Julian Pierce was indeed handsome tall, though not quite as tall as Damien, with sandy brown hair and warm hazel eyes. He had an easy smile and an air of approachability that contrasted sharply with Damien's controlled intensity.
He crossed the room with confident strides, shaking Damien's hand. "Good to see you. It's been too long."
"Three weeks. Hardly an eternity."
"For you, maybe. Some of us actually take breaks from work." Julian's eyes slid to Aria, and his smile widened. "And who is this? I don't think we've met."
"Sarah Mitchell," Damien said before Aria could speak. "New housekeeper. Sarah, this is Julian Pierce."
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Pierce." Aria kept her tone professional, her smile polite but not warm.
"The pleasure is entirely mine." Julian's gaze was appreciative but not crude—just genuine admiration. "And please, call me Julian. Mr. Pierce makes me feel ancient."
"Julian," Damien's voice had an edge to it, "whiskey?"
