Between two CEO

Julia was anxious, it was almost time for her to slip out to the gaming house, she wasn't afraid not one bit but she would hate for her to be caught. What a scandal it would cause for her family that the eldest daughter of the Cavendish was nothing but a vile woman not to be associated with, not that it bothers her what the ton has to say about her but she is worried that should she be caught her sister Camila might lose her chances of making a suitable match with a Duke or an earl.

for the fact that her mother Ophelia Cavendish would soon be holding a ball in honour of her sister for her coming out and she would hate to be the one to cause such uproar in the ball should her pastime be found out. Apart from her sister and her friend who covers for her nobody knows what she has been up to for the past three months, having grown tired of the company of other women of her acquaintance who talks nothing but the dresses of the latest fashion, and making a match with a reputable young man. Having already donned her breeches she tucked her wild mass of unruly red hair in a somewhat large hat and surveyed herself in the mirror, she looked every bit a young lad. she took her coat with her and slipped out of the house through her window. She has a rope to which she uses to accomplish this task each time she wishes to venture out of the house to the gaming house In the three months that she frequented the gaming house, the angels, she has become quite popular either because of her luck in her winning or mainly because she has a knack for it she didn't know. Right now she was playing with Cole weatherly the earl of Devonshire. Normally she wouldn't be playing with a Lord but it has become a common thing for the fact that since she started frequenting the angels she has always been going home with winnings and it has become a common knowledge for the young men to try and outsmart her or win back the money they had lost previously.Sebastian sat down sipping his drink, he had not wanted to come but his childhood friend had demanded it of him, damn, where the hell is Cole weatherly? he had only but seen the man when he first arrived but apart from that brief meeting he had not been chanced to see him. Damn you cole he cursed under his breath that is no way to treat a friend who has been gone for three years. Three years ago he had left London for Paris to stay with his father's cousin life In London had been tiring for him what with the numerous balls and eager mama looking to find their daughters a match. He had quite earned his reputation in Paris as an incorrigible rake in the space of three years he had not wanted to come back but his father had met with untimely death, the sole responsibility of the estate and even the guardianship of his sister fell onto him. Even if he didn't want to come back before, he had every reason to now that there were more pressing matters. He gulped down the last of his drink and dismissed the courtesan by his side he had to find his friend, the bastard didn't even care to keep him company. It wasn't had to spot cole with his back to him he could tell that it was him. However he was surprised to see him playing, he was not the type to be playing rather he was the type to sit close by and watch others play, but what even surprised him more was the lad he was playing with, there was something familiar about him. He studied the lad closely one might think him young, very young with boyish looks. He wore a very oversized coat you couldn't even make out the clothes he wore underneath. Delicate hands he noted, a hand that should not be associated with a man. A man's hand should be calloused, rough. His eyes quickly darted to his neck, slim and delicate then to his face and when it collided with his eyes he swore, he will be damned if he did not know who this is. If he is to think himself correct this is actually his sister's friend Julia Cavendish. If he had had more than two glass of drink he would have thought himself foxed.Bloody tarnation what is she doing here, does she understand the implications of what she is doing, the kind of scandal this would cause no doubt his sister would inherit her own fair share from this, his quiet little sister, he was filled with vexation for her person, he wanted to go over there and cause bodily harm to her but that will only attract unnecessary attention to himself. The little chit doesn't think properly what with making herself comfortable in a place meant for gentlemen, it is frowned upon by society she could ruin her reputation as well as his sister's own just by associating with her. He was angry with her, he wanted nothing but to haul her over his shoulders excuse himself from the angels and be done with it. But what excuse does he have to do this, he can't possibly haul a young lad over his shoulders and leave he has to explain himself and that he doesn't want to do. He drowned another cup of brandy in one go as he came to the conclusion that he will wait till she was done.

Julia was overjoyed she was quickly spotting a grin on her face, from the looks of things she would soon be winning lord Cole, she lifted her face and her eyes collided with Sebastian and she froze, she knew he was back but she didn't expect to meet him here of all places. She would have thought that he didn't recognize her but from the fury emanating from him she would have to think otherwise. She made a mental note to herself to finish up quickly and quietly let herself out.

She was outside clutching her winnings to herself grinning from ear to ear when a hand roughly pulled her aside and she was immediately filled with panic she started to thrash her hands about the person holding her firmly when she heard his voice, with just thatword she knew who it was and braced herself for what she knew was about to come. Stop it! Sebastian hissed what do you think you are doing here? He asked irritated with her. I don't know what you are talking about Julia said, suddenly angry that he would come here and manhandle her like that. who does he think he is. you damn well know what I am talking about, why are you here? Do you know what could happen to your reputation should you be found out? I very well know what could happen and this isn't any of your business she spat back angrily. He was taken back a bit, he should have known the little vixen would put up a fight he didn't expect anything less. He fumed well it is very much my business considering that any scandal created by you will very much affect my sister. Lord Sebastian, I assure you no one will know, you ought not to fear. No one will know indeed he was angry beyond doubt it is only a miracle that she has not been found out. God knows how long she has been doing this moving about at night alone! Alone! She could have been attacked or possibly raped, and she devil has refused to see sense. The thought of that sent a shiver down his spine. He decided it was unsafe here someone might call upon them here and she would be ruined, best he takes her to his carriage. He hauled her over his shoulders like he had wanted to do all night. He shoved her into his carriage unceremoniously and hurried Inside. Even now she was fuming raising her chin up in the air, eyes blazing with fury. It is none of your business what I do or what I don't. I assure you no harm will befall your sister, but you cannot just come here and command me. I tell you, my lord, she spat angrily, I do not take likely with orders. Do you know the troubles that could befall a fragile woman such as your self, Sebastian said. I am no fragile woman I am perfectly capable of handling myself. Sebastian was irked, he wanted to make her see sense but he didn't know what came over him and he covered her lips with his, a gasp escaped her lips and he drove his tongue into her mouth meeting no resistance. she tasted quite delicious he thought, he kissed her with all his pent up anger. she was still at first, then slowly she started responding, fire coursed through him and he broke the kiss. she was breathing heavily, lips were swollen and red lookingat him with all the hatred she could muster on her face. God, how he hated that look on her face. He hadn't intended to kiss her but the woman infuriated him. He was a man that prided himself on self-control and to think that a snotty little woman like her could do this to him unnerved him. During the struggle to put her into the carriage, her hat had fallen and an abundant wild mass of unruly red her hung loosely about her shoulders.She had piercing blue eyes that a man could drown himself in. As hiseyes trailed down her face to her lips, his breathing hitched, she had the most gorgeous set of lips he has ever had the misfortune to see, full, pouty and pink. And to think that he just kissed those lips made him hard and he groaned inwardly angry that she could affect him like this.

Julia was angry, just who did he think he was to manhandle her like that. And to think that he kissed her was unthinkable. he had stolen her first kiss just like that, something she reserved for a man she will fancy her self in love with, or better still her betrothed and the vile man has taken it like it was his birthright.

Blast him! He was saying something but she was lost in her own world angry that she had let him disrupt her evening. He was nothing like his cool, sensible, quiet sister, Victoria. one might even think they where sprout from different mothers.

He was asking her how she managed to sneak out of the house undetected and she wanted to indulge the man.

I have a rope outside my window that I use to accomplish this task, not that it is any business of yours.

Now he was looking at her like she had completely lost her mind. I believe you won't be as foolish as to try something like this again. He said.

what if I tell you I have been doing this for three months now, Julia said.

Bloody tarnation! He cursed. Soon the carriage pulled to a stop at the Cavendish estate and she hurriedly slipped out into the estate without a backward glance. If there was one thing he knew about Julia, it was that this wasn't the last time he would be seeing her at the Angels.

Julia slipped into her room quietly. This was the first time she has been caught, maybe she should stop, maybe she shouldn't. She wasn't entirely sure. She quietly slipped out of her clothes and buried herself in the comfort of her bed.

********

Lady Banbury was hosting a ball and it was all the rage. Two balls In a year and It was rumored that her invitation was highly coveted. Only the very best would you find in her ball. Her mama was making a fuss over her directing her lady maid as she sees fit. She wanted her to wear an ivory gown with a plunging neckline whatever her mother could be thinking. She was excited, Victoria would be coming to the ball. They had each, listed some beaus they set their cap for. Julia wanted lord Wakefield he was tall and dandyish. Someone who would marry her and then let her be. Once she produced the heir and the spare she would be left to her own devices, to do as she wished with enough money to fill her pockets. Someone who wouldn't challenge her or demand more from her.

Her dance card was almost full. Her next dance was with sir Henry bridgerton he was a nice fellow offering to get her drink and all that, but he was old enough to be her father! How he managed to compel her to save a dance for him she would never know. He had asked for permission to court her, and her mother had profusely refused, which by the way, she is eternally grateful for.

The next dance was about to start which leaves her with no choice but to hide in the corner. Now she is sulking because she was missing the fun part of the ball.

The next dance was a waltz! A waltz! She shivered just thinking about it. She will die a hundred times before she even attempted to dance the waltz with Sir Henry brigderton!

Whatever could you be doing here skulking? Victoria said striding towards her.

Julia just scowled at her and continued her mission, at least that was what she thought she was doing.

I would give my whole fortune just to know what is going on in your head, Victoria said chuckling.

You could, but since your whole fortune constitutes of only your dowry, which I might point out to you might not even be yours once you marry and your husband gets his hands on them. Julia pointed out smirking at her friend.

With a big scowl on her face Victoria muttered: since I am probably not married, which you kindly pointed out and I am still under the guardianship of my brother, who happens to have a very big fortune, by being related, I could say I also have a fortune. She finished off grinning like she had just fought a battle and came out the victor.

Whatever makes you sleep at night, Julia muttered. She could spot Sir Henry brigderton he was looking for her, asking about for her. Jerking his head this way and that. He was moving fast heading towards her direction. He was going to spot her, panicking she grabbed unto Victoria's arm, Vicky! Help, please do something before he spots me. She cried out desperately, jerking her head this way and that for any possible escape.

Calm down! I think I spot my brother, he won't desperately mind what am about to do now, that is to say, if he gives me the opportunity to explain. I think he would make a very good ally. Vicky said grasping her hands and hurrying her over to her brother.

Before Julia could even muster up any protest why this was probably a terrible idea, she found herself face to face with Sebastian, and before she could even deny whatever it was that Vicky was telling her brother, which she wasn't listening to because all the while she was straining herself, standing on her tiptoe looking over peoples head for sir Bridgerton!

She found herself in a dance of waltz! with no other than Sebastian Dashwood! From the frying pan to the fire. At least she was done hiding from sir Bridgerton for the meantime.

He finally found her and was looking at her with a forlorn expression written all over his face. She bent her head and tried to avoid his gaze. She wouldn't pity him, no! She tried blocking him from her line of sight by gazing at Sebastian but found him already watching her with a deep frown marring his face.

my, my, look who we have here if it isn't the girl who can't handle herself in a ballroom but probably can handle herself much better in a game room. He bit out and she blushed a lovely shade of crimson starting from her cheeks all the way down to her neck, he watched her all the while.

Lowering her head she murmured thank you.

That wasn't a compliment he bit out.

I wasn't thanking you for that. she bit out. I was thanking you for rescuing me. She murmured.

Cocking one delicate brow up he said: I didn't think you knew that word or even how to use it.

Exasperated she snapped out through clenched teeth what is even wrong with you? You are so bitter that this room could just be infected by your black mood.

Scowling now he said, am just bitter that you have been foisted unto me.

Is it that bad? Whatever you could have promised Vicky, I could release you from that oath, and how did she even manage it?

My sister is my sister and she has her ways. He said. By and by how did you manage to attract the attention of sir Bridgerton.

If you must know, it had nothing to do with any effort from my part. He just got one look at my hips and declared that this was a hip fit for childbearing, one or two children might be able to pass without undergoing all these complications most women had. Are you laughing at me? She asked with wide-eyed innocence. when she noticed Sebastian's shoulder shaking.

Sebastian's shoulders were quaking, he fought to keep it in but he lost the battle and it was all he could do not to blow over from the force of his laughter. She was scowling at him her lips puckered as if anticipating a kiss, her brows drawn together and at that moment she looked so cute that he felt this urge to wipe away her scowl with a kiss.

He shook his head mentally chastising himself on what he had been about to do. She was a very attractive woman he had to give her credit on that at least.

Julia's scowl was quickly disappearing, Sebastian was looking at her in a strange way that she didn't understand. He had this look about him. It made her feel uncomfortable because she wasn't ready to examine what that look did to her.