Sleeping With the Boss(16)

“What’s going on?” she whispered.

Heather glared at her and shook her head. She’d talk to her when the man in question was well out of ear-shot.

No matter how many times she tried not to think about it she would be having an affair with the boss. Julian wanted her. It was like she’d fallen asleep and not woken up. How many dreams had she dreamt over the years that featured something like this? Lots. When they were finished Amber escorted Julian into the sitting room until she was finished washing up. Elijah helped him clear the dishes.

“I like Julian. He seems nice,” he said.

“Good for you.” She placed the final cup away on the counter.

“Is this how it is going to be between us?” he asked.

Closing her eyes, Heather gained her composure before turning back to him. “What do you expect?” She hated the way he always got what he wanted. Throughout their life together everything always appeared to be handed to him on a silver plate. He was smart, and people gravitated towards him like a moth to a flame. Their parents were always speaking highly of him, while she was left feeling like an insecure, fat, little sister. It was petty of her to be feeling this; she knew and understood that, but she couldn’t help the way she felt. Elijah was not her favourite person.

“I don’t know why you hate me so much, Heather. I never wanted it to be like this for us.”

“I’m twenty-five years old. Your time for caring about our problems has long passed. I suggest you find yourself another place to stay and soon. You’re outstaying your welcome.” Heather hated herself for saying it, but she couldn’t bring herself to let him in.

She joined Amber and Julian.

“I’m going to leave you for the night. See me out?” Julian asked. Her hands were shaking from the small confrontation with her brother. She nodded her head then went out into the hall.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”

“Yes.”

He cupped her cheek. “This will work for us.”

She nodded her head. He didn’t kiss her but left her wanting him to. She leaned against the door. Amber waited for her in the sitting room. Elijah was nowhere to be seen.

“We’ve got the house all to ourselves. Spill.” Amber handed her a carton of chocolate ice-cream as well as a spoon.

Heather explained everything that had happened, not leaving anything out. By the time she was finished half a carton was gone, and Heather felt like she’d made the wrong decision.

“So to simplify things, Julian began arguing with you, you bit back, and ended up having sex on his desk.” Heather nodded. “Then you left before you had a chance to talk. He came here offering you an affair with him?”

“Yes. It will be between us. No one will know but him and me. It should work.” Heather knew she sounded desperate.

“Even though you’re not the type of woman to settle for an affair and he has a reputation of only ever screwing women then dumping them.”

“With a piece of jewellery,” Heather said.

“Heather! You’re missing the point. How will you feel when it is all over, and you have a piece of jewellery to keep you company? I know you. You’ll feel like crap.”

Heather knew what her friend was saying was the truth. A relationship with Julian was set to fail, but she couldn’t walk away. The feelings he evoked within her were too strong to deny.

“I know there is no future with this. Julian has made it perfectly clear it will be an affair and nothing more. He’s never been with a woman long. I’m just going to enjoy it while it lasts.” She licked the spoon taking every drop of chocolate ice-cream into her mouth. “I don’t want to regret not doing this. I know I’m asking for trouble. Who isn’t with a proposition like that?”

“I love you, Heather. We all do. We wouldn’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I know. But I want to do this, even though part of me is screaming for me not to.”

“We’ll be here when you need us.”

****

Julian drove home feeling much better about his future. He knew Heather was different from all the other women he dated. She wasn’t cold or calculating in any way. His money never came up in any conversation. If anything she rarely talked about anything but work with him. He knew very little about her, barring the fact she had three friends and a brother. Over the next few weeks he would talk with her, get to know the woman who’d intrigued him more than any other.

The moment he was inside his home he pulled off his tie and loosened his shirt. He dimmed the lights and opened himself a bottle of beer before sitting in front of the television. There was nothing on. Throwing the remote away he got up, putting his now empty bottle in the recycling bin.