Arrogant Boss

“Hey, I don’t make the rules.”

“Well, in here you do, Giordano. Tell me what these dishes are because I’m starving.”

Slowly, my defenses fell. He was charming and funny, and not once did he seek to cross some line like I had been expecting. We had more in common than I had anticipated, but in some ways, our differences were practically irreconcilable.

“You really haven’t been to the movies in years?”

“No, not that I can recall.”

“Years, Julian. You can’t be serious.”

“I can see whatever I feel like at home,” he shrugged. “I just don’t get around to going to an actual movie theatre.”

“That’s just sad.”

“No, sad is someone who doesn’t want to order dessert.” He gave a pointed glance towards the untouched dessert menu between us.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“I’m full! Stuffed! I’m like one of those dolmades,” I told him, “and I couldn’t possibly eat another bite.”

Julian looked at me through hooded eyes. “Alright. You got to make the rules regarding food, but that means I get to decide on drinks.”

“Julian, we have work tomorrow.”

He called the waiter over and promptly ordered two small glasses of ouzo. “We won’t have more than one each, don’t worry.”

The chilled glasses of anise-flavored liquor arrived not two minutes later. I looked down at mine in distaste. I knew it was traditional, but it was damn strong and I’d never been fond of licorice.

“Eyes up here, Ace,” he grinned. “Let’s cap off the night with a round of Never Have I Ever.”

I couldn’t help myself-I laughed in astonishment. “The game you play in high school?”

“Yes. You drink if you’ve done something, and you don’t if you haven’t. Simple as can be.” Julian’s face was teasing, as if he didn’t really think I’d agree to this.

But I’d never lacked courage. I raised my glass high and touched it to his. “It’s on, Hunt.”

“Ladies first.”

“Alright. Hmm… Never have I ever started a company.”

He rolled his eyes. “Come on, Ace. These are tiny glasses. We don’t get many chances here. Isn’t there anything else you really want to know? I promise complete honesty.”

“Never have I ever been kicked out of a club,” I said-and didn’t reach for my glass.

Julian sighed and took a small sip of his ouzo. “It was college, alright? You have to remember that I’m older than you. I have had more time to make bad decisions.”

“You’re not older by much.”

“Eight years.” His reply was instant. He’d calculated the age difference between us, just as he had known about my parents.

“That’s not much.”

His smile grew. “I agree. Alright, it’s my turn. Never have I ever stolen anything.”

I took a sip of the burning liquid, but Julian didn’t touch his glass. “Come on! Everyone’s taken something at some point. You really haven’t?”

“No.””Not even, like, a piece of gum when you were a kid?”

“Nope.” His smile was angelic. “Not me.”

“Probably because you never needed to,” I grumbled.

Julian rolled his eyes. “Right. Now tell me about your great crime story.”

“I stole a small beaded bracelet from a grocery store. I was six or seven and just wanted to see if I could. I felt so bad I told my Mom and we drove back to return it.”

Julian shook his head. “I’ve hired a thief. I guess I should be happy she has a remorseful heart, at least.”

And a very deceitful one, I thought, thinking about how it regularly speeds up around him despite my decision to be professional.

“Your turn.” He looked at me with a challenge in his eyes, eyebrows slightly raised, as if he knew exactly what kind of thing I’d say. He was probably expecting something cutesy and fluffy. So I raised my chin and gave him something else.

“Never have I ever had a one-night-stand.”

“Damn, Ace.” Julian raised the glass to his lips and took a sip. “You’re making it hard for me to show you what a catch I am.”

Not letting my eyes drift from his, I slowly raised my own glass to my lips and took a burning sip.

“And here I thought I had you all figured out,” he murmured. His gaze flicked down to my lips and I wet them unconsciously. Heat raced through me, and the air grew thick.

Julian’s voice was husky. “Never have I ever thrown a game of pool because I wanted an excuse to spend time with someone I’m interested in.”

Shit. “That’s really what you’re going with?””Yes.”

“Hmmm.” I made a show of reaching for my glass, slowly lifting it up. His eyes lit up in triumph as I drank.

“I knew it.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I don’t get out much.”

“Then I’m happy to be of service.” He leaned back, toying with the small glass in his hand. “It’s your turn.”

“Never have I ever been unfaithful,” I said. Neither of us touched our glasses.

He smiled. “Never have I ever said ‘I love you’ just to get laid.”

Again, neither of us touched our glasses. Julian raised an eyebrow. “Looks like we have some things in common after all, Ace.”

“If we keep going at this pace we’ll be here all night.”