by Axl Goode
“My older brother Julian went to the University of Central Arkansas, so I decided to go there as well. By that point I was a very curious person. I really wanted to know more about pretty much everything. I remember spending hours in the library reading on random subjects. I don’t want to sound conceited but school has never really been hard for me. Although I will say I’ve attended some lectures that were hard to sit through. I think professors should be fired if they’re boring.”
Flashing a grin, Neil said, “I’m right there with you. What were your favorite subjects?”
“I found something interesting about nearly every subject, but ended up with a double major in software engineering and math.”
Neil raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Whoa. I didn’t see that coming.”
“Most people make the assumption that I’m unintelligent because of my physical appearance. I like to use that to my advantage when people underestimate me.” Zane gave an impish grin.
“I’ll be sure and try to not make that mistake. Do you or did you ever use your degree at all?”
Damn. Now to the part of the interview I don’t want to talk about. How do I answer this? ‘Yeah, Neil. I actually started using it in college to build a trading system. It was easy. I just made an algorithm that rides the trends on the Commodity Futures markets. Did I mention that’s how I actually make my living? Or at least where most of my money comes from.’ No I can’t do that. I’m better off with no one knowing how much I’m actually worth.
“No. After university I decided to try something different. I moved here to Dallas and listed with a local talent agency.”
“I guess there aren’t many guys around that look like you. What happened after that?”
“I started networking and had a positive reception. I landed a few print ads and commercials that helped eventually boost my image to the national level. I signed with an agent in LA and New York and started receiving more auditions. The casting directors liked me and I started landing bigger roles. I know I would get more work if I chose to move to LA but I like it here in Dallas. At this point I only fly out for auditions if the casting directors specifically request me.”
“You’ve got a reputation as a bit of a playboy. Any truth to that?”
“Who, me? A playboy?” Zane said with feigned innocence.
Laughing, Neil asked, “Have you ever had a serious relationship?”
“I’ve had several relationships in my life but I wouldn’t say any of them were particularly serious. I’m not against it. I just haven’t met someone that really held my attention.”
“I see. Well I’m sure it doesn’t suck to be single and you,” Neil said chuckling. “What do you do in your free time now?”
“I have quite a few hobbies. I started training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a few years ago for one of my roles and that’s stuck with me.” Not wanting to divulge more about his current private life, Zane let the statement linger.
“That’s impressive. It explains how you always look so fit.”
“Yeah, it’s not always easy. It’s great therapy though.”
“You’re a notoriously private person, is there a reason for that?”
“Yes, but I’m going to keep it to myself for the time being.”
The interview dragged on for another half hour until Neil had gotten as much as he could from Zane. Walking home, Zane reflected on what he had said. He hadn’t told Neil nearly half as much as he could but it was a pretty good start for someone who kept their private life very quiet.
At that point he didn’t want anyone to know how wealthy he really was. He had gone outside the parameters of his system a few times and taken a larger risk than he normally did, but the payoffs had been enormous. He had funneled some of his money out of his investment accounts into hard assets in the event that anything ever happened or the market crashed. Even though he had pulled out several million from his investment account, it was still valued at well over half a billion dollars.
Considering his position, he thought it was absolutely absurd that he felt so lonely in life. Neil just had to ask the relationship question. He had a good relationship with his family and friends but still had never found someone who completed him. He wasn’t sure he felt worthy enough to have the exceptional woman he dreamed of. He viewed himself as a very normal person who had just pounced on extraordinary opportunities. Of course he had dated plenty of girls and as much as he tried to convince himself they were right for him, they never satiated his need for more. Intellectually or emotionally, something was always missing.
Zane was leading an extraordinary life in many ways but still had the heart of a small-town boy. He enjoyed the fast pace of the city and the attention he received being a celebrity but he wanted someone to share his life with. He also wanted that quiet place, where it was only him and the person he loved.
He had all but given up on that though. He had moved past it, accepting that he was never going to find her and resigned himself to toying around with what he considered trophy girls. They were pretty and mostly intelligent. He had fun around them but they never seemed to fill the hole he felt in his life. Whoever he found, he didn’t want the enticement of money to interfere with their feelings for him or motivation to be with him.
After checking his computer for the evening, he thought back to the incident at the bank a few days. Although he was extremely attracted to Brenley for reasons he couldn’t define, her condescending manner infuriated him. Oddly, he thought, even though it frustrated him, it made him want her that much more. He could have almost any other girl he wanted and yet he couldn’t get through to her. Nor was he sure he even felt worthy enough to. Maybe she was better than him and actually should treat him like that. She didn’t know him but he didn’t know her either.
There just seemed to be something special about her. She appeared to be walled off emotionally but he also suspected that there was a huge well of emotion that could be extremely powerful if released. He could also potentially relate to that.
Too bad she hates me now.
He would just have to forever be stuck in purgatory.
Chapter Three
Tonight is already off to a good start, Brenley thought.
She was in downtown Dallas at Hotel Ra, which was probably the nicest place she had ever stayed. Walking into the lobby, everything had a rich Colonial feel to it. The floors were solid marble, with intricate molding running along the edges. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling and gas torches lined the walls. The lobby was sparsely populated with the same Colonial-style couches and chairs with richly colored fabrics covering them. Instantly, she knew she was going to enjoy being at this place.
She was celebrating her best friend Megan’s birthday. Sitting at the hotel bar, they were having a few drinks before heading back up to their room to get ready for the night. Before long, they were having their drinks bought by two good-looking gentlemen whom they were considering going out with later that night.
Finally, she thought, things are turning around for me.
Ever since the encounter with Zane Anthony two weeks ago, her life seemed to be off-kilter. She had trouble focusing at work, her mind often wandering to places she didn’t want to go. She didn’t feel as good in the morning when she put her suit on, almost like she was missing the feeling of empowerment it usually gave her. Their encounter shouldn’t have bothered her as much as it did, but for some reason parts of the conversation kept popping back up in her head.
Tonight was helping her forget all that. The men hitting on her and Megan appeared to be very well off. They wore nice suits and were treating her with the respect she deserved. She intended to keep ignoring everything about Zane. She wasn’t going to let his charm work on her. She had treated him differently than others but only because she wasn’t going to let someone smooth-talk her. They had to earn her respect.
They had been downstairs for a while when Brenley made up the excuse that she left her cell phone up
in the room. She wanted to go change out of her business suit into more appropriate clothes. Megan wanted to keep flirting with the guys, so she left her at the bar while she ran up to the room to change.
Walking back through the lobby, she couldn’t help smiling to herself at how things were going so far. Suddenly, her breath caught in her throat and she stopped walking. Zane was strolling through the lobby with his classic look of black biker boots, jeans, and that fitted black T-shirt he always wore. He must have seen her first because he wore a serious look on his face with just the slightest grin. His eyes looked mischievous but also delighted to see her. Damn!
Realizing that she had stopped walking, she let him close the gap between them. Walking up to her, he seemed much bigger than when she was sitting behind her desk. Her stomach churned, anxiety over their last conversation rising to the forefront of her mind.
He was actually a huge man but didn’t come across that way to her before because of how lean he was built.
“Good evening, Brenley,” he said, his smile widening as he came to a stop in front of her.
“Good evening, Mr. Anthony,” she curtly replied, while inadvertently planting her left hand on her hip.
“What brings you out tonight?” Tilting his head he motioned her towards the elevator nearby. Thankful to move things along, she started walking again.
“It’s my best friend’s birthday, so we decided to get a room here and celebrate out on the town.”
“You go out on the town?” he asked in a slightly sarcastic tone.
“Yes actually,” she responded sharply. Don’t get upset. Be polite. He can’t help it he’s got the IQ of a two-year-old. “How about yourself? What brought you out tonight?”
“One of my good friends from LA came into town for a few days. I told him I would take him out and show him the city.” He pushed the button for an elevator, his eyes never leaving Brenley. A nervous tingle ran down her spine.
“How kind of you,” she replied.
“I’m sure you would do no less for any of your friends. Where are you going out tonight,” he asked, slowly pulling his shoulder-length hair behind his right ear.
Not wanting to divulge where she was going tonight, Brenley hesitated. “We aren’t sure yet. My friend is at the bar with two guys we met earlier that seem familiar with the club scene. I think we’re going to go out with them,” she said a little more proudly than intended. She wanted Zane to know she had men interested in her.
After what seemed like an eternity the elevator doors finally opened and she stepped inside. He was playing nice, like he always did, flashing his smile and trying to talk smoothly. That wasn’t going to work with her. On their last meeting, he had gotten angry before he left her office. As the elevator doors closed, a nervous look splashed across his face before the cool countenance he always wore quickly replaced it.
“Let me guess, it’s the two guys I saw when I walked past the front window a minute ago. The ones in the overly fashionable suits, with the terrible hair styles,” he said chuckling.
Indignation filled her voice. “Yes, actually! They’re very nice and lots of fun to hang out with.” Why am I defending these guys to him?
“Which floor?” he asked, punching the seventh one for himself. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction, she leaned over and pushed twelve for herself.
“Why do you dislike me?” he asked suddenly. As the elevator doors came to a close, he moved around to face her directly.
“Why do you think I dislike you?” Before she could stop herself, she continued. “You think just because you’ve been on TV and people know who you are that it makes you important. People should get ahead in life because of how good they are at something, not how they look.” The elevator was slowing to a stop on his floor but she kept talking. “If you had a degree or used your brain you might understand that but all you do is get paid to stand in front of a camera. Look, I’m sure you’re a very nice guy but you just don’t understand someone like me or where I’ve been…”
Woosh.
Some of the air left her lungs. What just happened?
Before she could continue, she found herself pushed flat up against the elevator wall. Her left hand was pinned against the wall while Zane’s huge left hand pressed against her stomach. Looking up at him, Zane’s visage took on a hungry look as the elevator came to a halt. A wave of heat pulsed through her body, causing her vision to blur. Meeting his eyes, Brenley saw something that hadn’t been there before. Rather than resisting, she surprised herself by allowing him to continue unhindered.
His hand moved up, past her ribs, as his body sank powerfully up against her. The air seemed to elude her drained lungs. She tried to think. Tried to find the will within herself to want to stop him but couldn’t. His overpowering presence was keeping her grounded in the moment. His body was warm and full of muscle against her. Another wave of heat reverberated through her body. What the hell is happening?
Zane’s calloused right hand brushed past her ear, softly coming to rest on the side of her neck. Shivers spiked down through her body. She gasped as his fingers slowly tightened, tugging the back of her hair, bringing her face toward his. His arousal bulged through his pants, pressing up against her.
What truly surprised Brenley was feeling her own deep arousal respond. What. The. Hell? I’m not supposed to actually want this! Meeting his gaze, a wave of uncertainty swept through her body. Then his lips were against hers and she was receiving the most passionate kiss she had ever experienced. Her entire body seemed to ignite. Every nerve tingled as he enveloped her upper lip. Fervently he moved to her lower lip then back up to the top, sliding his tongue across the inside of her lips.
The elevator doors slowly glided open. His hand moved back down to her ribs, flattening her against the wall again. Her body tensed. His lips departed from hers the same time as the pressure released over her stomach. She stood there, shaking as she watched him exit the elevator, then disappear to the right.
Without moving an inch, Brenley watched as the elevator doors slowly made their tedious journey closed. Sweet air finally flooded back into her oxygen-deprived lunges. She had been unconsciously holding her breath and was still in shock at what just happened. Had she dreamed it? The elevator began moving upward again. The feel of Zane’s warm body against hers, his hand pressing hers into the wall plagued Brenley’s consciousness.
Holy shit, what just happened? One moment I’m standing there telling him how much I dislike people like him then he decides to kiss me! Why can’t I stop shaking?
In her mind, she couldn’t stop replaying what happened. How he moved her like she hadn’t weighed a pound.
He hadn’t been rough at all though, just firm.
Sweat beaded on her forehead as she started to breathe heavily. She didn’t care. Waves of energy pulsed through her entire body, emanating from between her legs. Her peripheral vision darkened with each passing wave.
Still leaning up against the wall, she recalled how it had felt to have his enormous hand press over her midsection and work its way up along her rib cage. She loved how that made her feel. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back picturing his eyes. She had seen something she had never noticed before.
They were full of passion and what she thought could only be described as primal desire. That look penetrated deep into her core as she realized how fiercely he wanted her. It caused her clit to throb like it was going to explode if she moved a millimeter. No one had ever looked at her that way or desired her that much.What was strange was the realization that her own feelings might reciprocate his own. I’m going to hell for even thinking this.
She wanted to taste his lips again. The kiss seemed like it had lasted forever but couldn’t have been more than a few seconds. The suddenness of it caught her so off guard she hadn’t been able to think about anything else. She could have stopped him, but hadn’t wanted to. Completely lost in the moment, she gave over to her body, bathing in the rush of h
eat emanating from her deep arousal.
In a split-second decision she decided to give in to her needs. Her muscles began to tense up as her hand moved between her legs. Embracing the euphoria, she arched her back against the wall. At the same time, the elevator doors opened, slamming her back to reality.
She quickly stood up straight; she hadn’t even realized it had stopped at her floor. Running her sweaty hands through her disheveled hair, she tried to press it back to a presentable fashion. People were waiting outside, so she quickly stepped out, avoiding eye contact, and headed for her room. Hands still shaking but regaining her wits, she felt like she was waking up from a dream.
* * * * *
Knocking on the door, Zane waited impatiently for his friend to let him in.
“Hey. It’s good to see you, James,” Zane said as the door swung open.
“Great to see you too, bro,” James replied as a smile crested his face. Embracing in a quick hug, they made their way inside the spacious room. “Are you okay? You look a little flustered.”
“Oh. Yeah. I’m fine. How was your flight?”
“Uh huh. Sure you are. I know that devilish grin of yours isn’t plastered across your face just because you’re happy to see me.”
Laughing, Zane responded, “I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re the troublemaker out of the two of us.”
“Well someone has to do it. I’m going to get you a few drinks tonight and you’ll tell me all about it. I’m running late as always and still have to grab a shower. Make yourself at home and I’ll be ready in a bit,” James said already making his way to the bathroom.
Zane shook his head at his friend. He was perceptive, he had to give him that. Happy for the reprieve and chance to think, Zane walked over to the minibar. After shifting through the selection, he poured a shot of whiskey and gulped it down. He pulled up a chair and added a few cubes of ice to his glass before refilling it.
He smiled as he thought back to the event moments before. He had seen Brenley as soon as he entered the lobby. She was walking from the bar to the elevator, looking focused as usual but with a small smile on her face. She was still wearing her black suit from the bank. Zane felt himself start to get aroused. Instantly he knew this was his chance to show her more of himself than he could at the bank. He noticed her mood darken right when she saw him. For some reason that excited him more.
