Hold On (23 page)

“Mom, why do you always fail to mention that there were like a hundred boxes of shoes
in your closet that day? Actually, that you still have that many. The apple fell right
next to the tree.” I look at my dad. “Right, Dad? I came by this honestly didn’t I?”
My dad smiles and nods and before he answers I turn back to Julian. “I walk just fine
my shoes, thank you very much.”

Julian winks at me and smiles brightly. I can tell he’s enjoying hearing stories about
me. And boy does he keep hearing them. Everyone at the table is anxious to talk about
me.

Once we get past the shoes, we talk about the hotel, sports and even politics. My
family also continues to tell stories about my childhood and Marissa and Shannon pepper
the conversation with stories about college. More than once I feel my cheeks turn
red when they overshare, but Julian is hanging on every word. He’s holding my hand
under the table and is constantly squeezing it and looking at me with love in his
eyes.

As the night goes on Jill makes a few more inappropriate comments that make Julian
laugh and declare he can see her and I are a lot alike. She agrees but tells him a
big difference is that she’s not a drama queen. Then she asks him if he’s had the
luxury of seeing my dramatic side yet.

“Dramatic? Lexie? No, Lexie is always calm and rational.” He tries to keep a straight
face when he says it but they all know me and they know he’s lying.

“Okay, if I would have known this was going to be a roast I might have declined the
invitation. At the least I wouldn’t have invited Julian. It’s time for you all to
stop with the Lexie stories. I love shoes and I always have. I’m prone to irrational
behavior and I was a little wild in college. There. Moving on now, okay?”

I am happy they seem to agree and for a little while we focus on Julian as my parents,
friends and sister ask questions to get to know him better. He’s open and lets them
see the real Julian. It makes me so incredibly happy.

Toward the end of the meal, my mom asks if she can make a toast. I had told her I’d
celebrate my birthday as long as she didn’t make a huge to-do about it and she has
kept her end of the bargain, making this more like a normal, family dinner. She’s
looking at me when she asks and I nod my head in approval. Everyone picks up their
drinks, and I can’t miss the tears in my mom’s eyes as she begins to speak.

“Thank you all for coming and celebrating Lexie’s birthday with us. It was great to
meet you Julian and I love having Jill here with us. Marissa and Shannon, it’s always
great to spend time with you girls.” She turns and looks right at me. “Here’s to my
baby girl. May your twenty-sixth year be filled with all the love and happiness you
so deserve. We love you, Lexie … very much.”

I’m so touched by the sincerity and warmth in my mom’s voice that it brings tears
to my eyes. I’ve done such a good job at keeping everyone at arm’s length for so long
that it makes me almost uncomfortable when they remind me how much I’m loved. I get
up and walk around the table to her and give her a hug. I whisper in her ear, “Thank
you Mom. I love you, too. So much.”

As I pull back and look around the table, I see each of us was affected by that moment.
My family might not know everything that happened to me last year, they might never
know, but they know enough to know it really hurt me, and I can tell by looking around
they all feel the same way as my mom. I feel content and I feel loved. It only makes
it sweeter to have Julian by my side.

Jill breaks the intensity of the moment with a joke and we finish the dinner with
smiles. My mom brings out a cake she made and we each have a piece. A half-hour later,
when we’re all in the kitchen after clearing the table, my dad asks if he should open
another bottle of wine. He’s looking at Julian when he asks.

“Not for me, Frank. I’ve got to get Lexie home safely.”

I watch the expression on my dad’s face when he says this and I know he said it that
way for a reason. Julian wants them to know he’ll take care of me. My dad nods and
puts the bottle down. He got the message.

“We need to get going. It’s almost ten.”

As great as this night has been, I’m ready to go home. I’ve had an emotionally draining
couple of days and the three glasses of wine I had have made me sleepy.

“We have to open your gifts first, Lexie.”

My mom has always loved any opportunity to give, or get a present. We always had big,
elaborate birthdays and Christmas celebrations growing up. I should’ve known I wasn’t
getting out of here without gifts.

My mom ushers us into the living room and puts two envelopes in front of me. Jill,
Marissa, and Shannon put gifts on the coffee table as well. I open the card from Jill
and it makes me smile. It’s a card about us getting closer and how glad she is to
be my sister. She’s been a bit of a wildcard tonight but I know what she’s going through
so I don’t let it get to me. I open the small box and find a beautiful pair of delicate
silver hoops. Jill knows this is exactly my style. I give her a hug and thank her.
The gift from my roommates comes in a bigger package. When I open it, I can’t help
but smile. It’s a print of a sunset on the beach that I fell in love with at the Coconut
Grove Art Festival last February. I didn’t buy it because it was a little pricy, but
I made the comment I wished I could wake up and see that view everyday because it
would make me happy. They listened. I give each of them a big hug and thank them.

“We found the artist and bought it for you, so you could wake up happy.”

“I love it.” I turn and look at Julian and he’s smiling at me so sweetly and taking
it all in. He doesn’t know this side of me. I always try and act so tough and so independent.
He’s witnessing a much softer side.

I open the envelopes from my parents next. One of them has a three hundred dollar
gift card to Neiman Marcus in it and the other is a gift card for a massage at a spa
they know I’ve gone to before. I get up and give them each a hug and let them know
it couldn’t be better timing because I need to buy a new dress for the opening Friday.
My mom is thrilled I have a need for it and makes a comment about waiting until the
last minute to go shopping. I thank them all again and get up to get ready to leave.

“Too soon in the relationship to buy Lexie a gift, Julian? Or was it something private?”

Oh my God. Did my sister really just say that?

“Have you lost your mind, Jill?”

I look at her and shake my head. She’s got to be drunk now.

She hears my tone and looks a little sheepish. “I’m sorry. Just kidding.”

I look around at all of them and see they’re all curious now and waiting for me to
answer Jill’s rude question. My roommates didn’t ask earlier and they have no idea
either. I glance at Julian and he shrugs his shoulders.

“Julian gave me a really pretty frame with a picture of us in it, and tickets to see
Bruno Mars in September.”

Once glance tells me they’re disappointed. They all know he has money and figured
he’d go bigger with a gift. I don’t explain they are six VIP tickets. I don’t mention
the shoes either. Julian’s gifts were extravagant and I don’t want anyone to feel
uncomfortable.

Jill looks at Julian through squinty eyes. “Private, huh?” She’s says it tongue in
cheek.

He laughs. “Nothing private Jill, sorry to disappoint you.”

“I’m not disappointed. A frame is sweet and I know Lexie loves Bruno Mars.”

She’s baiting him and it’s fun to watch. Jill really isn’t bitchy or rude, she’s sarcastic
though, and she’s testing Julian to see if he’s a good match for me. I want to warn
her he’s a master of witty banter but I know she can fend for herself. I do, however,
want to go home so I end this.

“As you all made sure to point out tonight, Lexie also loves shoes. She particularly
loves the shoes, the Jimmy Choos, Julian gave her.” I’m speaking in third person and
laugh out loud when I see the look on Jill’s face.

She nods and winks at Julian. “I figured it was like that, Julian. I had you pegged
for a guy who gets Lexie.”

She smiles brightly at him and he returns the look. They have an understanding now.

After some warm goodbyes and promises to do it again soon, Julian and I head back
to my place. I don’t have anything to wear tomorrow so he’s going to sleep over. We
talk about the night on the ride home.

“I’m glad you came. They loved you.”

“You have a great family, and they really love you, especially Jill.”

I cringe when I think about some of her comments. “Sorry about that. She’s not usually
so blunt. She’s a little down on love at the moment and I think she wants to make
sure you’re a good guy. The teasing was her way of trying to get to know you.”

“No worries. It was in good fun.”

It’s late by the time we get home and I’m tired. I was so tense the whole day and
it took a toll on me. After we each take a quick shower, I climb into bed next to
Julian and snuggle into my spot. His arms are wrapped around me and he’s looking at
me with love and tenderness.

“I love you, Julian.”

His smile grows. “I love you too, Lexie, and it feels so good to hear you say that.”

“The words seem almost inadequate.”

“They’re perfect. Don’t stop saying them. I haven’t heard them enough.”

“I’m serious. People say I love you all the time and I don’t think they really mean
it. I want you to know I mean it. I love you and I’m so grateful you didn’t give up
on me. I’ve made it so hard on you and you stayed and held on. Most guys wouldn’t
have and I know that.”

“Lexie, please don’t ever feel like I did you a favor by staying. I couldn’t walk
away. I wish my intentions were noble but I really was just being selfish. I couldn’t
see not being with you, since the beginning. It’s meant to be, baby. It’s meant to
be.”

Chapter Seventeen

A great night’s sleep and a naked Julian in my bed is the best way to start a day.
This is the second day in a row he’s still been in bed when I got up. I like it.

He feels me move out of his arms and slowly opens his eyes. “Donde vas, mi amor?”

I climb on top of him and press my body to him.

“I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. I have twenty minutes to take advantage
of the fact you’re naked in my bed and ready to go.”

“Mmm. I am naked and I am ready to go.” He puts his hands behind his head. “Feel free
to take advantage.”

He’s so sexy and the sight of his muscled, tanned body against my pale yellow sheets
makes for a very turned on me. I really don’t have a lot of time before I need to
start getting ready so I get to work. I start by inching up and running my tongue
down the side of Julian’s neck, across his collarbone, and I stop my journey momentarily
at his nipple. He moans when I bite down gently and run my wet tongue in a circle.
I repeat this on the other side and when I do, I feel Julian’s erection twitch against
my stomach.

I continue on my way by running my tongue down the middle of his stomach. I blow softly
on his warm skin and run my fingernails over his hip bones. I sit up for minute and
look at the man who is moaning passionately under my touch. His eyes are dark with
desire and his grip on my pillow tells me he’s enjoying what I’m doing to him.

“Feel good, Julian?”

“Hmmm.”

“You want more?”

“Sí. Siempre quiero mas.”

“What do you want me to do next?”

“Take me in your mouth. I want to feel your hot, wet tongue on my dick.”

I don’t take my eyes off of his as I fulfill his request and wrap my mouth around
him. Two minutes in he moves his hands off the pillow and puts them in my hair. He
winds it up and pulls it to the side so he can watch me take him all the way into
my mouth.

“Fuck, Lexie. Se siente tan bien.”

He’s gripping my hair tightly and pulling on it. It actually hurts a little, but I
don’t say anything because he’s so into what I’m doing to him. His thrusts into my
mouth are getting a little more forceful, which is a good indication he’s getting
ready to come. My thoughts are confirmed when he tries to pull away from me.

“I’m going to come. Stop, I want to be inside you.”

I pause and run my tongue along the underside of his throbbing shaft.

“You are inside of me and I want you to come.” I say the words and take him as deep
as I can; all the way to the base. It’s the perfect touch and within seconds Julian
explodes inside my mouth. When I pull back and look up at him, his eyes are heavy
with lust. He’s not done.

I move off the bed as Julian tries to pull me to him. “Uh uh. No time.”

“I don’t need much time.”

He sits up and pulls me firmly onto his lap, my back to his front. Julian positions
me so I have one leg on the bed and one hanging over the side. I’m completely open
to him.

“You know I can take care of you quickly.”

One of his arms is wrapped around my waist, his hand on my stomach. His other hand
is between my legs and I feel his fingers slide easily into me.

“Especially when you’re this wet, baby.”

As if I’m going to be able to say no now. Julian is holding me tightly to him as he
works my clit with his fingertips. I press the back of my head into his chest and
clench my core as I feel the unmistakable sensations of an orgasm building. I was
already so turned on and it isn’t going to take me long to come. It never really does
with Julian. He places his lips next to my ear and breathes the words, “Come for me
sexy girl.” With a couple rolls of my hips and a few throaty moans from my mouth,
I do as Julian asks and come. His skilled fingers stay on me until the last shudder
subsides.

My legs feel a little like Jello from the intensity of the orgasm so I sit against
him for a few minutes trying to recover. When I’ve caught my breath I try and pull
away.

“I really need to get ready for work now. Are you going to let me go?” Julian’s hand
is still wrapped tightly around my waist.

“Only if you promise not to wear panties today.”

I turn my head and look over my shoulder at him under squinted eyes. “That’s random.
Why no panties today?”

He laughs seductively. “I want to think about you all day, panty-less, rubbing your
legs together and thinking about what I’m going to do to you with my tongue tonight.”

I just had a huge orgasm, yet I feel a burst of desire pass through my core. “Mmm,
I can do that. No panties. I promise. You can check after I’m dressed, but I have
to get up now. I’m going to be late and today’s not a good day for that. Diego’s supposed
to be there this morning.”

I can’t see Julian’s face but I feel him stiffen.

“Maybe today isn’t a good day to go panty-less then. I don’t want you to be distracted.”

Oh. Something is so up with this Diego guy. Julian’s whole demeanor just changed.
I noticed it the first time I brought his name up and it just happened again. Julian
doesn’t like this man.

“Nope, no panties today. You already sold me on the idea.”

Julian let’s go of me and moves out from behind me. He gives me a kiss on the back
of my head and walks to the shower. I could ask what’s really up with his reaction
to Diego Castaneda, but we’re having a great morning and I’m not going to ruin it.
It’ll play itself out like everything always does.

Julian finishes getting ready before me and heads to the kitchen to grab us some coffee.
When I join him, the expression on his face is one of disapproval. He’s looking me
up and down. It’s so obvious.

“What’s that look for?”

“I’m not sure I’m a fan of that outfit?” I’m a little stunned. He never makes negative
comments on what I wear unless he thinks it’s too revealing, and even then he still
tells me I look good. I glance down at the black and white, patterned, jersey dress
I’m wearing and feel clueless. It’s not too short, or too low cut and although it
hugs my curves nicely, it’s not tight. I have my patent leather, Michael Kors Maryjanes
on and my hair is down in loose waves. I look like I usually do when I go to work.

“You’re not sure you’re a fan of this outfit? Why?”

He just shrugs his shoulders and takes a sip of his coffee. He’s acting so odd. I
stare at him for a minute and then it hits me. He’s freaking jealous, or possessive,
or something ridiculous like that. This has to do with Diego. I wonder if he’s good
looking, or a ladies’ man, or if Julian has some twisted past with him. This is kind
of fun, him acting like this.

“I guess I shouldn’t tell you I don’t have panties on then.”

“Seriously?”

“As in seriously, I don’t have panties on? Because yes, I’m serious. Feel free to
check.” I start to hike my dress up so he can see I’m not kidding.

“Alexa, stop! We’re in the middle of the kitchen.” He reaches over and yanks, yes,
yanks my skirt back down. “It’s a little short to wear without panties. You should
go put some on.”

“It’s not too short and I’m not putting any on. I’m walking out the door, like this,
and I’m going to think about you touching me all day long. So stop pouting and let’s
go.”

The look I get is priceless. He doesn’t know what to say to that because he likes
the idea of me thinking about him touching me all day, even though he’s had a change
of heart about the whole “no panty” thing.

I don’t wait for his response, grab my stuff and walk out the door. It’s hard to keep
a straight face the entire way to work, especially when Julian keeps looking down
at my lap to see how high my dress rises. When we pull into the parking lot in front
of The Promenade, I lean over and kiss him softly.

“Nobody’s getting a show. Stop worrying. Smile and think about me thinking about you
and your tongue all day, okay.”

I finally get a smile right before he drives away.

I actually am a little late today but nobody seems to notice. I walk into my office
and haven’t even put my stuff down on my desk when Lauren comes bursting in. “There
you are. I just met our new boss. Um. Wow.” She looks flushed.

“Um wow, what?”

“Lex, he’s hot. Like Julian hot, if you need a reference. I talked to him for five
minutes and I was so flustered. He probably thinks I’m a total idiot but I couldn’t
stop staring at him. Serena was too. Even Evelyn couldn’t stop staring when he walked
in.” She’s going on and on, like a teenager.

“Get a grip. He’s our boss now.”

“Go meet him. Then come and talk to me.”

She gets up and walks back to her office. I’m curious, but I’m not going to go run
into his office the second I got here. It turns out I don’t have to. I hear a soft
rap on my door and when I look up from my computer I finally see what all the fuss
is about. Lauren wasn’t lying, Diego Castaneda is very attractive. He’s also very
friendly.

“You must be Alexa? I’m Diego. It’s nice to meet you.”

Diego walks over to my desk and extends his hand. I stand up, shake it, and smile
back. His English is perfect but his accent is strong.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Diego.”

He sits on the edge of the chair and I can’t help but notice how well his black designer
suit fits his lean body. He’s not hard to stare at with his jet black, thick, wavy
hair, dark brown eyes, and mega-watt smile, but to me, he’s no Julian. I don’t look
at him and get flustered and I don’t have butterflies. I didn’t feel a thing when
we touched either.

“I have a meeting with Andrea and Mark at ten that should last a few hours. Do you
have lunch plans?”

Lunch plans? Where did that come from?

“No, I don’t have any plans for lunch today.”

“Bueno, I’d like to spend some time with you. I have a lot of questions and I heard
you were the woman to ask.”

I’m not sure where he heard that or from whom, but I’m not sure I can say no. I actually
don’t want to say no, but I think it’s a little odd he wants to meet with just me.

“Sure. I’ll check with the others and see if they’re free. We can all get you up to
speed.”

Diego tilts his head, flashes me a huge smile, and looks at me like he’s amused. “If
you need them all to go, that’s fine, but I was hoping it could be just us this time.”

Okay, this conversation just turned weird. I don’t need anyone to chaperone.

“Okay, we can go alone then. There’s a great Greek restaurant, Yanni’s, a few blocks
down we can go to.”

A few blocks in the opposite direction of the hotel, I think to myself. Diego agrees
and lets me know he’ll come find me after his meeting. As I watch him walk out the
door, it all makes sense. Julian knows Diego. He knows he’s good-looking, successful
and because I didn’t see a ring on his finger I’m assuming, not married. He knows
I’m going to be working with him closely. I was right this morning. Julian is jealous.
There might really be more to the story but I have a feeling Julian would dislike
Diego less if he wasn’t so attractive. I think back to our conversation this morning
and find it a little endearing, so I reach out to Julian.

Alexa:
Hey you. Just sat down behind my desk…crossed my legs and thought about you.
Julian:
S
í
? What did you think about?
Alexa:
I lied. I didn’t really think about you. I thought about your tongue. Like you told
me to.
Julian:
Hmm. I like to hear that. Keep it up so when I see you later you’ll be wet and ready
for me.

Now that made me flustered.

Alexa:
I’m wet now.
Julian:
And I’m hard…And in a meeting. We’ll finish this later. I promise.
Alexa:
Think about me too.
Julian:
Siempre mi amor. Siempre.

That little exchange did actually get me a little excited and because I need to work
I think of anything but Julian and his tongue for the next few hours. I’m in the middle
of reviewing some marketing material when Diego walks back into my office and asks
if I’m ready to go. I grab my purse and follow him out the door. I catch the looks
on both Lauren and Serena’s faces when we walk into the lobby. I shrug my shoulders
at Lauren and she shakes her head. Serena actually looks mad and I don’t for two seconds
think she won’t be making this into a big deal somehow.

Diego and I walk the few blocks to Yanni’s and chat about the weather and the beach.
The conversation stays pretty light throughout most of our lunch. He asks me some
questions about W&M, and about how things are run in the sales office. He tells me
he wanted to meet with me to get some perspective from someone other than his bosses.
He also tells me Mark told him I was one of the top sellers in our region and that’s
why he wanted to talk to me personally. The conversation flows and really is pretty
much all business, but I do learn he’s Costa Rican and has been living and working
all over the Caribbean for the last few years. He’s very articulate and engaging and
I can see why he’s a good salesman. When we’re waiting for the check he switches gears
a little and steers the conversation in a more personal direction.

“Do you live in South Beach, Alexa?”

“No, I live in Coral Gables, not far from The Towers.”

“Are you from Florida?”

“Yes, born and raised in South Florida. It’s always been home.”

I see him look down at my hand. “And you’re single?”

His phrasing makes it sound like a statement rather than a question and his tone is
a little … flirty.

Okay. There it is. It might be a completely normal question to ask but I swear I see
a glimmer of something other than professional curiosity in his dark eyes. I shake
my head.

“No. I’m not single. I have a boyfriend.” I want to add that he knows who he is too,
but I stop myself.

“But no husband?” Um no, but does that really make a difference? I don’t like where
this is going.