“I want to be able to see you at all times,” he said.
She smiled as she sat at her desk. She knew there would be times she’d be working where he watched her.
By the time lunch came she delivered Julian his food, and then disappeared into the ladies’ room to make the calls she had to make. As usual all her friends were together when she dialled one of their numbers.
“Heather, you’ve got to start getting out of work. Wade is a fantastic cook,” Connie said.
“I know. Work commitments and all that.” She looked under each stall to make sure she was alone.
“Do you ever think your crush on your boss could be down to the amount of time you spend together?” Amber asked.
Heather jerked. It was nearly the same as what Julian had said.
“I guess I’ll soon find out,” she said. “Speaking of which, I’m not going to be home tonight.”
She heard the silence on the other end. The silence and the disapproval at her comment.
“You’re going home with him?” Ashley asked.
“Yes, why is this such a shock to everyone?” Heather knew her friends didn’t approve, which was stupid. They were the ones who had encouraged her to take this leap.
“We thought you’d see his attraction for you then fight it. He’s not right for you, Heather. Look at all the times you’ve complained about his scumbag techniques.” This was coming from Connie. “This will end in tears.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Heather found herself asking.
There was a round of frustrated sighing. “Can you hear yourself? You sound like a woman in one of those romantic films you love so much. Julian is never going to change. He will break your heart and leave you broken. You have to see this, Heather.” Amber ranted over the phone.
It was strange. When her friends were disapproving, she knew who said what.
“I see it. I know this will end in heartbreak for me. I also know I won’t be able to look at him afterwards. There is a lot I know will happen. But I also know that if I don’t do this, then I’ll regret. Put my feelings aside. Wouldn’t you guys jump at the chance to be with the man you love?”
“At what price?” Connie asked.
“Any price. I have you guys to help me afterwards. It’s asking a lot. I love you guys and would hate to cause any problems for you.” She stared at her reflection wishing she knew all the answers.
“We’ll all be here for you. I can’t promise I won’t kick his ass, but I’ll make sure you’re cared for,” Ashley said.
“You better get in touch with Elijah. He’ll be worried about you,” Amber said.
Heather snorted. “I’ll get in touch with him.”
“Regardless of what you think of him, Elijah does love you. You’ll need to get over whatever issues you’re feeling.”
“I will. Thanks, guys.”
“Be safe,” they all said.
She closed her phone. Her hands were shaking. It was the first real disagreement she’d ever had with her friends. She didn’t like arguing with them. None of them had ever felt the need to fight. She flipped he phone open and dialled Elijah’s number.
“Hello,” he said on the first ring.
“It’s me.”
“Heather? Are you all right? I thought you got to work safely?” The concern in his voice startled her.
“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 h*ps and the generous swell of her ass as she moved. His c**k 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.