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tunning houses she'd ever set eyes on, and she whispered to herself, "You've got to be kidding me"

Julie had grown up withquite as impressive as Ty's estate, smack-dab on the water in the Seacliff district of San Francisco Over the past few decades, houses here were selling for 15 to 20McMansions to be built in their place The glass-and-steel structures often looked out of place in the once architecturally rich neighborhood

Surprisingly, Ty's house looked to be original-- albeit updated--1920's architecture

Julie wouldat her office, with her staff nearby to protect her from his char other than Ty's personal kingdom But he'd insisted

"Now that I'et to know me?" he'd said

She'd been so upset with his easyof her and the situation that her reply had been cutting "I suppose I do need to see everything that's wrong before I can begin to start es

What better place than your house? I'm sure it's a treasure trove of surprises"

Again, pain flashed in his eyes too quickly for hi to uy? He'd been the one who'd hurt her Not the other way around

She sat behind the wheel of her car aand he opened the door for her and held his hand out She didn't want his help, even if it was a surprisingly gentle

"Maybe I won't have to teach you absolutely everything about proper behavior," she said as she placed her hand in his in place of a thank-you

As she stood in his driveway, she felt like she'd lost her entire foundation She'd never wanted to be this close to Ty again or have him look at her like that--like he wanted her to kiss hihteen and she'd been so delighted by his attention

And now here they were and it was as if the past ten years had never happened Because she was still consumed with the same pathetic lust and desperation

She quickly pulled her hand back and he put his up in a gesture of surrender

" I know this is a pretty rough surprise, having to ith me If you'd rather not take me on, Julie, just say the word I'm sure the team can find someone else to clean up my act"

She stared at hie beneath his words

"Oh no, I' that she was supposed to be the one in control here, not him Still, as she walked up his beautifully paved driveway, knowing his eyes were trained on the sway of her hips, the curve of her calves in her heels, she gave quiet thanks for the angel that helped her choose one of her sexiest business outfits to wear thisand had put on that fruive away for the past few

His front door was open and she wondered if he had trained his servants to open the door, put the chane on ice, and turn down his silk sheets thehome with a woman

Julie knew she didn't measure up to the hot babes he normally dated, but some twisted part of her actually hoped that his staff would think that she could get Ty, rather than just be a paid business associate

Nonetheless, she couldn't fail to be impressed by his house and property The foyer alone had one of the most beautiful views in all of San Francisco The Golden Gate Bridge glittered red in the sunlight to her right, the surf and the Farallon Islands directly in front of the house

He'd certainly coh their past was messy she admired all he'd achieved From life in a trailer park to all this While she worked for what she had, she'd never had to struggle for money or respect Not like he had

A large yacht motored past his house just as she felt hi at the rail of thethe boy she adored was close enough to touch

"It's beautiful," she said

"More beautiful than I ever iruff reply near her left ear

She didn't think he was talking about the view from his house Julie could feel his breath on her skin, his heat at her back She wanted nothing ive herself up to the incredible pleasure of his touch

Just when she didn't think she could hold out another second fro in her entire life, shouts rang out froet away from Ty, she dashed into the iranite-topped island, she saw three largeon colorful plastic floor mats in the family room

"Dude," one of the over his shoulder at Julie and Ty, "I just totally tru!"