Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Julie waited in the Lobby of the Holden as the luxury air port shuttle arrived. She wore a tailored, knee-length pencil skirt in a soft taupe shade, the fabric smooth and structured without feeling overly formal. It was paired with a lightweight, fitted blouse in a muted sage tone, tucked in just enough to define her waist while still feeling relaxed. A slim leather belt added a subtle accent, tying in with her pointed-toe flats in a warm tan. She layered a cropped, neutral cardigan over the blouse, giving the outfit a softer, more approachable feel while maintaining a polished look. Her brunette hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and her makeup stayed natural and fresh, completing an outfit that felt effortlessly stylish and professional without being overly dressed up.
Then she saw Jed approaching the hotel glass doors. He had dressed with the kind of precision that felt less about style and more about control. His suit was a sharply tailored navy, cut close through the shoulders and waist, with a crisp white shirt so stiff it barely moved when he did. A bold silk tie—deep burgundy with a subtle sheen—sat perfectly centered, secured with a polished tie bar that caught the light just enough to draw attention. His shoes were high-gloss black oxfords, mirror-shined to perfection, and his watch was large, expensive, and unmistakably chosen to be noticed.Not a thread was out of place, not a detail overlooked—but the overall effect wasn’t warmth or approachability. It was deliberate, imposing, and faintly intimidating, like he dressed each morning with the intention of reminding everyone exactly where he believed he stood.
He breezed through the door, and glanced around the regal lobby while straining his tie. He smiled somewhat cruelly as Julie caught his eye. He walked briskly to her with his asshole grin, "Julie, I came as soon as you called. Too bad everyone else came before I got here."
"Shut up Jed" Julie said rolling her eyes.
"So, you tried to go for Echo Enterprises all by yourself, but you couldn't handle it?" Jed said with a smirk as he sat down next to her.
"Don't be an asshole, Jed. You know I can handle it. It's just...complicated" Julie said, her voice calm but her fingers gripping her purse strap a little too tightly.
"Complicated? You mean because you're now a viral porn star?" Jed asked, his smirk widening.
"It's simple. You get his account, I get the signing commission. It's a win, win."
Jeb laughed, "it's a complete loss for you. You get one signing commission, I get every yearly commission for the lifetime of the contract. Face it Julie, by getting screwed on camera you screwed yourself. Don't you think you'll be running into this every time you go after a new client? Do you think any of your clients have reached out to Carswell asking for new management?"
Jed asked, his voice dripping with false sympathy. Julie’s jaw tightened. She knew he was right. The second that video hit the internet, her professional reputation had been stained.
She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to meet Jed’s gaze. “I’m not going to let this ruin me. It's not like you or Carswell haven't had long nights with call girls."
"Perhaps, but not on video" Jeb quipped.
"Jeb, we have sensitive data to discuss. Let's head up."
Jeb smiled as he followed Julie to the elevator.
Julie and Jeb entered her suite. Julie took off her cardigan and Jen took off his suit jacket and sat on the couch in the suite. "So this is where the magic happened?" He said glancing around, "Actually this doesn't look like the room at all" he concluded.
"I wasn't in my room, Jeb" Julie said flatly, clearly irritated with Jeb's bemusement. She pulled a thick report off of the desk in her suite and handed it to Jeb. Jeb flipped through causally as he continued talking, "I can't tell you how many times I've watched it. My favorite part was when you let that fat sloppy middle aged man cum in your ass and pussy without a condom" he laughed at his own words. "You're quite the exhibitionist aren't you Julie. I mean, I always thought you were a tease, but nowe and 20 million others have watched you get creampied."
Julie's face was flush with anger, but still she was also surprised, "20 million?" She asked. The last she had seen it wasn't so high.
"Oh yeah. You just made the guy that posted that a whole lot of money" Jeb said tossing Julie's report on the couch. "So let's see it." Jeb said casually.
"See what? The video? I'm not watching. The video."
Jeb laughed a cocky laugh, "No. I want to see you. The camera was decent, but I prefer to see it in person.
You know, the real thing. The way you move, the way you sound. The way you *take it*. He leaned back on the couch, his fingers drumming against the armrest.
Julie’s fingers tightened around the edge of the report. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, but she refused to let him see her flustered. "You’re disgusting," she said, her voice low and controlled. "I would never. I hate you Jeb. You think I would let you see me naked?"
"I've already seen it. I just want to see it up close. And I know you're going to let me. You're a great data person Julie, but I'm much better at reading people. And I'm looking at a woman who hates herself way more than me." Jeb leaned forward as he spoke from the couch, "and you hate me. So the way I see it, you're going to let me do whatever I want to you. Because you know it's the only way you'll feel anything right now."
Julie felt her body tense, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. The air in the room felt thick, charged with something she didn't want to name. She could feel her pulse quickening, her breath shallow.
"Jeb," she said, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts to keep it steady, "I called you here for business. Not for this."
Jeb smirked, this is business. We've been competing for years, and the moment you called you knew you were defeated. Now, I get it all. The job, the money, and the girl." Jeb's eyes swept over her fixating and lingering crudely. Julie rolled her eyes away from him. Staring at the wall.
Jeb stood from the couch and walked towards her. Julie tensed as he reached towards her, then passed her, picking up the phone and dialing room service. He ordered like a pro, a couple expensive bottles of wine. Something to eat and a bucket of ice. “Bring it to suite 412,” Jeb said, keeping his grin on Julie as he hung up the phone. He turned back to her and it was like watching a predator decide which part of its prey to devour first. “Wine seems appropriate to celebrate my victories."
Julie’s throat went dry. His matter of fact victory lap was getting under her skin. His boldness offended her. His cockiness, and arrogance were unbearable to her.
"Even though I've never liked you, I cannot deny you are absolutely beautiful." Jeb confessed. "I've been looking forward to today for a long time." Jeb tugged on his tie knot pulling I it off his neck and undoing his drop buttons. He stretched his neck, it popping as he did.
Julie could see the veins of his forearms under his sleeves—corded and deliberate, like every movement was calculated.
"Julie," he said, stepping closer with a predatory confidence that made her skin prickle. His fingers brushed against the edge of her sleeve,
"I called you here for business," she repeated, her voice firmer this time, but her resistance already fraying.
"Then tell me you want me to stop* Jeb said as he continued to unbutton his shirt, revealing his undershirt. He looked at her with a smirk, his eyes darkening.
Julie felt herself shaking, not from fear but from the overwhelming tension coursing through her veins. She had spent years building her reputation, her control, her image—only to have it all unravel in a single, disgusting moment caught on camera. And now Jed stood in front of her, smirking, unbuttoning his shirt like he already owned her. Like he had every right to undress her with his eyes.
She should have kicked him out. She should have called security. She should have done anything but stand there, paralyzed, as his fingers worked the buttons free and the fabric parted to reveal the hard planes of his chest. She crossed her arms, glaring at him as he ignored the daggers in her eyes.
There was a knock at the door and the bartender wheeled in the room service ordered. For a moment he paused looking from Julie to Jeb. Jeb gave him a curious glance, his eyes shifting to to Julie, who shuffled uncomfortably.
"I'm really am the best at reading people," he repeated. He dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out a crisp bill, that he handed to the bartender, "Thanks mate. It's appreciated." Jeb said sending the bartender on his way. Julie tried to act natural, but her cheeks burned red with embarrassment as Jeb continued his examining look. She fought the urge to fidget with her sleeves or fix a stray hair—anything to appear less exposed. Jeb’s smirk told her he knew exactly how unnerved she felt.
"Relax, Julie," Jeb said, pouring wine into a glass without waiting for an invitation, "I’m not judging. Still, I couldn't be much worse than the bartender. I'm a little disappointed with your standards though. Maybe you were just a little freaked out after letting so many men run through you." Jeb contemplated.
Jeb handed her a glass of wine. "Don't worry about the contract. I got it. You know we will get it signed on Monday. But until Monday, you're stuck with me."
Julie snatched the cup of wine, and took a drink, still outwardly agitated. Jeb smiled at her irritation and continued on to take off his undershirt. He tossed it onto the couch beside him, revealing a body that was lean but powerful, his chest dusted with dark hair that trailed down his abdomen. His muscles were defined, not in the exaggerated way of a gym rat, but in the controlled, deliberate way of a man who knew how to use his body. He was all sharp angles and quiet strength, every movement precise.
Julie took another sip of her wine, her fingers tight around the glass. The cool liquid did little to ease the heat creeping up her neck.