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

boss. I’ll agree with whatever you want.”

“Yeah. That’s the other problem. Sincerity. Will what you do

with me in bed be because you think I’ll fire you, or will it be

because you want to.”

“What? You think I don’t want to?” Fabian reached across

the table and touched Braxton’s cheek.

Braxton at first appeared to melt at the touch, but soon the

shield came up and he not only moved away, he stood, tossed out

the rest of his salad and left.

“Holy shit.” Fabian stared at him as he went. “Maybe you are

too fucked up to deal with.”

~

Braxton tried to avoid Brianna’s gaze as he headed down the

hall. He nearly made it to his office when she said, “I feel like

crap for pushing Fabian at you.”

“We’re fine. Don’t worry. He’s not quitting.”

“Quitting? Braxton, he’s crazy about you!”

Afraid to hear that, Braxton closed himself into his office and

rested his forehead on the back of the door, trying to calm down.

His phone rang and he forced himself to sit at his desk and

function, but he hadn’t been this close to the edge of a nervous

breakdown for a very long time.

“Braxton Todd,” he said, tapping his earpiece as he looked at

the computer screen.

“Mr Todd?”

“Yes.” He detected a slight British accent.

“This is Mark Richfield, sorry to bother you.”

Braxton sat upright in his chair in shock. “Did Drew Persely

get you to call me?”

“Yes. Actually he did. He was quite rude to me and asked me

to speak to you about accepting his account. I’m so sorry.”

“No. I’m sorry, Mark. He’s a real piece of work.” Braxton

rubbed his face and felt terrible that Mark was placed in this

position.

“You have no idea. He’s a brute.”

“I’m afraid I do have an idea. I had to sit through dinner with

him. He’s disgusting.”

“Oh, well, no need for me to even go anywhere with this

conversation.”

“Look, did he threaten you? Did he say he would do

something if you couldn’t convince me to take on his PR work?”

“Oh, love, no. You don’t think I would allow him to do that. I

just figured one phone call, no harm no foul. I had no intention

of allowing him to coerce either you or me.”

“Good. Because I’d kick his ass.”

“You sound like my Steven. I’m surprised our paths haven’t

crossed. We seem to travel in close to the same circles.”

“I hate to admit, I’ve been a huge fan of yours for a long

time, and wondered the same thing.”

“Hmm. The infamous Braxton Todd. Whatever shall I do?”

He laughed softly.

“Infamous? Do I have that reputation? Does everyone think

I’m a slut?”

“I meant it as a joke. Sorry, Braxton. Forgive me. I never

would have thought you’d have taken me seriously.”

“Never mind. It’s me. My head is in a bad place right now.”

Braxton stared at his computer. “I have no idea why I just told

you that.”

“Look, love, valium and a good shrink. That’s my tonic. That

and I need three minders. You think you’re in a bad place? I just

made a call for Drew Persely. Sorry, mate, but you can’t get

lower than that. I’ve become his bloody prostitute.”

Braxton smiled. What had he expected from Mark? Conceit?

The man was so famous, so pretty… “Hardly. You’re amazing.

And Drew is lucky you’re so nice.”

“Steven says I’m too nice. He thinks I should develop a

harder edge. He’s the ex-cop not me.”

“So, you work with your husband? And? It works out okay?

You guys don’t get into fist fights?”

“Heavens no. I love him to death. I can’t imagine him not

being in the office when I’m here. I suppose we’re one of those

couples that can do it. You know? Not get bloody sick of each

other. I adore him. Don’t tell him, but I worship the ground he

walks on.”

“He’s a lucky man.” Braxton smiled.

“You tell him and I shall deny it.”

He could hear the smile in Mark’s voice. “Your secret is safe

with me.”

“Alright. Well, I’ve fulfilled my obligation, and you said no

thank you, rather politely, I may add.”

Braxton chuckled. “If Drew acts up, sic your cop on him.”

“I will. Believe me, after the last ad campaign with the

bloody dildo in my trousers, I don’t think I can keep my Steven

away from the shoots.”

“Dildo? Are you kidding me? That wasn’t you?”

“Why would I get an erection on my own in an automobile?”

Mark sounded furious. “Don’t go there, Braxton. I shall explode.

I really went off my head about that shoot.”

Braxton thought about it. “I’m sorry, Mark. I guess things are

fucked up no matter how nice you are or how much you try.”

“Yes. Unfortunately. It’s about control, my pet. We simply

cannot control everything. And for the things we can’t control,

there’s valium.”

Braxton laughed. “True. Thanks, Mark. You have my

number, call me for anything. I owe you a favor.”

“Be bloody careful about those kinds of promises, Braxton.

I’m notorious for calling in those favors.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

“Ta, love.”

“Bye.” Braxton hung up and thought about it. “Drew, you are

a piece of fucking work, all right. Jesus.” Then he wondered

about something else. Giving up control. Maybe that was what

was driving Braxton insane about everyone he dated. He put his

own expectations of behavior onto them. “I’m a fucking control

freak. That’s exactly what I am.”

Chapter 11

By five, Fabian was exhausted. He rubbed the back of his neck

and imagined how hard the run and workout was going to be.

He got an IM from Braxton and read it.

‘ Did the estimate on Dmitri’s book signing include booze? ’

‘ Beer and wine,’ Fabian typed.

‘ That’s unreal. How did you do that? ’

Fabian smiled proudly. ‘ It’s my boyish charm.’

Nothing was sent back. Fabian’s smile vanished and he

wondered just where the hell the social mores lines were drawn

between them. His head about to explode from frustration,

Fabian couldn’t take the drama anymore today. He was about to

log off when Braxton wrote, ‘ u free for a drink 2nite? ’

Fabian read it a couple of times. He wanted to write back,

‘boss to employee or?’ But instead, just wrote, ‘ Yes. ’

‘ Good. Log the fuck off and let’s go.’

Fabian did just that and felt his heart beating like mad in his

chest. He checked his watch and made