It's Never Easy - Boudreaux Universe

“Oh please, you’re not the first employee to want her boss’s package.” She giggles, waggling her eyebrows, causing me to groan.

“Can you not? I mean he’s very reserved. He didn’t even like my tattoos. He comes across as grumpy and aloof. But there are times… I mean, there are moments where I see him, the person he hides from the world. But I can’t act on my feelings.”

“No, this is ridiculous. You’re acting like an old maid,” Phee admonishes me, and I know she’s right. I’m hiding behind old pains and heartaches. When I was in Italy, I enjoyed my life, and I would take chances because I could. “Listen to me, Nea, if he’s hot and you’re attracted to him, perhaps a little teasing won’t go amiss. I mean, he sounds like he needs a woman to break through that hardened outer shell.” Her announcement comes with a flourish of her hand, which only makes me laugh even more.

“What if I’m misreading his intensity as annoyance and not want?” She stops moving to look at me like I have four heads. Sometimes, I overthink things, and that’s why I need my best friend to tell me if those things are stupid or valid.

“You’re never going to know if you don’t take a chance,” Phee tells me earnestly. Her expression is serious for once, and I know if she was pulling my leg, she’d be laughing. “I’ve watched you grow out of your pain, out of that darkness that held you for so long. You need this, Nea.”

“Ha, I need to get kissed, or I need to get ravaged?”

“Both!” Her squeal echoes on the speakers, bouncing off the walls of my home. “Get kissed, slowly and tenderly, then let him ravage you. I mean, like well and truly fucked.”

“Oh my god, Phee!”

“I’m serious. If you go too long without it, you’ll become an old cat lady,” she teases playfully, and I have to roll my eyes.

“I happen to like cats. There’s nothing wrong with those sweet little furballs,” I tell her, folding my arms across my chest in indignation, which only has her rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, sure.” My best friend laughs, which has me laughing, and for the first time since I left, I feel like I can do this. Both live here and perhaps seduce my boss.Chapter 11NeaIt’s been a couple of days since the tension skyrocketed. Julian has lingered in the mornings but left me to do what needs to be done to get the event preparations ready. Even though he’s still looked over my work and left notes for me the next day, he’s been good, respectful. But he’s also been distant. Only coming into the office to greet me when I arrive, and then again when I leave.

However, each lunch hour when I’ve ventured into the kitchen, I found treats he’d leave for me alongside the mug I’ve gotten used to using. I haven’t been inside the gallery since my first day here, but I know I’ll need to get back in there again soon.

But today is Wednesday, and its time for me to dive headfirst into an event. I’ve only done smaller showings when I was still in Rome, but this particular show is going to be open to both VIP guests for a couple of hours and then any other ticketed patrons for another two hours.

The dress code is formal. The drinks and snacks cost thousands of dollars. This isn’t some fly-by-night, back-alley art show. This is the real deal, and I’m nervous. The office door swings open, and Julian saunters in with a black garment bag. He’s also carrying a box in his other hand and that stupid handsome smile on his face.

I’ve tried not to look at him in that way, but I can’t dismiss my girly flutters that seem to be present each time he walks into the office. He doesn’t say a word, setting down the box, and hanging the clothing bag against one of the railings meant to hold up coats.

“What’s all this?”

“Your outfit for tonight,” he tells me without looking my way. Shock must paint my expression because when he finally glances at me, he smiles. That fucking smile. “I thought you might want something more formal,” Julian says, his gaze raking in every inch of my outfit. I opted for something a bit more casual, knowing I’m going to be hanging paintings today.

“Thank you.” I push off the chair and make my way over to the hanging bag. Unzipping it, I find a purple dress made entirely of a soft, sheer material. Also on the hanger is a silky negligee I’m assuming goes under the rather see-through dress. “I didn’t expect this.”

“Well, there won’t be any time for you to go home, change, and then return and be here to greet the guests.” Julian turns and heads for the door, and for the first time in a while, I want him here.