Page 47 of The Butterfly Effect
“I think you should come back to DMI. I know you quit because of me, but I can’t let you do that.”
I gaped, wondering for the first time in days what Sandra told everyone when I quit. “You were only part of the reason,” I said with a wink. “I can’t work for Sandra anymore, and after the way I left it with her… it just wouldn’t be professional.” I chuckled at my own joke, disappointed when he didn’t laugh.
“I’m the CEO, baby. I can get rid of Sandra.” His offer was tempting, but no matter how much I disliked her, it would be too distracting to work with William again. As thoughts of him fingering me while he’d forced me to take a phone call came to mind, warmth flooded through me.
“I’m serious, William. I’m not coming back.” He looked at me, clearly disappointed, and I put my hand on his arm and lightened my tone, hoping to get back to enjoying our last night in paradise. “Plus, you just want me to come back so you can fold me over your desk again.” I winked at him, and he threw his head back in laughter.
“You may not be all wrong. You did look pretty sweet folded over my desk and dripping with my come.”
A wet warmth dampened my panties, and I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth. He licked his lips, sending shivers down my spine. I had experienced what his tongue was capable of several times over our last few days together. When he stood up and lifted me into his arms, I wrapped my legs around his waist and buried my face into his neck, inhaling the scent of cinnamon and salt from the ocean. More than anything, I hoped that moments just like these, where he couldn’t help but have me in his arms, would continue to happen in Michigan.
Julianna staredout the airplane window, a melancholy look on her face like she was leaving an old friend. I’d promised her when we woke up and left for the airport that I’d bring her back as often as she wanted. If it meant seeing her laugh and smile the way she had all week, I’d bring her monthly. She hummed quietly next to me, but I couldn’t make out the song over the sound of the engines. As sad as she was that we were leaving our slice of paradise, she looked completely refreshed.
When the plane took off, she reached over and held my hand, and I couldn’t help my smile. Flight attendants came around and brought us our drink orders—coffee for me and a mimosa for Julianna. I’d laughed at her when she ordered it, but she said it was basically an unspoken rule that any flight before ten a.m. required mimosas.” It’s a seven-hour flight home, with one layover. I imagine she would need more than one mimosa and probably a nap on the plane.
“I’ve never flown first class like this before.” She had looked over our flight arrangements with awe. I’d paid to upgrade her ticket, hoping for more comfort on the long flight and knowing I’d want her to be next to me.
I chuckled at her amazement. “You could fly on a private jet this weekend if you’ll come to Chicago with me.” Her jaw dropped, the shock on her face evident.
“Private jet? Chicago? Why?” The way she furrowed her brow and continued to hold her mouth open made me smile.
I reached up, placing my fingers beneath her jaw and closing her mouth before running my thumb over her bottom lip. “My father’s company has a private jet. We use it when we fly between cities for work or events, and occasionally for personal reasons.” Her mouth fell back open, but when she saw me linger on it, she shut it again. “I’m taking it to Chicago this weekend for a gala my father and brother are putting on. I attend every year. This year they are raising money to end sex trafficking in Chicago. It’s formal, so you’ll have to wear a gown, but my brother’s assistant should have a couple of options that would fit you beautifully.”
As I tried to convince Julianna to attend the event, I realized that if she agreed to it, it’d be the first time I’d ever brought a plus one. Every year I came alone, much to my mother’s disappointment. She never seemed disappointed that Demetri was alone, but since our youngest brother had married, she was starting to push me again.
“You don’t think I’ll be out of place?” She looked down, gnawing on the inside of her lip.
Using my thumb, I pulled her bottom lip from her teeth. “Baby, you could never be out of place. And you’ll be with me. You’ll be the most envied woman at the event.” I winked at her, watching the familiar blush I couldn’t get enough of run up her neck. “Besides, if you really aren’t going to come back and work with me, then you may as well network with some of the best.”
“Okay. I’ll go. For you.” She was excited, undoubtedly already mentally figuring out how she would wear her hair and agonizing internally about her earrings. I made a mental note to text Erin and ask her to bring her spare dresses when Demetri sent her to pick us up from the airport.
Within an hour of taking off, Julianna had fallen asleep and tucked herself against my arm. She was small enough that she could tuck her legs up in the seat as she held my arm across her lap. I listened to her even breathing and felt her chest rise and fall, and when I wrapped my arm around her, it wasn’t long before I fell asleep too.
I’d never beenon a private plane before, and sitting in the oversized seat across from William was almost enough to make my head spin. Besides the pilot and one attendant, we were the only two on the plane, so when we reached the right elevation, I wasn’t surprised to have William pull me into his lap. The way he ran his hands up the sweater dress I wore and along my panties was just enough to distract me from my nerves. I would be walking into a prestigious Carlisle event on the arm of the Carlisle who had probably never brought a woman with him before.
It’s a short flight from Grand Rapids to Chicago, so we weren’t on the plane for long before we landed. As we stepped off, William texted who I assumed was his brother’s assistant. He mentioned she was also going to be bringing extra dresses, and I was nervous about them fitting.
A black Mercedes town car pulled up to where we stood on the curb waiting, with William’s arms wrapped around me. He dropped them when the car door opened and a striking woman with dark-auburn hair and the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen stepped out. She practically floated around the car in her stiletto heels, and I became increasingly aware of my casual sweater dress, the butterflies rousing again in my stomach.
“William Carlisle,” she greeted him, and when she kissed him on the cheek and hugged him, I had to brush away a flood of jealousy. “We haven’t seen you in too long. I know that Demetri and your father are looking forward to seeing you.”
“Hello, Erin,” he said, half returning her hug.
She nodded, dismissing him and turning her attention to me. “You must be Julianna Thomas? William said you were coming.”
“Please, call me Jules.” I smiled at her, taking her open hand and shaking it. “Thank you for picking us up.”
“Of course. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to see the kind of woman who can tolerate spending time with this guy.” The woman laughed and nudged William, giving me a clear once-over from head to toe. I pictured the suits hanging in my closet and wished I’d worn one of them instead.
“Yeah, yeah. I hardly believe it myself.” He shot a smile in my direction, and my cheeks warmed with a light blush. I hoped it wasn’t noticeable enough for Erin to see it, but judging by William’s smirk, it was.
She didn’t say anything, though, as she opened the back of the car for William to put our bags in the trunk. He opened the back door and let me climb in, closing it behind me and walking to the other side. Before he opened the other door to get in, he said in a hushed voice, “We’ll talk about it later, Erin. Just drop it.”
“I’m just saying, he’s not going to be happy about it.”
She opened the driver’s door and climbed in, plastering on what I now imagined was a fake smile, and my stomach soured. William slid into the backseat next to me, reaching across and placing his hand possessively on my thigh.
My mind raced, assuming Erin’s comment was about me. Who would be upset that I was here? Since William said he’d talk to her about it later, I assumed he already knew someone was going to be mad I came. I always knew he was out of my league, and even though he’d said I wasn’t, it didn’t change the truth. William Carlisle came from a very different world than I did, and maybe it was one I didn’t belong in.
