The Dirty Dozen: Alpha Edition

by Kay Maree

  “Mr. Calder, your nine o’clock is here.” Forrest Alexander had been his assistant since he’d opened his business and knew more about him than anyone. Which is why the other man was giving him a wide berth for the day or so.

  “I don’t have any appointments today. I have a nine o’clock on Tuesday.” Forrest frowned at him and took a step into the room. “It is Tuesday, sir.”

  Zane looked at his calendar and then at his phone. “Well, so it is.”

  “Are you alright, Mr. Calder? I could make excuses for you if you’re not feeling well.”

  “I’m fine. Send them in.” Zane turned away from Forrest and attempted to get himself together. He wasn’t known for being a scatterbrain, and he would not allow Tempest to blow through his life and make him crazy. He would talk to her about this as soon as he was done with this meeting. He pulled out the plans he’d put together with Tempest. Although he’d done a lot by himself. She’d just nodded when he told her what he was thinking for the add-on, and he’d taken that as acceptance.

  Benjamin Campbell was his nine o’clock meeting, and although he really didn’t feel like seeing anyone, this wasn’t the worst person to spend a few minutes talking about a project with. The man didn’t just come in though; he was waiting for someone who was lagging behind.

  It was like his senses got a whiff of her before she cleared the door. Staying cool was not something he consciously did, but it was proving to be difficult now. He stood up without even thinking and walked to the door.

  Benjamin led with his hand out, and Zane shook it before offering the man a seat. Tempest followed behind, and now he knew why. She’d been talking décor with Forrest, who thought he was an interior decorator himself.

  “Ms. Sure,” Zane shook her hand as she crossed the threshold.

  She shook his hand but didn’t look at him. This was a confident woman who looked everyone in the eye. After Saturday, she didn’t answer his texts, thank him for his flowers or notice that he’d turned himself inside out for nothing in return.

  Zane settled himself behind his desk and watched Benjamin act like the sun rose and set on Tempest. Not that Zane didn’t agree, it was just sickening for him to watch another guy do that.

  “I’ve taken it upon myself to put together a few slides that will tell you what we are thinking about.” Zane ran the short presentation like he did everything he was trying to get through: with efficiency and an air of confidence. He looked at both of them and watched them nod their heads.

  “Ms. Sure, did you want to add anything?”

  Benjamin sat forward in his seat. “No need. I’ve been talking to her about what she plans to do for the décor. There is also another matter that we’ve been discussing. If you need to hear what she’s come up with, I have time for that.”

  It was getting harder and hard to keep his cool, but he would because he knew he was being ridiculous. “I’m assuming you’re leaving together. If I could have a word with Ms. Sure before you leave, I’d appreciate it.” He hoped that came out as it was intended because he felt like he would turn into a roaring lion.

  “Of course. I guess I have what I need. I needed to talk to Forrest before I left, so that should give you some time.” Benjamin looked at Tempest. “Just let me know when you’re ready to go.”

  Tempest nodded and then watched him leave. It wasn’t like she was pining, but she looked like she wanted him to save her. He chuckled when he realized she wanted to be saved from him. His laughter drew her gaze to him.

  “Look, I can see you don’t really want to talk to me, and I’ve been on your shoes many times. I don’t want to make this uncomfortable for you. I just wanted to tell you I had fun getting to know you, and I hope that I did nothing to upset you.”

  Tempest’s cheeks stained pink, and she took a deep breath. “I’m a coward.”

  “What?” Not that he didn’t hear her, but he didn’t understand why that was her response to what he’d said.

  “You heard me.” She walked to the door, closed it, and then leaned against it with her eyes closed. “I had fun with you, too.”

  She was talking at such a low tone; it was hard to hear her. That was the only reason he was getting closer to her. The only reason. He told himself he could hear her better when he got closer.

  “I’ve known about you, Zane, for a long time, but I didn’t pursue it because you don’t fit my requirements.”

  “Hey.” He put his hand on her cheek, and she opened her eyes “It’s okay. You don’t have to explain.”

  She stood up straight and looked him in the eye. “I have to explain because this is not who I am. I stand and fight, not run and hide.”

  “What are your requirements?”

  “What?” She looked bewildered like she didn’t know where he’d gotten that information.”

  “You said I didn’t fit your requirements. I just wanted to know how I fell short.”

  “It’s not about you falling short it’s about you being too much. Too hot, too funny, too memorable, and the sex was too good. I mean, you should charge for that shit. Have mercy. I doubt a toy could get me to the location you got me to.” She had a smile on her face, and that made him a little happier. Although knowing he was too much for her to want to be with him again wiped the smile from his face.

  “It’s okay, Tempest. We will kill this competition and walk away winners.” He was close enough to touch her, but she’d given him the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ speech that he’d given others a million times, it didn’t feel good. Touching his lips to her forehead, he said goodbye without words. Then he gently moved her so he could open it. This was fucking painful, and he didn’t understand why. This little thing they’d had was still fresh, so why did it feel like he’d blown something special?

  Tempest blinked up at him like she was expecting something until he ushered her out.

  “Please ask Forrest to clear my schedule for the afternoon when you pass him.” Zane picked up his wallet, keys, and phone before he walked by Tempest and the look of confusion on her face.

  He went down the stairs, so none of his employees or his nosy assistant stopped him. Zane didn’t want to talk to anyone about anything.

  A few minutes later, he was mad at himself. This was the shittiest getaway plan he’d ever come up with, but he’d made it to his car and really didn’t have anywhere he’d like to run to. His job was his life, and since he didn’t want to be there concentrating on that, he guessed he’d just go home for the day.

  *****

  There was a loud pounding, followed by his ringing doorbell. Zane sat up and looked around. What time was it? He picked up his phone: 8:30pm. Did he miss work? He turned on his light and made it to the door.

  “Oh my god, I’m so glad you’re alright.”

  “What?” He stood there looking at Tempest, who looked overwrought with concern. “I was just taking a nap.”

  “Oh.” She suddenly looked defeated like it had taken the wind out of her sails. “I’m sorry. Forrest told me he’d not spoken to you since this morning, and you’d missed a couple of things you’d never missed. I told him I’d check up on you.”

  Things were clearing up, but with the sudden way she had awakened him, he was still a little foggy.

  “Come in.”

  Tempest walked in, still looking a bit frazzled, but now there was some embarrassment mixed in with it. “Forrest gave me your address if you were wondering. You should probably call him. I’m glad you responded because I was about to call the police for a wellness check.”

  “Make yourself a drink and relax. I will call Forrest.” He made his way to his office before calling his assistant. The phone seemed like it was ringing slowly, but it was probably because he was in a hurry to tell Forrest the fuck off.

  “Hello, Boss.” The usually efficient man said in a slightly sing-song tone. “How can I be of assistance?”

  “Did you send Tempest Sure here to check on
me?” The silence on the phone was so long Zane had to verify the phone call hadn’t been disconnected. The time of the call was still counting. “Forrest?” He bellowed.

  “Yes, I did, and you’re welcome.” The man said quickly before the line disconnected. Zane sat there for a few minutes filled with fury, and he wasn’t even sure why. It could be because his assistant just hung up on him or because he acted like he’d just solved a problem. Calm down... calm down. He tried to get himself together because the problem he’d tried to get away from was sent to his house for him to deal with.

  He decided that he would deal with Forrest in the morning, but he had bigger fish to fry right now. Entering the living room where he’d left Tempest, he found her with a glass of wine. She appeared to be looking at all the things his interior decorator had put up.

  She turned to him with a smile when he sat on the couch before returning her attention to the wall. “Did you hang all this up?”

  “No, I have a media person I use at the office, and she comes here to hang whatever she finds that has my name or picture involved in it.”

  She took a sip of her wine, and he sat there, letting the awkward silence wrap around him. What he should do is be the jovial, playful guy he wanted to be around her, but he was beginning to understand the ladies who thought he had done them wrong. There was a bit of bitterness that went along with seeing her.

  “Do you want something to eat?”

  He didn’t answer that because he didn’t want to lie to her, but he knew what he was thinking wasn’t what she’d meant. Did he want something to eat? Yes, but he wanted to eat her. It had been too long since he’d tasted her, and he’d not done it the last time they were together.

  “I’m sorry that Forrest sent me over here. Is that the problem?” Tempest sat down on the sofa with a mix of exasperation and style. It was a very dignified plop.

  He didn’t say anything.

  “If that is the problem, please don’t be mad at Forrest. I called this evening and asked if I could have your address.”

  “Why?”

  She cleared her throat. “I was going to bring dinner over as a peace offering. I went on about how you didn’t fit my requirements, but I shouldn’t have even gone there. You are the ultimate ‘take it light’ guy and I am making it heavy. I made more out of it than I should have.”

  He plucked her glass from her hand and finished the rest of her drink before he stood from the couch. “Let me walk you to your car.”

  “Wow. Really, Zane.”

  “Hey, I know what the rumor mill says about me, and it’s true. I’m not a keeper, and normally I don’t want to be. It’s a choice I made.” He walked over to the bar to get another glass of wine. He overfilled it and drank a couple sips. “Maybe your name shouldn’t be Tempest it should be Karma, because that’s what you feel like.”

  She stood up from the couch, looking defeated. “Okay. I get it.”

  “What were you going to bring for dinner?”

  She stopped right at the doorway and looked his way. “What?”

  “If you were going to bring dinner, what was it going to be?” He swirled his wine and then sat it on the counter.

  “I was going to go to Eso es Bueno and pick up some Mexican food.”

  “I wonder if they deliver.” He motioned her over and held her glass of wine up for her to come to get. “I’ll check and see.”

  She took her glass back and sipped her wine while looking at him. “So, what does this mean?”

  “It means I was being a baby because I felt rejected, but your peace offering is something I want to accept.” He pulled her to her into his arms for a hug.

  “This may be stupid, but I’m going to put it out there.” She pushed back from him gently and took a big gulp of her wine.

  “Okay.”

  “You don’t really take a chance on people, and I don’t either, but maybe we could take a chance on each other.” She stood there with her head held high, and her chest thrust out like she was prepared for battle. For him? She’d had him before she knew it.

  “You mean like exclusivity?”

  She wilted a little with his question. “Just a chance to see if we could work on the friends with benefits thing to see if it would work for us.”

  “So you mean exclusivity. Good, I would not be all in without that.”

  “Seriously?” She threw herself into his arms and pulled him down for a kiss. It wasn’t a pretty one, but one of desperation and longing. The kind that went on and on.

  “I’m starving for another bite of you, but if I don’t get some food in my stomach, I won’t have enough energy to participate in any extracurricular activities.”

  “I guess I should feed you so you can feed me.” Tempest walked to get her phone and scrolled for the number.

  Watching her curl her legs up on the couch and call for food shouldn’t have touched his heart, but it did. Look at him caring and shit… This was new and scary, but so damn worth it.

  She got off the phone and sighed deeply. “Are you going to be calling in your bet? The week isn’t up.”

  “My week was interrupted, so I think I’ll accept a raincheck for my winnings.”

  “You can’t hold a raincheck indefinitely.” Tempest had the nerve to look offended that he would hold his winnings over her head, probably until the worst possible time.

  “Which week I choose wasn’t clarified, but if it was, it would have been scheduled for another time since I wasn’t given a full week.”

  “Are you sure you’re not a lawyer instead of an architect?” Tempest smiled, and he smiled with her.

  “I’m an architect, but I watch enough shows with lawyers to have a basic knowledge of the subject, so watch yourself.” Zane moved to sit with her on the couch and she snuggled into his body.

  “Are you going to do a full body search on me?”

  “That’s the law’s job, but I can do that too. I’m law and order, so don’t you worry I’ll take care of you.”

  “Of that, I have no doubt.” Tempest snuggled into him as they waited.

  CHAPTER NINE

  TEMPEST

  Her life felt like a dream, and she was trying her hardest to make sure she didn’t have the mentality that it couldn’t last. It rarely did, but this might, right? They’d won the bid, completed their mission, and helped The Campbell Foundation raise a ridiculous amount of money. She’d been spending so much time with Zane, it was a wonder the two of them weren’t given some blended name. They were probably making everyone sick, but she’d never been so happy.

  A day after the event, Tempest was ready to celebrate. Not only was it their three-week anniversary, but they were finally done and could focus on themselves. Well, they could focus on themselves more than they typically did.

  She’d stopped by Eso es Bueno, picked up their favorite meal, and cleared her surprise visit with Forrest. The last time she’d stopped by, she heard all about how Forrest had figured out something was going on, and reconnected them all by himself. It’s a good thing it worked because Zane was either going to fire him or kill him. Zane had said that himself. Thankfully, Forrest had some errands and would not be there when she arrived.

  Tempest had a spring in her step as she went into her boyfriend’s office. When she got to the door; her stomach bottomed out. Zane was standing in the middle of his office with a crying Ava in his arms. Taking a few deep breaths, she wondered if there could be a good explanation for this. For the life of her, she couldn’t think of one.

  She’d always knew if she played with a player, she’d allow her heart to be broken. From sugar to shit in less than a minute. That’s how her life went.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ZANE

  He’d been ready to take the afternoon off. Zane had wanted to do something monumental for Tempest, and he wanted to ask for more of a commitment. Not a ring, but she watched a woman on Facebook who talked about trends and fads in in
terior design. She’d mooned over the woman’s she-shed. So, he’d researched it and even watched the woman’s live broadcast to get some ideas that Tempest may like.

  He was packing up when there was a light tap on the door.

  “Come in.”

  He continued putting papers in folders and his briefcase until no noise came from the door. Looking up, it shocked him when he saw who it was.

  “How can I help you Ava?”

  “The plan was to give you a taste of your own medicine. You were supposed to fall for her like every other guy.” The woman looked unstable. He’d never had to fight a woman, and he didn’t want to start now. He would attempt to take any weapon she had, but he hoped she wasn’t that kind of unstable.

  “Well, then your plan worked.”

  “She wasn’t supposed to fall for you.” The woman broke down, crying in the middle of his office. There should be someone you can call to help with that, but there is no Fix-a-Chick anywhere in this office that he knew about.

  When she made it toward him and placed herself in his arms, he didn’t know what to do. There should be some kind of class to learn what to say to a woman who wasn’t your girlfriend when they blubbered all over you.

  He gave her a little squeeze and then pushed her away from him. “When I first spoke to Tempest, I said I would not apologize to you because I’d done nothing wrong, but I owe you an apology.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. I do.” He sat her on the couch and walked to the bar. “Would you like some water?”

  “Can I have a drink?”

  “I think water would be better.” He felt like a dick, but he couldn’t afford for this to look improper. He had a girlfriend. The thought would have made him smile if he weren’t worried about how inappropriate this was.