*James*

Julia never responded to me yesterday but decided to respond today, which made my day. I don't know why, because I have no idea who she wants to be with. She's giving me these mixed signals. One minute making out with me, the next minute avoiding me like a damn plague. And I let her.

[ Sorry, I'm just seeing this now. I need to explain everything to you, but I have Paul babysitting me.]

I read her text and smile.

[Look who finally texted back. Only took ya 12 hours.... jk I know you were hammered yesterday. Sorry, I can't get rid of your shadow for u]

[I hate this. I can't even go to the park without Paul. That would have been a perfect place to talk, too :( But we do need to talk about things]

Ok Julia....let's talk.

[ We do... I'm working tonight. I'll try to think of something]

****

*Trisha*

Nate is visiting his sister, so I am a little on edge because that situation is stressful for Nate. Stress equals drinking for him lately.

I can't keep babysitting him, though. I did this with Dave, and look where that got me, single.

I decided to text that guy James to see if he wants to meet up for lunch. He seems really nice. Even if we don't end up dating, he'd make a good friend. James is easy to talk to and easy on the eyes as well. Why not have a bite to eat with him?

[Hey Mr. Gallo. I have some free time. Lunch? Nat Hollan pays, of course.]

I wait a good ten minutes before James responds.

[Well, hello, Miss Banks. Lunch on Hollan sounds good!]

I smile and send James the address of a section in L.A. that has food trucks lined up. I figure this is casual, and it's nice outside today. Plus, I have no clue what the guy likes for food, so this gives us options.

I pull into the parking lot of the Food Truck District and wait a few minutes before James pulls in. He looks good. Wearing casual clothes now instead of his usual Marriott polo shirt and khaki pants. I'm still in my skirt and heels.

We both jump out of our cars at the same time.

"Hope this is fine. I wasn't sure what you'd be in the mood for." I grab my purse and phone, and we walk to the food trucks together.

"This is perfect! What are you in the mood for?"

We both decide to tacos and find an empty table to sit at.

"Hey, thanks for this, by the way. Next time I pay." James smiles before taking a huge bite of his taco.

"Stop. You're not paying. Hell, I'm not paying. Nate can. He won't care."

"So, you always dress up for Taco Trucks in the District?" He teases, looking me up and down as some of the taco meat falls out of my taco, making us both laugh a little.

"Well, you know... I AM Nate Hollan's P.A. Gotta dress to impress, right?"

"Sexy." James pokes fun of me and raises his eyebrows while inhaling his food.

"I don't know, Hot Stuff, you look pretty good in that Marriott polo you have to wear for work." I tease James back but he knows he looks good. He takes care of his body. It's noticed.

We chat for a bit and finish our food before my notifications pop up. Shit. I have a meeting with Elliott, Nate's publicist, because of that stupid photo going around the internet. James sees my notification and sits up a little.

"Is our time up?" He asks while crumpling up his taco wrapper.

"Sorry, pal. It is. I have a meeting to go to soon."

James cleans up both our plates, throwing away the garbage for me.

"Well, tell Mr. Hollan, thanks for the grub." James nudges me a little, and we walk back to our cars together.

"See ya around "Hot Stuff'"

"See ya around "Sexy"." He smirks, and we both drive off at the same time.

*****

*James*

The rest of my day is taken up by a Group Grief Therapy session I go to on occasion. I've been going for years, so now it's just part of my routine. After that, I cleaned up my house a little before heading to work.

It's now after midnight. I've been shooting the shit with my sisters most of the night until Julia decides to come down to the lobby.

"Hey, is now a good time to talk?"

I put my phone down and nodded. "Where's Paul?"

"Nate, let him go home for the night."

"I see..." I keep my eyes on Julia. Is she with him or not with him?

"Listen. James. I need to keep my distance because apparently, I can't control myself around you. I'm going to sit over on the couch over there, and I don't want this to look like anything more than just a light conversation in case Nate decides to come down like last time. So, I'm just going to go over there and read, and if you'd like to..'Come over and say hi'.......we can talk."

"There's really nothing to talk about, is there? You made your choice. I get it."

"Well, if you change your mind... I'll be right over there...reading..." I watch Julia head over to the couch and curl up with her book.

I internally struggle with what to say for a good five minutes before finally heading over to sit in one of the chairs near Julia.

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Julia. I get it. I kinda figured it out on my own after a little while."

"I'm sorry. This doesn't have anything to do with you specifically. I want you to know that. To be honest with you, the way you make me feel- I can't even put it into words. I feel so happy when I'm around you. Like everything is just... easy. When I'm with you I forget about all my problems." She pauses.

"And when you kiss me... God, James, you don't know what you do to me."

"I understand. I just didn't make the cut." I try to joke to lighten things up and give her a smile, but it falls flat.

"I need you to know that..The timing is just off. If I wasn't already tangled up in this..."
I see Julia starting to get emotional while she talks. "This thing... with Nate... I'd be with you. Because I can't stop thinking about you. And that's not fair to you. Or Nate. I just want to do right by you both."

"Julia, don't worry about it. I get it. I can never live up to those standards. I'll never be Nate Hollan. I can't give you all he has to offer. Heck, I live paycheck to paycheck as it is..."

"No! That's not what this is about, James! Not at all!" She explains, and her eyes start to fill.

"This has nothing to do with any of that. God, James. I could care less about money. You must know that by now!" She starts crying and a hard lump forms in my throat seeing her so emotional.

"Then what?" I swallow hard. "Because I'm falling for you, Julia. I don't know how or why. We barely know each other. Believe me, you don't think I know that sounds insane? I know it's insane! I've tried to talk sense into myself. And then, when you kissed me in that pub...I just... Just why him?" I continue to ramble.

"If it's not the money, then what? Because every time I see you with him, you're sad. Every time you come through those doors after being with him, you're crying." I pause.

"And I don't ask you why, because it's none of my damn business. I just want to always make sure you are ok and hate to see you so sad like that. I could make you happy. I'd do anything to make you happy."

I plead my case while still talking calmly and keeping my composure.

"I know." Julia sniffs and wipes her eyes.

"You're crying because you know it's true..." I study her face and move over to the couch she's sitting on.

"I know." She looks down, and I take both her hands in mine to comfort her.

"So, pick me. Stay with me. Julia, I'll never hurt you. I'll never raise my voice at you. You know that's not me. I'll never make you cry. I can't give you the things he can, but I can give you that."

"I KNOW... God, I know all of this. You're not making this easy for me." Julia pulls her hands away.

"But you don't know me, James. Yes, you make me feel like-for once- everything will be ok. You make me feel the best version of myself. Like, eventually, I will heal and be happy. But that's not my reality. My reality is so dark and twisted, and I NEVER want you to see that. I don't want to drag you down with me. -"

"Nate has seen it. He's been through it. He knows just what to do when I.... God, James, I'm so broken." A tear falls down her cheek, and I wipe it away quickly.

"Then I'll fix you."

"You can't fix this. I'm sorry. I wish the timing was different. If I was in a different place, a healthier place...."

"He's going to break your heart." I tuck her hair behind her ears.

"I know."

"I'm always gonna love you." I admit, and Julia cries. She cries hard, and I pull her in and hold her. She lets me at first and then pulls away.

"I'm sorry. I wish the timing was better. I can't be near you... I'm sorry." We both look down at each other's lips and back up at the same time.

"I won't kiss you... because I won't be able to stop." I swipe my thumb gently across Julia's bottom lip and lean in, brushing my lips against hers lightly.

"But I WILL wait for you." I kiss just the corner of her mouth.

"Until then, I'll always be your friend." I back away completely and move back to the chair

"Thanks."

"There you are..." Friggen Hollan comes out of the elevator and rushes over to where we are. I didn't even know he was in her room...

"Listen..." Nate starts and notices Julia's watery eyes. He looks at me and back at her. "What's going on? Are you ok?"

Julia smiles up at him. "Yeah, sorry. I was just reading this stupid book. James came over to see if I was ok, too. I also apologized to him about my stupid little bar scene." Julia lies.

I nod and look up at Nate. "Sorry, no hard feelings? I didn't know..." I stand up and put my hand out as a peace offering. Nate shakes my hand.

"You're good, Mate." Nate looks at Julia with a panicked look.

"Nate, what's the matter?" She stands up, too. Something else is wrong. He didn't come down here looking for her.

"Listen, doll. I have to go. The hospital just called me. Something's wrong with Cara... I ..." He stops in his tracks. "Actually. Hey. James, are you able to keep an eye on her up there?? I let Paul go home. I ... I have to go, Jules."

"Of course." I give Nate a nod. "I can get someone to cover me down here. No problem."

"I'm sorry, Jules. I have to go." He leans down and pecks her on the cheek.

"Go. GO! Text me later." She waves him off, and he runs out of the hotel. The doors close behind him. We both watch the door for what feels like forever. Minutes of silence go by before I take charge. I step in closer to Julia.

"Looks like I'm your new babysitter."

I look down at her, but Julia keeps her eyes focused on my Marriott name tag pinned to my chest.

"You're not making eye contact for a reason. I can tell." I put a hand on her cheek and step in even closer.

"And you're not making this friend zone thing very easy..." She says to my nametag.

"Look at me, Julia." I demand in a lower tone.

"No. I can't ..."

"Julia..." I swipe her perfect bottom lip with my thumb again.

"I said- LOOK AT ME." I demand again a little harsher, pulling her chin up. She finally looks at me, and her pulse picks up. It's noticed.

I lean in close to her ear, "One last time." I say softly, my lips press against her ear right after my words, making her breath hitch.

"James..."

"Julia..."

"One last time." She gives in. "I mean it. James. This HAS to be the last time. I can't keep going back and forth like this. It's over after this."

"Ok, just this one time...." I brush my lips against hers and pull her in up against my body. Once again, the second her lips are on mine, my entire body ignites on fire. This time, with more desperation in our kiss as we just bared our souls to each other.

We are slow at first but within a minute quicken the pace. I hungrily taste her mouth, barely letting her catch her breath. My stomach tightens up into a knot. This is becoming more than just a kiss.

I hold on to her hips and walk her backward until we hit the wall in the lobby, crashing my hips into her while we passionately kiss.

"You know you're gonna have to be the one to stop it. You know I can't." I admit.

I can't seem to stop my body at this point.

"I know...." She breathes out, and my heart is now pounding in my ear.

She combs her hands through my hair and tugs a little, sending a shock wave through my body. I start to harden and ache for her now...

"One more minute.."Julia gives me the green light and deepens the kiss like she did at the bar.

Jesus.

I push myself against her body and roll my hips, letting her feel how hard I am and hear her gasp from the pressure, making me ache more for her.

I can't help but graze up and down her neck with my lips and press into her again, throbbing for any contact I can get.

Julia tilts her head, giving me more access to her neck, and lets out a small moan, making my dick twitch in my pants. I can't take the teasing anymore.

"I want to feel what it's like to be with you..." I whisper in her ear while rocking against her. She untucks my shirt and slides her hands under, feeling my abs tighten from her touch.

"We're still in the lobby, James." She breathes out.

"Makes it that much more exciting..." My hands make their way under Julia's top, moving up slowly to caress her with both hands making her arch her back.

"No, we can't...." She gasps. I drop one hand off her and grab her hand, flattening it against me over my pants.

"We can... We can do whatever we want." I roll my hips into her hand for more pressure, resting my forehead on hers and begin to move her hand up and down my length.

"No one can tell us what we can and can't do, Julia. I want this...." I move her hand away and slide my hand under the waistband of her leggings and underwear to feel her, causing her to inhale sharply.

She's wet. Real wet. Making it known she's just as into this.

"And I can tell you want this..." I say as she rests her forehead on my shoulder, now panting as I start getting her off with my hand.

"So why can't we have it? Just one time." I move faster and watch Julia close her eyes tightly.

"Oh... God..." Julia grabs on to my shoulders for balance.

"See...? It feels good, right?" I whisper in her ear without stopping my hand.

God, I need to be inside her.

"ye...yes..." She whimpers.

"I just want to make you feel good, Julia." Without letting her process anything, I kneel down, pull her leggings and underwear down in one shot, then attach my mouth to her core.

"Oh GOD!" Julia starts to lose control now. Her eyes close tight, and her head falls back against the lobby wall. She grabs onto my hair, pulling me in more, and I move my tongue in tight circles right against her nerves.

The knot in my stomach is getting tighter and tighter, needing a release. While doing all this, knowing I'm getting her close, I quickly pull her sneaker and pants off one leg, placing it over my shoulder for better access.

My hands grip her thighs as my tongue moves against her core. Within a minute, I feel her shake and hear her gasp while she orgasms against my mouth. But I don't stop until she pulls my head away and brings me up to her lips. Our mouths clash into each other like we can't take it anymore.

I pull my own pants and underwear down and lift her leg that is free from clothing, lining myself up to her.

"Is this ok...?" I ask for permission and wait for her to nod before I brush over her skin a few times.

I look down into her eyes and crash into her, unable to handle the tension. She feels so good inside. I throb and forcefully thrust in and out of her.

"Oh my god, James..."

I bury my head in the nape of her neck, and she holds on to me tightly while I slam into her body. Everything is overwhelming me.

I feel her tighten her muscles and come, and then five minutes come again when I hit her g-spot. Her legs shake, and she holds on to my body. I'm twitching and harder than I've ever been, needing to let go.

I'm now groaning and panting with my head still tucked into the crook of Julia's neck, one hand holding onto her waist to hold her in place, the other, behind her knee holding her leg up for access. I'm getting so close and thrust into her hard, making her come a third time and let out a loud moan that echoes through the lobby.

"I can't take any more." She whispers in my ear. I'm so fucking close.

"I'm almost there... oh God, I'm so close... You feel so good." I keep going, faster and harder. "Oh Fuck, here it is......" I groan, now out of breath from crashing into her for so long. I can feel Julia clenching her muscles around me and know she's climaxing again so continue holding off until she comes. We are both sweaty and desperate now as I fuck her against the wall in the Marriott lobby, taking the chance that someone could catch us at any moment..which makes this that much more thrilling. I twitch and throb and am now ready to explode inside her.

We both try to muffle our profanities while we orgasm at the same time, riding it out together, not caring that we are right in the open anymore.

At this point the only thing we care about is what we are feeling in the moment.

I desperately kiss all over Julia's neck while I fill her up and continue to push in and out of her, making sure to get every last second I can out of this sensation.

Eventually, I slow the pace down, holding on to her tight, sucking under her ear one last time before I regulate my breathing to calm down.

I never thought anything would feel this good. I've had plenty of women, but there's something about Julia. She's addicting and I can't get enough of her. I wonder if she realizes how good she feels inside. All I know is I need more and more of her, and there's no turning back now after experiencing that.