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 they had discussed him.
They entered the elevator and it stopped at nearly every floor
on the way to the parking level. Brianna backed up, nudging
Braxton against Fabian, who was squeezed into the corner. He
and Fabian exchanged stares. “Sorry.” Braxton indicated having
to lean on him.
“I’m not,” Fabian mumbled, looking down.
Braxton kept gazing at Fabian’s profile wondering if this man
was as attracted to him as he was to Fabian. And if so, what a
terrible idea it would be to touch sexually, and ruin a perfectly
good working relationship.
Braxton looked up at the descending numbered lights while
confined in the tight space, feeling the heat from Fabian’s
shoulder, wishing they were ‘spooning’ again. No such luck.
He checked the time on his watch and knew he’d be late.
Though he hated to be, and was usually very prompt, these
‘dates’ were an annoying low priority and he didn’t need this
type of aggravation in his life at the moment.
The elevator door opened and Braxton waited as the crowd
thinned and he could exit. He felt Fabian right behind him and
closed his eyes for just one second, imagining asking him out.
He resisted the urge and stood at his car door, turning to see once again Fabian had parked right beside him and was smiling at
him.
“Have a good night, Braxton. I’ll take care of everything for
you. Just enjoy.”
“I’d rather be out with you.” Braxton kicked himself as he
said it and grew angry at his lack of control.
“What?”
“Nothing. Thanks. Have a good night.” Braxton entered his
car and quickly backed out, seeing Fabian’s curious expression
and knowing he may be opening Pandora’s Box. The last thing
Braxton wanted to do was ruin this amazing employee’s great
work.
~
Fabian watched the gold Porsche drive off and stayed still
trying to think about that last comment. The attraction was
mutual. Not only was he getting the vibe strongly from Braxton
now, he was hearing it from Brianna, the little imp. She was
subtly pushing Fabian towards Braxton, but doing it in such a
way, it was covert, nearly subliminal.
Reminding himself that if he did have sex with Braxton, he’d
end up a notch to the bedpost and furious if it was one fuck and
that was all, Fabian climbed into his car and tried to block out
the thought.
~
Braxton entered the restaurant an
d was immediately
recognized by the hostess. In what felt like instant replay,
Braxton heard her say, “Mr Todd, come right this way, your
party is waiting for you.”
Last one. Last one…
Braxton was led into the dining room. There, seated at a small
table for two along the far wall, was a young woman. He
recognized Virginia from the evening at the auction. Her face
brightened up with delight and she wriggled in her chair. The
host gestured to Ms Steinman and Braxton reached out for her
hand. Instead of a manly shake, he got a limp touch, and he
shook the tips of her fingers awkwardly, releasing it as he sat
down.
“Can I get you anything to drink, Mr Todd?” the hostess
asked.
Braxton noticed the young woman had nearly finished her
cocktail and said, “I’ll have just ice water, thank you.” He
spotted the menu on the table under his arm.
“Another?” Virginia held up her glass to be refilled.
“Coming right up.” The hostess smiled and said, “Enjoy your
dinner.”
Braxton waited until she left and looked over the menu.
“You should have a fireball cocktail. It’s knocked me on my
ass.”
Looking up at her in surprise, Braxton said, “I hope you’re
not driving.”
“Nope.” She smiled at him dreamily and peered at his menu
upside down while hers remained closed under her elbows.
“What are you getting?”
“I don’t know. Have you decided?” At least she was sweet,
even if she was young and slightly naïve.
“Yeah. The risotto. I don’t eat meat.”
He nodded, wondering if when he ordered the steak she
would lecture him on animal cruelty. He decided fish was less
controversial. He’d had enough aggravation from work and
wanted a light atmosphere while he dined.
“My brother is gay.”
Braxton looked up at her just as the waiter brought her a
second ‘fireball’ and him a glass of water.
“Have you decided? Or would you like more time?”
Braxton pointed to Virginia. “Let the young lady go first.”
“Of course.” The waiter gave her his attention.
While she ordered, Braxton read over the selections and
requested the salmon, handing the menu to the man.
“Any starters?”
Virginia asked Braxton, “Do you want to share something?”
“Most of the starters are meat.” He tried to smile. “I’ll just
have a side bibb lettuce salad.”
“Me too,” she said quickly and the waiter took both menus
and left.
Once he did, Virginia sipped her new drink, looking tipsy.
“Howard is my brother and he’s seeing a man named Tyson.”
“That’s very nice.” Braxton drank his water, wondering if an
hour of his time would do it and he could politely leave after
that.
“I love gay men.”
“I wish more people did. It would be a simpler world.”
“I don’t get why so many people are so hung up on it.”
“Neither do I.”
“Do you have a boyfriend, Braxton?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Want me to fix you up with one of my brother’s friends?”
He laughed softly, happy she wasn’t out for a wedding ring
and a long term relationship from him. “I think I can manage to
find a man myself.” He thought of Fabian.
“You should. You’re dreamy.” She leaned her chin on her
palm and stared at him with a silly grin.
“And you’re drunk.” He gave her an admonishing wag of his
finger.
“I would love a three-way with you.”
He choked on his water and used his cloth napkin to cover his
mouth.
“I’ve had them before. I set my straight boyfriend up with
one of Howie’s friends. They ended up a couple. You know how
much gay men love straight boys.”
“Oh, God.” He kept coughing to clear his throat and loosened
his collar.
“Just say the word, Braxton, and I’ll have a straight young
stud ready to please you.”
His eyes widened in shock and he blushed. “I appreciate the
offer, but no thanks.”
“Your loss. I know some incredible hot jocks that would suck
you or let you suck them.”
“Ms Steinman?”
“Yes, Mr Todd?” She batted her lashes playfully.
“Can we change the topic?”
“We could but it would be a very dull dinner.”
He caught her naughty smile and laughed. “So, what do you
do for a living?”
“Boring!” she teased and whacked him on the arm.
~
Fabian finished working out, showered, and then tried to
decide what to eat, since he was too tired to cook. He located a
menu from his refrigerator and read the selections of Chinese
food. As he did his phone hummed with a text.
He walked to where he had set it on the counter and read one
from Naomi. ‘ You cave yet? ’
He picked it up and called her.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey. No, not yet, but the attraction is definitely mutual.”
“Damn. What are you going to do?”
“Well, I have two choices, I satisfy my curiosity and my dick
at the risk of losing my new job, or, I go celibate for the rest of my life jerking off to fantasies about him.”
“Those are lousy choices.”
“I know. I mean, can’t he be my Prince Charming? You
know, have him get down on one knee, tell me he’s never met
anyone like me in his life, and wants to marry me?”
“Shut up.” He read the selection of fried rice and lo mien.
“Did you eat?”
“Yes. Had a cobb salad.”
“I’m staring at a Chinese food menu and I’m so hungry I’m
about to eat the paper it’s printed on.”
“Don’t do that. That’s gross.”
“Kidding. Hey, you want to do something this weekend?”
“Sure. How about Saturday night? I’m free.”
“Good. I need to catch up with you about all the shit at work,
and I don’t want to do it now while I’m a half-crazed sex fiend.”
She laughed. “It’s a date.”
“Later.” He hung up and dialed the Chinese restaurant.
Wonder how your date is going, Prince Charming? Sure wish it
was with me.
~
Braxton watched as the completely stewed young woman ate
her banana bread pudding, moaning after each fork full as if she
were in climax. He glanced around but no one seemed to notice
her When Harry Met Sally performance.
“So…” Virginia licked the caramel sauce off her lip. “You
prefer a man…do you top?”
“Why does this fascinate you?”
“Howie is total bottom boy. Some guys you can just tell, but
he’s told me. Me? I have no choice! Ha!”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve been with a few aggressive women
who seem to top me.”
“Mm!” She squirmed in her seat. “Tell me about them. No!
Better yet, tell me about the best male fuck you ever had.”
In a comic reaction, Braxton raised his hand to the waiter for
the check, then recalled this was all pre-paid and he’d have to
make up another excuse. He still said, “Check please!” and then
laughed at Virginia.
“Come on, Braxton. I know we’ll never see each other again.
One tidbit for my parents’ two grand. Is that asking too much?”
“You’re not a reporter, are you?”
She choked on her pudding. “No. I’m an office drone.” She
took another bite of dessert. “Dish.”
“All right. Then I go, okay?”
“Fair deal.”
“Okay.” Braxton leaned both elbows on the table so he could
speak softly. “I met a man whom I adore.” Braxton thought of
Fabian and decided to invent a fantasy since the last thing he was
going to do was kiss and tell this crazy woman about one of his
past lovers.
“Go on,” she leaned closer eagerly.
“I…well, we went on our first date.” Braxton tried to imagine
how it would be. “He’s not only strikingly handsome, but so
intelligent we’re never at a loss for words. And his smile.
Well…”
“Mm…” She shifted in her seat, looking fascinated.
“We’d had a lovely dinner and I asked him back to my
place.” Braxton smiled. He couldn’t recall a past date making
him smile so happily, but imagining Fabian made him tingle.
“He accepted reluctantly, since I have such a terrible reputation.”
“Aw…” She frowned.
“Well deserved.” He continued with his fantasy. “Anyway, he
accepts because the attraction between us is too strong to resist.”
“Nice.”
“I lure him into my home and we kiss.” Braxton wondered
what it would be like to kiss Fabian. Not to mention, he had
never brought a date up to his condo. Never.
“Then you rip each other’s clothing off and hump like wild
dogs?”
“Is that what you want us to do?”
“Yes!” She lowered her voice. “Who’s top?”
“Me.”
“Oh, God. I’m going to die.” She crossed her legs and made a
face of ecstasy. “If I get you a straight college football player can we have a three-way?”
“No. I have to be going. It was…er…fun?” He stood and
pushed in his chair. “You said you have a ride?”
“Do you want to give me a ride?”
“I can call a cab.”
She frowned and took her phone out of her purse. “No, I’ll
call Howie.”
“Good girl. Thank you. Have a…uh, interesting night.” He