Instead of chasing her out of the office into the street he went back into his office. He sat down feeling raw. His eyes hurt. The knot in his throat was unbearable. Julian put his head in his hands trying to fight the pain.
He lost.
The tears sprang to his eyes, and the sob in his throat escaped. He’d done it. He’d broken up with a woman he loved more than anything else in the world. Rubbing his chest, he tried to stop the pain. Nothing happened.
He stared at the fabric box he’d given her, then opened his drawer. There in the bottom of his drawer lay the small square box. When he’d seen the ring he knew it would be perfect for Heather. Without thinking he’d purchased the ring.
“Who is the lucky lady, sir?” the owner had asked.
“What?”
“You’ve just bought an engagement ring.”
The revelation of his choice had shocked him. He hadn’t wanted to put it back.
Now, sitting here, he realised he’d made a big f**king mistake. Julian wanted Heather to be his woman for the rest of his life. He didn’t want another man to claim her for his own.
Julian got out of his office chair and made his way out of his building. He knew he needed to get to Heather, to his woman. The elevator doors pinged open into the parking lot. Julian made his way over to his car and stopped when he saw three angry women. Ashley, Amber, and Connie. He knew they wouldn’t be able to get into the building, but the parking lot was easily accessible to anyone off the street.
“We did warn you that we’d come and hurt you if you hurt her,” Ashley said. Even the threat of knowing about her reputation wasn’t enough to stop her from helping her friend. Julian admired her for it.
He decided to explain what he was doing. Julian held his hand up with the velvet box in it.
“Wait, what’s that you’re holding?” Connie asked as they walked up to him.
He handed the engagement ring to her friends. “That is what I should have given her. I should have fought for her. Instead, I let her go.”
They all gasped, admiring the ring. “Then why aren’t you chasing after her? She’ll take you back. Go and apologise. Then get down on one knee and tell her you love her,” Amber said.
“She will never forgive me.”
Ashley walked right up to him and slapped him on the face. “If you love her it shouldn’t matter what you have to do to win her back. Now, grab the ring, and let’s go. I’m driving.”
Julian stared at her friends then followed them through the parking lot to her car. He would do anything to win Heather back.
“She loves you,” Connie said to him in the back of the car.
“I know. I heard her tell you.”
“Is that what had you running scared?” she asked.
“Wouldn’t you be? I’ve never let another woman in.”
“Heather is a special kind of woman. It’s hard not to let her in,” Ashley said. “Even for an ass**le like you.”
Julian laughed. He couldn’t believe he was riding in the back of a car with three women. Ashley broke the speed limit getting to her house.
“You’ve got this, Julian. Go and claim your girl,” Connie said, slapping him on the back.
He got out of the car. Elijah stood waiting for him. “Make her better, or I’ll break you,” her brother said. Julian nodded and walked into the house. Heather was walking down the stairs wearing her teddy bear pajamas as he walked in.
“I cleaned myself up. Where’s my tea?” She stopped on the step when she saw him. “Julian.” Her eyes were red from crying. He knew they matched his own.
“I made a big mistake,” he said.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
He held his hand up, closing the distance between them. She stopped staring at his hands.
“I’ve come to apologise.”
“You just dumped me, Julian. Can’t you give me some time to process that?” More tears fell from her eyes. He felt like an utter bastard.
“I’ve never loved a woman. I’ve slept with women and used them. When I first met you, I wanted you. We work brilliantly together, and I didn’t want to ruin that. Then I saw you dancing at Wade’s, and I couldn’t stand to see another man touching you.” He opened his heart to her. “The passion between us burned brighter than ever before. You were sleeping with the boss.”
“Julian, I know all this.”
“No, you don’t.” He moved up on the step pressing a finger against her lips. “You don’t know everything. I fell in love with you, Heather. You became part of my life, and I didn’t want you to go. Six months is a breakthrough for me. Most of the women last a month, if that. I don’t want you to leave me.” Julian reached into his pocket.
“You love me?”
“My heart beats for no one but you. I love you, Heather. I f**ked up and made a mistake. Please, I’m begging you forgive me.” He pulled out another small fabric box.
“More jewellery. Julian, please.”
He opened the box, showing her the diamond heart-shaped ring he’d bought her. “Heather Booth, I know this is asking a lot. I don’t deserve your love or your forgiveness, but I’m asking you. No, I’m begging you. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
Her mouth opened. She stared at the ring. Heather was standing in a pair of pajamas with her hair in a clip. She looked so adorably cute, but she was his woman. The one he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving.
“How do you know?” she asked.
He caught her hand pressing it to his heart. “My heart beats for no one else, Heather. You’re the woman for me. I swear to you I’ll make you the most happy and satisfied woman alive.” Julian caught her cheek against his palm. “Also, I’ve got three women digging my grave and a brother more than prepared to bury me. My life rides on your answer.”
She burst out laughing.
“I better say yes then.”
Julian slammed his lips down on hers. The need to feel her close consumed him. He broke off to trail kisses down to her neck and back again. “I love you. I love you. I love you.” He chanted the words over and over again.
“I love you, too,” she said.
“I will make this up to you for the rest of your life. I love you, Heather. I never want to be apart from you.”
“I never thought sleeping with the boss could make me so happy.”
“You’re my life.”