Come Away With Me (The Andrades) (8 page)

So, thank you
, nameless pregnant lady.

“I should go,” Julia said and edged toward the door.

Gio pinned her with his hot gaze.
Oh, no, you cannot give me that look while fending off someone you knocked up. I’m outta here.

“This will only take a moment,” Gio said and turned his attention back to the other woman. They stood in front of the now
-closed door, effectively blocking Julia’s exit. “You shouldn’t have come here, Madison.”

“I had to.”

Awkward.

“I’ve tried to be kind about it, but now I’ll be blunt. Stop calling me. I’m not interested.”

Oh, my God. I guess I knew that someone who dated so many people would be jaded, but he’s a complete asshole.

“If you don’t come, your brothers might back out, also.”

What?

Okay, now I’m officially lost. This fight needs
CliffsNotes.

“I won’t take no for an answer, Gio. This is too important.”

“It’s a wedding. They’ll survive my absence.”

“Stephan
wants the whole family there.”

“I’ve seen Stephan once in
the last five years. I don’t really care what he wants.”

“Then do it for me.”

Oh, pumpkin, he is so close to telling you that he doesn’t care about you either. Why would you do that to yourself?
The petite woman shook her head sadly. “Whatever anger you’re holding on to, let it go for one day.” She rested a hand on her stomach and said, “The next generation will look to us for guidance about what it means to be a family. We are family, Gio, even if you don’t want us to be.”

The more Julia looked at both of them, the more similarities she saw in their features.
If this woman wasn’t carrying Gio’s child, who was she to him?

There was such pain in Gio’s eyes
, it threw Julia into an emotional tailspin. It was hard enough to stay away from him when she thought of him as nothing more than an insanely attractive man with the hots for her.
If he kept looking at the woman next to him like she was ripping his heart out, she was a goner for sure. She held her breath and waited for Gio’s answer.

“Your father understands why I wo
n’t attend. So does your uncle,” Gio said coldly, his tone not reflecting the hurt in his eyes.

The little brunette’s eyes misted over and Julia felt hers do the same.
She had no idea what was keeping their families apart, but she would have given anything to help them through something that was obviously tearing at both of them.

“No, they don’t. They love you. You have no idea how happy they were to see you at Alethea’s engagement party.”

“I’ve given you the only answer you’ll get from me. Now, please. Go.”

Wiping away a stray tear, Madison put her hand on the door to open it. “I don’t
know why you’re so angry, Gio.”

“Then you’re the lucky one in this,” Gio said in a
n icy tone.

Looking somewhat deflated,
Madison opened the door and left.

Whatever attraction Julia had felt for Gio was overshadowed by the emotion of the moment.
She thought of her own family and how desperately she missed them, and burst out, “You can’t let her go like that.”

Face tight with anger, Gio didn’t look away from the door. “It’s none of your concern.”

“She’s pregnant.”

Turning some of the anger on Julia, Gio growled, “A condition that had no relevance in my decision.”

Julia threw up both of her hands in the air. “No relevance? You just threw a crying, pregnant woman out of your office.”

“Enough
. I didn’t bring you here for this.”

As loving as her family was, they called a spade a spade without remorse or hesitation. She’d been raised to appreciate the value of an honest opinion
, and New York wasn’t going to change that.
The air that had been heavy with anticipation and attraction now crackled with more volatile emotions. “You know what your problem is?”

His eyes narrowed and he waited.

“I bet people don’t tell you when you’re behaving badly.” Julia shook her head. “That was wrong. You should call her and apologize. I don’t know what went on with your family, but I can’t believe it was her fault. You shouldn’t take it out on her.”

For a moment Gio said nothing. “Is that it?”

No.
Julia thought of how much she missed being able to talk to her mother, and that feeling gave her the courage to voice her thoughts. “If you’re lucky enough to have family that loves you enough to chase you and beg you to come to their wedding, you should go. She was right. Whatever you’re holding onto, you could put it aside for one day.”

“That’s a lot of advice from someone who knows nothing about the situation.” H
is eyes were lit with a fire she couldn’t decipher.

She held his eyes and defended
herself. “I know that at the end of the day, family is all that matters. You’re right, though. I don’t know your situation and I don’t know you. Maybe you and I don’t share the same definition of family.”

Without looking away, he took out his cell
phone. He punched in a number, then waited, neither of them moving while it rang. “Madison. I’ve changed my mind. I will be attending the wedding. No, I’m sure my brothers will have the information. Yes, put me down for two.” After listening to response on the other end of the line, Gio ended the call and replaced his phone in his breast pocket.

A sense of triumph filled Julia
, followed by a pang of jealousy as she wondered who he’d be taking to the event.

“The wedding is in two weeks. We’ll fly out the day before it.”

“Me?” Julia swayed.
“Where is the wedding?”

“
It’s on an island off the coast of Italy. And, yes, you. You’re the one who thought it was important that I attend.”

Oh, no, no, no.
“I—we can’t do that.”

“Because?”

Because Italy means flying somewhere together and I can barely keep my hands off you now.
“Because I work for you?” she practically squeaked. “You have a no-dating policy.”

“An easy enough problem to solve.
You’re fired.”

“You can’t fire me.
I need this job.”

“
Then we have a problem, because I’m not going to the wedding without you.” He walked over until he once again stood so close that all she had to do was lean forward ever so slightly to be flush against him. Tip her head up just a fraction to make their lips would touch. “What would it take to get you to come with me?” His words hung between them, their dual meaning raising the heat in the room. He ran a light finger down the curve of her cheek and caressed the outline of her lips.

Julia shook her head free and backed up. Cornered, she blurt
ed, “I’m not that kind of woman.”

A corner of his mouth curled in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “What kind of woman are you?”

“The kind who is smart enough to know this is a bad idea. I want to say yes.” She took another step back. Being near him had her body humming with a need that scared her. As it often did when she was nervous, her mouth got ahead of her brain. “I mean, look at you. Who wouldn’t want to say yes?” She bumped into the table with the lamp from their first encounter, and those memories only agitated her more. “But if I sleep with you once, I’ll sleep with you twice. And then I’ll get attached to you. You’ll want to move on to the next woman and I’ll be all clingy. Trust me, it’ll get awkward.” She touched her lips and imagined his kiss. “I can’t do this.”

With that
, she bolted out of the room.

Gio watched Julia spring away from him and surprised himself by smiling. He was done trying to talk himself out of wanting her. He felt more alive around her than he could ever remember feeling.

Let her run.

It’ll only make having her that much sweeter.

And I will have her.

A bright red object near one of the chairs caught his attention. She’d left her purse. He picked up her bag and headed out of his office, choosing his strategy as he walked. He deposited the bag on his secretary’s desk and said, “Rena, Julia Bennett’s address is in a folder on my desk. I want you to send her this and something nice . . .”

“No
.” Rena sat back in her chair.

Even though
their conversations sometimes crossed into personal territory, Rena never argued with him. She may not have always agreed with how he handled his personal life, or that he involved her in it, but she had never refused him before.

The world was absolutely off
-kilter that day.

“I wasn’t asking.”

Rena folded her hands in her lap. “I am not getting involved in this one. You’re making a mistake. She’s not your type. I actually like her.”

“
Weren’t you lecturing me earlier on finding someone nice?”

Shaking her head, Rena pushed the bag back across his desk at him. “That was before I saw your cousin storm out of your office in tears. You’re not ready for a nice woman. I’ve spoken to Julia. She’s as sweet and trusting as they come
, and someone may teach her a harsh lesson because of it—but I won’t help that happen.”

Picking up her bag, Gio
found himself in the rare position of defending his actions. “I was merely asking you to return this.”

“No,” Rena said with finality.

With heat rising up his neck, Gio said, “Then I’ll return it myself.” Heading down to the lobby, he passed several of his employees before he realized the second looks they were giving him were due to the purse he clutched in his right hand. The realization didn’t slow his long strides down to the security desk.

“Where is s
he?” he demanded of the two men behind the security desk.

“Who, sir?”
the older of the two asked.

“Julia
Bennett. Is she still here?”

The guard looked uncomfortable as he said, “
She just left. I have someone coming in to cover her shift.”

Left?
“Do you know where she went?”

“
I saw her outside talking to a . . .” He checked his log and continued, “Mrs. D’Argenson. They left together in a limo.”

Madison and Julia?

How could they know each other?

In his office, it
certainly hadn’t appeared that they were acquainted. He didn’t like surprises. He strode back up to his office, still clutching Julia’s purse in one hand. As he passed Rena’s desk, she asked, “Couldn’t find her?”

In response, Gio did something he had never done
before: Fueled by all the frustration building inside him, he slammed the door of his office shut.

He
cursed and threw Julia’s purse in the corner of his office.

How many times have I told Nick to stay away from women in this building?
This is the reason. It’s a distraction. I have phone calls to make. Leads to follow up on.

He sat down at his desk again
but, instead of reaching for any of the piles of papers that required his attention, he reopened Julia’s file. He traced the edge of her headshot that was stapled to her application.

What did she say? If she sleeps with me once, she’d sleep with me twice.

He groaned.

I have a feeling twice will be just how we start our first night together.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat as his cock sprang to life in agreement.

Julia Bennett
. I know what I want. What is it that you want?

Real l
ife needs a rewind button.

If given a redo, I would not go upstairs to close the door for Paul.

I would not repeatedly make an ass out of myself in front of Gio Andrade.

I would definitely not tell him that I was tempted to sleep with him.

As Julia hastily exited Cogent Solutions, she noticed a black stretch limo parked in front of it, with the pregnant woman, Madison, standing beside it.
Maybe she won’t see me.

Madison stepped away from the vehicle and walked quickly toward Julia. “Excuse me. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Julia looked around, then answered, “Sure, I guess.”

“Are you leaving?”

As fast as I can.
Julia nodded.

“Would you like a ride?”

Julia hesitated. The desire to get as far away as possible was strong. “I was going to take the bus.”

Madison stepped forward and took Julia lightly by the arm. “Please. I’ll drop you anywhere
, and we can talk on the way.”