Man I love her

Hunter

She sits before me typing away, pretending not to notice my presence, but I’ll be damned if I leave. This is our usual dance. I demand she clean up her behavior or get ousted as C.E.O., but she always seems to be one step ahead of me. She tilts her head up, eyes settling back on me as she has just realized I’m still here. It’s been thirty minutes since she tried to dismiss me.

“Why are you still here?”

“Our conversation isn’t over.”

“What more could you possibly want to discuss? I am not settling down. I will have a new man in my bed every night until I grow tired of it.”

My chest tightens at her words as I think of the woman I love with another man. Hell, I don’t have to think of it. I would certainly see it in the news tomorrow and every day after that. My heart sinks. I don’t know why she lives like this.

“What are you afraid of?” I mumble more to myself because no woman would willingly choose to live her life like a rake.

“I’m not a cliche Hunt, there is no deep dark secret in my past that made me like this. This is simply a lifestyle choice.”

There she goes again, calling my name. Every time she says it, my heart yearns, telling me she belongs to me, but I know she never will. Because she is meant to be admired, pleasured, but never possessed.

“Why is this the choice? You’re rich, attractive—” she raises her eyebrows at me, calling her attractive.

“You think I’m attractive?” I avoid her gaze.

“To some men you are.”

“Are you one of those men?”

“That doesn’t matter. I’m just saying you can do other things to enjoy life.”

“Can you please leave? I will not justify my life to you,” I sigh.

I should go, having agitated her enough today. I stand to leave.

“What did you blackmail them with this time?” I asked, amused as I recall the meeting earlier.

“Blackmail?” She looks up at me, frowning. “I resent that. I only showed our board members that it was in their best interest to keep me in the position I earned.”

“We will see how you can keep it with your… behavior.”

“Yes, yes, you will keep trying to oust me. Run along. I’ve had my fill of you today.” She says as her eyes settle back on her computer screen.

I chuckle. She looks so beautiful when she is annoyed, even more so when she smiles, but annoyance is the only thing she will give me.

She looks up, noticing I’m still here.

“OK, OK, I’m leaving, but this conversation is not over.”

“It never is.” She sighs as I walk out of her office, laughing. I’m so happy I got to see her today, although she may not feel the same.

Later that night I’m at the bar with Trig, my brother, throwing back a couple of drinks as we shoot a round of pool.

“Come on, man, what did you expect?” He asks after I explain how my day went with max.

“I don’t know,” I say before sinking another ball.

Trig looks at me skeptically.

“Okay, okay. I thought if she was at risk of being ousted, she would stop sleeping with every man that moved.”

Trig cues up his stick, sinking the rest of the balls in one go.

“Game. You have been trying this for a year. She’s always one step ahead. I told you before, this is a stupid idea. Nothing good will come of it. Even if she doesn’t outsmart you, she would hate you if you removed her.” He says as he picks up his drink and approaches me.

“And Even if she doesn’t hate you when she stops sleeping with all these men, are you sure she will choose you? Bro, give up. There are plenty of women in the sea.”

I listen to him sipping my whiskey. I know he is right. I should give up because she clarified that is the life she wants. But I can’t let go. I fell in love with her the moment she walked into the investment meeting for her app four years ago. A bright-eyed beauty with big round eyes and even rounder hips.

“I can’t give up. I love her.” He sighs.

“Well, tell her that…. no take her on a date and sex her so well, she will never think of another man’s cock. That would work better than trying to steal her company.”

“I’m not trying to steal it. I’m…”

“Yeah, yeah pretending, look I’m going home. Call me when you have a plan. I’ll help you any way I can.”

I throw back the rest of the whiskey before leaving myself. As I drive home, I try to think of a plan that would put me not only in Max’s bed but also in her heart. But it’s fruitless.

After parking my car, I stroll to the elevator. As it is about to close, someone shouts, telling me to hold. I step up to stop the elevator from closing, my phone pings and I check it, just an email.

“Sean, you naughty man.” My body goes stiff when I hear her voice and all color drains from my face. I look at Max snuggling up to Sean Danvers as the elevator closes. My chest tightens. She’s dating Sean? Well, not dating, but he would be in her bed tonight. A guttural pain runs through me at the thought of her kissing another man within 20 feet of me, but I don’t have to think about it long because they lock lips right before me. My face twists in anger and before I can think straight, I grab her.

“What the hell?” She looks up at me, angry, then confused.

“Hunter Abercrombie, have you resorted to stalking me? Are you going to follow me everywhere and yank me away from every man I’m trying to bed?”

Her voice is laced with anger, but I don’t care because she is finally in my arms. She fits securely and I want nothing more than to hold her tighter to bury my face in her neck, inhaling her scent.

“Will you let me go?” I reluctantly release her hand. She skitters away from me, back into Sean’s arms. My chest feels like it’s collapsing as I look at them.

“I’m sorry. I thought you were being attacked.”

“Right, as if you would care. If I’m being attacked, you would be the first suspect.” My heart drops when she says this. Is her opinion of me that low?

“You two know each other?” Sean asks.

“Yes, Hunter, is the boil on my ass cheek I was telling you about earlier.”

“I’ve seen you around the building. Nice to meet you, uh, I’ve heard a lot about you,” Sean says, reaching out his hands to me. I take it and squeeze it a little too hard, watching him grimace before finally letting go.

“All good things, I hope.”

“Now, why would I ever say anything nice about you?” I try not to look hurt, stepping back, but I can’t help the sinking feeling in my chest. I knew I wasn’t her favorite person, but I did not know it was this bad. I guess Trig was right. My stupid plan is doing more harm than good.

“I’m sorry, please don’t let me disturb your night,” she contemplates me.

“Why are you here?” She asks.

“I live here. Apartment D5.” I reply immediately. I don’t know why I tell her my apartment number as if she will show up, but a man can dream.

“Well, it seems I’m the one who invaded your space this time. Have a good night.” She turns back to her date as the elevator comes to a stop. She gets off without looking back.

I enter my apartment, a tortuous feeling running through my body. I head straight to the liquor cabinet without turning on the lights. Grabbing a bottle of scotch, I fill the glass.

Spread out on the couch, swallowed by the darkness, I take my first swig. The burning pain in my chest caused by the liquor eases the pain in my heart.

“Ugh… She’s with Danvers in my damn building.”

I have nothing against Danvers. He seems decent, but he’s always with someone new whenever I see him in the elevator. I sigh and laugh. They are just alike, aren’t they? Maybe they are perfect for each other.

I down the rest of my liquor before loosening my high and removing my jacket. I walk back to the liquor cabinet, pouring myself another full glass before turning on the lights.

I walk over to the window to look at the city below as I sip my drink this time, hoping to calm my nerves.

Suddenly I hear a noise. I look up, thinking it’s a woman moaning, which logically should be impossible. Danvers lives directly above me and I have heard none of his other conquests… conquest is that all she is? Is that all she wants to be? My anger erupts. I throw the glass against the window, breaking the glass cup.

“Shit!”

I bend down to clean up my mess, being careful trying to avoid cutting myself. I get most of it, realizing I probably should have gotten a dustpan and broom. I empty one hand in the trash when the doorbell rings, causing me to clench my fist.

“Shit, just my luck,” I shout, looking at my bloody palm. I empty the glass. The doorbell chimes again.

“Who the hell is showing up at my house, uninvited?”

Ignoring the pain, I march to the door, throw it open, and glare. My breath catches when I see Max standing before looking confused. What is she? Wasn’t she with Danvers? Are they done? It’s only been fifteen minutes.

“Bad time?” She asks sheepishly, and I know if I say the wrong thing, she’ll turn and leave.

“Uh, come in, I’m sorry. I just cut my hand.” I flash it, walking back to the kitchen sink as she follows closely behind me.

“Let me see.” She takes my hand and I feel that jolt of electricity I always feel when she touches me. Taking my hand, she runs it under water. It’s a shallow cut not needing any stitches.

“Do you have a first aid kit?” She asks.

“Yeah, under the sink.” She pulls it out, then gently dresses my cut with care and precision. In a matter of minutes, it’s properly bandaged.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. You probably cut yourself because I rang your doorbell unannounced. Sorry about that.”

“No, don’t be. I broke the glass I was drinking from and was stupid enough to pick up the shards with my bare hands.”

“Oh…” she mumbles.

We look at each remaining silent. I am the first to speak.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Well, you blurted out your apartment number.”

“Yeah, I did. What happened with Danvers?”

“Seeing your face made me lose my erection.” She says, frowning.

“Lose your er—” I burst out laughing. She is something else. Man, I love her.