“I really can’t say,” he said and took a step to leave. “If there is nothing you need I’ll leave you to unpack.”
Julia nodded in understanding. “You can’t tell me because of some butler-boss confidentially agreement? Gotcha.” She put one of her bags on the bed. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable with the question. I mean, does it matter anyway what the answer would have been? If you said that he’d had a hundred women live here already, what would I do—run? I know this isn’t permanent. It’s not even a good idea, really. It’s just that he asked me when I was . . . when we were . . . I couldn’t think. I should have stalled—given myself time to think this through. Because here I am now . . . wondering if I made the right choice.”
Miles stopped at the door and turned back to look at her. “Miss Bennett?”
Julia raised a hand to stop him. “You don’t have to say it. I shouldn’t have asked. Don’t risk losing your job by telling me anything.”
“I was wondering if you were hungry.”
Julia covered her eyes with one hand and wished she could disappear. “Oh. Yes. Food. No. I mean, no. I’m not hungry. Thank you.” Stop talking. Why did I think I could do this?
Instead of immediately leaving, Miles cleared his throat and said, “I have worked for Mr. Andrade since his mid-twenties. You are the first woman who has ever brought luggage.”
Julia lowered her hand. She didn’t want to read too much into that information. “Really?”
With a slight incline of his head, Miles said, “I have also never made breakfast for anyone except Mr. Andrade.”
Although there was nothing in Mile’s expression to hint how he felt one way or another about her staying there, she was touched by what he’d revealed to her. “Thank you, Miles.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Bennett. Mr. Andrade had me clear out the other bedroom for you to use as a studio. Please tell me if you need any help setting it up.”
He closed the door behind him, and Julia sat on the edge of the bed she knew she’d share with Gio that night. A studio? For me?
I don’t need that unless I’m staying for a while.
Like, moving in.
Holy shit.
Did I just move in with Gio?
*
Gio came home to Julia that night, and every night for the next week. Beyond the lovemaking, he enjoyed having her in his apartment. They fell into a comfortable pattern over the next week. They made love each night, woke early, and often made love again.
The more time he spent with her, the more he enjoyed the simple pleasures. Watching her wake in the morning. Wondering what she would say today that would make his unflappable butler turn away to hide a smile. Coming home and having someone to talk over his day with.
For the first time in his life, Gio found himself sharing stories about the project he was working on. He found Julia’s ideas refreshing and often thought provoking. Although he wouldn’t admit it to anyone, she was the reason he turned down the Atwater deal. There were other projects he could work on, ones that were less controversial, one he could be proud to discuss.
Her opinion mattered to him in a way that no one’s had before. It both scared and inspired him. Just as she did.
Julia had meant what she’d said. She didn’t want money from him. She didn’t want gifts from him. Although she didn’t immediately apply for another job, she used her time during the day to add to her jewelry line. Each night when he came home she had a new piece to show him, and a new story on how she had reached out to another jewelry store.
It would’ve only taken one call from him for her to make the sale. But she had made him promise not to make that call. She wanted to do this on her own. And for reasons he couldn’t explain to himself, he wanted her to have that. He wanted her to know that she had done it on her own. The more they spoke, the more he understood the sale of the jewelry was as much about the journey as it was the money.
Gio didn’t ask himself what the future held for them. He had her in his life, in his bed, and for now, that was enough.
Chapter Fifteen
Julia stepped out of the apartment building one morning and watched a long black stretch limo pull up beside her. Maddy again?
The back window rolled down and an older woman with dark brown hair done up in a sophisticated chignon waved for Julia to approach the limo. Everything about her said refined sophistication. Julia looked over her shoulder and then pointed at her own chest in question.
The beautiful older woman nodded impatiently, and Julia walked over. Maybe she’s lost and needs directions to some charity event?
“Julia Bennett?”
“Yes?” Julia answered in confusion. “Do I know you?”
“No, but I know you, and we need to talk.” The driver came around and opened the limo door for Julia to enter.
Julia looked back and forth from the Cogent Solutions building ahead to the dark interior of the vehicle. “I have an appointment I need to get to this morning. I can’t be late.”
The woman leaned out and gave a small smile. “This will only take a few minutes and could be quite a lucrative opportunity for you.”
“You’re interested in my jewelry?”
“I don’t discuss business in the street,” she said coldly and sat back in the limo.
They say opportunity knocks. No one ever mentioned that it could pull up beside you in a limo. Am I crazy to think about getting in? My life is already so off course.
On the other hand, if I don’t get in, I will never know what she might have offered me. For all I know, she is an eccentric gem collector and wants me to create the perfect pieces to showcase her stones.
Or she’s a high-paid madam, and this is how she recruits.
Julia remembered the harsh lines on the older woman’s face and thought, No, she looks way too uptight to have had sex in the last decade.
What kind of a businesswoman am I if I won’t even listen to a proposal?
Julia slid into the limo and tried not to jump when the driver closed the door behind her. Her hands went suddenly cold when the vehicle pulled out into traffic. “Where are we going?”
The woman’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “We’ll merely circle the block.”
Of course. How silly of me to worry.
I really have to stop getting into limos with people I don’t know.
“I’ve done research on you since I first heard about you. Have you sold any of your jewelry yet? Made any noteworthy connections?”
“I have some leads,” Julia said vaguely. Don’t show your hand in negotiations. She must have heard about me from one of the entrepreneurs I showed my line to. A burst of excitement started to build in her stomach. Persistence does pay off. My name is out there. This could be it.
“You must be getting anxious about your father’s company. Your time is running out to save it, isn’t it?”