It's Never Easy - Boudreaux Universe

His lips are full, and the stubble that looks a day old makes my fingers itch to touch it. Broad shoulders are encased in a black T-shirt, and the sweatpants he’s wearing hang low on his hips, illegally low.

Shaking off the desire that’s taken hold of me, I look into his eyes. “I may be young, but I’m not a party animal. I’m responsible, I love what I do, and I don’t appreciate you acting like I’m an errant child you can admonish when I haven’t given you a reason to do so.”

I grow silent for a moment, watching him. His eyes darken to a forest color, and I wonder if I’ve angered him. Honestly, I don’t care right now because I want him to see me as an equal. Even though I’m only twenty-two, I’m more mature than he gives me credit for. When he doesn’t respond, I continue.

“I would be honored to run your gallery for you, and I can prove to you that if you hire me, I’m worth more than the money you’re offering, and I intend to show you that.”

He picks up his mug from the Keurig machine, lifts it to his lips, and I can’t help but stare at him as he sips the hot liquid. Silence hangs heavily around us, and I’m sure I’ve fucked this up with my big mouth and sassy attitude, but then he smiles. And if I thought he was handsome before, I’m definitely sure I hadn’t really gotten the full Julian Elliot effect. The man is breathtaking.

“You’re quite a spitfire, Ms. Kinley,” he remarks as he moves toward me. Gently, he sets his mug down, and it’s as if I can see the wheels turning in his head. Perhaps he’s about to tell me to leave. Maybe he’s going to pick me up and throw me out himself.

The thought of his arms around me makes my body grow hot, and my thighs squeeze together. I’m not sure if he notices, but I feel exposed when he lifts those green pools to rest on me.

“Perhaps I misjudged you,” he tells me. “I think you should start tomorrow. Even though it’s Saturday, I would like to set up for the upcoming event. There’s a show starting next week, on Wednesday evening, and I’ve got the caterer on standby.” He waves his hand in the air, flippantly, as if this annoys him. “You can go through the plans I had typed up and let me know what else you’ll need. Would that suit you, Ms. Kinley?”

“Oh, I . . . yes, of course, I can start tomorrow.”

He offers me a sly grin before stepping closer. When he reaches for my arm, he touches the material of my blouse instead of actually touching me. His gaze burns through my clothes, causing my skin to tingle with anticipation.

I can’t deny that Phee’s words come back to haunt me right in this moment. Her teasing me about sleeping with the boss was the last thing on my mind. But looking at Mr. Elliott, I can’t deny that he’s more than handsome, which is definitely not good.

Goosebumps rise in the wake of his touch, and I want to ask him to do it again. Calm the hell down, Nea.

“You have tattoos.” It’s not a question, but I nod anyway. “I don’t like them. I didn’t want someone who’s so frivolous with her body to work for me.” His words sound distant, yet they stab at my chest. “It reminds me of a child who is rebelling against her parents.”

“The swirling sunflowers represent Van Gogh, and as you’ll notice here,” I tell him, tugging the sleeve up my arm. “I have the melting clocks over my shoulder that are synonymous with Dali. Both my favorite artists.”

He snaps his gaze to me, watching me as he tips his head to the side. There’s something more he wants to say, I can see it in his eyes, but he shakes his head instead.

“Tomorrow, be here at eight.” He turns and heads for the door, stopping only a second to glance over his shoulder. “I’ll show you out.”

I grab my bag and follow him back to the entrance. He opens the large wooden door and waits for me to step outside.

“What is that perfume you’re wearing?” he asks suddenly. The man is like a goddamned puzzle. Hot and cold.

I turn to him. “It’s something my friend bought for me while we were in Italy. A small perfumer made custom scents, and she bought me a bottle for my birthday last year. It’s a mixture of lilies and apples.”

Suddenly, he leans in, and I’m sure he’s going to kiss me, which only has my heart thrumming wildly against my chest. Confusion and a wave of desire shoot through me as he inhales the scent.