The Tycoon’s Resistant Lover Page 0,3

gas fireplaces that could be turned off with a flick of a switch. Even the heat was conspiring against her and she felt like her cheeks were on fire as she looked up at the man who was now staring down at her as Jessica finished the introductions.

Jessica poured him a bourbon over ice and they all sat back down. Unfortunately, the man took the seat next to Julianna despite there being ample room in other places around the coffee table. He even sat too close, forcing her to shift her position closer to the arm of the sofa just so their legs weren’t touching. And why in the world did he have to put his arm along the back of the sofa like that? She could actually feel his body heat along her back where that arm was resting as well as all along the side of her where his massive body was too close to hers on the cushion.

Jessica sat back down in her chair and smiled admiringly at James. “James does some weird things with real estate. Aren’t you looking at some new property in London now? I thought I remember you mentioning that while we were in Switzerland recently.”

Edward almost rolled his eyes. “James is one of the preeminent real estate developers in the world, tackling projects that others think are too risky or even impossible. I wouldn’t describe what he does as ‘weird’, Jessica.”

Julianna grasped onto that news as a way to put the man in his place. “I guess that makes your fortunes rise and fall precipitously,” Julianna stated, hoping that it was true.

Jessica laughed, her curls dancing once again right along with those gold earrings that made her eyes sparkle even more brightly. “James is the only one I know of that can take a risky project and consistently make it profitable. Investors beg for the opportunity to do business with him even though many of them don’t understand the complexities of the project themselves. They just know about his track record and don’t care about the risks. James can overcome just about any challenge.” She took a sip of her wine, winking at his embarrassment.

“Tell me how many hearts you’ve broken since last we met,” he said as he took a sip of his own drink.

Jessica glanced over at Edward nervously before returning her eyes to James. “Alas, I’ve been a very good girl since we last met.”

James lifted an eyebrow in her direction. “Why do I find that hard to believe?”

She grinned right back at him, refusing to admit she’d done anything inappropriate. “Perhaps because you have a very suspicious mind?”

He threw back his head and laughed, then shook his head. “That’s true enough, but I also witnessed you in action. Those men in Belgium were fawning over you left and right and you didn’t even notice.”

Julianna was astounded that he took every insult with amusement. Jessica definitely had a special relationship with this man and once again, Julianna tamped down the jealousy she felt at the other woman. Just a friend, she reminded herself.

Jessica waved that aside. “You’re being ridiculous, James. No one fawned over anyone.”

He looked at her with concern. “You really don’t know how many men were in love with you, do you?”

She blushed and rolled her eyes. “You’re exaggerating. Tell me about the house you’re building in Aruba. Last time we were talking you said that you were having problems with the pool. Have you been able to resolve that issue?”

Julianna let the conversation whirl around her. Even Edward laughed and talked about various problems he’d had during a recent renovation, but Julianna wasn’t able to participate as much as a polite guest should. She kept trying to move away from the man, feeling too closed in and overheated. But it seemed as if he moved right along with her each time she inched away. She didn’t see him move, but the air was continuously filled with his spicy male scent and she couldn’t even turn her head away to break that intoxicating scent from filling her lungs.

Beth stepped into the room to announce that dinner was ready and Jessica smiled her thanks.

“I’d like a word with you,” Edward said to Jessica, putting a hand out to stop her from moving out of the room.

James stood up quickly and looked down at Julianna. “I would be honored to escort you into dinner,” he said as he looked down at Julianna’s startled expression. He took her hand in