Page 50 of The Butterfly Effect
As he started to say something else, a beautiful, strawberry-blonde woman approached us and threw her arms around him, planting a bold kiss on his cheek. “Hey, handsome.” The woman practically purred, and when she ran her hand across his chest, I narrowed my eyes. I started to clench my hand at my side, and I moved it to grip the clutch purse I was holding instead.
“Tiffany.” William greeted her with a straight face, putting his hands on her shoulders and forcing her back a few steps. She stumbled slightly in her heels, but while I hoped she would fall, she stayed on her feet.
“I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Julianna Thomas.” I snuck in front of William with a confident smile, not holding my hand out to her. William wrapped his arm around my waist, and I leaned against him. Really, I hadn’t met anyone, but there was a chance she wouldn’t know that, and I was betting on it.
“Oh, sweetie, Will and I go way back. We know each other quite well. We actually dated once upon a time.” She winked at him, and William stiffened behind me.
I took a sip of the wine in my hand and tried to appear uninterested in her comment, knowing I’d be the one in his bed tonight, but I struggled to swallow. Even when Tiffany narrowed her baby-blue eyes at me, I couldn’t let down my guard down. William said he didn’t date. Was she the reason why? Did he love her at one point? Did he still? Suddenly, I needed to know everything about the woman.
“If you’ll excuse us, we have other matters.” I stepped to the side and wrapped my arm through William’s, leading him towards Demetri and Carter.
“Are you a little jealous, baby?” He was taunting me, speaking quietly but still causing my cheeks to blush at the realization that my actions were impulsive and not very subtle.
I stopped and looked at him, speaking quietly. “Of course I’m jealous. Another woman just had her hands and lips on you. I guarantee the next time won’t be met so nicely.” I flashed him a sweet smile and winked. Demetri chuckled, meaning they had likely heard not only my comment but the entire interaction.
“She’s feisty, William. I like her.” Demetri smirked and clapped William on the back when we stepped next to them. I took a sip of my wine and cursed myself for my ability to blush at any and every comment. William winked at me before turning to his brother with an intentional look.
The look wasn’t missed by Carter, and he directed his attention towards me. “Maybe now would be a good time for me to put a bug or two in your ear before dinner.”
“That sounds great.” I painted on a smile as William pulled Demetri to the side.
I couldn’t keep my attention on them for long, though, before Carter cleared his throat and pulled my gaze back to his. “So, William told me that you may be fresh on the market for a new job?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Please don’t call me sir. Carter is fine. You’re practically family if he’s bringing you around us.” His smile was gentle but temporary. I was starting to see where William’s straight-faced demeanor came from. I wasn’t seeing his dad—I was seeing Carter Carlisle, wildly successful businessman. “I’m going to be buying and consolidating a marketing company here in Chicago, quite similar to the one you just left. I need somebody to oversee their operations, and I hear that you have quite a talent for engaging and leading a team.”
My breath caught in my chest behind the wordChicago. “I would have to move here, though?”
“We would cover all moving expenses, of course, and we could offer a sizeable salary to ensure your comfort in the city.” His voice was smooth, and even though it all sounded too good to be true, I couldn’t help but want to trust him.
I thought about moving to Chicago. Would William come back with me? He had kept his penthouse, but would I live with him or in my own apartment?
“When?”
“Six months. Think about it. I don’t need an answer tonight. I’ll send you some information and give you a call this week.” He reached up and clapped his hand on my shoulder just as William and Demetri walked back over. Both of their faces were decorated with frustration, and judging by the way Demetri shook his head at William, he wasn’t happy with their discussion.
Before I got lost in a train of thought about what the business venture was, I was being ushered into the ballroom. There was a large round table at the front with five open seats. Beth and Erin sat at the table, and we filled in around them, leaving an empty seat between William and Erin. When Tiffany walked up and seated herself between them, a jealous frustration filled me as quickly as clear amusement crossed Demetri’s face.
The next time won’t be met so nicely.
My own words echoed in my head. I was currently looking at the next time. William had his arm across the back of my chair, but I scooted my seat slightly closer to his, possessively placing my hand on his thigh. The way Tiffany raised her eyebrow was almost like a challenge, and she leaned forward, running her finger along William’s forearm before he pulled it away with a glare.
“That’s quite enough of that.” His voice was callous enough to shock Tiffany back in her seat. Even though his tone sent a shiver down my spine, I didn’t move from my position beside him, and his family didn’t flinch. Tiffany’s mouth dropped open, as if she didn’t have her advances turned down often, and she looked to Erin for help.
When Erin didn’t move or speak up, Tiffany turned to me. Why was she seated at our table? “Sorry,sweetie, Will and I just kind of have athing.” I waved my hand as if to brush off her attempts at flirting with him. She looked at me like we had a casual relationship and he hadn’t followed me across the world. Across the table, Demetri and Erin stifled laughs, and William stared at me like the rest of the room had disappeared.
She scoffed and stormed away, and I didn’t watch to see if she went to another table or stormed out the doors. As soon as she was out of earshot, Beth raised her eyebrows in her first sign of surprise. “Well, I certainly didn’t expect that out of you. No wonderWilllikes you so much.”
I laughed, covering my mouth with my hand and feeling my cheeks warm. “I think I could use another drink.” The glass in front of me was empty, and I needed to walk and cool down for a second.
“I’ll show you to the bar.” William tossed back the last of his glass. “I could use another myself.”
He stood up and offered me his arm. I hooked my arm through his, running my hand on his forearm where I knew his tattoo was. We walked to the other side of the room, but instead of turning towards the bar, he led me through another door and into a small den, locking the door behind us. Before my next breath, my back was pressed to the wall and William’s mouth was hovering over mine.
“I kind of like it when you’re jealous.”
The fabric of my dress bunched easily in his hands as he slid the skirt up my legs. “William, somebody might have seen us come in here. What if someone hears us?”
