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

just not in

a permanent position.”

“Doing what? Filing?” Braxton wanted to push Fabian’s

buttons, see if working with douche-bag clients would anger him

or ruffle him.

“I can file.” Fabian kept his composure. “But I enjoy a

challenge. Working hard is what I want. The last thing I need is

to be bored.”

Braxton picked up Fabian’s resume and read his college

information. “You won’t be bored here. But you will be doing

everything. Both Brianna and I handle it all—party planning,

premieres, red carpet events, getting publicity into the media…”

He looked back up at Fabian. The man did not smile, once.

“I can do anything you need me to do.”

Yes, that would be a nice perk. Braxton gave Fabian’s

chiseled good looks an inspection. “Well,” Braxton said,

feigning disinterest. “You’re the first person we’ve interviewed.

Why don’t I get back to you in a couple of days?”

“That’s fine.” Fabian stood and extended his hand.

Braxton took it after also standing. He walked to his office

door and before he opened it he stood still, giving Fabian one

more good once over, imprinting his image on his mind. The

man was better than average in every respect and wouldn’t stay

on the market long—the job market or the social market.

Fabian met Braxton’s eyes as they both paused before

exiting. The expression in Fabian’s eyes was unreadable to

Braxton but he sensed some suspicion there. Perhaps Fabian was

straight and had heard the gossip in the media about Braxton’s

marauding ways. Interesting.

“Nice meeting you.” Fabian still did not smile.

Braxton opened the door and watched him leave. Fabian gave

Brianna a nice grin and thanked her, then vanished out the door.

He and Brianna exchanged glances.

“I so want him here.” She had a pile of resumes on her desk.

“Yeah, he’s pretty, but can he type?” Braxton winked at her.

“Who cares?”

“Let’s interview a few more, then decide.”

“Okay.”

He returned to his desk and sat down heavily, putting his

earpiece back in his ear and exhaling deeply as he got back to

work.

~

Fabian used his key fob to unlock his car door and tossed his

briefcase into the front passenger’s side floor. He sat behind the

wheel and said, “Asshole.” His first impression of the ‘oh so

famous’ Mr Todd was not good. He thought the man was

arrogant and conceited. “Can I file? You dick.” He started his car

and backed out of the spot, trying not to fume. He knew Braxton

had been baiting him to react and he wasn’t happy about it.

“And what was with the fucking leer? You creep!” Fabian

stopped at a traffic signal and figured he wouldn’t get the job

offer, and even if he did? Would he want to work with an

egomaniac who wanted to add him to a notch on his bedpost?

“No!” Fabian shut up since he was talking out loud to

himself, angry about everything right now in his life. And this

job interviewing was getting on his nerves.

Chapter 3

By five Braxton had a headache and had taken over-the-counter

pills for it, but they weren’t working. He removed his earpiece

and rubbed his temples, closing his eyes. He heard his door open

and Brianna saying, “Your limo is here.”

“Fuck. I can’t believe I have to go to that fucking party

tonight. I feel like shit.” He slumped in the seat and opened his

eyes.

Brianna frowned sympathetically and sat across from him.

“What did you think about the last three applicants?”

He shrugged, liking Fabian, but he knew why. “You decide.

I’ll hire a man for the wrong reasons.”

“Hmm. Back on men?” She smiled sweetly.

“Men, women? Who cares?” He rubbed his face and yawned.

“Fuck. I am so worn out.”

“Once you get to the party, have a drink and unwind. You’ll

get your second wind.”

“And tomorrow night I not only have the red carpet debut,

but that ridiculous charity auction.” Braxton rested his chin in his palms on his desk. “Up for auction. Me. You believe that?”

“Why not? You’re handsome and everyone wants you.”

“You don’t.” He smiled sweetly.

“Married, with kid.” She held up her wedding ring.

“I sometimes envy you.”

“Ha!” She shook her head.

“I do. There’s simplicity to being straight and married. I can’t

stand the thought of the same person in my bed night after

night.”

“You haven’t met the right one.” Brianna stood and looked

out into the lobby.

“The driver out there?” Braxton stood.

“Yup.”

He inhaled deeply and straightened his tie. Brianna stepped

closer and touched his shoulder. “Hang in there. Once you have

something to eat and get out of the office, you’ll be fine.”

Braxton smiled at her. “What would I do without you?”

“Go bankrupt”—she grinned slyly—“again.”

“Shut up.” He gave her a playful punch on the arm. “Have a

good weekend.”

“I will. Call me if you need me.” She walked out of the office

ahead of him.

“Try not to work all weekend. The new person you hire?” He

shook his head as he followed her. “I plan on working them to

death so you can get a break.” He looked up at his chauffeur,

someone he’d used on a regular basis for transporting himself

and celebrities to affairs. “Hi, Scott.”

“Mr Todd,” Scott Baldwin said, tipping his cap, a sly gleam

to his eyes.

Yeah, they’d messed around once. So what? The man was

handsome and looked great in the uniform.

“Can you lock up, my sweet?” Braxton asked Brianna while

he checked his phone and could see text messages and

voicemails piling up.

“I can. Have fun, will you?” she said, putting her purse on her

shoulder.

“Yeah right. This is work, not play.” Braxton nodded for

Scott to leave first, and followed him to the elevator. “You have

our itinerary?”

“I do.” Scott nodded and allowed Braxton to enter the

elevator, holding the door for him. “Should I wait for Brianna?”

Braxton glanced out of the elevator. “Brianna?” he yelled.

“I’ll get the next one!” was shouted back.

Both men stepped deeper into the lift and Scott poked the

ground floor. “You look exhausted.”

“I am.”

“I have some energy drinks in the limo.”

“Hate those. Unless you’re talking healthy ones and not

caffeine.”

Scott smiled, indicating he was not talking healthy ones.

“You have booze in the car?”

“Always do. I have a nice bottle of scotch for you.”

“Damn you’re good.” Braxton grinned wickedly at him.

Scott returned his lusty stare from under the brim of his cap.

“You can have that too.”

Braxton made a face of ecstasy and knew having sex in the

limo would sap the last