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

changed drastically from exhaustion to a

nice smile. “What can I do for you, sir?” Braxton interlaced his

fingers on his lap and rocked in his leather chair gently.

Everything.

Fabian wanted to dig his hands through that dark mop of hair

and lick Braxton’s lips with the tip of his tongue, and that was

just for starters. “I got a call I wanted to discuss with you.”

Braxton gestured to the chair in front of his desk.

Fabian unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down. The phone

rang and Braxton called out to Brianna, “Can you hold the calls

for five!”

“I can!” she answered and she shut Braxton’s office door,

giving him privacy he had not requested.

Fabian stared at Braxton for a moment, lost on the craving to

do something insane with him and holding back with everything

he had.

Braxton stared back, waiting for what Fabian had to say.

“Uh,” Fabian kick-started his brain trying to remember why

he had come in, since Braxton’s good looks had made him lose

his thought. “I got a call from Drew Persely.”

Instantly Braxton’s expression contorted in disgust.

“Yeah. I know.” Fabian could read his mind without Braxton

speaking a word. “First of all, he didn’t want to deal with me,

though I tried to deflect it off of you.”

Braxton’s expression did not change as he listened.

Fabian continued, “He said he wants to hire you to see if you

can get his new top male model to do interviews. I think it’s a

pretext, but who knows? I looked on the net to see if Richfield

did any PR, and let me tell you, Braxton, that man does not do

interviews in any media.”

“I know.”

“But…” Fabian shrugged. “If you get hired by Drew’s luxury

car company, and you do manage to get some exposure for them,

it could be a big account.”

“No.”

Fabian took his turn to wait to see what Braxton had to say in

way of explanation.

Braxton leaned his elbows on the desk and spoke softly.

“Sometimes it’s not about money. It’s about self-respect. And

although there would be nothing better than to get that model

onto a talk show, I want nothing to do with that disgusting pig.”

Fabian nodded, respecting Braxton’s choice completely.

“You wanna know my guess?”

“Yeah. I already do. Pretext. Not only that, he’d probably

push that model into something he does not want to do, and

blame us for the money he was spending to do it.”

“Bingo.” Fabian pointed his finger at Braxton. “You got it.”

“You want me to call him and tell him to fuck off?”

“I can do it. I don’t even want you to have to fend off that

dick.” Fabian made a move to leave, to do just that.

“Hang on.”

He settled in the chair again and met with Braxton’s hazel

eyes, loving how they appeared both gold and green.

Braxton relaxed in his chair again. “You’ve been here three

days. Are you happy with us?”

“Delirious.” He smiled, joking. When Braxton didn’t look

pleased, Fabian added, “Yes. You pay me well, you appreciate

me, and I like the work. I have no complaints.”

“If you did, would you come to me and tell me? Or do I

intimidate you?”

You intimidate the shit out of me, was what Fabian wanted to say. He didn’t know how to answer.

Braxton appeared to already know by Fabian’s hesitation. He

rubbed his eyes and looked so tired it broke Fabian’s heart.

“Would you tell me if I wasn’t working up to speed?” Fabian

asked.

“Yes. In a heartbeat.” Braxton’s stern expression had a hint of

sadness that Fabian had never noticed before.

“Is it hard as hell being you?”

The comment disarmed Braxton and he at first appeared

insulted then upset. “Am I a prick? Am I?”

“I told you once before. Not to me.” Fabian leaned close to

Braxton, his elbows on the desk so they were nearly face to face.

“I’m not a slut.” Braxton’s eyes appeared glossy.

“I never called you one.”

“Dack did last night.”

“You’re going to let what an egotistical jerk said make a

difference to you?”

Braxton’s face grew grim. “Not just him. I know what the

tabloids say about me.”

Fabian did as well. The pity he had for Braxton was intense.

“Who are you then, Mr Todd?”

“I don’t know anymore.” Braxton sat back, making more

space between them. “I don’t know.” He stared at his computer

screen and the look of loneliness crushed Fabian.

It seemed the meeting had ended, and Fabian didn’t know

what to say not to cross the line between boss and employee. He

stood slowly, and walked to the door, looking back. Braxton did

not meet his eyes, still staring at the computer.

Fabian left the room and closed the door behind him.

“Everything okay?” Brianna asked.

“Yes.” He returned to his office to call Drew and refuse his

offer.

~

Braxton tried to put the conversation behind him and focus on

his work. He did well plowing through the emails, text messages

and calls, but two things haunted him—Drew becoming an

enamored stalker, and craving Fabian on an intimate level.

Though the two topics were polar opposites in emotion, both

gave him anxiety.

Hours later, Braxton’s salad eaten at his desk, Brianna

interrupted him to say, “Sophia’s on the phone to remind you

about your dinner again.”

“Shit.” Braxton checked the time. Once more it was nearing

five-thirty and he had to go. In frustration he shut down his

computer and stood up, pushing his chair under the desk in

anger.

“I’ll tell her you’re on your way.” Brianna left him.

Braxton ran his hands over his hair and moaned, his neck and

back killing him. He met Fabian, who was also leaving, and the

three of them stood together near the lobby while Brianna

assured Sophia he was on his way.

Fabian gave him a sad smile. “Last one. Hang in there.”

“Another man?” Brianna asked, picking up her purse.

“No. A young woman who got me as a gift from her parents.”

“Uh oh,” Brianna laughed, “I can already hear the wedding

bells.”

Fabian met his gaze at the comment.

Braxton asked him, “You ever think about getting married?”

“To the right man.”

“Oh, yes.” Brianna chuckled and gave Braxton a wicked grin.

“Love it. How about you, Braxton? Ever thought of settling

down?”

“Constantly.” He peeked at Fabian who appeared surprised.

The three left the office and stood at the elevator.

“I can’t imagine anyone good enough for you, Braxton,”

Brianna teased, elbowing him.

“Be quiet.” Braxton could see Fabian’s curious expression, as

if he knew