapter 14
Julian
I’m just done saying goodbye to Eli and Kate at the end of the night when I head back into the gallery to find Nea tidying the glasses by setting them on the trays.
“You don’t have to do that, Nea, they’ll be back in the morning to collect everything,” I tell her. It’s almost midnight, and I know I should probably drive her home, but instead, I offer, “There is a guest room. I’d prefer you to stay tonight. We’ve both been drinking, and it would be safer.”
“Are you sure?” She turns to regard me, her eyes shining, and I can’t stop myself from closing the distance between us. Everything inside me is calling for me to kiss her, to touch her soft skin, to pull her into my arms. But there’s that sliver of doubt that I’m not meant to do this. That I’ll only hurt her.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Even as I say it, I’m not sure I’m talking about the glasses anymore, or even her staying over. There’s an underlying confession that’s sitting on my lips, just waiting for her to say yes, to give me the green light and tell me she feels something between us as well.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her lips curling into a gentle smile, shy, yet her eyes hold fire that has me moving forward, wanting to be burned in her flames.
“Julian.”
“I can’t help it,” I tell her honestly. “I don’t know why I want to kiss you.” It’s the god’s honest truth because I can’t explain what this girl is doing to me. She’s sunshine and light, but she dresses like nighttime and darkness. She’s a walking paradox, and I want more of her.
“Did you ask me to stay because you wanted to have sex with me?” A glint of defiance shimmers in her eyes. She crosses her arms, which brush against my chest, sending electric sparks shooting through me. The music is still playing, offering a dark soundtrack to the desire currently coursing through me. The melodic sounds chasing away the fear that’s held me captive for so long.
“I asked you to stay because I don’t want you going home alone.”
“I can safely take a cab,” she offers, gesturing with her chin to the door, but I shake my head. I don’t want her to leave.
“Not tonight,” I inform her.
She looks at me for a long while. I can see her mind whirling with responses she can offer me. But I hope to all that’s holy she doesn’t say no. Taking a step back, I offer Nea some space, but I don’t turn my gaze away from her.
“Okay,” she finally says. “But, I need something else to wear.” She gestures to her clothes, making me laugh. She’s still draped in the expensive purple ensemble, and I wish she didn’t have to take it off because she looks exquisite.
“I have some sweatpants and a T-shirt that should fit,” I tell her. She nods, and I hold out my hand to her. Silently, Nea slips her palm in mine, causing something inside me to click. Something almost relaxing. I have been on edge for years. Since Shay left, I’ve only focused on drinking myself into oblivion and getting lost in the fact that I don’t have a fucking clue if I’ll ever paint again. But with Nea here, everything feels different.
“Thank you,” she says again, and it’s starting to feel like our ritual. Her thanking me, and me wanting nothing more than to kiss her. To feel her mouth against mine, molding and submitting.
“You don’t have to keep thanking me,” I say as we make our way down the hall toward the guest bedroom. I push open the door and show her inside. “You’re my employee, someone I need to keep safe.” I know it’s a lie. She’s captured my attention so much more than any employee ever should.
“I’ve been taught to be polite, and saying thank you is the polite thing to do.” This is what she tells me as she moves through the bedroom, allowing her fingertips to trail over the curtains, the bed linen, even the smooth wood of the vanity.
“Well, you’ve already thanked me for a lot. You have no need to keep doing it,” I tell her adamantly, causing her to turn to regard me with those arresting eyes. “I’ll get the clothes so you can get changed. There is an
