Julia“Well, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that you’re a love expert,” I mocked. Seriously, I didn’t expect that from someone I referred to as Mr. Wrong.
“I’m not,” he said tightly. “I’m serious about this, Julia, but I don’t do the love thing.”
“Okay—just what else do you do other than counting women? Do you know how much of a waste of time fetching gifts for your mistresses is while I’m working with your demands?”
“This isn’t about me,” he snorted, “and let’s be clear about that. You’re the one who suggested that,” he pointed out, and the tone he used reflected some deep vulnerability at his end.
“Because I feel sorry for—whatever, I’m sorry about that.” I cleared my throat. “But you’re saying this because you’re going to help me, right?”
He stared at me. “It’s not what I’m trying to say here. It’s just annoying to see you being like this. You’ve been working for me for two years, and you have not acted this way before.”
“So, you will help me now? I am actually asking you.”
“Not yet.” He sighed. “I’m just telling you what you are up to.”
“But I think he’s kind of interested in me.” I shrugged. “Your brother, I mean.”
“Did he say that?”
“No, but he asked me out. Not a date. He just wants to hang out.”
Adam’s brow raised. “Did he now?”
“I’m sorry. I think I'm being inappropriate. I am your assistant, and Henry is your brother. I guess let’s just forget this and let me apologize—”
“Do you really want to know how to kiss?” he cut me off. I threw him a startled look.
“What? Maybe, I…”
“Then kiss me.”
I was stunned, unable to respond.
“Oh, don’t give me that look,” he said.
“But we can’t,” I stuttered. “There’s nothing between us. I don’t like you, and you don’t like me. Kissing isn’t enjoyable when you kiss someone you don’t like. You said so yourself.”
I watched his eyes, gazing directly at mine. An awkward silence enveloped us. Adam looked away, turning back to his laptop, and ran his tongue on his lower lip.
Damn, it’s so red. “You listed so many potential persons here. I just thought you’re still up to this. Are you, Julia?”
“I’m not sure. I’m still thinking about it. Wait, I think I’ll go with option number one. He’s safe.”
He scowled. “Seriously? You’ll still do this? What if Henry finds out?”
“Henry will never know about it if you don’t tell him.”
“Do I look nosy to you?”
“Yes, because you’re impossible!” I sprang up and grabbed my purse. “I’ll send you the documents you need tomorrow because the file is in the office.”
“Julia, stop!”
I shot him a glare. “We’re both outside the company, so you should not order me around!”
He closed down his laptop and set it aside. “I said stop and sit down, Julia.”
I stood still and didn’t move a muscle. His firm voice sent a shock in my body, making me shiver. Even not in the office, he still had this power over me—making me vulnerable, and I always submitted to him.
“It is Henry we are talking about here,” he reminded. “It’s you who have feelings for him. I think I should concern myself here.”
I nodded, then sat quietly.
“When did you start to like him?” he asked, lifting his chin up as he gazed at me with no emotion.
“Remember the gala? He danced with me.”
Adam smirked, shaking his head. “I think I’m the one who’s responsible for that. If I had known that you would like Henry, I wouldn’t have brought you.”
It’s like a slap to the face. I didn’t know what he was thinking. Seconds ago, he offered to help, and then the next minute, he was regretting it.
“I’m not sure what you want anymore,” I said.
“Maybe I hate seeing you like this. Maybe, I’m afraid it will affect your job. I hired you and reckon, you even know my waist and shoe size. You get what I mean?”
I chuckled. “Yes.” Apparently, it wasn’t just his waist and his shoe. I knew his neck, his wrist, and his chest size.
“Even if you’re absent-minded most of the time, you are the most capable person I know, and I trust you. And knowing Henry and what he’s done in the past, he isn’t the type of man for you. I’m not sure if I’m making any sense, but I have to say something at least.”
I didn’t know he thought that way about me. He simply didn’t want me to get hurt. He didn’t have a reason to lie to me either. But it wouldn’t change what I felt for Henry.
“What do you want me to do?” I asked.
“There’s nothing you can do. Think about what I said earlier. You can never be like the women he dated. Just be yourself.”
“Yeah! I’m sure they’re just like the women you’ve dated,” I said sarcastically. I know about all of them for the last 24 months I’ve been working for him. I knew Adam was a lady-magnet. Women seemed to follow him everywhere. He even took tons of blondes in the office, and all I could do was plug earphones in my ears so I would not hear random noises.
“Again, this is not about me.”
“Yes, because you are comparing yourself to him.”
He sighed. “I just want you to be careful, and I want to protect him, too.”
“Protect him from me?” my voice raised.
“No. It’s not like that. This is about two people that I care about. Julia, if you like my brother, I won’t stop you. I just want you to be smart about this.”
I gazed at my boss’s face. I understand what he meant to say. Honestly, it was the first time he ever cared about my personal life.
“Let’s kiss,” I whispered. “I understand now.”
“I just want you to be ready,” he explained with his tightened jaw.
“No. I believe you.”
He sighed. “I’m not supposed to say this to you, but I think you need to know. We dated the same woman once. She wanted us both, but I regret that part of my life.”
I blinked, surprised by his sudden confession. When did it happen? I didn’t know they had such a controversial past. I didn’t see that coming.
“Did you love her?”
“I did. We both did. Until we got tired, and we didn’t want to share with her anymore. But she wanted us both, so I had to let her go.”
I thought he didn’t do the love thing.
“I’m sorry.”
The next thing that happened was unexpected. I didn’t know how, but my hands grabbed the back of his head. I crushed my lips against his. I felt the air coming out of Adam’s mouth and nose in a hitched breath. His scent and his breath were intoxicating—making me want more of him. Adam responded to the kiss as our mouths locked. His hands reached my jaw, tracing down from my ear to my neckline.
I couldn’t stop my heart from pounding faster. My blood flowed to my cheeks, making my face redder than ever. His tongue grazed the seam of my lips, coaxing my bottom lip down as he asked wordlessly to deepen our kiss. I parted my lips for him; then, he thrust his tongue into my mouth. It was ever sweet, wet, mind-blowing, and delicate. One of his hands was busy caressing my back, and one was rubbing my neck.
My back arched in pleasure. This was way too different from how my ex-boyfriend kissed me. This was sensual—erotic, as though we had a deep connection. He parted from my lips, leaving me aching for more. He was panting. “Wow.”
“That was... incredible,” I agreed. I didn’t know kissing him would be this good… so good as if it was my first time. I just realized how inexpert I was. I understood now why women threw themselves at him.
“I told you, I’m better than those guys you listed.” He grinned. “Don’t even consider doing it with some other guy, Julia. I will chase them off. I didn’t know kissing you would be that great. Your ex is an ass.” Adam pulled back his head to take a glimpse of me. “Let me help you, okay?”
I nodded, then smiled. Adam pressed another quick but deep kiss to my lips.
“I could do this every day.”
Does his brother kiss like this? Like him?I’d like to know. Nope. I’m dying to know.***
I was at work ten minutes earlier than my usual time the next morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much sleep. Heck, I didn’t sleep at all! I couldn’t stop thinking about the mind-blowing kiss Adam and I shared. I didn’t know how I was supposed to face him in the office.
With excitement? Awkwardness? I wasn’t sure anymore. I decided to go to the coffee station and get him a coffee. It was my routine in the morning.
“Boo!”
I jolted in surprise when a voice echoed in my ear. I turned and found Henry with his bright morning smile.
“God, do you want me to die early?” I couldn’t help but smile back. Nothing seemed to change about my feelings for him. Henry was still the man I wanted. I still found him desirable in his crisp navy-blue suit that impeccably hugged his body. He was sexier now than ever. He was a breath of fresh air. His presence alone could take me out of this world.
He grinned sweetly. “You’re early.”
“Yeah, something I don’t often do. And you’re early, too, why?”
“Got something to do. Hey, can you make me some of that too?”
“Sure.” I grabbed another cup from the tray.
“Hey, are you sick? You are so red,” he observed, checking my face.
“No, I’m not. I couldn’t sleep last night. Maybe that’s why.” I touched my cheeks.
“Did Adam make you work overnight?”
I shook my head. Should I tell him?
“No!” I snapped. Don’t tell him. Maybe this was because I kissed Adam, and I felt so damn guilty that I did.
“I’ll wait for my coffee then. You see, I still don’t have an assistant.”
I nodded. “I’ll bring it to you, but I have to get one to my boss first. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I can wait. I’ll go to my office then. I’ll tell you something later.” He winked and then turned away.
As expected, Adam was already at his desk when I returned. My muscles agitated as butterflies filled my stomach. I didn’t know how to approach him. He was typing on his laptop. Damn. He was so gorgeous today in his gray pinstriped suit, and I suddenly want to run my fingers on his perfect hair. Did he sleep well? Did he feel what I felt? Was he going to act as if nothing happened? Or was he going to talk about it?
“Good morning, Mr. Cavendish. Here’s your cup of coffee.” I nervously put the cup on his desk.
“You’re early,” he whispered.
“Yes. I sent you the document this morning. Did you get it?” He nodded, eyes focused on his laptop.
“Julia, could you get me a cereal bar? I didn’t have breakfast this morning.”
“Sure, sir.”
I hurried to his suite room on the upper floor. Adam didn’t often use it, but I knew too well that he often took women there. I never cared for it and ignored it most of the time, but it made my stomach twitch now.
I stepped into the suite then walked straight to the fridge. I grabbed a pack of cereal bars and closed it only to find Adam standing next to me. He grasped my wrist then pinned me to the wall.
“Mr. Cavendish?”
“Julia...”“What are you doing?”
He pressed his chest against mine. This was how he held me last night. I remembered how he smelled when we kissed, and it was the same scent he was wearing now. I swallowed hard.
“This is crazy,” he whispered. “We shouldn’t have kissed.” Adam pecked on the side of my lips. “It’s weird.”
“It was weird for me too.” I bit my lower lip. “Believe me, it was so“I’d like to talk about it—to settle things. I don’t know if I can do this anymore. I may not stop.”
“You said you would help me.”
“Yes.” He groaned, and then he released me from his strong hold.
“Here’s your snack.” I lifted the cereal bar. “You’ll still help me?”
He nodded, but he avoided my gaze.
I forced a smile. “Henry said he has something to tell me. What do you think it would be?”
“I don’t know,” he whispered harshly. “But tell me everything.”
I nodded. “Sure. Thank you, Adam.”
He didn’t answer.
“I said thank you, Adam“No. It would be odd if you call me with formal titles.” He grabbed the snack from my hand. “Thanks.”
Then just like that, Adam turned away, leaving me alone, still meditating on what happened the night before.