“Hello, Ms. Montgomery, you can go on in.”
“Thank you.” I nod at her and smile and head for his office, knocking twice and then opening the door.
“Come in, Julianne. Thanks for staying.” Nate looks up from his computer and nods, his face completely blank.
“Sure.”
Nate’s office is vast, with large-scale, dark office furniture. The chairs sitting in front of his desk are plush black leather. There are shelves from the floor to ceiling with hundreds of books and files, meticulously put in order, no doubt by the efficient Mrs. Glover. Behind his desk are large windows with a view of the Space Needle and the sound.
It’s beautiful.
I’m not sure Nate even pays attention to it.
I perch at the edge of one of the black chairs and set the files on Nate’s desk, expecting him to get right to the point.
“How are you?” he asks, his voice soft.
“Um…fine, thank you.” What the hell?
“I’m sorry about the short notice.” He leans forward and braces his elbows on his desk, lacing his fingers, and keeps steady eye contact. God, those gray eyes are distracting. Almost as distracting as his hands and the delicious way he…
Enough.
“It’s part of the job.” I open a file and try to pretend that my cheeks aren’t flushed. “So, what’s up with this account?”
“How are Natalie and Luke?”
“They’re fine.” I sit back in the chair now and eye him speculatively. Why are we having a personal conversation? “Natalie is due in just a few weeks.”
“That’s great. Good for them.” Nate grins, that elusive, sexy, melt-my-panties grin, and I find myself returning it. His hair is pulled back off his face, as usual. His chiseled jaw is freshly shaved, and he’s wearing a black suit with a black shirt and blue tie. He never takes his jacket off to roll up the sleeves, and I briefly wonder why, then remind myself to get back to the conversation at hand.
“Yeah, they’re excited. I’m hosting the baby shower next weekend.”
“I promise not to make you work next weekend.” He winks at me, and I about fall out of my chair.
Who is this man, and what has he done with my boss?
“So, about the account?” I ask as Mrs. Glover knocks on the door.
“Dinner’s here, sir.”
“Thank you, Jenny, bring it in.” Nate rises and takes two large bags out of Mrs. Glover’s hands. “That’s all for today. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Have a good weekend, sir. Ms. Montgomery.” She nods to both of us and then exits the office, closing the door behind her.
“I had Chinese delivered. I got you your usual.” He smiles and resumes sitting in his chair, unloading bags. He seems very happy with himself this evening, much more approachable and friendly than he has been since last summer.
What’s his game?
“Thank you,” I reply, realizing that I’m starving. I load a plate with rice, sweet and sour chicken and egg rolls, and we dig in, eating in silence for a few minutes. I feel Nate’s eyes on me, so I decide to put my big-girl panties on and take the initiative.
“So, what’s up with this account?” I ask again and take a bite of chicken.
“I don’t have any idea. I just wanted to have dinner with you, and this is the only way I can see you.”
Holy fucking shit.
I stop chewing, my eyes wide, and I just stare at his perfectly sincere face. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
I frown and set my plate carefully on his desk. “So, we’re not working on this account?”
“No.”
“I don’t understand.”
Nate lays his chopsticks down, wipes his mouth with a napkin and sits back in his chair, watching me carefully.
“I just wanted to share dinner with you, Julianne.”
“Why?” And why does he insist on calling me Julianne?
He frowns again. “Do I have to spell it out?”
“I guess so.”
“I like you. I enjoy your company.” He shrugs, looking lost and a bit insecure. I’m so not used to seeing emotions on his beautiful face.
“But you’re my boss.”
“So?”
“So, we could both be fired.”
“It’s just dinner, Julianne.”
“You’re not looking at me like you just want dinner, Nate.”
He cocks his head, and a smile kisses his lips. “How am I looking at you?”
“Like you’d like to fuck me on this desk.” Holy. Fuck! Did I just say that?
Nate’s smile disappears, and his eyes narrow. “Watch your mouth.”
I swallow hard and blink rapidly.
“There are many places that I’d enjoy fucking you, including this desk, but right now, I simply want to enjoy a meal with you.”
“Watch your mouth,” I whisper, and his smile is back.
“Telling your boss what to do?”
“Somehow, I don’t think we’re having this conversation in a boss/employee context.” I shake my head and stare at the man before me. “What is this? Why now?”
“Eat.”
“I’m suddenly no longer hungry, thanks.”
“Just humor me, Julianne.”
“Why do you call me Julianne?” I ask and pick up another piece of sticky chicken.
“It’s your name.” His eyes are on my mouth, and I smile to myself as I grab an egg roll and bite off the end.
“Everyone calls me Jules.”
“Not me.”
“Why?” I ask again.
“Because Julianne suits you.” He shrugs and takes a bite of his food.
“But I prefer Jules.”
“Okay, Julianne.” He winks at me and grins broadly before taking another bite of food.
“I’ll bet when you were small your teacher sent home a letter to your parents saying, ‘Doesn’t play well with others.’”
Nate laughs, and my gut clenches. “Probably.”
I realize I’ve cleaned my plate, and I throw it in the trash and bag the leftovers. “Okay, I ate. Thanks for dinner. Have a good weekend.” I rise to walk out the door, but Nate leaps up and stops me.
“Don’t go yet.”
“Why not?”
He licks his lips, shoves his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels. “Stay with me this weekend. At my place.”
I think I’ve entered an alternate universe. Or I’m on Punk’d. Yes, that’s it. Punk’d. I start looking around the room, behind me, up in the corners of the room.
“What are you looking for?” he asks as he follows my gaze.
“The cameras.”
“What cameras?”
“I have to either be on Punk’d or I’m being set up to be fired.”
Nate laughs, a low chuckle that tickles my insides. “Why do you say that?”
“Because, you’ve shown no signs of attraction toward me in months, which is fine with me, and if I stay with you this weekend, we could both lose our jobs.”
His smile is gone, and his wide gray eyes go glacial. “Number one, I don’t give a fuck about the no-frat policy here. Any relationship I choose to have, in any capacity I choose to have it, is none of their business. And number two…”
He grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger and pulls me to him, slides his lips over mine, softly kissing me, persuading my lips open, and I’m reminded just how well this man can kiss.
He must have taken classes at some point.
I melt against him and brace my hands on his narrow hips. His fingers weave through my hair, and as this kiss goes on and on, my body relaxes against him in relief that he still finds me attractive, and in pure unadulterated lust.
“I definitely find you attractive, baby.” He whispers the words against my forehead and plants a soft kiss there.
He caresses my cheek with the backs of his fingers, and his gray eyes have softened. “So, what do you say? Spend the weekend with
me?”
Chapter Two
What in the hell am I supposed to do? Nate’s gray eyes are gazing into mine, and I see a hint of nervousness that I’ve never seen on his striking face before. He’s always so self-contained, so confident. It’s one of the things I’m most attracted to about him. I’ve felt pulled to him from day one, and not just physically, although he is something to write home about. He’s also the smartest man I’ve ever met, and there is something here that I can’t deny.
But…and there’s always a but…he’s my boss. And the last time I spent time with him at his place, it ended in disaster.
“I don’t want to make things hard for us here,” I find myself muttering.
“Things are already hard for us here. We’ve been struggling for eight months to pretend that there’s nothing between us, and we both know it’s a lie.” He pulls away from me and shoves his hands back in his pockets, and I know he’s giving me some space, letting me decide.
I shake my head and look down at my shoes, planting my hands on my hips.
“Unless you aren’t interested in me, and if that’s the case, I sincerely apologize.”
I whip my head up at the chill in his voice and find his eyes narrowed on my face, searching. This is it, he’s given me an out.
Tell him you’re not interested. Walk away, Jules.
But I can’t. I just…can’t. And it fucking pisses me off that I’m feeling vulnerable and confused.
“I don’t know what to do,” I whisper and close my eyes.
“Don’t overthink it,” he whispers back.
Natalie is right. Whispering is sexy as hell.
“Let’s just spend a few days getting to know each other better,” he says. “If we decide there’s no chemistry, fine, we’ll get back to business as usual, no hard feelings.” He reaches out and runs his knuckles down my cheek again, and his eyes warm, and I know I’m sunk. “I’d like to spend a few days with you, away from here.”
I turn away from him and walk to his windows, looking out at the twinkling lights of the city. I want this. Two days with Nate, not worrying about saying or doing or looking at him in an inappropriate way, just being myself. Maybe we’ll hate each other by morning.
I doubt that.
I take a deep breath and turn around. He’s standing there, his hands still in his pockets, looking sexy as sin in that suit, his face completely sober, his eyes searching mine, and I know I can’t resist what he’s offering.
“I’ll meet you at your place in two hours.”
A smile tickles his lips. “I can pick you up.”
“No, I’d rather have my own car.” He frowns, and I explain further. “If you hate me by morning, I don’t want to be dependent on you for a ride home.”
“I’m not going to hate you, Julianne, but if that’s the way you want it, fine. I have one condition.”
I raise my eyebrows. “What’s that?”
“You will not run out on me this time. If you decide you want to leave, it will be after you’ve discussed it with me first so I don’t wake up to any surprises.”
“Okay,” I murmur. “Did I wound your fragile ego that badly?” I ask sarcastically.
“No, you hurt my feelings, and that doesn’t happen often. I’d rather not relive it.”
Oh.
Before I can respond, he walks to his desk and gathers his keys, wallet and the leftovers, locks up his desk and grabs a briefcase. “Let’s go.”
***
Yoga pants, tank, Nikes. Extra underwear, bras, jeans, T-shirts.
Jesus, Jules, you’ll only be gone for forty-eight hours, and that’s if you’re not completely sick of each other by tomorrow.
I survey my small suitcase, and then grab my new strapless gray dress with pink stilettos, handbag and accessories. Maybe we’ll go out.
I throw in some toiletries, jewelry, and makeup. Then I shove my iPad into the Louis Vuitton handbag that my obsessively generous brother-in-law got for me and load everything into my little red car.
Good Lord, it looks like I’m moving in.
Aren’t I? For the weekend, anyway.
Before I can chicken out, I lock up the house and drive back into the city to Nate’s condo building in downtown Seattle. He texted me the address, but I remember the way. How could I forget?
I park underground in the extra space he owns, grab my small gray suitcase and purse and head for the elevator.
Dear God, I’m going to throw up.
I watch the numbers above the door climb as the elevator ascends to the thirtieth floor, and as each floor passes, anticipation and nervousness grip my chest. I’m not convinced that this is a good idea. Yet here I am.
I take a deep breath and ring Nate’s doorbell. He answers quickly, opening the door wide and standing back to let me in. He’s changed into soft faded blue jeans and a long-sleeved white T-shirt, his hair loose and pushed back from his face, just screaming for my fingers to be buried in it, and I’m glad that I had the foresight to change into blue jeans and a simple black T-shirt myself.
“I was afraid you’d change your mind.” He smiles gently at me, his gray eyes warm.
“No need to worry, here I am.” He takes the handle to my suitcase and sets it aside, closing the door, and then pulls me into him, his arms wrapped around my shoulders. I brace my hands on his lean, jean-clad hips, and we just stand here, looking at each other.
“Thank you,” he murmurs.
“For what?”
“Agreeing to spend the weekend with me.” He leans down and kisses my forehead gently, and I frown. This is a new side to Nate. I like it. How many more sides to him will I meet this weekend?
“Well, I’ve always found you to be pretty persuasive.” I smile up at him, and I see the humor in his eyes.
“I’m happy to hear that.” He steps back and links my fingers with his. “Let’s get you settled.”
Still holding my hand, he wheels my suitcase behind us and leads me through his condo. It’s really spectacular. The floors are all a honey-colored hardwood. The front door opens up into a great room with tall ceilings and large windows with a great view of Seattle and the sound. The furniture is lush and inviting, in brown and red tones. The kitchen is to die for, and I can’t wait to get in there and cook.
Cooking is a passion of mine.
This kitchen gives me a girl hard-on. Seriously.
Six-burner natural gas stove, with a grill, double oven and warming drawer, two sinks, lots of light-colored granite counter space, and a huge refrigerator.
“Can I cook for you this weekend?” I ask as we pass by the kitchen.
“You cook?” he asks, looking back at me with surprise.
“I love to cook.” I smile. “Do you?”
“I do, too. Perhaps we can cook together?”
“Okay.”
He turns away from me again, leading me from the room, toward the bedrooms. God, he’s something to look at. Especially in jeans, which I’ve never seen him in before. His shoulders are so broad, and his T-shirt hugs the muscles across his back. His jeans fall off his hips in that sexy way that toned men have that make women sit up and drool.
And I don’t know what it is about a sexy man barefoot in jeans, but holy shit.
Are we seriously going to jump right into bed? No, Hey, would you like a drink? Or would you like to watch a movie?
Just, Welcome to my home, get in my bed?
Nate leads me down the hall and points out a guest bathroom and an office. Then he walks right past his bedroom and stops at the door at the end of the hall. He opens the door and walks in, and I follow, completely confused.
“This is my spare bedroom. You’re welcome to use it while you’re here.” He places my suitcase on the ottoman at the end of the beautiful, queen-size bed. The headboard is black swirly wrought iron, and the bedding is blue and green, matching the nautical-themed artwork on the walls.
“I’m not sleeping in your room?” I ask and cock my head, studying h
im.
“You’re welcome to sleep in my room if that’s what you want, but I don’t want to assume anything. I told you that I wanted to spend the weekend with you to get to know you better, and that’s the truth. If you sleep with me, I won’t be able to keep my hands off you, and if there is no sex this weekend, I’m okay with that.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You’re okay with no sex?”
“It’ll kill me because all I’ve thought about for the better part of a year now is getting your beautiful body naked, in the light this time so I can see you, but there’s time for that.” He walks back to me, those beautiful gray eyes on mine, and runs his fingertip down my cheek. “You are so lovely, Julianne. I love your gorgeous blond hair and your blue eyes. And I so enjoy your smart mouth.”
Holy. Crap.
But then my snarky side rears her ugly head for a moment. We haven’t slept together since last summer, and I know, just by looking at him, that he wouldn’t lack for willing bodies to bang, should he so choose.
He leads me out of the bedroom and back into the great room.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Water would be great.” I need to keep a clear head while I’m processing all of this. No sex? With Nate? Why stay here then?
“I have a question,” I say.
Nate crosses the living space to the kitchen and pulls water and a beer out of the fridge and saunters back over to me. “Shoot.”
He passes me the water, and we both sit on a soft, light brown couch. I kick my flats off and pull my feet up under me and settle in.
“If you don’t want to have sex with me, why am I staying overnight? We could just meet up during the day.”
His fabulous gray eyes turn arctic, and I know I’ve said the wrong thing.
“I didn’t say I don’t want to have sex with you. I said it’s up to you. And I want you, here, for a full forty-eight hours. I don’t want you to run away from me this time.”