Marry Me G. Hauser (the chimp paradox .TXT) 📖

Wednesday!”

Brianna walked around the desk and rubbed Braxton’s

shoulder. “You’ll be fine. It’s dinner. Okay? If those dates think

it’s more, just politely leave.”

“Why did I agree to this? I don’t have the time!”

“Hey.” Brianna nudged him to make him look at her. “The

cavalry has arrived.” She tilted her head in the direction of

Fabian.

“You’ll spend more time training him than him helping us.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” She smiled.

Braxton thought about it. Instead of asking her about Fabian,

he stood up, Brianna grinning at him wryly as he left his office.

Heading directly to the new employee, Braxton leaned on the

doorframe as Fabian spoke on the phone. Braxton listened to his

conversation.

Fabian noticed him there and looked startled, then refocused

on the call. “Yes, I’m going to handle all the details for you. If

you have any problems, just call me.”

Braxton exhaled and leaned his head on the wooden frame,

admiring Fabian’s good looks, his blue eyes, how amazing he

looked in his pressed cotton shirt and silk tie.

“I already forwarded your dress size to three designers,”

Fabian said, splitting his attention between the computer and

Braxton, knowing he was being judged. “I’ll arrange for your

fittings when I hear back from them. You have two weeks so

don’t panic yet…who am I? My name is Fabian Rhys. Yes, I just

started working for Braxton today…why, thank you. I look

forward to working with you too.”

Braxton smiled to himself.

“Yes. Of course. Anytime. Bye.” Fabian hung up and met

Braxton’s gaze. “That was Jeanette Grady.”

“I assumed so. She’s the one who needs something

fashionable for the red carpet premiere…in two weeks.”

“You need something?” Fabian sat up in the chair.

Oh hell yeah. You, biting the fucking pillow. “We haven’t

discussed salary. I’m surprised you began working here without

that tidbit.”

“I…” Fabian’s cheeks grew rosy and he appeared shy.

“Forty-five grand a year okay for a start?” Yeah, he’d told

Brianna forty, but…look at the guy.

“Huh? Yes. Thank you.”

“All the benefits.”

“Um. Does that include parking?”

“We own our own reserved spots. Go move your car.” He

tilted his head to the lobby. “They’ll nail you good by the end of

the day. Ask Brianna where the spots are.”

Fabian stood and patted his pants pocket for his keys.

“Thanks.”

As Fabian approached, Braxton didn’t budge, waiting for

Fabian to come closer at the doorway, which he was blocking.

They met gazes and Braxton’s blood lit on fire at the physical

attraction he felt for this man.

Fabian’s intimidation was delicious, and he kept looking

down at his feet nervously.

“I’m already impressed, Fabian.”

Instantly Fabian met his eyes.

“We don’t have time to train someone properly.”

“It’s not rocket science. I just get what our clients need from

the contact list.”

Braxton couldn’t be more pleased. “And you negotiate good

deals. Don’t pay the first offered fee.”

“Got it.”

Braxton gave Fabian a once over casually. “They’ll sense

new blood and try to take advantage of you.”

“I can handle myself.”

“I have a feeling you can.” Braxton finally backed up to

allow Fabian to leave, to move his car.

Slipping passed Braxton, Fabian turned back to catch Braxton

watching him walk away.

Nice ass. Damn. Braxton gazed back into the empty office

after Fabian had left. Smart and gorgeous. How lucky did I get?

~

Fabian cleared his throat and Brianna looked up from her

computer. “Uh, Braxton said we have reserved parking spots?”

“Yes. Oh! Did you get a ticket stub for the pay lot?” She

shook her head at the oversight. “We have reserved parking.

Second level, section C, numbers two-ten to two-fourteen.” She

handed him a plastic credit-type card with a reader strip on it.

“Use this to get in and out. I’m sorry, my bad.”

“It’s okay. So, I have to leave and come back? You know, to

stop the meter on my parking now?”

“Yes. Shit. Here.” She opened her purse to get cash.

“No! I’m not letting you pay.” He shook his head at the

absurdity. “It’s only been an hour or so.”

“I’ll tack the expense on to your first check. Bring me the

receipt.”

“Okay.” He nodded and left the office, heading to the

elevator. As he waited he glanced back, thinking about the look

Braxton had given him. Yeah, figured. One day with you and

you’re already trying to get me in bed.

Fabian exhaled in frustration and entered the elevator to move

his car.

~

Braxton stood at Brianna’s desk. “He’s amazing.”

“Uh oh. Down boy.” Brianna laughed. “We don’t need you

sexually harassing our new stud on his first day.”

“No. I won’t. But…wow.” Braxton heard his phone ringing.

“Behave!” Brianna yelled after him as he headed into his

office to grab it.

“Braxton Todd,” he said, sitting down and putting his

earpiece in.

“Braxton! Darling! You remember tonight your first date

from the auction. Six pm. You need a ride to the Palm, yes?”

“No. I’ll just drive myself there. I’m not planning on

drinking.”

“Good boy. His name is Drew Persely. He is the CEO of a

luxury car company, worth oh, so much money!”

“Is grandpa married?” Braxton rolled his eyes and began

typing the man’s name into his computer to get an idea of what

he was in for.

“Married yes? Married no? What does it matter? You are a

business connection perhaps? He is a very successful man. You

must know his controversial ads.”

As she spoke Braxton was pulling up the information on the

man and his company. “Oh yes. I do. Mark Antonious with a

hard-on on the front seat of one of Drew’s sports cars. How

could I not know?”

“Yes! That ad made everyone double-take on Santa Monica

Boulevard and crash. So you see? He is gay friendly. You will

have a lot to talk about. Ciao!”

Braxton hung up. Yes, maybe it is business. I wouldn’t mind

getting a client as big as Drew. Not to mention, getting a chance to meet Mark Richfield? In the flesh?

There was very little information about Mr Persely online

other than the CEO affiliation with the car manufacturer.

“Business. I can deal with that.” Braxton got back to work.

~

Fabian returned to the office after moving his car. He entered

to find Brianna typing and she asked, “How much damage?”

“Four bucks. I can handle it.”

“Uh uh.” She reached out her hand.

He gave her the receipt. “Okay. But I’m not that broke.”

“Work related—we pay. You keep track, mister. No

exceptions, and that includes hours at home you spend on the

computer