Mr. Masters (Mr. 1)

He chuckles as he takes my hand and leads me out to the living area. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” He glances at me. “I got you something.” “What?”

He guides me to the drawer of the desk and takes out a black velvet box.

“What’s this?” I whisper when he passes it to me.

“Your birthday present.” “This is my birthday present.” I gesture to the room. “You are my birthday present.”

“Having you all to myself in this room for the weekend is a present for me, not you. Open it.” He smirks, watching me intently.

I open the box and my breath catches, my eyes rising to meet his. “Jules, no. This is too much.”

“Nonsense.”

He’s bought me diamond stud earrings. They’re rose gold surrounding two huge diamonds. “I can’t accept these.”

He kisses me as he pushes the hair back from my face. “Yes, you can. You’re the first woman I’ve ever wanted to spoil. Let me do it.”

I nervously take out my earrings and put the new ones in. Then I look at myself in the mirror and my eyes fill with tears.

His face falls. “What’s wrong?’

“Nobody has ever bought me a gift like this before.”

"If it's any consolation, I've never bought a gift like this before, either."

My eyes search his.

Ask him now. Just do it… ask him.

This question has been burning a hole in my brain for over a week.

“Have you ever been in love, Julian?”

His eyes hold mine and he shakes his head softly. “No.”

My stomach flutters with excitement and my traitorous smile breaks free.

“You like that answer?” He smirks down at me as he brushes the hair back from my forehead.

“Yes. I like that answer a lot,” I breathe. I feel my confidence return. Is it evil that I’m excited that he’s never been in love before? There’s a chance that I could be the first woman he loves. It may be small, but still, a chance is a chance.

“I’m ready to be romanced in Rome now, Mr. Masters.”

He raises his eyebrow. “You are aware that you are with somebody who has no idea how to romance, right?”

“Any time spent with you, Julian, is blissful and romantic to me.” I smile up at him.

He chuckles and pulls me toward the door. “This is why you are perceived as ditzy, Miss Brielle. You really don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

I giggle as he pulls me down the corridor by the hand.

This is the best night of my life already.

Julian

I'm listening to her breathing as she sleeps. Bree's on her side facing me, her small hand resting in mine. Her long, dark hair has been braided into a loose plait for bed. Her beautiful big lips are slightly parted, and her dark eyelashes fan out above the cheekbones of her porcelain skin. They begin to flutter every now and then, as if she's dreaming. I can't take my eyes off of her, just in case I'm the one dreaming and she won't be here with me when I wake up.

The white blanket pools around her. I lift it carefully and tuck her back under it to keep her warm. She becomes restless for a moment and then kisses my hand before she drifts back to sleep.