tight. Another pang hit his own chest as he thought about all the hugs he’d missed out on from his own mother. Troy quickly banished the thought. Next, Julie’s mom hugged Carrie Ann and the guy, and walked toward the elevators to the right. Julie turned and continued her conversation with her friend. She looked like a star from the fifties in her pencil skirt and cream silk top. She looked exactly like America’s Sweetheart. The moniker fit her perfectly. She was innocence and beauty rolled into one. She embodied old-time Hollywood with new-age beauty. Old-time comedy with class and distinction.
Troy looked away before his dick got hard. The skirt she wore detailed every curve of her hips, ass and thighs. The sleeveless top allowed everyone to see the power in her arms and shoulders.
Ari finished up with the man in front of him and continued up the stairs. Troy followed like a dog at heel and once again wanted to tell Sophia to find another patsy.
Julie’s gaze swept the room and passed right over him and Ari. Then she looked again. She cocked her head and a sexy little grin curved her lips. Troy was damn sure she aimed that grin his way, but Ari must have seen it and thought it was for him because after shaking hands with yet another man, he excused himself and continued up the staircase.
Not to Troy’s surprise, Julie said something to her friend and came toward them.
Another man stopped Ari and delayed their progress. Troy kept an eye on Julie as she drew closer. She got a few feet from the top of the stairs when her friend Carrie Ann stopped her. The same man from the bar approached, medium height and build with blond hair, and Julie’s smile brightened as he neared. He was only a foot away when he tripped on something and flew forward like a projectile.
Julie’s proximity to the stairs made every muscle in Troy’s body tense. The whole situation played itself out in his head about a second before it happened.
The guy slammed into Carrie Ann and the domino effect unfolded. Carrie Ann’s eyes widened. Her hands flew up to protect herself from the impact. She screamed as she slammed into Julie. With her body facing Carrie Ann, Julie went flying backward, airborne over the stairs.
Chapter Nine
Julie’s pulse mushroom bombed as Cal came at her. Had she not been so close to the stairs she might have laughed, but with Cal’s velocity, Julie could only brace herself for contact. Cal didn’t so much as fall into her as at her. Her best friend sent her flying. With her back to the stairs she had no way to protect herself, no arms or legs to cushion her fall. Not that arms or legs could cushion a fall like this. They’d more likely break into many pieces as she was going to do very shortly.
Still airborne, a heavy weight hit her before she connected with the stairs. Strong arms surrounded her, twisting her in midair, before they hit. Impact knocked the breath from both of them. She heard it whoosh out of his lungs on a gust as she landed on a solid chest instead of the hard stairs. They rolled a few steps and finally settled on the first landing.
Julie didn’t move. Couldn’t move. Her heart pounded wildly, her breathing rough and loud between her ears. She clearly had a guardian angel. Either that or she was a cat in a former life and those nine lives were coming back to save her now.
A familiar scent wafted up her nostrils. A spicy cologne she associated with one particular man. She lifted her head and gazed into the eyes of Troy Mills.
“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” he said at the same time she said, “You. Again?”
Julie’s racing heart fluttered at their position. Draped completely over Troy’s chest, the intimacy hit her just as clearly as the growing erection in Troy’s pants. With his arms still securely around her, she’d never felt more safe or protected. Their legs entwined like lovers and his palms brushed soothingly across her back.
Her initial fear of his immediate injuries waned as she looked at his smile and watched the intensity in his eyes. “You know if you keep saving my ass like this, I’m going to have to put you on the payroll.” Her voice sounded much too husky for her own good, but her grin mirrored his.