A Dominant Man (4 page)

“What do you want?! Why are you following me?!” I scream.

“I want to make sure you get back safely. Besides, I’m not following you. I’m walking alongside you,” he replies imperiously, remaining phlegmatic.

“Semantics. You
are
following me. Besides, you need to stay away from me, remember?”

I start walking again, trying desperately to out run him and my tears, but just as he catches up with me
, so do they, spilling out silently. Hunt reaches out and captures my hand in his to stop me. I keep my face down, so he can’t see me cry, but he tilts my head up to him.

I swear I hear him stop breathing.

“Please, don’t cry,” he gently pleads, wiping the salty backstabbers away from my cheeks. “This is what I am trying to avoid. If you and I were to start a rapport, this will be how it ends, in tears. I cannot stand to watch a sweet innocent cry. I didn’t say I need or want to stay away. I said I should. There is a difference.”

His voice is softer, not as grave as earlier. I am mystified by his alternate moods, by him. I can’t keep up with him. I’m starting to get dizzy.

“Innocent? I am far from innocent, Damian. I am not a meek little virgin who cannot handle herself. I don’t understand any of this…You’re trying to tell me something other than what is actually being spoken. I had a hunch you’d be trouble, and thus far it seems to ring tried and true. What do you want from me, Damian?”

He stands there staring at me from clear emerald eyes, not saying a word. He appears torn, doubt flooding his face.

I give up!

I turn and stomp off to make it back to work on time. He doesn’t follow, which I’m glad about because it gives me a chance to cry ugly and lick my wounds.

T
he end of the day couldn’t come quick enough. By the time five comes rolling around, I am mentally drained and looking forward to hanging at the bar with Chase. Now there’s a guy who doesn’t complicate things. I can expect a normal, sympathetic, stress-free conversation with a few solid laughs thrown in.

I gather my t
hings and head for the lobby, finding him waiting for me by the front doors. “Hey. You ready to go?” he asks as I approach.

“Beyond.”

He slinks his arm around my shoulder, and we walk out into the twilight.

I
t doesn’t take long to get to the semi-crowded pub since it’s around the corner from my building. We grab a booth near the bar in the center of the huge space, surrounded by tables and booths. It’s all carved oak wood, burgundy hued leather, stained-glass windows, and dim lighting. It pretty much looks how it did a hundred years ago. That’s why I love San Francisco. The earthquakes are the only thing quick to change the history around here. The mix of old and new is refreshing, giving the city real personality.

I
lean back into the cool leather and let it invigorate me while Chase is at the bar ordering the libations. I close my eyes and absorb the sounds of my surroundings. Music plays over the speakers, just loud enough to hear over the dull roar of the chatting patrons. I ease into a relaxed state, the music smoothing the wrinkles of the day away.

I peek out an eye to see what’s taking
Chase, locating him flirting with the hot, blonde bartender bending over the bar, arms strategically tucked under her tits, hoisting them up, giving him a show.

Have a little respect for yourself, honey.
Those bad boys should be reserved for someone you’re at least dating, not some random stranger in a bar.

To be perfectly honest, I can’t blame the poor girl, she doesn’t stand a chance. When
Chase sets his sights on someone he’s into, it’s all over for them. He’s quite the charmer. Hell, that’s how he snagged me.

Chase
struts back over with a couple of beers and a napkin, which he slaps on the table. “Read ‘em and weep.”

I glance at the red napkin, spotting the girl’s name and number scribbled on it. Her name is Naomi, and she dots her I’s with little hearts.
Oh god.

I roll my eyes at him
, and he smiles.

“You know what that spells backwards.” He flexes an eyebrow at me
, and I laugh at him. I take a hefty swig of my beer, sighing as I lean back into my seat. “Compliments of I moan.”

I laugh again
, spitting out a little beer from the sip I just took. I clean the dribbling liquid from my chin, trying to keep the rest in and not laugh anymore.

“How was lunch?”

“It was awful and confusing. I don’t think I’ll be seeing him again. I’m going to pretend it never happened. Yep, ignorance is bliss, and I want pure ecstasy, baby.”

Chase
chortles loudly, patting me on the shoulder. “I love you, kid. Always good for a chuckle, but that’s because you’re such a dork.”

I slap him on the arm, hard. “Kiss my ass.”

“As always, your grasp of the English language is astounding,” he teases. I flip him off and stick my tongue out at him. “Your mother must be quite proud of you after all that hard work to turn you into a proper lady.”

I can’t keep a straight face, and I laugh until tears stream down sore cheeks. We talk and laugh long into the night.

I
arrive home around ten, tipsy and feeling much better from this afternoon with Mr. Dazed and Confused. I toss my purse and coat onto the couch, about to head into the bedroom when my phone rings.

“Hello?”

“Ciao, Ellie!” Maya shouts into the phone.

“Hey. How are you? How is Europe? Wait, isn’t it like five over there?”

“I just got in, and I wanted to call before it was too late for you. Europe is amazing as expected. I’m having a phenomenal time here.” She giggles, talking to a gentleman in the background. “I was actually calling to notify you. I’ll be coming home in a few weeks, and I was hoping I could crash at your flat when I get back.”

“Yeah, of course you can. I have the spare room, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I cannot wait to see you. I seriously miss you.”

“Awww. I seriously miss you, too, Ellie. I’ll call you a few days before I get in to give you a heads up. I love you and cannot wait to see you, too. Bonsoir, Cherie!”

“Love you. Ciao, Bella.”

I hang up and head to my room to pass out after the long day.

T
he next few days go by in a blur. I am extremely busy at work and spending my time with friends after, so I don’t have much idle time to think about Hunt. By Thursday, everything seems to be going back to normal, and I’m not as bothered by what occurred on Monday.

I’m at my desk when
Kat gives me a buzz, letting me know there’s a delivery waiting for me up front. I skip to the reception area, and when I arrive, there is an enormous bouquet of my favorite flower, white lilies. I walk over to the front desk and read the card attached.

The one thing I desire most, is the one thing I must never possess, though it obsess me completely.

D

P.S. I hope this small gesture rectifies my appalling behavior.

I stand there, confounded.

I was finally starting to feel better about the whole deb
acle, and he pulls this? I don’t understand why he’s doing this to me. I thought he made himself clear. I’m no good for him, and I should keep my distance.

I’m baffled and a little angry. I ask
Kat for the number to corporate, taking the piece of paper she writes it on back to my desk. I forcefully punch in the numbers and tap my fingernails on the desk while I wait for an answer.

A bubbly polite female answers, “Hunt Industries Inc., Mr. Hunt’s office. This is Re
becca speaking.”

“Hello, Re
becca, may I please speak with Mr. Hunt?”

“Mr. Hunt is quite busy. M
ay I ask whom I’m speaking with and what this is regarding?”

“It’s regarding personal matters. Let him know it
’s Gabrielle Hyde.”

“Oh, Miss Hyde, yes. Hold one moment while I put you through,” she replies eagerly.

I wait for only a few seconds when Hunt’s low, sultry voice comes over the earpiece. I feel my heart pound as his silky, rich voice lightly strokes my ear. “
Gabrielle
?”

“Yes,” I reply, clipped.

I think he notices I am not happy because his tone turns cold. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Don’t give me that crap. I don’t know what your game is, Hunt, but it’s sick. I don’t enjoy being toyed with.”

“I’m not toying with you. I am simply making amends for my actions.”

“Which part? For chasing after me or pushing me away once I was hooked?” I huff.

“Hooked? You’re hooked?” he inquires, pleased.

I can almost hear the self-satisfied grin sweep across his beguiling face.

“I…I didn’t mean that. I just don’t like when people fuck with me. Your push and pull shit is giving me motion sickness. There isn’t enough Dramamine in the world to fix your nauseating wave of crap.”

I hear a melodious sound I’m not expecting. It’s Hunt laughing loud and hard. I’m taken back by it, and I have to remember to breathe. His laugh is infectious, and I find myself joining in.

“I’m just giving you fair warning, that’s all. I am not your typical male. I have unusually particular tastes, and I don’t know if you would agree with them.”

“There you go with that cryptic talk again…The note being a perfect example. What did you mean? Why did you choose white lilies?”

He hesitates and then responds in casual tone, “Do you like them?”

“Yes, thank you. I love lilies.”

“You’re very welcome, Gabrielle. I’m pleased you enjoy them.”

“Why white lilies?”

He sighs. “They seemed fitting.”

“Damian, please stop dancing around my questions.”

“I chose them for their meaning.”

“Which is?”

“Chasity and virtue.”

I exhale sharply. “Of course your gifts have double mean
ings. Nothing with you is simple…What
did
you mean by your note?”

“Was I ambiguous? I believe my feelings were quite clear.”

“Bull. You don’t need your two-dollar words, your enigmatic form of communication. I want you to state your intentions with candor…Please, tell me, are you attracted to me? Do you want me?”

“I’m incredib
ly attracted to you. I want you desperately. You’re the most strong-willed, outspoken, nubile woman I’ve had the pleasure of desiring. Why do you think I keep fighting
this
? I cannot offer what you need, and if you give me what I want, you’ll get hurt. I can’t do that to you.”

“How are you sure I’ll get hurt? How do you know it won’t work out for both of us? You don’t know me well enough to make any kind of
judgment on me or what I can handle.”

“You’re absolutely correct. I don’t. I only know what I can give you, and I don’t believe it will be enough…Look, I’ll be on a business trip in New York for a few days, and I should be back on Monday. If you’re still
hooked
by the time I get back, we can discuss it then. I will contact you before I get back, so we might figure out the details.”

“That’ll be fine. I’ll see you when you get back. Have a safe trip, Damian.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you then. Have a safe weekend, Gabrielle.”

“Will do, boss,”
Shit!
“Bye,” I mumble. 

“Yes. Bye.”

I hang up quickly, hoping it would be like ripping off a bandage but no such luck.

How could I say that? Yeah, that didn
’t make things more complicated or weird. Maybe the fact I’m his employee is the reason he doesn’t want to start a relationship. If that were the reason, why wouldn’t he tell me? It would clarify things.

I realize I didn’t give him my number.
But I’m sure it won’t be hard for him to get my digits if he wants them
. I eagerly anticipate his call and our meeting on Monday.

Awkward

S
aturday, Julie gets us into this great spa, everyone who’s anyone is trying to get into, called Pure. The atmosphere is Japanese infusion with clean modern lines and black marble everywhere. The music also has a beautiful oriental influence to it.

There’s a main space with mud baths, saunas, and a large hot tub filled with mineral water. I decide to get their Mystic package, which is the works
with waxing, Mani/Pedi, massage, and my choice of skin treatment to give me a radiant glow.

I do the waxing first. I want to get the worst over with, so I can get on with the s
oothing and pampering. The girl who mugs me, is an intensely sweet, tiny red-head. She takes a crack at small talk, attempting to make the fact that she’s staring into my crouch less awkward, but as expected, it doesn’t.

I decide to take it all off with a Brazilian. I really want to be with Hunt, so I figure I should prepare for anything that might happen.

It’s torture, burning as each hair is ripped from my skin, scorching my brutally assaulted V.

I close my eyes tight, whimpering occasionally, but for the most part, it’s not the worst I’ve had. She waxes my legs, underarms, and lady bits. I am bald as a baby when she finishes with me. Even though my skin is tender, I’m glad I got it done. Less hassle and prep time when I get ready.

I join Julie for the Mani/Pedi. I get French tip on my hands and turquoise on my toenails. I ease back into the chair and let them do what they may.

Next, I choose to do my skin treatment, which is some natural avocado mask they smear all over my body and wrap me in tinfoil like a human burrito. I lie there, imagining there isn’t chunky goop coating my body, seeping into every nook and cranny.

Ah, the joys of being a woman.

Then,
last but certainly not least, the massage. I am relaxed into a comatose state as Evelyn works her soothing magic from head to toe. By the time she’s done with me, my bones are limp and limbs are putty. I actually passed out at one point during the session.

I
wobble out to the main spa area and grab a cup of hydrating cucumber water before heading into the sauna with Julie. We’re the only ones in here, and I’m relieved because I was hoping to talk to her about Hunt.

The dry heat and
smell of cedar is familiar and comforting. My mom and I have been doing the spa thing since my thirteenth birthday. It became our special bonding time just for us. We go a few times a year for special occasions and birthdays.

I take off my towel, sprawl out on the bench, and close my eyes.

“God, it’s like a sauna in here,” I jokingly comment.

“Ha. Ha. You’re hilarious.”

“I thought I was. How are things with you, Jules?”

“Good. I broke up with Jason.”

Jason was the owner of the restaurant we ate at last Saturday.

“Why? What happened?” I inquire.

“He was starting to get clingy, and I wasn’t into it. I have no interest in being tied down right now. He was riding my ass like a cowboy at a rodeo. I want freedom, so I broke it off. No biggie. How’s Chase by the way?” Julie asks, attempting nonchalant but failing miserably.

Julie
’s had a thing for Chase since we were in high school, but he doesn’t share her feelings. She tries not to sound affected by him, but she isn’t skilled at it.

“He’s fine. You know
Chase always has his hand in somebody’s cookie jar.” I change the subject when I spot the look of disappointment on her face.

“Guess whom I ran into at the magazine on Monday.”

“I hate the guessing game,” she says halfheartedly, “Who?”

“Damian.”

She bolts up with a stunned look on her face, mouth open wide.

“Really?”

“Yep…He’s Mr. Hunt.”

“Wait, rewind…Damian is Mr. Hunt as in, playboy billionaire, Damian Hunt?”

“Yep, the one and only.”

A look of clarity brushes over her face. “I thought he looked familiar, but
in the pictures I’ve seen, he’s always wearing a suit and his hair’s longer.”

“I’d never heard of him before. Anyway, he invited me to lunch, and it went horribly. He’s all stop and go. He wants me, and then we shouldn’t be together. I thought it was over after that, but on Thursday, he sent me a large bouquet of white lilies and a note with a puzzling exp
lanation and an apology for his behavior. We’re supposed to get together to talk about us after he gets back from a trip on Monday. So, I guess we’re back to wanting again.”

“Are you? Going to see him I mean.”

“Yeah, I want to. Hunt is stunning, obviously intelligent, and harbors a darkness within beckoning to me. Even with his mood swings, I still want to be around him…Do you think I should?”

“The guy’s known to be a player, b
ut you can’t always believe what you read. You should at least hear what he has to say on the matter. Give it a chance.”

I lie there thinking of
Hunt, what I expect from him
. He keeps saying he can’t give me what I want.
How does he know? I don’t even know myself, so how could he?

“I want to, but he’s all over the place. I’m afraid to put myself out there only to be shamed and rebuffed.”

“You’re so fucking negative when it comes to yourself. He’s chasing you around and sending flowers. I know he says one thing, but his actions are expressing something altogether different. You need to stop obsessing over it and wait to see what he says on Monday…He likes you. I saw the way he was staring at you in the club. He is one smitten kitten. Trust.”

“You really think so?”

“I don’t think, I know. Smitten.”

I grin
broadly, hugging myself on the inside, as I realize how much I want this gorgeous man, and he may genuinely want me, too. I revel in the thought.

I
feel refreshed and limp after my day at the spa. I head home with plans of making dinner and staying in for the night. I’m walking through the door when my cell rings, and my heart starts to pound. I want it to be Damian. I already miss hearing his voice, him. I drop my crap on the table next to the front door and eagerly rifle through my purse to find the phone. I check the ID and feel a pang of disappointment when I see it’s Chase.

I pick it up en route to my bedroom.

“Hey. What’s up?”

“Hey. I’m fucking bored. Would you
wanna to hang out? We can do dinner and a movie.”

“What, no big, hot date?
Chase, are you slipping?” I tease.

He chuckles and lets out a long sigh. “Hardly. I don’t want to do the date thing, I’d much rather chill with you. Do you want me to come over? I can pick up some grub on the way, and we can watch a movie.”

“I was going to hang out at home alone with a cup of noodles, but your plan sounds better.” I glance at the clock on the nightstand next to my bed, which says it’s five. “What time should I expect you?”

“I can be there in thirty or so. We can do the early bird thing.”

“Great. See you in thirty.”

“I’ll see you then. Bye, Grandma.”

“Bye to you, too, old fart.”

I hang up, tossing the p
hone onto my bed and skipping into my bathroom to turn on the shower. I jump in for a nice, long rinse down. When I’m done, I throw on a loose pair of sweat pants and a plain white tee, then toss my hair into a ponytail. I’m ready with ten minutes to spare.

I hea
d out to the living room and hear Chase’s signature knock on my door. I open it to find him with a large pizza box, dressed in a white V-neck, dark jeans, and slip-on Vans. He always looks better than I do.

“You look swank. You want a beer?”

“Yeah, I could go for a brewski.”

He walks in and shuts the door behind
him. I grab a couple beers from the fridge, pop off the caps, and hand one to him. We head over to the couch and plop back onto it. He places the pizza on the table and opens it to reveal a large pepperoni and mushroom.
Yum.

“How was your day? What did you do?” he asks as he sips on his beer.

“It was fun. I went to the spa with Jules and did a girls day. I got a massage, skin treatment, and Mani. The whole nine yards.” I clear my throat loudly. “Jules asked about you today. She wanted to know how you’re doing. I told her you were still your lovely man-whore self.”

He rolls his eyes and huffs. “That girl’s something else. I don’t get why she can’t take a hint. I mean, it’s not as if I give her mixed
signals. I don’t feel the same way. It sucks because she can be a cool chick when she isn’t gushing over me.”

“Give her a break. You’
re the only guy who’s never truly given her the time of day. I don’t think she knows how to deal with it. I feel terrible that she’s been pining over you this long.”

I take a swig of beer.

“I understand what it’s like.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

“Nothing. I’m just saying I can sympathize.”

“Why don’t you
take her on a date? You may enjoy yourself, and she may ease up on you.”

I let out a weak burp and cover my mouth. “Excuse me.” I giggle. “I haven’t eaten.”

He chuckles and shakes his head rapidly. “Surprise, surprise.” He grins and gently tugs on my ponytail. “I don’t think a date would help the situation. In fact, it would probably get worse. I don’t see her in that light. I’d much rather be her friend, but she makes it impossible.”

He takes one last big swig, bottle’s ass up in the air, and downs the rest. He shakes the empty bottle next to his ear.

“I think it’s broken,” he says with a smart-ass grin.

A laugh comes bursting out
of me, and I fall over on the couch. I’m unsure if it was very funny, but the way his face looks is hysterical. I wipe the tears from my eyes and slowly come down from my laughing fit. Little chuckles spurt out as I sit up, and my body mellows back into the couch. I take a swill of my beer and finish her up.

“I’m glad you’re amused.” He smiles, but it slowly fades
, morphing into an awkward stare. He studies me for a moment, as if he wants to say something but can’t quite find the words. Instead, he takes our bottles into the kitchen and tosses them in the recycle bin.

W
e dine on greasy pizza, drink some cheap beers and watch a John Hughes mini-marathon of Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles. Once it ends and the credits roll, I rise off the couch, grabbing some bottles before I head into the kitchen. I allow the movie to play so I can listen to my favorite song on the soundtrack. If You Were Here by Thompson Twins.

“Woul
d you like some dessert?” I ask as I toss the bottles into the trash.

“Sure. What kind of dessert did you have in mind?” His tone is a tad darker than usual.
I glance at him for an instant then take a peek in the fridge, shaking it off.

“I have pudding, cookies, or there’s always my favorite, a Popsicle.”

He smiles his sly smirk, usually reserved for his conquests.

Is he flirting with me...? No, you idiot! Why on earth, would he flirt with you? You’re like a sister to him.

I stow the silly thought and attempt to forget it.

“Pudding sound good?”

He cocks a brow and smiles devilishly again. I know exactly what perverted thought is going through that oversexed mind of his.

“You’re such a pervert.”

“I’m a guy,” he replies with a huge grin and a shrug.

“Same difference,
” I retort on my way back to the couch.

He smiles coyly at me, grabbing the cup and
spoon I’m holding out for him. I settle back onto the sofa and rip the lid off my cup.

W
hile taking a taste of his chocolaty treat he asks, “So, what was with you and Mr. Boss Man?”

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

“What do you mean, you don’t know?”

“I don’t know where we stand. I guess he’s just an
acquaintance. We’re supposed to talk in a few days. I’ll know then.”

“Do you like him?” he asks with an expression on his face that resembles jealousy. I shrug it off.

Why would he be jealous?

“It’s too soon to tell. I don’t know him.”

“I mean, are you into him?”

I pause. Suddenly, I feel flush and a bit embarrassed. It’s not as if I haven’t talked boys with him before, but this feels weird.

“Yes, I am. Even with his back and forth crap.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s hot and cold constantly. I don’t know what the hell he wants.”

“He likes you. It’s in the way he looks at you.”

“That’s what I’ve heard.”

I shrug my shoulders. I’m not in the mood to talk about it a
nymore and focus on the TV screen as the credits roll on.