L.E.O.N.

Play It Cool

Chapter 3

Leonardo

WHAT THE f**k JUST HAPPEN!

Blindly the dumbass I was the winning cruel prize of all was my Ezzie. My Wife. The mother of my child. Had been here in New York for the past four years. Here, in the while I strive facing the world with my angel alone. The angel who we brought into the world. No traces of her existence instituted on earth’s ground and one I couldn’t mentally comprehend.

After many attempts hiring numerous high priced private investigators and all resulting the trail going cold. Even managing to breach the multiple security systems of the presumably protected streets. From the smallest cameras to the busiest streets prevailing no define evidence of eventful night she vanished. No shadow belonging to hers faded in the surveillance cameras in the crime who took a wife and mother away from our now distressed family. The tiresome sleepless nights scavenging hospital to hospital. Lucid glimpse of being optimistic to the outcome, I held onto the situation.

Again, no significant clue of her name, description, or features among the wounded patients. Hospital after hospital foraging for any spec of what could possibly be the remnants of Ezzie. And the worst scenario slipped into mind, her body scattered rotten or eaten from the night creatures. The thought ripped through the living contributor of my body into asylum. In addition, roughing the edges of how my daughter would be motherless.

My heart died along with her exile body.

Not willing or having the will to accept another woman branding my dead heart. I continued this deadly, lonely, existence for our angel. Olivia needed me as her guidance, a father, and mother to the cruel vilest world.        

Following to Liam’s sporadic demand me to attend this event. To jumpstart my profile, the thought, unfortunately I detest, but accept diligently. The new faces will become my business partners in an uneventful upcoming next months.

Arriving, I strode through the recognizable flowers, I’ve known and grown to love through my wife’s taste. How coincidence it was. I smiled like an i***t as if approaching on Heaven’s gate to know someone here had great preference. Nearing the crowd, Liam split on me to meet other friends. And the cherry blossom perfume snagged my senses.

My heart trembled rapidly from the familiar scent like a puppy finding his buried bones beneath the ground. Wanting to clutch, nail, and enrapt a tortures glimpse of the divine smell. I had ultimately had to find where the source hid. Lurking to scrape the origin while a tight tug entwined my heart. Brushing against the mass mob and ignorant of my unbalanced feet. Craze to embrace the scent. Striking forward searching as my nostril lead me to a dead end.

When hope was lost something new was found. All the commotion caught my attention. Her slender back was the center of my view. Slender body, I detected totally captivated, magnetized. Her voice soothed the thundering ache pounding against my heavy chest.

Drugged so infinitely, her rudeness put gaps between my arising lust and spanking her behind for her sense of tone. Awaken from a dream, I found myself defending the poor girl name Hannah. Clarity resound, it was a total accident due to my negligence of steps.

Then she uproar faced me, her gentle long mane sway with her movements.

And to find the gorgeous female to be what I lost for so chaotropic f*****g long, my love, wife, and eternity.

I didn’t feel horrified to all the spitting crackle image of taking her to my bed as she was my wife. My supposedly dead wife. Completely ignoring her words, I leap to hold on to dear life as if unforeseen separation was upon us. I was determined to never lose her again. Not in this lifetime nor any other. Impatiently, I yearned agitatedly for her heavenly aroma. It took all my strength from putting her down and overturn the years of my reserved desire for her.

And sadly even after moments of spilling my heart out to her. She didn’t even so little give me a teary happy smile to see me. Her atrocity cold words fill in the miss gaps in my heart, ears, and outrageous nerves. As if I was no more than a lost stranger of her fan club. If that was the divinest moment to be acquaintance after years of isolation, will it was not.

A man came from behind touched her then snatching her away from my existence again. Killing the view of what I sought to find in another lifetime. How could she just walk off with no remorse of all that we were.

I was her husband for hell’s sake.

DAMMIT!

She was my pride. My life and every existence to survive this harsh world. All I wanted to do was rip her back into my arm. Then spank her round ass limitlessly for disobeying the begging in my eyes. Leaving me here with no answers. Timeless years past as she abandoned our lives we built together. Eternity. Our eternity.  

“Are you okay?” Irene words spilled into my thoughts. “I can’t believe you didn’t notice the blood on running down your arm. When your shirt is obviously white.” She finished cleaning my wound as I moved my arm back grabbing my bloody shirt into my lap. Luckily, I wore a black sleeveless shirt under the suit.  

“Who is she?” I demanded but the words supported in the category confusion.

“The blond one?” She arched her brow in a question.

Nodding, forgetting there were plenty of woman present at that specific moment, “Yes, what’s her deal prevailing no excuse to a small incident?”

“Ezzie. Uh…I mean Ezmaranda Callahan. You should have guessed who she was. Do you not read the news? This is her fundraising affair dedicated to her mother. The broken trophy is the only memory she had from her mother. That’s why she reacted the way she did. You know, we are competitors, speaking in terms of business of course. Better yet, let us be friends, right?” She smiled extending a hand for indication of friendship.

Disregarding her friendship, my unwavering heart asked, “And the man? Who is he?” Trying to cover my enraged jealously or the hatred acclimating for comforting my wife. Or the blundering million questions, I craved badly to be answered this instance. Was she even my wife?   

“That’s her fiancé Raymond Albright.” Giving her a long look for more information she continued, “He is the son of Albright Industries. Callahan and Albright are longtime associates. Rather friends since the Ezzie’s parents took over the company. They long dreamt of Ezzie marrying Raymond.” Discontinuing to elaborate, she seemed to be lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, she astoundingly blurted out angrily, “Did you know how long he had to waited for her just to marry?”

Hell, I didn’t give any f***s about how long this moron waited for my wife. Did she already sleep with him? Knowing maliciously, she left me behind for him. And our daughter. Having to bear the unbearable punishment that lingered with time to live without her. Enduring the uncomforting pain was enough to throttle her little pretty neck. To never cradle the slightest of her effortless face was like a murderous execution.

“But whatever, she’s going to marry him at the end of this year. Their engagement is in a few weeks…” Again, she was trap in her words staring off the walls.

Tightening the ruin shirt in my hands and immensely my jaw tense.

Hell. She slept with him. She…I couldn’t believe the words, thoughts, and image running my clutter mind.

DAMN HER! How could she? Her foolish unlawful consent to marry the fool.

Hell, to that too. She WASN’T going marry the fool when I’m still alive with lungs full of air.

NO fucken Hell could part us now. Not even after death do us apart.

Fuck, I’m not even dead yet.

And she is planning on moving to the next man in her bed.

I’m going to take that fine ass to court and sue her all to every last penny she had. Emotion distress was most baby mama would have called. Endless promise, she would always remain mine for eternity. She’ll need to think twice before proceeding to whatever parade she was playing.

I tremendously force myself to stabilize the swamp emotions as if sucker punched from the alarming information. The despairing truth was more than I could handle. Loading the extravagant patience for IT occupation wasn’t even comparable. This scheme was the absolute wretch motherfucker killer.  

Interrupting, I quickly said, “Thanks for help.” Even though I didn’t need the assistance. Too bewilder, I kept it to myself. Completely drown my very essence to believe my wife was lost to the heavens above. Then getting this s**t thrown in my face. Rising up from the seat then sitting back down, “By chance could you put in a good word in for me.”

Giving me a questionable look, then enthusiasm countenance. Finally, she replied, “Sure, but for what reason?”

“Business reasons.” She concentrates on me unbelieving the bull I was feeding. Continuing, “Future charity from Winchester Empire would be good business. I’ll return a favor. How about I take you out for lunch sometime, Miss?”

“Irene Arden. Just Irene will be fine.” She shyly smiled.

Extending my hands out greeting her with acquaintance shake. “Call me Leonardo then. Well, I should get going. I came here with Liam. Nice meeting you, Irene.”

Taking it, she said, “Pleasures all mine. But we’ve met before.” Her smile wider than before.

“Is that so?” Removing my hand from her, sweeping through fogginess of encounter, “Ahh….yes at the jewelry shop.”

“I am still deeply sorry for ruining your suit.”

“It’s alright. No need to reminisce; it’s nice to cross path again. I’ll see you around then.”

Partial bolting, I left the room Irene lead me to, office room set off to search for this Ezmaranda Callahan. Regardless, she was still my wife! Even though she used a fake name on their marriage license.

Damn! Why? Our love was based on the lie. Does she even know who I am? Or was she acting?

I need to find out why she is neglected our child. Despicable justification, only to hurt our princess for him. For this clown, Raymond. A disgusted unsettled feeling, I knew too well. Concluding the truth, I acquire to differentiate profoundly. Not only for the sake of Olivia but I sought to unravel the truth for my callous heart. An aching heart, shattering into atomic pieces from the billionaire ones. Ones that crumble when force to live without her. 

Going back and forth from the floor to floor, her whereabout were nowhere here. Not in the hotel. She must be hiding from me. Why? What for? I have so many unreciprocated questions that needs to put to rest. Gathering all my thoughts I prowl through every corner of the hotel and its acres. The occasion had ended by the passing few hours with no trace of Ezzie.

 No. Ezmaranda. Ezmaranda was nowhere to be found.

There on the stage like a stand in given the speech for thanking all the guest. Just wait till I get my hands on her. I’m going to choke her death for real this time…..No not even close.

Although, I’m grateful she was alive. Endless happiness aroused in my chest. But, I solely demanded to kiss her irrationally then loving her bodice to make senseless love. Although, she lost her curvy curves when she was married to me. Choking the air, she on her life depended on. To hear her angelic voice, cry my name. That plump rear end with lavishing breast befitting perfectly in my lustful grasps. Her lush’s c******s, all my throbbing c**k knew so well. Wanting to slam intensely inside of her. f*****g her completely bare in front of everyone to see who she belonged to. Lost in the sweet dream that could be factual.

“She isn’t your woman anymore.”

Before my restricken beckoning retort to voice where I could shove that statement. I detected a palm resting on my shoulder.

“Brother, you ready to go?” Liam asked from behind.

“Yes.” Exasperated from miserably failing to obtain her, turning my attention to him. Giving up for now till we met again. Once we did I wasn’t holding nothing back from the releasing inferno onto her.

Liam’s eyes scaned my malfunction wardrobe and without commenting he turned around. Saying our goodbye as we chat a while more to the leaving audience. Perceptively, dreadfully hating, I indulged interest in the small talk. We were out of there within thirty minutes. The very reason I didn’t take the rein to Winchester Empire. Settling in the car, I lean against the leather seat. Resting my head, I shut my eyes. The car fired up moving as we headed back home.

Liam broke the silence, “Where the hell did you go?  I didn’t get a chance to introduce you to the important individuals. I tried to find you through the crowd. You’re supposed to….”

“Tell me about Ezmaranda Callahan?” Cutting him short preventing an argument after having a splash of my allegedly departed wife back from heaven. 

“Oh? Why? What happen to I’m not here for a good f**k? Don’t tell me you slept with her? While I was trying to work on your resume to the people. Wait. She’s engaged.” Liam paused then a small laughed escaped.

In my head, conscious pounded, “I KNOW SHE ISN’T DAMNIT”.

“But hey status doesn’t shut her from seeing other guys. Although…I haven’t heard her to be like non-family orient or a splash of naughty...” He continued as he smiled away from the thought.

That motherfucker had the decency to ponder. Intruding him once again, my prowling eyes preyed at his ,“You know her? Did you sleep with her?” Anger accumulated near what I could control as he didn’t seem hear the words. Then the thought of my brother sleeping with my wife during the four years she parted from me. My dead wife. Or alive now. HELL be HELL. This was going to be some Jerry’s spring s**t reunion. I repeated the question again.

Finally, he half answered, “Leo, we have a project together. But avoiding my question means you slept her. She’s hot isn’t she?”

Fuming at every word I spat out, “No, you’re avoiding the question. Did you sleep with her? Because if you did, I’ll be the hell bent on breaking….”

Hands up slightly for a second as Liam flung them in defense. “No…no…no, I didn’t. Chill your c**k, s**t, it was strictly business not a f**k dialogue. But…she does looks sinfully hot. Too bad, she’s too close off. Trust me when I said closed. Man, even her fiancé hasn’t ventured beyond those beautiful legs. Humph….what a waste. I am rather surprised you got to it before I could.”

Clenching a ball fist, socking him in the arm expressing my infuriated aggravation to his vile comment. If he only knew, how they were closely related to each other. He wouldn’t be lusting over what is already mine.

For f**k sake she was the sister in law. Olivia’s mother. MY wife. Or was she? Who the hell was she then if she wasn’t?

Flown from the expected hit, Liam lost control of the wheel. He swirled off the road slamming brutally on the brakes. The tires screeched screaming to recalculate to station the car. Coming to a sporadically halt like a semitruck causing a ruckus accident. The car terminated at the shoulder of the road mostly likely marking burn tire marks as the sound of screeching stop. And through it all, even though we were idiots at times, we had our seat belt on this time.

“What the f**k’s gotten into you?” He roared angrily.

“Be more respectful of her, DAMMIT,” I blandly growled back.

“You got to be kidding me. You risked my life just to tell me petty s**t? To be respectful to her? You barely know her, and you want to kill me over it. Or rather kill us both over a woman you just had a quickie?”

Remaining silent, I wasn’t prepared to share the conflicting information. Nor was it his fucken concern until I had this figured. Whatever she was, I needed find the truth. Clueless as dumb and dumber’s state of mind, was unnerving.

All the secrets she withheld had to come clean now even though we chose to close a chapter of our past. Moving forward to a clean slate, we build our lives on. Both of us hadn’t wanted to come out willing to cleanse the bones hiding in the dark closet.

Firing his lethal gaze over to me, but I continued giving no rats ass. Puffing out a ragged breath shaking his head in disbelieved. His piss off face displayed a deadly force as he gripped at the streeling wheel. Gearing sturdily firm as he shifts through increasing the speed and continued home. 

After calming down along his numerous over the limit pace, he said, “You know, it’s been years since you found interest in woman. And it’s good in dandy that you’re opening to occupy the space. But shouldn’t single woman or their availability be more of a preference? Considering Olivia and all.”

“I like a challenge.” A cocky smiled spread across my face while I retorted. Adding, “Did she travel or live anywhere out of the country?”

“Uhhum….she was gone for over three years studying abroad. I don’t know. It’s not like I kept tabs on her.” Liam shrugged swiftly.

“Good. Thought we were going to have another brawl.”

“LEO, she is taken. The engagement party is around the corner. Even if you happened to sleep with her. You’re probably no more than a quick fling. Everyone, when I say everyone I mean the whole bloody business is at high stake, is dead on the marriage. Considering the relationship of her fiancé of their longtime friendship. And she, being the CEO of Callahan. If this marriage doesn’t happen. One will eventually lose out. Bad business brother.”

Giving my advice as if I wasn’t in normal state of mind, but when it comes to my wife. Completely hopeless to her surrender. Physically I was the older brother and mentally I wasn’t capable at this time. A short firm statement, “That’s my business.”

My brother took the comment as a punch for being sentimental. Without grilling my ass any further all he said was. “Fine. Let us talk about business. I’ll be leaving soon. I have a meeting I unfortunately can’t attend. Since you are my right-hand man. You get to go.”

“Already pushing me through the gutter.”

“Oh, you’ll like this one. Trust me.” Liam grinned evilly to himself.

Getting home, our new nanny Kim took Olivia a bath and settled her in bed. Liam came in the room giving her a good night peck on cheek. Luckily, having knowledge where he has been all day, I didn’t comment. After, I read her favorite princess book for bedtime story. I knew she missed Aubrey, her caretaker in Europe, when she asked about when we were going back home. Not that she did not like having additional royal family members. But she longed to be home close to her mom. Sound asleep cuddling right beside me. I stared down at my angel not knowing what to tell her my discovery about her mother. Years ago, when she asked me where her mom went after days of noticing her absence. It was like barb arrow piercing through my heart. Now, we our new adventure led us here with more people to love her.

Knocking on the door, Alex signal his hand for me to come. I nodded in response, though my heavy legs didn’t want to budge. Gathering myself, lightly closing the door shut. Escalating down to the stair, I followed to the sound of whisky filing in glass cups. Sitting on the stool, Alex handed me the whisky. Accepting his offer, I drank it slowly, indeterminate of the conversation coming abruptly soon.

“How have you been, my son?” Alex grated out from the silence.

“I’ve been well.”

“Good to hear, Liam says you started our own IT company?”

“Indeed, I did.”

Fondling his cup in his hand, “You don’t want to return to Winchester Empire?”

“Liam is doing well, no need assistance from me. Besides I have my own to support.”

“This is that last thing you want to hear especially coming from me. But it’s time for you to start scouting someone to help with Olivia. A fresh start.”

Bitterly enrage, refusing Ezzie to erase her from my very existence. I scowled, “IM NOT LIKE YOU. Where I can move on without any sorrow.”

Calmly, but sternly, “It will heal in time, Leo. It won’t be easy either. But it will.”

“Says the man who objectively remind me of the wounds every ticking seconds.”

Alex suddenly move to reached for me, I moved passed him and vanished from his sight and grasp. Furious with wrath, I pace to my room. Heeding advise from the man who barely could withstand my existence.

Overly, blaming and clawing at my emotional state. Remind endlessly of who end my mother’s life. His uncontrollable mental break down was unforgettable. Unforgivable. I was but a child with no sense of coping a lost mother. No recollect of how the catastrophic event happened.

The worthless child who couldn’t pacify his sore heart. Never once he was satisfied by my attempt of multiple success such as grades, athletic ability, and awards. Scarcely there throughout my life, wants to give me a fatherly consultation. Hell. I’m not that forgiving. And maybe I wanted him to taste his own bullshit medication he freely tossed to me. A small amount of punishment compared to the one he gave throughout my childhood to adulthood.   

…………..

Ezmaranda

Days ago, after Raymond rushed into the conference room of the hotel. He cleaned and tended to my wounded hand. Nearly superficial cut, nothing I that needed medical attention in the hospital. Nerve wreck, from the intruder who came was from my fan base. The erratic taste of his lips stunned my body causing the unwavering feeling to move from my position. Then to face his flawless attractive face down to his body was enough to shake me. Who was this magnificent creature claiming me as his. His green hazel eyes filled with anguish yet ceased with longing.

I was skeptical although addicted to seek his hidden truth. Logical told me he was another crazy lunatic hunger for my wealth. Too many attempts from civilians pretending entitlements to me as a long lost relative, lover, friend, and attending the same education. You name it, too many insufficient trial and visits to the court. I wasn’t easily gullible to his attempt efforts. Maybe a pinch, hence his gorgeous state.

Surely, my father would have informed me all of my long distance family members. My recent promise to never stray from the golden path. So that theory was out of the plate. Whatever the case I wasn’t tolerating it.

I ditch my own prideful event to evade him, cowardly, compliments to the horrendous incident years ago. I wasn’t risking my life on the line for the unknown force. Raymond drove me back to my apartment relatively twenty minutes away. And no, I never bade him to stay over, although I knew he eagerly waited for my approval to be closer. Later when we are married?

Sitting on the office chair, resting from inking anymore forms, I read the headlines pertaining to any gossip of my charity. Scrolling down the screen, I saw “WINCHESTER’s LOST boy” to “BILLIONAIRE PLAYBOY CAUGHT!”  Crazy thing is my afternoon appointment is meeting with Liam Winchester. We met a month ago before my mini vacay discussing about opening a new hotel resort in San Diego, California. Forgetting who brought to my attention to work with the competitor, staring at Liam was not too bad. His dark cut fawk hawk style shrieked out as PLAY BOY! WATCH OUT!

My intuition screamed at top of its lung towards me. Not the incentive of digging his masculine, but I conclude why most woman fall to his feet begging for second chances. Opening another link, there were censored blocking the goodies an audience, especially female, would be enticed to see how big a billionaire private area is. Unpolished I thought to myself. Countless gossip or unwanted media crawling in the internet.

Inking another signature on the forms in front of me before turning off the home screen.

“Ezzie, Your 2 O’clock is here.” Ava, my personal assistance, called out through the speaker.

“I’m ready for them.” Ending the call, I put my forms away clearing the clutter from my desk. Placing the pen in the cup holder, I stood up swinging beside the desk watching the figure enter my room. Panic erodes coursing my nervous system to fire like cannon balls. Merely a foot or two away stood a tall male with brunet waves in my peripheral; was the psycho I met this Saturday. “Security! Security! Secur….Ava!” I stopped screaming falling on the floor. Tripped on my toes dropping flat on my face. Impacting with the hard floor although it should have hurt like hell. I didn’t feel it because I was mortified afraid of the man behind me. Ignoring and riding out the pain.

Realization hit me. This room was soundproof. A big thanks to my anxiety educating the fantasy of someone within earth proximity ready to murder me.

My own panic room was going to be the death of me. And he would be my killer. A dead body named for overdosing on drugs or similar idea to get more funds for the critics to click the article. Scrambling off the floor as if was the last lungful I was going to take. Pushing myself off the floor as I crawl behind my desk. Before I cross the line to somewhat I considered safety. I felt him tugging me back.

Psycho rushed mindfully to my side, he twisted me around so fast I was in a sitting position facing him. “Wow! Miss Callahan, I come in peace.” His laughter erupted while accessing my overreacted reaction.

“How did you get in here? Get away from me!” I cried in horror appall from his jester. This crazy man is amused by my distraught. I pushed the hold he had on me while trying to jolt him off.

“Hey, STOP moving. I will give you proof of who I am if your quit your tantrum. I swear, I’m not going to harm you.”

Not recoiling to believe it for one second, I punch diligently harder. Hoping to cause a distraction for me to slip out the door. Causing no harm or a flinch response as he tranquil from every blow.

“Please, Miss Callahan, you are overreacting.” He calmly reassured me by lessen his grip but enough to hold me perfectly still.  

Immobile with hostility subsequently, I gained no freedom. Offended by his comeback, I relayed, “How can I not be? You’re not…”

“Liam Winchester?” Finishing my distraught sentence, he continued in boredom, “I’m Leonardo Winchester replacing my brother’s absent.” Seeing that I eased and conciliated. His arms breached behind collecting out his leather wallet, flashing his ID. “I’m his older brother. How did the article put it? Winchester’s LOST BOY. Yeah in the flesh.”

Reading the card, Leonardo A. Winchester. 6 feet 2 inches. Hazel Eyes. Brown Hair. No doubt he was superficially tall and agreeably his slick hair tingle chocolate. Concluding whatever I needed to calm the nerves, I stare him down. “So, what if you are Liam’s brother. You’re crazy! You should be put in the mental institute.” Slapping his hand containing the card.

“I know our first impression was not the best of introduction. But.” The pressure of his hands left my arms. Getting up, he offered his assistance to help me up. Noticing I didn’t budge into taking the bait, he continued, “I thought you were someone I knew. A friend of mine. She went missing four years ago.”

Collecting my dumbfound self, my turned to get up without his support. His hand immediately drops. Moving gradually behind the desk, I gracefully sat trying to collect my thoughts figuring to accept it not.

Crap, I tried to cancel the back up call from panicking earlier. But it was too late, all I heard the was buzz of thunder rambling my ear. Bursting through the now fallen protected door like fire has ceased the room. The whole swat team crept like an assail assassin filling my office, one by one. All buff and muscular in different variety of ranges, but why does Leonardo alluring stamina overrule their still.

Vividly, he stood his ground as if he owned the room and without an ounce in cowering to their menace stance. Who is he? Special Force Team of some kind of a sophisticated branch? Irresistibly overwhelming by his aura, I was deniably profound of.

Along with the sly devilish smirk spreading wildly and gleaming at my disappointed one.

Disappointed. Yes, dissatisfied the ward to ward off this kind of hazardous threat was absolutely useless paid service.

All the while the icky, but yet estrogen utopia risen above leisure boundary. Why is my hormone raging at his assertive masculine postures. Swooning enthusiastically quite often than before. Was it from his incalculably brawny built physique. The swagger he stood his ground. Or the attraction fizzling to leak between us.

Wrongfully, this wasn’t the time to be lusting over his perfect rip bod. When he can be very the potential death standing there all dazzlingly dashing like a glorified knight. Fearless warrior. Utter fine piece of wondrous marvel. Reeling the ounce of lucidity idling within arm’s length, I recoil calculating the next ideal move to the situation at hand.   

Each laser gun appointed Leonardo as their next spill of blood, before I could even speak. Leonardo cut in, “Tsk, I must really get under your skin Miss Callahan.” His devilishly expression held while crossing his arms not surrendering to the danger encircling him.

“Prunus takesimensis,” I blandly announced the safe word feeling my cheeks burn as Leonardo amusingly stared me down. Not a threat but particular amusing at the game being played. Quickly as they came the swat team was gone within split seconds. Blinking only twice and trace of their metal clinging to their body and heavy footsteps gone like the calm water after the storm had hit. If they were here, just two minutes earlier I would have gladly considered them intaking the crazy male to jail enrolling him in the psych ward.

Clearing my throat, “Shall we continue?” I pointed to the seat to his left with a wave.

“We could have finished your performance?” He gave me a wink in the eye.

I swore, I wanted to smack him in the head. To knock some common sense in him for those twinkling eyes. Regretting greatly for not turning him over to get entertainment. Cooling like a melting ice cube in a frenzy climate as I could manage, I retorted, “Right. Throw you in jail to invest your money to the county?”

“Try me honey, I know a thing or two.”

That entertaining smile held on his expression. Rolling my eyes in disbelieve, “Let us get this straight, I’m not your honey. Thing two, do elaborate your definition because I don’t find this humorous at all.”

“Let’s just say I have my own safe words.” Chortling like the devil, as if the thought played in his mind. He added, “I could have hacked your security IF I wanted you all to myself.”

“You, psycho bastard.”

A short laugh arose from him, clearly enjoyment, “Hey, you asked.” Flopping down on the chair without a care seeming more charmed by the minute, he said, “Ready for business?”

Expelling a deep breath before rejoining to his change course in the subject matter, “Conceited.” I couldn’t help but whispered in my mind. Debating if I should have said it out loud to taunt or give him have a piece of what I deeply felt about him.

He chuckled and it registered that my theoretically unheard comment wasn’t so hidden as I thought. It was already out in the open, so I continued on expressing the unfinished comment. “Next time tell your brother to never send you.” Scooting my rolling chair closer to the desk as I decided to sit down.

“Honey, there will be a next time. Remember as I’ve mention, I am his stand in. The way I look at it, I’ll be here till you finished this project.”

And he dared called me after I told him I wasn’t his possession. “Fine. Be here for all I care.” Rolling my eyes as I gradually except the truth in his words. His words about seeing him through the project.

“I’m under the impression that you passionately loath me?” He arched one of his brows.

And he just finally getting the hint. Or did he choose to be stupidity ignoring all the signs thrown at him. “Did you forget how you came on to me and then…and then…” I reminded him, although stammering from the choice of word lost from unforgotten deed. Undecided if I wanted to continue on as my cheek heated.

Filling the words for me, he spoken tonelessly with confidence, “Kissed you.”

Involuntarily licking my lips, I retreated by pressing them securely together averting my gaze to the desk. Bothered not to reflect about the fiery flame burning my core ushering the hormones on the horizon. But I did it regardless. My mind wine and dine with every effort. My rigid body was stolen from every nerves, veins, and intellectual system.

Because when he kissed me, I froze with time, a force within me was awaken. I wanted to bask myself into compromising his unhidden desires to heal them. Heal the aching feeling between my legs. The want and need I yearn to savor every inch of tanned skin. To taste…Crap! I’m acting like a young intangible horndog teenager.

Damn the virgin I am. Might of as well blame it on my enrage estrogen. Too many obstacles looping and looming closely at hand. Importantly and significantly topics were dismissed. One we should we discuss before this project blows up in my face. Once I discovered my voice and consider what to retort, “Let us change the subject back to business.”

“No. I’m kindly liking this subject rather. Beats what we were scheduled to talk about.” I heard the happily yet cockily responded in his speech.

Of course, no doubt the bastard would like the satisfaction of indulging more than words rather he skated towards my parts. Parts of me I have not shared with any man in this world. Crossing my arms, tilting to the side devouring secretly at his body language. “For a man who wanted a clean slate from his first impression. You don’t look interested to acquire it. Needless to say, if you deserved one.” Inwardly annoyed with his presence, I push hard to surface my appearance beneath concealing my deceitful truth of approval in his suggestion. Grabbing the ink pen to concur with my words. “Now, if you will excuse me. I have more important matters to deal with.”

“I’ll quit teasing you Miss Callahan. Although it looks like you’re begging me to kiss you again.”

Almost falling into his trap to give in until his last sentence showered in. I shouted reasoning that the very statement should be an insult. “Bastard! How dare you say that to a woman who is engaged?” Now, I was fuming with irritation. The crazy thinks I want a piece of his lips on me.

OK. Maybe. Maybe a little bit.

Honestly, I wasn’t going to give him the gratification that minutes ago the image of lusting over one kiss we had crossed my mind.

“I see no ring.” He snorted.

Taking my hand out of view into my lap, he smiled lazily.

Crap.

I shouldn’t have done that. It was a muscle reflect and one weakening the confidence I had. Feeling like a wide stretch out naked groomed dog without the fur to protect. The handsome devil wasn’t even let me take my first breathe to live. But I wasn’t going to argue any longer because it was pointless. Seeing that this conversation was dead end, I shook my head reluctantly, “Please leave, there is nothing to discuss.”

“What do you want Miss Callahan?”

Shocked, I met his eyes trying to dissect the question he entertained. Did he see right through my shields? Searching for some clue or indication to why it was announced. Complete emptiness displayed from what hides behind those lime green eyes. Dangerous scheme I toyed with, yet intrinsically mind blowing to know someone wanted to challenge me.

Yet, I chose to run the other direction by lightly stated offering him to grasp the invitation. “Just get out.”

As he caught the concept, he complied with a simple retort. “Your hotel, Miss Callahan. Describe to me what is it you desire of the outcome.”