I almost do.
“Because we’re working together and it would be nice to get to know you on a professional level.”
“Mmmm, a lot of people that are a part of my life come and go. They don’t stay for long, not because they try and run, but because I don’t let them.” His looks to me now with furrowed brows. “So, when ya told me that you don’t know a lot about me, ya didn’t overstep. You got it right because even those who claim they know me, don’t.”
“Bryce, stop torturing the poor woman.” Marcus walks past us, stopping short of his office door. “It’s enough she has to work with Giulio, she doesn’t need to deal with you too.”
The interruption is enough to snap McCarson out of his trance and just like that the smirk returns and his body eases when he stands to his full height. “Aye, don’t defend the new girl. She’s got her own boxing gloves.”
“And they’re on tight.” I wink over at Marcus who throws his head back in laugher.
“Damn, okay girl. Remind me not to get on your bad side, like never.”
“Or mine!” Kayla adds in perfect song.
I smile. It’s nice to finally see Marcus again.
Bryce looks between us. “See, I wasn’t intolerable. Was I, Valencia?”
“Perfectly harmless.”
“Yes, harmless. I like you already.” With a salute, McCarson fist bumps Marcus and strides down the hall.
Kayla points her coffee at the Englishman. “Definitely the class clown back in high school.”
“Nah, babe.” Bryce halts in his tracks and turns back to the group. “Firstly, back in Hoxton, we called it college. Secondly, I was the school charmer. Everybody and their mothers…which did happen on occasion.”
My jaw drops. “You did not.”
“Oh, yes I did.”
Marcus clears his throat. “Alright, I don’t need to hear more. Get out of here!”
“Those who tell ya to leave are often the ones who need ya the most in the end. I’ll let ya all ponder on that while I make my exit. Don’t miss me too much.”
“Un-fucking-likely.”
“One day you’re gonna love me, Marcus. One day.”
Well, that was certainly something.
Marcus waits until it’s only the three of us before speaking. “He can be an asshole at times. Ignore it. There’s a good side to him too. Now, aren’t you going to give your best and only brother-in-law a hug?”
The air is sucked out of me at the title.
I appreciate Marcus and Giulio look almost nothing alike. It would be difficult for me if they did. At twenty-three-years-old, Marcus is nine years younger. Their eyes are their greatest difference with Giulio’s being lighter. Marcus’ dark hair is thick with a slight wave and since all the years I’ve known him, he’s always been clean shaven.
Kayla dramatically huffs at our embrace. “I swear men are ruining my life. Give me the lunch hour with her!”
“Don’t be greedy.” He smiles. “Valencia, how are you finding working for the boss man?”
“It’s been…tough, but I’m glad I made the decision.”
“I’m glad he thought of it. Anyway, I have a lunch meeting in ten. Catch you later.”
Kayla points her coffee at Marcus’ door once he’s out of earshot. “He’s got a point. I’m glad you made the right decision too.”
Warmth works over the violently intense blues. “So am I.”
“Now, let’s finally dig into some lunch!”
“Not yet. Sorry, I have to steal Valencia for a minute.” Giulio brushes past me when I circle my desk to sit down. I’m instantly flooded with his elegant masculinity and that citrus aroma with a hint of spice—for the first time in months, it’s comfort. He continues his walk undeterred and softly murmurs. “My office.”
“Do I need to bring anything?”
“Just yourself.”
Kayla groans. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Giannotti!”
I throw her a sympathetic look and promise tomorrow’s lunch will be without any interruptions. Perhaps we could go back to yesterday’s café.
Once at his office door, I brush over my teal blouse and leather pencil skirt. Inside, Giulio leans back in his leather chair. It’s his throne and the birthplace of all business deals and intimate discussions. The latter is why I’m here. I know it. Burning inside me is the curiosity to unravel his intentions. I set it aside for a moment because there’s something else on my mind.
“How long has Bryce McCarson worked here?”
“About four months.” Giulio watches me intently. Those azure, gray eyes have my heart skipping a beat. “Why do you ask? Has he said or done something to upset you? If he has, I’ll speak to him right this second.”
“Oh no, Bryce hasn’t done anything. I’m just curious, that’s all.” My hands squeeze the back of the leather chair adjacent to his desk. “I mean, I could be wrong but I get the feeling you loathe him.”
“Marcus hired him without my approval or consent. Don’t ask me how or why because I truly don’t know, but…I can’t get rid of him. Trust me, I tried. There’s just…something about Bryce I don’t trust. His morals are catastrophic and he regularly flounders client briefs.”
“Perhaps you can develop his skills?”
“That isn’t my job.”
“True but my crash course came just over twenty-four hours ago.”
Giulio shakes his head. “You’re different and you’re successful in your duties. I went through everything with him once and he wasn’t even listening. You’re not like that. You’re acing it.”
Acing it.
No matter how much I try to ignore his compliment, it comes back in crashing waves. It ripples through me and just when I think it’s about to seep into my chest, I reject it, but my heart doesn’t.
“Well, I hope you two eventually find a common ground. Thank you for protecting me yesterday by the way. Bryce may have been a little too eager, but I can manage myself too.”
“I know you can, Valencia. I just don’t want him getting the wrong idea, that’s all.”
I let my gaze roam over every inch of Giulio as the tips of his lips raise into an asymmetrical smile. I see my past, present, and future in him. I blink, unable to run away
