NATASHA
I’m so embarrassed.
I love that Julian didn’t punish me or even make me feel bad for the epic failure that was dinner, but still.
Ugh.
“Way to make a first impression, Natasha.”
Rolling my eyes, I finish drying the last dish. The casserole dish had to be thrown away. There was no saving it. I tried.
It died an honorable death.
There’s a short knock on the front door, and then it opens, and a man roughly the size of a car strolls in carrying the takeout food.
“Uh, hi.” I feel uncomfortable because I’m not exactly dressed for company. I don’t usually show much skin. I’ve always been a little self-conscious of my curves, and I prefer to not show too much, especially to Julian’s men.
“Mrs. Stavros,” he says with a nod. “I’m Jack, Julian’s number two.”
“Jack, can you do me a favor?”
He lifts an eyebrow. “Sure.”
“Do you mind if, in the future, you just text me to let me know the food’s here and leave it by the front door?”
“Like DoorDash?” he asks as if he can’t believe what he’s hearing. His face is so ...cold. Shit, I’ve pissed him off.
“Yes, please. It would make me feel safer.” Who am I right now? I’veneverbeen this outspoken, but Julian insists that this is my home, and damn it, I want to be comfortable here.
“You heard her,” Julian says, surprising me as he walks into the room. “Unless it’s an emergency, or I ask you to come inside, you don’t.”
Jack looks over at me, and for a second, I think he’s going to argue, but I lift my chin.
“This ismyhome now, too, Jack.”
“You’re right,” he says with a nod. “May I please have your number, so I can text you in situations like these?”
“I’ll text it to you,” Julian says. “Thanks, Jack.”
The other man nods, and then he leaves, and I let out the breath I’d been holding.
“Don’t apologize,” Julian says before I can do just that. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
I blink rapidly, taken aback. “What? Why?”
“Because you spoke up for yourself, and that’s sexy as fuck, Angel. I want you to do that all the damn time. Tell all of us exactly what you need.”
I feel my cheeks heat. “I wasn’t comfortable with him here when I’m dressed like this, but I thought you’d get mad at me for giving your man orders. Also, I think I pissed him off. He looks so grumpy.”
Julian’s gaze travels down my body, and I flush even more. At this point, I probably look like a lobster.
“First of all, you were respectful in how you asked, Natasha. Your request wasn’t unreasonable. Second, Jack isn’t mad at you. That’s just how he looks. Also, we’re in agreement. You canwear whatever you want, but I like that you don’t want to show this spectacular body to anyone but me.”
He smirks as I bite my lip and lifts the bags of food, then offers me his free hand. I immediately slide mine in his, and he gives it a squeeze.
“Let’s go eat this in the office,” he suggests, and I nod, walking with him.
“Did you build this house?” I ask him.
