Page 10 of Just Like You (Square Mile Rogues #2)

And yes, I’d said it out loud before and did now, I was definitely bisexual, and I’d had more sexual partners than I dared to recall, both men and women.

Didn’t excuse the fact that I entered my credit card number on the airline site and happily parted with an enormous amount of money…

just so I could see this particular man again.

Julian. Gorgeous, sweet and ridiculous Julian.

Sharp-tongued and pretty, a man who had no fear of me at all.

Unusual, considering our size difference and my inability to control the arsehole that I inevitably was.

I knew it and embraced it because that is what you did when you were someone like me .

Hard. Driven. The man who got the results.

Also, I liked my job. The opportunities, the people, and the company that enabled me to play with huge amounts of other people’s money on the daily. Thrilling.

Not as thrilling as this. Knowing that there was someone out there who…

I shuddered with what should have been unease but surprisingly was all butterflies and cupcakes. It made me laugh. Even made Maura laugh as she carefully placed a cup of coffee next to me. I smiled. She grimaced.

“What you up to now, child?”

“Nothing.” I grinned.

“If you’re not careful, I will book another meeting with Juliet. And you know she will come down hard on you.”

“She always does.”

“I’m here to ensure you behave. Keep an eye on you. That you treat people nicely. They tell me you know. I get all the gossip. You should be on your best behaviour.”

Didn’t I know it.

“Don’t go breaking some girl’s heart, you hear me?”

“Maura.” I sighed.

I’d had my boss read me the riot act more than once. I wasn’t allowed to harass our interns. Nor was I allowed to use sexualised language in the workplace. And if Maura walked? I would be out on my arse.

Harsh, perhaps, but it wasn’t that bad. Yes.

I had, in the past, behaved despicably against the very people who worked here to make my life easier.

I had also taken what I wanted without any concerns for the eventual consequences, and I was more than aware that Juliet had cleaned up my messes in the past. And that leash she had around my neck?

Very, very real. Hence, Maura. Handpicked by Juliet, and not quite your ordinary PA.

Maura knew more about financial aggregation than I did and had hijacked my schedule and threatened me on the daily.

She’d never known my late mother, but she constantly threw her name around like she had.

Reminding me that I wasn’t special. And to behave.

I knew my place. Which was a surprisingly comfortable seat to be sat in, because…

I was getting older. I no longer had that constant drive to get myself laid. The thrill of the chase had once been exhilarating, and now?

My mouth smiled again. Julian. I wanted to lie in his arms and have him kiss the top of my head. I wanted…

Shit. I was getting old. And now Maura flung the door open again.

“Friday. You’re meeting with Thomas Sandhurst at three. I will move it to Tuesday at noon, and you’ll be bringing me back Caribbean chicken from the place next to the Sandhurst office for lunch. Deal with it.”

“Immaculate planning.”

She slammed the door .

I picked up the phone and dialled her desk.

“What,” she barked. Maura in a nutshell.

“Appreciated,” I said, almost tenderly.

“Wherever you’re going, I’m running low on Malt whiskey. I only like thirty-year-old Lagavulin.”

“I will look,” I promised.

“You will pre-order with your airline of choice and pick it up on the return sector. Delivered straight to your seat. Sometimes, Kieron, I wonder which planet you live on. Do you not know these things?”

“I do.” I smiled. “And your wish is my command.”

“I’m glad you are aware of that fact.” She slammed the phone down.

Maura. I liked her. Despite the blackmailing and threats, the fact was that she had my back. I hadn’t had that in a long time, and I suppose it was another sign that I was growing old. I needed someone to have my back. Someone who didn’t just take take take…

My phone went again, and I picked it up, barking out a yup into the receiver.

“Babes.” Gina. Okay.

“Hey,” I said.

“I have an event. Wednesday night, I need you. I will have Charlie courier over a suit, and you need a decent timepiece and we’re looking at slick hair. Can you do that? ”

I scribbled it down because no, I wouldn’t remember, but I was sure Gina would again remind me.

“Suppose.”

“A little enthusiasm goes a long way, babes.”

“How did the surgery go?”

“Boobs are sore as fuck, but they will look stunning in the dress I’ll be wearing. I’m the ambassador of the brand, you know. Need to flaunt that look.”

I knew full well the look she was about to flaunt. More skin than thread, all on display, whilst I would be standing there like a mannequin with a glass of champagne in my hand.

I’d done worse events. And yes. Gina.

“I’ll text you.” She hung up.

She made me calm, but just for a moment, because here was my airline confirmation sliding into my inbox, and suddenly that unease in my stomach was back with a vengeance.