Marry Me Read online

  was going to say ‘have a nice life’, but thought that sounded

  harsh. He waved and walked out of the room.

  The hostess asked on his way out, “Did you enjoy your meal,

  sir?”

  “Yes. Thank you.” He smiled and kept walking to his car,

  wondering if he could make a date with Fabian or that was

  strictly taboo.

  “Taboo.” He shook his head and frowned.

  Chapter 10

  Thursday morning after his workout, Braxton was on his way to

  the office when he got a call. He tapped his earpiece to answer

  and said, “Braxton Todd, can I help you?”

  “It’s Drew Persely. How can you refuse my calls? I don’t

  understand, Braxton. This is business! I’m offering you a

  contract with my company.”

  Fuck. Braxton slowed for traffic and waited at a red light. “I appreciate that. I’m not taking on any new clients at the

  moment.”

  “New clients? I’m not just any client. Do you realize who

  we’re talking about when I hire you to become my PR

  machine?”

  “I’m staring at his billboard right now. So, yes.” Braxton

  looked up at Mark Richfield’s cologne ad, a campaign he and his

  son Alexander were featured in. No hard-ons from the cologne

  company, just very tasteful ads, contrary to this aggressive man’s

  tactic.

  “How much to buy you?”

  “I beg your pardon?” In the past Braxton used to be able to be

  bought. If he were in his twenties? Just starting out? He’d go for

  it. But where were all these companies when the economy tanked

  and he needed help? He knew what this was about. Drew wanted

  Braxton to find him a man to give him a blowjob. That’s what.

  “I want a face to face with you.”

  “I’m busy. I’m sorry, Drew, maybe my assistant can

  recommend someone—” The line went dead. Braxton

  disconnected it and blew out a breath. “Fuck you, ya bastard. It

  isn’t all about money.”

  Braxton drove by the billboard and envied that man. Mark

  Richfield had married an ex-LAPD cop who he worked with at

  an advertising firm.

  Braxton thought about it. Who he worked with. Married a

  man he worked with.

  He pulled into the parking garage, wondering if…if you had a

  good relationship, a solid one, a marriage? Could it work in the

  office as well as the bedroom?

  What am I supposed to do? Ask Fabian to marry me before

  we go out on a first date? Oh, my God, I’m either desperate or

  losing my mind.

  “Both!”

  ~

  Fabian stood with Brianna sorting the mail. The door opened

  behind him and he turned to look into Braxton’s light eyes. “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  The sexual tension had ratcheted up a few levels and Fabian

  wondered if the two of them were pent up from not having sex.

  He certainly was.

  “How was your straight-date?” Brianna asked, tossing

  contracts on one pile, junk mail into another.

  “She talked all night about setting me up with a straight jock

  and having a three-way.” Braxton picked up his coffee.

  Fabian blinked at him. “No. Really?”

  “Yes. Really.”

  “So?” Brianna teased, “When’s the three-way?”

  “Ha. Ha.” Braxton sipped his coffee. “Oh, Fabian, has Drew

  been pestering you about us taking him on as a client?”

  “Please don’t tell me he’s still calling.”

  “Yes. But thanks for trying to ditch him. I figured he’d not

  take no for an answer until I said it.”

  “I’m sorry, Braxton. I thought I had it taken care of.”

  “No problem.” Braxton took his coffee and yogurt into his

  office.

  Brianna elbowed Fabian.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Go in there. Ask him out or something.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Fabian felt the hairs stand on the back

  of his neck from nerves.

  “He’s so sad and lonely. You two are perfect for each other.”

  “In my dreams.”

  “Huh?” She leaned closer. “What did you just say?”

  He shook his head in panic. “Nothing. Brianna, don’t you

  dare try to match-make. I love this job and I don’t want to get

  screwed by screwing.”

  “He’s not like what the tabloids say. Not anymore. I’ve

  worked with him for years. These last three crappy dates were

  the first dinner dates he’s had in ages. And they weren’t even

  real.”

  “Bull. I don’t believe that for a minute.”

  When she didn’t answer, Fabian looked up over the letter in

  his hand to see her serious expression. He peered at Braxton’s

  closed door and said to her, “I can’t take that chance. If we fight, or it’s all about the chase, then I’m out on my ass doing temp

  work again.”

  “Nope. You can sue him for sexual harassment.”

  “Like I’d do that.” He shook his head and tossed the letter on

  her contract pile.

  “I swear you two are so stubborn.”

  “I’ve worked here for four days. Come on.”

  “And you’re dancing the tango around each other like two

  peacocks.”

  “No.”

  “Yes!” She shoved him. “Here. Tell Braxton he needs to sign

  this and I have to get it in the mail now.”

  “Is that the truth?” Fabian looked at the contract.

  “Yes!”

  She practically pushed him into the closed door face first.

  He straightened his tie and knocked lightly, giving her a

  glance but she was already back to sorting mail.

  “Come in.”

  With a window facing west, away from the morning sun,

  Fabian entered the dimly lit office and shut the door behind him.

  Braxton was standing at the side of his desk, finishing the yogurt

  and then tossed the empty cup into the trash. “What is it?”

  Fabian stepped closer, holding out the paper.

  Braxton met him halfway and they were toe to toe. He took

  the letter to read as Fabian salivated over Braxton’s gorgeous

  looks and enticing build.

  Braxton leaned on the desk and signed it. When he did Fabian

  got a good view of his tight ass in the designer slacks and his

  cock went thick in his pants.

  What I wouldn’t give to kiss you.

  When Braxton turned to hand him the paperwork, they nearly

  bumped into each other. They locked gazes.

  The sexual energy rushing through Fabian’s body was

  extreme and he didn’t know what the hell to do about it.

  Braxton’s lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but

  nothing came out.

  They were so close, Fabian could feel Braxton’s aura, see

  how long his lashes were.

  Fuck it!

  Fabian grabbed Braxton’s cheeks and kissed him.

  ~

  At the suddenness of the movement, Braxton grunted in

  surprise and the contract fell to the floor. He held Fabian’s wrists and couldn’t decide if this was the most amazing thing in the

  world, or the worst.

  Chills coursed over Braxton’s body as they pressed mouths

  and Fabian drew him closer, making their
bodies meet. When

  Braxton felt Fabian’s hot cock against his own, he closed his

  eyes and for one minute the thought of surrender and letting go

  actually crossed his mind.

  Fabian opened his lips and tried to coax Braxton’s open with

  his tongue.

  At the unadulterated lust Braxton felt for Fabian, he let out a

  mournful sound that could have shown the world how alone he

  felt. But to him, it sounded like pure weakness. He grew upset

  with himself, knowing this could go bad and he would lose

  Fabian as an employee.

  He turned his head before Fabian’s tongue entered his mouth

  and closed his eyes in agony.

  “Braxton. I’m sorry. I thought…” Fabian backed up.

  “It’s okay. Don’t quit!” Braxton held up his hand. “Please! I

  need you!”

  Fabian said, “I won’t quit. No way.” He ran out of the room,

  shutting the door with a slam.

  “Fuck!” Braxton cried out in agony.

  ~

  Brianna visibly jumped out of her skin when Fabian exited

  Braxton’s office. He headed directly to his own and closed the

  door, seeing waiting calls lit on the telephone and messages

  clogging up his computer. He dropped down behind the desk and

  covered his face in humiliation. “What the fuck did I just do?”

  ~

  Braxton picked up the contract and set it on his desk,

  collapsing in his chair and trying not to obsess.

  “Braxton?” Brianna’s voice called softly through his door.

  “It’s not locked.”

  She opened it and peeked in. “Blame me.”

  “For what?”

  “I told Fabian to go for it.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I really like you both and you’re perfect for each

  other.”

  “There’s no such thing. There’s only fuck-ups and bullshit

  when it comes to relationships.”

  She entered the room and closed the door softly. “No. There’s

  love. Honest. I found it. So can you.”

  “I tried. I can’t. Let me work. There’s your contract.” Braxton

  nudged the paperwork to her and picked up his earpiece, putting

  it into his ear.

  She took the paperwork. “I’m sorry. I was just trying—”

  “I know. He said he won’t quit.”

  “Quit?” She panicked and went for the door.

  “Brianna!” Braxton felt emotional and drained. “Don’t

  meddle. Please. I can’t handle it right now. I feel like I’m on a

  fucking cliff.”

  “Braxton.” Her eyes filled.

  “Go. It’s okay.” He couldn’t handle it if she cried. He would

  with her.

  She lowered her head and left him alone.

  Instead of staring into space like he wanted to do, Braxton

  picked up the phone and started working, but the sensation of

  Fabian pressed up against him, his lips on his, was driving him to

  distraction.

  ~

  By one Fabian needed a break. He had hid in his office all

  morning, avoiding Braxton, mortified by what he’d done.

  His coffee cup in his hand, Fabian made sure no one was in

  the hall, and then headed to the lounge to fill his cup. To his

  dismay, Braxton was standing at the counter pouring from the

  coffee pot. Fabian cursed to himself and was about to retreat

  when Braxton looked up and spotted him.

  Putting on a brave face, Fabian entered the small room and

  waited for the chance to get at the coffee pot. Braxton offered to

  pour for him.

  “You see?” Braxton said as he did, “You see how awkward

  this can be? And we didn’t even—” Braxton’s eyes darted to the

  doorway.

  “I brought lunch.” Brianna entered the tiny space and placed

  a white bag on the table. “You guys are easy. You like the same

  thing.”

  “Brianna.” Braxton blew out a frustrated breath.

  “Just sayin’!” She waved and left.

  Fabian thanked Braxton for pouring his coffee and placed it

  on the counter to mix in almond milk.

  “I can’t take this awkwardness.” Braxton looked like he was

  in hell. “Can we sit down and talk about it before you walk out

  on us?”

  “I’m not going anywhere. I’m terrified you’ll fire me over it.”

  “Sit.” Braxton pointed to the table for two and sat in one of

  the chairs. He opened the bag and placed a salad in front of each

  of them, as well as two healthy-high protein fruit drinks and a

  cup of low calorie chocolate whipped mousse.

  Fabian put his mug down and sat across from Braxton. The

  table was so small their knees brushed under it. To avoid it,

  Fabian turned sideways while he opened the plastic salad

  container.

  “Look, Fabian, I can’t lose you. Do you have any idea the

  pressure you’ve taken off of me and Brianna this week?”

  “Why do you think I’m going to quit?” Fabian ate his salad

  with a white plastic fork.

  “Because that’s how it goes in my life. The people I want to

  leave me alone don’t, and the ones I can’t live without do.”

  Fabian stopped eating. “Can’t live without?”

  Braxton didn’t elaborate, eating his food.

  “Okay, so…” Fabian said, twisting the cap off the juice to

  gulp first before he said, “I don’t want to leave, and you don’t

  want me to quit. No matter what?”

  “No matter what. Yes. That’s why I’m terrified of…”

  “Of?” Fabian could not get over the color of Braxton’s eyes,

  how long his hair had gotten since the photos Fabian had found

  of him online. And damn, he looked great with it.

  Again Braxton wouldn’t explain.

  “How badly have you been hurt in relationships, Braxton?”

  A pained look washed over Braxton’s face. “I don’t see

  people long enough to qualify as a relationship. So? How badly

  can you be hurt after one date?”

  “Come on. Tell me you haven’t been with a man or a woman

  twice.”

  Braxton stopped eating and met his eyes.

  Fabian couldn’t believe it. “One date? That’s all you give a

  person?”

  Clenching his fists at his frustration, Braxton said, “Why

  bother? Huh? So you have that much more to lose when it goes

  south? I can’t do it. Nothing lasts. I’m not the commitment kind.

  I’m just not.”

  “You said you hadn’t met the right guy.”

  “So did you.” Braxton’s stare was so intense Fabian struggled

  to maintain eye contact. Yeah, the guy intimidated him, no shit.

  “But, I’ve tried. I dated a guy for a couple of years at least.”

  “Where is he now?” It was sarcastic, unmistakably.

  “Don’t know. But I tried.”

  “Who left whom?”

  “He left me.”

  “Why? Why the hell would any man leave you? Look at you,

  for Christ’s sakes, and I haven’t even seen you naked!” Braxton

  shut up, as if he was revealing too much.

  “He…he left me because I wanted to get married. He didn’t.”

  “Oh, Christ. I’m sorry, Fabian. You see?” Braxton threw up

  his hands.

  “He
y, looking back, I’m glad. It wasn’t right. I was in my

  twenties and still finding myself.”

  “Are you found now?”

  “I am. Better now. Yes.” Fabian continued eating and so did

  Braxton. “And you? Better than the man you were in your

  twenties?”

  “No. Not in my opinion. I’m still a fucked up jerk who hurts

  people. Just ask the last three dates I had this week.”

  “Those weren’t dates. Come on. Man, you are so hard on

  yourself.”

  Braxton put his fork down and ran his hand through his hair,

  as if Fabian had struck a chord.

  “Why? Why are you so critical of yourself?”

  “I wish I knew.” Braxton’s posture shifted to exhaustion.

  “I’m terrified someone will abandon me, like you were. So I beat

  them to it.”

  “How can you live that way?”

  “I just do. I’m too…complicated…to date, to live with

  someone. I’d drive them insane.”

  “Me too. I was too neat for him. I was always picking up after

  him, the one to cook, clean. I felt like an enabler.”

  Braxton appeared very surprised and the intensity of his stare

  grew.

  “I am.” Fabian shrugged. “I admit it. I love to take care of

  people, so if I’m with a schmuck, I just pick up the slack.”

  “That’s worse than what I do.”

  “Maybe.” Fabian tilted the fruit drink up to finish.

  “I am attracted to you.”

  Fabian smiled and set the bottle down. “Oh, man, you have

  no idea how much I fantasize about you.”

  “You do?”

  “Oh, fuck yeah. I can’t believe I’m telling you this.” Fabian

  felt his cheeks grow warm and chuckled.

  “Ditto.” [http://www.superiorz.org]

  That stunned him. Fabian’s jaw dropped. “You…you

  fanta

  size about me?”

  “Hell yeah.”

  “Huh.” Fabian felt his cock throb between his legs. “So,

  that’s it? Admire each other from afar?”

  “You want to take that chance? Hate my guts and be stuck

  working for me once you think I’m a bastard?”

  “You’re the boss. I’ll agree with whatever you want.”

  “Yeah. That’s the other problem. Sincerity. Will what you do

  with me in bed be because you think I’ll fire you, or will it be

  because you want to.”

  “What? You think I don’t want to?” Fabian reached across

  the table and touched Braxton’s cheek.

  Braxton at first appeared to melt at the touch, but soon the

  shield came up and he not only moved away, he stood, tossed out