Meanwhile at the Remington...

[JULIE BRADY]

Meanwhile at the Remington Hotel, things were still awkward. Julie had enough time to recover from her fight with Remy over him planting a kiss on her lips at New Year’s. Every time she thought of it, she blushed, so she preferred to busy herself and keep it far out of mind. Her brain was conspiring against her, though, and when she let her guard down for a minute, the memory came jumping back into the forefront of her mind. Still, she came into work feel confident that Monday when she returned, certain she was ready to face her boss and act like the kiss he gave her was the furthest thing from her mind. She was wrong. The first she saw him that morning the color drained from her face as her stomach clenched before her cheeks immediately turned a rosy red. She hoped he hadn’t noticed but ran away to check on the staff and the state of things around the hotel for a good part of the day. When she did return to her office she avoided speaking to the man as much as possible. The next passed much the same way but with more time spent in her office. By Wednesday she knew she would have to get serious about their Valentine’s Day benefit for Greenwolfe University’s staff and faculty. It was one of her favorite events, enjoying the company of the professors and discussing their different subjects and research projects, but she was dreading working on it with Remy now. It was a Valentine’s Day benefit after all. She couldn’t avoid it, though, and neither could he—his mother had specifically requested they plan it together since the New Year’s benefit turned out to be such a hit. So Julie took a deep breath before she decided to head over to Remy’s office just down the hall from hers.

The door was closed but she didn’t hear his voice or any voice coming over the speaker phone, so she assumed he was available to speak to her. She was wearing a white wrap shirt and high black skirt dress and black patent leather heels, her hair wavy and a little messy like she’d just rolled out of bed but her hair was good enough to go. She ran her fingers through her hair quickly and ran her hands along her skirt, nervous habits she had, before she knocked on the door. It didn’t take long for Remy to call out and invite her in so she forced her nerves to calm before she opened the door and stuck her head around the corner. “I’m not interrupting, am I?” she asked, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. When she was certain he wasn’t, she walked in all the way with her packet of paper held in front of her and shut the door behind her. “Um…I was just thinking we might want to start on preparing the university benefit soon. There’ll be more people than the New Year’s benefit and they have actual awards and events they do at their benefit. It’ll take some time to coordinate. I have some ideas if you have a few minutes.” Her stomach was twisting and her heart was jumping in her chest as she looked across the desk at him, but she didn’t outwardly show how nervous she was. She couldn’t even understand why she was so nervous. He’d kissed her and then said it meant nothing—if it was nothing to him, the pursuer, why shouldn’t it be nothing to her, the one who’d been pushing him away since her late teens? It was stupid to let it get under her skin.

She placed the packet on the desk and flipped through, showing him things they’d done in the past, things that were a hit and things that were a miss. There were also costs factored into these statistics since they shouldn’t surprise the school with an enormous bill and do what they could to minimize their cost. In the past she had always been commended for her way with finding deals even for their customers. Guests always appreciated the person helping them looking after their wallet. The more she talked, the more at ease she felt and her stomach twisted less, her heart calming once more, only jumping when she looked in his eyes. It was hard not to notice how blue his eyes were since she’d first noticed it at the benefit. She leaned forward occasionally to point out different figures and examples in her packet. When she was done, she flipped it closed but left it on his desk. “I just don’t know what theme we should work with this year. Do you have any ideas?” she asked, sitting on the edge of her chair as she always did. Some people took it as her being nervous, and maybe it was, but she couldn’t help but be tense around Remy, especially now that she was noticing his mouth so much more. Every time she looked at his face her eyes first went to his before falling to his lips and then back again. She hoped he wouldn’t notice, prayed this wouldn’t be any more awkward than it had to be, and that made her as tense as her angry thoughts to stop being such a child. With all of that whirling around in her head and forcing herself to focus on the task at hand, who wouldn’t be tense?

[REMY GRAHAM]

Remy tried not to think about his kiss with Julie over the weekend. When she popped up in his mind he tried to push her out. It wasn't worth it to dwell on it since she was clearly not interested and the more he thought about it neither was he. Julie was amazing, but she was a cock tease and she knew it. She walked around pretending like she didn't know she was every mans wet dream, but Remy knew better. She was a smart girl, she knew she could get anyone she wanted but no one was really good enough for her, Remy included which was why she got so mad at him for kissing her. He came to the conclusion that she didn't want him to apologize because she didn't hate it. She had fun with him, she enjoyed dancing with him, and him taking it to the next level meant that she would have to do the inevitable; turn him down, but what she didn't realize was that Remy didn't care about that. Or at least that was what he told himself. He just wanted in her pants, and he couldn't do that. He didn't like the kiss with her any more than he would any other slut that came to those sorts of events, or at least this was the lie he told himself to make himself feel better.

When Monday came around Remy wasn't surprised that Julie was keeping her distance. She was still annoyed with him and he wasn't much up for duking it out with her. He'd forgotten the incident, or at least pushed it far back into his brain. He didn't want to dwell longer than necessary because in the end it really had meant nothing. Sure, he liked it and he wouldn't balk at the opportunity to do it again, but they had jobs to do and drama wasn't included in their job descriptions so he had to leave it out. She would calm down eventually and everything would fall back into place as though the kiss never happened, and the first step to doing that was to pretend like everything was fine between them, as though nothing had changed at all.

It wasn't until Wednesday that Remy was actually forced to see Julie. When she knocked on his door he assumed it would be Denise with mail for him, so when he called out for whoever it was to come in he ended up doing a double take, not expecting it to be Jules. She looked hot today with her black and white dress and just-fucked hair. He gulped but didn't let his eyes linger too long. "Hey, Jules." He said almost distractedly looking back at the paperwork he was working on. “I’m not interrupting, am I?” "Nope." He said without looking back at her. She let herself in and sat across from him, but he still didn't give her much. “Um…I was just thinking we might want to start on preparing the university benefit soon." Finally he looked up at her, his pen stopping as he realized this would be more than a second. "There’ll be more people than the New Year’s benefit and they have actual awards and events they do at their benefit. It’ll take some time to coordinate. I have some ideas if you have a few minutes.” Remy looked at her and the pile of papers she had before letting a small sigh slip out. He put his pen down and folded his hands in front of him, forcing a cocky sort of smile. "I'm all ears, Jules."

Julie placed her papers on the desk and went on about the benefits in years past. She talked budgets, themes, menus.. the whole nine yards. She was thorough and he wondered why she even needed his help. She had clearly run the event plenty of times and didn't need him around to mess things up for her. Then again he'd done a fine job on the New Year's benefit, but that hadn't exactly ended on the best note for them. He assumed his mother was behind this. She had witnessed the kiss and gave him a firm scolding, but he had assured her it had been friendly, that they'd talked about it and everything was fine between him and Julie. She seemed unconvinced, but time would show his mother that Julie had zero interest in him, and he wasn't interested in fucking things up with her. They needed her there at the Remington and he'd be damned if he was the reason she left.

When she was finished she closed the packet and looked up at him. She seemed almost nervous and he wondered if she was still harping on that damn kiss. It wasn't like he was going to jump over the desk and make out with her or anything! “I just don’t know what theme we should work with this year. Do you have any ideas?” That's it? She went over all of that to ask what theme they should have? It was hard for him not to give her some really stupid, off the wall answer. Last thing he needed was an argument and he knew that would piss her right off. "I thought hearts and cupids were the theme for most Valentine's parties." He said a little coolly. He flipped the packed open and skimmed through where there were color options. "There. that ones nice with the dark red and this offish white color and that weird, dark pink." Remy wasn't one for bursting out colors like crimson, ivory and mauve. "Is that all we need to decide, or did you want to ask me to be your date?" He teased being more his old, bratty self. He slid his elbow onto the desk and rested his chin in his upturned palm. "Maybe that's not a good idea. Dates kiss and that's just inappropriate. Speaking of dates and kissing, did you ever get a goodnight kiss from Sophia? If not I'd love to see that." His smirk was obnoxious, almost as if he was intentionally trying to annoy her, which he was, in fact, attempting to do. Deep down Remy was just a bitter little boy with no idea how to handle women like Julie Brady.

[JULIE BRADY]

Remy wasn’t into this benefit planning and Julie wondered why she even bothered coming in to ask him about it in the first place. Maybe it was just to force herself to be around him and stop being such a chicken. “I thought hearts and cupids were the theme for most Valentine’s parties.” She rolled her eyes, giving him something of a hard look. He knew she wouldn’t want to go with something so bland and boring. Something about his nonchalant attitude the entire time she was in his office was starting to gnaw at her. Here she was on the edge of her seat, tense as a bowstring pulled tight and he was acting not only like everything was okay but that he cared even less than usual. There was something cold about him today, not his usual warm but bratty self. He flipped through the packet without a care and her eyes were on him with disappointment. It’s what he would always do but he was also acting like this was beneath him. “There. That one’s nice with the dark red and this offish white color and that weird, dark pink.” She let her eyes wander to the page and she frowned. “You barely looked…” she said in a hushed voice. Everything was so off now…

“Is that all we need to decide, or did you want to ask me to be your date?” Her face flushed deep and her blue eyes got wide as she looked up and across the desk at him. Of course he wasn’t serious…so why was her heart pounding? She was going to vehemently refuse but his calculating stare made her stop. “Maybe that’s not a good idea. Dates kiss and that’s just inappropriate.” Her brow lowered over her eyes as the color washed from her face a little. Was he mocking her because she got upset? “Speaking of dates and kissing, did you ever get a goodnight kiss from Sophia? If not I’d love to see that.” The way he smirked was so cocky and infuriating and she took his bait, her mouth setting firmly as she glared at him. Any thought of the benefit was replaced by her need to put him back in his place.

She cocked her head to the side but didn’t take her icy stare off his eyes, no longer blushing to look at them. “I bet you would. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to kiss her for New Year’s since we both got swept up by men we actually thought were charming for half a second. But if we had kissed, she wouldn’t have had to steal hers.” A small, sardonic and venomous smile crossed her lips before she gave a mocking pout and straightened her head once more. “Jealous that I actually wouldn’t mind a kiss from her, Remy?” Her tone was clearly provoking him and she’d never sounded as belittling as she did in that moment. It wasn’t a side of herself that she liked to show, but Remy had pissed her off.

[REMY GRAHAM]

He'd gotten to her and he couldn't be happier about it. She looked furious! His cool, sardonic grin remained in place as she began talking. “I bet you would. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to kiss her for New Year’s since we both got swept up by men we actually thought were charming for half a second." He pretended to flinch though he was still grinning as if the statement somehow hurt him. Was she serious? She'd have a fan-fucking-tastic time with him until he took things to the next level and she freaked out. He had been charming and he'd charmed the damn pants off her. Well, not literally, though he'd have liked to.

"But if we had kissed, she wouldn’t have had to steal hers.” He smiled more. He would have loved to see her make out with the curvy latina. “Jealous that I actually wouldn’t mind a kiss from her, Remy?” The last statement got to him a little more than he would have liked to admit and the smile faltered a hair. Was she seriously insinuating that she'd sooner kiss that woman than him? Maybe she was gay. How could he miss that? Was Julie Brady into the punani? No. No he would have known that. She was full of shit, the fucking cock tease.

"Get off your high horse, Jules. Plenty of women would line up for the opportunity I was kind enough to bestow." He all but snarled. "Really, the prude act's getting a little old. Stop acting like you don't know you're every mans god damn wet dre.." He stopped himself suddenly realizing what he was saying and what he was doing. He couldn't be doing this. He couldn't be talking like this to a female coworker even if it was Julie Fucking Brady. It didn't matter how long they'd known each other, she could slap him with sexual harassment now and he didn't need that shit on his plate, not when his mother was already watching him so closely.

"You know what? Forget it. Forget I said anything." He grumbled looking at the packet on his desk instead of the sexy bitch across from him. He reached for the papers, bringing them closer and holding onto them. "On second thought I hate that theme, maybe this one with the lace would be better." He huffed a little, clearly still annoyed but trying to hide it. Why did she need to be such a pain in the ass?

[JULIE BRADY]

It was only a little, but Julie saw Remy’s cocky little smile falter and she was immensely satisfied by it. Good! She was glad he was mad! He’d made her mad and now she could do it back. “Get off your high horse, Jules. Plenty of women would line up for the opportunity I was kind enough to bestow.” Her eyebrows rose high in disbelief. Really? There were men this fucking cocky in real life? She thought they were confined to Hollywood sets and silver screens. “Really, the prude act’s getting a little old. Stop acting like you don’t know you’re every man’s god damn wet dre…” This statement genuinely surprised her and she was caught off guard, if not highly offended by being called a prude. Her eyes were wide as she looked at the man across from her. “You know what? Forget it. Forget I said anything.” No, she wasn’t going to forget it! Did he really think she thought so highly about herself? Did he really think that highly of her? From the way his smile faded and he stopped dead before he could finish his thought, she had to think he meant it but hadn’t meant to say it. She’d never seen herself as all that pretty. She was awkward and clumsy with a weird forehead and eyes that were almost freakishly blue. Yeah, she was pretty she supposed, but she didn’t think Remy saw her as every man’s wet dream. That meant his wet dream…which meant that kiss hadn’t been nothing…It made her flush though the word “prude” was still bouncing around her head. She hated being called that.

Suddenly he looked at the packet on his desk and pulled it to him. “On second thought I hate that theme; maybe this one with the lace would be better.” Like he cared! He was still annoyed and so was she and she wasn’t going to let this go no matter how inappropriate this conversation was. She had something to say, damn it! Pushing herself to her feet, she put her hands on the desk and leaned onto them so he would look at her as she glared at him. “You’re a cocky jackass and you’re full of shit, Remy!” she snapped, her sweet youthful voice sounding strange for the words she was using. “Do you really think so little of me that you believe I’m like you, all about my looks? Because I’m not and I thought you would know better! Maybe a lot of women would line up to kiss you, but only until they got to know you! I’m not a prude, you just think that because I’ve rejected you at every turn, but I had every good reason to! You walk around here for years parading a harem full of women up to your suite, a different flavor every couple of weeks or less, and you think I would want to be a part of that? I know I deserve better than that and so do you and that scares you. The other night for the first time you got over it and you let yourself treat a woman like she was actually worth something and now your all butt hurt because you think I didn’t like it and I rejected you. But I did like it, Remy, and that scared me because I don’t want to be one of those other girls. So stop acting like you’re the only victim here because we’re both scared of our attraction to each other!” The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them, every thought she’d had over the last few days, hell even the last few months falling into the air around them. But once she’d released all of them she realized she’d confessed to liking him and it hit her that she had liked him for a very long time. How long had she been holding onto that? Her face flushed and her heart raced and she swallowed hard, her eyes finally faltering as she blinked and glanced away.

She stood straight again and rested her hands low on her stomach, her fingers twisting in each other. When she looked at him again, her eyes looked into his with clear but resentful embarrassment. “And don’t act like it’s just me who liked that kiss.” Her voice was much softer as she spoke those words, the fluttering in her chest and stomach making it hard to get anything out. She didn’t want to be left out in the cold, standing alone on a dance floor and waiting for a partner. It was his move just like it always was and she hated how vulnerable it left her to just wait for him to make it.

[REMY GRAHAM]

Julie suddenly flew to her feet and Remy felt the sinking feeling in his gut. Did he care if she was mad? Normally no. He lived to annoy her, but there was more on the line now. How had he fucked so much shit up by just giving her a kiss? How could he have been so damn stupid? “You’re a cocky jackass and you’re full of shit, Remy!” She growled at him and he had to look up at her with a raised brow. It sounded so weird coming from her. Julie had such a sweet voice and though he was used to her being annoyed she was genuinely angry and snapping at him, which just sounded all sorts of strange in her sweet, girly voice. “Do you really think so little of me that you believe I’m like you, all about my looks? Because I’m not and I thought you would know better!" He'd never said that specifically. It wasn't just Julie's looks; she was smart and funny too. Most guys would want to tap that. "Maybe a lot of women would line up to kiss you, but only until they got to know you!" Remy rolled his eyes and sighed, leaning back in his chair to look up at her, almost bored. He tapped a pen in his fingers as she went on with her little tirade. "I’m not a prude, you just think that because I’ve rejected you at every turn, but I had every good reason to! You walk around here for years parading a harem full of women up to your suite, a different flavor every couple of weeks or less, and you think I would want to be a part of that? I know I deserve better than that and so do you and that scares you." He was fine with her rant until she mentioned him being scared. The tapping pen stopped and his brow lowered, letting her know she was treading on some dangerous ground now. "The other night for the first time you got over it and you let yourself treat a woman like she was actually worth something and now your all butt hurt because you think I didn’t like it and I rejected you. But I did like it, Remy," Wait, what? His brows arched in surprise. "..and that scared me because I don’t want to be one of those other girls. So stop acting like you’re the only victim here because we’re both scared of our attraction to each other!”

Remy, for once, was speechless. Julie Brady just confessed she was actually into him, and accused him of liking her, genuinely liking her, as well. It was true. He couldn't argue with what she said because deep down he knew she was right. He did like treating her nicely, but it wasn't his style. It rendered him completely speechless and he just stared up at her flushed face, not making a move or saying a word. His body was slouched low in his chair and he finally offered a skeptical look, as though showing he had no idea what to say. “And don’t act like it’s just me who liked that kiss.” She spoke more delicately now, obviously afraid to tell him this. Remy realized he could do one of two things; he could be serious and have a grown up conversation with her or he could be a real jackass, something he desperately wanted to do but mostly out of habit. He licked his lips and sighed, finally leaning forward and putting his hands on his desk, looking down at them as they folded together.

"Okay, listen.." He said slowly, looking up into her eyes. "Yes, I liked the kiss. Yes, I would love nothing more than to do it again, and properly, but you ran off Jules. What the hell was I supposed to think when you up and ran from the damn benefit the second I actually kissed you? You've been pushing me away for years." He reminded, wishing she would sit down so they could actually talk about this. "Now that aside, I'm not scared." He told her firmly, though deep down he was. He was scared as hell. "And I'm not butt hurt. I was kind of pissed that you freaked out the other night and then dodged me for two days when we agreed that everything was fine. If you liked it I don't know why you didn't say something then, and just so you know? You're not one of those girls I would parade around in my quote unquote harem. You're off limits, okay? Yeah, I'm attracted to you but that's no big shocker. I mean, I'm a little surprised you like me too, but.. well, not really, I mean.. well, I'm me, but you don't like me for the same reasons other chicks do Jules, and I get that. You can give two shits about my trust fund and that's cool. I respect you for that, but.. Jesus, I don't even fucking know." He leaned back again not even sure what his point was. His hands came up over his face and wiped down, stretching his noes and cheeks and mouth down. When his eyes popped out from under his hands he opened them and looked up at Julie once more. "I'm your boss, Jules. We need you, and I need to not fuck up your work environment with my bullshit because if you leave I'm fucked. You're holding my balls in your dainty fucking hands and I have no god damn clue what to do about it. What can I do to uncomplicate this whole fucking mess? Stop with the sex jokes? I can do that. I mean, I can try at least, cause.. well I'm still me so.. there's that." He licked his lips and leaned forward again his eyes pleading. "What do you want me to do, Jules?" His voice was softer, genuine, showing her he had no actual clue where to go from there. Dating was clearly out of the question, but it seemed their friendship was fucked.

[JULIE BRADY]

For a long minute Remy just looked up at Julie with surprise and disbelief and all she could do in return was squirm and continue to turn redder. Well? Was he going to say something, do something? She hated waiting…Finally he sat forward with a sigh and she gave him an anxious look. “Okay, listen…Yes, I liked the kiss. Yes, I would love nothing more than to do it again, and properly, but you ran off Jules. What the hell was I supposed to think when you up and ran from the damn benefit the second I actually kissed you? You’ve been pushing me away for years.” She sighed and rolled her eyes, not wanting to repeat herself. Plus, hadn’t she looked terrified when she ran away? Because that was definitely the biggest emotion running through her at the time! She hadn’t meant for him to read it as anger. At least he admitted that he liked it, though… “Now that aside, I’m not scared.” Her eyes came back to his and she gave him a stern look that said, “Really?” She knew better than that. Of course he was scared, she was scared too! “And I’m not butt hurt. I was kind of pissed that you freaked out the other night and then dodged me for two days when we agreed that everything was fine.” She hadn’t agreed to that! He just assumed she wanted it that way! “If you liked it I don’t know why you didn’t say something then, and just so you know? You’re not one of those girls I would parade around in my quote unquote harem. You’re off limits, okay? Yeah, I’m attracted to you but that’s no big shocker. I mean, I’m a little surprised you like me too, but…well, not really, I mean…well, I’m me, but you don’t like me for the same reasons other chick do Jules, and I get that. You can give two shits about my trust fund and that’s cool. I respect you for that, but…Jesus, I don’t even fucking know.” He was rambling and she ate it up, trying desperately to glean some meaning in it. So he liked her and he thought she was cool and he respected her...So what then? Why did she have to be off limits?

He leaned back and ran his hands over his face, stretching his face as he did so and she could tell how stressed he was by this. She was stressed too, but she needed to know what he was going to do. What could they do? Where did these invisible boundaries come from all of a sudden? His eyes opened and he looked at her and she felt her stomach twist. She was just a school girl with a crush again and it made her feel far from the successful hotel manager she was. “I’m your boss, Jules.” And there it was: the reason for all the red tape. “We need you, and I need to not fuck up your work environment with my bullshit because if you leave I’m fucked. You’re holding my balls in your dainty fucking hands and I have no god damn clue what to do about it. What can I do to uncomplicate this whole fucking mess? Stop with the sex jokes? I can do that. I mean, I can try at least, cause…well I’m still me so…there’s that.” She really was important, huh? This job was her life…so much rested in her hands and it hadn’t hit her as hard as it did now. She wouldn’t leave, but what if things got hard in the office because of their relationship? His mom wouldn’t choose her over him and Julie wouldn’t even dare to ask. Could she rise above it? She didn’t know if she could handle that. Why did she have to have a crush on a guy so unattainable? His eyes were pleading and the look she gave back was just as desperate. “What do you want me to do, Jules?” For the first time in nearly a decade she was willing to admit she liked him calling her Jules. With a heavy sigh she sat back in her chair, slumping her shoulders forward as her hands rested in her lap and she sat on the very edge of her seat. Her mouth pouted as she stared down at his desk for a long minute. “I don’t know…” she confessed. She didn’t know what to do. “I don’t even see you as my boss. Business partner maybe, but not my boss…I see you more as my friend than anything else.” Her eyes looked up at him again with a weak warning. “And don’t make some cocky comment; I’m trying to be serious here.” Just looking at him across from her all she wanted was to try kissing him again. She’d been too surprised before to really appreciate it…

With a heavy sigh, she covered her face with her hands and leaned her elbows on the desk. “God, I can’t even look at you without thinking about kissing you! Is this what you deal with every day? No wonder you’re always so distracted.” Apparently Julie had the filter of a drunk six year old today. She blushed more behind her hands and groaned at her own admission. “And why do I keep telling you things that I don’t mean to?” she demanded softly of no one in particular. When she did pull her hands away from her face she placed them on the desk and looked Remy in the eye. Who knew so much damage control would have to come out of one kiss? “Well you don’t have to stop with the sex jokes. They haven’t bothered me since I was seventeen and they shouldn’t bother me now.” She made a vague waving gesture with her hand as she spoke as if to swat away the idea that it would help somehow. For a long minute she just stared across the desk at him, completely stumped. His ridiculous good-looks made this even harder to decide. “I would tell you to kiss me again and we’ll figure the rest out later…” There she went again—where the fuck was her filter when she needed it?! She blushed and furrowed her brow, looking down at his desk again. His lips were too distracting. “…but that would be totally irresponsible. And I am not irresponsible.” The last part of her statement was spoken more softly, more to remind herself that it was dumb to kiss him again and she wasn’t dumb. God it was tempting though…why did she have to be so moral all the time? She didn’t want to be on a pedestal, damn it!

With a sigh, she threw her hands up half-heartedly and shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe I should come back when I actually have a filter between my mouth and my brain. It seems to be malfunctioning today.” Before she stood to go, though, she looked across the desk, her eyes questioning. “What do you want, Remy?” It didn’t even occur to her how loaded that question was until after she’d asked it.

[REMY GRAHAM]

He watched as he sat back down, his shoulders slumping like hers, their postures mirroring each others. "I don't know." she confessed and he huffed outba sigh as they came full circle. "I don't even see you as my boss. Business partner maybe, but not my boss. I see you more as my friend than anything else." Friend? Partner he could understand, but friend was somthing entirely different. He raised a brow as she gave a firm warning look as if to tell him not to make any jokes. "And don't make some cocky comment; I'm trying to be serious here." it was her turn to sigh now, leanin forward and resting her elbows on his desk and covering her face. "God, I can't even look at you without thinking about kissing you!" that made hime grin. " Is this what you deal with every day? No wonder you're always so distracted." and like that his smile was gone and replaced with a frown. "Yes, well.. being me is very hard." He said a little dryly, his voice soft. "And why do I keep telling you things that I don't mean to?" the confession made him smirk once more. She was taking this all ay harder than she needed to. His only confirmed his earlier accusation of her being prue.

Her eyes were on him again and he looked deep into her clear blue eyes. Did she really have no clue she was so fuckable? "Well you don't have to stop with the sex jokes. They haven't bothered me since I was sevsnteen and they shouldn't bother me now." he begged to differ but didnt see the need in admitting it now. She knew it had bothered her for a time and neither needed to state that. Still she was. Champ about it now and had even found humor in it at the benefit. "I would tell you to kiss me again and we'll figure the rest out later..." he raised a brow at her suggestion wondering if she were serious. A lesser man mightnot let her continue with the but... "..but that would be totally irresponsible. And I am not irresponsible." but he was and they both knew it. He licked his lips nd foun himself looking at hers, but he stayed in his spot. She was all but asking for it but he was still her boss. Partner? Yea. Friend? Sure. But boss all the same. Well, he couldn't really fire her, his mother was echnically her boss but he was still above Julie and held more weight.

With a sigh Julie threw her hands up and shook her head and Remy realized they were back where the started. "I don't know. Maybe I should come back when I actually have a filter between my mouth and my brain. It seems to be malfunctioning today." he quite liked the way her mouth was malfunctioning. "What do you want, Remy?" He swallowed hard and shook his head. "I want to do things that would probably get me kicked out of this position and onto the street by my mother." He admitted knowing she could hadle hearing it, "But i'm almost certain hat's not what you want anyway." He folded his hands and looked cross at her with a confused sort of look as though he really had no idea. "Look.. I'm a jackass. You said yourself earlier that you deserve better and you do. I messed up. I kissed you and I shouldn't have and complicated our whole dynamic. We had a good thing going, yah know? You hated me, I tormented you.. I dont know. It's best we don't mess with that. I want you to be happy here. I mean, I actually need you to be but I personally want that too. I did a bonehead thing, and I'm sorry. It's probably for the best we forget it." It wasn't what he wanted, but it was what was best for the hotel and for them. If only he could have his cake and eat it too...right there on his desk..spread eagle.

[JULIE BRADY]

As Remy shook his head, Julie wondered in what way he’d taken her question. She’d originally meant what did he want her to do right now, leave or stay, but now she was curious as to the other answers to that question. What did he want? “I want to do things that would probably get me kicked out of this position and onto the street by my mother.” She actually smiled a little at that, her ego boosting a little. It was nice to be complimented after all. Still, she hardly thought Caroline would throw him out on the street. “But I’m almost certain that’s not what you want anyway.” She considered that statement, knowing what he meant. Until now she’d just been thinking about kissing him, not anything else, but she blushed to realize she’d probably enjoy Remy between her sheets. Now those were thoughts she was not ready to delve into. She didn’t need to stroke out in Remy’s office. It was a good thing he distracted her by giving her a confused look and folding his hands on the desk in front of him.

“Look…I’m a jackass. You said yourself earlier that you deserve better and you do. I messed up. I kissed you and I shouldn’t have and complicated our whole dynamic. We had a good thing going, yah know? You hated me, I tormented you…I don’t know. It’s best we don’t mess with that. I want you to be happy here. I mean, I actually need you to be but I personally want that too. I did a bonehead thing, and I’m sorry. It’s probably for the best we forget it.” She started to give an amused sort of smile when he said he tormented her, but it faded into a disappointed sort of look. For once he was right and she hated it. Wasn’t that part of being an adult, though? Giving up things that weren’t good for you even if you wanted them? She was like a fat kid in a candy shop and she wanted everything, but in the end it wouldn’t be good for her. Remy wasn’t known for relationships—he could hurt her, and then what would she do? She knew that, but there was a little part of her that still thought about how charming he’d been at the benefit and wondered if maybe neither of them was giving him enough credit. But why should she bank on him changing for her? Then again, she just wanted to kiss him…It was a whirl of thoughts in her brain and she knew the sensible thing would be to just ignore her desires and do what was best for her career. She nodded, looking down at his hands folded on the desk. When she did look back up at him, she gave a small smile. “For the record, I never hated you. You’re a pain in the ass and you pissed me off plenty of times, but I didn’t hate you. And when I said I deserve better, I meant that I didn’t want to be part of the harem. Just so that’s clear.” She felt a lot calmer than when she blew up at him and said she deserved better, though she was still blushing a little as she set the record straight.

With a sigh she got to her feet again and grabbed her papers off his desk. “Well, I guess I should let both of us get back to work. I’ll bring this stuff back when I have some better ideas.” Once the papers were bundled in her arms, she pushed some hair behind her ear and him one last look before she forced herself to turn away. She needed to be an adult now, not the giddy little teenage girl who was begging to pop out. But just when she was determined to be the grown-up, responsible twentysomething she was, fate saw fit to put her in her place. Her foot caught on the leg of the chair she’d been sitting in and in order to get her balance she dropped the papers in her arms and shot her hands out to the side. Of course the papers didn’t fall neatly at her feet—no, they scattered all around the area in front of her, tumbling out of order. “Shit!” she cursed under her breath, hating herself for being a klutz. It was her mother’s blood in her that made her such a spazz. She crouched down to gather the papers up again, her long legs demurely held together though her skirt suddenly felt too tight. Just like that, she felt Remy’s eyes on her. “Stop staring at my butt and help me, please?” she requested, knowing damn well what Remy was doing behind his desk. That side of him hadn’t changed.

It didn’t take long for Remy’s legs to come into her view across from her and he crouched down too to help her gather up papers. Their hands worked together and in a matter of minutes the jumble was in two manageable stacks, but she frowned at them. “Now I have to put it back in order…” she grumbled under her breath. She looked up, brushing hair out of her face as she reached to take the pile in Remy’s hands. “Thanks.” All of the thoughts she had of being a responsible, respectable, twentysomething woman were leaking out of her as she realized how close he was…much closer than when they were across the desk from each other. It made her cheeks turn pink again and it was like she would never stop blushing around him again. Her eyes glanced to his lips, swallowing hard. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t be so close to him when all she could still think about was their kiss and their conversation. Hell, she couldn’t stop the words coming out of her mouth, how was she supposed to stop herself from doing what she’d agreed was not a good idea to do? Finally she forced herself to take the papers from his hands and stand, piling them all together and trying not to look as flustered as she felt. “I, um…if you need me…well, you know where my office is.” He was standing too and she threw a halfhearted and frazzled smile before moving past him towards the door.

But she stopped. There was a pang deep in her stomach and she felt two sides of her battling. The angel on her shoulder to keep walking, play it off like she was just making sure nothing was going to fall out of her pile. The devil on her other shoulder was telling her to turn around and take what she wanted—she was going to regret this for the rest of her life if she didn’t at least try. They duked it out, forcing her to shut her eyes and frantically go with what her gut told her. With a small stomp of her foot, she made her decision. “God damn it!” she muttered under her breath as she turned back around, blushing furiously while her feet carried her the two short strides back to Remy. She tossed the packet in the chair that had tripped her, freeing up both her hands so she could reach up and pull his face down so she could reach it. The element of surprise didn’t give him time to resist and in a flash their lips were mashed together again. This time she was actually able to appreciate how it felt to have his warm, soft lips on hers and it sent a rush through her that made her feel weak. It felt like an eternity of their mouths firmly pressed together, but in reality it wasn’t a very long kiss. Slowly she pulled her lips back, blushing hot pink as her eyes opened hesitantly, afraid he might be angry. “Now we’re even…” she said softly, letting her hands slip away from his face. She swallowed hard, feeling lightheaded even as she forced herself to look away and move to gather up her papers again. Hopefully she wouldn’t get fired for that stunt.

[REMY GRAHAM]

Julie was nodding and he was relieved she understood. It wasnt that he didnt like her or want her, it was because it didnt make sense for them to have any sort of relationship other than professional. "For the record, I never hated you. You're a pain in the ass and you pissed me off plenty of times, but I didn't hate you." That was a srprise and he raised a brow to show hefelt that way. "And when I said I deserve better, I meant that I didn't want to be part of the harem. Just so that's clear." Remy felt suddenly fidgety. She would be just that, though. Maybe more, because in the end he had always thought Julie was cool. A prude, but a cool one.

Juli stood up and gathered her papers, making Remy sigh softly. He didnt like ending things this way. "Well, I guess I should let both of us get back to work. I'll bring this stuff back when I have some better ideas." he nodded. "Alright. Thanks, Jules." He offered politely, watching as her messy curls fell into her face as she collected her things. The devil on his shoulder was whispering naughty things in his ear and he had to mentally kick its ass for not behaving.

That's when Julie tripped, her papers flying everywhere. Remy had to pinc himself from cracking up at the poor girl, but the amusement faded when she knelt down to collect the papers. He didnt even have a chance to get up and help or ask if she was okay, mesmerized by the way the skirt of her dress hugged her ass. He reached under the desk and adjusted himself, trying to contain his excitement at the incredible view.

"Stop staring at my butt and help me, please?" How did she know? He stood immediately and went to her, kneeling beside her to help collect the scattered papers. "Now I have to put it back in order." she grumbled under her breath and again he tried not to laugh. "Its alright." He assred her softly. When he was done he offered what he collected to her, looking into her flustered face. "Thanks." she said and he answered with his own soft "You're welcome." For a long moment they squatted next to each other and Remy felt the undeniale urge to kiss her again, but he knew he couldnt, especially after the conversation they just had. He noticed her looking at his lips and he gulped. Was she thinking th same? Finally she took the papers and stood, the moment gone and he was disappointed but glad for it. "I, um...if you need me...you know where my office is." He nodded. "I do." He watched her move to the door, standing in his spot. She stopped a the door wondering what she needed to say that she hadn't yet. Julie stomped her foot and then turned to him. What did he do now? What happened next through him for a complete loop. Julie charged at him, dropping the papers on a chair and grabbing his face with her hands, pulling him down so her mouth could press against his.

The kiss was sweet and hot, firm and gentle, contrasting in every way. Remy went to grab her hips, but she as already pulling away so he stopped himself. He looked down at her face which was deep pink all over, not just in her cheeks. He had no idea what to do or say and he realized his heart was pounding hard in his chest. "Now we're even.." she said softly, her hands dropping away. Remy watched her gather her papers, worked up now. How could she kiss him like that and then just be done? He fought with himself, supressing the urge to kiss her again. He licked his lips and sighed as she started to head to the door, but he was quick walking after her and thowing his hand against the door to block her exit. He gave her a hard look, biting his lower lip and not knowing what to do or say but knowing he didn't want her to leave. "Now we're even." He repeated in a husky voice, his hand hesitating before finally dropping so she could leave if she wanted even though he wanted to rip her clothes off and fuck her then and there. When she reached for the door again he put his hand back up to keep the door closed, keeping close to her and blocking her once more. "What do you want, Jules?" He asked, testing the water though he knew he was playing with fire.

[JULIE BRADY]

Julie’s heart was pounding in her chest as her shaky hands gathered up the papers she’d thrown down. She had to get out of there before Remy blew up, really believing he would be upset about the whole thing. They had an agreement, but she just had to kiss him one time where she could remember it fondly as a moment of bravery. She didn’t feel brave, though, not now with her stomach in her throat and her breath coming in short, quick succession. Her feet carried her to the door as fast as she could without looking like she was running away again. Remy’s feet moved faster, though, and his hand pressed against the door, blocking her exit. Her wide eyes came to his, uncertain and nervous with a hint of desire as she saw him biting his lip. His look was hard and she didn’t know if he was upset or if he was challenging her to try and leave. “Now we’re even.” Were they? She’d just evened the playing field, but he was taking the upper hand again. Who was she to stop him? Her eyes searched his frantically, her heart literally pounding as she expected to feel his lips on hers again. She wanted it desperately, but she didn’t know what it would mean for them. His hand fell away and she attempted to breathe again, supposing he was going to be responsible after all. Again her hand reached for the handle, but hesitantly. She didn’t want to be responsible…

And again his hand came out to stop her, pressing against the door, and again her heart was caught in her throat. Her big eyes came to his, her belly squirming furiously. He was so close and it was hard to deny the electricity between them. “What do you want, Jules?” The answer was simple, but it was hard to speak at the moment. She’d never been caught so speechless because she wanted someone so desperately. It was a new feeling and she didn’t know how to deal with it. Her hands were gripping the packet in her hands tightly, forgetting what it was exactly between her hands. With a hard swallow, she finally forced herself to answer the question. “You.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, meek and hesitant but full of desire. It seemed that was all he needed to hear. Before she knew it, his lips were on hers again and she whimpered at how hard and passionate the kiss was. Her legs immediately felt weak so she was glad when he pulled her close and pressed her against the door. She forgot about the papers completely, dropping them to the ground before wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Their lips were frantic as he forced her lips apart with his, the stubble on his chin scratching so delightfully. Her fingers moved into his black hair, grabbing handfuls and tugging gently, needing to hold onto something when he was kissing her the way he was. Nothing in the world mattered in that moment.

Suddenly his tongue was pressing against hers and she sighed to feel it. Her tongue was just as aggressive, writhing against his as she pulled his face harder against hers. She needed this. Of its accord, her body pressed up into his, moaning softly as her mouth sucked at his. Her whole body from her face to her toes felt hot and weak. If someone had told her ten years ago she’d be sucking face with Remy Graham pressed against his office door one day, she would never believe it. She was lightheaded and she needed to breathe but she didn’t want to pull away for anything in the world. Another whimper and she felt herself falling down the rabbit hole, letting go of her inhibitions and just letting herself enjoy kissing Remy.

[REMY GRAHAM]

Remy gave her a hard look as she considered her answer. What did she expect from him? What did she want? He never knew, and he certainly didn't know now. “You.” The single word spoken so gently and tainted with lust was enough to make him forget the grownup inside of him. He closed the space between them, his lips on hers, needy and strong. Her soft whimper only egged him on further and he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer and loving how she actually responded this time instead of pulling away and trying to run off. She couldn't deny him anymore, and he couldn't deny her either. He'd wanted this for ten years, but only recently had his lust actually changed. Before she was a conquest, but now it was different. Now he wanted her because he genuinely liked her. He pressed her against the door and her arms came around his shoulders, the sound of paper falling to the ground meeting his ears, but he didn't register it all at the moment, too focused on the girl he was pinning against his office door.

The voice inside his head pushing him forward was kicking the ass of the angel pleading with him to stop. Deep down he knew it was wrong, and he could feel it in his stomach, but it felt too good to stop and Remy had always been bad with self discipline. Her fingers tugging at his hair only made it worse for him and he pushed against her hard, the bulge in his pants growing. Remy slid his tongue over hers and he was pleased to feel her respond, his hand sliding down over her ass for the first time and down to the hem of her dress. He lifted it some, letting his hand rest on the back of her thigh just under her ass. The tips of his fingers could feel the moist heat radiating from her sex and he had to work not to let his hand move closer, wanting to feel the dampness but knowing he shouldn't.

Julie was pressing herself against him and Remy felt himself losing all control. He suddenly grabbed both her legs at the thigh and lifted her, his body pinning hers against the door as he held her up into a sitting position, his body nestled between her legs. He pressed his hardness into her groin as he kissed her and the angel in his mind screamed for him to stop, the devil getting one last good punch in before Remy got the message. This couldn't be happening! His mother would have his head on a platter if she knew what he was doing to Julie, her prized employee who she had groomed in a way different than himself. He suddenly pulled his mouth away from hers, panting as he stared into her face, his own still showing how hungry he still was for her. He shook his head and lowered her to the ground, taking a step back and running a hand through his hair. "Fuck.." He grumbled, turning away from her and then back, looking up into her eyes. "What're we doing?" He asked hoarsely, clearly upset by the whole thing. He licked his lips and looked down at her disheveled dress. He took a step forward and tugged the skirt back in place, licking his lips. He looked up into her eyes once more, smoothing the skirt over her hips. "I can't fuck this up, Jules.. You working here.. Promise me you won't quit because of me. Ever." He pleaded, needing her to not go because of him and his dirty minded trouser snake.

[JULIE BRADY]

Remy’s hand was creeping down her butt and up her thigh and it sent chills down Julie’s spine. The angel in her head was begging her to stop him, but it just felt so good. Up and up his fingers travelled until they were just under her butt, dangerously close to what she’d been guarding from him for ten years. Her whole body was flushed, but she couldn’t pull away from him or push his hand away—it made her heart race and her head spin and it felt so intoxicating. She pressed against him more and that seemed to be the straw that broke the bear’s back. Without warning he hoisted her up onto his hips, pinning her against the door, and Julie gasped and moaned her surprise, her brow furrowing. She knew she couldn’t have sex with him pressed against his office door, but God did she want to. He was stealing every breath in her body, kissing her like this, and she didn’t know if she would have the strength to pull away. His hips dipped hard into hers and it made her whimper to feel what she did to him. She had wondered from time to time what made him so cocky, but now she could feel it for herself. It turned her on more even though her stomach clenched hard in dismay at giving in to Remy. Would she even be able to say no?

Suddenly his lips pulled away and Julie unconsciously followed for a second before she opened her eyes curiously to his. He looked like a predator ready to devour his prey and it sent a shiver down her spine, panting as he was. This pause gave her angel the chance to surge forward and finally overcome the devil in her, ordering her to pull away before he had a chance to kiss her again and weasel his way into her beaver. It seemed Remy had the same thought, setting her down and shaking his head before he stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. She couldn’t even readjust herself she was so weak and she continued to lean against the door and pant softly to recover her senses. What had just happened? “Fuck…” Her thoughts exactly and she swept a hand through her messy hair before he turned back and looked at her with those stunning blue eyes of his. She mirrored the lost look in his eyes with her own. “What’re we doing?” It made a pit fall in her stomach. Why wasn’t she asking that question? She did feel guilty, but only because she hadn’t felt guilty enough to pull away first. It was very unlike her, and she was certain it was very unlike him to be the first to pull away. She shook her head, not sure what to say.

When he stepped back to her, she looked up at him again, wondering if this momentary surge of sanity was fading, but he starting fixing the skirt of her dress for her. She blushed deeper, embarrassed that he’d now seen almost the entire length of her legs and felt the rest, even felt how hot she was for him between them. But just as she wondering if she could look him in the eye again, his hands were smoothing gently over her hips and she couldn’t help but look up at him again. For how long had she wanted him so bad? “I can’t fuck this up, Jules…You working here…Promise me you won’t quit because of me. Ever.” The way he was pleading made her feel bad. He could get into serious trouble over this. If his mother knew…if she ever found out, Julie would have to diffuse the situation. What would his mother think of her? She’d practically idolized the woman for as long as she’d been working there and now she was fooling around with her devilishly handsome and playboy son, the very one she’d been commending Julie for denying for ten years. Would she be disappointed her son was involved with her? She came from a good family and Caroline was friend with her grandparents, but she hadn’t had a wealthy upbringing. But his mom loved her as an employee…she might be happy her son chose her over the other floozies he’d been with, but would she be disappointed that Julie finally gave in? She didn’t know…But she did know one thing. A small smile quirked up her lips and she rolled her eyes a little as she shook her head. “Come on, I’m not that petty. I love this place. I wouldn’t leave it just because you and I didn’t work out. I’d avoid you at all costs, but I wouldn’t leave. Your mother would chain me to my desk if I tried, anyway.” Her smile grew just a hair, trying her best to reassure the man in front of her. She reached out and touched his arms so he’d be sure to look in her eyes and see how much she meant what she said. “I promise I won’t quit because of you. Ever.” It was strange, but she felt a caring sort of warmth for Remy in that moment. He was scared and she was the only one who could reassure him. That wasn’t something they’d ever experienced before and while it made her feel confused, she also couldn’t deny it made her feel pretty good too.

She realized they had pretty much agreed to keep going with whatever this was they were doing as long as she didn’t quit. It made her blush a little again, her stomach clenching as her relationship with Remy completely changed in just a few short minutes. Her eyes fell to his lips again, craving them once more. His closeness was starting to make her squirm again now and her hands clenched a little on the shirt over his upper arms. “And um… let’s try and keep this from your mother for a while. I just…wouldn’t know what to say to her…not yet, anyway.” She was babbling again, feeling more and more flustered every second he was close to her and looking at her like a starving man would at a cheeseburger. It made her heart race again and her stomach was filled to the brim with butterflies. Her brain was getting fuzzy, but she forced her eyes to stay on his, a nervous and pleading sort of look in her eyes, hoping he was still listening to her. “So…can you keep a secret?”

[REMY GRAHAM]

A small smile slid over Julie's lips and he gulped, momentarily wondering if she would use this to hold over his head somehow, but then she shook her head. "Come on, I'm not that petty. I love this place. I wouldn't leave it just because you and I didn't work out. Work out? Remy wondered if she thought they were going to date now. Would they? Could he? Would he? "I'd avoid you at all costs, but I wouldn't leave. Your mother would chain me to my desk if I tried, anyway." his dick throbbed at the thought of her chained to a desk and the dark look in his eyes gave away his filthy thought. Her had reached to touch his arm lightl. "I promise I won't quit because of you. Ever." he gulped and then nodded, reassured.

Remy had no clue what he was doing. He wasn't the dating type, but he couldn't deny he genuinely wanted to take advantage of her up in his suite. That was the problem, though. He would lose interest after that. Fucking Julie would ruin everything, but was he strong enough to stop himself from doing that? Self discipline wasn't something the young man was exactly known for. Julie was blushing again and he wondered if she could read his thoughts. She was squirming and it only fed the flame of desire bubbling beneath his skin, especially as her fingers clenched his shirt.

"And um.. let's try and keep this from your mother for a while. I just.. wouldn't know what to say to her.. not yet, anyway." Was she serous? He almost rolled his eyes and scoffed but held back. "So..can you keep a secret?" he actually did roll his eyes now. "The last person i want to know about this is my mother. Trust me, I intend to keep her in the dark as far as we're concerned." And now he was saying it. They weren't an item. They weren't even dating! He felt himself losing touch with what he wanted from this relationship, and the old Remy started to push forward as a defense. "So does this man you'll come hang out in my suite after work sometime?" He teased, that typical devilish look in his eyes, though deep down he wanted her to sta far away from that suite. That was his fuck pad. Julie didn't belong there.. but he felt himself losing control of his idiot side. "Have a nightcap with me?"

[JULIE BRADY]

Remy rolled his eyes and Julie thought he might be upset at her request. What she said made sense! “The last person I want to know about this is my mother. Trust me, I intend to keep her in the dark as far as we’re concerned.” “We.” They were “we” now. She hadn’t really thought about dating him, but would they? A date with Remy didn’t sound so bad. If she didn’t think of it as a date it would be like the time spent at the benefit with their witty banter. That actually sounded like fun…she doubted he would ask her on a date, though. Their relationship may have changed, but she didn’t think Remy had. He may have insisted he wasn’t scared, but she knew better. The man was terrified to have anything resembling a relationship—too much commitment! God forbid he actually give his heart away. Still, she couldn’t help hoping that maybe she would change him over time. Could he change for her?

“So does this mean you’ll come hang out in my suite after work sometime? Have a nightcap with me?” There was the old Remy peeking through and even though it still made her flush to think of being between his sheets, she couldn’t stop the little smile that found its way to her lips and she rolled her eyes with a short sigh. “Oh, Remy. How long have you known me? You should know it’s going to take more than a hot make out session to get me in your suite.” Her stomach clenched nervously even though the smile on her face was playful and even confident. It would have to take more. She’d already promised herself she wouldn’t be like those other girls, giving into his stunning blue eyes and devilish smile. If she could last ten years, she could last a few more weeks to make him work for it. She gave a shrug and let her eyes fall to his chest. “Who knows? You might actually have to take me on a date to get in my pants. I know, I’m so old-fashioned.” She rolled her eyes playfully at herself and shook her head gently as if she was just the silliest person in the world for actually preferring to go on a date before she slept with someone. Though she’d been a hair’s breadth away from banging him against the door, she would hate herself much less if she actually got a hot meal in transit to his bed. She liked to think she would have stopped him before it got that far, anyway.

She was going to leave him to think it over, but she couldn’t pick up her papers without her face coming uncomfortably close to his crotch. If she got that close, it would only make her blush again and also tempt her into doing exactly what she’d just told him she wouldn’t do—give in easily. So instead she looked up at him, still leaned against the door, and she patted his arms gently. “If you’ll excuse me, I should probably take my papers and go before either of us gets anymore ideas that could get us caught.” Though she didn’t necessarily want to leave yet, she knew it was for the best. It wasn’t unheard of for Caroline to drop in during the day and they both needed to readjust themselves so they didn’t look so disheveled if she showed up. One look at Remy’s hair would tell Caroline everything she needed to know about what was going on behind his closed door.