A Dominant Man (36 page)

I get myself together and go locate
Maya.

“
Maya?”

“In here!” she calls from my bedroom. She is sitting at my vanity, fixing her hair.
The upbeat melody of Feist’s ‘I Feel It All’ blares from my iPod speakers.

“What do you want to do today?” I ask, fake grin securely in place.

“Before we figure it out, can we talk about your new beau?” She shoots me a pleading stare. The same puppy eyes I give Hunt peer back at me from the mirror.

“Sure. What do you want to talk about?”

“How long? How did it happen? What’s it like? You know. The usual.” She spins around, snatches my hand and tows me to my bed for some much-missed sister talk.

“I met him two and a half weeks ago at a bar he owns. The following Monday he bought the magazine I work for and we began our mindboggling affair. We made it official this past Saturday at Mom’s charity gala for his benefit.”

“You’re holding things back. What aren’t you telling me?”

Oh Jesus, does she miss nothing?

“We’ve had a rocky start. We were on, we were off, and he was offering me a relationship I didn’t want. After he behaved crudely one night, I kicked him out and didn’t see him for a few days. At the party he told me he wanted to give me more, and we just spent the most incredible weekend together.”

“You’re still not telling me something, but that’s your business. How do you feel about him? What does he feel for you? I only ask
because you guys seem engrossed. I’ve never seen you look at anyone with the intensity you give him.”

“We love one another.”

“That’s what I figured. How does Chase feel about it?”

I give her a bewildered look
. “What does it matter? How do you know I told him?”

She snorts. “Oh, come on! Are you totally clueless? One,
Chase is your best friend. You tell him everything. Two, it matters because the boy is head over heels for you. I’m surprised he hasn’t told you yet.”

“Why does everyone keep telling me that? Why can’t a guy genuinely care for a female without fucking being involved?”

“It’s true in this case, he does care for you, and you aren’t throwing him a bone. Poor delicious boy.”

“You like him
, don’t you?! I knew it!” I giggle.

“Yes, I do. But I’m not going to attempt to involve myself with a man devoted to my sister.”

“Enough, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. On the other hand, you and Chase could be a fun topic.”

“I think we covered the bases.”

“So, what happened with Hunt before I arrived?”

“I got here, settled in, and went into the kitchen to make
lunch. He walked in while I was preparing it. He was surprised to find me here. After exchanging names, we talked for a short bit, but it was mostly him sitting quietly, patiently waiting for your arrival.”

“Why didn’t you ask how he knew me?”

“He had a key, which probably meant he knew you on a personal level, and it was Daddy’s business partner. I didn’t want to go into that with him.”

“You knew who he was when I introduced you? You said it was nice to put a face to the name. In a really embarrassing way, thank you.”

“I wasn’t going to announce I Googled him. It would’ve been fucking awkward.” She gives me a scrutinizing gaze. “Seriously, Gabrielle, you’re screwing Dad’s business partner and your boss?”

“Butt out.” I shove her, and she giggles, pushing me back. “What do you want to do?”

“I still haven’t eaten lunch. Want to go out for a bite?”

The only thing I want to bite is Hunt’s golden, toned flesh.

“I’m down.”

H
unt delivered the Ferrari to my building, so we take her out for a spin. We eat at a hip new restaurant in the Mission District. The name escapes me. I think it’s called Eat, or Chair, or some typical name for a modern establishment such as this. I would’ve preferred a place a bit quainter, but Maya is like my mom, always on top of the latest trends and fashion.

We talk over our chicken Caesar salads and ice tea, mostly of her trip to Europe. She goes on about the beauty of the architecture and men who were more than willing to give her intimate tours of their cities and countryside. She talks of one guy more than any other, obviously he imprinted on her.

The lunch is relaxing and enjoyable, but Hunt doesn’t leave my thoughts, which makes getting threw the colloquy difficult. After we finish, we head over to Ghirardelli for a sweet, tasty treat. Our father brought us here almost every weekend. We loved it because you felt as if you’re walking into the past, but it’s changed a bit since then. The ice cream and candy is the best in the city. We’re enjoying our ice cream, when Maya exclaims, “We should go shopping!”

I groan. “Didn’t you do enough shopping? You won’t find anything here that you didn’t see there.”

“Why do you hate shopping?”

“I’m not a lingerer like you. I get what I want, and I’m out. Besides, I don’t need anything. Hunt purchased me enough clothes to last me a lifetime.”

“Did he? I’m going to take a shot in the dark…he gave you the car as well.”

“Yeah, but this is my favorite. I love it.” I hold out my hand and show off the ring. She snatches my hand and whistles.

“
Nice.
A belt though?”

“It’s an inside joke.”

“It’s spectacular. He must be obsessed with you to bestow so much, so quickly. He’s showing you he can provide you with a comfortable marriage.”

“Why do I keep hearing the word marriage? I talk about it all the time lately.”

“Is Mom pestering you?”

“No, but
she’s absolutely crazy about Hunt. No, he’s been bringing it up.”

“What?! He’s proposing marriage
already? You must’ve done serious damage to this guy.”

“He wants me to move in. I’m supposed to give him an answer at the end of the week. Is this crazy? Are we moving too rapidly?”

“Yes and no. When you know, you know. Who cares where in the timeline of a relationship you are when you fall. Does it feel right being with him?”

“Yes, from the moment we met it felt meant to be. But I don’t know basic things about him, and I’m considering taking a major plunge with him.”

“Ok, let me ask you a question. If no one else existed, if no one’s opinion of you mattered, what would your answer be? Would you marry him, even if it’s fast?”

I lick my cookie dough ice cream and take a moment to think. “Yes, to both.” I bite at the corner of my mouth.

“Then you know your answer. Don’t stress. I’m a firm believer in knowing when it’s right and going for it.”

“Thanks. I appreciate the help.”

I receive a text, and when I check, I see it’s from Damian. Even his texts are consuming and dominating, demanding attention.

From:
Hunt

To:
Elle

I CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY MIND.

I MUST KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING,

THINKING.

Received:

Tues Jan 29, 2014 2:25
PM

From:
Elle

To:
Hunt

YOU’RE NOT ALONE IN YOUR MENTAL

STRUGGLE. I’M CURRENTLY TALKING

ABOUT YOU WHILE LICKING ICE CREAM,

AND THINKING OF YOU.

Sent:

Tues Jan 29, 2014 2:26 PM

From:
Hunt

To:
Elle

THINKING OF ME WHILE YOU LICK ICE

CREAM? GREAT, IT’S GOING TO BE

IMPOSSIBLE TO FUNCTION. WHAT

FLAVOR?

Received:

Tues Jan 29, 2014 2:28 PM

From:
Elle

To:
Hunt

COOKIE DOUGH, BUT I PREFER DAMIAN

FLAVORED. THAT’S AN OPULENT TREAT.

Sent:

Tues Jan 29, 2014 2:29 PM

From:
Hunt

To:
Elle

DAMN WOMAN. IT’S A GOOD THING I’D

DIE FOR YOU CAUSE YOUR GOING TO

BE THE DEATH OF ME. I’M COUNTING

THE MINUTES.

Received:

Tues Jan 29, 2014 2:32 PM

From:
Elle

To:
Hunt

GOOD. I’LL KEEP AN EYE ON THE

SECONDS. LOVE YOU, SLICK.

Sent:

Tues Jan 29, 2014 2:32 PM

From:
Hunt

To:
Elle

LOVE YOU, GORGEOUS.

P.S. CHECK WALLET.

Received:

Tues Jan 29, 2014 2:33 PM

I open my wallet and there, with a small piece of paper wrapped around it, the card key to his home. I unfold the piece of paper and there’s a note in Hunt’s handwriting. I smile to myself, and my heart flutters.

This opens the door to my home, but you open the

d
oor to my soul’s darkest desires and brightest

aspirations.

Forever
yours,

Hunt

I softly whimper, clenching the note in my hand.

W
e end up shopping at a few cute boutiques. Maya’s the only one to buy anything. Afterward, we go to the market to pick up a few groceries for dinner. She’s not as enthusiastic about it but helps me find what I need. By the time we finish, it’s a quarter to six, but we’re only a few blocks from the apartment.

We get back, and I start prepping vegetables and seasoning the steak while
Maya pours us wine. She turns on my iPod in the living room and chooses Joan Jett’s ‘Bad Reputation’. I bump and sway as I prepare food and drink my glass of delish red wine. Maya shakes and shimmies her way back to the kitchen. We can’t help ourselves and start to move and dance around the island, using spoons as a faux mic, singing at the top of our lungs. We laugh and sing off key to the catchy tune while gyrating and shaking our asses off. We’re startled out of our groove by Hunt’s amused laughing.

“Honey, I’m home,” he says with a wicked tone.

We laugh along, and I return to getting dinner ready, still jamming out to the music. He places his infamous black duffle bag by the front door, which I eye curiously as he struts over to me. He’s wearing a black cashmere, V-neck sweater and worn-out jeans with black chucks. The song changes to ‘I Want Your Sex’ by George Michaels. Hunt and I glance at one another, smiling sensually.

“Hello, dear, how was your day?” I ask playfully.
Maya skips off to the guest room, leaving us alone for a proper hello.

“I missed you terribly. Other than that it was dull.”

“I missed you. You look nice.”

He tosses me a devilish grin. “Nice? Is that all I get?”

“You look smokin’ hot.”

He yanks me into him and plants a rough kiss on my waiting lips as if he hasn’t seen me in weeks.

“You look damn hot yourself.”

He goes at my neck, and I giggle when his stubble tickles me.

“Oh, gross. Get a room! Seriously, there are plenty to choose from, all with doors and locks,” Maya teases.

“Why don’t you pour, Damian, a glass of wine?”

“As you wish, Master,” Maya responds sarcastically.

I stiffen, and Hunt whispers into my ear, “I would love to hear you say those words while we play.” He gently licks my ear lobe, and my eyes close, immobilized by his prowess.

Maya pours wine into a free glass on the counter and hands it to him, which he takes graciously. He hesitates before taking a slight sip, letting it sit on his tongue before swallowing it happily. He almost appears surprised by my taste in wine.

“You like?” I question with a pleased smirk.

“I love. It’s exceptional. What is it?”

“The wine’s called La Luna Bella. It’s from our vineyard in Napa. You seem surprised by our palates, Mr. Hunt.”
Maya giggles at my remark but stifles it with her hand.