The Delivery Girl

31. Person

Callen

"This is beautiful," she says before turning back towards me. "And this is insane." She makes a wide gesture to the open space on the deck. "It's like ten times the size of my bedroom."

We sit down and I drape my arm over her shoulder. "It gets the job done, I suppose."

"Care to share any other crazy vehicles you own, batman?" she teases.

I smile sheepishly. "Well... I may or may not also own a jet."

Julie snorts. "Why am I not surprised? Mei and I share a car that's older than her."

I decide not to mention the three cars and two motorcycles in the garage.

"I can get you both new ones," I offer.

She elbows me playfully and rolls her eyes. "Thanks but no thanks. We'll buy our own when we can afford them."

I look at her curiously, a bit taken aback by her response. Most people would've jumped at the offer, though I suppose Julie isn't like most people. "Why not let me help? It's just a car. It doesn't have to be a big deal."

She laughs softly but shakes her head. "And then what? You fix all my problems with a blank check? Callen, I'm not a project to fix."

Her words land like a gentle slap. I frown and rub the back of my neck. "That's not what I meant."

Julie rests her hand on my thigh, light and delicate. "I know. But I don't need rescuing. I just need you."

"Right, sorry."

I'm still getting used to dating someone like Julie. Every past girlfriend was always thrilled to receive gifts. Julie seems borderline offended by them.

Julie scoots closer to me and rests her head against my shoulder. Her warmth grounds me. "You're much kinder than you let on, Callen." She looks up at me with a small smile. "It's not a crime to have a heart, you know."

"Am I?" Perhaps it's a self fulfilling prophecy. Years of people believing I'm cold and harsh has led me to become that way.

"You're thoughtful and caring, and not just to me," she says, her smile growing. "I see it in the way you interact with your team, the interns, and students."

I still can't help feeling skeptical, but I appreciate it nonetheless. "Thanks for saying that," I whisper. For the first time in a long while, I feel seen. Not as a CEO, but as a person.

Julie looks at me wordlessly and chews on her lip. I immediately know we're both thinking the same thing.

She tilts her head slightly, her lips parting as though she wants to speak but can't find the words. Her soft eyes are wide, pupils blown black with intensity and desire.

"Callen," she finally breathes, her voice trembling.

I pull her onto my lap. Her fingers brush my collar and graze my jaw. The warmth of her body ignites something primal in me – an instinctual groan slips out from deep in my chest. "You're fucking beautiful, Julie." My heart pulses rapidly, but I use all my willpower to stay calm and collected - I don't want to forget a single moment of tonight.

When our lips meet, it's slow—tentative, like testing the waters. Her hands slip to my shoulders, and I grip onto her waist, anchoring ourselves to each other as the kiss deepens.

I reach around to unzip and pull off her dress, my clothes quickly follow suit. The bright moonlight makes her pale skin practically glow.

Julie looks at me with the purest intensity I've ever seen. "Ready?" I murmur.