chapter 5

TYBERIAS' POV

We stepped out the building and I led her to my car.

I saw my driver about to get out of the car to open the doors for us but I quickly shook my head signalling to him that I could do it. 

I don't know if it was because he was old and I didn't want to make him do anything unnecessary or because I wanted to show Juliana that I was a gentleman. Probably the latter.

We reached the limo and I quickly went ahead of Juliana to open the door. She thanked me and I realised that the car was massive compared to her 5"3 frame so I quickly held her hand to help her up. The warmth of the hand felt good on my skin, and I silently protested when she let go.

I quickly got in the car and the driver began to drive us to the location.

"Thank you for deciding to come out with me tonight" I began

"You didn't really give me a choice. Last I remembered, you told me to come rather than asked me" she joked

Just when I was about to answer my phone rang. I ended it and shoved it back in my pocket.

"You could've answered it. I wouldn't have minded" she said but I shook my head.

I thought I was about to lose my shit when my phone rand again.

"Answer, it's probably important." She said and I sighed

"What" I snapped as soon as I accepted the call

"Boss, we need you to come down to the warehouse and deal with something"

"Deal with it yourself, what do I fùcking pay you for?" I angrily said

"But- never mind , sorry for disturbing you,boss"

"Whatever, don't call me for the rest of the night" and with that I ended the call.

I looked over to see Juliana frowning

"That wasn't very nice. You should treat your employees better".

"I have an image to uphold, I can't be nice to everyone."

"But you're nice to me" she protested.

"Only you, Juliana."

I saw her smile which made me smile.

I didn't really smile often but she had me smiling at that simple action.

"So what do you do for a living" she asked, turning her body to face me.

I couldn't help the quick glance that fell on her cleavage. I licked my lips and cleared my throat.

"I guess you could say I'm a business man"

"What do you sell"

"That's a story for another day, Juliana" purposely making my Italian accent thicker to try and distract her from the topic of conversation.

"Where's you accent from"

"Italy, I moved here when I was a teenager"

"Can you teach me to say something"

"Okay, repeat after me: sei molto attraente"

"Sei molto attraente" she repeated obediently

"E non vedo l'ora di metterti a letto"

"E non Verdi l'ora di metterti a letto"

"What did I just say?" She asked.

"Are you sure you want to know." I asked and she nodded eagerly.

I grinned before saying "Well, Juliana, you just called me very attractive and admitted that you cannot wait to get me into bed".

I chuckled at the sight her blushing deeply.

"Well at least now you know" she boldly said, causing me to stop chuckling from almost chocking. I didn't expect that answer at all

"I'm joking. You should've seen your face" she laughed and I scoffed.

"Boss we're here." Said my driver

I got out of the car and went around to Juliana's side. I opened her door and held my hand out to help her because there was about a foot drop and I knew she would need help.

She grabbed onto my hand and jumped down. Once again, I missed the warmth of her hands as she slowly let go.

"Oh my god, Tyberias, you.... you brought me up to the Empire State Building?"

"You like it?" I said, tensing up. What if she thought this was too much?

"I-I love it. I've never had anyone do something like this to me before," she said. If I wasn't paying attention, I would've missed the slight tears that welled up in her eyes, before she quickly blinked them away.

"There are a lot of stairs, so I'm going to lift you," I say before scooping her up bridal style.

"Even if I said no, you would've done it anyway" I chuckled at her comment.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to carry her because she was wearing heels or because I wanted to feel her body against mine.

I felt her wrap her arms around my neck to steady herself. The feeling of her skin touch mine made me imagine all the things I would do to her in the future. 

I began walking up the stairs causing her to tighten her arms around me. 

"Am I too heavy?" she asked, I could tell she was feeling self-conscious.

"Not at all, you're as light as a feather"

We were at the top in no time. I gently put Juliana on her feet and put my hand on the small of her back as I lead her to the table I had set up.

"I've had the building closed off for a couple of hours and a waiter will be up shortly to take our orders."

I pulled out her chair and she thanked me as she sat down. I sat down shortly after.

30minutes later 

JULIANA'S POV

"So then I took her to Starbucks because I forgot her name"

I couldn't help the boisterous laugh that escaped my lips as he told me about his first date when he was 16.

Tyberias had managed to make me laugh more than anyone else

"I'm impressed you've really stepped up you're game. You went from Starbucks to the Empire State Building" I giggled.

"I wouldn't normally go this full out but you're an exception." He said smoothly, causing me to blush.

I finished my strawberry cheesecake and quickly changed the subject

"I remember on my first date, we went to a fancy restaurant and he ordered and ate the most expensive things on the menu. Then he went to the bathroom and never returned". I said. I expected him to laugh but he frowned and his expression turned quickly serious.

"What his full name and address?" He said without a hint of humour on his face.

I chuckled at his response

"It's not that serious" I replied but I saw that he was still waiting for a response.

"But if you really want to know, his name was Tyler Dickinson but he never told me his address" I quickly added. Whatever Tyberias was going to do to him was probably well deserved.

I saw him get a pen from his pocket, wrote his name on a napkin and tucked it in his pocket.

Some girls may have gotten scared off by what he was capable of but I found it incredibly sexy at how far he was willing to go to go to protect me. He acted so dominant around me which enticed me even further. There was something about a man who knew what he wanted that made him seem all the more attractive. 

"Sir, your bill" said the waiter, pulling me out of me thoughts.

Tyberias nodded at him, silently telling him to leave.

I reached for my purse but before I could opened it I heard Tyberias speak.

"You're not paying, put your purse away"

I shrugged and quickly put it away. I wasn't complaining anytime soon.

^-^ ^-^ 

"I had lots of fun tonight. Thank you for taking me out" I said as we reached my front door.

"No problem, but you should know that I'm taking you out again sometime next week" he said

"Maybe if you rephrased it as a question, I'd think about it" I said mischievously

I heard him sigh 

"Would you do me the honour of letting me take you out again next week?" He said.

"Of course, Tyberias, thank you for asking" I teased.

We were looking into eachothers' eyes and not one of us dared looked away. 

"I should get going it's late" I sighed and I saw the small smile he had slowly disappear.

He nodded but I didn't miss the disappointment that flashed across his face. Feeling brave, I went on my tip toes and decided to wrap my arms around his neck. I felt him tense up and just when I was about to let go embarrassed, I felt him wrap his arms around my waist. I felt a flutter in my heart as he engulfed me in his arms. I felt safe and protected, as if nothing or no one could harm me.

"Who's this Juliana?" I heard my mother say as she poked her head out the door. I quickly pulled away from him and he hesitantly let go.

"Mom, this is Tyberias. Tyberias, this is my mom"

"I see where Juliana gets her beauty from" he complimented as he placed a light kiss on her hand.

"Juliana, he's such a charmer" my mom gushed as she blushed.

"Come in, Tyberias." she continued as she began guiding him into the apartment.

"I would but I should get going." Tyberias said. My mom nodded sadly and went back into the apartment, leaving us.

"Bye, Tyberias."

"Goodbye Juliana. I'll text you." He said. I nodded and headed back into the apartment when I head his footsteps walk off.

I stayed leaning against my front door for about five minutes just smiling like an idiot. For once, I was finally happy.