Thanks to those of you who chose to read my second attempt at Julian and Brooke. I might move the rating to M because I'm not sure how steamy it will get. I know I updated petty frequently with my last story, but I'm not sure how often I will be able to this time around. I appreciate any comments or reviews that anyone wants to leave, but ultimately, I just hope you guys enjoy the story.
Ch. 2
"A date?!" Four years as Brooke's assistant, Millie was familiar with unusual and sometimes demanding requests. However, in four years, Brooke had never once included Millie on a date. Unsure what role she was expected to serve, Millie began to bombard Brooke with questions.
Storming down Madison Avenue towards Barneys for a few first date essentials, Brooke was an intimidating force of energy. First and last date, Brooke thought to herself. Brooke had absolutely no intention of sleeping with Julian Baker tonight or ever or would it be ever again? Fueled by her mental chastity pledge she frantically turned Millie to look at her. "Millie, look at me. Focus! I am instructing you to ensure I do not have sex tonight. I'm handing you the keys to my newly installed chastity belt." Brooke grinned at her flabbergasted assistant.
Now Millie was completely befuddled and bewildered by her beautiful boss's behavior. "You want me to stop you from having sex?" Brooke couldn't help to giggle when Millie self-consciously whispered the word "sex."
"Exactly! I will not give that conceited, cocky, insensitive ass the honor, the privilege, to sleep with me." Brooke was flipping through lacy bras as she was talking to Millie, her head high in the air.
"Well, if you don't want to have sex" once again Millie whispered the word and looked around, worried she was gaining the attention of other shoppers. "Then I suggest we go look in a different department. Kid section? That always freaks me out." Millie gave an exaggerated shudder as she thought of having children.
Brooke pulled a black lace bra and matching thong from the rack and mentally thanked herself for installing a washer and dryer in her office. She shook her head at Millie, "Oh I want to have sex Millie." She said matter-of-factly, "But I need you to stop me from actually having sex. Understood?" Millie nodded her head in agreement, but squinted behind her tortoise frames then shook her head pitifully no.
Brooke sighed and took Millie's hands and slowly explained the situation. "Millie, I haven't had sex in months. Ok? And Julian is HOT!" Brooke's cheeks flushed as she mentally pictured his scruffy chin and killer grin. "I mean really really HOT." Brooke tapped her foot and practically pouted as Millie nodded sympathetically. "But he is an indescribable jackass, and I will not give him the satisfaction of sleeping with Brooke Davis. Understand?" Millie nodded fervently. Brooke gripped her shoulders tightly, "Now here is the important part. I need you to focus Millicent." Brooke moved her fingers between their eyes to illustrate to Millie they were on the same level, they were a team. "I'm going to tell you to forget this little conversation, I changed my mind, it is ok, or if you don't move out of my way you're fired." Millie looked at Brooke hurt and scared at the threat of unemployment, so Brooke rubbed her arms to comfort and reassure her. "No Millie, I'll say anything to get you to let me sleep with him. But you have to stay strong. You're a virgin, you're use to this sort of thing." Nervous about this conflicting responsibility, Millie timidly replied, "Deal."
Brooke squealed and clapped her hands together as if she had won a prize. "Fabulous! Now let's get you something new…"
Brooke loved for a man to arrive early for a date. An early arrival showed class, dignity, and respect. In return for a man's thoughtfulness, she was always ready a little early, but would without fail force her date to wait. Depending on his attire, attitude, or status he could be waiting only a few minutes or long enough to become engrossed in a movie. She would spend those final moments checking her makeup, hair, and clothes, sometimes she would stare at her reflection for so long she disappeared. Tonight would not be an exception to her rule. Despite being especially early, Julian would wait. Only tonight she spent those final minutes on the computer to try and figure out just who this Julian Baker really was.
"Millie did you google Julian yet?" Brooke stepped out from her personal bathroom wearing a short strapless COB dress that wouldn't be released to the public for months. Hunched over Brooke's computer, Millie was researching the mystery man from literally hundreds of sites.
"Brooke, this guy is everywhere! Apparently, he is some hot shot movie producer based in LA. I mean he has produced movies with all of the big stars, and he is currently working on a film here in New York. He has a dating list that could rival yours." Brooke's back stiffened at the reference to his dating history, especially if it competed with her own. "What do you mean by that Millie?" Brooke hissed through gritted teeth.
Millie smiled apologetically at Brooke, worried she had offended her employer/friend. "I just mean, the guy gets around. Look at this site here," she turned the screen towards Brooke so that she could get a better look at the pictures of numerous starlets he had reportedly been associated with in just the past twelve months. "Eeewww… he's been with Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan??" She wrinkled her nose in distaste at his dating preferences, "I am so not having sex with a man who has been with either of those two. I'd be on antibiotics for weeks." Millie snorted with laughter and then glanced at the clock.
"Brooke, I'll leave you with the googling, I've got to finish getting ready. Are you sure you want me to tag along?" Millie questioned as she entered Brooke's bathroom with her makeup bag.
"Absolutely, Millie… I can't risk falling prey to Julian's sexy grin. I do not want to be the latest addition to this who's-his-latest-ho list." Brooke called out to Millie. She could barely hear Millie's garbled reply behind the closed door, but there was no mistaking the husky chuckle that came from the direction of her office door. Silently cursing the building's security, Brooke knew before she looked up that Julian was here and had heard everything she had just said.
Julian had been granted easy access to the building and was amazed at the number of people who were still working at the COB headquarters at nearly eight at night. He knew from the front secretary that Brooke was still here and in the process of getting ready for this evening's date. Julian couldn't help to have a more confident aura now that he knew she would be his companion for tonight. He had been briskly directed back towards the waiting area he had been earlier that day to wait for Brooke's appearance.
Once near her personal office, Julian had ventured towards the open door careful not to make his presence known as he tried to hear the two women talk. He was surprised they couldn't her the crackle of his grin as he beamed when he realized Brooke Davis had googled him. He couldn't help but flinch at the mention of the two supposed ex's Brooke contemptuously described. He rolled his eyes at the media's distortion of acquaintances and relationships. Many of the girls he was linked with through gossip sites were simply friends or people he bumped into. His interactions with actresses were all strictly professional after a failed romance with his lead almost ruined one of his earliest films.
He quietly leaned against the open door at the entrance of Brooke's office and couldn't help but be impressed by the brunette's beauty. Even with the garish unflattering illumination of her computer, Brooke Davis was stunning. Her hair was a stylish mass of soft raven waves that spilled over her bare pearly shoulders. Her skin seemed almost translucent in its perfection. Julian's breath involuntarily stuck in his throat as he watched her facial expressions react to the internet's inaccurate depiction of his romantic life. When he heard her describe his grin as sexy, he released a delighted chuckle despite his disappointment in her reluctance to be alone with him and the accompaniment of her assistance on their date.
Brooke took a moment to compose herself and urged her body not to react with the mortification she currently felt rising within her as she realized she had an audience. With all of the self confidence she could muster, Brooke lifted her eyes and smiled brightly at Julian from across the office. "Julian… you're back, and early. Of course you would think it is appropriate to show up early for an impromptu date and not allow a girl to be properly prepared." She lifted her hands to her hips and commanded rather harshly, "You can wait outside," before she slammed her office door in his grinning face.
Julian knew he should be more cautious with his approach towards Brooke. The animosity was practically radiating from every pore of her flawless body. He paced the waiting area and contemplated the best plan of action for him with Brooke. He was well aware of her infamous romantic reputation. She was a favorite of the tabloids and was pictured frequently with various celebrities and wealthy men. Each time he saw a new picture of her with another man, he hoped the circumstances were similar to his own reported affairs – simply tabloid trash.
He could hear Brooke's agitated and heated voice from the other side of the closed door grow closer and knew that she would soon appear. He braced himself for the brunt of her anger and wit, ready for a night of hostile banter. He hadn't been this excited for a date ever.
Millie was mentally calculating the amount of savings she currently had in the bank as the salads arrived. She figured the ramification of simply walking out of the restaurant would be unemployment, and she just didn't know if that wasn't the best alternative to the dinner she was having with her boss and Julian. Brooke was not making conversation easy for Julian and attacked almost every comment he made. However, Millie was impressed with Julian's easy attitude and ability to take Brooke's bitchiness in stride. Millie was especially impressed with how effortless he seemed to turn her barbs back to her, which only infuriated Brooke more.
Brooke was annoyed and irritated by Julian's affable attitude and attempts at general conversation. She was still embarrassed that he had overheard her googling him and was trying to regain her control through bitter insults. Julian, however, seemed to be immune to her attacks and continued to attempt conversation. By all accounts, he was a delightful date. Not only was Julian attentive to Brooke's needs, but he was also intelligent and unbearably sexy. Brooke couldn't help but to enjoy the envious looks other women were directing towards her, as practically every woman in the restaurant was wordlessly lusting after the man across from her. In fact, if she was in a better mood, she would joke about the comical swooning and almost audible sighs from nearby females every time Julian flashed his trademark grin.
Julian was thoroughly enjoying his date with Millie. He tried to hide his frustration with Brooke and continued to talk to his other dinner companion to prevent any awkward silences at the table. He appreciated the other woman's friendliness, or was it sympathy?, towards him as she helped to keep the momentum of the conversation rolling. Despite, Brooke's stony and stubborn silence, Julian was enthralled with her. He had never met another woman like Brooke Davis and he was curious to see if this icy woman had any remaining traces of the girl he knew from so many years ago. He finally decided it was inevitable that he begin to tell Brooke their shared history.
Julian refilled Brooke's glass from their second bottle of wine and hoped the alcohol was beginning to soften her. She took a large sip then gently ran her fingers along the stem of the wine glass. Julian took an even larger gulp as he watched her graceful fingers move erotically, well he thought it was erotic damn it!, along the stem. He cleared his throat and was thankful he was sitting and not standing so that the entire restaurant could clearly see the effect she had on him.
"Brooke, I'm surprised at you. You don't seem to be curious how we know each other." Brooke lifted an eyebrow at Julian's observation and took another sip of her wine. She was getting a little tipsy, but she didn't really care, the warmth of the wine was relaxing her. She was enjoying his attention even if she was too proud to acknowledge the effect his grin was having on her.
She rolled her eyes at Julian's grin, but her pulse quickened and she tried to subtly lick her lips. She hated to give him any indication that she found him attractive and desirable. Julian leaned forward totally focusing on Brooke's face. His dark eyes held her captive and Brooke found it almost difficult to breathe.
Millie's eyes darted back and forth between the two and decided she could probably leave and neither would notice. She decided to test her hypothesis and slightly nudged further and further out of her seat until her was standing and slowly backing away from the table. Once Millie made it to the lobby of the restaurant, she released her held breath and practically ran for freedom. She decided to check out before she went to bed, fearing the worst when Brooke realized she was gone.
Julian noticed Brooke's assistance try to covertly and inconspicuously leave the restaurant. He had Brooke's complete attention and had no intention of drawing her attention to their fleeing chaperone. He was thankful for her departure, confident that he could gain access to a less defiant Brooke Davis if they were alone.
Dinner arrived before Brooke could further question Julian about their supposed past with one another. They ate dinner in relative silence except to comment on each other's dish. Brooke didn't realize how hungry she was or how much her head was reeling from the wine until she began to eat her salmon. The longer she was in the presence of Julian's grin and attention, and as long as she continued to drink wine, she felt more relaxed and comfortable around him. She tried to remain coarse and impenetrable, but his charm was a mighty foe and she succumbed to his banter.
After the plates were cleared, Julian reached across and lightly grazed Brooke's hand. He was suddenly emboldened by the wine and the marked change in her attitude. She was more familiar to him now, smiling and laughing, more like the girl he met when he was only 18. He saw her eyes flicker with desire when he touched her hand and he immediately imagined her reaction if he touched her elsewhere. He didn't want to abandon contact with her, so he continued to gently rub the top of her hand with his thumb.
Brooke never knew her hand could be such an erogenous zone, but the feelings she had stirring within her rivaled anything she had felt from more obvious sources. She lowered her eyelids, chastising herself for being so easily aroused by the man she had felt contempt for only an hour earlier. She turned to Millie for a look of support, but was surprised to see an empty seat where her assistant had been sitting earlier. She turned her head quickly to Julian, but he simply shrugged and moved his hand further up her wrist. She sharply sucked in her breath and closed her eyes.
Julian was by her side without ever losing contact with her skin. He murmured into her ear, "Let's go." His hand went from a teasing caress to a gentle tug. He helped her maintain her balance, as his other hand snaked across her waist. He pulled her closer into his body with an urgency he didn't try to hide. She looked up at him with unmasked wanting and simply nodded her head in agreement.