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She busies herself with our tea mugs, as though lifting the tea bags from the tag to steep them faster will erase what she just said.
“That’s a beautiful wish, Julie,” I say sincerely. “It’s the best I’ve heard all year.”
“You’ve only been Santa for one day,” she points out, already back to normal. “You could hear a better one before the week is over.”
“I won’t.”
She hands me my mug and I take a sip. The water’s warm but not scalding, and a delightful orange perfume fills my nose and covers my tongue.
I wonder if that’s what Julie would taste like if I kissed her.
Her eyes close as she enjoys her cup, and I steal a glance at her outfit. I never got a good look up close, and since she hasn’t changed yet, I can now see the intricate detailing. She mentioned that she has to shop at specific clothing stores, but wherever she shops has high taste. The red stripes running vertically across the corset are actually made of ribbons, and the little accents I spied along the edges are white lace. The bow at the top hides some of her cleavage, but there’s only so much she can hide when the top is made to boost her chest.
It’s definitely not a work appropriate outfit, but I never want her to take it off. She’s always been attractive, but tonight with the twinkling lights and her dazzling smile, she was radiant and drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
I’m not surprised at all that she was approached by those men. She should have had to bat away an entire army, not three rude imbeciles.
“What’s your wish?” Julie asks, taking another blind sip of her tea.
Despite the charity, I’ve never made a wish of my own. I have everything I need since I make good money. I’m not bothered by family about getting together since my parents died years ago and I never had any siblings. I’ve always been able to procure what I want without incident.
But… This year has been trying with Julie James as my beautiful, untouchable assistant sitting twenty feet from my desk. Always visible. Never mine to touch.
“If I had one wish…”
It would be for you.
I think about her wish and take a sip of her favorite tea. It’s delicate and flavorful, and I wonder why it’s her favorite. Is it the citrus? The fact that it’s not bitter? Or does she have a fond memory involving this tea?
Swallowing a hot mouthful, I wonder what she would taste like. How her skin would yield to my touch. How easily she flushes red. She’s always been beautiful, yet I’ve never seen her with a significant other. I’ve not even caught her texting on the job, and all of my previous assistants were guilty of that.
I wonder, for the briefest moment, if she’s single because of all the work she does. I understand that life; I don’t have time for relationships unless they’re work related, and women never seem to understand that. But Julie works just as much as I do. What’s her goal?
“Earth to Nick,” Julie says, snapping her fingers before my face. “Good thing you’re not driving home, because you just zoned out for three minutes.”
“Sorry,” I apologize, rubbing the back of my neck. “It’s been a long day.”
She lifts her mug towards mine. “Here, here. I’ll drink to that.”
We clink glasses and while I sip my drink, Julie downs the rest of hers before making herself another cup.
My phone dings to notify me that my ride is here, and I stand and put on my velvet robe. “That’s the taxi. I should go.” I savor the last drops of my tea before setting the cup back down on the counter. Licking my lips, I can’t help but think about Julie’s again. What she would taste like. If she could become as addicted to me as I’m becoming to her.
“I’ll walk you out.”
She follows me outside despite my protestssince I don’t want anyone laying eyes on her but me,and stands in her doorway as I walk away.
“Hey,” she calls after me. “You never told me what your wish was.”
Turning on my heel, I gaze over at her. Hand covering her eyes from the glare of the taxi’s headlights, she likely can’t see me. But I can see her.
A woman who can keep up with me. Someone who’s beautiful and intelligent and sexy as hell. Who isn’t scared of taking on more work.
Someone who can match me. Maybe even push me to be more than I already am. Is that even possible?
Rubbing my chin, I consider her question, but the answer is easy.
My only wish is making yours come true.
