Chapter 14
Chapter 14
True to his word, Julian sends an Uber to pick me up in the morning. I walk past my parked car in the parking lot, noticing that Julian isn’t here yet, and make my way to my office.
I sit down, opening my laptop. I still can’t believe what happened last night. My brain is still fuzzy and giddy, overwhelmed.
I went on a date with Julian Mercer. Julian Mercer. The man I thought was going to be the end of my job. The man I was thoroughly irritated by for a good week or so. The man I found myself frustratingly, overwhelmingly attracted to.
And then he’d taken me home, spread me out on my couch, and pleasured me until I’d seen stars. My pulse speeds up just thinking about it.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. Oh my god. I can’t even believe the things he’d made me feel. I think back to his snide comments when we’d first met—about how he knew how to make a girl feel good in the bedroom. I have to admit he wasn’t lying.
And what’s more amazing was his reaction to my secret. The secret I’ve kept from so many people. The secret that’s ended many previous relationships. The thing I’ve come to be so ashamed of. My virginity.
I was so certain he’d run. Many men have. But especially Julian Mercer. He could have any girl he wants. He could sleep with any girl he wants, no playing hard to get, no strings attached. Why would he want to deal with me? A girl who’s never had sex before? I’m more hassle than it’s worth.
But apparently, Julian disagrees.
I hear footsteps down the hall and look up to see Julian entering his office. He glances through the window of my office door, and when our eyes meet, he smiles.
Butterflies pool in my stomach.
Shit. I’m really in trouble now, aren’t I? But I can’t stop the stupid grin from spreading across my face.
Julian enters my office, that familiar smirk warming my belly. “Hey,” he says, his voice soft.
“Hey yourself,” I greet him.
“I thought if you didn’t have anything more pressing today, we could go over that art show idea. Make some actual plans,” he suggests.
My eyes widen in pleasant surprise. Even though we’ve talked about the idea a few times, I’m still shocked that he’s actually wanting to go through with it. Pour hours and time and money into it.
I nod. “Yes. That’d be great.”
“Mind if I join you in here?”
My smile widens. “Go for it.”
The hours pass easily as Julian and I go over more ideas for the Elena Mercer Foundation art show. He pulls out lists of names to invite, event companies to hire, and I go over art show protocol, speeches, and auction etiquette. We choose a date at the end of the month. I worry it’s too soon, but Julian assures me he can rally up enough attendees. Besides, he reminds me, the foundation’s art shows are going to be a regular installation. A new part of the fabric of Mercer Dynamics and the Elena Mercer Foundation.
“What about the actual art?” Julian asks at one point.
I nod, thinking. “There are lots of options. We could find a local artist willing to donate some of their work. Or we could showcase some of the students’ art.”
“This first show has to be good,” Julian presses. “It has to be really impressive.”
I find myself laughing. “You don’t believe in the students here?”
He snorts. “I’m sorry, it’s not that. It’s just … I really want this to succeed.” He pauses for a moment, looking at me. “I want you to succeed.”
Slightly taken aback at the sincerity of his statement, I look away, smiling. “It’ll succeed,” I assure him. “Don’t worry.”