Once Upon A Time(32)
The office bonding session lasted another day, bringing back an enthusiastic Kylie who wanted every detail of my "erotic office fight" with Gabriel. I rolled my eyes at her ridiculous name for what happened but promised coffee with her so we could discuss where I went from here.
“I don’t know. I don’t even know how we’re going to work together with all—” I waved my hands in the air “—this. I don’t even know what this is. I mean, when he’s in the room, all I want to do is slap him and jump him. What’s up with that?!” I groaned, running my finger around the rim of my cup.
Kylie sighed, her shoulders slumping forward as she shook her head.
“It’s pretty simple, Pay. You’re just so closed off in the love department that you can’t see what’s in front of your eyes.”
“And what exactly am I missing?!”
“What you and Gabriel have is a classic case of sexual tension, but not just any sexual tension, it’s the kind where you love to hate him but hate to love him. Maybe you should just screw him out of your system.”
“You've got to be kidding me. There isn't any sexual tension between us, it’s just my body remembering exactly what he can do. Plus, screwing him out of my system isn't happening. He’s a client now, Kylie. I can’t just screw a client and you know it.”
“I know.” She sighed. “But what else do you suggest? You can barely stay in the same room for five seconds without fighting with him. If you’re not careful, Kate is going to get wind of your so-called business relationship and pull you from the account.”
“As long as she doesn't fire me in the process, she can have the account. He drives me crazy, Ky. I haven’t gotten any work done in the last two days since he walked into my office and now I've got to meet with him on Monday? He knows that my job is important to me and he’s manipulating that to get what he wants.”
“And what do you think that is? Sounds like he wants you, not Blue Stone PR.”
“He doesn't want me. He likes the idea of having pussy on tap while he’s working. I've met people like him, I've been with people like him, I've been hurt by people like him. Damn it, he’s fucking with my head and I hate him for it.”
“So why not make the bet with him?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Look, he said he’d guarantee he’d have you coming all over his desk by the end of the week, right?” I nodded my head, wondering where the hell this was going. “Then make the bet. Just change the terms so that you'll have the advantage. Give him a month, not a week and make sure he understands there shouldn't be anything sexual between you, only business. That way, you'll get what you want: an account you can take charge of and shock the shit out of Kate and stop all of—” She waved her hand in front of her, mimicking my earlier actions. “—this with Gabriel. It’s a win win.”
“It could work. It would coincide with the opening of Alpha.”
“The question is, do you want him to stop doing what he’s doing right now?”
Her question caught me off guard. Did I?
“From the look on your face, I’d say no. No, you don’t.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He’s infuriating, domineering, cut-off and intrusive. He drives me crazy and we've only spoken three times.”
“Well, from what I can tell, you like it. In fact, I’d go out of my way to say he could well be your Prince Charming.”
“Kylie!” I scolded.
“What? Just because you don’t believe in fairy tales, it doesn't mean they aren't real. Come on, Pay, from what you've told me this guy is pretty much you but with a dick. He’s met his match and he loves it, that’s why he’s getting a kick out of it. You’re exactly the same. You like that he challenges you, catches you by surprise and could fuck you into next week if you asked him. He’s Prince Charming material in his own way. He may not ride a white horse and you might not be a damsel in distress, but he could sweep you off your feet just as fast.”
“The only way he could sweep me off my feet is if he tackles me to the ground. Feet sweeping isn't sexy or fairy tale-like, it’s just another way to give women a false sense of hope when it comes to men and romance.”
“You’re such a lost cause, Payton.” She shook her head, draining the last of her coffee. “One day, you'll fall in love and it'll be so damn deep you won't be able to see which way is up. When that day comes, I'll be standing right beside you, whispering in your ear that I told you so.”