“Oh, great.” I throw my hand up in the air. “Not only do you have me lying to your mother about us not being fuck buddies, but now you want me to tell her a stupid lie about me being interested in sculpting—a subject I know nothing about. What am I supposed to say when she asks me about it?”

He chuckles. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m going to tell her that I can’t mind the children on Thursday nights because I will be too busy sucking her son’s pea-sized brain out through the end of his dick.”

He laughs out loud. “That’s a great idea.” He laughs some more. “Not you telling my mother part, but definitely the sucking part. We should practice that technique tonight.”

“Goodbye, Julian,” I respond sharply.

“Goodbye, Bree,” he says with nothing but warmth in his voice.

I flick through the clothes rack. Screw the shopping. I should turn up in a garbage bag tonight.

Let’s see how sexy he thinks that is.

I walk into the swanky restaurant at exactly 12:30 p.m. Frances stands and waves to get my attention, and I make my way over to her.

“Hello.” I kiss her on both cheeks.

“Brell, thank you so much for coming.” She gestures to the table. “Please, take a seat.”

I fall into the chair.

“Would you like some wine?” she asks.

“I can’t, I’m driving, but thanks.”

She pours herself one and calls a waiter to the table. “What would you like, Brell?”

“Just a Diet Coke, please.” I look around at the Italian restaurant we’re in. It’s beautiful, filled with leather chairs and the air of ultimate opulence. “This place is amazing.”

“It is. The food is divine, too,” she says with enthusiasm. “So, tell me… how are you settling in?”

I shrug. “Okay, I guess. I’ll be a lot better when I get to the bottom of Willow’s problems at school.”

My drink arrives. “Thank you.” I smile as I take it from the waiter.

Her face falls. “What’s going on?”

“These stupid little bullies are picking on her.”

“Who are they?”

I roll my eyes. “Pathetic little rich spoilt brats I completely lost my cool with them at the weekend.”

“Why?” She sips her wine, listening intently.

“Because I walked around the corner to find Willow, when I heard one of the bullies suggest that Will’s mother probably killed herself to get away from her.”

Frances’s face drops and her eyes fill with tears.

“I know. Isn’t it the most horrible thing you’ve ever heard?”

She shakes her head, unable to believe it. “What did you do?”

I roll my eyes. “I lost my cool and caused a huge scene. I dared them to come near her again so they can deal with me. I was swearing and completely losing control.”

“And where was this?”

“At her football practice.”

“Where was Julian?”

“He’s useless. Those stupid mothers are all too busy trying to marry him, and he’s so busy fighting them off that he sees none of it. When I approached the mother of the bully… and admittedly...” I hold up my hand to admit my faults. “I was losing my temper and threatening to call the police to have her charged… but Julian defended the bully, not his own daughter, without even knowing what had happened.”

“What?” She narrows her eyes. “Why does he always do this? He makes me so mad.”

I widen my eyes. “I know! Me, too. We had this huge fight, so I took the children to Mc Donald’s, making it quite clear that Julian wasn’t invited” I sip my drink. “But… in his defense, he didn’t hear what they said to Willow, I guess.”

She smiles and rests her elbows on the table. “You’re good for him.”

I fake a laugh. “I’m sure he thinks I’m a giant pain in his ass.”

If only she knew that he really wants into my ass.

“Thank you so much for our dinner last weekend. It was lovely seeing the children so happy.” She takes my hand over the table. “I can’t stop thinking about the change in them since you arrived. Especially Will.”

I grin as I squeeze her hand in mine. “Thank you for coming. They are such beautiful kids. I’m so lucky to be able to get to spend time with them.” I widen my eyes. “Oh, I forgot. Willow has been invited to play golf with her new friend this weekend.”

“Willow’s playing golf now?”

"Yes, I enrolled her in lessons. I thought it could be something that she and her father could do together."

She narrows her eyes. “Are you in a relationship, dear?”

“No.”

“Hmm.” She smiles against her wine glass.

“What are you thinking?” I smirk

“Nothing.” She smiles sarcastically. “I was just going to give you some tips, you know, in case you ever had an inkling or urge to,” she shrugs and waves her wine glass around in the air. “… date my Julian.”

I fake a laugh to cover my lying ass. “Oh, you’re so funny.” I should’ve got wine. Hell, I should’ve got tequila.

She falls serious. “Am I? Or do you want to hear my advice?”

I frown.

“I know why every single woman who tries to snag him fails.” I sip my coke; I need to know the tips without her knowing I need to know the tips.

“You are a character,” I tease as I down my drink.

“Julian hasn’t had a girlfriend since Alina died.”

“His wife?”

She nods. “It did something to him.”

My face falls.

“He closed off when he met her, and he never recovered after she died.”

“That’s so sad,” I whisper.

“It is, but now he’s very lonely.”

“I know he sees people… women,” I tell her to try and make her feel better.

“Yes, but only on his terms.”

“His terms?”

“He only wants to see a woman to use her for sex. As soon as they fall in love with him, he breaks it off every single time.”

“He told you this?” I can’t imagine him ever telling anyone this, let alone his mother.

“He doesn’t have to. I know that’s what happens. He calls them needy.”

“Why is it so bad if anyone falls in love with him? I don’t understand.”

“He doesn’t want the responsibility of making anyone else happy. He’s guarded. A lot of women want him for his money, and he’s more than well aware of that.” It’s not the money I want. It’s his huge jackhammer dick, I think to myself.

“Why would any woman chase a man just for his money? It’s an absurd way to live.” I tut.

She sips her wine as she studies my face. “Do you know anything about Julian’s money, or about the Masters Group, dear?”

“No, and I don’t want to. Just talking about money makes me uncomfortable.”

She smiles, as if impressed, making me feel like I’m at a job interview.

Our meals arrive. “About those tips you have,” I say as I take my first mouthful, of food. I know I shouldn’t be hinting, but this is need to know information. I could sell it on the black market.

She smirks at me. “Well, if I were to date Julian, I would keep my cards very close to my chest because he will run if he senses a relationship blooming.”

I frown.

“And we wouldn’t want to scare him off too soon, would we?” She takes a mouthful of her food. “We would wait until he’s unaware of his emotions.”

I can’t believe it. She’s actually come here today to tell me how to snag him. Julian was right, she is as sharp as a tack. I put my knife and fork down on my plate and pick up my drink. “You do know that Julian and I are not suited, right?”

“Julian is not suited to anyone. He’s troubled, dear, but he’s different with you.”

I sip my drink as I stare at her. “What do you mean?”

“He knows his money doesn’t interest you. He knows his children adore you. He can’t take his eyes off you whenever you’re in the room. You don’t even know it, but he is already putty in your hands. What you do with that putty and how you knead it will determine the outcome.”

I wipe my mouth with my napkin. “I can assure you that Julian and I are just platonic co-workers,” I lie through my teeth.

She smiles and sips her wine. “Of course.” She reaches over and taps my hand on the table. “I believe you.”

Fuck. She definitely knows.

Her knowing eyes hold mine, and I’m so close to cracking and telling her the truth it’s not even funny.

Don’t say it. Don’t say it.

I stuff my mouth full of food so I can’t speak.

I need to be muzzled.

I slide into my car at around 2:00 p.m. We’ve had a long lunch and I really do like Frances. We talked about books, movies, and surprisingly, we do have a lot in common.

One thing she said to me has my mind ticking over.

Do you know anything about Julian’s money or the Masters Group?

What did she mean by that?

I Google Masters Group and wait for it to load.

Masters Group – United Kingdom

CEO – Joseph Masters.

General Manager – Julian Masters.

Estimated worth - Sixteen billion dollars.

Oil, Stock Market, Gas, I.T, Banking, Property.

I frown as I stare at the screen in front of me, and I blink.

What?

Sixteen Billion Dollars

Who the fuck am I sleeping with?

CHAPTER TWELVE

I STAND in the corridor of the swanky hotel, my shoulders dropping as my nerves take over.

I’m wearing a black strapless evening gown tonight.

I feel nervous—more nervous than ever before—and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I actually love this dress, I feel like a princess, and this kind of feels like a real date.

I know it’s not. Of course I know it’s not. But, I can let myself forget the reality of the situation for just one night, can’t I?

My timid hand knocks on the door, and Julian opens it in a rush, smiling as he sees me. My breath catches immediately.

He’s wearing a black dinner suit. His hair is styled to perfection, and the way he’s looking at me might set me on fire.

“My beautiful Bree.”

My heart races. "Hello." I smile and walk in. He closes the door behind us, taking my overnight bag from me to carefully place it in on the luggage stand. When he turns back to me, he takes my face in his hand and kisses me softly. "I've been looking forward to this all day long."

I smile against his lips, my hands resting on his hips. “You only had me yesterday, Jules.”

“It wasn’t enough. How could I possibly get enough of you in two hours?”

Oh, man. I’m totally screwed when he’s being sweet.

We smile against each other’s lips and I put my arms around his broad neck. “What are your plans for me tonight?” I ask.

He smiles down at me. “I thought we would go out for dinner, and then maybe enjoy some dancing.”

My eyebrows rise. “Really?”

He smiles at my excited reaction and then pulls me into an embrace, holding me tight. “Really.”

God, he’s beautiful. I close my eyes against as I rest my head against his shoulder.

Stop it. This is nothing more than a façade—a part of his game. Don’t fall for it, whatever you do, Brielle.

He steps back and takes my hand in his, slowly lifting it to his mouth to kiss the back of it. “Where does my girl want to go tonight?” His eyes hold mine.

His girl.

Fuck, he was safer when he was a typical asshole who just wanted to fuck me.

I shrug shyly, overwhelmed by his tender seduction. “I have no idea where to go in London.”

He holds his arm out for me and I link mine through it. “It looks like I’m in charge then.” He smirks.

I giggle and rise up onto my toes to kiss him. “Are you ever not in charge, Mr. Masters?”

“Not if I can help it.”

We walk out of the room to where the elevator is waiting for us.

Not if I can help it.

What does he mean by that? Is that why he doesn’t want to fall in love, because he won’t be in charge anymore?

The lift arrives at the ground floor and we step out hand in hand.

Hmm, that’s a very interesting thing to say, I’m going to come back to it.

Three hours later, and I’m practically melting across the table from him.

We are at Closs Maggiore, an exclusive restaurant in Mayfair, and we’re sitting in the courtyard. The tables are lit by single candles, and fairy lights hang above us. Relaxing music is being piped throughout the entire outdoor space.

The champagne is going down well and we’ve had an amazing meal. The conversation has been flowing easily. Julian is actually the most relaxed he’s ever been around me, laughing freely, and being his charming, witty intelligent self. We’ve talked about college, his work, my work at home, friends and family. It really does feel like we’re on a real date.

The reflection of the open fire dances across his face, and he’s watching me intently as he takes a sip of his champagne.

“So, what did my mother have to say to you today?”

I giggle. This alcohol has gone to my head already. “She wants me to pursue you.”

He smiles and winces. “She actually said that to you?”

“Yes.”

“My apologies. She’s shameless.”

I smile and sip my champagne, remaining silent for once.

His eyes hold mine. “What did you say to her, Bree? What did you say to her when she said you should pursue me?”

This answer is important to him, I can tell.

“I told her that I don’t pursue men.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Is that true?”

“Yes.” I lick my bottom lip. “A relationship with a man is the last thing I want.”

He sits forward, his eyes darkening. “What do you want?”

“What I’ve already got.”

Our eyes are locked. “What’s that?”

I smile softly. "A hot boss with a huge jackhammer dick."

He chokes, laughing out loud. “Honestly, Bree, you are out of this world.”

I laugh and then our eyes linger on each other’s as we fall serious. “Your mother is trying to marry you off,” I whisper.

“Yes.”

“Promise me that when the time comes for us to part...”

A frown crosses his face. “Promise you what?”

“Promise me that you won’t make me the other woman.” His eyes hold mine, and I know I’ve hit a nerve.

“Promise me that you’ll make a clean break and pursue any future wife without me on the side.”

He sits back slowly. “I can assure you that I’m not on the market for a wife.”

I pick up his hand and kiss the back of it. “And I’m not in the market for a husband. We don’t have long together, Jules. I’ll go home to Australia eventually.” I kiss his hand again, and he frowns as he watches me. “Let’s just make the most of the short window of time that we do have.”

He turns his hand and cups my face, his thumb dusting over my bottom lip. “You may be the most beautiful woman I have ever met,” he admits softly.

I can feel myself getting stupidly emotional because I know for a fact that he is the most beautiful man I’ve ever been with. His mother’s confirmation that he’s really lonely and troubled has opened up a can of worms in my heart. The grief he has been through alone, while bringing up his two beautiful children… I can’t imagine the pain. No man should have to go through that. It’s no wonder he’s so closed off to the world. He’s afraid to let anyone get close.

I just want to make everything right for him and help him find his way. To be honest, I’m grateful for Frances’s little lunch meeting today. Now I see Julian in a new light entirely.

A beautiful, tortured light.

I smile, trying to snap myself out of these sappy emotions. “You said you were taking me dancing.”

His hand rests under his chin. “Where would my girl like to dance?” he whispers.

My eyes hold his. “Anywhere, as long as I’m with you.”