so that her head hit the pillows. Every kiss, every swipe of her tongue, and her panting drove him wilder, needier. Just for her. Only ever for her. His left hand left her hip and reached for the bedside table until foil met his fingertips. When he grasped it in his palm, Julian propped himself up his knees and gazed down at her. He brought the condom packet to his teeth and ripped it open. Then he breathed out and rolled it down his hard length before he settled between her thighs.
His lips had met hers for a second before he mumbled, “I love you, my Stephanie. My whole heart, all my love, and my entire life are yours.” He thrust his hips and entered her, connecting them, and finding that one place where his heart had found a home.
“Swish! Nothing but net!” Julian hollered and threw his fist in the air.
“To think the newest VP throws scrunched up paper balls into rubbish bins on company time,” Mona interrupted, shaking her head.
Julian leant back in his brand new leather chair, in his brand new office, and grinned at her. He waved his hand to the free chair in front of him and said, “Please, Mona, take a seat.” Then he crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’m good with standing. You’re wasting paper,” she pointed out.
“Nah. It’s drafts of some awful contract that was sitting in one of these desk drawers,” he explained. “Don’t worry, that’s my recycling bin. I love the Earth too much, Mona. You’re gonna have to stress less, my friend.”
Mona had observed him with squinted eyes before she sighed. “How did you become a VP?”
“I don’t know. Lucky, I suppose. But I’m wondering how you’re just a mentor and not sitting in the very chair my ass is comfortable in.” Julian untangled his arms and set his hands on the cherry oak desk. Leaning forward, he shot a brow at her.
“Not VP material, by the looks of things,” she stated with a little sass in her voice.
Julian chuckled. “Mona, I haven’t taken the job. I’m still the consultant and I’m consulting in this office since it was free.”
Her brows met. “You’re tossing paper in a bin. That hardly seems like consulting to me. You should be writing a report on what you think will get us a competitive advantage over our competitors.”
“Are you trying to mentor me?” he teased with a grin.
“You’re annoying. How does Appleton stand you?”
His grin turned into a megawatt smile laced with pride. “I wear her down.”
“I bet.” Mona let out a dry laugh as she backed out of Julian’s temporary office.
When the glass door closed, Julian leant back and stared at the ceiling. Being a VP meant a secured job in Melbourne. Otherwise, he’d have to return to Sydney to Tara’s firm. That or quit and stay in Melbourne with Stephanie. Sydney was out of the question. He’d resign. He was sure of that. All he knew was that he wanted to move back to be with his family and Stephanie permanently. He couldn’t run the risk of losing her again. Not when she had just expressed her love to him. He’d have to find a way to bottle up that love and keep it forever. Ensure it never slipped through his fingers and be given to someone else. Rogers had offered Julian the deal of a lifetime. But it didn’t seem right. The advertising firm didn’t fit him. Or he was using it as an excuse. Rogers was an accomplished businessman, but Julian had never liked being dictated or controlled. Working for Tara had been more than enough for him.
The sounds of birds chirping filled the office. Hearing it made the smile return to his face and Julian reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone.
Stephanie: Hmmmmm.
He laughed at her very descriptive message.
Julian: .... ?
Stephanie: Sorry. I’m bored. You’re probably the last person I should be texting, but unfortunately, I’m lonely. My best friend is on her honeymoon, and my other clueless friend is married to my brother. So you’re my last resort.
Julian: Ah, yes. Priorities. Glad that I’m your first option, Apple-ton.
Stephanie: I know. Don’t you feel the love?
Julian: I felt it this morning ;) Miss your moans, Blondie. I also miss your ‘OH MY JULIAN!’ You say the sweetest things.
Stephanie: More like I say the stupidest things when you’re buried in me. If anyone read this, then they’d be appalled at our terrible attempts at sexting.