L.A. Fire (26 page)

 
I smacked her on the arm, and she laughed. “Seriously, though. After we’re
through here, I want a chance to really talk to him.”

 
Julian and the girl he was teamed up with won the game. I watched them all
shake hands, and then Julian sauntered back over to us, looking triumphant. “Is
there any place you don’t dominate, Mr. McGregor?” I asked.

 
He smiled at me slyly. “We’ll see what happens when we hit the surf.”

 
Sarah started chuckling. “This I’ve gotta see,” she said.

 
“Come on,” Julian said, handing me a board, a glint of amusement flickering in
his eyes.

 
That amusement fueled my sense of competition. I grabbed the board, and raced
to the shoreline, crashing through the breaking waves, and then paddling deeper
into the ocean. When the first decent size wave, about seven feet high, came
barreling toward me, I just started shredding it. I was flying over the wave,
doing whiplash twists, then easing into another wave. I truly felt free, wild,
soaring high like a bird. I looked behind me, and saw Julian shadowing me. He
was trailing across the crest of the wave with ease, then pushing onto the
next, still on my trail. He was good, powerful, but not into surfing
acrobatics. But I was. When I came upon the next seven foot swell, I danced on
the wave, then shot over the lip, grabbed the board, and was caught in mid-air
for a glorious moment, before flipping my board, and riding back down the wave
on the other side.

 
Right after I pulled the move, I skated easily over several smaller waves, then
let the surf carry me back toward the shore. When the water got shallow, I
jumped off my board, and then turned around, looking for Julian. He was right
behind me, looking at me in awe. He dropped off his board, splashed toward me
through the water, then swooped me into his strong arms and kissed me. His lips
were wet but warm, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, eager for more. When
he pulled back, I could see his eyes were sparkling, on fire. “That was quite a
performance, Ms. Stevens,” he said. “You win, hands down.”

 
I eyed him with curiosity. “You’re not upset?” I asked. “I haven’t wounded your
male ego?”

 
He ran a hand through my slick hair, and stared at me intently. “I’m not
wounded,” he said. “I’m turned on. If there wasn’t anyone on the beach, I’d
take you right here, right now.”

 
“I’m on the pill, you know,” I blurted out.

 
He looked pleased. “I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he said, tracing my lip.
“I’d like to fuck you without any barriers between us. I have a clean bill of
health. I can show you my results.”

 
I felt arousal quiver through me, and my nipples go hard. Julian’s gaze snapped
to them, and his features darkened with lust. He let out a low groan, and nipped
my lower lip. “I can’t wait to get you alone,” he said, nuzzling my neck.

 
As much as I wanted to stay in his arms, Lisa was on the beach waiting for us.
“We’ve got to get back,” I said. He nodded, and put me back down in the water.

 
When we reached Lisa, she started clapping. “Nice moves, guys. Who won?” She
stared at Julian, and even through her sunglasses, I could see the foxy look in
her eyes. She was clearly testing him.

 
Julian smiled at her slyly, obviously aware of what she was doing. “Sarah won,
hands down,” he said matter-of-factly, without a touch of resentment in his
voice.

 
Lisa’s eyes lit up, and she flashed Julian a wide smile. “Great,” she said.
“Now that that’s settled, can we go get a drink?”

 
We went back to Julian’s house, and settled in the private outdoor courtyard.
The air was still thick and steamy, but the sun was going down, taking the
scorching heat with it. I loved this time of the afternoon; the light around us
was no longer glaring, but rather a rich, soft gold. Overhanging the courtyard
was a eucalyptus tree, its flat leaves providing shade, and emitting a
voluptuous minty smell. Far off in the distance, I could see the outline of the
jagged blue mountains, looking crisp in the clear late afternoon light.  

 
Julian had made us all mojitos. Both Lisa and I had watched in awe as he
pounded the mint leaves, his ripped biceps flexing. He’d also given Lisa a tour
of the house, and had been impressed that she recognized the name of the
architect who had designed it.

 
Julian was curious about Lisa’s work. She told him she worked at a publishing
house, and asked for any advice he could give her.

 
“The literary world is quite different from the movie business,” he said, his
tone getting serious. “While our industry is flourishing, yours is in trouble.
The major publishing houses will have to restructure themselves in a way that
takes into account self-publishing, and the technological advances that have
allowed for it, if the industry is to survive.”

 
Lisa looked grave for a moment, then took a sip of her mojito. “Yeah,” she
said. “They’ll also have to take into account the realities of inflation and
the economy. I mean, I’m lucky that I have my parents’ financial backing, but
if I didn’t, there is no way I could afford to be an editorial assistant. I
mean, seriously, who can survive on thirty grand in New York? It’s insane. I
mean, you can’t even take a second job, because you’re working fourteen hour
days.”

 
Julian nodded slightly, then snapped his eyes to Lisa, his gaze cool and
contemplative. “Have you considered moving back to L.A? There’s another
position opening up at the office. We could definitely use your talents.”

 
Lisa shook her head. “I don’t have the movie experience. I mean I can’t hold a
candle to Sarah.”

 
Julian glanced at me, his eyes filling with admiration. “Sarah is indeed an
exceptional talent. Cooper McGregor has been very lucky to hire her. She’s
already improved our client profile. And she’s an exceptionally hard worker.”

 
I felt my cheeks turn red. I was astonished. Rob had never praised me for
anything. He had used my talents to his advantage, but never given me credit. I
sunk back in my chair, feeling totally floored. This man was amazing. I glanced
at Lisa, and she gave me a pointed look, as if to say, check this guy out. It
was obvious from her expression that he was scoring huge points with her.

 
Julian took a long sip of his mojito, and turned his gaze back on Lisa. “If
there’s anything I can do to help you, maybe make some phone calls to a New
York literary agency, just let me know.”

 
Lisa smiled at him warmly, and said, “Thanks so much for the offer. But I kind
of want to make it on my own.” Then her eyes flickered with unease, and she added,
“Kind of like my girl here.”

 
My eyes snapped to hers. I knew Lisa. So I knew what she’d just said was a
subtle warning: you’re a generous guy, but don’t meddle with Sarah’s career. If
you don’t let her find her own way, you’ll regret it.

 
Julian eyed her carefully, his expression shrewd, and slowly nodded. “Yes,
Sarah has quite the independent streak. I know how important finding her own
way is for her.”

 
A slow smile spread across Lisa’s face, and in response, Julian’s eyes crinkled
at the corners. Clearly, the two of them had reached a silent understanding.
Lisa took another sip of her mojito, and as she did, I saw the same foxy look
I’d seen on the beach flash in her eyes. “You know what, guys? I’m beat.”

 
I gave her a funny look. “But the night hasn’t even started. And we’re all
heading to
Strut
together later.”

 
“Exactly,” she said. “And if I’m going to make it through a night of partying,
I’m going have to take an early evening nap.”

 
I hastily got to my feet, and went to grab my beach bag. “Of course,” I said.
“I’ll drive you back to the apartment.”

 
Lisa shook her head and held up her hand. “No, no. You hang out. Just give me
your keys. You trust me with Little Blue, right?”

 
I laughed. “Of course. But I haven’t seen you in forever, and I want to spend
every moment with you I can.”

 
Lisa rolled her eyes dramatically. “Listen, bitch. Right now I’ve got Sarah
overload, okay? I need at least two hours break from you. Understood?” She winked
at me, then smiled at Julian. He looked incredibly pleased.

 
“I’ll see you two later?” she said, grabbing her bag, and holding her hand out
for my keys.

 
Julian nodded, and said, “I’ve ordered a limo for tonight. I’ll bring Sarah
back to her apartment at eight. Then I’ll wait in the car while the two of you
get ready.”

 
Lisa whistled. “Well, it certainly is nice having friends in high places.” She
winked at me again, grabbed my keys, and took off.

 
When Lisa left, Julian went inside without saying a word, then reappeared a few
minutes later with two fresh mojitos and a pack of cards. I gave him a
questioning look. “We’re playing strip blackjack,” he said, shuffling the
cards. “If I win, I get to handcuff you and fuck you senseless,” he added, his
eyes searing into me.

 
Holy shit. My heart sped up, and a primal urge pulsed through me. His words
alone made me feel instantly aroused. “And if I win?” I asked, trying to keep
my voice steady.

 
Julian’s mouth quirked up in a crooked smile. “But you won’t win,” he said.

 
I huffed at him, and crossed my arms. “Cocky as ever, aren’t you?”

 
His eyes glimmered with heat. “Just confident I’ll get my way.”

 
Julian dealt me a card, and I flipped it over. “A jack,” he said. “That’s ten
points.”

 
“Hit me again,” I said. He did. The card was a five of clubs.

 
I saw a predatory glint rise from the back of Julian’s eyes. “That’s fifteen
points, Sarah. Anything more than a six, and you’ll be over.”

 
I smirked at him, and took a long sip of my mojito. “Hit me,” I said. He did.
The card was a seven of hearts.

 
“You’re over,” he said, his eyes flashing with triumph. “The bikini top comes
off.” His eyes became riveted to my chest, and I felt my nipples go hard
beneath his gaze.

 
My heart started slamming in my chest, so hard I was sure Julian could hear it.
He stared at me hard, relentlessly, and I started taking quick, shallow
breaths. “Take it off, Sarah,” he said, his voice rasping in a way that made my
sex clench hungrily. I untied my bikini top, and tossed it to the ground. I
could feel my chest rise and fall rapidly as Julian took me in, his eyes going
dark. “Touch your nipples, Sarah. I want to see you touch yourself.”

 
I felt so excruciatingly self-conscious, yet wildly turned on at the same time.
Tentatively, I reached for my chest, and started stroking my nipples, rubbing
them in circles, making them harder still. As Julian watched me, I saw desire
build in his eyes. “I can’t fucking wait to take those delicious peaks in my
mouth,” he said. “Now where were we?” He dealt me a nine of hearts this time.
Then a six of spades. All I needed was a six, or a five. Anything more and I’d
be over twenty-one again. “What’s it going to be, baby?” he asked, caressing my
exposed curves with his eyes.

 
I took a deep breath. “Hit me,” I said. He did. A seven of diamonds. Fuck. I
squirmed in my seat, and Julian chuckled darkly. I shrugged my shoulders, and
made as if to take off my topaz ring.

 
“No,” Julian said forcefully. “Jewelry doesn’t count. Take off your bikini
bottoms.”

 
I felt my desire rise to a fever pitch as Julian continued to rake my body with
his eyes. “Stand up, Sarah. And take off your bikini bottoms,” he repeated. His
commanding tone, and the hint of desperation and impatience in it, made my
pulse leap. I slowly rose to my feet, and peeled off my last stitch of
clothing. Feeling so utterly exposed, my instinct was to cover up. I started to
sit down. “Stand, Sarah,” Julian said, his voice authoritative and powerful. I
stood still, but I could feel my knees start to tremble. “Now touch yourself,”
he said.