Chapter Six

“Damn,” Charlotte said. “Who the hell is that?”

Holly snatched the glasses off her face.

“Char,” she said, her eyes not leaving the now blur that was Julian. “I swear I’ll explain everything. Promise. But please play along. And whatever you do, don’t call me Holly.”

“What?”

She tossed the glasses at her friend and pushed into the department before Charlotte could utter another protest.

“I’m here to see Lillian Abbott,” Julian was saying.

“Lillian? She’s not here,” one of her colleagues said as she looked at the stranger in confusion.

“Yes, I can see that. When will she be back?”

“No, I meant she doesn’t work—”

“Here I am,” Holly said, quickly striding forward to catch Julian’s arm. “Sorry I missed you. Did we have an appointment?”

The smile Julian leveled on her made the breath hitch in her throat. “Do I need an excuse to want to see more of you?”

That damned blush that seemed ever present when he was nearby heated her cheeks.

“I was here to see your father about some files and figured I’d try my luck and see if you were free,” Julian continued.

“I’m a little swamped today, but I was just about to take a coffee break,” she said, holding up her cup.

“Perfect timing. I’ll join you.”

The butterflies in her stomach were back in an instant.

“Great,” she said, her smile pasted on. “This way.”

They moved past the shell-shocked Charlotte who managed to snap her mouth shut just in time.

“See you later, Lillian,” she said, her eyes narrowed.

Perfect. More complications.

Just what she needed.

But she had more pressing matters to deal with. Like what to do with Julian and where to take him that wouldn’t cause a scene.

“Want any coffee?” she asked, gesturing down the hall she’d just walked to the break room.

“I’m good,” he replied.

“Then I’ll show you the rooftop. There’s a nice little seating area up there.”

“Perfect.”

Squinting, she tried to keep an eye out for anyone who might be watching them as she ushered Julian into the elevator and punched the button for the long ride up to the top floor.

He leaned back against the far wall, crossing his arms in a clear effort to look relaxed, and it nearly made her smile.

Julian wasn’t a man who could ever tone down his intensity. Even now, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, making her acutely aware of who was before her. One step closer and she’d been within touching distance.

Bad girl. Ignore those thoughts.

But his dark suit jacket hung unbuttoned. It would be so easy to slide up beside him and slip her hand beneath the cloth. He’d look down at her, and she’d rise to her tiptoes, taking the kiss she’d had to deny before…

“Not that I mind, but what are you thinking about?”

She jerked at the words, spinning around to face the door. “Sorry.”

He moved then. Pushing from the wall, he stalked forward on silent feet.

“I don’t need an apology when a beautiful woman looks at me the way you just did.”

She cleared her throat. “What way is that?”

“Like I’m a present she can’t wait to open,” he whispered in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

“I shouldn’t…”

The words died when he ran his hand lightly down her arm.

“We can move at whatever speed you want,” he told her. “But for the record, you absolutely should look at me the way you just did. As often as possible.”

But you’re not mine.

Then whose is he? an insidious voice asked. Lillian had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with this man. She was out there finding another way to avoid the layoffs. All Holly had to do was fill time until she returned.

And if there’s never going to be a wedding, couldn’t I have just a little taste?

Once Lillian was back and they confessed the truth, Holly wasn’t naive enough to think Julian would jump at the chance to date the younger Abbott. All she could ever have were a few stolen moments with a man she shouldn’t find fascinating.

What a tempting idea. She closed her eyes to try and regain her balance, but the second her sight was gone, she realized her mistake.

He surrounded her, delighting every sense. The feel of those careful caresses on her arm. The sandalwood scent of his skin. The warmth that seemed to envelop her. Never in her life had she been this attuned to another person.

Lips brushed against the vulnerable nape of her neck, startling a gasp from her. Clearly, she would have to wear her hair down from now on around this man.

“Julian…” she breathed, turning. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

He stepped forward into her space, his hands splayed against the door on either side of her. “Why not?” he asked. “Because this time you can’t run away?”

“You’ve met me twice. You don’t know what I’d do.”

A smile curved his lips, a real one, not like the ones he’d offered her at their first meeting. “You’re right. I shouldn’t know anything about you.” He lifted a hand to her face, brushing his thumb along her cheek. “But I know you have a kind heart. You don’t like new fiancés wasting your time. And”—he paused, his gaze dropping to her lips—“I know it’s easier for you to fight than drop your guard. Am I wrong?”

She swallowed. “That’s not fair. You’re a business guru. Reading your opponents is second nature.”

He shifted closer. “Yes, it is. Except you missed one thing.”

“What?”

His gaze drifted lazily over her. “You’re not my opponent. You’re my wife.”

The words shook her.

“Might,” she qualified. “I might be your wife.”

Those dark eyes returned to hers. “Do I seem like a man who doesn’t get what he wants?”

She looked away. “And you want my company.”

“That wasn’t what I was referring to.”

She glanced back and froze under the weight of the desire in his gaze.

She’d made an art form out of not being noticed.

But with Julian, there was no place to hide.

Adrenaline surged through her, making her almost dizzy. She’d never felt more exposed.

Or more alive.

“Would you let me kiss you this time?”

She licked her lips, her hands clutching her cup of coffee like a lifeline. “You don’t seem like the type to ask.”

“True. But if you dodge me again, I’ll run into the doors.”

That startled a laugh out of her.

Make a decision. In or out?

Unable to stop herself, she trailed her fingers along that strong jaw, reveling in her ability to touch him.

He held still as she explored, and she appreciated the patience he was offering her. This, from a man who, if her father was to be believed, ruled his life with a ruthlessness that would take her breath away.

Yet with her, he left the business tycoon at the door. And as much as she wanted to keep her distance from him, that knowledge softened something inside of her.

Her gaze rose to his. Just for a few minutes, she wanted the full fantasy. Lillian took whatever she wanted. Why couldn’t she do it, too?

Especially since she was supposed to act like her sister.

Gripping his biceps, she started to rise…

When the elevator’s chime rang through the small space.

She jerked back so fast her head cracked against the wall.

“Christ,” Julian swore, reaching for her as she blinked at the unexpected blow. “Are you all right?”

She stumbled through the open doors before Julian wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Fine,” she said. “I’m fine.”

But he didn’t stop supporting her as they walked to the small seating area on the rooftop.

Best part of the building.

During the last renovation, they’d added some greenery and a few benches and picnic tables up here for the employees to take a break away from it all. Whenever she got too fed up with her father, this place provided a good spot to hide and pull herself together. This time of day, the lunch rush had already come and gone, leaving them alone as Julian guided her over to one of the benches.

“I have to say, I’ve never had so much difficulty kissing a woman in my life,” he said as he sat by her side.

“It will do your ego good,” she said, rubbing the back of her head.

“I have a feeling your presence in my life will take care of that.”

“Aren’t you lucky.”

He chuckled. “I’m not sure yet. I might be.”

He grinned down at her. For the first time, he looked relaxed, almost happy. It was a far cry from the intimidating man who’d shown up for brunch days ago.

Her heart beat a little faster at the expression.

“Head still hurt?”

“No,” she said, straightening to sit up. “I’m fine.”

He reached out to stroke a hand lightly over the back of her head to check for himself. “No bumps yet.”

“What a relief. You won’t have to marry a lumpy bride.”

“We all have our bumps and bruises,” he said, drawing his hand back, but not before his fingers brushed along her jaw.

She tried to focus. Really, she did. But when he touched her, something in her brain stopped working the way it should.

Damn man doesn’t even realize he’s doing it.

“I’m okay. Promise.”

“You don’t seem like the clumsy type. Am I really so frightening that a concussion is better than being seen with me?”

She pulled back, narrowing her eyes. “You don’t intimidate me,” she lied.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Besides, I’ve heard all about your boardroom meetings. You like to be intimidating.”

He stretched out his legs before him. “There’s a difference between the relationship I have with my business rivals and the one I want to have with you.”

Don’t blush, don’t blush, don’t—

She glanced away as her cheeks heated. “But this is a business decision to you.”

There was a beat of silence before he nodded. “Yes.”

Still, he reached out to take her hand.

Holly stared at their entwined fingers. “How did you do it?”

His thumb brushed over her pulse. “Do what?”

“Pick me.”

Or rather, Lillian.

He froze. “That seems like a dangerous line of questioning.”

“I think it would be helpful,” she said. “I’d rather go into this with all the facts.”

He sighed, dropping her hand. “This is going to sound very cold.”

“Tell me anyway.”

A slight smile curved his lips. “Yes, dear.”

She rolled her eyes. “Did you make a spreadsheet of all the women in the city or what?”

“The state, actually. And not of all the women. I made a list of everything I want to accomplish in the next ten years and then researched all the families in a position to help me do it.”

“There are other blueblood heiresses out there.”

“Not with your father’s connections.”

“So, you wanted my father, and I was convenient to seal the deal.”

He said nothing, merely watched her. Waiting, no doubt, for her anger at being a pawn.

But seriously, what else is new?

She’d been nothing more than that her whole life, and it wasn’t the most interesting part of his explanation to focus on.

“What are the goals marrying me will help with?”

Surprise filled his eyes. “I want to expand to Europe, and your father already has supply lines in place.”

“London, Paris, and Milan,” she said, nodding her head.

“Yes.”

“I have connections of my own in Berlin we can use.”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wished she could call them back. He’d never meet her Berlin contacts because she was not the one who would marry him. But as she opened her mouth to correct the slip, a beautiful smile lit his face.

“You’d want to help with the expansion?”

Breathe. Remember to breathe.

Because his smile made her heart race faster.

“Would you not want me to?” she asked, trying to focus.

He shook his head. “If you’re interested, I’m all ears. Once we marry, it won’t just be my legacy we’re building.”

Generous offer, but it won’t be mine. Maybe not even Lillian’s if we find a way out of this.

Guilt snaked through her. If they did manage to get out of this wedding, Julian’s dreams would hit a severe setback. He’d be back at square one, needing a new heiress to marry.

He wouldn’t be looking at her with that cautious hope then.

No, he’d rue the day they ever met.

Pushing to her feet, she paced over to the glass barrier separating the rooftop from the long drop below and stared down at the buildings that were little more than blurred smudges to her.

She didn’t know he’d followed her until he spoke.

“My decisions might have been calculated,” he said, his words quiet. “But nothing about this is what I expected.”

That’s because your best-laid plans were for another woman.

A hand touched her arm, turning her to face him. “You’re defying my logic.”

“Don’t say that. We barely know each other.”

“We’ve got a lifetime to learn.”

Without waiting for a reply, he wrapped an arm around her waist as he dipped her backward.

A squeak escaped her as she grabbed on to him to stop herself from tumbling to the ground. But she should have known he wouldn’t let her fall.

His lips captured hers with searing intensity.

There was no time to think. No time for recriminations or second thoughts.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she twined her arms around his shoulders and parted her lips beneath his. He touched her with sure hands, clearly comfortable taking the lead. Desire surged within her as her tongue tangled with his.

What are you doing?

She had only one answer.

Enjoying the moment for once.

She never jumped without thinking. People called her the cautious twin. But she didn’t want to make the smart choice this time. She wanted to be reckless for one electrifying minute.

How long had it been since anyone kissed her with such mastery? If this was what she’d been missing, she sure as hell needed to date more.

He pulled her up from the dip and walked her backward until her back pressed against the glass without ever breaking the kiss. Stepping forward, he pressed his body against hers, lighting up every nerve ending as she tried not to want more.

He’s not mine. I should stop this.

But she had no intention of giving up a second of this knee-weakening kiss.

All too soon the magnetic pull of his lips softened. He brushed his lips over hers one last time before stepping back.

The second his hands left her body, she wanted to call them back. She even took a stumbling step forward before she caught herself.

She had to clear her throat twice before she could speak. “What was that?”

His grin was wide and unashamed. “I figured I needed to take advantage of a concussion-free setting.”

She was helpless to stop the silly smile she was sure was on her lips. Lillian wouldn’t have gotten flustered over a kiss, but once again, she was reminded that she was nothing like the sister she was pretending to be.

“I like a man who thinks ahead,” she said, smiling at him.

“Then you’re going to love me.”

The light in her chest dimmed.

I hope those words aren’t prophetic.

Because God help her if they were.