“Really?” Macy raises her eyebrow.
“Listen, I know my reputation and I’m not ashamed of it, but I really didn’t do anything wrong to her. There was just this embarrassing thing that happened. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to see me again either, but I didn’t dump her.”
“What happened?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“I do.”
“I don’t think I can tell you.”
“Oh come on, Brayden. I know everything about you.”
“Okay.” I turn away. “She shit on me while we were having sex.”
“What?!”
“Yeah. I know. We were going at it and all of a sudden, boom. Shit.”
Macy laughs. “Oh no!”
“I went to get her a towel and when I came back she was gone.”
“How the hell do you shit on a person during sex? What did you do to her?”
“Well, I might have been somewhere that is more likely to happen.”
“Oh god! You pig.”
“She wanted me to, for fuck’s sake.”
Macy can’t stop laughing. “What did you say?”
“Not much. I just said let me get a towel. Like I said, I came back and she was gone. I locked the door, took a shower, and went to bed. I didn’t do anything to her. She’s just embarrassed.”
“I would die. I could never show my face to you again.”
“I couldn’t either, but she didn’t have to quit. We don’t even work on the same floor.”
“Yeah, but I would live in fear of bumping into you.”
“I guess so. Sam’s up here yelling at me and I have to take the blame for it again.”
“That sucks, but oh well. It’s not the first time.”
“Nor the last.”
“It could be if you would stop prowling the office.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I sit back behind my desk. “Don’t tell anyone. She’s been embarrassed enough.”
“I would never. It’s actually pretty honorable of you not to tell everyone in the office. You could get yourself off the hook.”
“I doubt it. I still had sex with her. Besides, I don’t really need the whole company to know I had shit on my…you know.”
Macy giggles. “Very true.” She lingers for a moment and I know I’m about to get ‘the talk.’ “Brayden, I hate seeing you waste time with all these loose women you hang around with. I wish you’d give more thought to settling down with someone nice. Don’t you want to have a family?”
“Someday.” Not really, but if I play along maybe this talk will end much quicker.
“You’re almost thirty. When are you going to be done with all this nonsense?”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m doing just fine.”
“Are you?”
“I’m happy. Things are going well for me.”
“Wouldn’t you like to have someone to share it all with?”
“No. I wouldn’t. I like my life the way it is.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.”
She sighs. “Okay.” She turns to leave.
“Hey.” Macy looks back at me. “Thanks for caring about me. I appreciate it.”
Macy leaves and I’m left sitting at my desk thinking about Sam’s outburst. The whole office thinks I’m a prick again. This time, I don’t actually deserve it. I guess that doesn’t really matter, though. There is nothing I could say to make this right. I text Meredith.
Me: I heard you resigned. I wish you didn’t do that. Everything is cool between us.
No answer. An hour goes by when she finally responds.
Mere: Cool between us? Right.
Me: Are you okay?
Mere: No.
Me: Can I do anything?
Mere: Leave me alone. I’m humiliated enough, thanks.
Me: You don’t need to be. It was just an accident.
Mere: Ugh! I loved this job and you ruined it.
Me: How did I ruin it? I didn’t ask you to quit.
Mere: You know what? Fuck you! If you really cared you would’ve called or texted after I left. Fuck. You.
I’d like to say I’m surprised by her outburst, but I’m not. Meredith just joined a long and impressive list of women who have told me to fuck off. I sigh and erase her number from my phone. Pretty sure I won’t be using it again.
“Brayden,” Macy’s voice comes through on my intercom, interrupting my thoughts. “Ms. Mackenzie Reed is on the phone for you. She said she’s with The Christiansen Agency.”
“Mackenzie Reed? Are you serious?”
“That’s what she said.”
Holy shit.
“Do you know what she wants?”
“Not at all. She just asked to speak directly with you, if possible.”
“Intriguing. Okay, I’ll pick up. Thanks, Macy.”
“Sure thing.”
I quickly pull up her online profile again before lifting the receiver to my lips. I stare at her gorgeous copper colored hair, green eyes, and amazing mouth. Clearing my throat, I answer. “Brayden James speaking.”
“Hello, Mr. James. My name is Mackenzie Reed. I’m currently an account executive at The Christiansen Agency. Do you have a few moments to speak with me?”
I take a moment to collect myself. The sexy purr of her voice causes my entire body to heat up. I try to imagine what it sounds like when she’s coming. “What about?”
“About what I can do for The Capella Group.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m interested in securing an executive position with your firm. I’ve followed your career and I feel the time is right.”
She wants to work for me? Fuck. “Why is that?”
“Well, as you likely know, my current firm is your top competitor. I know all the inner workings that could provide you with even more competitive advantage. Specifically, I’d like to work in your department.”
“Why do you want to leave there?”
“I think I’ve outgrown the agency. I feel like you recognize talent when you see it. Based on the people you’ve hired since your promotion to Department Head, I think that you would mold me into the best rep I could be.”
“Interesting. I don’t really have any open positions at the moment, though.”
“Well, maybe you’d be up for discussing my credentials at dinner. You could witness my powers of persuasion first hand. Then hopefully, you’ll have a position for me someday.”
“I think dinner could be arranged,” I say against my better judgment. This is just business, right?
“Good. I’ll be happy to work with your assistant to find a mutually agreeable time.”
“That sounds good. I’ll transfer you back to her.”
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I’ll make it worth your time, Mr. James.”
“You got it.” I place the call on hold and take a deep breath before pressing the button for Macy.
“Hey, Macy. She wants a job. Set up a dinner with her for me.”
“Okay. Do you want to invite anyone else?”
“No. I’m just going to listen to her pitch.”
“Okay.”
I transfer the call and immediately return my attention to her online profile. This isn’t going to be easy. Macy calls to tell me she booked dinner for Friday night. Three nights from now I’ll be faced with a woman I know I find attractive. I’ll just do my best to remain professional. I can do it. At least I can hope.
A few minutes later, Macy steps inside my office. “Nancy called and said Charles wants to see you right away.”
“What now?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. All she said was it was important.”
I sigh. “Okay. I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong lately.”
“Don’t be so pessimistic. Maybe it’s positive.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
I head to the elevators and take a deep breath, running through the various things in my head he could want to ta
lk about. Quarterly numbers looked good, new accounts are pleased. I wonder if he’s heard about my latest intern scandal. The elevator doors open and I walk over to Nancy who motions for me to go inside.
Charles sits at his desk looking tan and happy.
“Please, sit. I have some information for you.”
“Okay.”
“Congratulations are in order. I’ve been authorized to offer you the position of partner.”
His words floor me and it takes a moment for it to digest. “Are you serious?”
“Very. Your track record here is impressive and it was not a hard sell. My idea is to have you start training with me soon. I’ll announce my retirement and be out in the next few months. I hope you realize how much your life is about to change. Being only one of three partners is very prestigious.”
“I know that. Thank you so much.”
“You earned it. HR is going to call to discuss your new benefits package and salary. I think you’ll be pleased.”
“I already am. I really appreciate what you’ve done for me over the years.”
“You’re welcome and now that you’re a partner, we really need to talk about your reputation in the office. I’ve let it go for a long time, but I think things are getting out of hand.”
“I know.” I can’t even argue. He’s totally right.
“I’ve ignored it over the years because you’re an important asset here. You need to keep it in your pants with the women we work with. It undermines your ability and opens you up to accusations of harassment.”
“I understand.” I stand to leave and shake his hand. “Thanks again. I’m stoked.”
“Congratulations.”
I walk out of Charles’s office and stop at Nancy’s desk. “I got the promotion!”
“Wonderful!” Nancy stands and gives me a quick hug. “That’s great, Brayden. You really deserve it. I knew it was only a matter of time.”
“Thanks for having faith in me, in spite of my wicked rep around here.”
“Oh, that?” she says, laughing. “Doesn’t faze me at all. You’re just a young guy taking advantage of all that life has to offer. I imagine if I was about thirty years younger I would chase after you, too.”
“Nancy,” I say and rub her chin briefly. “If you were thirty years younger, I’d be the one doing the chasing.”
She laughs. “Such a flirt. Thanks for flattering an old lady.”
“You deserve it.” I smile and walk back to the elevator bank. A group of lovely interns walks by me, giggling and trying to catch my eye. Why do they always travel in packs? I do my best to stare at the elevator numbers, waiting for it to arrive. I’m looking anywhere but at them when one of them approaches.
“Excuse me,” she says. “Are you Brayden James?”
I look up and nod. “Yes.”
“I thought so. I’m Caroline. Nice to meet you.” She extends her hand so I have no choice but to shake it or be rude. I shake it.
“Nice to meet you.”
Caroline is pretty in that retro kind of way. Her jet black hair contrasts her creamy white skin. She’s lined her lips in red, but has minimal makeup elsewhere. The black blouse she wears is just a little see through, giving me a little taste of what she’s hiding beneath it. Her beautiful ass is wrapped in a nice skirt, the kind that sticks to every curve when she walks. She leans very close to me and I feel her hand slide into my pocket. The scent of her perfume is nice. Really nice. I look down to see glorious boob flesh peeking out from her blouse.
“Here’s my number. I’d like to be on your list of things to do.” She pulls her hand out of my pocket and as she does, she just barely brushes up against my dick.
“Sorry, but I’m giving up interns for Lent.” I grin to soften the blow a little.
Caroline’s bottom lip pops out. “It’s not Lent yet, Brayden. You should have a little fun before you give it all up.”
I smile. I can’t help it. This chick is hot and she knows what she wants.
“How do you know who I am?” I ask.
“Everyone knows who you are.”
I grin. “I’ll keep your number for a rainy day. How’s that?”
“Just fine. In the meantime, I’ll be praying for rain.” She smiles and saunters off. Her friends watch me as the elevator doors finally open. As I step on, I pull the slip of paper out of my pocket and read Caroline’s number. It has a little heart over the ‘i’ that makes me laugh.
When I reach my floor, I ball the paper up and throw it in the trash. Walking past Macy, I motion for her to come into my office when she gets off the phone. Moments later, she appears in the doorway.
“What’s up, boss?”
“You’re looking at the new partner of The Capella Group.”
“Yeah?! Oh my gosh, that’s wonderful!”
“Yes, I’m really excited. I didn’t know they would reach a decision so quickly.”
“So what are the details? When do we move to the penthouse floor?”
“I don’t know all that yet. HR is supposed to call. You’re going to have that beautiful view overlooking the city. I think for now we’ll probably have one of those smaller offices up there while I train with Charles.”
“You deserve it. You’ve worked really hard for this.”
“Thanks, Macy. Charles will send a formal announcement and then I’d like to plan something for my team. Maybe a nice catered lunch.”
“That’s very generous, boss.”
“I couldn’t do all this by myself. I do the presentations, but the behind the scenes stuff is where the magic happens. My team deserves to be treated to something nice. Make sure Nancy and Charles are invited, too.”
“Okay, I’m on it.” She smiles sweetly at me. “This is major for you.”
“It is and for everyone around me. You get a promotion and Matt will get take my place. He’s worked hard for this.”
“It’s a happy day.”
“Definitely.”
Macy steps out as I sit at my desk and take a moment to let this all sink in. What started out as a regular work day just became a pivotal moment in my career. I finally have everything I’ve worked so hard to get. It feels just as amazing as I imagined it would.
Inside my apartment building, I walk past Gretchen’s and she quickly opens the door.
“Hey, Gretchen.”
“Hi. I hope you aren’t mad I talked to your girlfriend the other night.”
“She’s not my girlfriend, but you shouldn’t tell the girls that visit me stuff like that.”
“Yeah, I know,” she says. “I’m just jealous you never pay me any attention.”
“I’m talking to you now, aren’t I?”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“What’s the matter? You seem sad tonight.”
Her face fills with a smile. “Oh, I’m not sad at all. I’m doing great.”
“That’s good to hear.” I unlock my door. “I’m really tired so I’m gonna call it a night.”
“Sweet dreams, Brayden.”
“You too, Gretchen.”
I smile to myself as I get undressed. Gretchen’s a funny thing. How she thinks she compares with someone like Meredith is beyond me. Of course, I’m thinking of her pre-humiliating-sex incident. I plop down on the couch and get out my reading materials for the evening. I’m one of the few people I know who finds reading industry news interesting, but hey, the more you know about the competition the better.
Another morning flies by. I’ve been busy calling all my clients for my monthly check in when Macy buzzes me. “It’s Human Resources.”
“Thanks.” I lift the handset. “This is Brayden.”
“Hello, Brayden. It’s Brittney. Are you available to come down and talk about the details of your promotion?”
“Yes, I can come down now. Is that good?”
“Yes. See you in a few.”
“Okay.” I hang up and take a deep breath. This is probably going to be awkward. It’s been
three years, but every time I see Brittney I always feel a little regret. Dating her was fun and I actually liked her, but I just wasn’t ready to pick one woman. The breakup was tearful and long, but I think it was the right thing to do at that time. She deserved someone better than me.
I walk to the elevators and press the button for the first floor. When I arrive in the lobby I look around for a moment. I almost can’t believe I’ve finally scored the promotion. I open the door to HR and ask the receptionist for Brittney. A few moments later, she appears in the lobby. There is only a slight smile on her face. Brittney is aloof towards me and I don’t blame her one bit.
“Are you ready?” she asks.
“I am.” I walk towards her and attempt conversation. “How are you? You look really good.”
“I’m fine, thank you.” She glances over at me. “You’re obviously doing well. Congratulations. I know this promotion was something you always wanted.”
“Thank you.” We walk inside her tiny office and sit down. I watch her pull a folder out from a drawer and read its contents for a few silent moments.
Brittney looks up at me and smiles. “Well, let’s get to the reason you are here, shall we?”
“Sounds good.”
Brittney starts to tell me my effective date and when she says what my new salary is, I just about choke. I was expecting it to be good, but not this good. Holy shit.
“Seriously?” I ask.
“Seriously,” she repeats. “Of course, as partner, you get a bi-annual bonus based on the company’s performance in addition to the quarterly one for the departments you manage. Typically that ranges anywhere from $150,000 at the low end and I’ve seen it as high as a million in a good year.”
“You’re fucking kidding me?” I blurt out. “I’m sorry, Brittney. I just had no idea.”
She grins. “No problem. I understand. It’s pretty crazy money.”
“Yeah it is. This changes my whole life.”
“Of course. I assume you are accepting the position?”
“Um, yeah,” I say, laughing.
“Great. Just sign these papers. The last page is a contract that you’ll be exclusive to Capella for a five year period. The signing bonus has to be repaid if you leave before that time is up.”
“Signing bonus?”
Chasing Desire Page 6
