“Employment law forbids me from hiring people based on gender. I can’t do that.”
“Hmm, okay Mr Hunter. If you say so.” I could feel animosity and tension building between us. Part of me wanted to turn a deaf ear to his comments and to rekindle the relaxed atmosphere but part of me was outraged.
“I have built this company up from nothing and I haven’t finished yet. I am not quite ready to lose focus - not just yet. I have made so many sacrifices. I do what needs to be done to accomplish my aim.”
“What is your aim?” What could be worth living a life devoid of any change in routine, any excitement … any sex! He hasn’t actually said that he doesn’t have sex. But he hates the way that women respond to him. Ah, perhaps he pays for it. Perhaps he blindfolds them!
I hadn’t noticed that he’d moved away to collect the decanter of cognac. He returned and poured himself another. I refused a top up; I suddenly felt like keeping a clear head and I’d had too much to drink already.
Before I could challenge him for not answering my question, he spoke again. “So Miss Prince, I find myself back to my original question. Where do we go from here?” He looked me straight in the eye. “How do I get my orderly life back? How do I get you out of my head?”
I don’t have any answers. This was a first for me too. But I suddenly felt anger building inside me. He doesn’t care about how you’re affected by him. He blames you for disturbing his concentration. For spoiling his day. Like it is all your fault. What about how he affects you? Whose fault is that?
I made a point of looking at my watch, with the intention of inventing a prior engagement so that I could make my excuses and leave. I was genuinely surprised to note that it was almost four o’clock. Crap! I am going to be late. I was meeting Angel at 4:30. We had hair appointments in preparation for watching Chad and the band tonight at a new venue - a bigger club in Brooklyn.
“I don’t have any answers for you, Mr Hunter. I can only suggest that we keep our distance from each other and then it won’t be a problem for either of us.”
I felt some satisfaction when I noted his jaw dropping in surprise and that gave me the impetus I needed to get up from the sofa and make my escape.
“I apologize but I am running late for another appointment that I cannot miss,” I announced. “I must go. Goodbye Lucas.”
He jumped to his feet and dragged his hand through his hair. “But we aren’t done.”
Oh, I think we are.
He took a step towards me, almost closing the gap between our bodies. His eyes were wide, black and stormy. I could see the tension in his face - his jaw muscles clenched and I was sure he was gritting his teeth. “We need to sort this out. I can’t stay away from you. God knows I’ve tried.”
“Then you will have to just try harder.” I said quietly then I turned on my heel to leave.
He caught my wrist and spun me around to face him. “Have dinner with me tonight; we can continue our conversation then.” It wasn’t a question. It was a command.
Oh so you think that you can control me now? That’s not going to happen.
I looked into his eye and then forced my eyes to travel down his body and back up again, oh so slowly. I was immensely satisfied to see his eyes were stormier than ever and I could see a vein pulsing in his neck. “I have plans tonight. I will be socializing and I guarantee that I will get hot and sweaty and I will probably be fucked, hard, until I lose all control and scream for mercy. Hopefully, several times.” With that, I shook off his grip and walked calmly from the room.
As I closed the door behind me, the sound of glass smashing caught my attention. Oh temper, temper Mr Hunter.
I marched through reception, shooting a lascivious smile at the receptionist and was delighted when the elevator doors opened as I approached and Daniel exited. “Daniel,” I nodded before entering the car and waiting for the doors to close. When they did, I sank against the wall and exhaled slowly. Now that didn’t go the way I planned but at least I can put him out of my mind for good.
Chapter 6
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I cried as I entered the salon and saw Angel’s annoyed expression. “Something came up that took longer than expected but I am here now. Let’s get beautiful!”
She tried to stay cross with me but failed miserably. She told me not to be late again before launching into a monologue of how excited Chad was that the band were going to play a bigger venue tonight. I was aware of her animated chatter but I found that I couldn’t concentrate. I only realized how unsettled and unfocused I was when Tyler, my stylist, began to squeal and jump up and down, clapping his hands. Belatedly, I realized that I had unwittingly agreed to having my black hair streaked with blue - something that Tyler had been attempting to persuade me to do for months. Oh god! I didn’t have the energy to face him down and tell him that I hadn’t been listening and that I didn’t want to have blue hair so I just went with it. Damn the brandy - I knew not to drink spirits in the afternoon, especially on an empty stomach! But I knew that it wasn’t just down to the alcohol. I realized with some irritation that Lucas Hunter was still managing to affect me, even though I thought that I exorcised that phantom this afternoon. Damn him to hell!