Page 16 of Executive Benefits

I walked up to the mayor, his wife, and his four kids who all looked like they were having a nice time. “Hi, Bill,” I said, shaking his hand.

“Nick, it's great tonight!” He enthusiastically shook my hand back. He looked at his wife. He pointed to the bare tables now, and Julia was right, it already warmed up the place. It was a simple change, but it made me feel drastically different.

Bill patted me on the arm. “Rita was just saying how much she loved what you’ve done, but we hear that the place might be changing more?” he asked, his bushy brows perked.

I couldn't even be bothered to be annoyed that he knew. The town was small. I already let the staff know. There was no way they kept it a secret, even if it was accidental. Plus, if Kendra smelled something in the air, she’d definitely pounce.

“Yes! New year, new restaurant. We’re going to be moving into a more casual, family atmosphere with elevated, rustic food. Think Italian-American with a twist.” I smiled. Rita’s red lips widened in a smile matching mine.

“I think that sounds wonderful.” She placed a hand on her youngest son. “Your food is so delicious, we would eat anything you make, even the boys, but having something a little more casual with a rustic flair sounds much more like they, and we, would enjoy. You know we aren’t fancy,” she said, dabbing the corners of her mouth.

My smile grew. They lived in a 5,000-square-foot home at the top of the hill even before Bill became mayor. Plus, I’d known both of them since high school. I knew what their idea of fancy was, but I wasn’t going to argue with them. They were sayingthey supported the change in public, and it made my decision sound even better now.

“That's great.” I looked up, seeing Julia come in. Just seeing her made me nervous and excited, and I gave Bill another handshake. “I’ll let you guys get back to your dinner. Thank you for the support.”

As I walked over to a waiting Julia, I stopped and said hello to a few other regulars. “Julia, hello,” I said as she gave me a warm smile. “We can go into my office.” I pointed down the hall, and suddenly, the idea of telling her we had to cut the budget seemed like a crazy one.

I didn’t want her to think I was an irresponsible business owner. I didn’t want her to think I was bad at business. I stopped as we got to the door, and I shook out my nerves. She’d understand. I’d still be paying her. Businesses had to make budgetary changes all the time.

“Are you okay?” she asked, placing her hand on my arm. The heat that resonated from her touch abolished any rational thoughts as it charged to my dick, which started swelling. My eyes bounced over her face, and she must’ve had on some sort of perfume because she smelled like sunflowers in the summer.

I stepped closer and bunched my fingers into a fist to keep from kissing her. Especially kissing her in front of a bunch of people. That would definitely make her not want to work with me. And enough people knew about my private life as it was. I didn’t want them to know everything.

Plus, I shouldn’t even be thinking about it. She’s younger and technically staff.

An eyelash lay on her cheek. Before I knew what I was doing, my finger caressed her skin, picking up the lash. “Now you can make a wish,” I said. I surprised myself. I'd had this internal conversation already, but as my cock twitched and her perfume swirled around me, I had a difficult time not doing something I might regret later.

Julia’s gaze seemed locked on mine, and a whisper of kindness dashed over her eyes. She broke our eye contact, and I suddenly missed it and couldn’t wait for it to happen again. She placed her hand on mine and blew the eyelash away. My fingers closed around hers, and the air twisted around us.

I stepped closer and asked, “What did you wish for?”

Her cheeks turned red, splashing over her pale skin. She turned her gaze down and released a sigh. Then her mahogany eyes turned up to mine.

She blinked her full lashes at me, and I had to restrain myself from kissing her right here and now, reminding myself she was only here for business and probably thought I was too old. Both were a good splash of cold water I needed.

“I can’t tell you that, but you haven’t answered my question.” Her brows knitted together. “Are you okay?”

A crash in the kitchen pulled my attention back to the present. I realized I was holding onto her hand and we were a literal inch apart. So much for being professional.

I dropped her hand and took a step back. Clearing my throat, I gave her a tight nod and opened the office door for her and let her walk in first. Since the light was out, I flicked it on and watched her as she sat in the chair across from me.

I eased into my chair and leaned forward. “I am okay, but I got some interesting news.” I winced at the word choice as I struggled to keep my temper and tone even. “I won’t be able to go full out for the first stage of the renovation and rebranding like I initially thought.”

I stopped. I supposed she didn’t have to know why. I scratched the back of my neck and huffed as she smiled at me. It was warm and kind, and she didn’t ask any questions I would have gotten with?—

A sharp rap came on the door, and Kendra barged in with some dude on her arm. “Nick, I heard you were in here.” She gave Julia a hungry snake look, and my defenses shot up. I stood.

“You are not welcome in this office anymore. Get out.”

Instead of listening, she cuddled up next to the man on her arm and purred. I don’t even bother to stop my eyes from rolling. “Winston and I are just here to pick up my personal effects.”

“Everything that’s yours is in a box in the storage room.” I tipped my chin out of my office. “If I find anything else that’s yours, I’ll mail it to you.”

Kendra didn't take her eyes off Julia the entire time, and I shook my head and moved around my desk. “Julia, it’s probably best that you go for now.” I turned my gaze to Kendra, then stepped between them, putting my back to Kendra and the guy.

“Let’s reschedule for tomorrow, okay? I’ll call you later. You don’t need to be part of this.” Confusion rode through her eyes, and she seemed to understand what I was asking—not to mention, she was in front of Kendra. When she gave me a tight nod, relief flooded my system and I turned, placing my handalong her back. I ushered her out, sweeping my arm forward and leading her out.

She turned to look at me before she left the office and touched my arm. “See you later,” she said.

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