It was well past midnight when I arrived at my boss’ penthouse. I’d been in his home a couple of times. I’d spent many sleepless nights with him finishing up paperwork.I stepped out of the car, then pressed the doorbell. The gate automatically unlocked. I took a deep breath before I entered. Then I found Adam at the front door in his casual sweatpants and black shirt. He was also barefoot.“Come in,” he invited.I followed him inside. “I am so sorry, Mr. Cavendish.”“Sit here,” he ordered as he sat on the couch and set his computer on his lap.I sat across him, trying to avoid his eyes. It was too embarrassing. He must hate me by now. I shouldn’t have come here at all.“It’s not even twenty-four hours since you pissed me off,” he started.“I’m so sorry.”“And what is this practice kissing thing? What the hell is this?” His sight was still on his laptop.“It’s a mistake. My sister sent you the wrong file.” I tried defending myself.He sighed. “It’s not the point. Why would you make a
He parted from my lips, leaving me aching for more. He was panting. “Wow.”“That was... incredible,” I agreed. I didn’t know kissing him would be this good… so good as if it was my first time. I just realized how inexpert I was. I understood now why women threw themselves at him.“I told you, I’m better than those guys you listed.” He grinned. “Don’t even consider doing it with some other guy, Julia. I will chase them off. I didn’t know kissing you would be that great. Your ex is an ass.” Adam pulled back his head to take a glimpse of me. “Let me help you, okay?”I nodded, then smiled. Adam pressed another quick but deep kiss to my lips.“I could do this every day.”Does his brother kiss like this? Like him? I’d like to know. Nope.I’m dying to know.***I was at work ten minutes earlier than my usual time the next morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much sleep. Heck, I didn’t sleep at all! I couldn’t stop thinking about the mind-blowing kiss Adam and I shared. I didn’t know how I wa
JULIAI was almost finished when Henry came to my desk to remind me of our dinner date. He said he was going to wait in front of the building.At precisely twelve minutes before seven, I was able to get everything done. I stretched my arms in the air, then I pressed the pressure points of my shoulder with my fingertips. I groaned as I actually felt the pain. I was sore everywhere, especially my lower back. I was exhausted and starving. I decided I needed to advise Adam I was leaving.I went to Adam’s office and was about to come in when I heard him laugh over the phone. Sometimes I don’t understand his mood. He was swearing at someone earlier, and now he was like watching a comedy high on sugar. To avoid seeing him play monster, I sent him a text saying I was leaving.When I came out of the building, Henry was already there as promised. He was leaning on his white convertible Audi, but he wasn’t alone; he was talking to a blonde woman. I decided not to approach him, but he had already
ADAM“I disagree.”Demi shook her head as she poured whiskey into my glass. “You can’t let his happen again, Adam. You are very aware of our history.” She sat on the barstool next to me at a cautious distance. “Back then, I felt so helpless. Imagine when you look at the clock and it’s been hours in just a blink of an eye. Sometimes I wake up finding myself in another location or talking to a person I didn’t know and without having an idea what I’ve been up to. But I am thankful you and Henry didn’t give up on me.”“It’s not your fault, Demi.” I gulped my whiskey. “You can’t help it.”“And for that, I won’t stop thanking you and Henry for the rest of my life.”“Don’t mention it. We didn’t even do anything.”In the past, when she spoke about her dissociative identity disorder, it’s almost painful to listen. I witnessed how she suffered, and I couldn’t do anything for her. But she was a fighter, and I admired her for that. And when she realized getting away from us would help her get bet
JULIAThe next morning, I delivered the designers' portfolio to my boss's desk, but he wasn’t in. Whenever he was not in the office, he was typically attending a meeting outside. And he didn't like his coffee cold, so I decided to drink it myself. I placed the daily report and the documents he needed on his desk neatly.An email appeared on my computer screen as soon as I came back to my desk. I clicked the message.To: ceo@cavendishenterprises.comCC: j.taylor@cavendishenterprises.comFrom: admin@gandcfoundation.comSubject: Invitation to the Grant and Chester Foundation Auction NightMessage:Dear Mr. Adam Cavendish,We are delighted to inform you that you are invited to the annual Grant and Chester Foundation Auction Event this Saturday, 7 P.M. at the Prime Hall, London, England. There will be an auction and an evening ball for the special guests and sponsors. It will be our greatest pleasure to have your presence as one of our major benefactors.Our CEO, Mr. Dominic Grant, extends
JULIAI stared at him open-mouthed, unable to speak.“Yes?” Adam raised an eyebrow, waiting for my answer.How could he ask such a thing of me? It was his brother we were talking about, for goodness’ sake! His own brother whom he always cared about.“Why are you doing this to me? Are you saying you are willing to betray him? You know that I will say no.” Or maybe yes? God, what was wrong with me?“I am only trying to save you.”“Save me? And you don’t think what you want is dangerous?”Adam gritted his teeth. “I shouldn’t have introduced him to you. It was my fault. How far did your relationship go?”“We’re not in a relationship yet, but we kissed,” I admitted, and it felt weird sharing such private information. “I thought you would help me. I thought we would make him fall for me.”A groan escaped his throat. “Making him fall for you is already out of the picture because he’s not going to. He doesn’t do love.”“Like you do love? How could you know that? Do you always think that he is
JULIA“I am the most stupid person alive!” I tossed the pillows, then pulled the bedsheets in frustration. “You, Julia, should leave right now because you are going to get fired tomorrow anyway!” I stomped my feet on the pillow, pretending it was me.I was so pissed at myself. How could I kiss him like that? Not even once, but twice! How could I lose myself? What should I tell Henry now?I lay on the bed, then set my alarm for seven. Breakfast was at eight. I closed my eyes fitfully, unsure if I could really fall asleep.I woke up at exactly seven. I instantly stepped into the bathroom and took a warm shower. Afterward, I opened the wardrobe Adam talked about last night. I didn’t need my suitcase at all. My jaw dropped in amazement. It contained beautiful dresses—lots of them—and a case of shoes in a drawer. We were only staying for three days, but he was overly prepared for this trip. I suddenly felt like a princess.All of it looked pretty, but the yellow halter dress with floral la
JULIAGuests in suits and fancy dresses had already filled the posh interior of Prime Hall. Everything was glistening before my eyes, including flashes from the camera snaps. In each corner, people bragged about their wealth—which made the grand event absurd, since it was supposed to be a charity event. I suddenly felt overwhelmed. I clearly didn’t belong in his world.“We are half an hour late. Didn’t you realize that?” said Adam, offering his arm as we walked the red carpet. I held his arm, squeezing his bicep a little.“Then why didn’t you come here straight away? And I didn’t ask you to wait.”Damn, look at him. He’s so fine-looking himself. It wasn’t every day I saw Adam in a black tuxedo, and it suits him immaculately. He looked devilishly gorgeous.“I’m sorry.” I held my breath. He smelled so good I almost wanted to faint.He frowned. “Are you all right?”“Why?”“You’re sweating.”I cleared my throat. “It’s just... It doesn’t feel right,” I whispered. “This party, I mean.”“Why