Sleeping With the Boss(21)
“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 any 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.”